*4.5 Stars

The slow burn of Cole and Tessa's relationship is swoonworthy and I really just love Cole. He is definitely "bad boy with a heart of gold" and the way he handles everything is awesome. I love what he did to help Tessa become stronger and more self-assured. His patience and gentleness is really admirable.

The way these two keep getting interrupted or having wrenches thrown is a bit frustrating, but in that real-life way. I cannot stand Jay and want to smack him basically every scene he is in. Nicole is just pure evil and I'm glad she isn't featured as much as one might assume the "villain" would be. The real antagonist here, I think, are Tessa and Cole's insecurities.

The high school aspect is more believable than a lot of those depicted typically, but still a bit unbelievable. The amount of class the kids are missing is a bit hard to believe, for example, as is the one homeroom teacher always being asleep. That said, it isn't that hard to suspend belief a bit.

The parents mostly being absent fits well with the demographic (rich teens in a small town) and works for the story. I like how it presents opportunities to show various types of dysfunctional families, and how it brings the teenagers closer together.

This is a longer read, but really goes by quickly! I hadn't realized it would have a cliffhanger though, so reader be warned! Definitely worth the wait for the sequel, but &#^@%#&, I want to know what happens!! :P

This was a wonderful book! My lord I blushed laughed cried and felt like a few times I was right there. Great coming of age novel

*Received an advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review*
This book had cute moments, but it just wasn't for me. I either cringed or swooned. There is bullying, backstabbing, and a few other thing I didn't care for.

Well, this book is packed with clichés, but what can I say? Sometimes even I enjoy them.

I'd say this story is a cross between YA and NA, but the characters, specially Tess, can be quite naïve. She's actually a lot more mature than I thought she'd be.

This story is set in highschool (hence it being YA), but it does have a NA feel to it, even considering the characters immaturity. However, it's the kind of highschool story I enjoy.

I was bothered by how somethings things fit too well into places, how it was maybe a bit too perfect. And how we can see some things were written in a certain way just to make it easier for the author to have certain scenes, even though those things don't really make sense in a "real world" (which mother gives the guy who's alwyas picked in her daughter a key to her house???). Those kind of things show some immaturity from the author too. Like her writing needs some growing as well, but overal I enjoyed it.

I'll still read the next book!
2 likes

Overall this book was okay. It's funny and Witty in places. The story is long enough to sink your teeth into it. It has a sequel to it which I'm guessing contains the happy ever after. This one is just the high school years.

Tessa has always had a crush on Jay but he dates her prettier best friend. Tessa is crushed but this is only the start of the problem. Her best friend becomes a popular mean girl. Tessa wants to blend into the crowd but ends up being bullied by her former best friend. Years later Cole, Jays brother returns to town and he wants to look out for Tessa. They have a bad history of not getting on but things have changed. Cole is now her knight in shining armour. He isn't the boy that left. He's so much more now.

One of my favourite books is Bully (Penelope Douglas). The reason I'm telling you this is because the best friend/ex-best friend bullying in this book I disliked. I like strong female leads and in this book she's more dependent on her friend, Cole to stick up for her.

I had a love/hate relationship with Tessa throughout this book. She was funny and cleaver but also weak. At times I didn't like her decisions but overall she was okay.

Cole was sweet but a total bad ass just the way I like them.

The ending to this book will leave you wanting more.

3.5 stars out of 5.

*I received this book in exchange for a fair review*

I was not happy with the overall subject of this book and the way the main character let it continue to take place. All while not standing up for herself. She is evening bullied from her crush's girlfriend. I also felt that the book did not have an ending.