Every Bibliophile has those few authors that can never do wrong by them.
The YA author that fits into that category for me is Morgan Rhodes, for paranormal romance is Jessie Donovan... but I didn't have one for New Adult books. I officially do: Tijan!
He said, his voice eerily soft, ‘When I see you’re hurting, I want to wipe it away. When I see you doubting yourself, I want to give you the best damned pep talk in history. When you cry, I want to make you smile. When you laugh, I want to make you laugh harder. When you moan in my arms, I want to make you dissolve into a puddle. When you’re insecure about how I feel about you, I want to replace that with a proclamation that I love you so hard that I never want you to question us again.’
Did you read that? Did you melt? I did!!! 😊
Here is the synopsis:
Rule #1: No hot guys.
It might sound ridiculous. I get it. It kind of is, but college was supposed to be my sanctuary. It was my place to start over. The rumors, the whispers, and the jealousy I endured through high school would all be gone.
No one would know me at college.
Rule #2: No drama.
I’d major in pre-law. I’d make a few loyal friends. Everything would be easy breezy. No one was going to use me or hurt me. I wouldn’t let them.
Rule #3: New year. New place. New me.
Right?
Wrong.
And all because of Shay Coleman.
Football captain and quarterback, he was the big guy on campus. The cocky guy in my political science class with a smirk. I hated him on sight . . .
. . . and he was about to break all my rules.
Tijan Tijan Tijan... will you ever cease to amaze me? No? Good. Please don't. Your New Adult novels have become my favorites in a very short period of time. Give me a few months and I will have read them all. I am working on it...
First we have Kenz: She is fierce! Her personality sang to me. I loved Shay, really did. But you know what? Kenz was my favorite character in this awesome novel. She was 'burnt' in high school, badly. By the girls and by a boy. Having two very hot and very popular boys as brothers brought her more harm than good. So when she went into college she decided she would fly under the radar. No one would know who her brothers were, which should be easy enough since they are older than her; and she would not get involved with the popular crowd.
From day 1 things go the opposite as planned. She chooses her seat in class, the popular football guys walk in and sit with her...
The story does not revolve just around the two of them though. As per usual, Tijan secondary characters are just as important and just as amazing. Another reason Kenz did not manage to go under the radar is because of a rape that happened between two students. She gets involved into it when one of her brothers tells her about it and the girl trusts her to keep her secret and be there for her.
Shay freaking Coleman... Mr perfect in the eyes of many. Kenz instantly dislikes him. Truly! He has a constant grin on his face, which she hates, makes him come across as an arrogant prick, just like all the popular boys she knows... Shay is very laid back and does not give one care in the world to what other people think about him. He does not pay attention to any drama that goes around him and that sadly has consequences, and not great ones. Some of which we don't find out until the end of the book. He is also very private. Everyone knows him... but no one knows him at the same time. There are things he has not even told his best friend.
I loved the banter between Shay and and Kenz. I loved how she didn't give in until she was sure it was the right thing to do. She wasn't a pissy hateful character like so may females in NA can be, she was just very sure of what she wanted and of what she didn't want. And I loved Shay's loyalty and patience. He was kind to her. Strong for her. There for her every step of the way.
This book is definitely worth a reread someday for me!
I guess I will have to read it now!
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