March 7, 2015

Abbreviations #4 | Last Will and Testament, Rebound + Make It Last

Today, we have three mini-reviews for some new adult novels I've read recently. Spoiler alert: I really liked them all! The first features relationship between a student and her TA (lots of swoons for this one). Second, we've got a budding romance complicated by personal issues and business ties. And third is about the unexpected reunion between two exes and what happens when they meet again years after their break-up. Hope you enjoy these!

Last Will and Testament book cover
Last Will and Testament by Dahlia Adler
Series: Radleigh University #1
Publisher: Self-published
Publication Date: December 9, 2014
Source/Format: Bought || Kindle e-book

Last Will and Testament is certainly a new adult title that I'd recommend. It's filled with fun quips, smart-ass one-liners and romantic tension up the wazoo! Main character Lizzie seriously jumps off the page, worming her way into your heart with her brutal honesty, her determination to make things right for her brothers and the fact that she doesn't always make the best choices. (Bonus points for her being half-Filipino!) And then, there's Connor, a history nerd, TA and all around good guy (which is basically my type, FYI), who shares such wicked banter and swoony moments with Lizzie. Adler certainly knows how to write believable chemistry! What's even better is that she also manages to balance the romance with the other aspects of Lizzie's life - her studies, her brothers, her friends, her peers. It's pretty well-crafted in that sense, so hats off to Adler for accomplishing that. Clearly, Last Will and Testament left a very favorable impression. I laughed, I cried, I swooned; basically, I was thoroughly entertained. Go and grab a copy to read if you haven't already!

Rebound book cover
Rebound by Noelle August
Series: Boomerang #2
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Publication Date: February 10, 2015
Source/Format: Borrowed from Hannah (Thanks!) ||  ARC

Of all the new adult novels out on the market, the ones I enjoy most combine fun + swoons. Boomerang was one of the first that hit my sweet spot, and the sequel Rebound was pretty great too! I liked that readers learn a little more about Adam Blackwood, founder and owner of Boomerang, a smart guy with a charming veneer and a vulnerable soul. He’s met his match in Alison Quick, daughter of one of his potential investors, beautiful, talented and surprisingly vulnerable too. These two face a few obstacles when it comes to their budding romance, both as individuals haunted by their pasts (PSA: Alison is Ethan’s ex!) and collectively as two people who are trying to do business. But this doesn’t stop them from acting on their undeniable attraction either! These two get to do a lot of fun things (Surfing! Diving! Horseback riding! Skiing), which was definitely a plus. But the drama got a little too intense for me at times, and I didn’t connect as much with the characters (though I liked them)! While it by no means surpassed my love for Ethan and Mia and their hilarious circumstances, Rebound is very fun and a great addition to this series.

Make It Last book cover
Make It Last by Megan Erickson
Series: Bowler University #3
Publisher: William Morrow Impulse
Publication Date: January 6, 2015
Source/Format: Bought || Kindle e-book

Last year, I read Make It Count and Make It Right nearly back-to-back. I had fallen hard for the characters that Megan Erickson brought to life in both novels, and the same is true of Make It Last, where readers follow Cam Ruiz as he returns to his hometown and finds himself unexpectedly reunited with the ex-girlfriend who broke his heart, Tate Ellison. Oh man, y’all, I really, really adored Cam. He’s such a wonderful guy, kind, thoughtful and always willing to lend a hand. Readers are treated to seeing a more vulnerable side to Cam, particularly when it comes two of the most important women in his life – his mother and Tate. Tate, oh Tate. I wanted to stay angry with her, but as her situation in life is laid bare, it’s impossible to do so. In fact, it’s hard not to feel a combination of pity (at the difficulty of it all) and admiration (for how she does her best to handle it on her own) for her. Together, these two confront the past, work things out in the present and dream about the future – and it’s a treat. I’m a sucker for a good first love story (and a return to an old flame story), and Cam & Tate share a particularly sweet relationship. Together with great supporting characters and amazing cameos from old favorites (!!!!!), Make It Last was definitely wonderful. If you haven’t yet indulged in the Bowler University series, consider this a PSA to do so.

5 Comments:

  1. Katherine @ Neon Yeti ReadsMarch 7, 2015 at 6:17 PM

    I haven't ventured into new adult too much recently, but I do want to pick up Boomerang! It sounds super fun. I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the first book and the sequel too.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm kind of bummed out that the cover for Make it Last went all sexual when the other two were just cute :/

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lena @ Addicted 2 NovelsMarch 9, 2015 at 3:34 PM

    I've been meaning to read all three of these. Best get to it then, eh? :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Danielle @ Love at First PageMarch 10, 2015 at 5:59 PM

    I didn't enjoy Rebound as much as Boomerang either, but it was nice to get to know Adam better; he intrigued me so much in the first book! My heart definitely broke for him, but I wanted him to move on too.
    Make It Last was a fun story! I'm glad that series remained so light hearted.

    Great reviews, girl!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love NA that combines fun and swoons too! And while I liked Rebound, it didn't quite for it for me like Boomerang did but I am SO SO excited that Grey is the focus of the next one. I wanted more of his character from the minute I met him!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for leaving a comment! I love seeing what you have to say, and will try to reply (here or on Twitter) as soon as I can :)