The Big Crunch is a quick, easy read with not much going on, but it is a realistic portrayal of what high school is really like. June is a high school student who has moved and changed schools for more times than she can count. She starts a new school as the book opens and after a few months, slowly begins a romantic relationship with one of her classmates. There are no vampires or pyrotechnics in this novel, just normal high school students. Because of that, the novel isn't really memorable or all that compelling. However, I think it would be a fine book for any high school student to read, probably the younger the better.

I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought that I was going to. The characters annoyed me at times, and the story was a little boring at some points. It also really annoyed me that June and Wes were constantly addressing each other when they were talking. When you are the only two people in the room, do you really need to point out who you are talking to?
The summary bit also said that they didn't fall in love at first sight. But they kind of did. Well, maybe not June so much, but I think Wes definitely did.

So all in all this book just wasn't for me. I like books where the couple "meet cute" or fall in love at first sight. Because most of the time it' kind of unrealistic, and when I read cute, lovey books I want to get lost in world of unrealistic and fantasy. And The Big Crunch just didn't do that for me.

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Overall I really disliked this book. The pacing was weird, June's character was not likeable and was unreasonable. Wes was only the love interest because he was "special", but then had nothing special about him. He was also hot headed. June’s family was annoying to read. Her mother was always frantic to please her husband. The father was supposed to be portrayed as having a realistic world view, but instead came off as practically delusional. His motto was “Next!” and to never look back on anything. He came off as a superficial 2D person without complexities, in fact, they all did.
The character of Jerry was easily the most interesting and still only a secondary character. Jerry also was practically hated by both our main characters for stupid reasons. Reasons like "He plans too much," and "He is a gentleman." He is only in a fraction of the book.
Their love was not believable. It just didn’t seem realistic enough. June also was not a realistic teenage girl, I think this was mostly due to the author being a man. It was hard to finish the book because I didn't like the main characters so much and found their spontaneous love boring.

FALL
June starts school with pretty much the same attitude as she starts all her other schools: try and find a small group of friends, potentially date an average-looking guy, and make it easy to withdraw fast when the next move comes. Her father's job requires him to relocate every six months or so, and she has gotten used to the rhythm of changing schools and not getting too comfortable in any one spot. But something is different about Wellstone High, and June can't put her finger on it.

Wes starts school with the realization that he has to figure out who he is. He just ended a long-term relationship with Izzy, and after being known as Wes-and-Iz or Iz-and-Wes for so long, he needs something new. He has his established group of friends and classifies himself as a semi-cool semi-geek with perhaps low ambition but big dreams. Wes isn't necessarily looking to meet a new girl, but he can't help but listen when his friend Jerry tells him about June.

WINTER
Like so many love stories go, June and Wes are kept apart until their worlds collide --- literally. A chance encounter at the local convenience store finds Wes knocking into June and giving her a black eye. After profuse apologies, he also feels the need to give her a kiss, and they suddenly find themselves connected. They laugh at the silliest things, talk for hours, and feel the bells and whistles surrounding them at all times. Neither can remember a time when he or she has felt so comfortable with another person. The only thing that can ruin it is if June's father forces them to move --- which is exactly what happens.

SPRING
Thousands of miles apart from each other, Wes and June struggle to return to normalcy. At first they attempt a clean break, but soon give up and repeatedly use up monthly cell phone minutes within days. June finds a new group of friends, and Wes drifts from different part-time jobs to try and fill his time. When he can no longer stand it, he "borrows" his friend's car and drives overnight to her house, which only leads to more frustration --- and ultimately trouble with the police. After such a drastic action, both Wes and June's parents realize the seriousness of their relationship and attempt to come to a compromise.

SUMMER
June's father manages to find a temporary summer job close to Wes's family, and soon June and Wes settle back into their familiar routine. Uncertainty and doubt, though, enter into their relationship. Will they always be able to be together? Are they really perfect for each other? Are they meant to be together? Will there even be a happily-ever-after?

What I appreciate most about THE BIG CRUNCH is that it's not a typical love story. There is no love at first sight, no gushiness that often accompanies new relationships, and no dramatic moment when the boy and girl realize they are meant to be together forever and ever, the end. Many times people assume that epic romance is found in boxes of chocolates, sappy love poems, and long walks on beaches. Instead, Pete Hautman creates a simple and decidedly romantic love story of two regular teenagers who just happen to find each other. It's not sappy, but it may just have you longing for your own love story.

--- Reviewed by Benjamin Boche