Lovin' los libros

A book blog dedicated to young adult and new adult novels

Blog Tour: Subject to Change by Alessandra Thomas {Review, Dream Cast, + Giveaway}

By 9:31 AM , , , , , , , ,

Welcome to my stop on the Subject to Change tour hosted by InkSlingerPR!
I am so excited to share Alessandra's dream cast, my review, and a giveaway with you!

Subject to Change (Picturing Perfect #2)
   by: Alessandra Thomas

Publication Date: June 25, 2013
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC received from InkSlinger PR and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 300 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars


Joey made her dad a deathbed promise that she would become a doctor, and dedicate herself to fighting the very cancer that took his life. There’s just one problem -three years into her pre-med classes, she's struggling to stay on top of the curve, let alone prove she's dazzling enough to earn a spot in an Ivy League medical school. In a Hail Mary move, she throws a basic Business 101 class into her semester schedule, banking on a perfect score to boost her GPA.

That is, until she’s paired for a final project with Hawk, the bartending, motorbike-riding, gorgeously bedheaded loser who falls asleep in class and communicates in one-word sentences.

Hawk does whatever he wants, whenever he wants, which sets Joey on edge – in every possible way. As they get to know each other, her urge to scream at him is curbed only by her fantasies of tearing his clothes off. Soon those fantasies become reality, and Joey realizes Hawk makes her feel more fully herself than any of the rich boys her mother and sorority sisters approve of.

But the promise to her father hangs over her head, and the harder Joey tries to succeed in her chosen career, the faster everything falls into a hopeless tailspin of bad grades, broken promises and guilt. It doesn't help to have Hawk sitting like a devil on her shoulder, insisting she should be free to live however she wants to live - like he does.

The only thing Joey knows is that her neatly organized life is crushing her - and Hawk's bad attitude might be the only thing that can save her.
 

My Review:

I actually got to be a part of the cover reveal for this book and the cover redesign for Aless's Picture Perfect, and ever since I read the blurb- I knew. I had to read this book. I jumped at the chance to do the blog tour and I am so excited to share Aless's dream cast with you!

This is the second book in Alessandra's Picturing Perfect series, so yes folks: you do get to see some of Cat and Nate from Picture Perfect. Cat is such an awesome best friend to Joey and she really reminded me of my best friend. It's amazing to have that one person who knows you so well and knows exactly what you need when you're hurting and how to make dismal situations look a little brighter. Nate also reminds me of my best friend's husband. He knows how much Joey means to Cat and therefore watches out for her and cares when she's hurting too.

Subject to Change is Joey's story however and we find out her back story right away. She lost her father to cancer and now wants to follow in his footsteps and become a doctor just like he was. She wants him to be proud of her and so she has thrown herself into her school work and going pre-med. However, her classes are kicking her butt (Orgo II especially). She is scraping by with B's, when she knows she should be making A's. Joey's life is turned upside down when she is forced to take an Intro to Business class. She has no desire to take the class, but does still care about her grade. Her first day in the class she is less than impressed when the seat next to her is filled by a guy running late smelling like stale cigarette smoke. Hawk definitely gives off that bad boy vibe with his tattoos, 'I don't give a shit' attitude, and his rough around the edges appearance. However, fate throws Joey a curveball and she is partnered with this "loser piece of trash". (Her words not mine!) Oh, Joey. Didn't anyone tell you not to judge a book by its cover? I can't say I wouldn't have thought the same things if I were in her position though.

Hawk and Joey really get off to a very rocky start. She lets her preconceived notions of him form her opinion early on- she thinks he is unreliable and is not taking their project seriously. What Joey doesn't realize is that this guy has a lot going on. His focus isn't 100% on school like hers is. He has a job and family stuff to deal with. His priorities are quite different than hers. However, he does feel bad that he's blown her off twice and he tries to make up for it by taking the reigns on their project idea.  Yet, as much as they infuriate one another, they can't help the attraction that's between them. They push and challenge one another and aren't afraid to tell each other the hard truths.

Hawk does not open up to her right away and she ends up making assumptions and jumping to conclusions where he is concerned. Hawk is not used to having anyone to lean on or care about him and he does handle some situations badly. He has the added stress of dealing with his sister, Lexi who is a bit of a nightmare. She is a teenager dealing with the pressures that come with being a teen, and living with her aunt and uncle. She gets in trouble quite often, when really I think she's crying out for attention. She has gone through a lot for a kid her age.

Both Joey and Hawk are extremely hard- headed, but ultimately want what's best for the other. I loved watching their relationship develop into something precious and meaningful. Watching them learn to trust and open up to one another is a huge part of this story. Both also show so much self-growth. Joey had her life planned out- but at what point do you stop and ask yourself, 'What do I want? What is best for me?' She really struggled with these questions, as she did not want to let her father down. Hawk struggled with those two questions, as it wasn't just about him. He has responsibilities to take care of and he can't let them fall to the wayside. However, he learns that just because he has responsibilities doesn't mean he can't make changes and improve things either.

Overall, I really loved reading about Hawk and Joey because it's not a simple love story. There are real challenges here to overcome and they have to work hard to get what they want. But hard work makes everything that much more worthwhile, doesn't it?

**OH. And just so you know: Aless knows how to write some swoony, steamy scenes. WHEW!**

~Subject to Change Dream Cast~
 
Hi Jessica! I’m so happy to be here today – I was really really looking forward to this tour stop, since we have so much fun chatting on Twitter!!!
 
I love writing posts about my dream casts! Sometimes, I already have an actor or actress in mind, but sometimes, she’s only in my head and it’s so fun to go hunting for the perfect face to put with the character in my imagination.
 
We’ll start with Joey, the main character. Joey isn’t innocent or anything – she’s just not a partier. She spends most of her time breaking her head over her pre-med homework, and not much time on hair or make up. All I knew about Joey was that she was blond, smiley, and  a natural, if not obvious, beauty. Then  one awesome reviewer over on Goodreads posted a picture of who she thought was Joey and I KNEW she was spot on.
Amanda Seyfried!!!
 Now, Hawk was a bit easier. See, I like to have a little *ahem* inspiration when I’m writing the scenes that involve smoldering eyes, awkward sexual tension, kissing, etc. (ETC.) Sometimes I need to find a picture of the boy before I can write a single word about him, and sometimes the picture inspires an entire story. For Hawk, I had a picture of a guy who was lean, but cut, with gorgeous tattoos, dark hair, and an attitude. Here he is….


Brandyn Farrell!!!

Hawk has a little sister, Olivia, who causes him tons of trouble. All I knew about her was that she had long, dark, wavy hair and the same attitude as he did. This picture of Demi Lovato is almost exactly what she looks like in my head:
 

Those are the three main characters that I want you to see! I hope that if you picture them while you’re reading Subject to Change, they help you enjoy it just a little more.
Thank you so much for having me on your blog today! You’re such a dear and it’s been a pleasure working with you!!! (Aww, thanks sweetheart! <3 So glad to have had you here!!)
Xx
Aless
Author Bio:

Alessandra Thomas is a New Adult writer who swears she was in her twenties yesterday. Since she's not, she spends her time looking back on her college years fondly, and writing sexy stories about guys and girls falling in love and really living life for the first time. When she's not writing, you can find her with a spoonful of ice cream in one hand and the newest New Adult release in the other.
 
 
 
 
Giveaway: 
 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

You Might Also Like

6 comments

  1. Awesome review! I had all the same feels as you :-) I Love her dream cast! I agree on steamy scenes too and I loved watching them help each other grow and change a little.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Chelsea! I love it too! I think all three were perfect fits!

      Delete
  2. Wonderful review. I am on the tour and staring this over the weekend. I can't wait to read it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Ellen! I can't wait to check out your stop!

      Delete
  3. I. Love. Your. Cast. *.* So perfect! And your review? Amazing. (like always) xD
    Jackie

    http://www.nobentspines.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete

Leave me some comment love! And I will get around to commenting back!

My blog is an award-free blog, however, as I just do not have the time to follow-up.

Search This Blog

Powered by Blogger.