Making Bad Choices was really hard to get into at first with the first few chapters being confusing and slow for me. There were some aspects to the book that had me feeling uncomfortable but as time went on I became intrigued and the writing kind of evened out.

The characters were okay. Cassie’s character wasn’t one I was able to connect with very easily. I loved the blended families aspect of this and felt that part of the story was very real and is what a lot of people in today’s society has gone through. Everyone is dysfunctional in their own way so this book really helps you relate to the characters in that aspect.

The storyline was good; the romantic aspect was written really well and it’s a typical forbidden love romance. It’s a new adult romance with all the fluffiness and tropes to go a long with it, but overall I did end up enjoying it. Have I had better reads? Sure. But I’ve also had worse reads.

**3.5 Stars**
Cassie has slowly been watching her mother die of cancer for years when it actually happens over the Christmas holiday and in the middle of her senior year of high school. Her supportive father and loving step-mother step up to help her deal with the situation, but that means she needs to give up her life in Los Angeles and move to small town Colorado- and see her hated step brother Culter who she hasn't seen since they were kids. But Culter is not the same boy she remembers, instead he is this incredibly attractive, sweet and a little bit bossy boy she has no idea how to interact with. Things are about to get messy.

If loving books about inappropriate relationships is wrong, I don't want to right. There is just something taboo relationships that draws me in like a moth to a flame- don't judge! For those who need to know the level of inappropriateness for this book, this was a relationship between step-siblings who were not raised together and had no biological connections (hey share a half sibling though) and they did not actually get into a relationship until they were 18- so on the scale, this was super mild. Oh and the content was pretty pg, maybe a dash of pg13 thrown in for flavor when it came to romance, but there was a TON of drug use in the story, just FYI (so not realistic/relatable to my high school experience but made for more story controversy I guess).

I have read a few other books by this author and this is actually my favorite. I found this to be a really fast read, something you can power through in a day. It was heavy on the emotional angst and tons of drama of all kinds, but I think that made it a more fun read- everyone loves rubbernecking at a hot mess? I found the romance between Cassie and Culter to be really sweet and I am always a sucker for a HEA- which this certainly was.

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This topic is no longer of interest to me and I will not be finishing this book.

This book had all the feels! It was absolutely amazing, and I can't wait to tell everyone about it!

I am sorry I never got a chance to read this. My phone would not download it. I apologize.

Cutler is Cassie's stepbrother. The hated/disliked each other back when. Things changed. There are several books out of late it seems, with step-siblings falling in love. It makes scene in some respects, they aren't genetically related. On another level, it follows the title. Making bad choices.

Over all, this is a fluffy read about some messed up families and two young people who fall in love in collage. It's not the best, nor the worst thing I have read. I don't know where the step-sibling attractions are coming from in books of late though.

My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is left of my own free volition.

I read this book for what it was: a salacious "forbidden" romance.

Cassie's characterization felt a little off to me in that her actions seemed hurried or sudden. Cutler on the other hand was sweet and protective giving validity to the idea that he harbored feelings for Cassie for years.

The high school immaturity was tiresome at points but given the age of the characters that is to be expected.

Having said that, I found it to be an enjoyable read. Although it sounds odd given the premise is based on the death of one of the characters, this book is a good choice for those looking for a mood lifter.

Quick Summary: Good build up; heart wrenching conflict; typical drama; sweet YL
Rating: 3/4
Recommend: +
Status: M, R
Audience: M
Conflict/Drama: Yes
Chemistry/Intensity: Yes
Source: NetGalley

I'm sorry, this was a DNF for me. I felt i'd read this book a few times before. Books with similar plot, similar characters There was nothing new for me and I didn't want to keep going. Sorry.

Making Bad Choices follows the story of Cassie and Culter. Cassie moves to live with her dad, after her mom loses a very long and painful battle with cancer. There, she is reunited with her stepbrother Culter, who she hates. She is very surprised though, when Culter's behavior is nothing like the one she expected. Instead of being mean and bitter towards her, he treats her better than anyone and she starts having doubts about the nature of their relationship. When romantic feelings she tried very hard to suppress arise, she doesn't know how to handle them. Does she forget about Culter and what he makes her feel, or does she give in to the temptation of falling in love with her stepbrother and pursuing a relationship that will more than likely disrupt the peace of their family?

I have to admit that, going into this, I was a bit hesitant about whether I would find the topic it dealt with enjoyable. It has everything to do with forbidden love and the effects it will-undoubtedly- have for everyone involved. What really drew me though, is the fact that, it wasn't written in a depressing manner. Granted, the situation was complicated but in a way that drew you in and made you want to keep reading.

The writing itself was very impressive and made the book so much easier to read. Everything was carefully and thoroughly explained which I loved because usually, that is my main problem with NA novels. I also appreciated the big role family itself played in this book. The interactions between the characters were very realistic and showed that, every family is dysfunctional in its own way.

Cassie and Culter, as well as the rest of the characters were very likable and easy to connect to. They all had their struggles which made it even easier to connect with them and relate to everything they went through. Cassie went through so much and had to grow up a lot quicker than others because of her mother's condition. Nevertheless, she was a very positive person and wouldn't let anything or anyone, get her down. She is very mature for her age because of the circumstances, she sincerely cares for those close to her and will do anything in order to make them happy. At the beginning, she is very hesitant to pursue a relationship with her stepbrother, which is something to be expected since, the consequences might vary. It also isn't something that everyone - especially their parents - will accept.

Culter was also a very interesting character. His actions towards Cassie impressed me and I have to admit that, I swooned during some of their moments together. He was very patient, understanding and he didn't hesitate to show her - with words and actions - how much he loved her. His relationship with her father isn't the best but, I feel like he was also a very mature character for his age and knew how to go after what he wanted, without giving up. He wasn't fazed at all by other peoples' opinions and wanted to make his relationship with Cassie official, as soon as he could.

Overall, Making Bad Choices was a very entertaining and enjoyable read! The relationships between the characters were very refreshing and uncomplicated. There is the unavoidable high school and teenage conflict setting but, there are also some very interesting and unpredictable plot twists that I personally did not see coming.

It was such a swoon worthy and slow burning romance that excited me more than I anticipated. Definitely recommend it, whether you're a fan of NA or not.

This was a great read. The story was great. I really enjoyed the family dynamic. I also really liked the plot twists. There were some shocking revelations by the family. However, I think the reason why I like this book a lot is the romance between Cassie and Culter. Culter was really supportive of Cassie when her mom died. This book had some great supporting characters such as Tyler and Culter and Cassie's aunt. I can't wait to read more by this author. Overall, an intense family drama read.

Took a subject that could be seen as taboo and turned it into a great book. I couldn't put it down.

4.5 Stars

Sometimes you just need a bit of teen angst, and while there may not be anything different about this storyline, it was well written and paced perfectly.

These two were sweet, and not puke inducing over the top cavity sweet, it was just the right amount and right type of realistic high school stepbrother fluff.

I liked this book as it quickly pulled me in because it was different from other YA books I’ve read. It’s more towards the older end of the spectrum due to the MA overtones. It was fun reading this, lots of drama, definitely a guilty pleasure to help take your mind off irritating current events. You won’t walk away having been taught some great life lesson but you will enjoy the entertainment and excitement that comes from forbidden love.

Rita Stradling writes well and does a good job bringing out the emotional spectrum of her characters as she wrings your heart out with sadness then has you smiling at the humor and love. She really got a handle on family dynamics and as a mother with a daughter I loved how she set up the relationship between Cassie and her mom in the little bit that we saw.

These characters aren’t overly complex with deep motivations but they don’t need to be to make you want to invest your time in them. You’ll become captivated by the characters; particularly the relationship between Cassie and Cutler which is like a slow, sensual burn before it explodes into a beautiful warm flame.

It’s definitely one of the better written novels in the YA genre that focus more on mature romantic interludes. If you’re into the teen angst of “I love you but shouldn’t” then you’ll be into this one. I found myself unable to put it down and was completely captivated by Cassie’s struggles because Stradling writes her characters so realistically; makes you remember the messiness of your teen years and grateful you survived them.

Well, the blurb and the caution "Recommended 16+ this is a mature YA" made me quite curious. This had to be good. And I a few ways, it was. Rita Stradling describes in an excellent way how Cassie is struggling with her feelings and emotions after burying her mother. After years of taking care of her sick mother, Cassie now moves back in with her father, her stepmother, and her two stepbrothers.

It must definitely be hard to watch your mother struggle with cancer, chemo's and losing weight. And finally losing the battle. You can feel the grief and despair of Cassie, who had to endure this during her teens. It marks her and that's why she acts differently than most teens. So, that part was very interesting. Culter on the other hand, was a bit less interesting. Oh, definitely interesting in the 'look-at-that-handsome-Full-of-yourself-Fuller' kind of guy. But he is a much less in depth character as Cassie.

Furthermore, the history of the love-hate relationship between Cassie and Cutler was a bit unclear to me. What happened precisely and why was Cassie still so angry about this?

However, the story unfolds nicely, with a definite twist in the plot at the end. You don't see that one coming, so that's very nice.

The caution and the bad choices in the book are a bit overrated in my opinion. I've read books where even my ears turned deep pink, but it is not one of those. So just sit back and enjoy this one. Four out of five stars from me. With a thank you for Netgalley for providing the ARC.

Good concept but very predictable. Likeable characters. Ending very unfulfilling. Would have returned book if bought by the third chapter.

I was somewhat torn about this book. It was a quick, easy read, but I was expecting more of a romance, while the book turned out to be more of a teen life drama. I really enjoyed the Cassie character, who dealt with her mothers long illness and death with incredible strength, and was well written with her own personality and interest in art. My biggest problem was with her stepbrother, Cutler's character. I really didn't like him. Aside from taking care of Cassie right after her mother's death, he doesn't have many redeeming qualities. He is something of a player, and is REALLY overbearing and even Cassie acknowledges that he always has to get his way, regardless of what other people involved want/think. I enjoyed the way the author set up the high school world with its set of supporting characters, and the drama of the complications in Cassie and Cutler's family and their relationship kept me interested.

Of note, I thought that the age warning was a little overblown, as the novel wasn't exceptionally mature.

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Overall I really loved this book. My only complaint was how the end was handled, and mostly, how Jen was seen as mostly blameless, when she clearly knew of the situation and did nothing. Not ok in my book. Other than that I enjoyed both the story and the characters. I hope we get to see more of them!

I've make a lot of bad decisions but reading this book is not one of them.

Here's the thing: This is not a literary classic, so you should not go into this book expecting it to be one. I've come to categorize books like this as guilty pleasures. This book isn't going to teach me any important life lessons but it will keep me entertained for a few hours. It's fluffy, it's smutty, and it has all the typical angst and excitement that comes with forbidden love.

If you take this book for what it is, you will find that it is written far better than other books in this genre. The tropes and high school drama are inevitable, but solid writing can carry even the the most cliché of stories.

On another note, I really appreciated the family dynamics in this book. I loved the relationship between Cassie and her mother, despite the fact that we only get a brief glimpse of it. They spoke to each other in the same way my mother and I do and I love that. Speaking of relationships, Cassie experiences no shortage of dysfunction in her family but it's very clear that they all love each other very much (whether they share the same blood or not). That was kind of refreshing. I also liked the standard quirky characters and hated the typical high school snobs, so no surprise there. The characters aren't very complex but you will root for them (the good ones, obviously).

In any case, this is definitely one of the better New Adult romances I've read in months. I'm genuinely surprised. And impressed. If you're into that slow-burn, can't-love-you-but-I-do kind of romance, then this book is for you.

Final thoughts: Culter Fuller's name might give you a migraine but it won't stop you from enjoying this book! I read this book in one sitting and forgot all about my migraine.

*This review will be posted on http://www.laylabetweenthelines.com on January 10th, 2017*