320 pages
Expected publication: July 1st, 2014
Published by: HarperTeen
Source: Giveaway
Rating: 5/5
She's a tomboy. He's the boy next door…
Charlie Reynolds can outrun, outscore, and outwit every boy she knows. But when it comes to being a girl, Charlie doesn't know the first thing about anything. So when she starts working at a chichi boutique to pay off a speeding ticket, she finds herself in a strange new world. To cope with the stress of her new reality, Charlie takes to spending nights chatting with her neighbor Braden through the fence between their yards. As she grows to depend on their nightly Fence Chats, she realizes she's got a bigger problem than speeding tickets-she's falling for Braden. She knows what it means to go for the win, but if spilling her secret means losing him for good, the stakes just got too high.
Fun, original, and endearing, On the Fence is a romantic comedy about finding yourself and finding love where you least expect.
Charlie is your typical tomboy--tough, sporty, and clueless to anything girly. Sharing a house with her three brothers isn't easy so she tries to blend in with them. Things get complicated when she's forced to get a job and the only place willing to hire her puts her in a compromising position. Now Charlie has to balance her job as a salesclerk in a women's boutique and her reputation as one of the guys. Not to mention that the guy next door? The one she has known for years? Yeah, she might be developing feelings for him.
To start off, I cannot tell you how adorable this is. Sure, it might be a little cheesy here and there but I didn't mind. Hey, I like some cheese from time to time. I love to read something that's going to put a huge smile on my face and this book did exactly that. The great thing about this novel is the perfect balance between a little cheese and a lot of drama.
I didn't expect Charlie's family to have such a huge role in the book. I was so glad to find out that On the Fence is not just a love story. Charlie and her family are struggling with a huge (and very unexpected) issue and that alone makes this story that much more interesting. Not to mention that the family dynamic is fantastic. Her dad is an important character in the book and I couldn't have been happier that this was the case. Charlie's brothers are hilarious and so awesome that I want individual books about them all. I need her brothers in my life. Need.
What I loved about this novel is that I was able to connect with Charlie. I'm not a complete tomboy but I'm not very feminine either. I felt like her personality was so much like my own that I was able to understand her struggles and her doubts perfectly. Kasie West has a gift for writing ridiculously attractive guys and Braden is no exception. There's something incredibly sexy about this guy and I found it hard to believe that it took Charlie so long to notice him. I mean, he's your next door neighbor! Come on, Charlie. Get it together. All kidding aside, there's something magical about reading a great love story, like you're falling in love along with the characters. I felt like I was walking on clouds while reading this one. Even though The Distance Between Us was witty and cute, On The Fence is the perfect mix between fun and serious. It touches your heart a little bit more and I can't wait to experience it again.
I like to take notes as I read so I can give you detailed information on what I liked, disliked, etc. I didn't take any notes about this novel. Why? Because I was too busy reading it! I didn't want to put it down long enough to write anything about it. It is PERFECT for the beach. I really loved The Distance Between Us and I didn't think this one would top it. I can honestly say that On the Fence is even better! And if you love TDBU as much as I did, there might be a little special appearance by one of our beloved characters in On the Fence. Just saying.
