Review: Curve By Nicola Hudson - CBL REVIEWS
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 26, 2013
First of all - before I begin this review I wanted to point out the stunning cover to you. Isn't it just divine? I'm so proud of Arijana - she constantly amazes me with her cover designs and with that said, I'm also just going to take moment to remind every author that it doesn't matter whats inside your cover pages... if you cover isn't screaming for me to pick it up... then I'm probably never going to read your book. It's important to put in as much effort and attention into your cover design as you did while writing your book. So if you even think that your cover is a little 'not pretty' chances are it isn't. So... do something about it.Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I think the cover is gorgeous and funny enough, when Nicola Hudson emailed me about doing a tour - her cover was what made me go 'yes please'. I couldn't wait to work on her cover for the tour graphics and I loved, loved doing it. So yay to Nicola for getting Ari to give her such a stunning cover that made me look not only once, but three times. For a first time author... great step in the right direction!Now back to what's actually between the covers of Curve. I can tell you that what I read was not what I was expecting. For whatever reason, I was expecting...I don't know... a different kind of book. The fact that Curve is rather an emotional read took me by surprise. I wasn't expecting that at all. I was going into it thinking it was going to be light, warm and romance all around. But what I got was... romance yes, I found myself smiling - not laughing - but smiling at the interactions between the characters especially Cass and Flynn. As their relationship developed and time went by I had cozied up to them so much that I was devastated when things made a turn for the worse.Basically, Curve is about a girl called Cass. She's 17 going on 18 when the book starts. She's in what I would imagine is her final year of high school since I think British schools work similar to our South African ones. When we are 18, we are in our final year of high school or grade 12 as it's officially known. Cass is someone who isn't the kind of girl who gets up to too much trouble. She's quiet, calm and just plain-ish (according to her). Her life is rather dull. Her stepfather isn't her biggest fan but it's ok. She happy to just go through the days. Until one night at a school social or dance one of the popular boys ask her to dance with him. At first shes confused. Not sure what to make of it since it's never happened to her before. But she's excited as well. So off she goes and they dance a little. Then... Cass's best friend Neve's brother, Flynn, who's come to collect them arrives and cuts into the dance between Cass and Rob (I believe) and insists Cass dance with him. Unbeknownst to Cass this is where it all starts. She suddenly finds herself in a spiral of emotions - what's up with Flynn? - Should she go back to Rob and leave Flynn behind? - She's unsure of what to do because she's never found herself in a situation where a boy pays her any notice, much less where two boys are vying for her attention.Long story short - Turns out there's more to Flynn's actions than Cass first thought. And that's the basis of the actual book. It's written in first person and I would even go as far as to say it felt like a daily diary of sorts. It doesn't have 'chapters', it has 'days'.The relationship between Flynn and Cass is unique. Flynn's a really good guy. It's was a nice break from the usual dominant males we read about often. But it also threw me off. I was convinced that he was going to turn. I don't know why - maybe if I had read a little from Flynn's POV, I may have gotten a different image of him, but the one I got I kept waiting for a change... but it didn't so I'm all good now.I'll admit that there was a point in the book where I was wondering if something was going to happen. Each day we moved through the motions of Cass and Flynn's relationship, the growing of feelings, the clamping down of desires ect... that I did reach the point where I went ?????...... then, it came. And it gutted me. I'm not even such a softy but really it made me emotional. I think that the reason for this (& if you've read Curve you will know, if you haven't don't worry, I wont spoil it) - but the reason for my emotional turmoil was that while something horrible happened, there was another sad turn of event's happening in the background. So really I think it was just to much stress for me :)Although this book was nothing alike, I kept thinking that Curve's style of writing, the character interaction and the laid back but effective way in which Nicola Hudson made me feel as I read Curve, reminded me of the time when I read Flat Out Love. It has a very similar reading feel to it. But like I said, not at all the same kind of plot or tale. Completely different yet similar in my reaction.I remember when I read Flat Out Love I was lying around reading and wondering what? when? and where was something going to happen? Then as you'll know if you've read it... it was drastic... the same with Curve. I had a lazy mood as I lay around reading and then... I sat up, wiped my eyes and became invested from that point onwards right until the end.As a debut novel for author Nicola Hudson, I can't fault this book at all. She's on the perfect path to becoming a well respected author. So far she's done it all right. Her writing style is so smooth, I have no doubt that while writing, her focus was solely on Curve. I noticed that immediately. She didn't falter in the standard and pace she set out with. It remind consistent and detailed right until the last page. I'll also admit that it took me a while to get into the British swing of things since I'm so used to reading American. I remember struggling in the same manner at first when I read the This Man series, but it didn't take long to fall into step so I kept up.I thoroughly enjoyed Curve. With the exception of the major twist I spoke about earlier, this book was actually kind of beautiful. It was deep, Cass is kind of a deep soul. I know it's hard to sometimes read a book and feel as if you are so connected to a character you feel and experience every single one of their emotions, but when you are done with the book you can smile and say out loud "That was a beautiful book"... I did that. I told my boy exactly those words when I was done reading Curve. I had a goofy smile of my face and he glanced up from his Ipad and looked at me funny but who cares..So with a smile still on my face I'm writing this review of Curve and I'm so happy to have been able to get to read it. It would be a sin for this book to get lost amongst the mass of new releases out now. Curve needs to shine through because it deserves it. So if you are looking for a Sunday afternoon read that will make you grin and glued to your screen... then I'd suggest Curve my Nicola Hudson.Thank You Nicola Hudson for getting in touch with me and allowing me to experience your words. It was... just so beautiful, a real feel good book - I'm getting emotional just thinking about it :)