Author: Kara Leigh Miller
Publisher: Entranced Publishing
Publication Date: June 10 , 2013
Genre: YA Romance
Buy this book on Amazon
Author's Website
Author's Goodreads Profile
Synopsis from Goodreads:
My Thoughts...Ali Philips never thought anything could be more devastating than the day Levi and Tucker Corbin, her two best friends—her only friends—moved away. Three years passed without a single phone call, text message, or email from them and she’s resolved to the fact that she will probably never see them again. Until one morning when she comes face-to-face with Levi Corbin in physics class.
Little does she know, the Corbins have returned to Haldeen with only one thing on their minds: winning Ali’s heart. Ali soon finds herself in the middle of a love triangle she doesn’t want any part of. As she tries to reclaim the friendships she’s lost and to adjust to the unfamiliar feelings she’s having, she struggles with making the one decision that will forever change their lives: Levi or Tucker Corbin?
She’s always had a special bond with Tucker and feels most comfortable when she’s with him. But Levi brings her to life in a way she didn’t think was possible and makes her feel things she didn’t think she would ever feel. Torn between the two, Ali is certain of only one thing–by the time it’s over, she’ll lose one of her best friends.
Let me start this out by saying that I wanted to love this book, I really really did. There was just something about it that kept me from loving it and if you have read it then you probably know what that was. Ok, let me clarify that I don't dislike a love triangle. I love a good love triangle when it's presented in a way that doesn't have me disliking the girl/guy who is having to choose between the other two. I can honestly say that I didn't care for Ali and the reason is because of how she treated both of these boys.
Ali, Tucker and Levi are best friends, they do everything together for years, then when they are in the 7th grade the boys' parents get divorced and they move to California with their mother. Ali doesn't hear a single thing from them for 3 whole years. Not a phone call, no letters, emails, etc... I never really was clear on why they never contacted her, but for some reason they didn't. Suddenly they show back up in Haldeen, which judging by the name of the book I am assuming is in Georgia. Now I am not from the South, but I can't imagine that everyone says "ain't" or "y'all" nearly as much as it's portrayed in this book! Ok...sorry, back to the story... So Tucker and Levi, who are twins by the way, are back in town and it doesn't take long for them to both start chasing after Ali.
Teen drama ensues and there is a lot of swimming in their underwear, drinking at parties, skipping school, etc... Ali decides that she is just going to date them both so she can try to make up her mind which one she really likes the most. The problem is that she loves them both. Prom is fast approaching and she tells them, and everyone else that she is going to make a decision soon.
Here is what bothers me...not only is she stringing them both along, she is making out with both of them constantly and often on the same days. I know that we don't see a lot of the boys alone, but it's made clear that they come to blows over it and why shouldn't they. If I could give them my advice it would be to get the heck out of Dodge and as far away from Ali as possible! So more teen drama and then she finally decides to make her choice, and this is after several heart pounding scenes with one boy in particular. It's 100% clear to me from the beginning who she should choose. It's made clear throughout the book who she is "in love" with. Then she makes her choice and does she choose the one she should? She tries to make her case for why she chose the one she did and it's totally bogus, at least to me. It made sense in theory, but in practice I think it blew up in her face and you know what? I don't feel one bit sorry for her, I think she was lucky that either of them wanted her after what she put them through.
So, you can see why I gave this 3 stars on Goodreads! I think the story had potential, but in order for me to fully enjoy a story I have to like the main character and I just never really liked Ali. I didn't like what she was doing to the guys one bit. There are probably tons of readers out there who will love this book though, it's just that type of book. There are some semi-steamy scenes and some words that I haven't seen used in a YA romance! There isn't much profanity, a couple of f-bombs maybe. It was a super quick read, I finished it in about 3 hours, I think.
*Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this book courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review.*
