{Dive} Under the Cover: Blog Tour | WHEN I'M GONE by Abbi Glines

When I'm Gone by Abbi Glines
Adult Romance published December 2, 2014
Atria Books
Author's website | Goodreads

Synopsis from Goodreads:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Abbi Glines comes the next new adult novel in the Rosemary Beach series, in which we meet Mase, a Texas heartthrob first introduced in Take a Chance who comes to Rosemary Beach to stir things up.

I had an urge to fix all her problems. Which was stupid. She was doing fine without me. But something about those big eyes…

Mase Colt-Manning has always preferred his humble life as a Texas rancher to his birthright as the son of a legendary rock star. In fact, he rarely visits his father’s rarefied world in Rosemary Beach, especially if it means bunking at his vile half-sister Nan’s house—until one visit leads to a chance encounter with a young, gorgeous house maid who awakens him with her off-key but spirited imitation of a country music star…

Reese Ellis finally has her freedom. After escaping a lifetime of abuse from her parents and classmates for an undiagnosed learning disorder, she seizes the opportunity to be a house maid to some of the richest families in Rosemary Beach. But her job is in jeopardy when she causes an accident at the home of her most important client, Nan Dillon. When a hot, half-naked stranger with a cowboy’s swagger comes to her rescue, she’s intrigued—then afraid once he shows his own interest. Reese has never met a trustworthy man in her life. Will Mase be any different?..

my thoughts...

I finished this book at nearly midnight last night. I pretty much read it in one sitting as it's a fairly quick read. I have been waiting for a book featuring Mase since she was first introduced into the series and I did enjoy this one quite a bit. I think that Mase is a strong and very masculine character, but that's probably because he's a cowboy.

**There is a bit of a spoiler here, but it's not a major plot spoiler.**

I also really liked Reese, she's a girl who comes with baggage and it's not just one thing holding her back, there are multiple things going on with her. This brings me to my one main problem with this book. Having worked pretty closely with kids in the school system and studying to be an English teacher currently, Reese having made it to her age without being diagnosed with dyslexia was a bit unbelievable. I get that her mother was not really an active parent, but all those years of teachers....someone would have figured out that there was something going on. Granted, she didn't graduate, but I still don't think that teachers would have kept passing a child that couldn't read or write, not in this day and age. Anyway, I do think she was a strong character and I was very sympathetic to her situation (all of them) and I loved that Mase was so careful with her.

There isn't much else I can say about the plot overall without spoilers. I did feel that the "insta-love" was maybe a little too quick, but that seems to be a theme with this series. Another thing I have gotten used to, but still don't care for is the ridiculous misunderstandings or pre-conceived ideas that cause tension between the main characters right from the beginning. I love that we got to see the other Rosemary Beach couples and Jimmy especially. He is one of my favorite minor characters in this series.

I don't like that the Mace/Reese story line isn't over, but that's how I've felt about every couple in this series and if you read this blog you already know that. This is a story that I feel could have been finished in one book without a doubt. There really was no set up for the next couple, whoever they may be, but no doubt that will be part of the next Mase/Reese book. All I know is that I still hate Nannette and if the book is about her I will not read it, even if she's paired with Major... He's probably perfect for her, but she is SO unlikable that there is nothing Abbi Glines can do at this point to make me want to read a story with her at the center. NOTHING!!

This is an adult series so there are a few steamy love scenes in this book. This book was quite a bit more tame in that department compared to the other books in this series. I do always feel the need to add this disclaimer though!

XOXO, Shelly

*Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this book courtesy of the publisher in exchange for my honest review.*

WHEN I’M GONE by Abbi Glines

Atria Books | Paperback | On-Sale: 04/07/15 | 272 pages

Paperback ISBN: 9781476776095, $15.00 | eBook ISBN: 9781476776101, $7.99

Audio ISBN: 9781442376670, $17.99

about the author

Abbi Glines is the New York Times, USA TODAY, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of the Rosemary Beach, Sea Breeze, Vincent Boys, and Existence series. A devoted booklover, Abbi lives with her family in Alabama. She maintains a Twitter addiction at @AbbiGlines and can also be found at Facebook.com/AbbiGlinesAuthor and AbbiGlines.com.