That Time I Joined the Circus

Author:  J.J. Howard

Year: 2013

Publisher:  Point

Pages:  259

Goodreads Summary:

Lexi Ryan just ran away to join the circus, but not on purpose.

A music-obsessed, slightly snarky New York City girl, Lexi is on her own. After making a huge mistake--and facing a terrible tragedy--Lexi has no choice but to track down her long-absent mother. Rumor has it that Lexi's mom is somewhere in Florida with a traveling circus.

When Lexi arrives at her new, three-ring reality, her mom isn't there . . . but her destiny might be. Surrounded by tigers, elephants, and trapeze artists, Lexi finds some surprising friends and an even more surprising chance at true love. She even lucks into a spot as the circus's fortune teller, reading tarot cards and making predictions.

But then Lexi's ex-best friend from home shows up, and suddenly it's Lexi's own future that's thrown into question.

With humor, wisdom, and a dazzlingly fresh voice, this debut reminds us of the magic of circus tents, city lights, first kisses, and the importance of an excellent playlist.

 

For some odd reason, I thought that this was going to be a magical story kinda like The Night Circus but maybe with some paranormal element. So this book wasn't what I expected at all. Lexi joins an actual normal circus (as normal as a circus can be anyhow). There are elephants, trapeze artists and fire-eaters. I loved the characters.  They were all so unique and full of life. I loved watching Lexi turn the oddball charcters in the circus into her family and, in all honesty, hoped she would stay with the circus forever. I also enjoyed the role that music played in the novel. I wonder if there's  a playlist that I can look up/download and listen to.