Review: Unlikely Allies by Tiffany King

Eighteen-year-old Kimberly gets the shock of her life when she learns the father she thought was dead is not only very much alive, but never even knew she existed. Angry with her mother for lying all these years, Kimberly flies to Colorado to meet the father she knows nothing about before heading off to college in the fall.

Her father’s world turns out to be nothing like she expected. Rather than the typical nine to five lifestyle, Kimberly’s father runs a summer foster camp that teaches young children skills to build their confidence and self-esteem. The Colorado Rocky Mountains are a different world than the sunny shores of California, taking Kimberly completely out of her element, and causing her to second-guess her spur of the moment decision.

Never being one to quit anything, Kimberly is determined to show her father that a surfer girl can fit into this rugged mountain wilderness. That is if she can deal with Mason, an arrogant nineteen-year-old guy who has made it his mission to point out every mistake she has made since her arrival. While she would love nothing more than to rub it in his know-it-all face, Kimberly can’t deny the feelings he stirs up inside her, or the chemistry between them, even during their verbal assaults.

When a tragic accident leaves them stranded in the mountains, Kimberly must use her shaky skills to save Mason and survive the elements. Suddenly, fighting is the last thing on their minds as they must rely on each other if they want to live. In their struggle for survival, they realize what they thought they knew about each other isn’t true after all.

I've been a Tiffany King fan since Meant to Be, so naturally I had to get my hands on Unlikely Allies as soon as possible. I finished it the same day I received it. It was that good, on par with the rest of her novels if not even better!

Eighteen-year-old protagonist Kimberly has never know a thing about her presumably deceased father--that is, until the day her mother informs her that he is alive and just as much unaware of her existence. This incites a whirlwind of activity for an angry Kimberly, who impulsively takes off to meet the man who should have spent every day up to now with her. However, just as soon as she lands in Colorado, Kimberly realizes that she knows just about nothing about her father, the manager of summer camp for foster children. For California girl and "Beach Bunny" Kimberly, spending her last summer before college camped out in the Rockies is not at all what she expected, but she's up for the challenge. The question is whether the environment, the children, and above all, former-camper-now-counselor Mason, will make or break Kimberly's resolve.

Kimberly is one of those female protagonists I love reading about. She has a lot to deal with, but she manages to the best of her ability. She also has plenty to prove both to herself as well as the other people in her life, but she doesn't back down when obstacles arise. In short, Kimberly's a fighter. At the same time, she still reacts to certain situations just like any adolescent would. She's a true human character with real emotions and real struggles. Opposite Kimberly is the absolutely infuriating but undeniably charming Mason, who has quite a background as well. Once you learn about his past, it's easier to understand why he acts the way he does. I found that Kimberly and Mason were perfectly compatible, much like pieces of a puzzle.

The storyline in Unlikely Allies caught my attention because it was so unique. I don't know about you guys, but I've never read a YA contemp that centered around a summer camp. As someone who has attended one before, I found myself reminiscing over all of the little tidbits and memories from my experiences as I read about Kimberly and Mason's adventures. Of course, theirs were far more unpredictable *hint hint* but entertaining all the same. I loved that I really didn't know how it would end until the very last few pages.

I cannot wait to see what's next from the lovely Tiffany King! Y'all should read her books. All of them. Now. GO. DO IT. Please? I'll give you imaginary versions of Mason. ;)

Rating: 5/5 stars