Jamie Mcguire
My Rating: 💜💜💜
The first time Elliott Youngblood spots Catherine Calhoun, he’s just a boy with a camera, and he’s never seen a sadder and more beautiful sight. Both Elliott and Catherine feel like outcasts, yet they find an easy friendship with each other. But when Catherine needs him most, Elliott is forced to leave town.Elliott finally returns, but he and Catherine are now different people. He’s a star high school athlete, and she spends all her free time working at her mother’s mysterious bed-and-breakfast. Catherine hasn’t forgiven Elliott for abandoning her, but he’s determined to win back her friendship…and her heart.
Just when Catherine is ready to fully trust Elliott, he becomes the prime suspect in a local tragedy. Despite the town’s growing suspicions, Catherine clings to her love for Elliott. But a devastating secret that Catherine has buried could destroy whatever chance of happiness they have left.
I received an ARC from Montlake Romance via NetGalley.
I haven’t read anything by Jamie McGuire since Beautiful Disaster. So I was super excited to see a new release because as problematic as Beautiful Disaster was, it still a favorite of mine and introduced me to the New Adult genre.
I really didn’t know what to expect from this one. I didn’t really read the blurb and I think it’s better that way. There isn’t really much I can tell you about the book because it has a plot twist here. The plot twist KNOCKED ME ON MY ASS! I had to put my Kindle down and think about everything I read and started piecing things together.
Jamie did her research here and made a good story. I loved the characters in this book, especially Elliott. He was so sweet and super protective of Catherine. I was always cheering for him. (a small part of me thought he was too good for Catherine) Catherine’s story broke my heart. She hadn’t had a easy life and was scared of being stuck in this town and this life forever. She needed someone in her corner and that turned out to be Elliott.
Elliot and Catherine had one of those first loves that stay will with them forever. Even though Elliott wasn’t there when tragedy struck Catherine’s life, he made sure to come back to her when he could. He taught her how to live again and actually want more.
The only negative I have is that this book could have been way shorter! I did have to take breaks because it get slow in some spots.
All in all, this book was a surprise and I really ended up liking it!
About the Author: Jamie McGuire
Jamie McGuire is the #1 New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Walking Disaster, the Maddox Brothers series, the Providence trilogy, and the international bestseller Beautiful Disaster, which paved the way for the new-adult genre. She was the first independent author in history to strike a print deal with retail giant Walmart, and her work has been translated into fifty languages. She lives in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, with her husband, Jeff, and their three children. To learn more about Jamie, visit www.jamiemcguire.com, or follow her on Twitter @JamieMcGuire.
You had me at “The plot twist KNOCKED ME ON MY ASS! I had to put my Kindle down and think about everything I read and started piecing things together.” omg. I love books that had that effect on people.
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I didn’t see it coming at all!
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Hmm….I haven’ read anything by this author yet. Your review has me wanting to pick this one up!
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You should give it a try! She’s the author that got me into New Adult. She also has a new release coming out in August as well!
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I have always wanted to read that Beautiful Disaster book. Then someone I know was telling me about it, and it probably wouldn’t have been my thing. 😦 So I should definitely try this one!
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It was a favorite of mine back in the day!
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Fantastic honest review Kayla!!! It knocked me on my behind too LOL But I did not have the same issue with the length 😉 Happy Friday!
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I’m still reeling from that twist!
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Wonderful review as always, Kayla! I haven’t heard of this book before and your review has earned it a spot on my TBR. Can we also talk about the stunning cover art?!?!!? Because I am a sucker for good cover art.
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I hope you like it! And YES the cover art is amazing!!!
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I’m usually okay with long fantasy novels, but long contemporaries make me iffy. I’m really curious about that twist now, though!
– Aimee @ Aimee, Always
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The twist was worth the read.
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Great honest review, Kayla! I l loved Jamie McGuire’s Providence series and Beautiful Disaster. I haven’t read this yet but It’s on my TBR list. I hope I get to it soon!
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I hope you enjoy it! She has another book coming out this August!
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Love love love this review!!!
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Thank you so much 😊😊💗
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Great review Kayla! I don’t think I’ve read anything by her since Beautiful Disaster either. I don’t always do very well with books that are really drawn out, but I’ll check it out! =D
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Thank you 😊💗
You should check this out for the plot twist alone!
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