Earlier this month, I featured an interview with A Long Way from You‘s author, Gwendolyn Heasley! Be sure and check it out if you haven’t already read it.
For too long, Kitsy has had to satisfy her dreams of becoming a real artist by giving her friends makeovers before prom. So when her best friend Corrinne’s family offers to sponsor her for a summer art course in New York City, Kitsy bids a temporary good-bye to Texas to say hello to the West Village.
Between navigating the subway and the New Yorkers—namely, the Art Boy who has a nice trick of getting under her skin—Kitsy knows that this summer is going to be about a lot more than figure drawing.
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Last year Heasley’s debut title Where I Belong was one of my favorite contemporary books. When I saw she was coming out with a new book, I was ecstatic. At first it didn’t click with me that this was Kitsy’s story. (I’m a bit ditsy sometimes and things just don’t connect. 
) When I figured that out I was even more excited!
Kitsy was one of my favorite characters in Where I Belong, so, the chance to get a book all about her is exciting! Fans of Corrinne, will be happy to know she does appear in the book some, but is away at camp. Kitsy’s attending a great summer art course and is navigating the streets of NYC on her own.
A Long Way from You is a coming-of-age story. There is a bit of romance, but the main focus is Kitsy. To be honest, I think the synopsis, cover, and maybe even the title, distract from that. Romance is important, but this girl has grown up in a small town with no real art program. She’s in a huge new city and is learning how to be alone, to take care of her responsibilities, and how to embrace her art.
Kitsy has such a good head on her shoulders! I want to be this year at her age. Here she is in a new city, she’s nervous..she’s alone. She’s making new friends, but she’s becoming one with herself. The trip is her chance to be herself.
A Long Way from You is a book filled with a lot of heart. It’s upbeat, it has it’s sad moments, but it’s a pretty happy little story. I, personally, am in love with it and Heasley’s writing style. I can’t wait for more from her!
Fans of Heasley’s Where I Belong are sure to be thrilled with the newest companion novel. If you haven’t read Where I Belong, it’s not necessary, but I urge you to so that you can get the full story on Corrinne and some of the references they make in A Long Way from You. There aren’t many, but Corrinne and a few other characters pop up from time to time.
I received A Long Way from You in exchange for my honest opinion.