Making Out #11: Ben Takes a Chance

For supposedly being a book about 19-year-old Benjamin Passmore (one of my favorite characters in the Making Out series), "Ben Takes a Chance" seldom revolves around him. Instead, it follows the various love problems brewing among the other Chatham Island teens. For starters, Zoey Passmore was found making out with Aaron Mendel in "Nina Shapes Up" (#10) while she was still dating Lucas Cabral (major déjà vu here; remember her cheating on Jake McRoyan at the beginning of this series in "Zoey Fools Around"?). Next is Aisha Gray and Christopher Shupe. He's recently proposed to Aisha and has been pressuring her to give him a yes or no answer before he ships out in January. (He's in the army.) Personally, I don't think they should marry, but we'll see.And, although Benjamin had been debating for the past couple of books whether or not to proceed with the experimental laser surgery that may or may not restore his sight, the actual operation doesn't start until the end of this book. Major disappointment! From what I assumed from the synopsis on the back of this book, it should have occurred within the first dozen or so pages. Perhaps the result of his operation will be in the succeeding book, "Claire Can't Lose" (#12). I hope. (fingers crossed)So, overall, this was a pretty good book (thus my 5/5 rating). However, I was a little bummed Benjamin was rarely the star of this book. I would think something as important as regaining one's sight would entail a few more pages or chapters than what was allotted. Still, "Ben Takes a Chance" is worth reading if you're into the Making Out series.

Ohmygod, I totally LOVE this series! It's so real. (Well, um, actually, it's kind of NOT! But whatever!) Ms. Applegate really understands teenagers. It's reflected in her writing. I think that Ben and Nina are my favorite couple on the island. Ben kind of reminds me of my boyfriend; sweet but dense. I can kind of see myself in Nina. I have read the entire series so far except for Two-Timing Aisha. I was SO bummed when Ben kissed Kate and Nina saw it. I can totally understand why she'd run away. But that's a later book. My friends all think that I'm nuts to read such a "trashy series" but I don't care. It's so good. I totally think that anyone could like it.I think Aisha should not accept Christopher and Claire should just mind her own business.

I love all these books! I just ordered 3 more online!! This was the last book I read, and it is cool. I like it how Benjamin and Nina are so close, even though I just read on another review that they break up. Oh well, live in the moment. Aisha gets proposed to! Claire is chasing after Aaron and he is lying to Zoey about not believing in premarital sex, and Zoey is making out with Aaron while still loving and going with Lucas. And Jake and Lara are doing something, and Jake is trying to quit drinking, but Lara is definitely not helping! My favorite part of the book is Zoey's little slumber party with all the Chatham Island girls, where they realize they aren't as close as they used to be. And oh, yeah, Benjamin is having eye surgery, that is kind of the whole point of the book. Anyways, it is GREAT! But I am stuck reading "God bless you Mr Rosewater", because my mother doesn't want my brain to get trashed by this series. Whatever! This is the most fascinating teen series I have ever seen! Too bad Katherine Applegate wastes all her time with the freaking Animorphs.

I love this book! Ok, Ben is blind right? So he goes under the knife in boston...will he get his sight? I DON'T KNOW!!!! Katherine leaves you hanging! i hate it..but i love it when they do that! And Zoey's and Lucas's realtionship is hanging by a thread, and thnk god! I can not stand Zoey...I mean she's ok..but she is always whinnning..complianing about her life...I mean GROW UP! She cheated on jake to get with Lucas...she cheated on Lucas to be with Aaron...I mean Lucas is way to good for her(at least in my humble opinion)! Nina is way cool...she is like recovering from this terrible nightmare (which you have to read book#3 to find out) and she is still like the first Island girl to lose "it"...on no wait....Aisha was the first..but that was when she lived in Boston...it isn't like she and christopher are....! AND CHRISTOPHER ASKED AISHA TO MARRY HIM! *SCREAMS* AHHHH! How romantic! but will she say yes?!?! God I hope so...Claireis being a deseptice twit...but if she snags Aaron like she plans too...Zoey and Lucas can make up...well...no...Zoey is a bad person!Hmmph! Oh..and Jake and Lara (Lara is Zoeys half sister, who was introduced in book 6..them met in 7...who is her fathers child from when he was backpacking around europe..and this all comes out when Zoey walk in on her mom and Jakes dad...who had a thing when they were kids) are both recovering acholics...but recovering isn't really the word...Jake's dad is gonna take jake to an AA meeting..but Lara?!?! Who knows!?! I definetly reccomend this book (an all the others) to EVRYONE IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD!

In this one Zoey gets hurt again by Lucas. Jake is attracted to Zoey's half sister, Lara and starts drinking with her again even though he vowed never to touch alcohol. Jake's father finds out but Jake doesn't care. Zoey is confused and she doesn't know what to do because her life is changing so quickly. Chris makes decisions that will forever change his life and Aisha's. Ben takes a leap of faith and tries to get his vision restored by an experimental surgery. Nina is afraid that once he gets his vision back, he won't love her anymore. All in all, this one is a must read.