What do you think?
Rate this book
First published February 1, 2014
People don’t always get me right away…. and some never do. When I find people who understand me, I stick with them. I’m fiercely loyal.While on this journey, something happens she never expects. She meets someone. Campbell is sweet, sexy and fun. He is different from Auden in a lot of ways, but they compliment each other. He gives Jason a run for his money when it comes to lovable and swoony heroes. Those matchbooks... I LOVED!
“I’m falling for you.”While in Europe, Auden finds out something that shakes her to her core. I loved how Campbell was there for her through this. Not to push or to pry, but to just be there. To help her be strong. This story is more than just a romance. It’s a story of self-discovery and a story of a woman finding her place in the world.
“I fell a long time ago.”
"You scare me," I whispered.
"You fucking terrify me." He laughed, his voice cracking with the words. He closed the distance between us, gripping my hair with his hand and pulling me close. "Don't push me away. I want to know you, Auden. All of you."
So I am going to be totally honest here. I love Melissa Brown. She's adorable and loves HenCav and is so super sweet. But when you tell me that a character in the novel is based on a certain someone- I am barely going to be able to focus.
I almost feel like the only thing that really matters about this book is Campbell. And you know why?? Because this is the muse for Campbell.
That's right ladies. The entire time you read this book, you get to picture this fine piece of man meat. Seriously. The whole time.
But there is some other stuff that happens in this book. And actually this book isn't really about Campbell. It's actually Auden's story.
Now again, being perfectly honest, I was not always Auden's biggest fan. In the very beginning, I thought that she and I were kindred spirits. But as we went on, I found that Auden acted like an immature 23 year old so often that it was hard for me to always sympathize with her. But then, I realized that when I was 23, I acted like a 23 year old and I started to soften towards Auden. I put myself in her shoes and really started to try and understand her. And when I did I started to like her a lot.
On one hand, her youthful exuberance made her a fun character. Packing up and moving to Europe to be a tour guide was so awesome and I actually envied her in real life. And at times I loved her carefree attitude. And for the most part- she was really good with Campbell. I honestly kept expecting her to do something stupid when it came to him. But I mean when your boyfriend looks like this:
you do everything you can to keep that man. EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING. And Auden did. She had her fears but she worked through them every time and didn't run from her feelings for Campbell. But then again, who could run from him??
So in that respect, I really like Auden. But there has to be a twist of course and the one that eventually happens was a big one. My heart broke for Auden when she had to work through this secret. I felt her anger and pain and I was totally with her. But I sometimes felt like Auden was being unkind and unfair to the wrong people. Now, I have never had this experience so I cannot say how I would act.
But what was truly great about Auden was watching her grow up. I think Auden in the beginning of this book and Auden at the end were almost two different people. And I loved that. Because it's real. In my own life, there came a time where I had to grow up and I saw that in Auden and I appreciated it.
But again, I have to say to back to Campbell. I love that Brownie didn't make us suffer through some huge drama between Campbell and Auden. Not that I don't love the angst, but I just liked being able to enjoy a couple and have them deal with the other parts of life that are stressful. Sometimes relationships are the best thing you have when everything else goes to shit and I am so glad she let us experience that in this book. Was the relationship always smooth sailing? No- but it wasn't a pit of drama and I appreciated that!