Things I'd Rather Do Than Die by Christine Harley Deriso is a very interesting young adult love story that I enjoyed. Jade Fulton and Ethan Garrett are opposites, Ethan is star athlete and “Jesus freak”, and Jade is girl who would rather remain unseen. When these two are locked up together for hours, their way of thinking begins to change. I do not consider this to be a Christian book, I believe one of the characters deals with life by throwing himself into church. There are characters that are suppose to be Christians who do not act like it, similar to life. I enjoy watching these two students grow as people because of their friendship. I recommend this book for people who enjoy young adult books.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Things I’d Rather Do Than Die was a fun read! While it wasn’t exactly a complex story, (the plot was fairly straight forward and the development was kind of obvious), I did really enjoy the characters! They were layered and I loved learning the little pieces about both of the characters’ personal lives as the story progressed! I think reading from the two very opposing point of views really complimented the story. This book really centered around misconception and acceptance as themes and I would totally suggest it to anyone looking for a fluffy contemporary.

I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed reading <i>All the Wrong Chords</i> earlier this year so I couldn't resist when I saw Christine had another book coming out. I knew I'd be in for a bit of an emotional/introspective ride and I was not disappointed.

Jade and Ethan are very dynamic characters. The story started off in such a way that I couldn't help but be sucked into their lives. Telling the story from alternating perspectives was a solid move; it would not have had the same impact if we had only seen Jade's side of things.

Christine does a marvelous job of exploring the danger of assumptions and the toll non-traditional family structures can have on people on the cusp of young adulthood. It's truly impressive how many topics she was able to tackle without it seeming preachy or forceful. It felt real.

I would recommend this to anyone who:
- has ever felt like an outsider
- had to grow up quicker than they should've
- enjoys young adult fiction

"That's what pulls people apart from each other. or keeps them from ever coming together in the first place: assumptions. Ridiculous assumptions. Judgments." 

This is a story about the assumptions we make about other people, and how these judgments are more often than not incorrect. It's about opening yourself up to other people to learn who they really are because at the end of the day we're all human and no one's life is perfect. 

The book opens up with Jade, finishing up her shift at the gym she works at, when Ethan, Mr. popular and star athlete of their school shows up and asks if he can squeeze in a quick work out. And now Jade is stuck working late because her boss will never turn anyone away.  Jade and Ethan are now the only two people in the gym when out of the blue this guy comes in and robs the gym. (A little ridiculous right? Who robs a gym?) But anyway, they end up locked in a room together with no idea how long they're going to be there. 

Told in a dual perspective, we start to see that they both have made these assumptions about each other that could not be further from the truth. They come from two different worlds and have different beliefs. Now, a lot of people are saying that this is a Christian book, but it didn't really feel that way to me. The main focus of the book wasn't religion. Ethan happens to be Christian and Jade considers herself not an atheist but more of a wonderer.  She questions Ethan about his faith and the two share their beliefs with each other, but they still manage to respect each other's thoughts. At no point did I  feel like this book was trying to preach to me or convert me or anything like that, which is why I didn't see it as a Christian book. ( I acted more like a filter, not a sponge.) 

Overall I really enjoyed this book. I wouldn't say I loved it, ( a lot of things were kind of just left unfinished) but its a nice quick read.

Two people who barely know each other held at gunpoint and locked in a gym overnight: I was so excited!

And it was really great, but it was essentially the only piece of plot in the entire book. So after all that great stuff, that was it. It was all downhill from there...

But even though nothing was really happening it was still not the most boring thing I've ever read. It was slow, but not terrible.

I felt that the dual narration was a bit unnecessary. I am not a fan of multiple narrators and this book was no exception for me.

Gia, the best friend, was alright, but just the way that she was written made me dislike her.

And Brianne, Ethan's girlfriend(ish) had a subplot that went on for WAY too long. It just kept dragging and you could see what was going to happen, but it just took forever and it was so yuck!

The MCs Jade & Ethan were okay, I liked them... But they are both completely oblivious to their surroundings and made some very silly decisions. They also are very indecisive, which I found annoying.

I thought this book is okay, but overall it is a very cutesy shallow read. Don't expect much more from it, because that's all it is. But for a nice summery read, it is quite good!

Things I'd Rather Do Than Die started really slow for me and I didn't really feel like reading the book because I couldn't really connect with the characters. Therefore I gave up and stopped reading it. Too bad because I really liked All the Wrong Chords.

Jade Fulton is working in the reception at the gym one evening when a customer, Ethan Garrett, arrives just before the end of her shift. They know each other by sight as they are both seniors at the same school. She was literally on the point of leaving the empty premises to go home, but agrees to stay and lock up later when Ethan has finished his workout. Mean-time a robber comes in to the gym and Ethan sizes up the situation. Just as he is about to pounce from behind the robber, his best effort is thwarted as the robber turns around. He makes the two students go into the aerobics room, locks them in and makes his escape, leav-ing Jade and Ethan imprisoned until someone finds them and the door is opened.
That night they realise that they have lots in common, despite their many differences, and let’s face it; on paper they are as different as chalk and cheese! To pass the time away they chat about anything and everything. They play the made up game 'Things I'd rather do than die', they laugh, debate and learn all about each other and they comfort each other until they are rescued when Ethan’s long-time girl friend raises the alarm. Despite their fledgling bond made on this night with each other, they go back to their everyday routines in life. But is this the end of the story or the very beginning, because secretly they both know something has happened that binds them together? It’s up to them what happens next.
This story was quite slow moving and there were missed opportunities and misunderstandings as the story progressed. The two main characters were well crafted and I could easily visualise them and see things from their points of view. Still the story laboured on and on again. What should have happened never did. I enjoyed the ‘boy meets girl’ story but felt that the novel would have benefitted by being snappier. It was so frustrating, the ‘will he? will she’? scenario was definitely overworked. I liked the issues raised -one Dad with cancer and the other an alcoholic for instance, and the thorny issues about racism. I thought some issues could have been further developed. Nevertheless I quite enjoyed the novel overall.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from publisher Flux through my membership of NetGalley. It was sent in return for an honest and unbiased review. It’s a 3* review from me.

Unfortunately I couldn't get into this book, so I stopped reading a quarter of the way through. I didn't find the characters or story engaging, so it fell flat with me.

I’m conflicted on this book and let me tell you why. When I read then synopsis I knew that there was going to be some religious talk about the book. The thing that got me more interested was that Jade and Ethan get locked in a closet because they were getting robbed. That sounds interesting right? The plot seemed to be promising. Everything was good and dandy with the story until they get rescued.
I DNF this at 15%.
*I got a copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*

I recieved this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I wanted to like this book...so much...but I just couldn't. The book begins with Jade, a high school student working at the local gym. it's closing time, and star quarterback Ethan comes in at closing time hoping to sqweeze in a workout, which of course the owner says 'of course', then leaves Jade with Ethan to lock up when he finishes. While Ethan is doing his thing, Jade is robbed...Ethan and Jade are then locked in a room until help arrives in the early morning hours.

I thought it would get better from there, it seemed there was potential, but I never found it. It was just sort of boring. There are other things happening, like a cancer diagnosis, alcohol addiction, abuse, an annoying girlfriend that I just couldn't stand, oh and it's a Christian book as well, which was never mentioned in the preview until you started reading it. I didn't mind that, but that might turn off some people.

I'm really sorry I just couldn't get into this book. I would like to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read it, but I just wouldn't recommend it to my friends.

At first I couldn’t really get into the story, I didn't like all the religious talks they were having and I was afraid it would be the major plot of the book. I'm happy to say it was not and that the book picked itself up after having a bit of a rocky start. The story deals with a lot of different themes, like for example race, loss, what family truly means. The whole Brianne’s subplot was dragged on a little too much for my taste but in the end this book truly was an enjoyable read that I would recommend.

Don't let the heavy topics scare you, at it's heart this book is a sweet YA romance between polar opposites that will make you laugh and cry...sometimes even at the same time. I appreciate the fact that the main characters are learning, growing and maturing throughout this story. Jade and Ethan have lived very different lives and it was interesting seeing them learn about each other. It was even more interesting to me that understanding how they viewed each other lead each of them to discover truths about themselves.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I expected this book to be a little cliche, honestly. I was pleasantly surprised that my expectations were not met. The characters were so well developed and likable. Despite the struggles they faced they each remained solid in who they were.
This book is absolutely worth the read. If you’re expecting boy meets girl, boy rescues girl, girl falls in love you will be somewhat disappointed. I really feel like the ‘princess saves herself’ in this story. And that doesn’t reflect poorly on the prince, by any means. He has things to do that don’t revolve around the heroine 100% and falling in insta-love. And that was okay. Ethan and Jade both had baggage, but neither one let it hold them down.
I appreciate that lessons weren’t forced on us or on the characters. Everything felt organic and true enough to real life that I didn’t doubt the progress they made.
Great writing, great story, great characters. Great read!

I find this review quite hard to write. The writing of the book was fine - easy to read, not trying to be too clever and appropriate to the intended audience. Saying all that however it was not apparent that the book would be quite so religious - the main male character very strong his his belief (and not afraid to tell the reader) and the female character is meant to be agnostic but also brags about being a catholic. I found much of the religious talk (and there was lots) pretty tedious if I'm honest.

I also didn't like the knight in shining armour complex the male leas had. It felt invasive and possibly would lead to him being abusive in later life. I don't always have to like characters to enjoy reading about them but I feel I am meant to like him and root for a romance.

The problem with this is not the fact that this is a "Christian" book. Nor is it the overly cheesy dialogue which I've come to accept with many books in this genre. The problem with this book is the author gives no real descriptions or depth, except for when it comes to all things religious and even then it's the same regurgitated stuff we've already heard.

What I did appreciate about this is that the author did attempt to create some kind of conflict. Ethan is a growing lad, he's talked his parents into letting him go to a nondenominational church (save your gasps, I'm not done), confronts his parent's apparent racism, Ethan even gets developed enough to become frustrated by religious platitudes. Yet even with all this that doesn't save the novel from the trite and shallow mess this is. It doesn't break any bounds by acknowledging the pitfalls of religion because she didn't really challenge her characters.

I liked the book, but not a love like.
The prose was simple, so is the story.
The things were never complicated, and I adore the author for that.

But the story was so basic that it feels like reading a same boring style book. I can even predict what going to happen.
Jade's going out with Robb, well, I predicted it. I thought, what could happen next, except the girl going out with someone else, and Ethan feeling jealous and realising the love he feels for her.
Exactly the same thing happen.

Still, I will suggest the book to those people who like reading light books.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

First, the positives! I always enjoy a diverse character cast, so I liked that one of the main narrators in this book was half African American and had a Filipino step-mother and step-sister. And it's always great to read books with female protagonists! Some of the family dynamics were also really interesting. (Jade's mom abandoned her and her father is dying of cancer and Ethan's father is an abusive drunk.) I liked the idea that while people might seem "perfect" from the outside, they could actually have a lot of unseen drama and grief going on in their private lives. I also enjoyed the theme of biological family versus found family.

Now on to the problems...One of my main issues with the book was tension, or more specifically, the lack of. Even though there were some moments that should have ratcheted up the tension (like the robbery in the very beginning), the author's overwrought writing style made the scene deflate. You never get the feeling that Jade and Ethan are in any real danger. If anything, the robbery felt sort of comical. It read like a fan-fic prompt - What if your OTP got stuck in a room together for a night?

The robbery in the beginning is where the story started to fall apart for me. The conversation Jade and Ethan had in the gym wasn't interesting and there no chemistry or spark between the two characters that would fuel 175 pages of them longing to be together. Ethan prays to Jesus and Jade does some yoga while the gym is being robbed (again no sense of urgency or tension). They talk about needing to pee. And then they spend the next 150 pages thinking about each other, before finally getting together.

There was nothing at stake in the book. No real reason that Ethan and Jade would be kept apart.
Their families don't care. Their social groups don't care. Ethan has a girlfriend, but he doesn't like her and breaks up with and gets back together her about five times over the course of the book. Jade randomly dates someone to make Ethan jealous. And surprise, they get together in the end!

The writing of this book was just...not great. The dialogue was bad and not believable for two teenagers. The religious stuff was really heavy-handed. There were some preachy messages about drinking. The two main characters were overly judgmental and hypocritical. The background characters were not fleshed out at all. If I hadn't received an ARC, I probably would have DNF-ed this book within the first few chapters.

It should be retitled to Things I'd Rather Do Than Read This Book.

#ThingsIdRatherDoThanDie #NetGalley

To be completely honest with you guys, I almost gave up on this story. It started kind of good, but at the same time very improbable. I mean how many times have you heard of a robbery happening at a gym? I mean it could have been anything else, but Hurley decided to do a gym. It was weird, but it was still a strong start, robbery, two teens trapped, very good premise.

Then the Christian parts were incorporated and I almost said no. I literally considered just skimming through it and give it a review halfheartedly. But I decided to not do that and actually read it and I'm glad I did.

Things I'd Rather Do Than Die gets a 3.5 star review in my review book.

This story is a feel good story, yes there are parts that suck like Jade's dad condition and the shitty life that Ethan has at home. It is not all rainbows and butterflies, but it is still a story about friendship, about learning to not judge each other based on their believes, or the people they hang out with, or even the facade they show to the world.

Yes, we all know it is extremely hard to not do that just because we are so used to judging others by the little glimpses we get of a person at any given point, but I'm sure we all have had an experience where our initial assessment was totally wrong. I know I've had more than one.

But anyhow, this story is lovely, it follows both Ethan and Jade in their discovery of what friendship means, and how life sometimes throws awful experiences your way, but you have to be true to yourself and accept that even though your life might not be rose color and perfect, your attitude toward it is what makes the difference.

Yes it has some parts when Ethan speaks about the lord and how being part of a religious group helps him deal with his problems, but in all reality it is not solely focused on the religious aspect of it. It's just part of who the character is and I think at first it might feel like the religious part of it is being pushed at your face, but if you keep on reading you realize that it was just about setting who the character is supposed to be.

I honestly just loved this story, because it captured what being a teenager is and what dealing with grown-up problems at that age feels like. Hurley just does an amazing job at sort of taking you deep into the character's lives and what they are dealing with and how bad they feel it is at that age.

All in all a good story, there are some flaws here and there, but it is a good book, easy to follow and fast to read.

Completely recommend it!

Something you should know about Ethan: his favorite book is the Bible. Something you should know about Jade: she is quite unwell. When they are locked together overnight, the two teens from very opposite ends of most every divide – political, social, philosophical – learn that there is more to the other than meets most eyes, and they spend the rest of the book realizing that the bond they forged that night is probably the most real relationship either has ever had. There is A LOT going on here, it’s like Teen Hot Button Issue Soup, and there are perhaps a few too many big picture debates raging in both the text and subtext. But it’s a heartfelt, heartbreaking and even life affirming roller coaster, and the addition of confirmed atheist Gia adds a nice touch to this contemplation of life as a young person in today’s America, and how hard it can be to get past first, second and even hundredth impressions to get past our pre-conceived biases. – Rachel Hyland

3 1/2 stars.

This review appears in Romantic Intentions Quarterly #2, out July 3.

Jade Fulton works at Royal Gym, who is brillant and a bit pretentious with her best friend Gia. One night Ethan Garrett comes into the gym right at closing. Jade is required to stay until Ethan finished his workout. Ethan is the star quarterback, dates a cheerleader, a devote Christian, and all around good guy. While Jade is waiting for Ethan to finish his workout, a masked man enters the gym--robs them and locks both of them in the aerobics room. The duo spend over eight hours together talking, joking and pondering various aspects of their lives. Jade questions Ethan's devotion to Christianity even though Jade's stepmother is a practicing Catholic.
Shortly after the two are rescued, both return to their normal lives. Jade is still sarcastic but now realizes hoe empty her life is. Ethan questions how much of a nice guy he is. Both teens ponder their roles in life and what impact their actions are within their loved ones lives. Though Jade and Ethan have vastly different lives, they have a common ground--being locked in that room and questioning their place in the world.

This is a terrific novel for teens who are confused bout their place in the world.