Lovin' los libros

 

 

 

 

My goodness y'all. Where do I even start with this book? I always love JLA's books, but this one holds a lot of emotional power, especially being an educator of teens. These kids have a lot of emotional issues to deal with and they do their best to push them aside and go to school and not let the world see just how difficult it is to actually do that.

 

Mallory and Rider both carry emotional scars from their past and they are trying to get beyond that, but do so in different ways. Mallory has been adopted into a great family and has such a strong support system that has helped her get the counseling she needs. They are a bit overprotective, but they mean well. They want to see her flourish and they encourage her to tackle the things that scare her. Rider, on the other hand, acts as if he doesn't have a care in the world. He has accepted his status in life and doesn't put forth the effort to try and change people's perceptions of him. He has been beaten down by his past and doesn't have very strong aspirations for the future.

 

Armentrout always manages to pull me in with her books and I never want them to end. I wanted to speed through this one because I was so impatient to find out what happened. I love being engaged like this, because I really do feel like I am right there with the characters and their emotions all transfer to me as the reader.

 

Mallory and Rider together were really adorable. I loved them. There is so much uncertainty and shyness and it was just precious to see them try to discern between the scared kids they once were into the teens they are now. Mallory isn't a frightened, weak little girl anymore who needs protecting. I loved seeing her come into her own and ask for support instead of help. She believes in Rider and she wants him to see the kind, wonderful, self-sacrificing guy she does. He has talent and she doesn't want him to waste that. They really worked together and I loved it.

 

I loved our secondary cast of characters and how much of a role they played also. I love that they weren't pushed aside and that they were integral to these characters' lives.

 

Overall, I can't recommend this one enough. It's one that needs to be experienced and while I could go on and on, I think you're better off jumping in and letting Armentrout work her magic.