Review: I Was Immediately Drawn In
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 5, 2014
I went into this book having never heard of it or the author.  I really didn't know what to expect and was very skeptical as I started reading.  FULL MEASURES surprised me in the most amazing ways.I was immediately drawn in by the depth of emotions in the first few paragraphs.  The lead character, Ember, was completely devastated by the death of her father, but had to hold things together for the sake of her family.  When her mother went went into shock and became a recluse, Ember steps up, changes her future plans, and begins to take over parenting responsibilities in her family.When ex-schoolmate/crush, Josh Walker spots Ember attempting not to fall apart while buying a birthday cake the day she finds out that her father won't be returning from war, he knows that he has to do something to help.  Josh is the coach of Ember's little brother's hockey team and he has known her father for a few years.  He feels a kinship and a responsibility to help this broken family get back on their feet again.The love and friendship that grows between Ember and Josh is sweet and strong.  I love their interactions and how he is able to help her when she tries so hard to do everything on her own.  Too bad the choices that he has made in his life cause Ember to have to face some tough decisions of her own.And here is where I throw in a spoiler or two.  At the beginning of the story, Ember has a boyfriend who isn't very supportive or helpful or even loving.  But then Josh drives Ember to see the boyfriend at a party and they find him in bed with Ember's roommate.  I really felt like this part was not necessary to the story and just made it try to fit in a certain formula.  I loved the story without the added heartbreak of a cheating boyfriend.  Call me crazy, but I am all for leaving out drama just for the sake of drama.