Riding the Universe

Title: Riding the Universe

Author: Gaby Triana

Pages: 266

Rating: ***

Summary (from Goodreads): Chloé Rodriguez values three things above all else—her family; her best friend, Rock; and Lolita, her Harley-Davidson 1200 Sportster. With a black body, blue airbrushed flames, and perfect sloping ape hangers, Lolita is Chloé's last connection to her beloved uncle, Seth, who left her the bike when he died last summer. So when a failing chemistry grade threatens to separate Chloé from her motorcycle, she vows not to let that happen . . . no matter what. Enter Gordon. Ridiculously organized, übersmart, and hot in a casual, doesn't-know-it kind of way, Chloé's peer tutor may have a thing or two to teach her besides chemistry. But she has to stop falling for Gordon . . . and get Rock to act mature whenever he's around . . . and pass chemistry so she doesn't lose Lolita forever. Just when Chloé thinks she's got it all figured out, a bump in the road comes out of nowhere and sends her skidding.

Review: This book was pretty good. It was your standard chick lit--love triangle between girl-best friend-new guy and all--but I still enjoyed it. Chloé is a good protagonist with her own spirit and true problems. She is adopted, and along with her love life, faces the struggle of whether or not to look for her birth parents, for she fears hurting her family. This part of the story is quite touching, and while some readers may predict the resolution, it isn't too cheesy. I also liked her motorcycle--I've never ridden one, but this book made me want to. In the book, Lolita was Chloé's solace, the one she went to when she was confused or hurt. I loved Lolita.

The love triangle however? Oozing with cheese. I predicted the ending after about thirty pages in. However, I still enjoyed hearing Chloé's story and read out to see how the ending would be reached, which is often the case with chick lit. Rock was the guy you'd want as your best friend, though I don't know how he'd be as a boyfriend. I liked how this was addressed though. What wasn't too great was how Gordon flip flopped between the fun, loving boyfriend and the aloof, condescending tutor.

All in all, Riding the Universe was a light, quick read. Not for the realists, but still a good read.

Recommended for: romance lovers, ages 14+