Review: Choosing You by Allie Everhart (Blog Tour & Giveaway)

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CHOOSING YOU

The Jade Series #1

by Allie Everhart

Publisher: Waltham Publishing (Sept 2013)
Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult
Format: eBook (231 pages)
Source: Free book from author for honest review.
Find It: Goodreads | Amazon Print | Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble
Rating: ★★★½☆ (3.5 stars)

Summary
When Jade is given a scholarship to an elite private college in Connecticut, she sees it as a chance to finally escape her painful past and get a fresh start. She’s determined to succeed and that means keeping her focus on school and not guys. But her plan falls apart her first day on campus when Garret, a rich prep school boy with swimmer abs and a perfect smile, offers to help her move in.

Jade tries to push him away, but she can’t deny her attraction to him and Garret won’t let her. Things quickly heat up between them, but then come to a sudden halt when reality hits and Jade realizes that a relationship with Garret may never be possible. He comes from a world of wealth where there are rules, including rules about who he can date. And not following those rules has consequences.

As the two of them try to overcome the obstacles working to keep them apart, Jade is confronted with another challenge. On her 19th birthday, she receives a letter that her now deceased mother wrote years ago. In it are revelations that explain her traumatic childhood but also make her question the past she’s been running from.

At A Glance
I loved the friendship between Jade and Garret but the ending just sucked 

The Good
This was a good romance in which the concept of friendship was dominant. I loved how the mystery was thrown in at random times because it really spiced up the story. But it was the characters that held this story.

Jade was such a brat in the beginning. I really thought I wouldn't like her but I ended up loving her. Her life has not been easy and she is jaded. She doesn't trust anyone, especially Garret with his odd interest in her. But as he broke down her defenses, Jade flowered into this amazing character with so much emotion. She found a kindred spirit in Garret that she did not want to let go of, even if everyone around them kept trying to tear them apart. I was devastated when we found out the whole story about her dead mother. I don't think I would take any of that well, but Garret was there for her. I just don't know if he will be able to protect from what is coming. And things are coming, bad things.

I both loved and hated Garret. He took a chance on Jade, even with her grumpy, uninviting attitude. He never gave up on her because he knew deep down she needed someone she could trust and confide in. But he often let others get in-between their friendship because of how he was raised. But his feelings for Jade never changed. He just needed to grow a pair, and I think he did by the end. I have never seen a guy in a book change his habits for a girl, but Garret did. Garret dropped his partying ways to spend as much time with Jade as he could. It was very endearing.

The writing was good and the pacing felt right. The mystery was actually getting really good near the end, so I find myself wondering what's coming next because it cannot be good.

The Bad
The on again, off again thing between these two got so annoying. Garret kept letting things get in-between him and Jade and it just effing sucked. And it happened over and over again. Dude, get your priorities straight!

The ending wasn't really an ending. It felt like it stopped in the middle of the story. I was not satisfied at all. I am not sure if I even want to continue the series because I don't want to see more endings like this one. That was not a cliffhanger, it was a complete cutoff.

The Snuggly
Jade and Garret pretty much stay friends through most of the novel which I loved. Their romance was such a slow build and so, so sweet. Way different from any relationship I have ever read about. It was the best part of the book.

There is no sex but some sexual situations. I think YA's could read this book.

Final Thoughts
Good story and characters, just a bad ending and too much repetition in the concept. I am still unsure if the characters are worth continuing this series if the endings will all cutoff like this one did, but I think many people will love this story despite my gripes. Recommended.

Quotes
“Jade, you’re doing the exact same thing you did after the pool that night. Don’t you know how to do this?”
“Do what?”
“Give a person a hug.”
“I’m not much of a hugger.”
“Well, you need one, so don’t just stand there. Put your damn arms around me.”  

Author Bio

Allie Everhart writes about dating, love, and romance. She’s also a freelance writer for magazines and websites. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, running, or binge-watching TV shows on DVD. Some of her favorites are Gilmore Girls, Mad Men, Veronica Mars, and Gossip Girl. When writing her novels, Allie likes to drink dark-roast coffee when writing suspense scenes and red wine when writing love scenes. And eating chocolate is good when writing any kind of scene.

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