Introducing: Sweet Summertime Reads + GIVEAWAY!

I love to read all year round, but there's something special about the summertime, and the books that go along with it, that entice my want to read even more.  I have teamed up with Tara from Ficition Folio, as well as the lovely ladies Estelle & Magan from Rather Be Reading to give you: SWEET SUMMERTIME READS! 

For the next few weeks each of us will be featuring different summertime reading related posts on our blogs.  We're hoping to recommend some new books for you to check out this summer, highlight a few of our favorite authors, incorporate fun summer-themed bookish posts, and even offer giveaways to stock up on your summer reading piles!  I hope you're all excited, because the four of us are SUPER pumped to bring you all this summer goodness and then some.

Sweet Summertime Reads officially kicks off on Saturday, May 26th - so be sure to visit Fiction Folio, Rather Be Reading, and right here at GReads for your official guide to summertime reading :)

To get things started, enter my GIVEAWAY for one of my most favorite authors: Jennifer Echols!  Her books are the perfect summertime reading material, no matter if you're poolside or in route to a vacation getaway!  I adore her stories and I want to share them with you all, as well.  Be on the look out in the coming weeks for my special post dedicated to this fabulous author.

Jennifer Echols Giveaway: ENDLESS SUMMER + SUCH A RUSH pre-order

(this giveaway is open INTERNATIONAL - where ever book depository ships)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Waiting On: Such a Rush

Such a Rush by Jennifer Echols
to be published: July 10, 2012

A sexy and poignant romantic tale of a young daredevil pilot caught between two brothers.

High school senior Leah Jones loves nothing more than flying. While she’s in the air, it’s easy to forget life with her absentee mother at the low-rent end of a South Carolina beach town. When her flight instructor, Mr. Hall, hires her to fly for his banner advertising business, she sees it as her ticket out of the trailer park. And when he dies suddenly, she’s afraid her flying career is gone forever.

But Mr. Hall’s teenage sons, golden boy Alec and adrenaline junkie Grayson, are determined to keep the banner planes flying. Though Leah has crushed on Grayson for years, she’s leery of getting involved in what now seems like a doomed business--until Grayson betrays her by digging up her most damning secret. Holding it over her head, he forces her to fly for secret reasons of his own, reasons involving Alec. Now Leah finds herself drawn into a battle between brothers--and the consequences could be deadly. {goodreads.com}

IT'S JENNIFER ECHOLS, PEOPLE. Seriously - do you need more reason to want to add this book to your TBR list?!  I adore this woman's writing like WOAH.  Her attention to sexual tension is ridiculous and her ability to pull you in as a reader is monumental.  I have read every thing this woman has published, and will continue with this novel come July.

P.S. There are brothers. TWO BROTHERS. If you know my reading tastes then you understand my excitement over this. Holy moly.

P.P.S. This cover is soooo different from her other novels, but I LOVE IT.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Major Crush by Jennifer Echols

Major Crush by Jennifer Echols
Published: August 1, 2006 by Simon Pulse
Received: gifted by Yani - thank you!

Tired of the beauty-pageant circuit, Virginia Sauter tosses her tiara, pierces her nose, and auditions for the most unlikely of roles — drum major of the high school marching band.

Virginia wins, but is forced to share the title with Drew, whose family has held the position for generations. Sure, Drew is hot, but because of his superior attitude, he and Virginia are constantly arguing. That is, until they share more than just their half-time salute...

But as the drum major's heated competition turns to sizzling romance, explosive rumors threaten everything — including the band's success. Love seemed to be a sure hit, but Virginia and Drew may be marching straight into disaster. {goodreads.com}

I thought I had read everything by one of my favorite authors, Jennifer Echols.  But then I realized WAIT! I have a book sitting on my shelf that my good friend Yani sent me.  I'll be honest, the cover turned me off right away.  My first reaction was -- cheesefest to the max!  I hate to admit that I judge a book by it's cover, but come on.. we all do it from time to time, right?!  Considering this was written by the fabulous Jennifer Echols, and knowing it was part of her romantic comedy series, I definitely wanted to give it a try.  Boy was that a pleasant surprise!  I loved this book. LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!  It was the perfect dose of just enough comedy and swooney times.  Jennifer Echols is the master of this.

Another reason why I fell so hard for this book?  The main character is named VIRGINIA!!  For those that don't know, Ginger is short for Virginia.  Yes, that is my legal name ;-)  It's always exciting to see your name in print in a book.  Though I know this story wasn't written ABOUT me, it sure as heck had a lot of similarities to my high school days.  Virginia is the drum major for her high school marching band.  She's gotten the role as the first female drum major in her school's history.  So the pressure is on.  But wait, she has to share her duties with her co-captain Drew.  Leave it to Echols to write in a dark haired, dreamy boy.  Both Virginia and Drew are at opposite ends, attempting to create a contest winning band from different angles.  Instantly you know the two will clash and fall head over heels for each other, but it was the getting there part which made it so much fun to read.

I'm noticing a trend in Echols steamy scenes too.  What is going on with those back seats?!  Never have they looked so flattering and enticing!  If you've read her other book Forget You, then you know what I am referring to.  Bring on the backseat sexytimes!  I adored Virginia's character.  Though she kept things dry and sarcastic most of the time, we also saw a glimpse in to her character growth.  Jennifer Echols did a fine job of keeping the story in tune with it's romantic comedy genre, yet exposing the reader to a bit more under all that fluff.  I think that's why I found myself so engaged in this book.  There was a nice balance of just enough humor and romance, but with some substance to counter-act it.

If you're looking for a quick read to tide you over, I highly recommend Major Crush.  I read this book over Thanksgiving break and found it to be the perfect dose of goodness to relax me and pull me away from every day stresses.

Author Interview: Jennifer Echols

You may have seen me mention YA author Jennifer Echols a time or two on my blog.  Ok let's be real - more like a gazillion times!  She is, after all, one of my FAVORITE contemporary authors for young adult fiction.  Her books speak directly to me, and pull me inside the pages.  Her stories are filled with characters that I can physically see and imagine myself knowing.  But let's cut to the chase, this woman knows how to write sexytimes in YA lit.  She does it with such brilliance and modesty that sometimes you have to stop, re-read a sentence or two, and then let the steaminess simmer awhile before turning the page.

I am BEYOND excited to be a part of the Teen Book Scene book tour for her latest novel, Love Story.  If you stopped by my blog yesterday then hopefully you read my review for it; as well as entered the AMAZING giveaway for not one, but THREE of her novels!  I was asked to propose a few interview questions that Ms. Echols can only answer in 10 words or less.  Me being someone who likes to talk, I commend her for her efforts! I know it would have been difficult for me to accomplish.

In 10 Words or Less...

1. Besides writing fantastically amazing books, I know that you are a copy editor.

Tell me 10 of your favorite words.

Ubiquitous, seedy, penultimate, tingle, obsequious, soporific, misspell, pabulum, phototropic, hot.

2. What are Meg & John After from Going Too Far up to these day?

Working, finishing school, and having a great time together.

3. Can we expect any follow-ups to your previous books?

I don’t like reading sequels so I don’t write them.

4. How does it feel to see yourself as a full time author?

It’s everything I ever wanted. I hope to stay here.

5. Best moment about writing Love Story?

Hunter’s story about the planets. That came out of nowhere.


That was definitely short & sweet!  Thanks again to Jennifer Echols & Teen Book Scene for putting this together.  Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY for a chance to win Love Story, Going Too Far, & Forget You.

Love Story by Jennifer Echols + GIVEAWAY!

Published: July 19, 2011 by MTV Books
Received: advanced reader's copy from the author, thanks Jennifer!

For Erin Blackwell, majoring in creative writing at the New York City college of her dreams is more than a chance to fulfill her ambitions--it's her ticket away from the tragic memories that shadow her family's racehorse farm in Kentucky. But when she refuses to major in business and take over the farm herself someday, her grandmother gives Erin's college tuition and promised inheritance to their maddeningly handsome stable boy, Hunter Allen. Now Erin has to win an internship and work late nights at a coffee shop to make her own dreams a reality. She should despise Hunter . . . so why does he sneak into her thoughts as the hero of her latest writing assignment?

Then, on the day she's sharing that assignment with her class, Hunter walks in. He's joining her class. And after he reads about himself in her story, her private fantasies about him must be painfully clear. She only hopes to persuade him not to reveal her secret to everyone else. But Hunter devises his own creative revenge, writing sexy stories that drive the whole class wild with curiosity and fill Erin's heart with longing. Now she's not just imagining what might have been. She's writing a whole new ending for her romance with Hunter . . . except this story could come true. {taken from goodreads.com}

My love for Jennifer Echols is endless, her books winning me over time & time again.  When I contacted her on a whim, wanting to read this book, I was blown away by her personal response saying yes, I can read an early copy!  Definite fangirl-ness went down that day.  Her ability to pull you in and feel as though you know the characters is obvious in every book she writes.  This one in particular intrigued me because it was a story, centered around another story.

Erin is a gifted writer, hoping to win an internship so that she can fulfill her dreams of becoming a published author, and not the owner of her family's horse farm.  She goes against her grandmother's wishes and follows her writing path to New York, in turn losing all financial strings attached to her family's inheritance.  The idea of chasing after what you want, and not following someone else's path, is bold and daring.  While Erin is chasing down this dream, she encounters a boy from her past.  And he's not just any boy.  He is Hunter, the stable boy for which she's written her latest piece about, as well as the stable boy who is planning to take over her inheritance.  The two immediately clash finding themselves in the same writing program.  The choice that Erin felt so confident about making before has suddenly become heavy on her mind.  Is writing really worth giving up her family's horse farm?  And why is Hunter in her head way more than she'd like to admit?

Jennifer Echols brings the angst and tension once again.  I was constantly turning the pages, hoping and wondering, what will happen next between Erin and Hunter.  Though the build felt a little shaky at some points, over all the story kept me engaged.  It was also interesting to read an "older" young adult book for a change.  Since these characters are college-age, the material had a more mature tone in parts.  Being someone who has experienced the excitement and confusion of those crucial years after high school, I felt myself relating to different aspects of the story.  Not quite an adult, but not exactly a teenager anymore either.  If you're a fan of Jennifer Echols writing, I suggest picking up this book.  Her stories are always unique and her passion for tension among characters is always evident!

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Want a chance to read Love Story? Along with Going Too Far and Forget You??  Then enter my GIVEAWAY by clicking on THIS FORM RIGHT HERE.  I am beyond excited to be hosting this giveaway courtesy of Simon & Schuster & Big Honcho Media.  If you are new to Jennifer Echols then this is the PERFECT prize pack for you!  She is one of my favorite YA authors and I am so pleased to be sharing her amazingness with one of my lucky followers.

***UPDATE: Winner has been announced! GIVEAWAY is now closed. Thanks to every one who entered & I hope you all have a chance to read these fabulous books soon.

Giveaway Rules:
+ One entry per person
+ Open to U.S. residents only
+ Giveaway ends July 27th, 2011

Endless Summer by Jennifer Echols

Published: May 25, 2010 by Simon Pulse
Received: Bought from Barnes & Noble

Two irresistible boys. One unforgettable summer.

Lori can’t wait for her summer at the lake. She loves wakeboarding and hanging with her friends--including the two hotties next door. With the Vader brothers, she's always been just one of the guys. Now that she’s turning sixteen, she wants to be seen as one of the girls, especially in the eyes of Sean, the older brother. But that’s not going to happen--not if the younger brother, Adam, can help it.

Lori plans to make Sean jealous by spending time with Adam. Adam has plans of his own for Lori. As the air heats up, so does this love triangle. Will Lori’s romantic summer melt into one hot mess? {taken from goodreads.com}

So I thought I'd do something different with this book review.  While I share my love for this epically awesome summer romance tale, I thought I'd provide visuals so you can grasp the full effect . The amazing Jennifer Echols' divulges a story about a girl, two brothers, and one HOT summer at the lake that I could not put down!

Lori has grown up next door to the Vader brothers, Sean and Adam her whole life.  Their summers consist of working at the Vader family marina during the day, wakeboarding in the late afternoon, and attending the famous Friday night parties at the Vader household.  For as long as Lori can remember she has been hopelessly in love with Sean.  But this summer is different.  She has a plan, and that plan consists of Lori strutting her womanly figure around in a bikini to grab Sean's attention and make him fall just as hard for her.  Little does Lori know, it's the attention of another Vader brother, Adam, that she's been capturing all these years.  As the plan unfolds, Lori realizes that everything she thought she loved about Sean may not be the truth.  Being in-love-crush is a tricky thing.  The heart likes to mask flaws that we don't always see and present to us a vision that is not necessarily the truth.

As the smoldering summer continues, so does Lori's desire to snag Sean.  And what better way to grab the guy of your dreams? Well make him jealous of course!  So when Lori comes up with the plan to steal Sean's heart by pretending to date Adam, she is in for a surprise of her own.  Jennifer Echols had set the stage for some steamy times between Sean and Lori, but it was the moments with Adam and Lori that set the pages on fire!  Even though their relationship is just a set-up, the emotion between these characters is far from fake and as the reader, you begin to wonder - when will Lori see what's right in front of her?  Adam is the carefree, spontaneous brother.  The one who acts first, then thinks later.  He is drawn to Lori because she is unlike any of the other girls.  Growing up around boys, she knows how to stand her own ground and be "one of the guys".  Yet Adam starts to see her girlish side too.  The side that makes his heart flutter and his stomach do flip flops.  Though he agreed to go along with Lori's plan to make Sean jealous, he knows his brother is not the guy for her - he is.  So Adam develops a plan of his own, to snag Lori for real.

I love summer romance books probably the most when it comes to YA lit.  So when I heard that one of my favorite authors had written a novel about just that, I knew I had to read it!  Jennifer Echols does not hesitate in the steamy factor.  I love her writing style when it comes to teenage love.  Young love is meant to be messy, complicated, weird, and above everything else.. sweet.  The relationship between Lori and Adam in this book was all of that and then some.  Aside from the characters, it was the setting that grabbed my attention as well.  After reading this book, I now want to live on a lake with total access to boats, wakeboards, boys, and plenty of sunshine year round.  Who wouldn't??!!  Visualizing the setting was so easy for me.  I could see Adam standing on that dock, pushing off with one foot, and throwing his body in to the boat with the other.  I could also see Lori trekking across the grassy lawn to the Vader house next door in her high heels, just hoping to grab the attention of a certain boy. 

Once again I am totally, & completely in love with a summer romance book.  Endless Summer is a bind up of Echols first novel titled, The Boys Next Door and then follows up with Endless Summer - the continuation of Lori and Adam's story.  Though it is meant to be two separate books, I read it straight through as one.  It all came to a head with a stream of fireworks and of course with me wanting more.  I always want more.  If you're itching for a swoon-worthy summer read, I HIGHLY recommend this one.  It is the perfect amount of fun and romance that is un-put-downable. 

Book Bloggers DO sell books!

There's been some talk around the blogosphere about how book bloggers don't sell books & that our reasons for blogging are to receive free books.  Well I am here to tell you that THIS book blogger has bought MANY books due to reviews & recommendations that I have seen through out twitter & the blogging community.  I'll even prove it to you!  No, I am not displaying receipts.. but I am going to share a few of my favorite books that I would have never bought if it weren't for the rec's I received from my fellow book blogger buddies.

It was Anna from Anna Reads love for John After that made me pick up Going Too Far.  And I am so, so glad that I did!  If you are in need of a compelling YA contemp, I suggest you pick up this outstanding book written by Jennifer Echols.  Pick up the rest of hers while you're at it too.  You won't be disappointed!


My muse for book blogging, the ever so sweet Brit Jess from Jess Hearts Books mentioned The Body Finder on her blog & immediately after reading her review, I bought the book!  Yes, it was that convincing people.  I am so, so glad I did because I have really enjoyed Kimberly Derting's tale of Jay & Violet.  Speaking of.. Desires of the Dead, the sequel, is out TODAY!  Go ahead & grab both copies while you're at it.


I won the first 5 books in the Vampire Academy series from Jamie at Writers Write, Right? just before the 6th & final book was published.  Oh yes.. if it weren't for Jamie, I would have never picked up these books & then went on to purchase the final book, Last Sacrifice.  Ok maybe not never.. but it would have been awhile before they made it on my TBR list.


Tara from Fiction Folio gave an outstanding review for Unearthly by Cynthia Hand back in January.  So outstanding, that I went straight to B&N online & bought my own copy!  I was going to wait on the debut novel, but I am so, so glad I did not.  It is definitely one of my top fav reads so far in 2011!  For fans of paranormal romances, I highly recommend this book. 


The idea that book bloggers sell books is obvious when it comes to Sloppy Firsts & the rest of the Jessica Darling series for me.  To name a few of my book blogger buddies who convinced me that I had to read these books asap are, Carla from The Crooked Shelf, Anna from Anna Reads, & Jen from Makeshift Bookmark (who's recent review put my desire to read these books over the edge!)  Megan McCafferty has created one of the best renditions of what it means to be a teenager.


My most recent book purchase came from Jacinda & Jasmine's Valentines Day book rec's at The Reading Housewives of Indiana.  They chose Rich and Mad as one of their favorite love stories.  It being a YA contemp that I had not read yet, I just HAD to get my hands on it!  So thank you to those fabulous ladies for suggesting it.

If you need more proof that Book Bloggers DO sell books, check out Shannon from Books Devoured vlog!

So tell me, do you believe book bloggers sell books?  And if so, which ones stand out on your bookshelf?  I'm not quite sure I'd know where to go in a bookstore if it weren't for my book blogger buddies - so THANK YOU for selling me all the awesome books that you have.. & keep them coming!!!

Authors We ♥: Jennifer Echols

Have you read anything by this awesome Romantic Fiction for YA author?!  If not.. YOU SHOULD!  Jennifer Echols blew me away with Going Too Far & then again with Forget You.  Her writing style is unique & heart-felt.  She has the ability to capture the reader & put them inside these timeless tales.  It's refreshing to read a YA book about romance that is not filled with hearts & rainbows.  Relationships are hard, even at 17 years old.  Huge praise to Jennifer Echols for touching on some pretty heavy issues & giving her characters a voice that will never be forgotten.

Be sure to add Love Story to your TBR lists! Her newest YA novel is due out this summer!

Going Too Far

- Published March 2009

HOW FAR WOULD YOU GO?

All Meg has ever wanted is to get away. Away from high school. Away from her backwater town. Away from her parents who seem determined to keep her imprisoned in their dead-end lives. But one crazy evening involving a dare and forbidden railroad tracks, she goes way too far...and almost doesn't make it back.

John made a choice to stay. To enforce the rules. To serve and protect. He has nothing but contempt for what he sees as childish rebellion, and he wants to teach Meg a lesson she won't soon forget. But Meg pushes him to the limit by questioning everything he learned at the police academy. And when he pushes back, demanding to know why she won't be tied down, they will drive each other to the edge -- and over....

Forget You - Published July 2010

WHY CAN’T YOU CHOOSE WHAT YOU FORGET . . . AND WHAT YOU REMEMBER?

There’s a lot Zoey would like to forget. Like how her father has knocked up his twenty-four- year old girlfriend. Like Zoey’s fear that the whole town will find out about her mom’s nervous breakdown. Like darkly handsome bad boy Doug taunting her at school. Feeling like her life is about to become a complete mess, Zoey fights back the only way she knows how, using her famous attention to detail to make sure she’s the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and the perfect girlfriend to ultra-popular football player Brandon. But then Zoey is in a car crash, and the next day there’s one thing she can’t remember at all—the entire night before.

Did she go parking with Brandon, like she planned? And if so, why does it seem like Brandon is avoiding her? And why is Doug—of all people— suddenly acting as if something significant happened between the two of them? Zoey dimly remembers Doug pulling her from the wreck, but he keeps referring to what happened that night as if it was more, and it terrifies Zoey to admit how much is a blank to her. Controlled, meticulous Zoey is quickly losing her grip on the all-important details of her life—a life that seems strangely empty of Brandon, and strangely full of Doug.

Love Story - Published July 2011

Erin Blackwell is headed to college in New York City to study creative writing and earn a living as a romance novelist. Her grandmother has other plans: she approves of the college, but she wants Erin to major in business and then come back home to Kentucky to run the family’s famous racehorse farm. There is no way Erin will agree. Studying in New York and writing her way into a career is her escape from the farm and the family tragedy that happened there. So Erin’s grandmother decides Erin really will live life as a starving artist. She takes Erin’s future job running the farm, her inheritance, even her college tuition, and gives them all to Hunter Allen.

Hunter has lived on the farm for years. He’s Erin’s age, he’s the stable boy, and he’s the romantic dream of every girl in her high school. But he was involved in the family tragedy. Erin has always given him a wide berth. And he’s a slick opportunist. She’s furious that he fooled her grandmother into giving him Erin’s birthright and sending him to Erin’s college.

At least she’s free of him in her creative writing class. So she pens a story that has haunted her lately, in which the horse farm heiress at the very first Kentucky Derby starts a forbidden affair with the lowly stable boy. Unfortunately for her, the day she’s sharing this story with her New York classmates, Hunter walks in. He’s switching to her class. And after reading about himself in Erin’s story, he writes his own sexy assignments that lure Erin into dangerous fantasies about what could have been between them, and what might be.

Forget You by Jennifer Echols

There’s a lot Zoey would like to forget. Like how her father has knocked up his twenty-four- year old girlfriend. Like Zoey’s fear that the whole town will find out about her mom’s nervous breakdown. Like darkly handsome bad boy Doug taunting her at school. Feeling like her life is about to become a complete mess, Zoey fights back the only way she knows how, using her famous attention to detail to make sure she’s the perfect daughter, the perfect student, and the perfect girlfriend to ultra-popular football player Brandon. But then Zoey is in a car crash, and the next day there’s one thing she can’t remember at all—the entire night before. Did she go parking with Brandon, like she planned? And if so, why does it seem like Brandon is avoiding her? And why is Doug—of all people— suddenly acting as if something significant happened between the two of them? Zoey dimly remembers Doug pulling her from the wreck, but he keeps referring to what happened that night as if it was more, and it terrifies Zoey to admit how much is a blank to her. Controlled, meticulous Zoey is quickly losing her grip on the all-important details of her life—a life that seems strangely empty of Brandon, and strangely full of Doug.
{taken from goodreads.com}


This book has been sitting in my TBR pile for a few months now & for whatever reason I kept passing over it to read something else.  Finally, I sat down last night to read a few pages.. which turned in to a few hundred pages! and I finished the book in less than 24 hours.  Was this book the best I've read in young adult contemporary? No.  But it was entertaining & the story kept me intrigued.  Plus there was one seriously hot bad-boy that I did not want to close the book on! ha!


The story starts out with Zoey finding her mom almost dead, over-dosing from a bounty of sleeping pills.  Zoey goes through the motions of calling 9-1-1, escorting her to the hospital, and even getting a cold shoulder from her father (who has left her mother for a knocked up 24 year old).  While sitting in the waiting room, she notices a boy from school is there, Doug.  The same boy who has been her enemy for the past few years all due to a mix-up about him going to juvie & not taking her to homecoming, as promised.  Zoey is mortified & afraid that Doug will use this information about her mom against her & ruin the perfect image she has cast upon herself among her friends & swim team mates at school.


In the verge of losing all self control Zoey does what she does best, puts on a smile & acts as though everything is fine.  She goes to the last beach party of the summer where all her friends are, including Brandon.  Without even realizing it, Zoey finds herself in the backseat of Brandon's car & every bit of her in-control self has gone out the window.  From there she manipulates her mind in to assuming that her and Brandon are now "boyfriend & girlfriend" and that what she did was acceptable.  But that is not how reality plays out.  It appears that Zoey begins chasing Brandon in an effort to keep the facade of their relationship in tact.  It all comes to a crashing hault when she is confronted by Doug at a football game one Friday night, telling her that she needs to wake up & realize that Brandon doesn't care about her.  His undertones also imply that he's worried about her actions & that she isn't dealing with what's truly happening in her life: her mother attempting suicide & being admitted to a psychiatric hospital.  This is the last thing Zoey remembers before she wakes up in a crushed car, on the side of the road, & Doug is the one pulling her to safety.  His softness & need to protect her confuses her & leads her to believe she must have hit her head pretty hard.  In the days to follow, she realizes that she can't remember anything from that night.  Not the accident, or the events leading up to it.


Zoey makes it her mission to discover those events & understand what has happened.  It is her nature to control every situation, smooth things out, & make everything appear to be perfect.  She has been taught her whole life that the most important thing is outer appearance.  If she can make every look alright, then it must really be alright.  Doug has different plans though.  Plans that force Zoey to dig deep within herself & battle the demons she's been harboring for so long.


I really enjoyed the tug-of-war relationship between Zoey & Doug.  It develops over time & comes across in a realistic manner.  The struggles that this seventeen year old girl has to deal with will break your heart, though.  I wanted to reach through the pages at times & give her a hug, telling her it will be alright.  Zoey's humor & lightheartedness is what carries the story for me.  When she's up against the world, she manages to throw out one liners that can make you smile.  Yes, things are pretty awful & we want to just crawl in a hole & not come out.. but she finds it within herself to trudge forward.  And when she can't, Doug is right there beside her to help her along the way.  


Jennifer Echols is a superb young adult author.  I will pick up anything with her name on it, especially after reading Going Too Far (see review here for it).  She's very descriptive with her words & puts you right in the middle of the action.  I tend to enjoy young adult lit that has dark undertones, with a bit of fluff.  And that is exactly how I'd describe Jennifer Echols writing style: realistic with a soft landing.

Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols

All Meg has ever wanted is to get away. Away from high school. Away from her backwater town. Away from her parents who seem determined to keep her imprisoned in their dead-end lives. But one crazy evening involving a dare and forbidden railroad tracks, she goes way too far... and almost doesn't make it back.
 
John made a choice to stay. To enforce the rules. To serve and protect. He has nothing but contempt for what he sees as childish rebellion, and he wants to teach Meg a lesson she won't soon forget. But Meg pushes him to the limit by questioning everything he learned at the police academy. And when he pushes back, demanding to know why she won't be tied down, they will drive each other to the edge - and over... 
{taken from goodreads.com}


This book had my name written all over it.  Misguided teenage girl crosses paths with straight-laced, wholesome teenage boy.  Boy attempts to save girl, but really ends up saving himself in the process.  I know this story has been told time & time again, but I always enjoy reliving it.  


This girl in particular, Meg, has blue hair, smokes pot, gets drunks, screws guys, and refuses to make any plans what so ever that may force her to stay tied down.  She is wild and uncontrollable, but as the story unfolds little cracks start to show in her facade.  John is the straight A, goal driven, right path kind of guy.  He is also on the police force and happens to arrest Meg one night on this fateful bridge that holds such a strong significance through out the story that it could almost be considered a character of it's own.  Meg's punishment is to spend her spring break riding shotgun next to John and see things from another set of eye's.  Perhaps eyes that would teach her not to push the limit because you never know, it might just push you all the way over the edge.


As they spend more time together, it becomes obvious that Meg forms a crush on John and vice-versa.  However, since their backgrounds are so different, neither one wants to admit their feelings for the other.  Meg plans to leave town after graduation and never come back.  John plans to stay in this town and never move up in the police force.  Both are hiding deep secrets that are just too painful to ever surface.  They don't realize just how alike they really are.


Going Too Far is a beautifully written story about realizing your fears, dealing with the pain, and moving forward.  Love can be found in the least likely situations.  Will Meg overcome her fear of being handcuffed & locked down, even if it is John's handcuffs who hold her tight?  I really enjoyed this story and would recommend it to anyone.  I'm planning to read more from this author as well.