Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.36 AVERAGE
3.36 AVERAGE
This book is amazing! I have not been so heartbroken and moved to sobbing in a long time while reading a book... This book has it all and a shocker that will just floor you as it is sooooo unexpected. I can't recommend it enough... Please please read this!
I've really got to step up my game when it comes to a proper review.
Having taken the time to reflect on the book, I really want to give it a 2 star rating but I keep having flashbacks of how painful it was to finish. I'm still debating on whether or not I should read the second book in the series solely because it's Chase's perspective and he was my favourite character. I'm absolutely over the whole romanticizing a possessive boyfriend shtick. There is no way that Brandon wanting to beat up every guy Harper comes into contact with can be seen as romantic. I have to give him credit for being a polite guy to most people; but, that doesn't excuse the way I feel about .
The writing wasn't horrible after all, I think this author has talent but she is completely misguided when it comes to a plot line. Too much was going on at once, or maybe I just needed to be told "One Year Later" after something happened because I was completely baffled by how quickly everything happened.
Having taken the time to reflect on the book, I really want to give it a 2 star rating but I keep having flashbacks of how painful it was to finish. I'm still debating on whether or not I should read the second book in the series solely because it's Chase's perspective and he was my favourite character.
Spoiler
I was utterly crushed when he died and any hope this book had of getting a good rating from me was thrown under the bus. Chase seemed to show some real improvement as character; he gave Harper space when she asked for it and didn't pressure her to choose him over Brandon even though it was breaking his heart! He admitted to his flaws and he tried to change for the better, he was definitely a swoon-worthy bad boy.Spoiler
him marrying Harper and calling the baby his own 2 MONTHS AFTER CHASE'S DEATH. TOO SOON.The writing wasn't horrible after all, I think this author has talent but she is completely misguided when it comes to a plot line. Too much was going on at once, or maybe I just needed to be told "One Year Later" after something happened because I was completely baffled by how quickly everything happened.
"He knew this was our last time to be together too, and the mixture of love, passion, pain and sadness made for the most beautiful experience of my life."
Honestly, this isn’t a book I would have ever thought to read. The cover alone was off-putting for me, but a friend was listening to it on audiobook while I was in the car, so then I was like “what the heck, I’ll give it a go.”
Pacing was one of the biggest things for me here. To explain, let me tell a story that really has nothing to do with anything - I used to dabble in writing now and then. It was fun, I adored my characters, but I was lazy about it. They lived in my head, I knew every bit about their backstory and where they would end up. Getting there was another problem. So I tended to rush, or write in “scenes” so I could get to the parts that were crystal clear. One day I shared my stories with a friend who also liked to write, and she shared feedback. She. Didn’t. Like. My. Precious. Boy/Girl. I was shocked! How could she? Didn’t she know what they’d been through, how they were perfect for each other and just fit??? That was the point though. My writing was rushed, and I was pushing them together so I could get from point A to point G as soon as possible.
The point? Reading Taking Chances I finally, truly get what my friend was saying. The author clearly loved these characters, they were real and precious to her. And a lot was going to happen in their lives! But instead of slowing down and letting us experience those moments, we were told about then instead. We were racing from start to finish, with glimpses passing by us. They fall in love instantly, unshakingly. There are misunderstandings, and someone runs or avoids another person. Then, they talk it out, and there’s instant understanding. Not every time, but a good percentage. I mean, I didn’t even always have time to get upset at a character being wronged before they were already forgiven and moving past it. What?
There is a part that is shocking, and rattles you in a way that bumped up the rating. It seemed unnecessary, but it will forever make this book memorable.
I’m not sure if I would recommend this to anyone. Will I talk about it, probably to one or two people. Ultimately, I feel like this had a lot of unmet potential, and was a great learning experience for a writer.
Pacing was one of the biggest things for me here. To explain, let me tell a story that really has nothing to do with anything - I used to dabble in writing now and then. It was fun, I adored my characters, but I was lazy about it. They lived in my head, I knew every bit about their backstory and where they would end up. Getting there was another problem. So I tended to rush, or write in “scenes” so I could get to the parts that were crystal clear. One day I shared my stories with a friend who also liked to write, and she shared feedback. She. Didn’t. Like. My. Precious. Boy/Girl. I was shocked! How could she? Didn’t she know what they’d been through, how they were perfect for each other and just fit??? That was the point though. My writing was rushed, and I was pushing them together so I could get from point A to point G as soon as possible.
The point? Reading Taking Chances I finally, truly get what my friend was saying. The author clearly loved these characters, they were real and precious to her. And a lot was going to happen in their lives! But instead of slowing down and letting us experience those moments, we were told about then instead. We were racing from start to finish, with glimpses passing by us. They fall in love instantly, unshakingly. There are misunderstandings, and someone runs or avoids another person. Then, they talk it out, and there’s instant understanding. Not every time, but a good percentage. I mean, I didn’t even always have time to get upset at a character being wronged before they were already forgiven and moving past it. What?
There is a part that is shocking, and rattles you in a way that bumped up the rating. It seemed unnecessary, but it will forever make this book memorable.
I’m not sure if I would recommend this to anyone. Will I talk about it, probably to one or two people. Ultimately, I feel like this had a lot of unmet potential, and was a great learning experience for a writer.
Wow! What a roller coaster! I loved so much about this book. Love triangle books usually end up annoying me and I always have my favorite combination of the three characters. In this book, I took turns hating Chase and loving Brandon and loving Chase and feeling blah about Brandon. The twists and turns seriously had me gasping in shock and tears streaming down my face. I wasn't sure how the story would recover after the huge twist in the middle, but I didn't hate what happened next. I def feel that a lot of the story was far fetched and the ending was pretty drawn out, but I know I will carry parts of this book with me for a long time.
It was not what I expected at all, I'm depressed and happy at the same time.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
This book follows the story of Harper who grew up under the watchful protective eye of her Marine father. She goes to college away from base and Marine life and meets Brandon, who she falls in love with and then finds herself attracted to her roommates brother, Chase. She falls in love with both and finds herself in a mess. This story started out so great and I was rooting for Chase and Harper since Brandon seemed too good to be true but the curve balls that were thrown in this story were crazy! I didn't see them coming and made the story much more interesting. It lost it's momentum halfway through and although the story was still good, things were pretty basic and mundane. Probably won't continue the series (didn't even know it was one until i read this book and looked it up).
Ok well I just got to the part of the book that everybody keeps talking about. A major turn of events. I was crying my eyes out and it was not a pretty sight. After what I read I couldn't possibly read the rest of the book so i decided to look at spoilers. I'm really glad that I did because the spoilers that I read made me cry even more and i'm glad I didnt waste my time to finish the rest of the book. I am so frustrated and sad with this book which is very disappointing because I loved the first half of it.