we're magan + estelle -- two girls who live miles apart, but connect daily over our love for books. we share thoughtful + honest reviews of the books we read, but enjoy talking about our crazy lives and other interests, too (style! diy! zac efron!). join us!
Shut Out by Kody Keplinger [ website | twitter ] Publication Date: September 5, 2011 Publisher: Poppy Pages: 288 Target Audience: Young Adult Format read: Purchased on my Nook Why I read it: Seemed like a sexy, quick read.
Summary: Lissa is fed up with her quarterback boyfriend, Randy, and his inability to forget about the rivalry between the football and soccer teams that has ruled the school for way too long. So Lissa decides to take matters into her own hands and organizes the annoyed girlfriends of both teams in hopes to withhold any form of fooling around until this rivalry is done with once and for all. But Lissa has a few secrets of her own – one of which has to do with a soccer player, Cash, who is just about everywhere she turns these days…
Kody Keplinger can write tension like a champ.
And she has to with a subject like this. I can’t say I relate to a sex strike so much. Especially one in high school. Because my circle of friends and I just never talked about it like this crowd did. But hey, I’m open-minded. I actually read Shut Out in less than a few hours. It’s a fast-paced, addicting, and yet a light read.
Lissa, as a main character, is an interesting one. She’s sort of like this shy mother hen type. Her own mother died in a car accident that permanently disabled her father. She has an older brother she continues to keep tabs on. It actually gets pretty annoying. And coming from me, a person who likes to be in control and know what’s going on, that’s saying something. It might have actually been a bit over the top for me. The part of her personality that I felt was very realistic was the trouble she had trusting and opening up with people, and being uncomfortable with her own sexuality.
If anything that is what I enjoyed most about this book. Keplinger did a nice job of focusing on many different kinds of high school girls – the “slut”, the virgin, the secret virgin, etc. And because of Lissa’s idea of the sex strike, this unexpected female society came together and it made for some really nice scenes for me. Connecting, butting heads, and even reconnecting over this one conflict in the school and during the course of it, becoming friends.
On a deeper level, it’s about acknowledging the kind of pressure that girls deal with in high school. Like, why should a girl who is confident in herself and enjoys sex be known as a slut? Why do people feel so quick to judge the other girl who has made a pledge to remain a virgin? All of these are relevant and integral questions and ones that are tackled time and time again throughout Shut Out. This no-sex pact actually teaches everyone a lot more about themselves than they ever thought possible.
Now let’s talk about Cash for one second. Because, um, if I ever wanted to have some make out time in a library, he would be my prime candidate. He’s hot; he’s sweet; he reads. I mean, that’s the recipe for a great leading guy. Not to mention, he and Lissa have some undeniably crazy chemistry from the first minute he enters the story. I didn’t have the same reaction to Randy though. I actually wasn’t sure what Lissa saw in him except for the fact that he was good to her family and they liked to have him around. I wasn’t surprised by many of his actions but I was certainly disgusted by a few.
So if you are out to read something a little racy, a little speedy but surprisingly thought-provoking, move Shut Out to the top of your list.
Sharon @ The Book Barbies-Oh, this was a good one! I loved how it addressed the issue of all the labels for girls in high school, and how ridiculous it is that somehow being a virgin is bad but NOT being a virgin is equally bad for different reasons. Both are criticized, and so often by other girls, and for no real reason. The friendship and romance were also well done. I enjoyed this one a lot.
June 10, 2013 - 5:03 pm
Alexa Y.-I’m really looking forward to reading this book now! I can sense that it’s a fun, interesting read, and I love that it actually makes you think about the idea of sex and labeling people when you’re in high school. Can’t wait to get to this one — since I actually already own it!
June 9, 2013 - 10:17 pm
tabithasbookblog-This is the only Kody Keplinger book that I haven’t read, but I’m really looking forward to it! I’m really excited to see how this sex-strike plays out in this one – the way she handles the entire subject of sex with teenagers is probably one of my favorite parts of her books!
June 8, 2013 - 1:54 pm
Wendy-Umm Cash’s character sounds downright amazing!
June 6, 2013 - 6:52 pm
Renae @ Respiring Thoughts-I really liked this one, though it’s my least favorite Keplinger novel. It was a really quick, easy read, though, and the story was fun. But, um, yeah: Cash. Wow, that boy was awesome. I think this book is worth reading just for Cash.
June 6, 2013 - 11:20 am
Asheley Tart (@BookwormAsheley)-Ok so I’ve never actually read anything by Kody Keplinger but there’s this: “Kody Keplinger can write tension like a champ.” –> So you know me and you know this means that now I want to. Also I’ve heard her books are kind of controversial with their ‘racy’ topics so that always makes me more interested and stuff. Admittedly, I’ve been turned off by the cover. But I like the sound of this one. Sounds kind of fun with some actual meat to it.
June 5, 2013 - 11:35 pm
Bookworm1858-I liked this one but it’s definitely my least favorite Keplinger (although Cash is pretty sweet I loved the female friendships here-I would have taken even more of their interactions.
June 5, 2013 - 7:00 pm
Amanda @ Late Nights with Good Books-What interests me about this book is that it’s a retelling of Lysistrata (I just love my retellings). I think it’s a really interesting new take that Keplinger put on this tale, but I’m curious to see how successfully it works within a high school context. That’s great you thought that Keplinger was able to address some relevant and important high school stereotypes through this story. I would like to read this and Lysistrata at some point so I can compare!
June 5, 2013 - 5:48 pm
Taylor @ Reading is the Thing-I didn’t connect with this book very well. I think it’s because I found the whole thing too unrealistic (and I was in high school when I read it!). But I do enjoy Keplinger’s style. Great review!
Hollie @ Music, Books and Tea-I really want to read some of Kody Keplinger’s work, her books always sound so fantastic! Shut Out is probably the one that’s caught my attention the most, probably because of it’s unique subject. Great review, I definitely need to get myself a copy of this one.
June 5, 2013 - 10:18 am
DannyBookworm-I love Kody Keplingers style! She has the talent to write sexy characters but all wrapped in a great storyline too!!
I’m not going to lie. I wanted to pick up Sarah Strohmeyer’s How Zoe Made Her Dreams (Mostly) Come True because it was set in a theme park. I know theme park vacations are not for everyone but for almost every summer since I turned 13 and until I was 21, my parents, sister, and I would spend about 10 glorious days in Walt Disney World. In August.
Yes, it was hot. Yes, it was sometimes crowded. But I kid you not: you can do a Walt Disney World vacation and still relax. These are most definitely my happiest summer memories.
I think this is why I related so much to Zoe (mostly). Like me, she’s a character who has such a strong pull to a place. When she was little her mom used to take her to Storytown all the time: an amusement park where fairy tales came true. And now many summers later, she was working at the neighboring theme park called Fairyland Kingdom as Storytown decays nearby.
History plays a huge part in my pull to WDW. I love that I can go there and relive favorite moments from my childhood, but also make some new memories as an adult (and with my husband alongside me!) For however amount of days, I can act like a kid, escape reality, and give into pure fantasy. (It might seem monotonous to go to the same place over and over, but I swear it feels like a new experience every time.)
While Strohmeyer’s book certainly poked fun at “the Mouse” and Fairyland Kingdom held many similarities to the real park’s processes, I totally smiled the whole time I read it — thinking of those lovely vacations from before and all the ones I’ll have in the future.
Recently, I finished reading When You Were Here by Daisy Whitney, and I LOVED IT. Not only is the story really gripping, but it was filled with new sites that left me aching to visit them. For reasons I won’t dive into here, Danny visits Tokyo after his mother passes away. It’s a place his family has visited time and time again. He’s searching for answers and a new friend, Kana, becomes his tour guide.
Tokyo might be an unconventional choice for a summertime destination because often beaches and sunshine come to mind when I think about my trips, but I was so inspired by the scenes Whitney described I wanted to fly there immediately.
They visit a very special tea house his mother frequented often because it was known for its healing tea. Danny finds some peace in knowing he was able to sit at the same table as his mother, swap stories with Kana as his mom did, and was happy to get to know the woman who served his mother tea. It was such a peaceful experience to read about; I’ve never been to a tea house before, but I certainly had a vivid picture of the darker environment and somber atmosphere and wished I were there to sip tea with a friend.
A little known fact about myself? — I don’t really like sushi. I’ve tried several times and I haven’t acquired a taste for it yet. However, that being said, I definitely wanted to try it again when Danny visited his favorite outdoor sushi hut where he and his mom were known by name. My stomach rumbled as the food was described. Yum, yum.
And lastly, but maybe most importantly, there were Kana’s outrageous outfits. She was always wearing something Danny took note of because it was wild and colorful. In fact, I began searching Japanese street fashion after reading When You Were Here because I was so intrigued by the outfits Whitney imagined for Kana. Maybe if I visited Tokyo, I could experiment and let go of my rather boring and conservative wardrobe.
Summer Reading: Young Adult for Disney Fans-[...] interns at a theme park in New Jersey that sounds very much like the Magic Kingdom so, of course, I wrote about Disney. (Melissa from Mouse on the Mind liked it so much she featured it in her Weekly [...]
Alexa Y.-I love this post so, so much! Seriously, you guys have named two of my favorite places in the world – Walt Disney World & Japan. I’ve been lucky enough to go to both in my lifetime, though I wouldn’t mind a return trip, particularly to Japan. I haven’t read either of the books that inspired your ideas for these trips though so… I may need to get on that!
June 7, 2013 - 9:01 am
The Big Kids' Table: Summer is the Word (in Fiction)-[...] The weather has been so August-like in NYC, the AC is up and running like crazy at work, and our Sweet Summertime Reads series has kicked off again so I’m in the summer mode + that means SUMMER [...]
June 6, 2013 - 11:26 am
Asheley Tart (@BookwormAsheley)-Ok so Estelle we talked a little a few days about about my as-yet non-existent Disney adventures. I want some Disney adventures. I haven’t read this book but perhaps I might enjoy it as a lighter read? Also, that guy on the front is like Donnie Wahlberg from NKOTB days just as sure as I’m sitting here in my favorite paisly-print chair right now. TRUTH. I think I’ve discussed this before with people. I can’t get over that hair and shirt.
Also, Magan, I just finished When You Were Here and oh my goodness gracious, such a wonderful book. I’ve never really wanted to visit Japan before necessarily, but after that book – I’d totally go. Whitney had such a nice and gentle way of writing it that the culture and setting didn’t overwhelm me even though sometimes that particular place can be overwhelming because it is just so unapologetic and bright and wonderful. Also, we should talk about sushi because you can actually eat sushi that isn’t raw, which is what I do and I PROMISE there is a sushi for everyone. *smiles*
Love this, ladies. LOVE IT.
June 6, 2013 - 11:23 am
Candice @ The Grown-Up YA-Great destinations! I haven’t been to Disney since high school. I’d LOVE to go back as an adult! Zoe was such a cute book that made me reminisce about our own childhood memories at Disney! Haven’t read When You Were Here, but it looks so good! Love that you picked this as your destination!
June 5, 2013 - 5:19 am
Laura @ the Booksmartie-I love this post! Like…so much I would love to spend my summers in a theme park -that’s such an awesome idea! My parents always took me and my brother hiking -which was…umm…not always fun Then again, I turned to like and appreciate it when I grew older! As for Tokyo – I’d leave behind every sunny beach if I could go visit that city at one point in my life. I’m pretty sure it’d be one of the most interesting places to go in the world!!
June 4, 2013 - 3:04 pm
Brittany @ The Book Addict's Guide-Yayyyyy WDW!! You know I love it!!! I’m interested in reading Zoe, purely for the fact that it’s in a theme park!
June 4, 2013 - 2:10 pm
Rachel-I give your family kudos, Estelle, for going to Disney in August. I went in July a few years ago as a graduation present and I definitely suffered in the heat. Disney has the same meaning to me that it does to you. Growing up I went there once or twice a year and to me it truly was the most magical place on earth.
I also liked what you picked, Magan! I’ve been hearing so much about that book lately and it’s interesting to see the culture behind the story.
June 4, 2013 - 1:34 pm
Morgan -I followed Estelle’s tweet about how different the two locations are; lo and behold they are my two FAVORITE destinations! Adding both to GR now. Magan, the fashions in Tokyo are amazing!
June 4, 2013 - 12:31 pm
Tink-Just found your blog thru the Disney Food Blog..I love Disney and reading, perfect! Even better, that Zoe book sounds great, definitely going to have to check it out!
June 4, 2013 - 10:39 am
Tara-Estelle, I love that pic of you when you were a kid–so cute! Magan, I love your not-typical destination and can’t wait to read that book!
June 4, 2013 - 8:40 am
Ginger @ GReads! -I love that you both chose “out of the box” summer destinations & paired it with a book. Estelle, I know how close Disney is to you & it’s always fun to see your pictures from previous trips. Magan, this book is coming up soon on my TBR list – you’ve definitely made me more excited for it!
The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay ( twitter ) Publication Date: June 4, 2013 (in paperback) Publisher: Atria Books Pages: 448 Target audience: Mature young adult/adult Keywords: recovery, trauma, high school seniors Format read: ARC from NetGalley! (Thanks!)
Summary: The Sea of Tranquility connects two people who are living in their own voids of loneliness: Nastya, a girl who escapes to her aunt’s house and a new high school just to blend it and get through the day without being asked about her past and Josh, an emancipated high school senior who, by terrible twists of fate, has been left to fend for himself. When Nastya and Josh form an unexpected and unconventional friendship, the two are forced to remember and deal in ways they have avoided for a long time.
Katja Millay is a very talented, thorough writer. You can tell she has taken great lengths to fully understand the depths of her two characters, and even does this without jipping the secondary characters either (Drew and his mom are awesome).
We begin with two broken people, and piece by piece, come to discover why they are the way they are. Why does Nastya run all hours of the night? Why is she okay with dressing like an emo whore? Why does Josh find such solace in woodworking? And why does everyone at school treat him so differently? It’s rather unlikely that these two characters would find much in common but somehow they do, even if it takes a little work to get there. And then a little more work after that.
Nothing comes easy in The Sea of Tranquility. For me, it took three false starts before I could get into the flow, and even then, I found myself working through the book very slowly. Until there was this beautiful, delicious bubble of Josh and Nastya forming this languid bond of domesticity that I could not get enough of. A certain aspect of Nastya’s character really helped create this intimate chemistry between the two, and I so loved what they did for one another.
Unfortunately, the story veered off track into more of a dramatic realm when more and more tragedy piled up on the character’s plates, as well as a happenstance moment that occurs all too perfectly later in the book. Even Nastya’s voice didn’t always fit her dark thoughts or her actions, and felt a bit romanticized. Don’t get me wrong — Millay created an intriguing story with interesting characters but there was just so much jammed on the page that it had me questioning its believability instead of feeling more for the characters.
Still there is something about this title that is so addicting. Whether it’s how kind of great Josh is or Nastya’s playful but steady friendship with their shared best friend, Drew. Then there’s the mystery (what event led to Nastya’s current behavior), which leads to the ultimate question: can two people who have faced such hardships overcome and begin again?
It’s a rocky road from start to finish, but I’m ultimately glad The Sea of Tranquility put Millay on my radar.
Sidenote: I believe this book is being marketed as “new adult” for more mature themes (drugs, sexuality, violence) but I am more confused by this designation than I was before. All the main characters in this novel are seniors in high school, and I’ve read various books where there has been equal amount of drugs, sexuality, and violence. (Daisy Whitney’s The Mockingbirds for example.) So what makes this story in particular NA exactly?
Kelly-I thought NA was supposed to encompass the period after high school; university, first real job, etc?
I’m super curious about this one because I want to know what happened to Nastya, but I’m also a little apprehensive about the building tragedies that push the believability of the story to a breaking point. I’m definitely going to give this a shot some day, but I’ll try to keep in mind that it might go slowly!
June 10, 2013 - 9:51 am
molly @ wrapped up in books-I’ve seen a lot of interest in this book and never really realized what it was about. I am also often confused by what people apply the “new adult” label too. I feel like it means different things to different people!
June 4, 2013 - 6:36 am
Lori-Great review, Estelle. I really enjoyed this one, but I completely understand your thoughts. It was a slow story and it did get a bit dramatic toward the end. I’m happy you still enjoyed it some.
June 3, 2013 - 4:54 pm
Alexa Y.-This book was a very interesting read for me! I did like it, but not as much as I imagined I would. I’m not sure if it’s because I wasn’t particularly fond of the characters or able to connect with them, or if it has something to do with the story and its ending. Whatever it is, it’s undeniable that in spite of that thing, I did like Millay’s writing.
June 3, 2013 - 2:12 pm
Nikki @ The Paper Sea-This one has been on my to-read list since it was first released in hardback, and everyone of my friends loved it. I should probably get around to it at some point as it sounds right up my street. Sometimes I wish stories like this would tone down on the drama and tragedy — I think sometimes too much just feels like too much and makes everything a little less realistic.
I CANNOT believe that tomorrow is June 1. Where oh where is this year going?
Hope you guys are keeping cool and gearing up for a fun weekend! It’s been so fun meeting book bloggers who are here in NYC for BEA. Like a complete whirlwind of a week actually. I’ll be so sad to see everyone goBefore I chat about some of the books I received during BEA events in the past few days (eee! I am excited about them), I did want to highlight a few others I’ve been hoarding first. Hence my v-log featuring new glasses and one of my favorite dresses.
Paige -I’m so jealous of Criminal I read her first book which I’m pretty sure was Being Friends With Boys and I loved it! I hope you enjoy everything you got this week
Melissa @ Writer Grrl Reads -Whoops, hit post before I was done . I keep hearing great things about Beautiful Ruins, but the cover doesn’t excite me. Maybe the shiny version is better? Regardless, I look forward to hearing what you think, and all about BEA too!!!
May 31, 2013 - 7:53 pm
Melissa @ Writer Grrl Reads -Your new glasses are super cute!
May 31, 2013 - 5:10 pm
Tara @ Hobbitsies-Your glasses are super cute! And I had a lot of fun hanging out with you the other night – we should definitely see a show together next time I’m in the city! In the meantime, I’ve got my tickets to the Newsies tomorrow night
May 31, 2013 - 12:26 pm
Bookworm1858-Cute dress! I can’t believe it’s almost June either-then it will be almost June 30 and that’s halfway through 2013, one of the fastest years ever in my memory.
Jess @ Gone with the Words-Love the glasses!! I really like that style, and they look good on you. I just went and added New Money to my GR wishlist and am totally going to see about reading Criminal soon! HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!
Big Sky Summer by Linda Lael Miller ( web | tweet ) Publication Date: 5/28/2013 Publisher: Harlequin HQN Pages: 320 Target audience: Adult Keywords: country music, children, cowboys Format read: ARC from Publisher via NetGalley (Thanks!)
Summary: Casey is a well-known country music artist who has traveled all over the world, and Walker continues the family tradition of working rodeos. For years and years, Casey and Walker have kept the secret that her two teenager kids are actually his. But as Walker watches the kids grow up, he realizes he wants to be a part of their lives as “Dad” and not “uncle.” He’s also still in love with Casey. Can the two move on for the past and make a relationship work? Will their kids ever forgive them for the lies?
You had me at cowboy.
Walker is a hat-tippin, horse-riding gentlemen with a soft spot for country star, Casey Alder, and her two fantastic kids. Two kids that are his, evidence of two passionate nights with a woman he has been forced to love from afar. Kind of crazy isn’t it? Despite Casey’s popularity, the tabloids and the gossip columnists have not uncovered the fact that her kids were not product of test-tube pregnancies. But as they grow older, the resemblance becomes more evident, and Casey and Walker believe they finally have to tell their kids the truth.
I love that Casey and Walker have a history that spans the years when they were young and on the cusp of success. While I wish that Miller concentrated on their earlier moments together instead of informing readers in bits and pieces, this really amped up the tension between the two. THEY CANNOT KEEP THEIR HANDS OFF ONE ANOTHER.
Casey’s resolution to all the lies and craziness is marriage. Telling the kids the truth and then getting hitched to Walker. I don’t know if I necessarily agree with that jump in her decision making process. It seems hard enough to deal with a daughter who is very hurt and it felt the the decision was more about appeasing her fans and the public then her kids. But it also forces them Casey and Walker to share a bed. So there is that. (Although it is NOT cool to not tell your partner that the condom broke. I don’t care how old you are or what the circumstances.)
Despite that hiccup, I was really impressed with Miller’s dialogue. It’s often the case with romance novels that everything starts to blend together and I thought she did a nice job of bringing humor and affection to the story. It’s also interesting to see what happens to two characters who made certain choices when they were young, and watch them wrestle with those choices years later — not necessarily regretting them but certainly figuring out where they could have done better.
If you like a mega-country setting or are a fan of the television show, Nashville, I’d say you best pick this one up. Though I warn you, the country tunes will be two-stepping in your head for sure.
Alexa Y.-This basically sounds like the perfect romance novel to read during the summer. I mean, come on COWBOYS. It doesn’t get much more attractive than that
May 31, 2013 - 8:32 am
Daphne-i read the first book in this series & loved it & actually have the others but haven’t gotten to them yet. this looks really cute, though i’m kind of confused why they have TWO kids together and they’re still not trying to make it work. one i can understand. but anyway, i will definitely get to this one eventually.
May 30, 2013 - 2:40 pm
Molli-Well, it just so happens that I LOVE both country music AND cowboys. It’s been awhile since I read many adult contemporary romances, but I’m definitely looking to get back into reading a few more. I’ll have to keep an eye out for this one, or another one by the author, since you seemed to enjoy it, and loved the dialogue. Nice review, Estelle!
May 30, 2013 - 10:08 am
Natalie @ Books, etc.-I soooo want to read this! It’s about cowboys and country music, TWO OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS!!!! Great review, Estelle
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Shut Out by Kody Keplinger [ website | twitter ]
I would love to spend my summers in a theme park -that’s such an awesome idea! My parents always took me and my brother hiking -which was…umm…not always fun .jpg)
The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay ( 
Before I chat about some of the books I received during BEA events in the past few days (eee! I am excited about them), I did want to highlight a few others I’ve been hoarding first. Hence my v-log featuring new glasses and one of my favorite dresses.
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!
by Estelle
Sharon @ The Book Barbies - Oh, this was a good one! I loved how it addressed the issue of all the labels for girls in high school, and how ridiculous it is that somehow being a virgin is bad but NOT being a virgin is equally bad for different reasons. Both are criticized, and so often by other girls, and for no real reason. The friendship and romance were also well done. I enjoyed this one a lot.
Alexa Y. - I’m really looking forward to reading this book now! I can sense that it’s a fun, interesting read, and I love that it actually makes you think about the idea of sex and labeling people when you’re in high school. Can’t wait to get to this one — since I actually already own it!
tabithasbookblog - This is the only Kody Keplinger book that I haven’t read, but I’m really looking forward to it! I’m really excited to see how this sex-strike plays out in this one – the way she handles the entire subject of sex with teenagers is probably one of my favorite parts of her books!
Wendy - Umm Cash’s character sounds downright amazing!
Renae @ Respiring Thoughts - I really liked this one, though it’s my least favorite Keplinger novel. It was a really quick, easy read, though, and the story was fun. But, um, yeah: Cash. Wow, that boy was awesome. I think this book is worth reading just for Cash.
Asheley Tart (@BookwormAsheley) - Ok so I’ve never actually read anything by Kody Keplinger but there’s this: “Kody Keplinger can write tension like a champ.” –> So you know me and you know this means that now I want to. Also I’ve heard her books are kind of controversial with their ‘racy’ topics so that always makes me more interested and stuff. Admittedly, I’ve been turned off by the cover. But I like the sound of this one. Sounds kind of fun with some actual meat to it.
Bookworm1858 - I liked this one but it’s definitely my least favorite Keplinger (although Cash is pretty sweet
I loved the female friendships here-I would have taken even more of their interactions.
Amanda @ Late Nights with Good Books - What interests me about this book is that it’s a retelling of Lysistrata (I just love my retellings). I think it’s a really interesting new take that Keplinger put on this tale, but I’m curious to see how successfully it works within a high school context. That’s great you thought that Keplinger was able to address some relevant and important high school stereotypes through this story. I would like to read this and Lysistrata at some point so I can compare!
Taylor @ Reading is the Thing - I didn’t connect with this book very well. I think it’s because I found the whole thing too unrealistic (and I was in high school when I read it!). But I do enjoy Keplinger’s style. Great review!
-Taylor @ Reading is the Thing
Hollie @ Music, Books and Tea - I really want to read some of Kody Keplinger’s work, her books always sound so fantastic! Shut Out is probably the one that’s caught my attention the most, probably because of it’s unique subject. Great review, I definitely need to get myself a copy of this one.
DannyBookworm - I love Kody Keplingers style! She has the talent to write sexy characters but all wrapped in a great storyline too!!