Review: Sweet! Young Romance.
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 04 2, 2014
3.5 StarsSweet. That’s the main word I come up with after thinking about this book. It’s very sweet…..too sweet.Alexia is 20 years old and has faced more things than most people twice her age. Having almost died, literally she was on her last heartbeat, she received a new heart giving her a second chance in life. She is a completely good girl. She’s gone off to college as a freshman, late due to illness and playing catch up with high school classes. She doesn’t do anything wrong it seems. Ever. She studies and gets great grades, she calls her parents, she doesn’t drink, she’s a virgin, she tells her mom everything and does what she’s told to do. Always.Phillip is 22 and starting his senior year at college. He’s also behind due to illness & tragedy, a liver transplant that he received from his brother. Phillip and his brother, Gabe, were in the same car accident but Gabe wasn’t so lucky and died. Losing Gabe, battling a liver transplant and dealing with having a piece of Gabe inside him is a lot to overcome. Phillip's on a plane to school and is seated beside an amazing girl that he finds he can’t stop talking to. He thinks she’s amazing. She thinks he is too but also has issues with the fact that even though she’s healthy now-it might not last. Alexia's life expectancy isn’t great and she doesn’t want to cause that type of heartache for anyone by leaving them.Their relationship is….sweet. I know I’m using that word a lot but it really is the only word for this book. He’s very sweet to Alexia and takes care of her. He treats her like a princess. They go to the beach and have study sessions. Other than heavy kissing that’s as far as they go. He’s told her about his transplant but she hasn’t told him about hers. They are even going to move in together, sharing the same bed, in PJ’s of course!Will Alexia be able to tell Phillip about her transplant or will she wait too long? How will he feel about her once he finds out? There’s another secret both of their parents are keeping. This one is bigger than Alexia’s heart transplant. Will they overcome such pain and finally be able to live in the moment?I had a hard time relating to the characters. Maybe I’m clouded by the more, well exciting, books out today. College kids don’t normally get upset and say “darn it” while at a keg party. One of the main characters is supposed to be a “player” having been with several women, but his actions don’t match that.The writing, for me, was a bit too proper. There is very little use of contractions, which I didn’t realize was that big of a deal, but it makes it harder and slower to read. The story line was great - loved how they met, what they had to overcome and the sheer romance of it. The message was amazing too! AND the ending…..WONDERFUL!!!!! There are some really great things that happen but for me I’m standing with my 3.5 rating. However, if you want a really great message and very clean romance…..this book is definitely for you!