My Review of “White Fur” by Jardine Libaire

imageI would like to thank NetGalley and Crown Publishing, Hogarth, and Jardine Libaire for the ARC (Advanced Reading Copy) of “White Fur” by Jardine Libaire for my honest review. Kudos to Jardine Libaire for her storytelling of such a unique, strange, unusual and bizarre novel. The author’s descriptions of people, places and things are amazing.

The genres of this story are Fiction, and Women’s Fiction. The time line of the story takes place in the 1980’s. The story first takes place in New Haven, then Long Island, New York City, Wyoming , Chicago and other places.

The author describes the characters as complex and complicated, with flawed and possibly dysfunctional personalities.

Out two main characters, Elise Perez and Jamie Hyde come from different worlds of opportunity. Elise was born to a sixteen year old mother, who made many poor choices. Elyse grew up in poverty witnessing her mother’s boyfriends inappropriate behavior, sex, and drug. Elise was born with skills and a tough outer shell for survival. She was responsible at times for watching the other children and working to pay bills. As a result, Elise didn’t finish high school.

Jamie Hyde, is handsome, extremely wealthy, and is like a magnet attracting attention. Jamie is in Yale, and his father owns a major financial company, and his divorced strange mother is a well-known actress. Both the mother and father are unlikable. They are not capable of showing affection, attention or love. Jamie appears to be a leader, but that is an illusion. He is chronically sad and pretends to “feel” something. He tends to look like he is paying attention, but is in another world.

The two characters are neighbors in New Haven. Elyse and Jamie start an obsessive and lustful relationship. They are two opposites in many ways that have both been brought up in toxic households. Jamie’s family try to go to any length necessary to stop this relationship.

Is it possible for two characters from differing worlds to have a relationship and be in love? This story is a modern updated twisted version of Romeo and Juliet. In this world are two opposing families, betrayal, drugs, alcohol, and danger. This is a very dangerous place to be for two young lovers.

I would highly recommend this intriguing and disturbing novel. It is very hard to put down. Happy Reading!!

White Fur by Jardine Libaire is a thrilling romance. Similar to the Great Gatsby in ways. I was intrigued by this plot. Two lovers from opposite sides. Threatened and in danger all because they love each other. A love that shouldn't be if, a particular family had its way. Perfect plans can be hard...when others are determined to see it fail even if that means a couple of lives are lost. Poor versus the rich and the star-crossed theme hits hard with this tale. White Fur is an intense love story. Filled with glamour, anger, an one brilliant emotional journey. Deep, heart felt, and exciting. Jardine Libaire kept me captivated with Jamey and Elise. Tragic yet realistic...a love story that pulls. I recommend it to readers worldwide.

This novel is a good exploration of the shortfalls and prejudices between wealth and poverty. Poverty can sometimes be blessed with gifts that money can't buy. Love. Happiness. Loyalty. Devotion. Compassion.

Jamey is the heir to the family's investment bank. He goes to Yale and doesn't lack for anything. He is a popular guy, but do his friends see him as a person or who he represents? His family have great expectations from him and his experiences have made him rather cynical.

Elise comes from a deprived background and lives her life from day to day. She didn't complete her education and is prepared to do any jobs to afford life's basic essentials. She lives nextdoor to Jamey in a complete opposite style. He lives in a luxurious house and she lives in a run down apartment! What are the likelihood of them meeting on a personal basis?

Circumstances put them in each other's path and the instant attraction cannot be denied. They start a sexual relationship and soon find that keeping away from each other is not an option. It's torture. This relationship turns into so much more and building a life together could prove to be scandalous, as they are worlds apart. How far can Jamey go? Will he keep their relationship a secret or will he risk the wrath of his family?

This story is very well balanced and the development is steady and full of twists and angst. A beautiful young love is constantly under threats, and when a dinner with friends takes the most unexpected turn, the results are soul wrenching. The description of the places, characters and events are vivid and real. I felt that it ended a little too abruptly, but this journey is one that won't be easy to forget.

I received a complimentary eARC from the publisher via NetGalley and the views expressed are my personal opinion.

You can feel the pulse of this thing from the first few pages—Libaire's writing crackles like a raw nerve exposed to air, skipping from bleary emotional heights and bellysliding lows in a few perfectly chosen phrases, plunging the reader into the hot-and-cold, push-and-pull minutiae of a new relationship where sex takes center stage. White Fur is ostensibly a book about falling in love—a romance, then—but for all the giddy butterfly moments you might be expecting, it tends to dwell on the sticker parts. As I said, sex is front and center, frequently foul (in a good way) and very real, and though I wouldn't call this a particularly violent book, there's an air of menace lurking around the edges. More than a study in love, even, this reads like a short treatise on class conflicts—poor girl loves rich boy, sure, but it's far more interesting to watch Libaire peel back a thousand layers and see what the fuck that really means, teasing out the nuance of families, society, psychological and emotional norms, and she milks the disparity for all it's worth. Her uncanny insight into both sides of the equation suggests she's lived as one or both of these characters, perhaps dated the other? Hard to say, and it matters not.

This is a hard book to review, which is why I put it off for a week or two after finishing. Its strengths draw directly from the two main characters, who chaotically revolve around one another like planets caught in a three-body orbit, and also from the incredibly drawn world of 1987 they inhabit, whether that's New Haven, CT, or New York City. Libaire populates her world with dozens of characters that appear once or twice but pop off the page, another one of her gifts. Despite the tight narrative focus on the two lovebirds, the depth and clarity of insight regarding the supporting cast brings the larger tale to life, helps it breathe even as the plot gets suffocatingly intense. The book isn't perfect, nor does it seem like it's trying to be, and that almost turns out to be a strength because it feels real even as we slide into unexpected territory with a few late-stage developments that might otherwise feel out of character. And even where the plot threatens to feel trite, as romance so often does, Libaire does an about face and kicks the cliche in the nose by calling attention to it as such. I could have done without the teaser intro, which feels like something a publisher demanded—"they won't know your book is dark if you don't tip them off ahead of time"—but all's well that ends in tatters, and this one isn't shy in that regard. Well worth a read, if you're so inclined.

"White Fur" is a desperate love story riddled with drugs, sex, and violence. Elise is living on the fringes of life in poverty and dropout from school with her gay friend when she falls in love with beautiful and privileged Jamey. Strangely, the two are neighbors. Jamey is attending Yale. His life is a map drawn by his father and colored in by his mother and by no means does it involve veering off course to fall in love with the mixed race, street smart, fake white fur wearing, corn-rowed Elise.

This is not a lovely romance, but a dirty and cruel love story set against the back drop of 1980's New York. The book is difficult to put down. Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

This is the story of 20th century version of Romeo and Juliet with a twist.

In New Haven Connecticut, little girl blue Elise Perez scraped for food and struggled to survive in the harsh side of the neighborhood. An unlocked car became her solace and the owner, Robbie took her under his wing. Soon, she met next door neighbors Jamey and Matt; and Elise Perez couldn't fight that instant attraction, intense chemistry and sexual tension between her and Mr. Hyde. And in her faux white fur, she soon conquered the snotty and wealthy Jamey Hyde.

And then when the couple set foot in NYC, just like in true Shakesperian fashion, Jamey's family strongly disapproved the couple's relationship and did everything to break that bond. Even to the cause of one's misery and the other, probable death.

This book is a fine piece of work. I love how it is set in the 80s, the time when I started learning about life and whatnot, about Depeche Mode and GI Joe. Yes, I grew up to these singers and action figures and the fact that these were featured in the book was really awesome and nostalgic.

Jamey and Elise's life as a couple was turbulent and fiery and tragic. It gutted me to the core when Jamey fell into oblivion and Elise had to watch from afar on how he could recover. The last few chapters were really in my heart, I thought I wouldn't be able to finish reading, but I'm glad I did. I survived. As traumatic as it may have been.

White Fur is a real work of art. 'Nuff said.

I don't usually like romances but I wouldn't describe this story as your average romance, thankfully for me at least there was more going on than boy meets girl and everything is hunky dory,the characters were interesting a little rough around the edges in her case, and smooth as butter in his, although that was perhaps a superficial take on their personalities.The story was interesting set in the 80's not that long ago in a way but a lot has changed since then in other ways.I wasn't sure I liked the characters but didn't dislike them either, I know, clear as mud ,but they were well written and more realistic for being written with warts and all.I enjoyed this book it was very different to my usual choices but its good to mix and match the genres I find now and again and I enjoyed reading this book.Thanks to netgalley and the Publishers for an ARC in return for an honest review.

<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32025142-white-fur" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px"><img border="0" alt="White Fur" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1481903804m/32025142.jpg" /></a><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32025142-white-fur">White Fur</a> by <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/55994.Jardine_Libaire">Jardine Libaire</a><br/>
My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1837265988">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Everyone, really, is just looking for love.. This story is about two young people from different sides of the track who fall into a deep, intense relationship full of lust and grit and tragedy. It's dark, it's dirty, it's raw, and comical in part.<br />This all takes place in the 1980's, in New York. <br />I really felt for the young man Jamey who is due to inherit much from his wealthy family. He has never been happy in his life until he meets Elise who had left her dirt poor home to come to New York to try and find a better life, and ends up loving Jayme "too much".<br /><br />Thank you to NetGalley, Crown Publishing /Hogarth for the ARC.<br /><br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/12851291-karen">View all my reviews</a>

Thanks to NetGalley and Crown Publishing for an ARC of this book in return for my honest review. This book took me a little bit to get into because the two main characters didn't seem very relatable. I picked up the book because it sounded like a classic star-crossed romance between a rich boy and a girl from the wrong side of the tracks. The story was much deeper than that and the two characters really grew on me. The writing is so beautiful-almost metaphorical-so it defies a quick reading. The story did not end up like I thought it would and I always enjoy being surprised.

This is not just another Romeo and Juliet knock off. It is gritty and sticky love, it isn’t sweet meanderings and tender moments. I will admit, in the beginning I had a little trouble getting into it, but once I did, I was completely sucked in and along for the ride. It is an intriguing story and one I definitely recommend being read. I had not previously read this author, but I will be reading more.

I love the timeframe and the setting of this book. It really takes you back. I also love the writing. It is intelligent and lyrical. The characters are very well developed and there are so many issues tackled in this story.

I will admit, in the beginning I had a little trouble getting into it, but once I did, I was completely sucked in and along for the ride. It is an intriguing story and one I definitely recommend being read. I had not previously read this author, but I will be reading more.

I did not enjoy this book at all. I could not even finish it

This is the story of two star crossed lovers, one from the wrong side of the tracks, and their struggle to make a life for themselves. The story takes place in New York City during the 1980’s. Jamey is from a very wealthy, affluent family, and while attending Yale, he meets Elise. Elise is from the wrong side of the tracks with a record and not a girl that his parents would or could ever approve of. This is the story of the trials and tribulations that come with loving each other.

The author catches your attention from the first page. It starts in the present at a traumatic, violent event in Elise and Jamey’s life. It then goes into the past and brings you forward to this moment. From the very first moments, the plot keeps you off kilter because you think you have a grasp on what is happening but it turns out to be something completely different. I loved the character and story development and how the weak and unsure characters become the strong and take command. One small drawback for me was although I was compelled to keep reading, the story is very dark. The characters struggle throughout the book with life and with each other.

I would not recommend this for story for young readers. Some scenes are disturbing and there is sexual content and language. For adult readers, though, it will catch your interest from beginning to end.

I have requested and reviewed this book through NetGalley.

I had a difficult time gathering my thoughts on this book I reviewed. The beginning captured me. The writing itself is extremely unique. Very detailed. Raw and gritty. Very street like - somewhat like the character the author has created in Elise.

The middle of the book is very drawn out - highly detailed and just very day-to-day, in and out storyline. I ended up skimming quite a bit.

By the end of the book, I was intrigued by the turn of events and was not really expecting where the author took us. It was a bit shocking and yet in character with the rest of the story, once I thought about it.

Overall, I think I have a love-hate relationship with this book. Parts of it I did not care for at all but I really enjoyed the beginning. You will have to decide for yourself.

I honestly have no idea what everyone saw in this book. I contemplated putting the book and walking away from it but I didn't based on the fact that everyone raved that the 2nd half of the book was better. It wasn't. I can count on one hand the number of books that I have not finished reading and I wish this was added to this list. So we have Elise Perez who is from the wrong side of the tracks, way wrong side and then we have Jamey Hyde who was born with a silver spoon (if not gold) in his mouth. They live next door to each other and Elise is the one that makes the first move. I won't give away any spoilers but this book is so full of cliches and the ending is whacked. There were a lot of rambling sentences that really had no point in the book and it just drug. Some people relate this to a modern Romeo and Juliet, if this is how Romeo and Juliet would have acted they never would have survived. Not my type of book apparently.

This was an interesting book. The way it was structured bothered me at first, the choppy, jumping style but eventually I became used to it. I liked how gritty and real it was. These weren't two people living the perfect life where everything worked out. There was mess and anger and meddling families. There was reality.

I can't say I liked the ending. I found it stopped too abruptly but overall a good book

Elise Perez meets Jamey Hyde on a desolate winter afternoon, fate implodes and neither of their lives will be the same again. Although they are next door neighbours in New Haven, they come from different worlds.

What started out as sexual obsession quickly turns into something that is harder to ignore. The couple move to Manhattan holding to forge Alice together. But Jamey's family intervenes. When a night out with friends takes a shocking turn, Jamey and Elise find themselves fighting for love and their lives.

I really liked the main characters in this book even though they could be frustrating. It certainly mixed my emotions for the young couple. By being upset,disgusted and hopeful. A well written novel of class differences, drugs, friendship and racism.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Crown Publishing and the author Jardine Libaire for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It started out as a fast paced modern, urban Romeo and Juliet story. It was a quick read and engrossing. Then about 2/3 of the way through it suddenly turning into a bizarre, hysterical anti-drug cred. The couple did not do drugs together, then Jamey"Romeo" had his drink spiked and suddenly went into a crazed psychosis that he never really recovers fully from until perhaps the last few pages. It was like Reefer Madness all over again. I also found it very unrealistic that when he was hospitalized, the doctors refused to take orders from his wife, Elise "Juliet" who would have legally been able to make his decisions for him and instead followed his (legally) estranged family's orders. That is just illogical and incorrect. What his family wished should have had no bearing on his care what so ever, from which hospital he was in to what treatment he recieved. It is a shame because the book had promise but then dissolved into such nonsense it was hard to finish. I won't even get into the fact that they worked low paying jobs yet could afford airfare to India and eating out at near every meal after Jamey disowns his family.

I like the world of this book – a clash of every kind of subculture. Rich and poor, Ivy League educated and a dropout, white culture and minority/mixed race culture. This makes the characters fascinating and the plot, even when it deviates, more interesting. Set in the 1980s it takes advantage of the false sophistication of the time to paint a picture of New Jersey and New York young people.
Elise grew up in a humble environment but knowing there is something else out there, and willing to chase it. She has a “white fur” coat that seems to be a prized possession. Elise has grown up in a tough neighborhood but is attracted to the more upper class lives of privilege.
Jayme is a child of that privilege, growing up wanting for nothing, except the love of his parents. His father is extravagantly wealthy and his mother lives the life of a movie star. When he notices Elise he is drawn to pulling her into his world using sex and passion to fuel what he sees on the surface as friendship but is more like curiosity.
The book is well written but the storyline is a hot mess, sucking the characters into the maw of false meaning and cruel intentions. I like Jardine Libaire’s style of writing and will look for more stories from her tricky mind.