Lovin' los libros

No Reverse
   by: Marion Croslydon

Publication Date: Aug. 12, 2013
Publisher: Carlux Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by AToMR tours and the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 220 pages
Order Links: Amazon
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars



My Review:

I went into this book with quite a bit apprehension. Not because I was afraid of it not living up to is potential, but because I always get nervous reading books about couples who have a past and then wondering if they will find their way back to one another. People grow up and apart and sometimes they realize that what they once had, just can never be the same. This whole book I felt like I was coming apart at the seams. I fell in love with both Josh and Cassie's characters, and naturally I wanted them to defy the odds, work everything out, and realize that love IS enough. Marion did an amazing job of keeping you invested in her characters and really want what was best for them.

I really liked that we have dual POV, because I really wanted to know what Josh was thinking during everything also. And she also did a great job of writing in the past also- so that we could really see the development from then to now. My only qualm was that I didn't feel we got enough development from Sam's character. Although he is a minor character, I still would have liked to see a little more between him and Cassie so that what he does toward the end of the book was a bit more believable to me. I was very excited to see that Marion will be giving him his own book though! Maybe then we can see how he was feeling during this book.

When we first meet Cassie, she is dealing with the loss of not just her grandmother, but the woman who essentially raised her. After burying her and laying her to rest, Cassie is ready to do the same with the small town of Steep Hill. The small town holds too many memories, too many things that she can't forget. However, after receiving a letter that will change everything, Cassie makes the decision to seek out the one person who not only can help her but break her as well. I felt for Cassie. She had to make some hard decisions as a teen that have affected her whole life. She made those decisions thinking that she was doing what was best. She knew no matter what people would get hurt and I admire her strength for making the tough choices. Sure, she could have handled things better, done things differently, but when you're doing what you think is the best thing for the person you love more than anything in the world, things aren't so black and white.

Oh, Josh. My heart broke for him, especially reading his scenes in the past. He really was the ultimate catch. Cassie was everything to him: his best friend, the girl he loved and wanted to be with forever. The two get thrown the ultimate obstacle: a baby. Neither one is ready for a baby, yet he will sacrifice everything to take care of his little family. I admired him for that, and yet my heart hurt because he had so much potential- being valedictorian/the school quarterback- you don't want to see him give up those dreams at such a young age. However, the Josh we are first introduced to is very different from the Josh Cassie meets up with now. He is still bitter over the girl who left him. He has attempted to start over- he has won the Rhodes scholarship, is studying at Oxford, engaged to a sweet girl, and has plans to work in D.C. Cassie crashing back into his life is the last thing he ever expected. Seeing her again, remembering their friendship, their love for one another is definitely not what he expected.

Cassie and Josh have a very complicated relationship. There's no denying these two still have chemistry and searing passion together. However, can it be enough? These two have a lot of factors working against them- new lives, loves, and dreams. Will they lay their past to rest once and for all? Or will they decide to make a new future? Together? Guess you need to read and find out! I loved this book and I highly recommend it!

About the Author:

Marion’s parents are terribly disappointed with her…

 

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