Review: Unexpectedly You Read and Reviewed... Check.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 27, 2013
You can read this and other reviews at [...]Hmm... This dynamic duo seems rather familiar. The writing is reminiscent of some of my absolute favorite authors. *scratching my head* Wonder why that is...Brooke winters is everything I am not. She's got her life planned out to a T. Seriously, the chick keeps a detailed log of things that need to be accomplished during the day - in her phone. It alerts her to upcoming "events" ensuring that she's on time, in line, and on top of anything and everything. I'd love to say she has a stick shoved up her tookus, but that's just not the case. She just feels like she needs to be perfect. It stems from her parents. It is scary sad how much your parents can screw with your self-esteem... Brooke's obsession with lists and schedules has gotten so severe that she actually schedules sex. Yeah, you read that right."There's that word. Perfect. Why be perfect, Brooke? Some of the greatest things in life are great because of their imperfections."When Brooke arrives at a job interview for an assistant position at successful party planning company, she's disgusted by the man waiting alongside her. He's smoking. Smoking... who smokes in the waiting room of a party planning company? Especially when you're waiting to be interviewed! Even though she should keep her mouth shut, she just can't. After essentially telling the man off, she's called into the back by Ms. Marks, the owner of said company. It's then that she finds out that Smokey the bear is her potential boss's son. A man that she'll have to work closely with if she can actually land this gig.Nathaniel Marks, or Nate, is pretty much Brooke's complete opposite. He's easy going; doesn't have an obsession with his phone, schedules or check marks. He does however, have a very broken heart. He moved from New York back to Vegas to escape his cheating ex and the scumbag ex-best friend that shared her bed. Talk about a double whammy. Yikes. My heart hurts just thinking about it. He's pretty much given up on love. This was the chick he planned on marrying, and she was screwing his BFF behind his back. I'm not sure it gets much worse. I take that back. It could probably be worse, but still, this sucks.Talk about crappy first impressions... Brooke comes across as a stuck up snob; Nate as more of an `I'm too cool for school' badass. After some interesting circumstances, Brooke is offered and accepts the job a Marks Events. The two are forced to work closely together. As they get to know one another, a relationship builds. They're complete opposites, yet strangely perfect for one another. Now, if they could just get their heads out of their behinds, they'd be able see it."Funny that I didn't expect my best friend in Las Vegas to be a girl, but after the past couple weeks, that's exactly what's happened".Seriously sweet story. The kind that gives you a tooth ache. Love the writing. Love the dialogue between Brooke and Nate. I even love the fact that Brooke is so crazy organized. Somehow it only adds to her appeal. I guess if my parents deemed me the screw up, I'd feel the same way. I'd want to prove them all wrong. Sometimes it takes a little time to realize that you don't have to marry a doctor or a lawyer, or earn a six figure pay check to be successful in life.I have to say, the thing I loved most about this story is that Brooke refused to change for anyone. She figured that when the right person came along he'd make her WANT to change. That alone made me do a tiny happy dance. Figure out who you are and OWN IT! That's what she did and eventually she found a guy who would love her and her checkmarks. The way that Nate challenges Brooke to live outside her comfort zone is simply beautiful. Sometimes the love of your life can turn out to be someone completely unexpected."Most of all, I want to cling onto him, and who we are together. It equally scares me and thrills me, because I'm finding everything I wanted, and I didn't even plan for it to happen."I had a hard time putting this one down. UNEXPECTEDLY YOU is the type of story that doesn't delve too deep. It won't have you contemplating your life, or leave you with puffy eyes and wads of tissue scattered around your house. It's the fun loving story of two unlikely people who happen to be perfect for one another, and fight their attraction every step of the way. Don't miss out on this sweet, sassy, and irritatingly adorable read.