ARC REVIEW: The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things by Ann Aguirre

The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things by Ann Aguirre Published by: Feiwel & Friends on April 7th, 2015 Series: No Pages: 328 Format: ARC Paperback Genre: Contemporary Source: For Review (THANKS MACMILLAN!)  Rating: 4/5 BUY THE BOOK or ADD IT TO GOODREADS!
From Goodreads: Sage Czinski is trying really hard to be perfect. If she manages it, people won't peer beyond the surface, or ask hard questions about her past. She's learned to substitute causes for relationships, and it's working just fine... until Shane Cavendish strolls into her math class. He's a little antisocial, a lot beautiful, and everything she never knew she always wanted.
Shane Cavendish just wants to be left alone to play guitar and work on his music. He's got heartbreak and loneliness in his rearview mirror, and this new school represents his last chance. He doesn't expect to be happy; he only wants to graduate and move on. He never counted on a girl like Sage.
But love doesn't mend all broken things, and sometimes life has to fall apart before it can be put back together again...
My Thoughts: 
Dear The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things (aka tQoBaST),
Your synopsis hooked me right away. The post-it thing is one of the most unique and coolest things I've ever heard of! I wish I would've been back in high school when I read this so I could've done it, because it's such a brilliant idea! And then, if none of those things hooked me, your author definitely 100% did, because Ann Aguirre just gets high school girls and the shit they go through. She gets the shit that I went through. I love her books because they are completely realistic.
Anyways, you follow the story of Sage, a girl who tries to hide her true herself from her high school peers by pretending to be perfect and happy, because she doesn't want anyone to know her past. It's not pretty. She's managed perfectly fine, until Shane Cavendish walks into class one day and catches her attention. Shane is a little damaged himself, wanting only to focus on his music and graduating. He never imagined meeting someone like Sage. Can Sage fix Shane, Shane fix Sage, or will they fix each other? It might include a roller coaster ride of drama, mistakes, learning one another, and overcoming their pasts, but in the end, it will be worth it. 
Sage Czinksi is flawed, imperfect, and perfect for me to relate to for those reasons. I loved seeing that her best friend was a guy, and then the new twist on the guy/girl friendship. I can honestly say that's the first time I've read that in a contemp (but hey, I'm still new to this genre of YA). Regardless of how he treated her, she moved on the best that she could. She found new friends, one of which I loved oh so much. Lila! Gosh I loved Lila, and Sage's aunt, Gabby! The secondary characters made this book even better! Sage is known as the Post-it Princess, because she likes to post encouraging words on random classmate's lockers with her trademarked pink post-it and purple glitter pen! Seriously, it's the coolest idea ever! Since I'm not in school, maybe I could do it to people's cars. I adored reading the people who she posted on's reactions. It was just so sweet. Sage is quirky, cute, average sized (not a skinny minnie like most MCs in YA), and I just can't get over how much I loved her transformation from someone who depended just on Ryan (ew, btw) to someone who found meaning to her life. Her character development was phenomenal and perfectly constructed in every way. 
Shane. Oh, swoon. *Continues to swoon* Shane is such a cutie! First of all, he's a musician. At first, he may seem a little cold, but he slowly warms up to Sage, thankfully, because they are made for each other. I felt so bad for Shane's home life, or lack thereof. It's no wonder he acted the way he did. He isn't used to being cared about, so it's kind of startling when Sage just starts all of a sudden. Even though, it took him a bit to be himself around everyone, when he finally did, it was......fantastic. He's the type of boyfriend I'd want. Someone that defends his girl no matter what the circumstances. He's romantic. He's thoughtful. Sweet. Just......very swoony, kay?
Sometimes, I have a hard time with 'issue' contemporary books, tQoBaST, but thankfully, you weren't one. I flew through your pages with fervor, wanting to know both Sage and Shane's pasts, their futures, and how everything would wind up. Ann Aguirre, your author, has another hell of a winner of a book with you. You've been added to the absolute favorites shelf. I already miss your characters and their friendships and relationships and I NEED MOAR! Four hearts to you, The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things!

Off to buy post-its and glitter pens,

Becca

Have you read The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things? What did you think? Did you think Shane was super swoony? Would you ever post an encouraging note on a random person's locker/car? Let's discuss!

**According to FTC Guidelines, I must state that I received a free Advanced Reading Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This in no way effected my opinion of said book.**