Review: Being Jamie Baker by Kelly Oram

Title: Being Jamie Baker
Author: Kelly Oram
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy YA
Series: Jamie Baker #1

E-book, 362 pages
Publication: June 18, 2010 by Bluefields

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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?

After a horrible accident Jamie discovers herself with powers, her boyfriend dead, and a local journalist who is all too keen on exposing her secrets. Jamie and her parents move across country to start fresh where no one knows her, hoping to escape her past. Jamie puts up walls and alienates herself from everyone to make sure she doesn’t accidently hurt anyone. Life may be lonely but Jamie is slowly getting used to doing everything alone…until Ryan Miller comes along. Ryan Miller is the most popular boy in school and Jamie is known as the ‘freak or Ice Queen’ at school…so it was strange when Ryan Miller approaches her eating by herself in the Cafeteria. It turns out his friend dared him to get a kiss from Jamie, because that would be impossible! It surprises them both when Jamie agrees, shrugging it off and thinking nothing of it. Soon Jamie finds Ryan at every corner, trying to befriend her and break down the walls she had put it for so long. She constantly tries to shoot him down but Ryan isn’t easily deterred, slowly charming his way into Jamie’s life. Jamie starts to really enjoy herself, trying to enjoy a little teenage normalcy until a person from her past shows up in town.

Everyone has always wanted super powers as a kid, I know I did! Jamie may have super speed, hearing, and cool glowing eyes but readers also see the downside to having powers…making sure your secret never gets out. I felt really bad for Jamie, thinking that the only way to protect her family and secret was to alienate herself from everything…no friends, no boyfriend, no parties, no job, practically a nonexistent life. Then Ryan comes along and turns her world upside down, slowly you see that she isn’t a cold hearted person…just a normal girl who wants to be happy and to have a friend.  Oh Ryan, Ryan, Ryan. He is such a flirt, and a bit cocky but I love his perseverance. Ryan never once gave up on Jamie. She keeps pushing him away but he’s so charming she can’t seem to stop herself from liking him or spending time with him. I really enjoyed their banter, and every moment the two had page time.

Being Jamie Baker was fun-light read, but not without some serious moments…there were a couple of scenes that made me teary. What made this book were the characters, and Oram did a great job in creating such real and relatable characters…even if we don’t have super powers like Jamie LOL. Summer is just around the corner and this would be a fun summer read; if you haven’t already read it I suggest checking this one out. The book is told in first person perspective and is the first book in a planned series. This was a great book and I’m looking forward to reading the next, More Than Jamie Baker which comes out January 2014.