Review: An easy read
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 11 17, 2013
*** I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review ***I'll be honest: I'm a little torn about this book. I really enjoyed the first half or so but then something changed for me and I was a little disappointed toward the end. I really liked Drew from the moment he entered the story; I thought he was sexy, funny and intriguing. I loved his new outlook on life - living to the fullest and doing only what makes him happy. He quickly became my hero. That was until he tells, or actually shows Leah what he does for a living and my jaw hit my lap while I thought: "Is he for real?". It was disappointing to find out that the person I'd come to admire for his cool way of thinking and living turns out to be someone who's basically got not goals. At first I hoped it was only a temporary thing, while he decided what he wanted from life, but when he said he had no intention of changing, the story went downhill. I am truly sorry, though, because I was really enjoying the story that far, especially the interactions between Leah and Drew.Leah is a complex character who kept me hooked in the first part of the book and then made me frown toward the end. I was sorry for what happened to her and I couldn't even try to imagine how hard it must have been for her to realize her perfect boyfriend was, in fact, a real jerk. I thought she was really strong and I really admired her. When Drew came into her life, I liked reading how he made her loosen up little by little, even though she didn't pull the walls down immediately. Then Drew's secret is revealed and she changes too, getting involved with him without questioning his lifestyle too much. Maybe it's because I wouldn't do that, but I found it annoying that she could be so nave and accept it without so much as a raised eyebrow.I had a real problem with Kevin, Leah's ex-boyfriend. I couldn't really understand what kind of game he was playing: Did he do it or didn't he? When she meets him in the last few chapters and he acts like a jerk, why is he doing it? What is he trying to prove? What did he want to talk to her about? Did he want to go back with her or did he simply want to apologize? I personally would've liked to get these questions answered and understand more about him; I know he's not the hero but he's still an important character in the whole story, especially since he comes back in the second part of the book doing something nasty again (won't say what) but it's not clear whether he did it or someone else did and blamed him. And, if I could add a personal preference, I wouldn't have minded Drew punching him in the face just before he left. :DAnyway, in spite of my personal view on that specific topic I won't say, I can't say the book isn't worth a read. The writing is good, the characters are well described and the dialogues feel real. It's an enjoyable and rather quick read - I read it in one sitting. Once I got inside the story, especially until I found out Drew's secret, it kept me turning pages and read just one more chapter - till I reached the end.I think you should give this book a chance. You may end up loving it, if you've got nothing against... well, what Drew does for a living, because the story is good and it's filled with enough tension to keep you turning pages. The chemistry between the two characters is very strong from the beginning, even though there are some ups and downs, but these actually make it even more interesting. And Drew, in spite of everything, is a babe.