Lovin' los libros

A Little Too Far (A Little Too Far #1)
   by: Lisa Desrochers

Publication Date: Sept. 17, 2013
Publisher: William Morrow
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 371 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars



My Review:

When I first saw the cover reveal information in my email and read the blurb I thought, "Now THIS is a book I've got to check out!" Really? A girl falling for her step-brother?! And then studying in Italy and falling for a priest?! Poor girl can't get a break!" What drew me in besides the shock value of the blurb was the fact that it was SO different. We haven't read any NA books like this, that's for sure!

Desrochers had me hooked from the very beginning and I did NOT want to put this book down for even one second. I really liked the complexity of this novel. Our main character, Lexie, had a lot of doubts and fears to overcome about herself, her relationships, and even her future. I loved seeing her develop as a character and I felt she made the right decisions in the end.

Lexie is about to leave for Rome, Italy to study abroad. The last thing she ever expected was for feelings about her step-brother Trent, to surface right before she left on her excursion. She really didn't expect him to reciprocate those same feelings. However, being step-siblings, the two realistically know this is not something that can happen between them, no matter what they may be feeling. The two have always been close. Trent is the one person Lexie could talk to about anything, the person who was always there to comfort her in times of need and make her feel better when she was hurting. He is her best friend and means the world to her. She is afraid that now, after the two have realized that there is definitely something more there between them, things will change and she will lose her best friend forever. I felt bad for Lexie, because right as she's going on an opportunity of a lifetime, she is hit with all of these different feelings: confusion, guilt, want, desire... The goal is to put Trent behind her and move forward, however that is easier said than done. She can't stop thinking about him- which eventually leads her to confession once she arrives in Italy. The priest she speaks to ends up directing her to Reverend Moretti across the street, a young, good-looking deacon who is on the way to priesthood.

Oh Alessandro. You sexy, sweet man, you. He was a true friend to Lexie in Italy. They begin working together and he is the one that really helps her take her mind off Trent. He sees how passionate she is about art and takes her around and shows her the beautiful spots in Rome he knows she would appreciate. The more time the two spend together, the more lines begin to blur between them. Lexie may be in love with Trent, but the two's relationship is definitely strained, due mainly to stubbornness on both their parts. Lexie knows Alessandro is off limits and yet she can't help be attracted to the man who has been a great source of comfort to her while she is away from home. My heart ached for Alessandro. Becoming a priest and taking that vow of celibacy can't be an easy decision. The more time he spends with her, the more he starts to realize that he still has desires and wants and he really begins to question if priesthood is the right path for him.

While I loved Alessandro, I also equally loved Trent. There is no doubt he cares for Lexie greatly. Their relationship begins with a strong foundation of great friendship and I believe that is so important in this story. However, it does make things extremely difficult also. I hated the awkwardness both of them felt as Lexie was leaving for Rome because I know neither one of them wanted to leave things like that. Both are too afraid to come right out and confess their feelings to the other because they are afraid of the possibility the other does not feel the same way. Even though Lexie and Trent begin to drift apart, they are never far from each others' minds, no matter how hard they pretend otherwise. Lexie had some difficult decisions to make in this book, knowing feelings would be hurt, but ultimately she knew she had to follow her heart and I can't fault her for that at all.

Overall, A Little Too Far was an incredible read about a girl trying to decide what was right for her life and the risks she was willing to take to find out what it would take to be truly happy. Set in unforgettable Rome, this book will have you longing to visit Italy and travel to all the places Lexie did. (Or in my case- make me want to go back!)


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Week Two