Review: Even better than book 1
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 20, 2014
I liked book 1 in this series, but I have to say I really really love book two. This is the story of Ash, friend to Z in book 1, and his story really begins at the end of book 1 with the accident of his parents and brother. Book 2 opens with Ash now without parents and having guardianship of his disabled brother. Needless to say, he is grief stricken and completely overwhelmed. Into his life comes Tansy, a cancer survivor though he will not realize this. She comes to ask him for a favor, one that will change his whole path.While book 1 had some external conflict/danger, book 2 is nearly 100% about Ash's emotional struggles and adjusting to his new life, overcoming his guilt and his interpersonal relationships not only with the heroine but his brother and friends. This book, for me, was a lot more emotional. I sniffled and cried several times during the reading of it. While there was friendship, love and hope, it was not without it's cruel realities, such as the children dealing with cancer and sometimes not surviving.Ash and all his friends are pro snowboarders, and there is plenty of terminology to that sport in this novel, but not so much a reader without any knowledge feels lost. Also, you do not need to read this series in order. Book 2 is completely able to stand alone, though of course is a richer experience getting to see Ash's personality, friendships, etc., in the first book of the series, prior to his life-changing events. The core cast of characters from book 1 is included in book 2, and we get more tantalizing hints about Cam and Luc.This series is a new adult series. In this one, Ash is 21 and Tansy is only 19. That said, given the nature of their pasts and conflicts they have had to face, they are incredibly mature in this book, though of course still struggling with their identity, their relationships and global truths. As an older reader, I don't always identify so readily with young adult/new adult selections, but this is written so it can cut across age lines and provide a good story with emotional depth and sincerity. I very much enjoyed this book, and this author.I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.