Something in the Way is a good fit for those seeking a heartfelt and introspective romance that explores the complexities of forbidden love and the challenges of age differences.

Great read and enjoyed reading a new author! Can't wait to read more!! This author knows how to draw you in and keep you there!

I really loved and enjoyed Something in the Way. I was hooked right away and couldn't put this book down. A great start to this series. I cant wait for more.

3 stars

Goodreads review:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40948057-something-in-the-way?ac=1&from_search=true

This one was not for me. I am not into love triangles. Plus this book was very slow for me. Added to that that this is a series was kinda of a bummer to me. Especially since book 2 was not available at the time.

At first I was digging the book because I thought Manning just wanted to be Lake’s totally platonic friend. I was excited about this kind of relationship being written because most books I read don’t have that aspect. But ALL three of these main characters let me down in a HUGE way!

Manning was creeperific. I don’t care how his origin story explained it. It was no excuse for how he acted. And he wanted to be a police officer to boot! I found him to be manipulative bordering on controlling. For instance, he used Tiffany (Lake’s older sister) and made her think he was interested in her romantically just so he could be around Lake, a 16 year old girl. Who he had romantic feelings for. But wait, he’s SEVEN years older than her! Ugh, Gross. I was light weight nauseas reading it. And he would constantly tell Lake what she should do and would criticise Tiffany if she treated her like a kid. The whole triangle was disgusting.

I had no sympathy for any of these characters. Tiffany was a terrible influence on her sister and used her looks to get her way. I was quite disgusted by her. Their father was verbally and emotionally abusive and their mother was a weak enabler. I got enough of this in real life growing up, so it was not something that interested me to read about.

And Lake was no better. Yeah you would think there would be some redeeming character in this book but no. She harbored a near fatal attraction for a much older MAN and resented her sister because they were dating. It was stomach turning. I mean, who chooses a much older man they hardly know over their sister? There’s something wrong with that picture.

Plus, this book was SOOOO SLOW. Like every day was described and not much happened. Just a lot of looks and ‘moments’. Once I figured out we were not going to do a fast forward to an acceptable time that they maybe could start seeing each other, (Of which I’m not sure their was an acceptable time) I skimmed it. Which was like the last 40% of the book. And it just got worse from there. I wanted him to get caught, what he did was wrong.

I can’t begin to tell you how disappointed I am in this book. So much so that I don’t have any interest in reading any other books from this author.

As soon as I read it was a forbidden romance I had to read it. I haven't read many but they interest me.

Once I read the first few pages I was hooked. I had to keep reading. I finished the book in a couple hours and immediately had to get the next book. I don't want to say too much but you definitely should read this book. Lake and Manning ... I mean..

Lake is 16. Manning is 23.

Lake saw him first but that didn't matter because Tiffany saw him next. My heart hurt for them. To have feelings so strong and can't do anything about them..

I love Jessica's writing. I've read a few of her books and I've loved every single one of them!

*I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers!*

2.5-3

Something in the Way has a very slow build up. The storyline all makes sense when you see the pieces fall into place towards the end. But until then the speed can be a little frustrating.

This book started out strong for me. The characters were interesting and believable. But somewhere along the way the characters lost believability. I think my biggest issue was with Manning. He didn't behave like he should have for his age. <spoiler> What grown adult decides to be a camp counselor on a whim to be with a 16 year old girl that he just met? A girl that he is feeling very brotherly about simply because she reminds him of his sister. I don't think my own brother would have gone to camp for me. </spoiler>

The relationship between Manning and Lake fell apart for me. The taboo element of having a twenty something year old man fall in love with a 16 year old girl just never felt right. It felt very pedophilish. And this story doesn't work if this relationship isn't believable in portraying love.<spoiler> Then adding in the older sister who is coming on strong to Manning, is the right age and is oh so beautiful but yet Manning decides early on to pretend to like her so he can have some sort of relationship with Lake. Their "relationship" goes on to be very weird since he has zero interest. </spoiler>

I was curious to read more about these characters. However, I see she is getting ready to release a 4th book in this story. So either the pace never picks up or she puts the characters through the ringer over and over. Both of which I'm not interested in.


***Copy obtained from Jessica Hawkins via Netgalley***

I am not the target audience. Not only is this a love triangle but the characters are hard for me to like. I knew going in that I would struggle but I aanted angst and drama. It fell short.

I felt the draw between Lake and Manning. I wanted to silently root for them even though the sister was going to be a problem. However, Manning never spoke up. I didn't know what he wanted. It annoyed me. I didn't care about the sisters. 

ARC provided by publisher in exchange for honest review .

A good start to the series, with well-developed characters and a heart-wrenching cliffhanger that will make you want to read the next one right away!

Thank you for allowing me to read this book for review. At this time I am not writing a review for it as I had a hard time staying connected to the characters and the storyline. I am more than happy to share the book and promote it on my blog though as I know that just because I didn't love it doesn't mean others won't.

This was just a bit boring for me and the thought of three full length books of,the same two characters was daunting. I'm more of a standalone reader. I've loved the books I've read by Jessica Hawkins in the past, I just think the sheer length of the series was too much for me. I look forward to more books by her, however. Best wishes.

I am somewhat torn at the start of the this series. The 3.5 stars read entails a love triangle of sorts with sisters, Lake and Tiffany Kaplan along with an age gap between one of them that could land Manning Sutter in trouble if caught together. One saw him first the other does things to get his attention and claim him as hers.

As the story progresses we see a side of Manning that explains his reasonings of the things he see and does in his life. His story was heartbreaking to say the least and finding someone who has lighten up his world from someone he least expected. Manning feels a stronger connection to one of them but is off limits and forbidden. He is divided on his feelings and at this stage of his life the best thing he can do is protect the girl he cares from all angles.

We are left with a cliffy that had my head spinning. "What to do?" is the constant question that was going through my mind when Manny is faced with a situation that could change everything. Lake and Tiffany each have their own ideas on how to go about everything and because of what has happened and going on the truths are slowly being revealed leading to a ending that has me itching for more.

I thought that the book was interesting and the subject matter grabbed my attention. It was a complex situation which drew me in because I wanted to know what choices the characters would make or how they would react to situations and each other. I thought that Manning was a great character even though he made some questionable decisions. When I say questionable, I'm not talking about taking things too far with someone underage. I know that some people might automatically jump to that due to the nature of the blurb about the book. Manning was strong and seemed like a stand up guy. He was polite, honest, and had things that happened in his past that he was clearly still trying to deal with.
The main reason that I had trouble with this book was the other characters in the book. I started off liking Lake because she seemed mature for her age and not into many of the things that teenagers get caught up in at her age like make-up, drinking, and partying. She seemed to have a good head on her shoulders but then she changed towards the end of this book. I found her to be annoying, clingy, and desperate. She appeared to loose all of her maturity. I hated her sister, Tiffany, even more so. I didn't think that she had any redeeming qualities. She treated those around her like trash and attempted to manipulate people to get what she wanted.
I didn't understand what happened at the end of the book and why the author wanted to put that drama at the end of the book. It didn't make any sense as to why Manning made the decision that he did at the end.

5 stars! Something in the Way, book 1 (3). Epic forbidden & against-all-odds saga about meeting true love when you’re too young!


“I’d never be the kind of man she deserved.”

Books in trilogy should be read in order:
Book 1: Something in the Way
Book 2: Somebody Else’s Sky
Book 3: Untitled

Something in the Way (book 1) opens to 18-year-old high-school student Lake Kaplan falling in love. Manning Sutter is working construction next-door when he encounters Lake and her flirtatious older sister. Though Manning and Lake feel a kinship and a connection he’s not about to risk everything he’s worked so hard to put behind him.

A story about meeting the right man at the wrong time!

It’s 1993 in Southern California with its beaches, parties, music, platform shoes, and zip code TV shows. From opposite worlds, follow them for a summer of growing up filled with dreams of more, candid conversations, confusing feelings, stolen glances, electric moments, forbidden kisses, secret desires and promises made to be broken.

The summer that would irrevocably change their lives!

“Her balmy kisses made blood rush to my crotch, flooded out my guilt.”

MANNING SUTTER: 23 years/Construction worker/Black hair/Brown eyes/
Nine words to describe Manning Sutter: Noble, conflicted, honest, loyal, self-doubting, charming, well-mannered, self-sacrificing and unforgettable.

LAKE KAPLAN: 16 years/Student/Blond hair/Blue eyes.
Nine words to describe Lake Kaplan: Reflective, sweet, smart, meek, determined, naïve, insightful, patience and loyal.

Something in the Way, told from dual POVs, is a slow-brewing forbidden and impossible romance. Their chemistry is palpable and sexual tension simmering, but Lake is underage so you are going to have to wait for their full-blown passion in next-coming books. It ends with shockers and revelations leading to book 2, Somebody Else’s Sky for the continuation of their story.

Spell-binding! Authentic feel! This the opening to their epic saga spanning decades.

“You can’t move the stars.
Manning and I were inevitable.”

I usually do not write a review for a book I DNF, but I don’t know how to remove this book. The reason I DNF it wasn’t for me at all. I couldn’t connect with the immature characters. Also I didn’t know there were 3 books.

I was sucked into this book when I first read the blurb. Jessica Hawkins took a seemingly innocent concept and pushed the boundaries. It was difficult to keep in mind that Lake was only 16, based on intellectual maturity, but she is just about to start her junior year in high school. Manning on the other hand is 23, but appears to have a connection with Lake. He knows that nothing can happen until she's 18, but Lake has a hard time grasping this concept. This is where the frustration starts to get me. How can she come across and seem so intellectual, but doesn't know what 'rape' is/means?
Another thing that I just can't get is the sister, Tiffany. She is 19 and appears to be floating through life. She is kind of annoying. I didn't realize that this 'triangle' would bring so much drama, angst and emotional uncomfortability. THIS is how you know an other has done a good job. When they are able to bring out emotions in you that aren't always comfortable, yet can still draw you in and love the main couple. Great start for the series!!

when lake meets manning in something in the way she’s riveted. possessive. he’s hers in a way that will never let him be anyone else’s. except that would be too easy. and lake is sixteen. and manning is twenty-three. and he knows that lake can’t be his.

it’s too messed up. those seven years wouldn’t make a difference except for timing. and lake has plans. she’s going places. and manning knows that he won’t ever be the guy to take her there. he can’t be even though when he’s with her he’s understood and wanted and needed in a way that calls to his soul.

he will do anything to protect lake from hurt. from loss. from the pain of life’s disappointments. even if he has to give up what little hope he has of making a better life for himself. because that way leads him further away from lake than he is willing to go.

it’s twisted and messed up and angsty and forbidden. lake and manning suffer every time they are in a scene together and can’t reveal themselves. even though everyone around them knows. even if they know without knowing.

in that sense you feel the most for tiffany. she’s lake’s older sister who pushes her way into a relationship with manning. he lets it happen because he likes tiffany. he’s attracted to her. he also knows that a relationship with tiffany isn’t inappropriate. she’s not jailbait. she’s not temptation personified. but she needs him. she needs him in a way he likes to be needed. and that can be a heady thing too.

nothing is resolved. everything is a mess. and the story continues in somebody else’s sky, which i am reviewing next.

4.5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
I’ve been meaning to start Something in the Way for a while now, and finally with the fast approaching release date of the final novel in the series, I decided to begin. I had heard a lot of praise for this series from many authors, bloggers and readers. I’d been warned that it’s angsty and the cliff-hangers would put strain on my heart. They weren’t wrong. I thoroughly enjoyed the start to the series, it was compelling, heart-wrenching and it just gave me all the feels. The angst is real with this one!

The bond of trust and friendship that develops between main characters Lake and Manning is sweet, beautiful and innocent at first. But deeper feelings bubble and develop beneath the surface for both, even when they know they shouldn’t. Major lines are never crossed, but one slight mistake changes everything. It’s a case of how things will be perceived, what people will believe, regardless of what really happened. This mistake has them further apart that before, and Lake believing she’s ruined everything before it could even begin.

Hawkins story of forbidden romance had me captive right from the start. I felt a wave of emotions as the story unfolded and when I reached the last page I felt an ache in my chest. I cannot wait to get back on the roller coaster and begin book two in Lake and Manning’s story.