Review: The Jelly Bean Crisis by Jolene Stockman

And I really want to want this. But this is my life, my whole life. And it’s more than just success, you know? I want to be happy.

Poppy Johnson is the kind of girl who has her life mapped out. For her, it was simple. She was born to be on Wall Street, and the first step to be an investment banker is by studying at Columbia. She has jelly bean theory to help her reaching her dream. Eat the yucky green jelly bean first, because then the delicious red ones would taste more amazing. Poppy applies the theory to everything in her life. School is her green jelly bean, and it’s the hard work that she has to do before getting the life that she really wants. But after standing so close to the gate of her dream, Poppy starts to freak out. Is it really her dream to become an investment banker? What if her jelly bean theory has been wrong all this time?

The Jelly Bean Crisis exceeded my expectation. I went to this book with something adorable and sweet in my mind, but this book blew me away with the inspiring message behind and the mature yet relatable main character. Poppy is a great character I adore. She reminded me of people I know in real life (aka me), and I’m sure that every teenager can identify themselves with Sophie. Who doesn’t feel scary about the future? When you are sixteen, it seems like every little turn you take can bring your life into a whole different direction.

I think Poppy had to relax because after all, she’s only sixteen. It’s okay to make mistakes and have doubts in mind. She’s still young and it’s her life anyway to spend in any way she wants. Although I completely understand Poppy’s parents worry and her teachers’ reaction to her, I’m glad that Poppy still insists to take time to find her passion in life. In the end, she reaches a conclusion and I felt happy for her.

The Jelly Bean Crisis is the book that I would recommend to any teenager because Poppy sets a good example about finding what you really want to do in life. It’s enticing, sweet, and brilliant, and when you realize, you would find yourself cheering for Poppy in her short journey about finding her true passion in life.

Turns out the Jelly Bean Theory worked on a lot of things. I started brushing my teeth before letting myself read at night, I would finish my homework before watching TV. The theory has worked for home, and for school… but now, standing at the podium, I can’t see how it’s worked for me.

Website * Goodreads * Amazon

I rate this book: 

Four cups of tea. Amazing! Love the book, it’s simply awesome. I love the tea flavor!  A strong recommendation.

Enormous thanks for ATOMR Book Blog Tours and Jolene Stockman for providing me the review copy! You can check out the full schedule for the tour here. :)