Lovin' los libros

Welcome to my stop on the Promise Me This blog tour hosted by Penguin!

Today I am excited to share my review, as well as a giveaway with you all!

 

 

"Give it all to me," she murmured in my ear. "The wild and the sweet, the light and the dark. Because I need them both."

 

 

All the feels people! I have ALL THE FEELS right now over this book! I really loved Nate and Jessie together and their story is one filled with hope and the promise for something better. The two couldn't be more different- she is artistic with her tattoos and love for photography, where Nate is built like an athlete and fits the preppy, frat boy image. The tension between them has been simmering for quite some time, but it's only now that they start to see each other for more.

 

Jessie knows Nate is a playboy, never hooking up with the same girl twice, but to accidentally walk in on him kissing another girl and actually see him in action, makes her see him in a completely different light. She can tell he is holding back, that there is a wildness brewing beneath the surface that is desperately trying to break free. Nate has always been interested in Jessie, but feels they have too good and easy of a friendship and the last thing he wants is to destroy that by showing her who he really is. An overnight trip to Nate's hometown changes everything between them, as they get to know each other better, and slowly start to reveal parts of themselves they never dreamed they would.

 

I really liked watching Jessie and Nate get to know one another in this book. They have been friends sure, but they really didn't KNOW one another. Jessie always assumed Nate lived this privileged wealthy life, but in reality, she couldn't have been more wrong. Nate is terrified of becoming like his abusive father, and therefore never lets himself go the way he longs to when he's with another woman. He feels shame by his darker sexual desires, as he never wants to hurt a woman like his father has hurt his mother. He doesn't see that there is a difference between the two, especially if it is a consensual experience. Jessie isn't afraid of this 'darkness' as Nate would call it. It's quite the opposite. She likes the things Nate does to her and likes his dominance in bed. He is too caught up in believing the worst about himself, that he completely misses that she is granting him the one thing he is too afraid to seek out but desperately needs- acceptance.

 

Jessie was such a great character and such an amazing support for Nate. He can't get past his demons and is too afraid to drag her down with him. Even when he pushes her away, she is still there for him as a friend, encouraging him to seek professional help to heal the emotional scars his father has left him with. Until Nate finds his own acceptance and realizes that he is nothing like his father, he will never be able to move forward to pursue a deeper relationship with Jessie.

 

I have to talk about the kissing in this book. I loved it! So many people underestimate the effect of a really good kiss, but Christina nails it. Jessie and Nate kissing was so incredibly hot, passionate, and INTENSE! I loved their scenes together because there is so much underlying tension between them that they won't be able to deny for long. The result is explosive and I like that they don't hold back with one another.

 

I really like that Christina makes family an important aspect of this book. Not only do we see Nate's problems with his father, but we see the shell of a woman his mother has become, and how his brother Luke is changing- and not for the better. Nate loves his mother dearly and is heartbroken over her situation, wanting nothing more than to see her shine with happiness again. We also get to see Jessie interact with her mother, and their dynamic is totally different. Her mother is supportive and wants the best for her, but also warns her to be careful with her heart. She is a good woman and I love that she reaches out to Nate's mom. Jessie's memories of her father are pivotal in this book, as he has made a great impact on her life and what she wants to do with her future. He not only impacts Jessie, but his words leave quite the impact on Nate as well.

 

I always enjoy Christina Lee's writing, so it's no surprise I also enjoyed this book. I am a huge fan of the series, so it was nice to see Avery, Bennett, Ella, Quinn, Rachel, and Kai again. I am quite curious as to whether Jessie's friend, Emmy, will get a book of her own in the future. Fingers crossed!