Why I read it: This was another “new adult” book recommended by Jane at Dear Author. I actually bought 2 by this author but I haven’t read the other one yet. I’m saving it.What it’s about: (from Goodreads) When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she’s single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle of friends, stalked by her ex’s frat brother, and failing a class for the first time in her life.
Her econ professor gives her an email address for Landon, the class tutor, who shows her that she’s still the same intelligent girl she’s always been. As Jacqueline becomes interested in more from her tutor than a better grade, his teasing responses make the feeling seem mutual. There’s just one problem—their only interactions are through email.
Meanwhile, a guy in her econ class proves his worth the first night she meets him. Nothing like her popular ex or her brainy tutor, Lucas sits on the back row, sketching in a notebook and staring at her. At a downtown club, he disappears after several dances that leave her on fire. When he asks if he can sketch her, alone in her room, she agrees—hoping for more.
Meanwhile, a guy in her econ class proves his worth the first night she meets him. Nothing like her popular ex or her brainy tutor, Lucas sits on the back row, sketching in a notebook and staring at her. At a downtown club, he disappears after several dances that leave her on fire. When he asks if he can sketch her, alone in her room, she agrees—hoping for more.
Then Jacqueline discovers a withheld connection between her supportive tutor and her seductive classmate, her ex comes back into the picture, and her stalker escalates his attention by spreading rumors that they’ve hooked up. Suddenly appearances are everything, and knowing who to trust is anything but easy.
What worked for me (and what didn’t): I loved this book. The main characters are 18/19 and 21/22 I guess and it is set at a college so it qualifies as “new adult”/YA. But in all other respects it is a contemporary adult romance. Eminently satisfying, with beautiful writing and a hot sexy hero – what more could you want?
The book starts when Jacqueline is attacked outside a frat party and Lucas intervenes to stop her from being raped. It’s the first time she’s aware of him but afterwards, she sees him everywhere. In the meantime, having been absent from her economics class for 2 weeks following the breakup with her douche-y ex-boyfriend, she’s terribly behind and after a groveling session with the professor, is assigned an extra project and help from the class tutor. So, there’s Lucas the hottie rescuer in the back of the class and Landon, the smart tutor who flirts with her on line. Lucas rescues her physically and Landon rescues her educationally. Both seem so different but both have significant attraction. What to do?
I won’t spoil the story with too much more description but be assured that the romance is very satisfying and the story has a HEA. There is more to this book than meets the eye; with depth and emotion, close friendships, steamy love scenes and wonderful main characters. And don’t worry, there’s no major love triangle going on – things become clear fairly early in the story.
What else? Here’s a taste of the great writing and sexy hero number 1….
Eyes blazing, he looked down at me. “Jacqueline?”I blinked. “Yes?”“The night we met—I’m not like that guy.” His jaw was rigid.“I know tha—” He placed a finger over my lips, his expression softening.“So I don’t want you to feel pressured. Or overpowered. But I do, absolutely, want to kiss you right now. Badly.”He trailed his finger over my jaw and down my throat, and then into his lap. I stared at him. Finally comprehending that he was waiting for a response, I said, “Okay.”He dropped the pad onto the floor and the pencil followed, his stare never unlocking from mine. As he leaned over me, I felt a heightened awareness of every part of my body that touched a part of his—the edge of his hip pressed to mine, his chest sliding against mine, his fingers tracing from wrists to forearms and then framing my face. He held me in place, lips near my ear. When he kissed the sensitive spot, my breath shuddered. “You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, moving his mouth to mine.
My favourite kind of story is one where the hero rescues the heroine and, just like in Pretty Woman, she rescues him right back. This book is my favourite kind of romance.
I just loved it. I will definitely re-read this one.
Grade: A
Sadly, I am running out of new adult recommendations but Julie Cross (who first introduced me to Webber) has compiled a list. I did recommend the gayle forman book right?
Gayle Forman? Details please! (is that the one which is the second book, this time from the male pov? have you read bk1 if so? Should I?)Do you have a link to Julie's list? I am really enjoying these stories.Brie from Romance Around the Corner suggested an Australian author to me today – I don't think she's available in the US (yet) so I'll have to check her out too.
Thanks for your review. I'm a massive fan of Tammara Webber. Her BTL is excellent as well (although YA). As NA writer, I also like Abbi Glines (BEcause of Low is awesome)and Jamie McGuire (Beautiful Disaster). But you probably already know about them.
I have another Tammara Webber on my to read pile – it's Good for You (I think) and it's the third book of a series but I'm assured it can be read as a stand alone.I have heard of Beautiful Disaster but the hero in that book most probably wouldn't suit me so I'll give that one a pass. I might check out the Abbi Glines though. Thx 🙂
Yes Good For You is the third book in Between The Lines trilogy (BTL). It can be read as a stand-alone, but the first two are really good. Beautiful Disaster is more controversial, so I can understand why you would give it a pass. Hope you like Good For You!
@Marion I'm saving it – I think it's gonna be good 🙂