Confessions of 2 Book Lovers: August 2013

Welcome to our stop on the Something Great Blog Tour! Check out our review and get to know the author a bit!

She didn’t know what she was missing…until he found her.

Maxwell Knight was positively trouble, dangerously good-looking, and seductively charming. He was everything Jeanella didn’t need in her life. Only Maxwell didn’t see it that way. His pursuit was relentless, making her even more determined to push him away.

Fresh out of college, life was simple and plain for Jeanella Mefferd. Every part of her life was smooth sailing; her friends, her job, and even the guy she’d started dating. Then one night, while at dinner, she spotted someone who made her feel things she’d never felt before—dangerous, heart pounding and breathless heat. Thinking she would never see him again, she brushed it off, but when she started to run into him unexpectedly, all she could think of was how he made her feel with his sweet flirtations. Everything about Maxwell Knight screamed trouble, especially when she found out he was her new boss’s son. Now, heading to a New York fashion show, would she be able to focus on her career instead of Maxwell, who had been scheduled to attend with her? As much as she tried to forget their encounters, his good looks, smooth words and determination to win her over gravitated her toward him. The next thing she knew, her mind was utterly consumed by him. Would she be willing to ignore all the dangerous signs and jump into his arms? Or would she miss out on the chance of finding something great?

I really enjoyed the first part of the book. It was a solid 4. Guy and girl see each other across a restaurant, eyes lock…instant attraction for both of them. Unfortunately, she has a boyfriend and he’s there with someone else. But call it fate or serendipity, they keep running into each other. And let the wooing ensue!

I really did like the first half of the book. I love the dance between Max and Jenna…will then end up together? Will Jena give in and start dating him? She was obviously attracted to him but she isn’t convinced that she should dump her perfectly good boyfriend for a guy she doesn’t know. But Max is sweet. He keeps up the wooing, to gain her affection. And they were small and simple things. He sent her flowers, rice Krispy treats and lunch dates.

I liked Max, he was a nice guy. He was hot and he knew it. But he knew what he wanted and he went after it. And he wanted Jenna.

My issues came after 50%...(and this is where it lost a star). Max declared his intentions and his interest and I couldn’t help feeling like there was nothing left to tell. Either they were going to be together for the next 50% of they were going to do the annoying routine of break up and get back together multiple times. Unfortunately, it was a little of both. Max and Jenna were blissfully happy for most of the second half. And I found myself a little bored. Then, there was a huge issue that the author did a good job of setting up throughout the book but when it happened (and they broke up), everything was forgiven too quickly. I just felt like it was a lost moment. All set up and little payoff.

Oh, and I have to address the ending...I was led to believe that there was a cliffhanger. THAT IS NOT TRUE. You can make the argument that it's a "to be continued" or a "wanting more" ending, but I was satisfied with it.

But, I was impressed with the author’s work, and it was (overall) an enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend it to others and I would read more from the author.

Everyone is in luck because this book is currently on sale for $0.99!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Mary Ting resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing her first novel, Crossroads Saga, happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl. When she started reading new adult novels, she fell in love with the genre. It was the reason she had to write one-Something Great. Why the pen name, M Clarke? She tours with Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children’s chapter book-No Bullies Allowed