Some people wait decades to meet their soul mate. Courtney Kaufman suspects she met hers in high school—only to lose him at seventeen. Since then, Courtney’s social life has been a series of meaningless encounters, though she’s made a few close friends along the way. Especially her roommate, Max Cooper, who oozes damaged bad-boy vibes from every pore.
Max knows about feeling lost—he’s been on his own since he was sixteen. Now it’s time to find out if he can ever go home again, and Courtney’s the only one he trusts to go with him. But the trip to Providence could change everything….
It started out so simple. One misfit helping another. Now Max will do anything to show Courtney that for every heart that’s ever been broken, there’s another that can make it complete.
Other books in the series:
I’ve read my fair share of New Adult books, including a ton of them set at college. I enjoy the books, but tend to see the hero’s being the ones with money or the rich parents. Every so often you get the girl as the rich one, but usually she’s just making it, not super well-off. Aguirre changes that with this book about a well-off, Jewish (love this), bi-sexual (double love this) heroine who doesn’t flaunt her wealth, but it’s very much a part of her existence, living the college life and still trying to find her own way.
If my life were a romantic comedy, I wouldn’t be the star. I’d be the witty, wise-cracking friend, telling the Reese Witherspoon character to follow her heart…
So speaketh, Courtney Kaufman. She’s a woman with curves, short/purple hair, and a gamer. In fact, as I read this book there were multiple moments where I thought this girl reminded me of a close friend. How Aguirre wrote my close friend’s personality into this petite, smart ass, sarcastic woman beat me, but I found it so easy to relate to her and want—nay, long for Courtney to get her happy ending.
Then there’s the hero, Max. He’s sweet, caring, guarded, and oh-so-the-tortured soul. I’m a sucker for a tortured hero and Max fits the bill. He comes from a rough past, one that he hasn’t volunteered to anyone. The guy is also probably the hardest working hero ever. With Courtney he finds someone to confide in. The time it takes for this romance to blossom is magical and filled with a bit of self-induced/family drama.
Though Max may be tortured and in need of some saving, Courtney has her own issues to work through from past relationships to standing up for herself. Aguirre presents the obstacles in a realistic way with a touch of fictional luck. Even with a few right place/right time situations there is still plenty of conflict. Also, pacing is set up perfectly and I enjoyed the fact that Courtney and Max weren’t in insta-lust, nor did the jumping into bed together happen right away.
Of the few sex scenes in the story they are… in a word, HOT. Beyond their connection, Max is the most caring lover and Courtney blooms in his arms. External conflict is present, though not in abundance, and there’s a good cast of secondary characters. I can only imagine whose story is coming next.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and found myself happy inside Courtney’s head. Not often do I one hundred percent enjoy first person POV, but for this book it was perfect. This is for readers who enjoy Christina Lee.
Reviewed by Landra
Heat Level: Hot
