Lovin' los libros

A book blog dedicated to young adult and new adult novels

Review: Unfixable by Tessa Bailey

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Unfixable
   by: Tessa Bailey

Publication Date: April 14, 2014
Publisher: Entangled: Embrace
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 260 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 5/5 stars

A new adult novel from Entangled's Embrace imprint...

He’s the last thing she wants...but the only thing she needs.

Willa Peet isn’t interested in love. She’s been there, done that, and has the shattered heart to prove it. Ready to shake the breakup,she heads to Dublin, Ireland. But there’s a problem. A dark-haired, blue-eyed problem with a bad attitude that rivals her own. And he’s not doling out friendly Irish welcomes.

Shane Claymore just wants to race. The death of his father forced him off the Formula One circuit, but he’s only staying in Dublin long enough to sell the Claymore Inn and get things in order for his mother and younger sister. He never expected the sarcastic American girl staying at the inn to make him question everything.

But even as Willa and Shane’s fiery natures draw them together, their pasts threaten to rip them apart. Can Shane give up racing to be with the woman he loves, or will Willa’s quest to resurrect the tough-talking, no-shit-taking girl she used to be destroy any hope of a future together?

 
 
I was recently introduced to the greatness known as Tessa Bailey, and after reading Protecting What's His, I completely fell in love with Derek, Ginger, and Willa. It is my favorite Brazen novel to date and I couldn't get enough of them. When I heard Willa was getting her own book, I admit- I was a bit disappointed at first. I knew it was too idealistic of me to think Willa would live happily ever after with her first love and high school boyfriend. I loved the little interaction we had between Evan and Willa in Protecting What's His, so I was afraid to see Tessa rock the boat, so to speak. This is one of those times I can honestly say- I've never been so glad things didn't work out the way I thought they should. Shane Claymore is the ultimate game changer. He has such a powerful, intriguing presence that you can't help but be magnetically drawn to him!
 
Pacing: Excellently paced. I was engaged from start to finish and I love the slow burn of Willa and Shane's relationship.
 
Storyline: I love reading about characters staying abroad. Having spent time in Europe myself, I know what it's like to be in awe of my new surroundings and how different the cultures are from my own. Willa knows her time in Ireland is temporary and she isn't there to make friends. She certainly isn't there looking for love, either. After the heartbreak of her last relationship, Willa is determined to find herself again. She spent 2 years of her life with Evan and never felt like she could truly be herself with him. He kept wanting to make her better and eventually Willa knew she couldn't let him keep trying to fix her. She is who she is- beautifully broken, and she knows she can't let him continue the path of reconstruction for her. This book is really centered around Willa's awakening, both sexually and spiritually. I loved the emotion and the depth Bailey brings to this story and I absolutely loved reading Shane and Willa's story.
 
Characters: Willa and Shane have both grown up knowing hardships. They know what it's like to not have the support and love from their respective parents and that has really played a key role in shaping who they are and what they struggle with to this day. Ginger, Willa's sister, has been the one to take care of her from a very young age, when their mother was too strung out to do it herself. Naturally they have formed a very close bond and the few scenes where we got to see her interact with Ginger and Derek were really special.
 
Willa is a spitfire. She isn't afraid to say what's on her mind or march to the beat of her own drum. That is definitely one of the first things Shane notices about her after she gives him the slip at the airport. When it comes to feeling and emotion, however, Willa is a master avoider. She knows that her time in Ireland is temporary and the last thing she needs is to form attachments to people she'll have to leave.
 
Shane Claymore is a force to be reckoned with. He exudes confidence and strength and I like that he was more of a silent type. It just made his character that more powerful and when he does show vulnerability, you know it's serious. I wasn't sure if I would like that abruptness Shane had, but I actually loved it. He has not had a picture perfect past like Evan did, so Shane understands Willa on a level he wasn't able to. He doesn't want to try and change her- instead he wants her to embrace the passionate side of herself and let herself break free of the restraints she's placed on herself. He doesn't want her to hide from herself, but instead show the world who she really is- flaws and all. While not a full blown alpha like most of Tessa's other heroes, he definitely has alpha tendencies and I was in a constant state of swoon when it came to Shane. He doesn't wear his emotions on his sleeve and could be a bit difficult to read at times. However, when it came to showing how he felt, his actions spoke volumes.
 
I also really liked Faith, Shane's sister. She is cheerful and sweet and a bit socially repressed. Her life is the bar and her family and she is upset that Shane would want to sell something that means so much to her. You can tell he's got the overprotective big brother role down pat, but Faith just wants to be able to LIVE and do it with a free spirit. She gravitates to Willa almost instantly and even though Shane warns Willa away, she can't help but not want to disappoint the sweet girl.
 
Final Thoughts: I cannot impress upon you all enough just how much I loved this book. It has everything I could want in a New Adult book- the right amount of steam and sexual tension, great character development and discovery, and a hero who will make you swoon and fill your heart to the point of bursting. Tessa Bailey really takes her writing to another level here and the depth and emotion that she has created will leave you desperate for more.

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14 comments

  1. Waaaaaaaa!!!! I loved Shane and Willa's story!!!!

    I cried when Derek called her to give her the good news ... Awwwww!!!! :)

    Fantastic review Jessica!

    Mikki @A Bookish Escape

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    1. Yes! I was definitely teary-eyed during those Derek/Ginger scenes!!!!! I loved this book SO SO SO much. I want to reread it now. Haha.

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  2. I have been dying to read some Tessa Bailey! So many people love her books and I am sure I will love them too. This sounds like a fantastic NA. Great review!

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    1. Thanks Teresa! One of the best NA's I've read this year- hands down!

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  3. Ohh this one sounds awesome! Great review. I'm going to add it to my list.

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  4. I've been reading some good things about this book! And I like the should of this Shane character! I do wanna read this book! Great review :D

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  5. Great review! I bought this yesterday cos "Ireland" lol but I have wanted to try one of Tessa's books for a while!

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    1. Yay! I'm so glad you got it! I hope you like it girl!!!!

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  6. Incredible review, Jessica! Okay, you've convinced me - I'm going to one-click this one! BTW, I love the name Willa and I love that she's a spitfire! ;)

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    1. I love the name Willa too! It's really fitting for her! And yay! Go forth and one click friend! You won't regret it!

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  7. Oh you already know how much of a Bailey fan I am. Loved this book to pieces and so happy you loved it too.

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    1. :D I hope we get Faith's story next. I'd love that.

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