Review of Pivot Point by Kasie West

Title/Author: Pivot Point (Pivot Point #1) by Kasie West
Publisher/Date published: HarperTeen, February 12th 2013
How I got this book: received it from the publisher as an egalley

Goodreads summary: Knowing the outcome doesn’t always make a choice easier...

Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with — her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.

In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school — but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through... and who she can’t live without.

Guys, I'm the kind of girl who always plays out different scenarios in her head before making a big decision. I'm the master of the 'what if'. And I pretty much never get it right ;)
So a book centered around a girl who can actually SEE what would happen when faced having to choose between two paths has me ALL KINDS OF EXCITED! And I loved how Pivot Point explores the dilemma that comes with this ability!

Addie was a girl I could easily relate to. She's not easily impressed with people and I loved the friendship bond between her and Laila. These girls are true friends and Laila isn't just a random sidekick added for comic relieve or something. I loved all the different abilities everyone in the Compound has and that they're all mind powers and there's actual training going on to teach them how to use said powers.
I also really loved that Addie likes to read. With all the advanced technoly in the Compound, she's one of the only ones still reading books and graphic novels and I like that. I'm also a big fan of her way of making friends, by threathening someone with a zombie attack for insulting Charles Dickens.

The chapters switch between the two paths Addie can take: going with her dad or staying with her mom. And about halfway through I was starting to get this ominous feeling that I knew where it was headed and who Addie was going to have to choose between (yeah, I'm sorta cryptic, but it would be a HUGE spoiler). And I was right and it was DEVASTATING! Seriously!
I loved seeing Addie go through both storylines and I never once got confused about where we were in the story, so major brownie points to Kasie West for that, cause I don't think anyone could have pulled it off.

And most of all: I was so IN the story alongside Addie! I fell in love with her, was heartbroken with her, was angry, sad and betrayed and just wanted to give her a hug. I loved how invested in the story I was and how it was such an easy read! I didn't want to stop reading and lost some sleep over it. It was awesome.

And I wouldn't be me if I didn't mention the boys: Duke and Trevor. At first I switched alliances with every chapter, cause both guys were swoony, but I settled about halfway through, though I'm not saying which of them has totally stolen my heart which his amazingness, though I am gonna say that as usual I've fallen for the good guy.

The ending left me wishing for the sequel because I need to know what happens next! Because it was heartbreaking and I do understand Addie's choice and would have done the same probably, but GAH! It ripped my heart out!
Pivot Point is a strong debut for Kasie West and fans of paranormal romance should definitely pick it up!

My rating: 5 stars