Book Review: Flat-Out Celeste by Jessica Park (@JessicaPark24)

Flat-Out Celeste (Flat-Out Love #2) by Jessica Park

Publication Date: May 22, 2014
Published: CreateSpace

My Rating:

Whether you were charmed by Celeste in Flat-Out Love or are meeting her for the first time, this book is a joyous celebration of differences, about battling private wars that rage in our heads and in our hearts, and—very much so— this is a story about first love.
For high-school senior Celeste Watkins, every day is a brutal test of bravery. And Celeste is scared. Alienated because she’s too smart, her speech too affected, her social skills too far outside the norm, she seems to have no choice but to retreat into isolation.
But college could set her free, right? If she can make it through this grueling senior year, then maybe. If she can just find that one person to throw her a lifeline, then maybe, just maybe.
Justin Milano, a college sophomore with his own set of quirks, could be that person to pull her from a world of solitude. To rescue her—that is, if she’ll let him.
Together, they may work. Together, they may save each other. And together they may also save another couple—two people Celeste knows are absolutely, positively flat-out in love.

First, if you haven’t read Flat-Out Love, turn around right now and go read! You don’t necessarily have to read the first book, but it is highly recommended. Flat-Out Celeste is roughly 5 years after the first book and we find a different Celeste than before.

Not entirely so. She still speaks without contractions, doesn’t really have friends, smarter than most but equally as shy. She knows she is different but she is too scared to label what she feels deep down is the truth.

Enter Justin Milano. Celeste’s opposite. A hyperactive, clumsy, talkative student liaison to Barton College who is tasked to woo Celeste in choosing the liberal college on the West Coast verse the Ivy League schools she’s already applied to.

Through many awkward but extremely cute emails, these two connect in ways they haven’t with anyone before. You start to see that maybe these two are exactly what each other need.

“Hey Celeste?”
“Hey Justin?”

I fell in love with Justin so much. His never ending conversations and topic switches weren’t annoying in the least. There was something innocent about him that I think complemented Celeste since she always seemed a bit wise beyond her years.

I found Celeste’s need to reinvent herself before college something that anyone could relate to. This felt all about change and acceptance. With every little difference Celeste made, she came out of her shell more and more. I mean she dressed up in a cat suit! That is stepping outside the box for sure.

This was a heartwarming, hilarious and charming read. Each character had something you could find an endearing quality about. Be it Erin, Celeste’s mother, and her weird cooking style and hot yoga. Or Dallas, Celeste’s one school friend, and her quirky style. Or even the love story between Matt and Julie (READ FLAT OUT LOVE) that Celeste is determined see a happy ending.

Awkward love story to the max.

“Why are you trying so hard to fit in when you were born to stand out?”

Until Next Time!