Review: The Autumn Review for The Almosts
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 27, 2014
The Almosts. I was so curious about the title of the book. Once it was explained, I loved the meaning behind it and more importantly, I fell for this story. This is one of those books that you just become involved in. The kind of book you think about when you aren't reading it.I really enjoyed Leaving Green Island earlier this year, but I couldn't remember much about Lizzy's character. I loved getting to know her in this book. She's smart, sweet and a very good friend. She's just the kind of person that's truly genuine. What I liked the most about her though is that she handles stress well. I don't mean to say she isn't affected by what's happening to her, but she rolls with it. She adjusts and moves forward. There is a quiet strength to her that I admired.Lizzy goes through a lot in this book. From a cheating boyfriend, a relocation, an unplanned pregnancy and finally an unexpected love, Lizzy had some big decisions to make. I loved watching her go through it all. What hooked me in though, was her relationship with Griffin.Griffin is Brecken's brother. Brecken is Lizzy's best friend. They've all grown up together, but Griffin was a few years younger. However, there were moments when they were growing up that Griffin and Lizzy really connected. When Lizzy moves out to San Francisco temporarily, she and Griffin reconnect. She soon finds out that Griffin has always had a crush on her and a relationship soon develops. But then, the pregnancy happens and she's left feeling like she should do the right thing and try to make things work with her ex.I don't mean to recap the story, but I don't think I'm spoiling too much. The story lies in how Lizzy handles it all. She learns a lot about herself through it all and I felt her character grew significantly. She was no longer the girl who just accepted her life, she made choices that were best for her and her baby. Some of those decisions were tough, but she handled it all incredibly well.What didn't work for me was that I felt the ending wrapped up a bit too quickly. I think I would have like to have seen a bit more time in the end with Lizzy and the person she ends up with. The epilogue helped with that, but I think I just wanted a little more. Possibly because I became attached to these characters.Overall, I really enjoyed The Almosts. The characters were terrific and it was great to see Brecken again. I'm hoping that their friend Nevada gets a book. She's feisty and sure to have a great story!I definitely recommend this one if you're looking for a good romance. Just thinking about this story makes me smile. Give it a try!Note: This is a romance and there are some sex scenes, but they are fade to black.Quotes:~It is all so wrong on so many levels, but nothing has ever felt so right.-Loc 1590~"I mean it Lizzy. I'm in this. I know we're just starting here, but I want this. I want you. I've always wanted you. So, I don't care about what my sister thinks or what your ex-boyfriend or Lydia or our parents think. I just want you. That's all that matters to me."-Loc 1631~"Stop pushing me away. Stop assuming you know what I want or what's best for me. I want you. I've always wanted you. That's all I want. Everything else is nothing."-Loc 3232