abercrombie1986 's review for:

4.5
emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

 
This one was such a sleeper for me.  I had never read anything by the author and took a chance on it.  So glad I did.  What a quirky book full of quirky characters that have some weightier issues to deal with.

I love that Christa was a strong willed woman doing what she loved.  As if it isn’t enough that’s she’s had to deal with her father dying in a plane crash when she was a child, she is now having her life disrupted as he is found to be alive and well.  

While this is listed as a romance and published by Berkley Romance, I love that this one explores more meatier issues of coming of age, dysfunctional families and being yourself.  The romance almost takes a backseat to all this and the friendship that first developed between Christa and Nate.  And the witty and charming banter between these two.  Kept me wanting more.

Since the media takes such an interest in Christa’s family and their reaction to their father’s return, there are all types of media between the chapters covering the story.  I really enjoyed this break to the story and while it could have been a real hindrance to flow, I liked the added value.  And this is purely a me thing, but I love chapter headings.  There was a type of vegetation or wildlife as the chapter heading along with a sketch of it.  Fits totally in the quirky vibe.

I love Abbi’s writing style and found it easy to read.  I will definitely be looking up her other novels.

Jesse Vilinsky and Jonathan Todd Ross  narrate Christa and Nate and made the story leap off the page.  I loved listening to them bring it to life and thought their narration added to my enjoyment.