Review: Couldn't connect
Rating: 2 out of 5
Date: 09 8, 2013
Review: To get away from a life that seems to be falling apart, Ina travels to a remote mountain cabin to get away. While there she meets a supposedly sexy mountain man, ponders her next step in life, tries to get over her cheating boyfriend, and faces a little danger. The Goodreads description of this book promises big things, and I really looked forward to the story. Romance, mystery, suspense, and self-discovery. However, the characters and plot fall flat.I was never able to really connect with Ina. She's a 23-year old college grad with a bright future ahead of her. And yet, because of the "mistake" she made her senior year (not sure how it was a mistake by any definition of the word), she lacks any motivation and direction. Also, she's kind of rude. When she isn't following the rules or getting called out on not-entirely-appropriate behavior, her response is to fling insults. The recipient of these spurts of misplaced anger is Adam, the owner of the cabins on this remote mountain. Now, Adam is super sexy, or so we're told. But I honestly had a hard time picturing that. Sure, he has muscles that would make any girl swoon, but a messy beard that is so unkempt that you can't even tell if he's smiling or not? Does he wash it? Is there food stuck in this beard of his? Don't get me wrong, I think guys with beards can be sexy. But when they're described as being messy, wild, and unkempt, my brain just can't reconcile the two. And Adam rants and whines and cries a little too much for my liking, especially when it comes to big, sexy mountain men. And yet these two seem to develop an instant attraction. I was never able to feel the chemistry, the whole relationship felt contrived. I just couldn't get behind it.The story moves slowly, even though the book itself is a quick read. The reasons for both Ina and Adam fleeing to the mountain and/or their general distrust of people left much to be desired. Ina more so than Adam; he has suffered real heartache in his past. Even then, I feel as though his actions in the present are an overreaction. And all the while, there's a man lurking in the shadows, watching from afar, and somebody (perhaps the same man?) is stealing things. Call the police? Nope. Just ignore it and it will go away. Ina and Adam ignore it so well, that I even forgot about the aforementioned mystery. And then finally at 88% in (88%!), we get some excitement. Unfortunately, this also feels a bit forced and as if it was added as an afterthought. Overall, the plot drags, the characters are dull, and I just couldn't get lost in the story.However, I think the idea behind the story was good, even if the execution wasn't. And for that reason I will check out another book by Ever McCormick.(I received an ARC from NetGalley)