A Girl Like Me by Ginger Scott – RAVE

Back in March, I fell in love with the first book in this series – A Boy Like You. That book ended on a cliffhanger which made the wait for book two feel torturous! The wait was blessedly short however, and I am so happy to have finally learned the fate of these two memorable characters – Wes and Joss.

This series is a standout among the many and I am so ready to start my RAVE.

A Girl Like Me

The Story

*Spoilers if you have not read book one*

Book two picks up right where book one finished. Josselyn is months into her recovery after the accident that lost her a limb, and her beloved boyfriend. Wes is gone, assumed dead. But a mysterious clue has been sent to Joss. One which leads her to believe Wes is still very much alive.

So along with her best friend Kyle, they set off to uncover the truth of exactly what happened to Wes all those months ago, and why, if he is alive, is he hiding?

Josselyn is a fighter, in every aspect of the word. Since childhood, she’d had to deal with a mostly non-functioning alcoholic father. Then there was her selfish mother who ran off with another man, never to be heard from again.

But things were just starting to look up for her. Her childhood hero, Wes, was back, and still in the habit of saving her (even from herself). Her father had just started to clean up his act, while she herself had given up her vices that made her reckless. Then the accident happened…

I admire Josselyn’s ability to constantly get back up again and keep on fighting, when life shoots her down. She never gave up in this story – she didn’t give up on Wes, her rehab, her father, nothing. This is a heroine truly worthy of that title.

Wes has been a mystery right from the beginning of this series. His tendency to be at the right place at the right time, his uncanny strength, his unnatural abilities… Was this a supernatural story? I didn’t know. But I couldn’t wait to find out!

There is one thing that was always clear from the beginning however, and that’s the fact that Wes loved Joss. That fact was strengthened more and more as this story wore on, and the complexities of their history were uncovered. This is a boy who was literally made for Joss, and I adored everything about him.

My Thoughts

Before I started on book two, I had my own ideas about how it would play out. I expected an EPIC reunion, filled with declarations of eternal love, hugs and endless kisses! Or… something along those lines. What I got was really nothing like that.

Not that I’m complaining! One of the things I loved the most about this series, was the unpredictable nature of the storytelling. It was also one of the many things that kept this story feeling unique.

I really dug the drama of this book. I loved how all the answers to the mysterious Wes were revealed. It was so satisfying finally learning about his abilities, and getting some answers to the many questions book one left me with. I liked the angst and I loved the lovin’.

Final Thoughts

I read a LOT of books. Some of them I read and forget about an hour later. Some I read and try to forget within an hour. Most I enjoy, but slowly forget about as more books enter my world and take their place. Then there are the select few that I fall head over heels in love with. They’re stories that I know will stay with me, which I will go back to and re-read time and time again, and fall even more in love with.

This was one of those series.

Goodreads Rating: 4.5 Stars

*ARC provided in exchange for honest review*

180 Seconds by Jessica Park – RAVE

Well, it’s been well over a year since I’ve posted on this site, but I am back with a BANG-er of a story! One well and truly worth raving about – the amazingly sweet, emotional, and inspiring new story by Jessica Park.

180 Seconds

The Story

Allison has just started her Junior year at Andrews College. Just like the two years previous, she hopes to spend the next year flying under the radar and maintaining her introverted ways – something made easier to accomplish, since her new roomie has just dropped out. Allison spent the first sixteen years of her life in foster care, but life’s been much brighter for her in recent years, having been adopted by her wonderful, solo, gay father, Simon.

Esben is also in his Junior year at Andrews College. He’s something of an Internet Celebrity, with followers numbering in the hundreds of thousands, due to his popular online blog and major social media presence. He posts videos, pictures and starts #trends. But he also posts about interesting people he meets, uses his site to raise awareness of issues, and to help people in need. Not that Allison’s ever heard of him.

The two share a Psychology class, but had spoken only once before the night that changed their lives, and launched Allison and Esben into viral video fame. The night they sat opposite each other in silence, and just stared… for 180 Seconds.

My Thoughts

This story – or more specifically, the 180 seconds – could have been cheesy, but it just wasn’t. It was so much more emotional and heartfelt than I ever could have imagined. Allison and Esben made a beautiful couple, and though their connection was instant, I am pleased to say this isn’t a story suffering from insta-love. Their chemistry was something I felt through the pages, and I had no problem believing in their spark and wishing for them to get together.

I really loved the storylines that were happening outside of Allison and Esben’s blooming romance. Esben’s need to help people or causes, whenever the opportunity arose, continuously made my heart swell. He was such a nice guy, despite the ghosts of his past. Allison had issues she was working her way through, including learning to love and have faith in her adopted Dad, and make new friends. Simon was great, and lucky for her, Esban came complete with a lovable younger sister and two close friends, who became close to Allison too.

Perhaps the most important secondary character of them all, was Steffi. The sisterhood she and Allison shared was both enviable and heartbreaking. She added life, mischief, trust, drama and the truest love to Allison’s life. I absolutely adored these BFF’s.

Final Thoughts

This is actually the first book I have read by this author, but it will certainly not be the last. There was so much to love about this story, including the variety of drama it offered and the depth of feeling it brought out in me.

I was entertained by this book from start to finish. It made me swoon, laugh, cry, and fall madly in love with the characters. I didn’t want it to end.

Release Date: April 25th 2017

Goodreads Rating: 4.5 Stars

*ARC provided in exchange for honest review*