Book Review: Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt

By: Lindsey Leavitt
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release Date: March 26, 2013
Source: netgalley
Purchase:  amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars -- I loved it!

Synopsis:  When Mallory’s boyfriend, Jeremy, cheats on her with an online girlfriend, Mallory decides the best way to de-Jeremy her life is to de-modernize things too. Inspired by a list of goals her grandmother made in1962, Mallory swears off technology and returns to a simpler time (when boyfriends couldn’t cheat with computer avatars). The List:

1. Run for pep club secretary
2. Host a fancy dinner party/soiree
3. Sew a dress for Homecoming
4. Find a steady
5. Do something dangerous

But simple proves to be crazy-complicated, and the details of the past begin to change Mallory’s present. Add in a too-busy grandmother, a sassy sister, and the cute pep-club president–who just happens to be her ex’s cousin–and soon Mallory begins to wonder if going vintage is going too far. 

First, this book is already on my "going to share it with my kids when they're older" shelf. Yes, it's that good. Lindsey always writes these layered stories that are full of moments of sweetness and surprise, and Going Vintage is just that story.

Who hasn't said that they want to go offline for a while? I think I say it at least twice a day, but I was fascinated by Mallory's determination to do just that in her post-Jeremy world. Mallory's smart, sarcastic and surrounded by family and good friends. Forget Jeremy, I shouted at the book. Lindsey captured that first love-break-up-back-and-forth so believably and you know, in the end, I even understood Jeremy.

Lindsey also built in these tricky little subplots that wound their way around the story. Mallory's younger sister's first date/kiss reminded me of the best, classic romance subplots and the subplot with the grandmother was just brilliant. I'm warning you, Lindsey will cleverly steer your emotions into moments so touching and deep that you will sit back and think -- I didn't see that coming at all.

But wait, I know, I know, tell me about the swooning moments full of chemistry. Mhmmm, Mundie Moms, one word -- Oliver. Wry. Witty. Eagle Scout. A boy who knows that proper phone etiquette includes an intro and small talk before moving on to your real reason for calling. He's adorable, sarcastic and looks good leaning on on just about any vertical structure. One small complication -- he's Jeremy's cousin. See what I mean? Lindsey creates the messiest situations for her characters.

So if you want to meet an smart, organized, so very real teen girl who wishes for simpler times in our tech-is-more world, you'll have to pick up Going Vintage. As for me, I'm going to re-read one heck of a kissy scene on page...never mind, not going to tell you...you will just have to read it yourself.

Don't forget to stop back next Wednesday (March 26th) and read the Going Vintage Blog Tour post right here on Mundie Moms.