Review: 5 stars for the story, but an emotionally abusive hotheaded hero dulled it for me
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 05 27, 2014
Stolen Course was a very well written book and kept my interest. Emma is a confident heroine who was refreshing to read. I also like how Jesse and Brett were woven into the story. You start to anticipate a big plot twist and the direction it may go, but it is still a very engaging read watching it unfold.What made it a 3 star and not 5 star read for me is Caleb. He is too much of a self indulgent hothead for me to emotionally invest in his and Emma's outcome. It felt like he was in denial with his relationship with Manda, and lived over 5 years consumed with a grief that turned into obsession. How he treated Sarah after the accident was beyond terrible. He also fought cheap (with Brett and Emma), and would verbally slice people he supposedly care about in arguments (because it's just the guy he is). I also thought Emma was too much of a doormat and it was a stretch to know why she loved Caleb (beyond him being a smoking hot, well endowed, and tattooed...which she clearly appreciates and expressed often...it just seemed too superficial and more lust than love). I do not think Emma should have stayed with him until he sorted himself out. His hotheaded behavior leads to a major plot point, and he takes no responsibility for it. I find him to be a hypocrite considering how he treated Sarah for over 5 years. Caleb was certainly marred and drowning in grief, but his behavior towards others exceeded emotional abuse and he gave me very little to empathize or care much for. Despite his grandiose gestures at a few final points, he already lost me based on his day-to-day behavior and insincere show of forgiveness and change.