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Review: Perfect Couple by Jennifer Echols

February 5, 2015May 26, 2015 Andge @ Down the Rabbit Hole

Series: Superlatives #2

Perfect Couple is #2 in the Superlatives series about seniors at a Florida high school who are selected for their class’s superlative categories in the yearbook, and how the labels change the way they view themselves and alter the course of their lives.

Can your heart be put to a popular vote?

As yearbook photographer, Harper is responsible for capturing those candid moments that make high school memorable. But her own life is anything but picture perfect. Her parents’ bitter divorce has left her wondering what a loving relationship would look like. And ever since the senior class voted her and star quarterback Brody the “Perfect Couple That Never Was,” her friends have been on her case to ask Brody out.

Brody doesn’t lack in female admirers, but Harper can’t see herself with him. He seems confused about why they were matched together, too. They’re total opposites—the last people in the world who would ever be compatible, let alone the “perfect couple.” Yet ever since the class paired the two of them, they’ve found themselves drawn together–first by curiosity, then by an undeniable bond.

The trouble is, though they’re very attracted to each other and both of them admit this, they have a hard time getting along or even communicating clearly. If they’re the perfect couple, this shouldn’t be so difficult! Soon it becomes clear their class was wrong, and they throw in the towel. But after they walk away, both of them feel so changed from making the effort that they can’t forget each other. What if that means this match made in hell is the perfect couple after all?

2.5 Drink Me Potions

I had a lot higher hopes for Perfect Couple after reading its predecessor, Biggest Flirts. Cute and slightly erratic football player paired up with the yearbook photographer who’s his total opposite in every way? Sounds intriguing with a room full of potentially sweet moments in the plot.

It didn’t really happen that way.

First off, I’ve never really read any of Jennifer Echols’ writing before this series. I can honestly say, it may just be her writing style that doesn’t quite mix well with me.

Oh, and the anti-climatic way she ends her books. This is 2 of 2 so far where I felt the end could’ve gone better. It left me with this dissatisfied taste in my mouth. The way the two protagonists, Brody and Harper, had ‘got back together’ after their big fight within like, 20 pages or less because that was where the book ended, was so rushed. Honestly. Suddenly everything was okay again between them? That was the question floating through my head the moment I realized I had reached the last page. Followed by “And then what?!” . How are they going to be able to work out their obvious differences THIS time? I wouldn’t know…at least until I read the next book I guess.

I did feel a little happier that the tension between the protagonists of Biggest Flirts were somewhat smoothed out in this book. At least there was the resolution I had wanted to see at the END of the PREVIOUS book. Was it too much to ask that it would’ve been placed in a book where those characters were actually central to the plot? I sure hope not. So this little taste of their new relationship there helped quench something at least.

What I will give kudos to Echols for is the ability to create such flawed characters. Brody isn’t necessarily some sweet and charming popular boy who suddenly would do anything for the shy and slightly quirky girl he’s falling for. Nope. Not that kind of Prince Charming ideal here. He has no concerns at all for his own safety, tending to dive head in to any situation without too much thought about it. He also doesn’t “cheat” on girls because he doesn’t quite consider himself with any girl. So he can do whatever he wants and not feel bad about it.

Harper was a quirky in the beginning, wearing retro-style glasses and clothes that she handsewn together for herself. Then over time, she starts wearing more “normal” clothes like a t-shirt and shorts or a bikini and contacts to…I’m not sure still. To impress Brody? That was the rumour around school, but I don’t even know why she ended up sticking to her new style. It’s not that I don’t like her change in fashion sense, but Echols didn’t make her as the kind of protagonist who’d ALWAYS be a little unique. Harper wasn’t perfect either, even if it meant changing a little of what she thought made her her and into something more like the other girls.

Either way, I think it’s nice to see imperfect characters come to realize their imperfections and work it out together. I think the storyline could’ve gone better and definitely come up with a better ENDING. Other than that, it was an average book in a genre that is full of similar plots that were probably executed better.

Overall Recommendations:
Possibly going into the book with far too high of an expectation, Perfect Couple isn’t a story where two total opposites magically find themselves falling for each other. Echols kept it realistic with two rather flawed characters trying to figure out if they were meant to be when they had such HUGE differences in their way.

It wasn’t a perfect book, nor was the ending satisfactory at all. It felt way too rushed, like Echols wanted to get rid of the climax and quickly complete the story on a somewhat happy note. There just wasn’t any true resolution of the problems that Brody and Harper faced. The plot could’ve been written better. Either way, I can say I’m not a huge fan of Jennifer Echols’ writing style, but the book was still somewhat enjoyable for an idle afternoon of reading.

Review: Black Ice by Becca Fitzpatrick

January 31, 2015June 3, 2015 Andge @ Down the Rabbit Hole

Sometimes danger is hard to see… until it’s too late.

Britt Pfeiffer has trained to backpack the Teton Range, but she isn’t prepared when her ex-boyfriend, who still haunts her every thought, wants to join her. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin, an unexpected blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin, accepting the hospitality of its two very handsome occupants—but these men are fugitives, and they take her hostage.

In exchange for her life, Britt agrees to guide the men off the mountain. As they set off, Britt knows she must stay alive long enough for Calvin to find her. The task is made even more complicated when Britt finds chilling evidence of a series of murders that have taken place there… and in uncovering this, she may become the killer’s next target.

But nothing is as it seems in the mountains, and everyone is keeping secrets, including Mason, one of her kidnappers. His kindness is confusing Britt. Is he an enemy? Or an ally?

BLACK ICE is New York Times bestselling author Becca Fitzpatrick’s riveting romantic thriller set against the treacherous backdrop of the mountains of Wyoming. Falling in love should never be this dangerous…

4 Drink Me Potions

I wasn’t sure for the longest time what I would end up rating this book as. The first approximate half of the book dragged out a little longer than I would’ve liked, with our protagonist Britt and her bestie Korbie being dragged into a hostile situation with two men in the middle of a huge snowstorm. That’s basically what the synopsis already says, right? So I was waiting to see the action come in rather impatiently.

That being said, Black Ice really surprised me after reaching a certain point. I know a lot of other reviewers were anguished with the apparent Stockholm syndrome developing between Britt and one of her captors, Mason. However, I never really felt that Becca Fitzpatrick depicted him as a clear-cut “bad guy”.

Whatever the situation may have been, even when it got downright scary and menacing for the girls, Mason was always surprised with what his partner was willing to do or say to get what he wanted. It was like he didn’t want any of this to happen, but was helpless in stopping it. He was a puzzle to be solved because he clearly wasn’t simply a straightforward criminal. He hadn’t even wanted the girls to get kidnapped in the first place.

So, Stockholm syndrome? It might still be a little bit, on Britt’s part. But as the story progressed, she had many chances to get away. Mason wasn’t really holding her captive anymore. She had the choice. Can I really say that their ensuing chemistry bothered me? No, not really. It went as any fast-paced and intense romance went. Some chick-lit books have even faster whirlwind romances. Boy meets girl, BAM. Instant love.

Their attraction, I felt, was realistically played out, especially when it came to the conclusion of the story. I can’t say much more than that without giving away too much, but I really think Black Ice has a lot more to offer than the initial thought of “Eww, why does she have to fall for one of the kidnappers?”.

Britt is also the kind of girl who has always depended on the men in her life to help her with things. She has a protective father and older brother who baby her. She just felt that if it came to trouble, they would be there for her. Now, I liked that she was able to grow a backbone and figure out through this horrible situation that she could be strong on her own, and even be relied on by a male. Mason helped her do that, so how can I possibly dislike him? He’s sweeter than any other character in the story, including Britt’s somewhat deranged best friend Korbie.

Why do I call Korbie deranged? She keeps a list in her diary comparing her and Britt’s achievements or owned accessories. Then she gives out points between them, like 10+ points for having a more luxurious car than Britt’s old Wrangler. Like, come on! What kind of best friend would do that? Honestly, Britt needs to find better people in her life. Don’t get me started on Calvin.

The plot “twist” was rather predictable, or at least I saw it from 100+ pages away. Don’t let that deter you. Fitzpatrick still makes it interesting as you follow along and see how Britt can possibly get off this mountain alive.

Overall Recommendation:
Black Ice deserves more than its label as being a rather creepy romance delving into Stockholm syndrome. Mason was never a clear-cut “bad guy” that we were meant to hate immediately upon reading about him. There was a whole lot more to his story than what the situation may have made him seem. Sure, Britt may have started to fall for him while she was still under his “captivity” but she was even knowledgeable about what Stockholm syndrome was, and she knew there was a mystery to be solved around his presence in the mountain.

The intensity of the story picks up in the latter half, but I’d say that living through the slow pace of the first half was worth it for what happens later. With loose ends being tied up, and the ever constant nagging thought that a murderer is among them on the mountain, Black Ice may be quite the entertaining read.

Review: Biggest Flirts by Jennifer Echols

January 26, 2015June 3, 2015 Andge @ Down the Rabbit Hole

Series: Superlatives #1

Tia and Will’s lives get flipped upside down when they’re voted Yearbook’s Biggest Flirts in this sassy novel from the author of Endless Summer and The One That I Want.

Tia just wants to have fun. She’s worked hard to earn her reputation as the life of the party, and she’s ready for a carefree senior year of hanging out with friends and hooking up with cute boys. And her first order of business? New guy Will. She can’t get enough of his Midwestern accent and laidback swagger.

As the sparks start to fly, Will wants to get serious. Tia’s seen how caring too much has left her sisters heartbroken, and she isn’t interested in commitment. But pushing Will away drives him into the arms of another girl. Tia tells herself it’s no big deal…until the yearbook elections are announced. Getting voted Biggest Flirts with Will is, well, awkward. They may just be friends, but their chemistry is beginning to jeopardize Will’s new relationship—and causing Tia to reconsider her true feelings. What started as a lighthearted fling is about to get very complicated…

2.5 Drink Me Potions

Biggest Flirts had such a huge potential for me to love it. I love stories where the least likeliest people find out that they can be more than what their surface selves are like, and see that they’re meant for each other.

Tia had just met Will, the New Guy. Now, Tia is a rather strong protagonist. She is very open with boys and looks forward to hook ups rather than relationships. She absolutely gets terrified of any position of authority and tries her best to weasel out of them. She’s smart, but only lets it come out when she’s upset and wants to “put things in order”. Like on a multiple choice test. Or cleaning out her house. It’s a different look for a main character that isn’t seen so often, plus she actually has a vivid personality that isn’t necessarily reminiscent of someone else. I didn’t have a problem with that.

Now, what I did have a problem with was the way she would string Will along. She knew he wasn’t the type of guy that only wanted meaningless hook ups. He wanted a relationship, one with her in fact, and he would do anything to chase her for a date.

Their cute flirting in the first week of school made sense, since Tia had secret feelings for him too. But NO! It didn’t matter that she herself knew she felt something…more for Will. No boyfriend. Period.

And to make things worse, when she saw him with another girl, she wasn’t making it easy on him to find someone else. Yes, Will was also at fault for still carrying feelings for her, but she turned him down. Repeatedly. A guy can only handle so much rejection, right? Apparently not Will.

So for most of the story, I’m waiting for her to admit that he’s the exception she should make in her no-boyfriend rule. It was torturous though! It was obvious that Will loved her, but love is a scary concept for Tia Cruz.

Just when it was getting good (finally!), the story just ends. ENDS. I’m so upset at that! I feel like I didn’t have enough of the two of them, together. The flirting between them was the only highlight for me in this story. I sat in suspense for 300+ pages to find that the story stopped way too soon.

All I can say is, I hope the next book, Perfect Couple will be less torturous for me. This was a disappointment, and I literally skimmed the last bits of the book to see if my eyes were REALLY deceiving me at the way it ended.

Overall Recommendations:
What could’ve been a really good romantic story of a girl who won’t let anyone close to her heart, and a sweet new guy who had such good chemistry with her, it turned out to be a major disappointment.

Tia was a flawed and realistic girl, wonderfully made, but she literally led Will on for the longest time. Although she said no with her mouth, her body language clearly showed she wanted to say yes. Ughh, it was torturous to wait out for her decision about him, but the ending wasn’t worth that wait. It cut off the story too soon, just as it was finally getting exciting.

Biggest Flirts may just be my most disappointing read so far. Don’t carry too many expectations at the beginning and it may be somewhat decent.