I requested this title back before my blogging break. I have ended up with a number of titles that are overwhelming to catch up on now I am back from my blogging break. I am regretfully not going to be reading and reviewing this title, but now I am back from my blogging break, I am looking forward to reading and reviewing some of your future titles. Thank you so much for the opportunity and apologies.

(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)

Seventeen-year-old Darcy Covington never had to worry about money or where her next shopping spree was coming from. Even her dog ate gourmet. Then one day, Darcy’s car is repossessed from the parking lot of her elite private school. As her father’s business hit the skids, Dad didn’t just skip town, he bailed on his family.
Fortunately, Darcy’s uncle owns a thrift shop where she can hide out from the world. There’s also Lucas, the wickedly hot fix-it guy she can’t stop crushing on, even if she’s not sure they’ll ever get out of the friend zone.
But it’s here among the colorful characters of her uncle’s world that Darcy begins to see something more in herself...if she has the courage to follow it.

...and this is a debut novel? Holy cow!

The blurb for this book sounded just a little cliché - rich girl meets poor(er) boy. Discovers that money isn't the most important thing in life. Falls in love. HEA...and that is, to some extent, the plot of this novel...

...but it is so much better than that.

The absolute winner, in my opinion, are the characters and the journey they take throughout the book. In particular, Darcy (such a preppy girl's name - made me not like her from the start.) However, as the story moves along, Darcy drops the whiny, what-about-me attitude and starts to learn from those around her. Luke is a little bit too cutesy for me but I can understand his character in the context of the story.

I think the lessons taught and learned in this book were a bonus as well. Family, trust, friendships and growing up were all on the menu in this novel and I think it achieved these goals perfectly. Darcy and Luke worked well together to bring these things to the forefront.

The other thing that I REALLY appreciated was that this wasn't a case of insta-love - cos I really dislike that. The "romance" between Darcy and Luke was almost on the backstage while the life lessons took the spotlight, which was excellent.

A fantastic story, made even greater by the fact that it is the author's debut novel. Bring on the next one!


Paul
ARH