ARC Review & Author Interview: Pivot Point by Kasie West

Pivot Point
by: Kasie West
Release Date: February 12th/13. (So close!)
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: ARC swap with another blogger
Pivot Point on Goodreads here
Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:
Knowing the outcome doesn’t always make a choice easier . . .

Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.

In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through . . . and who she can’t live without.

My Thoughts:
A great contemporary pick, with an evolutionary twist!

I felt a bond with Addison while reading Pivot Point. Speaking from experience, Pivot Point touches on a very hard topic of divorce, and I really found myself sympathizing with her wanting her parents to get back together. Addie is forced to choose which parent she'd rather live with. This decision leads to Addie beginning her next "Search" to decide which path (i.e. Mom or Dad) is the best for her, and this is where the plot truly takes off...

Pivot Point reminded me a lot of the movie Sliding Doors, but with a youthful flare. We're given dual narratives, both told from Addie's perspective, but in different lives. West does a great job with the pacing of these two narratives, I never felt confused or lost while reading Pivot Point and the dual narratives helped to add an element of suspense with the ending of each chapter.

While her parents love lives seem to be falling apart, Addie is not lacking in the eligible bachelor department. She has two completely different young men vying for her attention. 

First we have Duke (who happens to be my pick of the two), who is the stereotypical quarterback- charming, gorgeous and a player, but he's set his sights on Addie. Only we're not so sure what his true intentions are towards our heroine.

Then there's Trevor, a former quarterback due to injury and a norm. He's sweet and thoughtful, but has some unfinished business in the form of an ex-girlfriend.

West is great at paralleling these two boys' personalities through different situations, an example: One holds the car door open and asks if it's ok to turn on the radio, while the other not only turns it on without asking, but turns it up so loud that Addie has to shout to be heard. I do feel for Addie in having to choose between these two, but I think I know which one she's going to end up with (but I'm not saying! :)).

I found that Pivot Point read very much like a contemporary YA title, although it does have some SciFi elements within it, that have more to do with the evolution of the mind above anything. When I first started reading Pivot Point, I thought that Addie and her Mom were kind of snotty, wanting to keep themselves separated from the "Norms" of the world (that would be us), and this superiority complex kind of reminded me of Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory, it's like a society filled with Sheldon Coopers! Can you imagine? But I really grew to like Addie, although I'm still on the fence with regards to her mother...

O and if all that wasn't enough to tempt you, there's also a murder mystery twisted into the plot of Pivot Point, and you'll be just as eager as Addie to figure out who the murderer is!

Pivot Point really hits all the marks: Romance, friendship, family, mystery, suspense, romance (o sorry, did I mention that already? haha) and ending that will leave you wanting book #2 right away!

Great job Kasie, I can't wait to see what lies ahead for Addie, perhaps another "Search" is on the horizon?

Happy Reading!!!

Purchase Links:
HarperCollins Canada | Amazon | Amazon.ca | Chapters/Indigo

Author Interview:

Now please join me in welcoming Kasie to the blog today!

1) When did you first think up the concept behind Pivot Point?

You want me to do math?? Hmmmm.....well it was about a year before I started writing it. I remember it very clearly, I was in the car with my hubby and we were talking about movies we loved that would be good in book form. We started talking about Sliding Doors (which I love) and I said, the idea of alternate realities based on a pivotal choice would be a great idea for a young adult book. And then it too me a year to talk myself into writing it. Mostly because it sounded hard. But also because I was working on other things at the time. 

2) If you were Addison and had to pick which path to take- Trevor or Duke, which would it be? Why?

Is this a trick question? :) I love them both for different reasons. I guess it depends on the other factors happening with the path. Because if you mean that everything was the same except me swapped for Addie then I would've made the same choice she did. But if you mean just based on the boys' personalities then.......yes, this is a trick question. How can you make me choose? Duke is fun and outgoing and oh so charming. Trevor is sweet and thoughtful and laid back. I get them both. :) 

3) Given the choice, would you want to see your potential future ahead of time?

No, I don't think I would. I think it would be torturous. Unless one path leads to lots and lots of chocolate and the other path leads to no chocolate. Then I absolutely need to figure out how to avoid the latter.

4) While reading the beginning of Pivot Point, those who chose to live outside of the world of the "Norms" (Addison included) kind of reminded me of Sheldon Cooper- Are you a fan of The Big Bang Theory? (I realize how random this question is, but I really want to know, haha).

Ha. You're funny. I have definitely seen The Big Bang Theory. And Sheldon is hilarious. But, no, I don't watch it regularly. Every time I watch it though I wonder why I don't because I laugh the entire episode.

5) If you could describe Pivot Point in three words, what would they be?

Fun, Choices, Friendship

6) Who would be your dream cast (actors? actresses?) 

This is a hard question because really no actors or actresses completely match the picture I have in my head for the characters. And I don't want to ruin anyone else's images they might have in their heads of the characters either. But these two actors come pretty close to how I picture Duke and Laila.

Duke:

Laila:

As for the other characters, especially Trevor, I just haven't found an image close enough to do the one in my head justice. :)

7) What books are you reading right now?

I'm always reading something. And usually multiple somethings. Right now I'm beta reading for a friend and reading both Prophecy by Ellen Oh and Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi. Books make me happy.

8) How far do you plan to take this Pivot Point series?

As of now it is just Pivot Point and its sequel. I'm batting around some other ideas in the Pivot Point world involving some side characters (perhaps maybe even including the boy who doesn't get chosen....maybe). But as far as Addie goes, her story will be over at the end of book 2. 

9) What can we expect from Book #2?

While Pivot Point was all about Addie's ability, Book 2, even though told from her perspective, focuses on some other abilities in the Compound. Like the ability to be hot and the ability to kiss. Just kidding. Real abilities. But there will be hot boys and kissing.

10) What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Don't give up. If writing and being published is your dream, I truly believe that persistence is the key. Keep writing. Keep trying. Pivot Point is the sixth book I wrote. (I needed a lot of practice) I feel like with each try I got better and learned more. I'm so glad I didn't give up even though there were plenty of days that I wanted to. 

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and answer some questions, Kasie!

Thanks for having me Hayley. Those were really fun questions!