Review: Pretty sure Cassie Mae is just plain magic
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 3, 2013
Oops, she did it again…Wrote a crazy good book.Ooo baby, baby.Yup, totally singing my very own rendition of one of Britney Spears hits. Don’t judge me.When I need to smile, to remember that there is good in the world, and that although no one’s perfect, someone out there is perfect for me – I pick up a book written by Cassie Mae. She’s my go to author. I know that anytime I reach for something she’s written, the world will look a little brighter, more vibrant – alive. It all started with REASONS I FELL FOR THE FAT FUNNY FRIEND, and with each new novel she produces, I grow to love her more."I’m in fantasy land, yes. And I’m going to stay here for a while till reality smacks me in the face."It’s hip to be square, or so I’ve heard. I’m pretty sure that doesn’t include love squares though… Usually we’re dealing with triangles, but not Cassie Mae. No, a triangle is child’s play; she’s upped this sucker to a square.Reagan and Kayla are BFFs. Talon and Wesley are too. Talon is dating Reagan, and has been for about a year now. Kayla and Wesley are friends by default. They’re each in love with their best friend’s significant other. Hence the square. Following me? I feel like I’m writing one of those obnoxious word problems where you have to put people in order. You know the ones I’m talking about. Kayla is shorter than Talon. Wesley is shorter than Talon but taller than Reagan… blah, blah, blah. It sounds more confusing than it really is. The most important piece of information is that Kayla has a plan. If she and Wesley can get Talon and Reagan to realize how fabulous they are, they’ll be home free. Sometimes you just have to give your soul-mate a little nudge, right?Once Kayla and Wesley agree to the plan, they put it into action. Luckily winter break is on the horizon. Both Kayla and Wesley will have one on one time with their respective love interests. Wesley volunteers Kayla to drive Talon home for the holidays. High five, Kayla. Thirteen hours alone with the man of your dreams – perfect. Meanwhile, Wesley will have Reagan’s undivided attention back at the dorms. Win/win, right? Things begin to progress nicely and in what seems like no time at all, both Talon and Reagan are seeing the scheming duo differently.Wesley and Kayla should be doing the happy dance. They’re getting exactly what they wanted. Only, somewhere along the way things changed. They changed. SWITCHED.This is a pretty straight forward story about two friends who think they know what they want. Key words there – think they know. They don’t. They have no flipping clue. At one point, Wesley asks Kayla why she loves Talon, and you know what? She doesn’t really have a good answer. Yeah, she answers him, but it’s nothing deep. She’s “loved” this guy for years and at this point isn’t even sure why.Usually in this type of book, one of the guys is a douche canoe and one is the obvious choice. In Switched, we’re kind of screwed. Both of the guys seem to be pretty upstanding individuals. Now-a-days, anyway. While Talon is a football god and upcoming first string college QB, Wesley is the much more laid back musically inclined type. I can see why Kayla would have a thing for Mr. Muscles, but let’s get serious for a moment. Who can resist a man with a guitar? It automatically ups your sex appeal by, uh, I dunno…a million?!I have to say that my absolute FAVORITE part for the book was the interactions between Wesley and Kayla. Never a dull moment with those two. How could Kayla miss the obvious connection between them? They reminded me a lot of my husband and me. Falling in love is a beautiful thing, but falling in love with your best friend? Now, THAT is simply ah-maze-ing! I love Kayla and Wesley. I love their bickering. I love the way they seem to both resist the fall. But in the end, the heart wants what the heart wants. And sometimes, the heart wants something different, and more beautiful than you could have imagined. It just takes someone to flip the switch."I fell in love in the dark. There was someone else in the dark with me, and I fell in love piece by piece, not knowing it was love I was feeling. And I’m not sure he knew that either.But every time a piece fell into place, a tiny light came on. You know, like when you turn on the lights at a football stadium or a gym, and the bulbs go on one by one."In true Cassie Mae form, I found myself smiling from ear to ear (and harboring a major craving for gummy bears…) I love the simple way she spells out a love story. The innocent gestures and internal dialogue cause me to sigh, or laugh, with the turn of each page. I cannot wait to see what she pumps out next!