Review: Great debut novel but I'm anxious for book 2
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 25, 2013
Why do girls who find themselves at the center of a love triangle act so stupid? Seriously, I've read so many novels lately where a girl somehow finds herself torn between two guys, stringing along either one or both of them as she attempts to make up her mind. It's particularly frustrating to read about these heroines, wishing I could slap some sense into them before the problem explodes in their face, which it always does. When I read the blurb for Not at First by Phalla S. Rios, which noted the heroine's position between two love interests, I knew there would be major romantic drama in store for protagonist Angel Mabbott. Despite wanting to scream obscenities at Angel on several occasions, I enjoyed the story, becoming thoroughly absorbed by its elements of mystery and romance.If Not at First taught me anything, it's that first impressions can be very misleading. From the time Roman Conti and Kevin Hawken are first introduced to the final pages, my initial opinions of both men are drastically changed. The secrets shrouding Angel's past are soon joined by additional veiled truths concerning the two men that suddenly appear in her life. Angel's relationships with Roman and Kevin are simultaneously maddening and captivating - maddening because both men are incredibly vague about everything except their desire for Angel, and captivating because I needed to know which man Angel would ultimately choose.Not at First is a book that grew on me; the more I read, the more I enjoyed the story. The plot is fast-paced, gaining traction towards the final chapters leading up to the cliffhanger ending. The book is far from lacking in drama and suspense, although I would've liked to see more character development. Angel's past continues to remain somewhat of a mystery and I know next to nothing about the backstories of Kevin and Roman. I hope that the author delves further into the minds of these three characters in the second novel, forgoing the vague descriptions that make up a good portion of his book in favor of providing answers to the many questions that have been left unanswered.