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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Enjoyable. Quick read. The end was very abrupt, though. Not sure I feel like continuing the series.
Title: Down for the Count
Author: Christine Bell
Series: Yes - can be read as standalone
Cliffhanger: No
Release Date: October 1, 2012
Rating: 4
HEA:
This book starts with Lacey Garrity looking for her new husband during their reception. She calls his phone and hears the ring in a closet. When she opens the door she finds her brand new husband in the middle of having sex with one of her childhood best friends who is one of her bridesmaids. Lacey is of course distraught and just wants to get away. Lucky for Lacey her best friend Cat and Cat’s brother Galen come over and they help her escape. Galen takes her away while Cat deals with the reception.
That is basically the very beginning of the book that sets up the rest of the story. Lacey decides that she wants to get away and that she will do that in Puerto Rico where she was going to be on her honeymoon. Galen comes to have a vacation and keep Lacey company. Of course while there both Lacey and Galen’s feeling grow. Lacey has always had a crush on Galen and he is starting to really let his feelings for Lacey come to the surface.
It’s hard not to give away too much but this is one of those books where what you expect to happen pretty much happens. That being said I did really enjoy this book. Even though Lacey and Galen have known each other pretty much all their lives this book did have an instalove quality to it. That is one of my main pet peeves in books.
However, this book does that only thing that a book can to counteract some of my hatred for that trope. And that is to make it feel like it isn't instalove. In this book we see a lot of Lacey and Galen spending time together and we get to see them getting to know each other more. With many instalove books sex is the way that we see the characters connect. Either that or superficial communication. With Lacey and Galen the interactions felt real and the sex was a continuation of that instead of it carrying the connection between the two.
I loved both Lacey and Galen, especially Galen. He was thoughtful and considerate of Lacey but also knew what he needed. It’s great when the male character knows what he wants and works to get it while also knowing that he can't just push it on the person he wants to be with. I don't know how to explain it but Galen did that well. He did have his stupid moments as well as Lacey. Those moments felt more realistic than some other books I have read recently.
Although I really liked this book there were some things that could have been better. The first is the betrayal of Lacey’s husband and childhood friend. That was such a tiny part of the book and was obviously just a reason to get Lacey and Galen together in Puerto Rico. But as a reader I didn't feel it. We only see the friend when she is caught and never again. I think the addition of maybe seeing that best friend since childhood helping Lacey get ready would have made the betrayal have a bigger impact. Basically if we are shown how close they are it would make us as the reader really feel how bad it is to be betrayed by a friend like that. I know that her husband is at fault as well but for reasons you see in the story the best friend betrayal should hurt worse and I didn't feel bad about any of that at all.
The only other thing that I didn't like too much was that it ended abruptly. I wish there was more. That is partially because I love Lacey and Galen and just want more of them in general and also because it just felt like it got cut off right before it really finished. That might just be me though so who knows.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. It is one of the rare times I have really enjoyed a book that I got for free on kindle. In fact it is so rare when I liked it so much that I buy the next one.
Side note: I would have said more about Galen’s career but it doesn't really have an important role in this book at all in my opinion.
Author: Christine Bell
Series: Yes - can be read as standalone
Cliffhanger: No
Release Date: October 1, 2012
Rating: 4
HEA:
Spoiler
YesThis book starts with Lacey Garrity looking for her new husband during their reception. She calls his phone and hears the ring in a closet. When she opens the door she finds her brand new husband in the middle of having sex with one of her childhood best friends who is one of her bridesmaids. Lacey is of course distraught and just wants to get away. Lucky for Lacey her best friend Cat and Cat’s brother Galen come over and they help her escape. Galen takes her away while Cat deals with the reception.
That is basically the very beginning of the book that sets up the rest of the story. Lacey decides that she wants to get away and that she will do that in Puerto Rico where she was going to be on her honeymoon. Galen comes to have a vacation and keep Lacey company. Of course while there both Lacey and Galen’s feeling grow. Lacey has always had a crush on Galen and he is starting to really let his feelings for Lacey come to the surface.
It’s hard not to give away too much but this is one of those books where what you expect to happen pretty much happens. That being said I did really enjoy this book. Even though Lacey and Galen have known each other pretty much all their lives this book did have an instalove quality to it. That is one of my main pet peeves in books.
However, this book does that only thing that a book can to counteract some of my hatred for that trope. And that is to make it feel like it isn't instalove. In this book we see a lot of Lacey and Galen spending time together and we get to see them getting to know each other more. With many instalove books sex is the way that we see the characters connect. Either that or superficial communication. With Lacey and Galen the interactions felt real and the sex was a continuation of that instead of it carrying the connection between the two.
I loved both Lacey and Galen, especially Galen. He was thoughtful and considerate of Lacey but also knew what he needed. It’s great when the male character knows what he wants and works to get it while also knowing that he can't just push it on the person he wants to be with. I don't know how to explain it but Galen did that well. He did have his stupid moments as well as Lacey. Those moments felt more realistic than some other books I have read recently.
Although I really liked this book there were some things that could have been better. The first is the betrayal of Lacey’s husband and childhood friend. That was such a tiny part of the book and was obviously just a reason to get Lacey and Galen together in Puerto Rico. But as a reader I didn't feel it. We only see the friend when she is caught and never again. I think the addition of maybe seeing that best friend since childhood helping Lacey get ready would have made the betrayal have a bigger impact. Basically if we are shown how close they are it would make us as the reader really feel how bad it is to be betrayed by a friend like that. I know that her husband is at fault as well but for reasons you see in the story the best friend betrayal should hurt worse and I didn't feel bad about any of that at all.
The only other thing that I didn't like too much was that it ended abruptly. I wish there was more. That is partially because I love Lacey and Galen and just want more of them in general and also because it just felt like it got cut off right before it really finished. That might just be me though so who knows.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. It is one of the rare times I have really enjoyed a book that I got for free on kindle. In fact it is so rare when I liked it so much that I buy the next one.
Side note: I would have said more about Galen’s career but it doesn't really have an important role in this book at all in my opinion.
Full Review posted at A Book Lovin' Mama's Blog
There are some steamy scenes in this book between Lacey and Galen. Galen shows how Lacey is to be loved and adored, unlike her jerk of a groom. Don’t worry; truths will be revealed in this book about Lacey’s groom.
This happened to be my first book by Christine Bell, and overall, I enjoyed it. I give it four stars.
There are some steamy scenes in this book between Lacey and Galen. Galen shows how Lacey is to be loved and adored, unlike her jerk of a groom. Don’t worry; truths will be revealed in this book about Lacey’s groom.
This happened to be my first book by Christine Bell, and overall, I enjoyed it. I give it four stars.
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
