Chasing Red by Isabelle Ronin
- Shalini Prasad
- Aug 16, 2018
- 3 min read
When I visited my friend over a weekend, she had Chasing Red on her table. I had been reading a lot of dramatic books at the time, so I thought a simple YA love story would do me some good. My bar for the book was set pretty low, and you’ll see why as you read the synopsis.
Synopsis:
They said she was going to be my ruin… Then let her ruin me.
He had everything – wealth, adoration, a brilliant future. Until one chance encounter changed everything.
The moment Caleb Lockhart spotted the mysterious woman in her siren-red dress, he couldn’t tear his eyes away. For the first time in his life, he wanted something. Something he knew he could never have.
The unforgettable stranger he dubs Red.
Review:
As I read the first few chapters of the book, I have to say that I was NOT happy. The characters were such a cliche and I was beginning to question whether I should even continue. Even how the characters were described kept me rolling my eyes at the ridiculousness of it all. Caleb, a rich, handsome guy with rock hard body and “impressive biceps” who was tired of getting girls so easily and was looking out for a challenge. Then we have the beautiful girl, Veronica, with an “hourglass body” who is struggling financially, a lightweight drinker, never does anything adventurous, but also has this wild side to her that only he can bring out. Oh and here’s the kicker – she is a virgin (of course she is!). These types of stories always turn out this way; the biggest man-whore in the city falls for the meek virgin girl who he can push around.
As the story progressed (yes, I continued reading even after this), Veronica turned out to be not so meek but someone who can take care of herself very well. At least the times when some guy didn’t jump in to protect her from some other guy. Everybody is in college but the plot kept reminding me of only every high school drama I have ever seen.
The introduction of the other female character, Kara, was what renewed my hope for the book. She was a strong character who knew what she wanted and why she was hurting. There was vagueness or naivety in her thought process. The friendship between the girls is genuine and heartwarming.
Caleb’s character develops for the better as the story progresses. But, seeing him evolve from a guy who wanted nothing more than to bang every girl on campus to a guy who only wanted one girl and was planning their future together was endearing, albeit unrealistic.
The subplot between Kara and Caleb’s friend Cameron is not revealed in this book; maybe it is made clear in book two, Always Red. I expect their story is also one with lukewarm sentiments and a predictable conclusion.
Although this book is a good read, I would not have picked it up at a bookstore (read: I would not have paid money for it). If you are someone who enjoys romantic stories filled with hot guys without shirts and hot girls who act witty, then you will enjoy this book. The typical audience for the book would be teenage girls, and I guess that is why I did not enjoy this book as much as others.
Rating: 3/5
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