REVIEW: 99 Days by Katie Cotugno

Day 1: Julia Donnelly eggs my house my first night back in Star Lake, and that’s how I know everyone still remembers everything—how I destroyed my relationship with Patrick the night everything happened with his brother, Gabe. How I wrecked their whole family. Now I’m serving out my summer like a jail sentence: Just ninety-nine days till I can leave for college, and be done.

Day 4: A nasty note on my windshield makes it clear Julia isn’t finished. I’m expecting a fight when someone taps me on the shoulder, but it’s just Gabe, home from college and actually happy to see me. “For what it’s worth, Molly Barlow,” he says, “I’m really glad you’re back.”

Day 12: Gabe got me to come to this party, and I’m actually having fun. I think he’s about to kiss me—and that’s when I see Patrick. My Patrick, who’s supposed to be clear across the country. My Patrick, who’s never going to forgive me.

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MY THOUGHTS
After reading How to Love, I needed to read another book by Katie Cotugno! I didn't find this book quite as beautiful as How to Love, but I still found this book very engaging!

Molly Barlow has one big regret that no one will ever let her forget. When her and her boyfriend, Patrick, got into a fight, Molly ended up sleeping with Patrick's brother. Molly kept the secret for years, until her mom publishes a book that is "based on her daughter's complicated relationship with two boys". People connect the dots and Molly runs off to a boarding school. Now, Molly is back for the summer, 99 days, until she goes off to college. Everyone still remembers her as a slut and she's more than happy to hide away in her room watching documentaries.But the summer has bigger plans for Molly.

This book focused on a controversial issue: Cheating. This is something that I really despise when someone does, so yes, this book was out of my comfort zone. This book, though, shows the reality of slut-shaming. Yeah, Molly made a stupid mistake and might've made things worse by not telling, but while she did all of this, she didn't fully deserve what happened to her. She is called a slut, her house egged, her car keyed, for this one mistaken. Yet, Gabe, Patrick's brother, who is as much to blame as Molly, has nothing happen to him. Molly herself doesn't realize this truth and believes she deserves all this and it takes all 99 of these days for her to realize that.

Though, Molly does have many flaws. I was enjoying this book, loving it, until Molly made stupid decisions again. She saw what happened last time and I just couldn't understand why, when she's finally repairing things, would she make that mistake again. I thought she learned her lesson, but it takes another mistake for her to finally reach a point where she changes, hopefully for the better.

The romance in this book is obviously complicated. It takes love triangles to the realistic level. This complicated relationship is the main focus of the story, but this book is not about the romance. In fact, I wouldn't call this a romance at all. Calling it a love story would be laughable. Now, my thoughts on the two boys are different. I actually liked Gabe, which surprised me. Patrick, on the other hand, was a jerk. I understand his anger towards Molly in the beginning, but his actions later on in the book were ridiculous.

Lastly, this book has sort of an open-ended ending. At first, this upset me, but now I think it works the best for the book. I think it ended wonderfully.

IN CONCLUSION
Overall, this book focuses on a very controversial subject from the viewpoint of a girl who still needs to learn from her mistakes. I actually enjoyed reading this book and despite Molly's unlike able characteristic, I begin to root for her to find her way. I strongly suggest that everyone should read Katie Cotugno!

I hereby give this book

3.5 Wheels

Meaning: I liked it, but it wasn't quite amazing.