“Knotted” by Quenby Olson
Funny, charming and delightfully witty, Quenby Olson delivers a winner with “Knotted.”
I’m a huge fan of YA and because I’m a fan, I’ve also become more picky (maybe it’s old age) about the YA that I choose to read. I’d already read Olson’s “The Half Killed” (a wonderfully wicked paranormal novel) and her romantic novella “First Position,” so I’ll confess it—I’m a fan of author Quenby Olson, her writing style and “Knotted” didn’t disappoint, keeping me entertained from the first page to the last.
“Knotted” takes the age-old tale of teen getting a new step-mother and completely
flips it around into a fresh, funny and unique story. After 17 year old Olivia Davies receives a call from her dad telling her he’s getting married, she finds herself headed to England to meet her future stepmother and spend time with the dad she’s not seen in a long time. Olivia is stunned to discover her stepmom-to-be, Emmy, is young enough to be her sister! Has her dad lost his mind?
I loved the honesty in Olivia’s reactions and Olson writes fabulous inner monologues for her characters. Throw in Emmy’s brooding older brother, the flurry of wedding prep and a stately English manor home complete with a gaggle of servants plus a Lord and Lady, it’s all a bit much for Olivia. But, she’s the type of character to step up and help, putting her dad’s happiness before her own. I liked Olivia. She was real and I could relate to her, something I consider important when I’m reading.
I’m not going to give any spoilers. There are a lot of ups and downs in “Knotted” as well as witty dialogue and a bit of romance. I really liked Olson’s details, she has a knack for painting the scene so it’s zero effort to become immersed. “Knotted” was a fast read for me—I finished it in two sittings. I highly recommended “Knotted” by Quenby Olson for anyone who enjoys YA and if you’ve never picked up a YA novel, this would be a good first. You won’t be disappointed.
