Fingerprints of You by Kristen-Paige MadoniaPublication Date: August 7th, 2012
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Page Count: 272 pages
Format: Finished Copy - Hardcover
Source: Publisher
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Lemon grew up with Stella, a single mom who wasn’t exactly maternal. Stella always had a drink in her hand and a new boyfriend every few months, and when things got out of hand, she would whisk Lemon off to a new town for a fresh beginning. Now, just as they are moving yet again, Lemon discovers that she is pregnant from a reckless encounter—with a guy Stella had been flirting with.If you've been following me for awhile, you know I'm not a big fan of contemporary fiction. There's just something lacking in most contemps for me. Whether it's the excitement of going on an adventure, the paranormal creatures, or some other difference, contemporary style never seems to grab me like everything else does. However, there are a few diamonds in the rough and Fingerprints of You is definitely one of them. Honestly, I never would have picked up this book if it wasn't just sent to me, but I have to admit I was completely drawn to the cover when I first saw it. It's gorgeous, and so Grateful Dead-esque. Fingerprints of You blew me away with it's honest, raw writing, and I am so surprised that this is a debut novel. Madonia did an amazing job at refusing to glance over the harsh realities that some teens face while still showcasing the beauty that life has to offer.
On the verge of revisiting her mother’s mistakes, Lemon struggles to cope with the idea of herself as a young unmarried mother, as well as the fact that she’s never met her own father. Determined to have at least one big adventure before she has the baby, Lemon sets off on a cross-country road trip, intending not only to meet her father, but to figure out who she wants to be.
Lemon is really a remarkable character. Pregnant at seventeen, she treks off across the country to find her long lost dad. She manages to make it all the way to San Francisco and the beauty she finds there changes her forever. The way Lemon looks at the world and the people around her is somewhat black and white, but her willingness to grow and look at both sides of life is incredible. Her relationship with Stella is a lot like my relationship with my mother so it was easy for me to relate to Lemon in that sense. I loved looking at San Francisco through Lemon's eyes; she sees the beauty in all things, even the ones that aren't conventionally beautiful. Being from the Bay Area myself, it was easy for me to fall in love with this city all over again.
Madonia's writing is just spectacular. Her ability to capture emotions and images so vividly is just remarkable. I found myself immersed in Lemon's world, wanting to be with her at all times. I wanted to live in Lemon's visions of San Francisco and experience the city in the same ways she was. Madonia sparked a new passion for life inside of me, something I wasn't even aware was missing. Despite Lemon's situation, she doesn't let life pass her by. She enjoys everything that's thrown at her and her willingness to just live life is contagious. The world that Madonia created is so real and her ability to spark such intense emotions in me while reading Fingerprints of You is an amazing skill.
I loved everything about Kristen-Paige Madonia's Fingerprints of You. If all contemporary novels were written with the same emotion and vivid imagery I would be a contemporary convert in a heartbeat. San Francisco is teaming with life and Madonia managed to capture that essence perfectly. Lemon's willingness to be a part of a life that has let her down so far is inspiring and remarkable. I laughed, I cried, I became inspired. If you're looking for an amazing read that will change the way you look at your surroundings then Fingerprints of You is one you do not want to miss!
