IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT by Paul Rudnick (Review + Giveaway)

Title: It's All Your Fault
Author(s): Paul Rudnick
Edition: Hardcover, 304 pages
Publisher: Scholastic Books
Publication Date: January 26, 2016
Source: Rockstar Book Tours  (As part of book tour for an honest review)
Buy: Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Book Depository

The Summary

One last chance. One wild weekend.

My name is Caitlin and up until forty-eight hours ago I had never: Tasted alcohol, kissed a boy, sang in public at the top of my lungs, kidnapped anyone or--WHAT? STOLEN A CONVERTIBLE?

Now I'm in jail and I have no idea what I'm going to tell: The police, my parents, the mayor, all of those camera crews and everyone on Twitter.

I have just noticed that: My nose is pierced and I have-WAIT? IS THAT A TATTOO?

I blame one person for this entire insane weekend: My famous cousin.

Who is also my former best friend.

Who I have HATED for the past four years.

Who I miss like crazy. NO I DON'T!!!!

IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT, HELLER HARRIGAN!!!!

(Goodreads)

My Opinion

When I first read the description for It's All Your Fault, I thought it would be a funny contemporary; something light to breeze right through.  I was right that it was a funny--no hilarious contemporary, but it wasn't always a light read, and I think that is what Paul Rudnick did the best when crafting the story of ultra-conservative Caitlin and her ultra-rebellious cousin Heller.

Let's talk writing really quick, because this is where I both loved and hated the book.  Rudnick is the king of one-liners and rapid exchange.  The dialogue that comes out of Heller's, and Caitlin's, mouth had me laughing out loud.  Of course with this intense back and forth, the quips just keep coming and it's great.  I feel like I'm on a non-stop rollercoaster, which is needed because the things that happen is this book are somewhat stretching reality.  But at the same time, there is A LOT OF CAPS USED TO EXPRESS THINGS.  Both Caitlin and Heller, at one point or multiple points, yell throughout the book.  I hate when ALL CAPS are used in books, because while I understand the want to really emphasize the crazy, I don't need someone to shove it down my throat.

But that is completely a personal thing of mine, and I can see how it works well in the context of this crazy story.  Heller is the resident crazy famous girl, who did a stint in rehab and is now being baby-sat by her uptight Jesus loving cousin, Caitlin.  Obviously these two girls consistently bash heads because their lives couldn't be more different.  Throw in all the crazy promo stuff that Heller has to do for her new movie, think a Twilight/The Hunger Games level franchise for the movies, and shenanigans happen.  The plot and the dynamic between the two are really what makes this book so fun.  While sometimes you have to suspend disbelief, it works.

I feel like this book is in a way Rudnick's commentary on pop culture and how crazy both the conservative side and liberal side of people can be when it comes to celebrity or being a "good Christian".  Also, the additions to the book that highlight pop culture are really the best.  There's a particular scene that really captures all the feels us book lovers go through when reading a particularly heart-wrenching book that just had me laughing so much.  Then, of course, there are other things like the three little girls named Katniss, Hermione, and Bella, and the clear reference to the "cancer book"; we all know what book that is.

But even with all the crazy that happens, underneath it all is really a story of cousins, and how they deal with their issues with each other and with themselves.  There are some heavy themes in the book, like drinking, drugs, OCD, anxiety attacks, that are prevalent but never lingered on for very long.  This helps keep the story light, but also helps ground it in reality amidst the circus that Caitlin and Heller's three days become.  I think without this aspect I wouldn't have liked the book at all because it would have been just too crazy.

Overall, this was a very fun book, full of madcap hijinks.  The fast-pacing makes you fly through the book and the humor never lets up, even in the more serious times which I really loved.  I think this is a must needed addition to any humor collection, whether it be YA or Adult because it is so funny and current.  With It's All Your Fault in hand, you won't have a dull moment.

Final Rating

About the Author

Paul Rudnick is a critically acclaimed novelist, playwright, and screenwriter. His screenplays include In&Out and Addams Family Values, and he’s written for Vogue, Entertainment Weekly, Vanity Fair, and the New Yorker. His plays, including I Hate Hamlet and Jeffrey, have been produced both on and off Broadway and around the world. His first young adult novel, Gorgeous, was called a “wicked good time” by the New York Times Book Review. Under the pen name Libby Gelman-Waxner, he is also the world’s most beloved and irresponsible film critic. Paul lives in New York City. 

 WEBSITE | TWITTER | GOODREADS

Giveaway

5 winners will receive a finished copy of IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT

Giveaway is open to US ONLY

Giveaway ends on February 1st

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule

Week One:
1/18/2016 - The Cover Contessa - Interview
1/19/2016 - Zach's YA Reviews - Review
1/20/2016 - Swoony Boys Podcast - Guest Post
1/21/2016 - Book Briefs - Review
1/22/2016 - In Wonderland - Interview

Week Two:
1/25/2016 - The Best Books Ever - Review
1/26/2016 - Avid Reader - Guest Post
1/27/2016 - Eli to the nth - Review
1/28/2016 - BookHounds YA - Interview
1/29/2016 - A Dream Within A Dream - Review

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