Mini Review: The Best Possible Answer by E. Katherine Kottaras

The Best Possible Answer
Author: E. Katherine Kottaras
Release Date: November 1, 2016
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley/St. Martin's Griffin
Review by: Jenn

AP Exams – check

SAT test – check

College Application – check

Date the wrong guy and ruin everything you’ve spent your whole life working for– check Ultra-high-achiever Viviana Rabinovich-Lowe has always had a plan—and no room to be anything less than perfect. But her quest for perfection comes to a screeching halt when her boyfriend leaks racy pictures of her to the entire school. Making matters worse, her parents might be getting divorced and now her perfect family is falling apart. For the first time, Viviana feels like a complete and utter failure.

Then she gets a job working at the community pool, where she meets a new group of friends who know nothing about her past. That includes Evan, a gorgeous (and really nice!) guy who makes her want to do something she never thought she’d do again: trust. For the first time in her life, Viviana realizes she can finally be whoever she wants. But who is that? While she tries to figure it out, she learns something they never covered in her AP courses: that it’s okay to be less than perfect, because it’s our imperfections that make us who we are.

2.5 stars out of 5 stars

*I received an eARC of this title from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

• I'm not exactly sure how I feel about this book, you guys. It started off strong and I found myself sucked into the story but then, I don't know. I started to not really care about Viv, I guess. Her back and forth nonsense with her best friend, Sammi, and their crush on Evan, it got irritating after a while. Also, there just seems to be a lot going on that after a while I didn't care about most of them. There was the dad issue, the eccentric professor, the nude picture, the college applications, and the trust issues. There was so much going on and I feel like it could have picked a few issues, like the dad and the nude pictures, and it would have made the book so much stronger. 
• What I did love about the book was Viv's relationship with Sammi, and her sister, Milla. 
• I will look into the author's other book. I did like how each chapter had a SAT prep questions in the beginning. Very cute but feels like a younger YA novel.

Review: Bridesmaid Blues by Boone Brux

Bridesmaid Blues (Wedding Favors #1)
Author: Boone Brux
Release Date: June 30, 2015
Publisher: Entangled Lovestruck
Format: ebook
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Jenn

A wedding. An ex. And a secret.

Maid-of-Honor Dani Brown can handle anything that comes her way when it comes to her best friend’s wedding. That is, until the bride asks for a huge favor-Dani needs to distract the best man, who happens to be Dani’s ex. The ex she has fantasized dismembering for a year now. The ex she’ll have to suck it up and play nice with if this wedding is to go off without a hitch.

Businessman Jamie Kingsland is back in Seattle for a wedding. There’s just one problem – the maid of honor wants him dead. Except she doesn’t. Even though he knows he broke her heart last year when things got too serious and he panicked and left, she’s being way too nice about it now. And it scares him.

Something is up with his favorite bridesmaid, and he’s determined to find out what…

2.5 stars out of 5 stars

When I first picked this book, I read the first chapter before clicking buy for .99 cents. The first chapter hooked me on Dani and Jamie's story because she seemed to be very level headed and he wasn't this overly cocky and arrogant guy. I wanted to get more of these two and see where their story took them. However, what quickly started off as a strong beginning, I quickly started skimming over some of the characters actions.

After breaking up and not speaking for a year, Dani and Jamie are reunited for their friends' wedding. They start hanging out together at the request of the bride, Dani's best friend, for a reason I find a little weird. So once they start hanging out, I really liked their chemistry. Again, Dani was this logical and level headed girl and Jamie was a nice, hot guy. However, once they started a friends-with-benefits/fling type of thing, I honestly didn't see her reasoning of how she could keep her heart out of the situation. It didn't seem like something she would act upon considering what we've learn from her.  Especially the way she acted after the night, how open up for anything she was. It didn't ring true to her character.

Also, while I enjoy being in Jamie's head, I couldn't for the life of me understand why he just allowed his parents to treat him the way they do. Or allowed them to control his life to such an extreme. He seems to be pretty put together and smart so I wouldn't have expected that from him. But considering why he breaks up with Dani, I guess it makes sense why he allows the controlling parents.

Towards the end, we learn of a secret that really bothered me with how quickly Dani managed to forgive. It was done with "good" intentions but I really don't like how this character behaved. It felt like such a condescending move because they did it because they knew what a good nudge it would be for Dani but didn't think she could do it on her own or without any meddling.

All in all, I enjoyed the book but the way the characters acted in the middle and the end, it didn't ring true to the characters we meet in the beginning. The ending all felt a little contrived and a little unbelievable just because of Jamie's actions. I know I'm probably being picky but it just things that really bothered me and would have been otherwise enjoyable had they not happened.

Review: When We Collided by Emery Lord

When We Collided
Author: Emery Lord
Release Date: April 5, 2016
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children
Source: ALA AC 2015
Review by: Jenn

Meet Vivi and Jonah: A girl and a boy whose love has the power save or destroy them.

Vivi and Jonah couldn't be more different. Vivi craves anything joyful or beautiful that life can offer. Jonah has been burdened by responsibility for his family ever since his father died. As summer begins, Jonah resigns himself to another season of getting by. Then Vivi arrives, and suddenly life seems brighter and better. Jonah is the perfect project for Vivi, and things finally feel right for Jonah. Their love is the answer to everything. But soon Vivi's zest for life falters, as her adventurousness becomes true danger-seeking. Jonah tries to keep her safe, but there's something important Vivi hasn't told him.

2.5 stars out of 5 stars

I'm not sure how I feel about this book and in turn how to review it. I read When We Collided almost three months ago and I've been struggling to put into words how I feel about it. I thought it was good and I enjoyed it but I couldn't click and love it.

As my first Emery Lord book, I really enjoyed her writing style. Her descriptions and way with words really made the book stand out. I can vividly picture these characters in my head, especially Vivi with all her energy and quest for living life. However, my problem comes in the form of Vivi.

Three months later and I'm still on the fence about how I feel about Vivi. Knowing that the book deals with mental illness, I started reading prepared for characters that are a bit different from me. I have a psychology degree and worked in a psychiatric and psychotherapy office for almost ten years so I've seen patients and read about the kinds of stuff that happens in this book. I even figured out the diagnoses of the character before hitting the halfway mark because I'm so aware of it. But even going in prepared, Vivi's character was just too much for me. Wait, let me explain before what I say gets taken out of context and proportion. Vivi was too much for me prior to her decent to her episode and prior to realizing her diagnosis, what with her exuberant self and just the way she is. I wanted to hide from her because my shy self would never be able to keep up with her loud and vivacious self. Also, there were scenes that really turned me off of her character. The way she treated her mom and Jonah really bothered me and those scenes had nothing to do with her illness but more with her being selfish and inconsiderate.

What I did like from When We Collided was the way Lord wrote about mental illness. It such a delicate subject and I feel like she did a great job in portraying the denial and anger that comes from Vivi's diagnosis. And while I don't have the disorder, the episode Vivi's experiences felt real, honest, scary and dangerous.

I also enjoyed Jonah's story. The poor boy is dealing with a lot in the home front and Vivi helps him in getting out of the house and out of his head. His character is a lot quieter and Vivi gives his life a splash of color that was missing. However, because Vivi is such a bigger than life character, his story sometimes got pushed back to give way to her and her needs, even if the book is in dual point of views.

As my first Emery Lord book, I'm a little disappointed I didn't love it because I've heard nothing but wonderful things about her and her books. Like I mentioned before, I really wanted to love it but I just couldn't click with the book. I'm still going to go back and read Lord's previous books because her writing is beautiful and I need to find a book I love from her.

Review: Duplicity by N. K. Traver

Duplicity
Author: N.K. Traver
Release Date: March 17, 2015
Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
Source: Macmillan
Review by: Nahomi

A computer-hacking teen. The girl who wants to save him. And a rogue mirror reflection that might be the death of them both.

In private, seventeen-year-old Brandon hacks bank accounts just for the thrill of it. In public, he looks like any other tattooed bad boy with a fast car and devil-may-care attitude. He should know: he’s worked hard to maintain that façade. With inattentive parents who move constantly from city to city, he’s learned not to get tangled up in things like friends and relationships. So he’ll just keep living like a machine, all gears and wires.

Then two things shatter his carefully-built image: Emma, the kind, stubborn girl who insists on looking beneath the surface – and the small matter of a mirror reflection that starts moving by itself. Not only does Brandon’s reflection have a mind of its own, but it seems to be grooming him for something—washing the dye from his hair, yanking out his piercings, swapping his black shirts for … pastels. Then it tells him: it thinks it can live his life better, and it’s preparing to trade places.

And when it pulls Brandon through the looking-glass, not only will he need all his ill-gotten hacking skills to escape, but he’s going to have to face some hard truths about who he’s become. Otherwise he’ll be stuck in a digital hell until he’s old and gray, and no one will even know he's gone.

2.5 stars out of 5 stars

*I received an early copy of this title from the publisher but it did not influenced this review in any way.*

This book is not what I expected. After having read the synopsis I was expecting a fast paced mystery full of suspense and action, and that is not what I got. To begin, I never really connected with the main character, Brandon. I couldn't identify with him on any level. Both Emma and Brandon came of as generic characters.

In theory, the plot was interesting but when in came down to the actual story it wasn't executed well and I lost interest. The overall story was bogged down by a lot of techie language which at times made my mind wander so I had to keep trying to focus on the story. At the climax of the story, which is almost at the end, one moment we are in the thick of it then in the next chapter poof! the issues are resolved (although not completely). It's like the magic wand effect which is really annoying. Then the ending... is way too open ended, there is no real resolution. I didn't get any closure for the characters in this story; just a possibility for a second book. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get into Duplicity like I hoped I would.

Review: How to Meet Boys by Catherine Clark

How to Meet Boys
Author: Catherine Clark
Release Date: May 6, 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Edelweiss
Review by: Jenn

Find out what happens when you fall for your best friend's worst enemy in this timeless and hilarious story of a forbidden first love and forever friendship.

Lucy can't wait to spend the summer at the lake with her best friend, Mikayla. But when Jackson, the boy she's been avoiding ever since he rejected her, reappears in her life, Lucy wonders if this summer to remember is one she'd rather forget.

Mikayla's never had much luck talking to boys, but when she (literally) runs into the cutest guy she's ever seen, and sparks fly, she thinks things might be looking up...until she realizes the adorable stranger is the same boy who broke her best friend's heart.

As things begin to heat up between Mikayla and the one guy she should avoid, will Lucy be able to keep her cool or will the girls' perfect summer turn into one hot mess?

2.5 stars out of 5 stars

*I received an eARC of this book from the publisher but it did not influence this review in any way.*

How to Meet Boys follows the story of Lucy and Mikayla as they navigate their summer away from home. I was really excited about starting this book. I've been in a contemporary kick lately and I just wanted to get my grabby hands on another cute, fluffy, romantic read. How to Meet Boys delivered but only on certain parts.

My biggest turn off was that I just couldn't click with any of the main characters. Both Lucy and Mikayla didn't sound like a pair of 17 years old seniors. In fact, they sounded a bit immature, which didn't make sense since they were spending their summer vacation in a cabin with no parental supervision. I also feel like Mikayla was a little too plain and bland and I just couldn't relate to her. My other problem with the story was that the plot felt a little to contrived and and dramatic just for the sake of drama and that is always a turn off. It was too convenient how everything managed to work out for the girls.

What I did enjoy was how close the girls are and I like how they managed to make up after some misunderstandings. I also love the small town vibe the story takes place in. It sound like such a idyllic little town and I can easily picture the girls riding their bikes around town.

I thought this was a cute read but it didn't quite live up to my expectations. I hope some other readers do end up liking it though.

Review: The Vault of Dreamers by Caragh M. O'Brien

The Vault of Dreamers
(The Vault of Dreamers #1)
Author: Caragh M O'Brien
Release Date: September 16, 2014
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press
Source: BEA 2014
Review by: Jenn

The Forge School is the most prestigious arts school in the country. The secret to its success: every moment of the students’ lives is televised as part of the insanely popular Forge Show, and the students’ schedules include twelve hours of induced sleep meant to enhance creativity. But when first year film student Rosie Sinclair skips her sleeping pill, she discovers there is something off about Forge. In fact, she suspects that there are sinister things going on deep below the reaches of the cameras. What’s worse, she starts to notice that the edges of her consciousness do not feel quite right. And soon, she unearths the ghastly secret that the Forge School is hiding—and what it truly means to dream there.
From the author of the Birthmarked trilogy comes a fast-paced, psychologically thrilling novel about what happens when your dreams are not your own.

2.5 stars out of 5 stars

I've been dying to start this book since I got back from BEA this past June. However, other responsibilties delayed me in starting it. And once I finally started it? I was completely hooked. I was so curious about The Forge School and how everything worked.

Rosie was an interesting enough character but I honestly couldn't see what made her so unique and special to have been in The Forge School to begin with. I also couldn't see what really prompted her to skip her sleeping pill and to go wandering about the school. I could see how she was curious in the middle of the book, but in the beginning? Not so much.

I will not give away plot spoilers but I will say that I quickly became exasperated with Rosie. When she discovers some secrets about The Forge School and an important player behind the scene, I just couldn't believe how she chose to just blurt everything that she knew without thinking of the consequences. I also feel like she became a different person towards the second of book because I couldn't understand her motivations at that point.

My other complaints with the book was Rosie's love interest, Linus. I found him to be more of convenient plot device than an actual love interest. I didn't find anything romantic about their relationship.

I'm disappointed with how this book turned out to be. I was really hooked and I couldn't read fast enough but then I hit a point in the book that I just stalled and couldn't pick it up. There were so many questions and not enough answers were being provided. I finished because I was just fed up with the book staring at me and wanting to know how it ended but it was a struggled. I think the last 30 or so pages, I skimmed most of it. I only learn that there would be a second book when I went on Caragh's Goodreads page and saw that she's writing a sequel. I was not expecting for there to be a second book and I think that also added to my disappointment. I was even confused with the ending and have no idea what really happened. I just hope some other reader does like it and maybe will tell me what I just can't understand.

Review: Great by Sara Benincasa

Great
Author: Sara Benincasa
Release Date: April 8, 2014
Publisher: Harper Teen
Source: Edelweiss
Review by: Jenn

In Sara Benincasa's contemporary retelling of The Great Gatsby, a teenage girl becomes entangled in the drama of a Hamptons social circle, only to be implicated in a tragedy that shakes the summer community.

Everyone loves a good scandal.

Naomi Rye usually dreads spending the summer with her socialite mother in East Hampton. This year is no different. She sticks out like a sore thumb among the teenagers who have been summering (a verb only the very rich use) together for years. But Naomi finds herself captivated by her mysterious next-door neighbor, Jacinta. Jacinta has her own reason for drawing close to Naomi-to meet the beautiful and untouchable Delilah Fairweather. But Jacinta's carefully constructed world is hiding something huge, a secret that could undo everything. And Naomi must decide how far she is willing to be pulled into this web of lies and deception before she is unable to escape.

2.5 stars out of 5 stars

*I received an eARC of this book from the publisher, but it did not influence this review in any way.*

I haven't read The Great Gatsby (yet) but I have seen the movie, so I was really excited about starting Great. I've been eyeballing the cover because is so eye-catching and it one of the reason why I chose to read it. However, Great wasn't all that great (pun intended). 

Naomi is spending the summer in the Hampton and somehow managed to become a part of popular crowd, partly because of her mother and because Jacinta seeks her out. Jacinta is the new girl in the neighborhood and everyone is curious about her. Jacinta has an air of mysterious clout and it was very interesting seeing it unravel.

As the story progressed, I was curious about some of the characters' motives. I was concerned that they were using Naomi for their own sneaky scheme and that she would get hurt. I was always suspicious of Delilah's, Teddy's and Jeff's real reasoning for hanging out with Naomi. But I did managed to figure out (well partly) Jacinta's motives. And unlike Naomi, I would have checked out of the budding friendship she had with Jeff a lot earlier than she did. Yes he was being charming but the way he defended Teddy when he was being an asshole really rubbed me the wrong way. I understand Teddy is Jeff's best friend but there was always something underlying in his reasoning.

I was a little disappointed that I didn't end up loving the book. I just couldn't click with any of the characters, not even with Naomi. I think I'll read The Great Gatsby and hopefully that will make up for the disappointment of Great.

Review: Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy

Side Effects May Vary
Author: Julie Murphy
Release Date: March 18, 2014
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Source: Edelweiss
Review by: Jenn
Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads / IndieBound

My rating: 2.5 stars out of 5 stars

What if you'd been living your life as if you were dying-only to find out that you had your whole future ahead of you?
When sixteen-year-old Alice is diagnosed with leukemia, her prognosis is grim. To maximize the time she does have, she vows to spend her final months righting wrongs-however she sees fit. She convinces her friend Harvey, whom she knows always had feelings for her, to help her with a crazy bucket list that's as much as about revenge (humiliating her ex-boyfriend and getting back at her arch nemesis) as it is about hope (doing something unexpectedly kind for a stranger and reliving some childhood memories). But just when Alice's scores are settled, she goes into remission.
Now Alice is forced to face the consequences of all that she's said and done, as well as her true feelings for Harvey. But has she done irreparable damage to the people around her, and to the one person who matters most?
Julie Murphy's SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY is a fearless and moving tour de force about love, and facing your own mortality.

*I received an eARC of this book from the publisher but it did not influence this review in any way.*

I was super excited about starting this book and I've been hearing a lot of buzz for Side Effects May Vary. Though I try not to read reviews of books I'm about to read so I don't get influenced by someone's opinion, a did hear a few things about it. However, I tried to go into the book with a clear mind and with no preconceived notions about it.

The books starts out good enough and I thought I would be one of the people who would end up loving the book. Alice seems like an interesting character and I was curious to see what would happen. However, by the time I was done with this book, I was disgusted by Alice's behavior. She was such a manipulative, mean, and horrible person. And she was all those things to the one person who did whatever she asked of him, Harvey.

I tried to understand that she was dealing with a lot of emotional upheaval, what with being told she might die and preparing herself for that and then miraculously going into remission. However, I just can't be okay with what she was doing to Harvey and everyone else. She was fully aware of what she was doing to Harvey and knew that she was using him. I was sympathetic when she rationalized that she didn't know how to give Harvey what he wanted because she now has a second chance to think about the future after already given up on it. In fact, when she said that, I completely forgave everything that she had previously done that made me dislike her. However, that thought came to a screeching halt during a scene where she completely tore down Harvey and that was the last straw for me. After that scene, there was nothing that she could have done to make things better.

Aside from Alice, the writing and pacing of the book was well done. I never felt like the story was being bogged down by unnecessary information or that anything was missing. I like the fact that the book was done in dual point of views and as past and present. It was a great but a little confusing (at times) tool that Julie Murphy used. I was never confused by who the narrator was because there were clear distinctions between Alice and Harvey, which sometimes is tricky for authors to do.

I understand that the book is trying to show a second chance at a life you thought you wouldn't have and it worked in a way. It was definitely thought provoking and I wanted to see how that angle would play out. But unfortunately, Alice's behavior made it really difficult to appreciate and to root for her. While it was not a favorite book of mine, I enjoyed Julie's writing and I'm looking forward to reading more of her work.

Review: Anything to Have You by Paige Harbison

Anything to Have You
Author: Paige Harbison
Release Date: January 28, 2014
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Source: NetGalley
Review by: Jenn
Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads / IndieBound

My rating: 2.5 stars out of 5 stars

Nothing should come between best friends, not even boys. ESPECIALLY not boys.
Natalie and Brooke have had each other's back forever. Natalie is the quiet one, college bound and happy to stay home and watch old movies. Brooke is the movie - the life of every party, the girl everyone wants to be.
Then it happens - one crazy night that Natalie can't remember and Brooke's boyfriend, Aiden can't forget. Suddenly there's a question mark in Natalie and Brooke's friendship that tests everything they thought they knew about each other and has both girls discovering what true friendship really means.

*I received an eARC of this book from the publisher but it did not influence this review in any way.*

I'm not quite sure what to say about this book. It took an unexpected turn and I'm so conflicted about it; I liked it but I didn't. It broke some of my big no-nos in books and it ended in a way that feels like the author tried to give everyone their happy endings and it just didn't work.

From what the synopsis tells us, a boy gets in between best friends, Natalie and Brooke. Right from the beginning, I picked up on the little hints of the girls history in regards to Brooke's boyfriend, Aiden. Brooke is the typical party girl and is used to being in the center of attention and Natalie is the shy, quiet girl who prefers to stay at home.

But Natalie is hiding a secret. She likes Brooke's boyfriend and it seems like Aiden likes her too. When all three of them head off to a party, things gets a little out of control. And I have to say I was a little surprised by Natalie. She kept insisting that she would rather stay home and watch movies but at the party I saw a girl that I didn't recognized. She knew that she couldn't hold her liquor but she still drank shots and anything that passed her way. On top of that, she also said that on her last party, she blacked out and didn't remember anything but did remembered having sex with someone. So I find it hard to believe that she would just go ahead and drink to the point of blacking out, all while still proclaiming that she doesn't like the party scene.

I also didn't like how Brooke was portrayed as the bad friend/person just because she wanted to have fun and drink. It feels like the author, Paige, was trying to show two completely different personality types and make them very stereotypical as well. Natalie did bad things too and to her "best friend" Brooke especially. But Natalie and Aiden tried to justify it to themselves because of how Brooke would act. I just found Natalie to have this holier than thou attitude and I didn't like it.

There was also an interesting twist to the plot just that made it too overwhelming. By the time I reached that point of the story, I just wanted to get to the end and be done with it. How it ended was also a little too far-fetched and a little too much. If it was me, I would have left town and not looked back. Unfortunately, this was not the book for me. The friendship of Natalie and Brooke got too screwed up and I don't think in the real world they would have been able to repair their friendship.

Review: Off Sides by Sawyer Bennett

Off Sides (Off Series #1) 
By Sawyer Bennett
Release Date: February 21, 2013
Publisher: Sawyer Bennett
Source: Sawyer Bennett through YA Bound
Reviewed by: Jenn and Nahomi
Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Goodreads

My rating: 2.5 stars out of 5 stars
Nahomi's rating: 2.5 stars out 5 stars
Overall rating: 2.5 stars (3 stars on Goodreads)

Goodreads Summary:
"I'm not sure what possessed me to do it. Maybe it was the impossible expectations I faced, maybe it was my own self-loathing. But I just knew I needed something different to happen. I needed someone...something... to derail me from my current path. Otherwise, I would become lost...a hollowed out shell of a man. So I did it. I approached her, then I pursued her, then I made her mine. And my life was saved..."

Ryan Burnham is the privileged son of a U.S. Congressman and captain of his university's hockey team. While he is on the verge of fulfilling his dreams to play in the NHL, his parents want him on a different course. One he is expected to accept for the sake of his family's public image.

Forced to abandon her music career after the heart breaking death of her parents, Danny Cross exists on the opposite side of the tracks from Ryan. She is struggling to make her own way, working two jobs, attending college part time and volunteering in a homeless shelter. She is on a mission to build her own success.

With a chance meeting, their vastly different worlds collide, causing each to evaluate whether they are truly on the correct path to self-fulfillment and happiness. Can their relationship survive? Particularly when others are against them every step of the way. A lot can happen in just ten short days... 

Nahomi:
          When Jenn asked me to read Off Sides and she explained the premise, I thought that it sounded interesting and I decided to give it a shot. Off Sides was a slow start for me. It's written in dual point of views, from both main characters' perspective: Ryan and Danny (Daniela). Normally, I really enjoy the dual POVs but in this case I had some issues with the character's narration. I kept asking myself if guys think and talk the way Ryan does in the story. Ryan sounded a lot like a girl trying to be a guy which really threw me off. 
Here's an example:

"Danny is a virgin and she's chosen to give that sacred gift to me."

~B&S~

"I let my eyes roam and feast, memorizing the path I intend for my lips to take. I look at her navel.

Yes, I think I'll start there."

Danny's voice, on the other hand, was feminine but she came off as if trying to sound cooler than she actually was. I also had issues with some of the phrases and word choices that were said by them. It made Danny and Ryan sound outdated for some college student to be using them.

Even with these issues, I was able to finish the story fairly quickly once I got into it. I found myself wanting to know how their story ended. This was a Cinderella story with a twist but basically ended the same.

Jenn:

             I basically agree with everything Nahomi said. I really wanted to love this story, I really did, but I just found it to be okay. I wasn't overly impressed with the story line or with the characters as well. I will admit that there were some passages in the book where I got a little choked up when Danny was talking about her parents but other than that it didn't really leave much of an impression on me. 

Also like Nahomi, I had some issues with the characters not sounding like college aged students. Danny sounded a little older than what she is supposed to be and Ryan sounded feminine. This always seems to be a problem when female authors write from male point of views or vice versa and all it does is pull me out of the story. 

"I'm excited to be with Danny in this way because then she'll truly be mine."

*raises eyebrows* I even read this line to my boyfriend he straight up told me that no, he doesn't think or say things like this,

It really turns me off when an author's age shows through their writing since it dates the book and it why Danny and Ryan sounded older than they are supposed to be.

I believe the story had a lot of potential and I may give the others in the series a chance but it wouldn't be a top priority.