Review: Our MustReadBooksOrDie Review
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 18, 2014
3 1/2 stars rounded to 4!I reviewed this at MustReadBooksOrDie with my friend Shelley!Shel: It helped knowing that this is a 3 book series before I started because I didn't expect a simple and easy wrap up at the end. And before we go any further you should know that all 3 books are out...so if this series looks good to you, there will be no waiting to get to the end. Court: Right...though even knowing it was a series ahead of time still had me worried how it would end. Rest assured though, this one wraps up and doesn't have an ugly cliffhanger, in case you were worried!Shel: Honestly, the plot isn't really fast moving for the first half of the book. Instead this first part gives us some insight into Elle and her plans and her douchey boyfriend, Adam. We come to learn that because Elle has divorced parents who somehow lost her in the shuffle of remarrying and children, and because of this, stability and having a game plan are very important for her to feel safe. As we continue to learn and understand her in this first part, it's easy to see that her friends (while sometimes pushy and frustrating) take on the role of family and begin to push Elle to think about straying from the plan.It helps when she begins to work with Preston, a CIA operative, who also shows her the benefit of looking beyond the plan...to learn how to be flexible and relax when things don't go the way you think they should. Court: Her friends and family had me sympathizing with her, and wanting her to develop that backbone a bit from the very first few pages. I agree, the beginning was slow...but not terrible considering there was quite a bit of story to set up. I can say that it didn't begin how I thought it would...and how she gets landed in the middle of this operation was unbelievable, but fun. I love the idea, as I am a big Covert Affairs TV show fan.Shel: As the novel progresses, the plot involving her and Preston becomes more prevalent. It isn't just their "fling" that changes things for her, but also her desire to change some things in her life...her plan changes. She begins to question life after college. But as she contemplating all of this, some unsettling things happen that cause her to stop and ponder if maybe she should go back to the plan. Court: I loved how he helped her start making decisions for herself. And still, it was funny when people starting pointing changes out to her, she still doubted herself. That was hard, but you know that is unfortunately how it can go. There is one plotline that she hung onto tooth and nail for far too long, and I think you'll see it too...if she had held on much longer I wouldn't have been sympathizing with her anymore!Shel: Before you know it, this first novel in the series ends. In the very near future, we'll have book two reviewed for you to give you a little insight on where these characters are headed next. Court: I hope in a good place, but you know how second books in a trilogy are destined to go. I sense more heartbreak for Elle in the future even though she is starting to develop a fierce sense of self. And don't you worry...there is bound to be more espionage and CIA lingo in the mix. I like it.Shelley: 3 starsCourtney: 3 1/2 Stars