Review: Rating: House/Well Debut YA novel for the young at heart.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 30, 2014
This and more reviews at The Book Bar.coBartender Banter Review:Des: YA books have a delicate line to tread . There's a lesson to learn, a coming of age metaphor that will make an appearance, but you can't shove it down the reader's throat. It needs to happen organically; the story needs to flow and the reader needs to be there next to the characters.Jen:  I have to be honest YA is not my preferred genre.  I love dark, angsty, books.  Getting Out was the first YA  book that truly held my interest.  I could not put it down.I drove around for awhile trying to clear my head. I was thinking too much about things like my grades, and hockey, and my issues with my dad… and then there was Ashton. I felt better when I thought about her, it’s like everything else melted away when her beautiful face was in my mind.-Brinkman, Afton (2014-04-14). Getting Out (Getting Out Series) (Kindle Locations 501-502).Des: All the characters in Getting Out have issues, as do the majority of teens. These characters, however, weren't helpless. They all seemed to have a plan to better their lives. No one was 'saving' the other, they all leaned on each other.Jen:  Ditto on that!  ^^  Good point, no one was trying to "save" the other.  Maybe that is why I enjoyed this book.  All the characters were strong on their own.I locked myself in the bathroom and started the shower wishing that the hot water could wash away the scars that were on my body, but also the ones inside my head. I was falling in love with him. I hated that he pointed out my imperfections. They weighed heavy on me already, but when he asked about them, and made the memories come back, it was so much worse.-Brinkman, Afton (2014-04-14). Getting Out (Getting Out Series) (Kindle Locations 2045-2047).Des: What I appreciated about this YA is that it's so simplistic, believable and relatable. The very emotional events aren't too far flung. There are moments of love, lust, confusion and fear that is understandable for teenagers. I am immediately turned off by sex scenes with teenagers when they are acting way beyond their experience. I no longer believe the situation or the attempts the author is making to keep it sweet and vulnerable.Jen:  Lol nothing is more unbelievable than when a character goes from virgin to porn star.Afton Brinkman did a great job with relationships in the book, they were appropriate for the character age, and felt natural.“[Fornicate] that,” I heard him growl before he spun me around and crashed his lips to mine in a ferocious kiss that was anything but gentle. And just like that, any rational thinking on my part was gone. We kissed each other with all the pain and frustration we felt. It was rough and border-lined on pain but felt like it was exactly what we both needed. His fingers dug into my back crushing me against him and my hands pulled his hair so hard I knew it had to hurt but he just growled into my mouth. He pushed me back against the side of the truck and lifted me up. I immediately wrapped my legs around his waist and continued to kiss and nip and suck at his mouth.“Does this feel like I don’t own you Ashton? Does it? Because you completely own me.”Brinkman, Afton (2014-04-14). Getting Out (Getting Out Series) (Kindle Locations 3203-3209).Des: Aghh cliff-hangers! No one likes them. "WHAT THE [unpleasant region of the universe]? WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME!" When I finished Getting Out, I said to myself, "Damn, that's a good cliff-hanger." Sure, it would have been nice to know what's next, but I also like to have the characters suspended in that moment; for me to walk away, contemplate the interest I have for them, and come back to them when I am ready. Obviously, this story has made an impact and I can't wait to read what happens with Ashton & Charlie. Noah too! Damn Noah!Jen: Initially, I was not happy with the way Getting Out ended, I am so done with cliff-hangers. After thinking it over for a few days, (because yes it's one of those that will give you a book hangover) I came to the conclusion it is not truly a cliff-hanger, but a closing of one part of the story.  Did I want the second part of the story right then and there? Of Course! But, I think the second book will open a new chapter in life for Ashton.  I have a feeling I may be upset by some of the choices she makes but I am invested and want to see where Ashton, Charlie, Noah and Tess go.I think this was an amazing debut novel for Afton Brinkman and look forward to reading more!