I have been an ardent fan of Samantha Young’s books for a few years now. It always excites me whenever I get the chance to re-read or read a book by this author.

It’s safe to say that The fragile Ordinary is a fantastic read! I can see why this book is one of the most highly anticipated YA books for the summer.
As an avid reader, I’d like to believe that Comet is a character we can all relate with: from our preference of fictional characters to real human kind, our tendencies to get immersed into the worlds created by authors that leave us entrapped…to…ahem… This I can vouch for: Comparing book friends to real ones. Comet is a character that I fell in love with from the get go. I loved that Comet was such a beautifully confidence character yet shy and endearing at the same time.

Tobias is honestly what any reader would expect in a YA book..hot, smart, slightly misunderstood, a little broody. Almost cliche, yet so good!

The Fragile Ordinary is no ordinary YA book. It is beautifully written…the poetry in this book will take you into the different dimension! Every word is a Gem, every sentence is more beautiful than the next.

The fragile Ordinary is a simplistic adventure… It’s beautiful and sensitive. I am going to be honest here and say that yes, I did cry my eyes out reading this book.

It was an absolute joy to read this book!
It’s one the best YA books I’ve read this year.

I highly highly recommend it!

Wow, Samantha Young once again confirms her sublime mastery in writing stories that really touch a reader's heart <3
I have to admit I don't read a lot of YA books anymore, but this book was really a great read for me.
First of all, it was soooo realistic! Sometimes YA books have so much drama, and every emotion needs to be exponentially magnified... But not in "The Fragile Ordinary", nono. This is one of the things that I appreciated the most, the fact that there were some difficulties to overcome, and also big and though ones, but everything was developed really well, the storyline flew, and nothing felt forced or constructed.

Comet was such an interesting character, in so many different ways. From her fashion style, to her personality, to her way of dealing with her life and every situation. She was really mature for her age, and I recognised myself a little bit in her. I loved the fact that she had firm life goals already at 16, and that she did her best to reach them, even by being brave and overcoming her insecurities.
Samantha Young managed to make of Comet a strong and mature teenager, but yet still a teenager, so with difficulties typical of her age: balancing friendships, love issues, family problems.

The book was written from Comet's point of view, so we don't get a direct insight of Tobias's thoughts, but like for Comet, I really liked how he was portrayed and characterised. He had a different life story than Comet, he is a different person with a different personality, but he fit perfectly in this book. Through Tobias and his family, Samantha Young talks about some really delicate issues that unfortunately are quite frequent right now, and I admired how those issues were dealt with.

A great addition to the story were also the secondary characters, how each one of them represented part of the real word and its diversity.
We can say that this book saw a very important character growth for many of its characters, and this is another reason why I appreciated it really much.

I don't want to spoiler anything about this book, but I will just say that I definitely recommend it, both if you are a YA lover or not, because this book it's not a simple YA romance book, but in a certain way it also gives some very important life lessons.

This book was so good that I stayed up until 2am to finish reading it! It’s so highly addicting that I couldn’t put it down!

The Fragile Ordinary is a book about love, loss, redemption, friendships and finding yourself. It’s about a girl and boy who are complete opposites finding out that they aren’t quite different after all. Finding love and fighting to keep it. Overcoming the power of bullies and showing exactly how strong one can be.

I loved Comet! Her character is eccentric and refreshing and strong. I caught myself wanting to know what her outfits looked like. Her shoes. Her journals. That was the only time I put the book down. The curiosity killed the cat. This is one instance that I’m glad the author included the brands. It really helped paint the picture of what Comet looked like.

I loved Tobias too! He compliments Comet so well. He doesn’t try to change her. He loves her for who she is. He’s always there for her no matter what. Their relationship was sweet and loving. I easily got lost in their story.

This book deals with some tough issues. Drug abuse, bullying, depression, and death. Samantha Young done a great job at tackling these issues head on. She shows us what it’s like when you stand up for what you believe in. Not giving into peer pressure. For being your own true self.

desperately wanted to love this book. I wanted to start this review with something like “I loved this book!” Or “this book was everything I expected and more!” but instead I have some disappointing news, it was a bit of a let down for me.

Seeing people always rave about Samantha Young’s books on social media had me expecting something amazing. I expected something unique with lovable characters, a super adorable meet-cute and an even more adorable romance story that was going to completely blow my mind and this book just wasn’t any of that for me. It was cute at times and the story itself is very cliché which was GREAT because I was totally in the mood for cliché but the characters made it hard for me to get completely invested.

Tobias and Comet, the hero and heroine, were a pain in my bum most of the time—especially Tobias—and since this is a character-driven book… you can see my problem. Comet wasn’t all bad, it was easy to relate to her at times and she’s such a quirky character it is hard not to like her but sometimes she was just SO immature and I understand she is a sixteen year old and all that jazz but GAH! I hate teenagers sometimes lol. And I don’t even want to get started with Tobias because he’s on another level of teenager-y and I didn’t like him, still don’t like him and probably never will.

Every time I write a review for a book that let me down I always make it sound so terrible but I promise y’all this is still a solid, nice read. And even though it might sound like I didn’t enjoy it very much, I did enjoy it, I just didn’t LOVE it. Anyway, if YA books are your thing then I believe you are going to really enjoy this one.

This was my first time reading something by Samantha Young but it certainly won’t be the last. I really liked her writing in this book (it’s so Scottish y’all, I can’t even!) and I’m excited to try her contemporary romance books because I have a feeling I’m going to enjoy them even more.

This was such a sweet, stunningly beautiful coming-of-age story that I am absolutely in love with. Everything about this story spoke to me and held me captive.

I related so much to the main character. Her thoughts and feelings and everything about her just made me feel like I really understood her. I loved this story. It was fresh and creative and I can't wait to see what Samantha comes up with next!

The Fragile Ordinary is a YA contemporary romance novel about Comet Caldwell, a socially awkward girl who loves books and poetry. Often times she’s misunderstood by everyone, including her best friends for her aloofness and eccentric style. I’m a homebody and it’s the reason why I find her character super relatable. Reading leisurely and immerse myself in the story brings me joy.

Comet is a bright and talented young lady but she’s invisible. Her story was quite emotional, behind her quietness lies the lonely girl being neglected by her own parents during her formative years and it hurts. She vent all of her emotions by writing poems through her blog and as soon as she graduates from high school, she’ll leave her hometown to pursue her dreams.

Then a new boy in her school comes in the picture. Tobias King was originally from America but moved to Edinburgh. He was labeled as a bad boy and was in the wrong crowd. They became partners in class and Comet likes him..A LOT. He wasn’t really a bad boy, he just have issues in the past. The romance between Comet and Tobias was sweet and lovely. Their relationship have a wonderful foundation as they started as friends before they became lovers. It wasn’t a perfect relationship as they have arguments but strong friendships can conquer all. They communicated well and I love how honest they are to each other. It helped to bring out their best potential.

I love the character developments especially on Comet’s. I couldn’t be more happier for her as she breaks out of her shell. She has more self-confidence and worry less about what people think about her. She’s genuine and I wish her parents showed more affection to her. It’s their loss for not seeing how blessed they are to have a daughter like Comet.

In this book, Samantha Young tackles about family, friendship, love and relationship and teenage angst. Some parts made me emotional especially on the second half of the novel and majority of the issues were addressed. Reflecting on the book, it reminds me that each one of us is blessed, extraordinary and worthy of love. It was a simple story yet left such great impact.

The Fragile Ordinary by Samantha Young is the story of Comet Caldwell who has her nose in her books and her poetry. First off the inclusion of Comet's poetry in the book adds nice bits to it that make the book more special and helps really set the tone and the character. When Tobias King, a student from American comes to her Edinburgh High School it shakes things up. Comet and Tobias are not ones that should typically be in each other's circles, but a friendship develops that just continues to grow.

Both of these characters had issues that drove them in different directions but somehow they connect. There is a lot that resonates about Comet, the shyness, the living in her books, the being unsure of the typical high school social norms. Comet gives you a reminder of what that's like, while Tobias is the person driven the other way.

Overall The Fragile Ordinary by Samantha Young was an intriguing book and one that will make you think.

(I voluntarily reviewed an advance review copy of this book I received for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my open and honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.)

The Fraginal Ordinary was incredibly captivating, a can't put down, up well into the night book. I laid awake in bed several moments after finishing recounting the story, unable to think of anything else. I've always been a fan of Samantha Young and normally just read her adult romance. But I couldn't resist the pull this book had on me.

Young has a way of pulling you with her amazing storytelling and making you feel right along with the characters of her story. I loved Comet. With all her flaws, she had an abundance of strengths. She grew throughout the story and while there were times I wanted to sit her down and talk sense into her, she always came to the right decisions on her own. I also loved Tobias, who was a wonderful addition to Comet's character. Overall, this story is a must read!

Hi all!

One of my favorite activities to do is read. The written word is one of my favorite things. My mom was a middle school reading teacher and so growing up, books were a constant. I remember where I was when my mom handed me my first copy of Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird or that moment when I figured out who did it in Ellen Raskin’s The Westing Game. Or, I can help but think about how I feel it would benefit everyone if they read Todd Strasser’s The Wave.

Long story short…I love to read. I could have a post about all the books I love, and that post would go on for a VERY long time. But I’m not here to talk about all of the books I have read, I’m here to talk about one specific one; The Fragile Ordinary by Samantha Young.

I will start by saying that Samantha Young is one of my favorite contemporary authors. She knows how to tell a story. I have been known to buy her book and her audiobook of the same book so I can always be transported to wherever she is taking me; Hartwell, DE, Boston, Mass., or in this case Edinburgh, Scotland.

We meet Comet Caldwell, a painfully shy teenager in a high school in Edinburgh. She hates her name, and when I read that, I had the thoughts of the time that I too hated my name. I personally wanted to be named Jem…but my mom was having none of it. Anyway…back to the book. It seemed from the first paragraph that she was like many other high school students, ready to graduate, go out and find themselves, their parents didn’t understand them, etc. But when we actually start to meet her parents, we immediately learn that Comet’s life is the way it is for a reason.

The year starts out like any other in school and Comet is just trying to get by. She survives with her anonymous poetry blog, the only way that she is able to really let her thoughts free. Comet’s norm is completely shaken up when Tobias King, an American, starts at her school and immediately earns the ‘bad boy’ persona. She can’t get him out of her headspace, and things get worse when they are partnered up for a school assignment and she learned that there is more to this American than what is on the surface…much like herself. Tobias gets under Comet’s skin and Comet gets a lesson in life and love.

Samantha Young has done it again with The Fragile Ordinary. The character development of the main characters and the supporting characters makes you feel like you are back in high school with Comet. The way she describes Comet’s friends; I definitely found myself saying, oh I had a friend like that. Samantha has a way of writing characters that are so real you almost swear you have already met them.

I also absolutely love that Samantha Young writes growth, realistic growth, with the main character. And it is with that growth that this story sticks to you.

The plot is always moving, never a down moment, which is how I was able to finish this in a day…I literally couldn’t put it down; I also didn’t get any sleep, but it was completely worth it.

This book has come out at the perfect time because it is the perfect summer read for YA and the YA at heart.

It's not difficult to understand how I immediately connected to the heroine in The Fragile Ordinary and empathized with her internal conflict. She's a book lover who loves to write, loves to dream, and escapes into the fictional worlds that capture her heart and imagination. The narrative is that of a young woman on the fringes of discovering her own self-confidence, and finding a better understanding of her own identity. It's a coming of age story that explores the effect of emotionally absent parents, the thrill and angst of first love, bullying, loss and grief, and believing in yourself.

Very much an introvert, she prefers her own company and a good book to attending parties and chasing boys like many sixteen-year-olds. The fear of being judged and found wanting, and her innate shyness is something that's holding her back from experiencing life to its fullest.

It's not just a matter of being shy, however. A cruel teacher in her younger years paired with her parents' inattention and indifference have caused her to retreat inside herself where no one can hurt her. She finds the ability to express herself through her love of poetry, but isn't confident enough to share that deeply personal side of herself with anyone. Many of her poems captured the uncertainty of young love, and the pain of loneliness so eloquently. That was one of the things that drew me to the story when reading the synopsis, and it was just as wonderful as I was hoping it would be. It's easy to identify with her feelings of loneliness and desperation to move on to bigger and brighter things. It's almost as if you're in limbo during these years. Waiting to become an adult, but not quite a child anymore.

Tobias King is the new boy in school, and he slides right into the role of bad boy with a chip on his shoulder with ease. At first, she has no interest in getting to know him, especially since he runs with a very bad crowd and shows a total lack of respect to the teachers in the school. Comet is that good girl you used to know. The one who likes to sit up front in class, raises her hand, and wouldn't dare think of talking back to an adult. She's an old soul who feels closer to her elderly neighbor than most of her classmates. When she's forced to work on a project with him, and sees him outside of school, she realizes that there's a lot more to him than the image he projects.

Struggling with his own private heartache, he lashes out by rebelling at school, and covering his pain with cold indifference. To be honest, I wasn't sure what she saw in him for some time, because even after they became friends, there were times that he treated her abominably and really hurt her. I understood that he was trying to shield her from the crowd that he was running with, and for good reason. I just think his protection could have been handled in a much more mature way, especially as it took him so long to be honest with her about his true feelings. His behavior at the end had me feeling extremely angry towards him. Yes, he was experiencing devastation and crippling guilt, but his treatment of her was selfish.

On the other hand, neither character was perfect when it comes down to it. She was closed off, irrational, and very secretive and unfair to her two friends. He made a lot of (almost irreparable) mistakes, and hurt her in the process. But I think the angst of it all was true to their ages. As frustrating as their actions could be, they made sense for who they were in that moment.

I enjoyed seeing Comet's growth, and her realization that she was far from the ordinary girl who was misrepresenting her extraordinary name. Many readers will be able to closely relate to the uncertainty and emotional self-reflection she goes through. Through the pages of the book, she goes through a metamorphosis, and when she spreads her wings and flies it's a beautiful sight to behold.

You know what?  I wouldn't re-do my high school years if you paid me - for a variety of reasons.  This book was so well observed that it really did resonate with my memories of that time of my life.

Comet is an age appropriate character who is easy to relate to.  Her interactions with Tobias are frustrating at times, but in a way which is totally commensurate with the character's stated experience with boys.

When the inevitable crisis happened, I confess that I was concerned about how the author would resolve it, given the page count left.  The answer?  In precisely the right way, given the situation that the protagonists were in.  No unrealistic leaps of faith.  Just an appropriately measured, yet emotional conclusion.

An enjoyable read.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

This book was such a surprise. This was my first Samantha Young read, and definitely will not be my last. This book had me feeling all of the feelings. I absolutely loved the amazing poetry written throughout. There were some that literally gave me goosebumps.
When you first get introduced to Comet, I was heartbroken for this poor girl. She had serious lack of confidence, fear of disappointing people and thought she was unlovable. She just wanted a connection with anyone. She had the worst parents. Her mom was truly horrible though. Her dad definitely got better as the book continued, but still not a great parent. She only had a couple of good friends, and they weren’t that great. Her friend Steph is awful. But, Vicki was wonderful. Comet was so socially awkward in the beginning. To be honest, it made me cringe a little. But, Comet is one of favorite female characters. I felt so connected to her. She had a lot of growth throughout the novel, and I thought it was an absolute perfect ending.
This is a new favorite and one I will reread again and again. I think anyone who is introverted, a little quirky or really any book lover would enjoy this book. I highly recommend it.

* ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

It’s been awhile since I’ve read YA. Overall I did enjoy this book, despite it starting off slow. It took awhile for me to connect. I didn’t really like a lot of the characters, but some of them did eventually grow on me.

4,5 stars.

It’s been months since I skipped a whole blogging day just to read but that’s what happened here!

You know the feeling when after some sentences you just know that a book was made for you? Well that’s what happened to me with The Fragile Ordinary.

Is it because of an exceptional and intricate plot? No.
Is it because of an out of this world penmanship? No.
Is it because of badass and fearless characters? No.

It is because I felt a deep soul bond with Comet. She was me at a younger age. And she is Samantha Young as a teenager too based on the acknowledgment.

Comet is a writer and a dreamer.

She experiences the world through books. Rather staying home reading about a rakish duke ravishing a maiden than going to a party filled with drunk college boys with wandering hands! Does it ring a bell? Yes? Well congratulations you are a proud bookworm!

Comet is endearing. She is shy and filled with insecurities yet promised to always be true to herself. She displays her difference in her bold clothing choices. All retro but cute and colorful.
But this is where her courage ends.
She is gifted and lovely yet prefers remaining in the shadows. Behind her two BFF.

Comet also has a very disfunctional family. Her parents are master of abuse by neglect.
You will hate her parents.or at least resent them.

This story is filled to the brim with high school YA topics: bullying, drug problems, mental abuse, grief and growing up finding your true self. Daring show your inner world to others.

You will have the BFF: some days they stick other days you fight but in the long run they are Comet’s constant.

Growing up and being a teenager is a hard business we all went through the best we could and that’s what the book is about.

Comet had to dare. She had to trust herself to become the one she was meant to be.

Of course she’ll be helped by a boy.
There is always a boy. Or a girl. A love interest.
The one who will look at you as if you hang the moon and it will give you wings.
Because if someone finds you loveable surely you must be worth it right?

Tobias is your typical YA hero aka
-new guy (Yank)
_hot very hot
-bad boyish but not too much. Just with the wild crowd;
-instantly popular;
-smart;
-kind.

Tobias will help Comet to come out of her shell and she’ll help him grieve the proper way, go back on the right path.

This story should be dedicated to all the Comets of the world. They are not some dull passing ball of dust but shiny jewels in the being.

Mostly character driven story with maybe a somewhat expected plot it’s been wonderfuly executed and gave me all the feels and emotions I so love and expect from YA stories.

As a hardcore sexy romance reader I love stepping out and diving into a great young adult read and THIS is one of those reads.

Comet is a phenomenal young woman. A sweet, swoony, angst filled read to keep you page turning until the very end. Teenage drama and discovering where their life could go and who they can be.

You can’t help but fall in love with these characters. Comet and Tobias took me back to being a awkward teen and I got to relive through their angst, tribulations and growth!

t has been a minute since I read a YA contemporary romance and I must say, I am so happy I read The Fragile Ordinary by Samantha Young. It was such a sweet story about young love and everything that comes with that.

Comet is that awkward and shy girl in school that basically keeps to herself and lives in her head and dreams and loves her books and her poetry. She just wants to get through high school and see what life has to offer afterwards, because it must be better than what she has now, right?

Then Tobias King comes from America and completely changes everything. The bad boy with a past. Though Comet wanted to be invisible, because in part, that is how she sometimes felt, Tobias changes everything. Neglected by her parents and dealing with issues many high school students do now, she broke my heart.

I loved Comet and Tobias together. Friends first, their relationship was a slow-burn romance that was perfect. Add in family issues, friends and bullies and you have a wonderfully touching book. The Fragile Ordinary was a story that deals with so many current issues faced by teenagers and one that will touch you in so many ways.

4.5 stars. Loved it! Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.

Happy reading!

I really enjoyed this book since I can really relate to the main character Comet. I remember by teen years and how shy I was and felt like life was so hard. I just wanted to move on and hopefully being an adult was easier (obviously now I know it is not!). Like Comet, I escape to the fictional world quite a lot and enjoyed reading so much that to this day, I will constantly have my kindle on me so that I can read wherever I'm at.

Comet lives her life through her books until Tobias comes into her life. Their love makes her be strong enough to live in the present, pursue her dreams, and being able to stand up for herself in difficult circumstances and the people in her life.

This is a great coming of age story and finding love. Another great story by Ms. Young!

The Fragile Ordinary tells the story of Comet Caldwell, a girl extremely devoid of love and attention who only wants to write her poetry and read her books alone. Unlike her friends Steph and Vicki, she does not enjoy parties or fashion clothes preferring the comfort of her bedroom and vintage clothes. But things are changing and her friends are also changing and Comet ends up feeling more lonely and displaced. Even though she was bullied when she was young and seeing how many other kids still suffer, she does not know how her life will change as she approaches the badboys Tobias and Stevie.
Tobias is the rookie boy at school who both draws attention to his beauty and his disrespectful attitudes toward teachers. He has moved from USA and is discounting all his revolt at people around him.
I'm in love with Samantha Young's writing and found myself stuck in this book, suffering, cheering and following Comet's journey of maturity. Samantha created characters so real that I saw myself in school again with all the typical conflicts of this stage of life, the doubts, the anguish, the choices and of course the discoveries. With a beautiful romance in the background, I immersed myself in the plot inspired by Hamlet’s conflict and stuffed with poetry.
Narrated in the first person by Comet and with each chapter being opened by one of her poems, I could feel the pain of the girl and I suffered with her in several dramatic moments.
I confess that what I found most interesting in the book was the fact that the characters were not miraculously transformed from one time to another, they start as flawed human beings and end up flawed human beings with the difference only that they slowly face life each one in different ways and these was very beautiful to see. Obviously growing up involves some suffering and not everyone can face everything with their heads held high and this has been shown during the great plot.
I confess I wanted an epilogue or a few more pages to enjoy the characters a little more, but I loved the way everything was done anyway.
4/ 5 stars

This book took me by surprise. An insightful view into the complicated lives of high school students. Samantha Young's powerful writing draws a story of a teen girl with an extraordinary name that feels extremely ordinary. She channels the insecurity of being a teenage girl and the angst into a main character that keeps your attention. Comet is interesting, she loves to dress outside the norm but never likes to draw attention to herself. Her home life was written so well, I needed to know more about her parents and that dynamic. It was compelling to read how she became so self-sufficient while still yearning for the protection and love a parent should provide.
Comet escapes her complicated home life in books, the story's theme is that of challenging yourself.Will she be able to live outside of her books? The arrival of a new American student challenges everything she ever considered safe. It's a sweet story that isn't afraid to touch upon a tough themes.

This book is just stunning. I was instantly drawn into Comet’s life and connected with her on a very personal level. This book deals with so many issues that teenagers deal with today, drugs, harassment, family drama, insecurity, bullying and academic pressure to name just a few. Through it all, Comet remains true to herself even when she questions her choices.

The story is told through Comet, through her thoughts and most importantly her poetry. Each chapter starts with a poem that reflects the chapter quite well. Her poems are simple yet powerful. Comet is a complex teen with complex issues which all teens can relate to. Her relationship with her parents was different than any I have read in a YA book. At times I had a hard time understanding them and wanted to know a little bit more about them, especially the mom, but they were not the focus of the story, but helped explain some of Comet’s insecurities. I love the relationship that develops slowly through out the book between Comet and Tobias. She sees past his bad boy attitude and works hard to understand why he acts the way he does. I also liked that even though she does have a crush on him, he is cute, what girl wouldn’t, she doesn’t let that drive her relationship with him at the start.

I did have a bit of an issue with Comet’s friends. Neither of them seemed to like her very much, but just felt obligated to spend time with her because they grew up together. Vicki at least tried at times to be a good friend, although there were times when Comet pushed her away too. I thought the dynamics of the friendship were very realistic, they didn’t always get along, but were there for each other for the most part. Her relationship with Tobias cousin was very sweet, which made what happened between them all that much harder to read.

I pretty much will read any book set in Scotland, it is one of my favorite places. I especially loved the scenes that took place in Edinburgh. It is a magical place and one that I hope to visit again someday. I liked the descriptions of the little town on the coast that Comet lives in and her neighbor Mrs. Cruickshank was a great addition to the story. She reminded me of many of the people I met on my travels there.

A wonderful story with a sweet romance, but one that also tackles some hard issues facing teenagers today. All of these issues are dealt with in a sensitive and realistic way. Overall a story about finding yourself and the ordinary beauty that surrounds us everyday.