Review: Adios To All The Drama

Title: Adios To All The Drama
Author: Diana Rodriguez Wallach
Publication date: January 1st, 2009

Summary:
Mariana Ruiz thought she left her summer fling in Puerto Rico, that is until she finds Alex sitting across from her at the breakfast table. Living two doors down from her visiting old flame isn't easy, especially given the unresolved sparks still lingering for her locker buddy Bobby - and they don't exactly go unnoticed. Her best friends are little help as Madison deals with her IM-only 'boyfriend' and Emily sinks into secret mode after her parents' recent breakup. The only relationship that seems to be working is her estranged aunt Teresa who's tying the knot on New Years with Mariana and her cousin Lilly as bridesmaids. But the last wedding detail left unplanned is who will Mariana kiss at midnight? Strained friendships, stolen kisses, and secret loves create plenty of surprises to unfold before the New Year's bells start ringing.

Review:
I have mixed feelings about this book. It was interesting enough, and some of the characters I really cared about (unfortunately most of them were the minor characters). I really liked the ending because it captured how I felt things should be throughout the whole book. It was entertaining, and a light read.

But on the other hand, most of the characters I couldn't care less about. Especially the main character's boyfriend. Which made it hard for me to read, because obviously a big part of the book was the narrator talking about her "relationship" with him. I didn't really start to care about the main character a whole lot, until about 60 pages before the book was over. Then I couldn't put it down. But that makes for a total of maybe 70-80 captivating pages out of roughly 330 (of my ARC copy. The actual book has less pages, I believe.)

***Two things I felt I should mention that may have an effect on my review - take these into consideration when reading:***
1) The copy I read was an ARC copy. Perhaps things are a bit different in the finished version that might change my opinion.
2) I haven't read either of the two books that come before this one. I get the feeling that if I knew more on the background of a lot of the characters, I might be more sympathetic towards them.

Characters: 6/10
Plot: 7/10
Originality: 7/10
Writing: 8/10
Overall rating: C-