Review: Finally a different type of storyline! Love how unique this storyline is!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 31, 2014
3.5/5 starsOk all you New Adult lovers- are you ready for this?Finally we have a different type of storyline! No bad boy meets good girl trying to reform him or vice versa, no virginal main characters, and no page after page of angst! Instead we have a main character who is so intelligent and gifted that she does not know how to act socially. Her social awkwardness is OFF THE CHARTS. This did make it a bit more difficult to connect with Izzy as she really has no filter and says what she is thinking. However, as the story progresses and with a little help from a cute college RA, Izzy starts to learn social cues and what is and is not socially acceptable.There were so many times I chuckled at Izzy's inner and outer dialogue because she really didn't have a clue as to how to engage in acceptable social behaviors.Marshall (Marsh) is probably my favorite character. After Izzy's dreams get put on the backburner, she is forced to adapt and do what a normal 18 year old would do: go to college. It is here she meets Marsh, as he is her RA. Marsh is sweet, funny, and ends up taking Izzy under his wing as her social ineptness is going to get her in serious trouble. He doesn't want that for her and ends up becoming one of the few people Izzy can call a friend. As the two spend time together, her helping him with his A&P; studying, and he with her social skills, the two end up forming more than just a friendship and now have feelings to deal with as well. Marsh knows he shouldn't do this with Izzy, as relationships between RA's and residents are frowned upon. The rules go out the window once Izzy discovers that there is more to Marsh than she ever thought and she is there for him in a capacity he won't let anyone else be.Marsh's situation really raised awareness for me, as I had no idea exactly what that situation entailed and I have a student who is also in the same position Marsh is. My heart broke for exactly what Marsh is going through, but I absolutely loved Izzy's persistence to have Marsh let her in.Marsh and Izzy's relationship is a really cute one and I loved reading about them. Cross added just the right amount of steam between the two and I felt their relationship developed naturally and fluidly. That's not to say it's perfect by any means. Marsh and Izzy definitely have their kinks to work out. Both are incredibly stubborn individuals and Izzy must learn how to deal with new revelations that will impact everything she's ever known about herself.For the most part, I was engaged in this story and I really enjoyed how different it was from other New Adult novels. Yet, there was something that just kept me from being blown away by this one. I'm not sure if it was my initial struggle to connect with Izzy or if it was something else, but I can't quite put my finger on what it is that didn't work for me. I definitely applaud Cross for creating such a uniquely different heroine and I really liked the development of her relationship with Marsh, as well as Kelsey (her roommate). Izzy is still young and while she may feel as if her life is coming down around her, things happen for a reason and in the long run she will appreciate this 'time-out' from the medical world, as it really makes her stop and think about what she wants for her life.