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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
**** 4.5 Star Review ****
Words have escaped me. Like, literally flew out the window. This book left me breathless and speechless. This is the first book of Kandi's I have read (I know I suck.), but it definitely won't be my last. I honestly wanted to read this because I loved the cover so much. Then I peeked at the synopsis and knew I had to read it.
This book is so many things. It is a little sick and twisted. It is a little sweet. It is a little rough. I can't even begin to tell you all of the things that are in this book.
I have debated on what to write in this review for days. I am still a little lost with what words I should and shouldn't give you. On the surface, this is a story of love and loss in more than one way. But it is a story that is told from such a deep place, that it holds you captive from start to finish.
I think that it is important for me to talk about the pacing of this story. Some people like everything to just happen. Bam. Right away. Not me. I prefer a slower build to things. I like progression. This one is told in the perfect build up for the plot and sub-plots, that once things get real, they are real. You will feel so many emotions by the time you are nearing the end.
I am always nervous with authors I haven't read yet. I always want to like their books. I prayed that this one would win me over. In my mind, with a cover like that, it better. (I know, judging the book by its cover. How can you not with this one?) Kandi's writing spoke to me from beginning to end. Her storytelling is written from such a place that I don't think anyone can ever match.
Words have escaped me. Like, literally flew out the window. This book left me breathless and speechless. This is the first book of Kandi's I have read (I know I suck.), but it definitely won't be my last. I honestly wanted to read this because I loved the cover so much. Then I peeked at the synopsis and knew I had to read it.
This book is so many things. It is a little sick and twisted. It is a little sweet. It is a little rough. I can't even begin to tell you all of the things that are in this book.
I have debated on what to write in this review for days. I am still a little lost with what words I should and shouldn't give you. On the surface, this is a story of love and loss in more than one way. But it is a story that is told from such a deep place, that it holds you captive from start to finish.
I think that it is important for me to talk about the pacing of this story. Some people like everything to just happen. Bam. Right away. Not me. I prefer a slower build to things. I like progression. This one is told in the perfect build up for the plot and sub-plots, that once things get real, they are real. You will feel so many emotions by the time you are nearing the end.
I am always nervous with authors I haven't read yet. I always want to like their books. I prayed that this one would win me over. In my mind, with a cover like that, it better. (I know, judging the book by its cover. How can you not with this one?) Kandi's writing spoke to me from beginning to end. Her storytelling is written from such a place that I don't think anyone can ever match.
it started so great and then it just.... ?????? changed? it was a completely different book for the last pages and i can't for the love of me understand why would anyone think it was a good idea but i loved rhodes and natalie and really want more of that epilogue
I love YA stories and I love angsty stories. This is both, so I loved it! Rhodes, twenty-two year old personal trainer in Poxton Beach Country Club gym is a broken man, with past juvie records, product of abusive foster homes. Eighteen year old and recent high school graduate Natalie Poxton is recently heart-broken by her ex-boyfriend Mason and is having an identity crisis. She’s overweight and it is suddenly brought to her attention by her parents, friends and her ex’s new girlfriend who humiliates her with her brutal scorn. Her mother convinces her to try a personal trainer to get more healthy and maybe get her boyfriend back.
When Natalie arrives at the gym, she finds Rhodes, who was a senior in high school her freshman year. She was intimidated by him then and feels the same now. He has the body of a god but a scary scowl. Trainings are brutal, her new food regime leaves her hungry all the time, but it’s giving results. More than that, as she and Rhodes develop a friendship, he shores her up and she starts to love her exercises. Her motivation starts to be about her, not to win Mason back. She’s intrigued by Rhodes and subjects him to twenty questions all the time. Sometimes he rebuffs her, other times he answers. They are a unlikely pair, he’s a past juvie and she’s the step-daughter of the town’s richest man, descendent of the town’s funding family.
Their chemistry explodes and they get intimate. She gives Rhodes the recognition he needed and he gave Natalie the self-image she needed. You could say they were what each other needed. Natalie’s identity crisis is resolved as the days pass and her self image improves. Then life intrudes and they have to face the town, Nat’s parents and the people around them. There’s a huge plot twist towards the end that left me slack-jawed and it ties all the plot elements together. It was riveting, intriguing and compelling. There’s redemption, self-improvement and fulfillment in this book. I loved Rhode’s broodiness, he had a reason for it. His twin sister disappeared in mysterious circumstances three years back and he hasn’t been able to move on. Natalie has a big heart and a low self-esteem. She loves photography but didn’t have the gumption to face her parents about her academic goals. She cared about other’s opinions and now only cares about Rhodes. They helped each other a lot and were stronger because of their union. I rooted a lot for this couple!
When Natalie arrives at the gym, she finds Rhodes, who was a senior in high school her freshman year. She was intimidated by him then and feels the same now. He has the body of a god but a scary scowl. Trainings are brutal, her new food regime leaves her hungry all the time, but it’s giving results. More than that, as she and Rhodes develop a friendship, he shores her up and she starts to love her exercises. Her motivation starts to be about her, not to win Mason back. She’s intrigued by Rhodes and subjects him to twenty questions all the time. Sometimes he rebuffs her, other times he answers. They are a unlikely pair, he’s a past juvie and she’s the step-daughter of the town’s richest man, descendent of the town’s funding family.
Their chemistry explodes and they get intimate. She gives Rhodes the recognition he needed and he gave Natalie the self-image she needed. You could say they were what each other needed. Natalie’s identity crisis is resolved as the days pass and her self image improves. Then life intrudes and they have to face the town, Nat’s parents and the people around them. There’s a huge plot twist towards the end that left me slack-jawed and it ties all the plot elements together. It was riveting, intriguing and compelling. There’s redemption, self-improvement and fulfillment in this book. I loved Rhode’s broodiness, he had a reason for it. His twin sister disappeared in mysterious circumstances three years back and he hasn’t been able to move on. Natalie has a big heart and a low self-esteem. She loves photography but didn’t have the gumption to face her parents about her academic goals. She cared about other’s opinions and now only cares about Rhodes. They helped each other a lot and were stronger because of their union. I rooted a lot for this couple!
It was really good. Took me a while to get into which is not usual for me with a book written by Kandi. Glad I toughed it out. Even if I semi predicted the ending. Love kandi’s writing !
I honestly finished this in a day, and I was guilty of "skimming" a lot. I wanted to see if my prediction about it was true, and it was. I enjoyed it - I have never been confident in myself and I could relate a lot to the main character. If I could give three and a half, I would, because I did like the book and I feel like giving it a three makes it seem as though I didn't like it. However, it didn't quite pull me in as much as some of Kandi Steiner's other novels, so I couldn't quite give it a four.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
medium-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
I really enjoyed this story. I was actually just looking for a good girl x bad boy romance and had no idea how deep this book would go.
I like how gradual the character change for Nat and Rhodes felt. I know others found his behavior a little wishy washy, but progress usually isn't linear.
Also, considering this isn't primarily a mystery/thriller book, I feel like that plot line was handled good enough. The rose tinted glasses were slowly lifted for Nat as her view of herself changed, which I think is how self growth goes for a lot of people.
Is the way Rhodes always saves the day realistic? Mmm maybe not, but it's a fiction book. The love interest is supposed to save the day!
I think Steiner handled some big heavy topics very well, and I will probably reread this book in the future.
I like how gradual the character change for Nat and Rhodes felt. I know others found his behavior a little wishy washy, but progress usually isn't linear.
Also, considering this isn't primarily a mystery/thriller book, I feel like that plot line was handled good enough. The rose tinted glasses were slowly lifted for Nat as her view of herself changed, which I think is how self growth goes for a lot of people.
Is the way Rhodes always saves the day realistic? Mmm maybe not, but it's a fiction book. The love interest is supposed to save the day!
I think Steiner handled some big heavy topics very well, and I will probably reread this book in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Fatphobia, Sexual violence
Minor: Alcoholism
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence