Review: 3.5 stars
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 02 18, 2013
3.5 StarsIf Only is the perfect title for this book. The crux of the story is based on choices and regrets of said choices. I blitzed through this book very quickly because I wanted to know where it was headed and quickly grew to love the characters. I definitely didn't see several twists coming and was taken by surprise a few times. Along with those surprises were heartbreaking revelations.This book could easily be considered a 5 star read by others; I wanted it to be for me. I enjoyed the author’s writing, the world she created and loved all of the characters. My rating is completely personal and based on my own frustrations with the way the story unfolded. Trust me; there were parts I loved and savored. The story kept me pulled in and I wanted to root for the characters. But, the last 40% had me feeling extremely frustrated, sad and angry by the constant obstacles being thrown at our hero and heroine. There were several points where I had to put my kindle down and take a break because it was simply too much angst. But, honestly it was the poor choices and lack of communication that was a killer for me. I have said in many of my reviews that "time wasted" (we're talking LOTS of time) story themes are not a favorite of mine. I get so focused on the "what if" and "what could have been" that it takes away from the present/future happiness for me - add in miscommunications and I start to get angry.I am not opposed to angst; in fact, some of my favorite reads have been full of it. And, possibly I am looking at this all wrong; maybe I should focus on the fact that I must have been overly invested in the characters and storyline which means it was great read. In the end, the angst overshadowed any form of happiness I could feel about the final scenes.Bottom line: There will be more books in the series and I will definitely read the next one when it is released.