My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Genres: Christian Fiction, YA Fiction, YA Romance, YA Contemporary, YA Christian, Christian Romance, Contemporary Romance, Clean Romance |
Blurb:
One girl. One boy. One bargain…
Mina
Look, I’m no social butterfly. I don’t care what the extroverts say; talking to people is scary. I’d rather hang out with my books than actual human beings. Books don’t call you names or dump water over your head in the cafeteria.
But high school is almost over, and I’m realizing I have nothing to show for it but good grades. I need to come out of my shell if I want to get the attention of a certain football player, and I’m going to need help. My neighbor Cohen is the man for the job. Sure, his attractiveness makes me nervous, and yes, he smells obnoxiously good all the time, but it’s fine. I’ve got this.
I mean, probably.
I’ve probably got this.
Cohen
Mina’s got a thing for my buddy Jack. I’ve got a thing for getting into a good college. My plan is simple: I’ll help Mina get Jack’s attention if she’ll tutor me for the ACT. No big deal, right? But working with Mina isn’t going to be easy. Her social skills are iffy at best, and don’t get me started on her (lack of) flirting skills. It’s a good thing she makes me laugh, because we’re going to be spending a lot of time together…
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“Life is too short to be kissing boys you don’t really want to kiss, Mina. And you never know when someone you do want to kiss will show up. Just remember that.”
Cohen's sister said these wise words (I'd love for her to get her own book!!), and I absolutely fell in love with them!! I also love how the book wasn't just about Mina trying to get a man. The story was about personal growth, forgiveness, vulnerability, family, and so much more! It truly was a wholesome read!
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Let's talk about the romance aspect of the book though, shall we? IT WAS BEAUTIFUL. I ADORED IT. I was shipping Cohen and Mina SO FLIPPIN' HARD!! Their student/tutor friendship was adorable and I loved seeing that turn into something more. *wink wink*
Seriously, y'all, Cohen was SWOONY. The perfect mixture of sensitive and confident. 😍😍
Let's see some highlights...because there are a LOT!!
I shake my head. “I’m not going to teach you how to kiss Jack.” Over my dead body.
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Slowly, he lowers his chin and meets my eyes. The pain and hurt I see in his gaze almost make my jaw drop.
THIS. SCENE. OH MY GOSHHHH.
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Despite myself, I grin. She’s cheeky. “You’re impossible, Willy. You want to know what I think?”
She sighs. “Probably not.”
Whenever he called her "Willy," my heart just...GAHHHHH!!
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I debate, but only for a second. The best way to get answers to questions is to ask them. My heart thunders in my chest as I say, “I’m thinking about you.”
He raises one brow, and his smile turns into a smirk. “Good things?”
I love this! I'm a firm believer in asking questions if you want answers. 👏👏
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He’s just staring at me, his dark eyes intense, his back against the door.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” I say, my voice slightly breathless. I don’t know what to do or where to sit or what to think when he has that look in his eyes.
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I need to stop thinking about Cohen.
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Um, who doesn’t like Italian? Carbs for days. I am all about that.
This is MEEEEEEEE.
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“Because you don’t need to look like her or be like her,” he says. “You don’t have to have eyes that are the same color or any of that stuff.” He hesitates. “I actually really like your eyes, for what it’s worth.”
STOP THAT, COHEN!!!
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I nod, feeling disappointed. I cross my legs. “Do you want me to leave?”
He turns his gaze on me, and something in his eyes makes my breath catch. “Not really.” His voice is low, rough.
I want to share soooooo many more highlights, but I think y'all can tell that you need to READ THIS BOOK! Seriously.
As far as content goes: No language! There were some mild innuendo/suggestive comments, including a remark about "sleeping around the football team." Spiked drinks and drugs were mentioned at a party. Characters walked through a haunted house, and the descriptions were VERY detailed/semi-graphic (others may not have a problem with that, but it could be triggering for some readers). And even though the book is considered Christian fiction, the "religious elements" weren't overbearing.
All in all, I enjoyed this book so much! It was a cute, fluffy, fall/winter read with some AMAZINGGGGG kisses. And isn't the cover just ADORABLE?!
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About the Author:
