Off the Page by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer

Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: May 19, 2015
Pages: 356
Source: from publisher in exhcange for an honest review
Buy It: The Book Depository | Barnes & Noble | Amazon

From #1 New York Times bestselling authors Jodi Picoult and her daughter and co-writer, Samantha van Leer, comes OFF THE PAGE, a tender and appealing romantic YA novel filled with humor, adventure, and magical relationships. Sixteen-year-old Delilah is finally united with Oliver—a prince literally taken from the pages of a fairy tale. There are, however, complications now that Oliver has been able to enter the real world. To exist in Delilah’s world, Oliver must take the place of a regular boy. Enter Edgar, who agrees to take Oliver’s role in Delilah’s favorite book. In this multilayered universe, the line between what is on the page and what is possible is blurred, but all must be resolved for the characters to live happily ever after. Includes twelve full-color illustrations, and black-and-white decorations throughout. Full of humor and witty commentary about life, OFF THE PAGE is a stand-alone novel as well as a companion to the authors’ bestseller Between the Lines, and is perfect for readers looking for a fairytale ending. Fans of Sarah Dessen and Meg Cabot are sure to appreciate this novel about love, romance, and relationships. --Goodreads

Delilah has been obsessed with a children’s fairytale ever since she discovered it.  Despite what others may think, she accomplishes the impossible by having the main character, Oliver, from the fairytale swap places with the author’s son in our world.  Off the Page tells the story of Oliver’s transition of living life in the real world with the girl of his dreams and Edgar’s life inside the book his mother had written.

After reading what the book was about, I was intrigued.  This concept of having the main character outside the book he has lived in for his whole life was so interesting.  It had me thinking about all the books I have ever read.  Could all those books have minds of their own when I wasn’t reading them?  Picoult and Van Leer’s idea kept me up at night, staring at my bookshelves, wondering at the possibilities.  The story was a unique, fresh twist.

Off the Page is a companion novel to Picoult and Van Leer’s first novel, Between the Lines.  Not having read Between the Lines, Off the Page still made absolute sense.

At first, I thought this was definitely a middle-grade book.  The characters seemed very young.  High school was over-dramatized and clichéd but made for some good comic relief.  The love between the prince, Oliver, and Delilah seemed like a feeling beyond their years or too mature for them.  As the story progresses though, I began to realize the depth to the characters.

As for the plot, I think most of the story revolves around the marvelous concept of having a fictional character outside his own book that there was not much need for too much else.  The romance was there but it did not carry the plot like it may have done in Between the Lines.  Off the Page was sort of the aftermath of Oliver dealing with the changes of the real world and how his book dealt with the swap.

Picoult and Van Leer’s writing is gorgeous and their small inserts between chapters are quotes I would love printed on posters.  However, one thing that bothered me was their insistence of a happy ending for all.  It was not—please, remember your side characters.

Off the Page is YA, but I would peg it for younger YA, though it can be enjoyed by someone of any age.  There is a little something for every reader.