Expected publication: October 11th, 2013
Author's
Book summary:
Before: Reena Montero has loved Sawyer LeGrande for as long as she can remember: as natural as breathing, as endless as time. But he’s never seemed to notice that Reena even exists…until one day, impossibly, he does. Reena and Sawyer fall in messy, complicated love. But then Sawyer disappears from their humid Florida town without a word, leaving a devastated—and pregnant—Reena behind.
After: Almost three years have passed, and there’s a new love in Reena’s life: her daughter, Hannah. Reena’s gotten used to being without Sawyer, and she’s finally getting the hang of this strange, unexpected life. But just as swiftly and suddenly as he disappeared, Sawyer turns up again. Reena doesn’t want anything to do with him, though she’d be lying if she said Sawyer’s being back wasn’t stirring something in her. After everything that’s happened, can Reena really let herself love Sawyer LeGrande again?
What I liked:
Secondary characters were really done well here too, my favorite is Shelby, because she seemed real and I could always say what she was feeling.
Also it is a story that deals with some really common problems nowadays and while it shows good and bad sides it shows a real picture too.
What I didn't like:
The general problem with me is that I tend to get annoyed by books dealing with teen pregnancy. For only one reason - it's always an accident, but in reality it never is. Well, my love, if you knew how to have sex then for sure you must know the consequences of it. I know I sound heartless, but it frustrates me a lot. Let's get real, this is 21st century, the age of STD and we all had educational classes, not to mention that protection is easily available. Therefore I hardly can sympathize with Reena. She is actually main problem for me here. I had no idea what she was feeling and in general what she wanted out of her life. It annoyed me a lot. The lack of some details can also be added as the thing I didn't like here.
Another thing that I must add is that ending. Yes the time has passed but forgiveness is not earned easily.
Ratings: 3 stars.
Until the next time,
I didn't enjoy this one that much either, Tanja. I loved Shelby and the fact that this tackled issues like teen pregnancy, but my main issue was with Sawyer who just never won me over. Also, it was kind of hard to sympathize with Reena when we had no idea how she even became pregnant. It seemed as if they were being safe, but maybe the condom broke? I don't know - it never says. Just, suddenly, she's pregnant which was jarring and jolted me out of any other type of emotional connection I may have felt for Reena. Great review, Tanja - thanks for your honesty!
OdgovoriIzbrišiYeah they didn't basically talk about it at all and it sort of happened. I had no idea what Reena's feelings were. Thanks Keertana :)
IzbrišiI actually tend to dislike stories that jump between past and present, I always find it so very distracting. I'm glad the secondary characters were great, but teen pregnancy tends to annoy me too (unless it's Juno we're talking about).
OdgovoriIzbrišiI'm glad I decided not to download this, it's not something I'd enjoy reading.
Lovely review as always.
I need to read Juno's story so I can have a good example of it. Thanks Maja :)
IzbrišiStories about teen pregnancy tend to be hit or miss for me too. I'm glad you still enjoyed the story enough for 3 stars, but I understand your reservations completely. Lovely balanced review!
OdgovoriIzbrišiIt had its nice moments, but some issues really bothered me. Thanks :)
Izbrišisecondary characters, yay! Though.. I'm not really big on past-present type of writing. I prefer for it to be mostly in present since usually the past ruins it for me :( What did you think of Sawyer? I hear that he's the reason that some people didn't love this novel and basically hated it. I'm glad you were able to enjoy it, but I do get your frustration with Reena.
OdgovoriIzbrišiI like when it's divided! Honestly I couldn't understand him, same like Reena I couldn't feel either of them.
IzbrišiHmm, not a fan of teen pregnancy, it just makes the characters who were involved really unlikeable from the get go.
OdgovoriIzbrišiLovely review, Tanja! <33
Yeah same here. Thanks Mel :)
IzbrišiAh I am sorry you didn't like this one more. :(
OdgovoriIzbrišiI actually really enjoyed it because it felt very real to me with the first love deal and how things don't always work out the way we want it to with our first loves.
I'm glad you did enjoy it. Yeah it wasn't for me.
IzbrišiI won this book via the publisher (haven't received it yet), but I'm looking forward to read it. I quite liked the idea around the story and I like the cover a lot! Sorry to hear that you didn't like it, I hope it will be a better experience for me.
OdgovoriIzbrišiI hope you'll enjoy it more than me Sandra. Thanks :)
IzbrišiI've been very curious about this book! I tend to like books about teen pregnancy, so I might enjoy it.
OdgovoriIzbrišiThanks for sharing, Tanja!
You probably will. Thanks :)
IzbrišiSounds like an interesting book. I'm not even going to get into the teen pregnancy statement because I've been there ... and there were precautions taken. But there is no birth control that is completely 100%
OdgovoriIzbrišiIt can be an accident, I didn't say that, only in YA books it never really is. Like here, they didn't even talk about protection. That's what bothers me.
IzbrišiI've read a lot of reviews for this and they haven't been real great. The forgiveness thing seems to be a common issue.
OdgovoriIzbrišiThe teen pregnancy issue can be frustrating, but I guess I have to agree with Christy that sometimes precautions are taken and they just don't work. So I don't have a huge issue with books about it because it's realistic. However, there are lots of teens that DON'T take precautions so it's frustrating.
It was really unbelievable. I didn't want to spoil things but mostly they don't even talk about protection or anything. That's what bothers me.
IzbrišiYeah that's my opinion.
OdgovoriIzbrišiI'm sorry that this book left you hugely frustrated Tanja. I actually was able to connect with Reena's character quite well, but did feel that the ending was resolved far too quickly! I hope your next read is a lot more enjoyable!
OdgovoriIzbrišiI'm so happy for you, and yes the ending was really rushed and for me unlikable. :) Thanks Jasprit :)
IzbrišiI hate books with teen/accidental pregnancies too. I have read quite a few awful reviews of this book so I have no intention of wasting my time and energy on it. Thanks for sharing your perspective Tanja! :)
OdgovoriIzbrišiJanhvi @ The Readdicts
You should skip this one if you don't like the topic. I'd, but I didn't know it was dealing with teen pregnancy! Thanks Janhvi :)
IzbrišiMy biggest fear for this one Tanja is that I hold grudges. Mean ones. So I worry I just won't be able to forgive him for leaving her when he finds out she's pregnant, even if he does come back and work hard to work things out. I think it's because for me, no time has passed since he left, so I'm still dealing with that tangle of anger and pain, but time has passed for Reena so she's more likely to try and work things out. Your mention of the ending has me thinking maybe I should just pass on this one for now until I learn to get over my grudges ;-)
OdgovoriIzbrišiI couldn't and didn't. It's not the grudges you hold simply some things cannot be forgiven that easily. Maybe you should :)
IzbrišiI'm reading Jenny's comment above and totally agreeing with it, Tanja. I would have a hard time forgiving this guy. I've read other reviews for this book and have determined that this is not for me. It sounds like this wasn't really for you either. I agree with you about teen pregnancy, but I have to say that protection doesn't always work. The condom can break and the pill is not 100%. But it sounds like nothing was used here. Tough lesson.
OdgovoriIzbrišiGreat honest review! :)
I think it's normal, the way I see it. I don't know but forgiveness here was really unbelievable. Of course that accidents can happen, but if you don't use protection there is nothing accident there. Thanks Rachel :)
IzbrišiHmm, this one is new to me but I know now that this isn't for me because your dislikes are usually mine and the MC sounds like she could be annoying. I agree about the pregnancy thing, tough love from me, as well. Thanks for sharing!
OdgovoriIzbrišiIt's a really tough love. This book is not for everyone I guess. Thanks :)
IzbrišiYes that too, and he didn't deserve it for sure. I really liked the way it's written and writing, but everything else not so much.
OdgovoriIzbrišiI tend to find teen pregnancy stories make me uncomfortable. Actually, I rarely enjoy reading books about pregnancy at all, teen or otherwise. So the premise for this one puts me off entirely, but I'm glad you liked the use of past and present storytelling. Great review, Tanja!
OdgovoriIzbrišiI'll avoid them from now on as well. Thanks Sam :)
IzbrišiImmediately I hope that she says no to him. She would be a fool to get back with him. No excuse is viable for leaving a girl alone pregnant with your baby and even if you didn't know... i's still rude to just leave without a trace.
OdgovoriIzbrišilol. I loved your little mini rant on teen pregnancy. It's true that you can only blame yourself. If you come out of it strong then you have an inspiring story but if you blame other then you are just sad.