Review: Being Jamie Baker by Kelly Oram

Being Jamie Baker-Kelly Oram
Publisher-Bluefields Creative
Date Published: June, 2010
Source: Around The World Tours
Author Website

An accident that should end in tragedy instead gives seventeen-year-old Jamie Baker a slew of uncontrollable superhuman abilities. To keep her secret safe Jamie socially exiles herself, earning the title of Rocklin High's resident ice queen. But during a supercharged encounter with star quarterback Ryan Miller she literally kisses anonymity goodbye. Now the annoyingly irresistible Ryan will stop at nothing to melt the heart of the ice queen and find out what makes her so special. Unfortunately, Ryan is not the only person on to her secret. Will Jamie learn to contain her unstable powers before being discovered by the media or turned into a government lab rat? More importantly, can she throw Ryan Miller off her trail before falling in love with him?
(Amazon)

Marketing can be a huge factor in getting me to read a book. I could pretend otherwise, but it wouldn't be true. I have bought books because I've read positive reviews, or in the case of Being Jamie Baker, it was the book trailer that made me want to read the book. Seriously-that has to be the best book trailer ever. That said, I have to have a general liking of the story to want to read the book, and that was the case with Being Jamie Baker.

Jamie is a very relatable protagonist. She fears getting close to anyone at her new school in California, because the aftermath of her accident made her life at her old school miserable. She'd rather be alone than hurt anyone with her powers. She misses her pre-accident life, but she really doesn't care what she thinks of her-which is an admirable trait in anyone, but especially a teenager. When one of the most popular guys in school asks her out, Jamie laughs at him, which garners her the nickname the Ice Queen.

It's a bet that initially brings It Boy Ryan Miller into focus. I had a hard time with Ryan. Just when I'd start to like him, he'd say something (or sometimes Jamie would overhear something with her super hearing) that made him seem like a jocky jerk. At first he seems too concerned with what his friends think, and their feelings taint his feelings for Jamie-at first. He does redeem himself by the end of the book.

Jamie is feisty-and I love that about her. Unfortunately, her feisty nature and bad temper gets her into situations where she's putting others in danger-Ryan is usually the one most in danger because of the range of feelings he brings out in Jamie-from lust to hatred.

My only real beef with this book was that Ryan and Jamie's relationship felt a bit repetitive at times. They'd get close, he'd do something to upset her, they'd make up, etc. I guess it was real in terms of young love, but it did get on my nerves just a bit.

Overall, I would recommend Being Jamie Baker. It's a fun, easy read, perfect for those last lingering days of summer.