Review: Beautiful and Sweet!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 08 7, 2013
'This Time Around' was a sweet, fun and quick read.We meet Nora as she heads to her hometown after 4 years of being at college for her best friends wedding. Four years is a long time when you were escaping a broken heart and a shattered dream of taking the next step in your relationship with the one you love.Nora and Jake met in high school because their best friends were together (the same best friends whose wedding they are about to be maid of honour and best man at). They fell hard and fast for each other, and Nora was completely shattered when Jake just disappears from her life without any explanation, which leads her to leaving early for college and not even returning for any holidays.When Nora arrives home she realises after seeing Jake again that she never got over him and her feelings still run deep, but she longs for an explanation for what happened on that fateful day four years ago.Jake regrets his actions and makes it clear straight away that he isn't letting Nora go this time. He has changed a lot in the four years they have been apart but one thing that hasn't changed is his love for Nora. Jake is a beautiful character who puts Nora's needs and happiness before his own and always has done, he is honest in his feelings and has turned himself into a man who isn't afraid to stand up for what he believes in and what he wants...."There's nothing that could or will ever take me away from you. You're all I want, and now that I finally have you back I'm never letting you go. I love you so much, Nora."After discovering the reason for their break up Nora is flawed by what happened to rip them apart and it leads her on a journey of self discovery about what it is she wants from life and not what others expect of her. I loved the way that Nora was so open and understanding to Jake's confession and doesn't hold his decision against him. I also really loved that Nora was a strong character, she wasn't whiny or overbearing, she went along with a life that was planned for her until she decided that it wasn't what she wanted and made a stand to make her dreams come true.This story flowed so well and keep my interest peaked constantly, so much so that before I knew it, it was over and I have to say that the ending was absolutely beautiful and completely perfect for these two lovers. I'm a big fan of dual POV from characters, I love getting into the guys head, and for me this really made the story that much better.I can't wait for the next book in the series, it will definitely be a must read for me :)