Full Review: http://groundedwanderlust.blogspot.com/2015/06/bookish-goodness-jodi-picoult-double.html

I decided to read this book because its sequel, 'Off the Page', was recommended by a booktuber and I really can't stand starting a series in the middle (even if the sequel is capable of being read as a standalone ~ It is also the Booksplosion book of the month for June). This is the first Jodi Picoult book I have read and, admittedly, starting with one she wrote with a highschooler (even her own daughter) might not have been the best idea. At first glance, the concept for this story seemed very interesting. Who hasn't thought about their favorite character coming to life? While the concept sparked my interest, the story itself fell flat for me.

Despite having several YA themes, such as bullying and romance, they are not resolved at all, which bothered me throughout the story. The only part of the story that even slightly resolved itself was Delilah's fight with Jules and even that wasn't completely resolved. In fact, other than the romance, the more adult themes of this book are just barely mentioned. This led me to feel like the story would have been better suited as a Middle Grade book with the adult themes just left out completely.

Delilah as a main character was also a problem for me. She felt one dimensional and overdramatized. Her relationship with Oliver felt forced and weird to me as well. What was up with her not recognizing him from Edgar at the end. I understand her mistaking Edgar for Oliver the first time because she had just seen him, hadn't heard him speak, and was in a bit of shock. But she had been with Oliver for most of the book and had had time to get to know Edgar. The two were nothing alike, beyond their identical appearance, which would lead me to believe Delilah should have been able to tell the two apart. As a result, Delilah was not relatable and this fact made reading the story rather tedious.

Oliver was also not a very good character. He did have one major flaw; he was not brave. But even his lack of bravery rang hollow as the story went on. Oliver tries several times to escape the book with barely any qualms. And, despite his one great flaw, his character was practically perfect in every way. I get that fairy tale princes are supposed to be perfect, but the whole point of the story is that his "prince" persona was just a character he had to play while the reader was reading the story and that he had a personality and life beyond the story he was written into.

I will read the sequel because that is the book I actually wanted to read. However, after the let down of 'Between the Lines', I'm not sure how I'll like it.