"Talking without speaking. Feeling without touching."I shouldn't like this book, but I really did. I've had all these issues with this genre lately, but I keep getting sucked into reading them. And sure, yeah...this story contained some of my pet peeves. It's pretty darn angsty. The setup is a bit off the charts, and so is the melodrama. But I was glued to these pages. I don't want to even say what happens within the first few chapters because I think it would spoil the story. I went into it with only a vague idea of what to expect, and I'm glad. WHAT WORKED:I loved JAKE!!!! I know, I know...everyone loves Jake. But seriously, this guy is amazing! He's got that super protective, gentle air. He's attracted to Kayla (Mackayla, Mickey) instantly. When he witnesses the ultimate betrayal, his protective instincts kick in, and he's there to comfort her. He's her shoulder to cry on, her big strong man to rely on."I think I'm in love with this beautifully broken girl." Perfect word to describe Jake: Steadfast!!So not only is he the biggest freaking sweetheart ever, he's also a major hottie. Here's our boy...and oh, look! There are his group of cohorts in the background...I'm seeing the guy in back as Logan... I love how Jake says...in such a self deprecating manner..."I'm kind of a big deal." What a cutie!!!There was a lot of funny in this book, which I didn't expect with all of the sad subject matter. Let's face it: Kayla goes through some really horrific times within the six or so months that this book takes place. But there a moments of much needed humor to lighten the feel."His eyes bug out of his head. "Okay, smartass," he yells, but it comes out 'smuuhtuhhs.' Australians don't use R's apparently..."Oh, yeah...that Australian accent...freaking YUM!!!I also adore it when the author makes it apparent that she also is an avid reader, that she also has book boyfriends, and that she might actually obsess over them just like we do. I mean, what better way to make your readers identify with your characters than do mimic their insanity? Perfection. Shout out to Josh Bennett from [b:The Sea of Tranquility|16151178|The Sea of Tranquility|Katja Millay|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1352987353s/16151178.jpg|21547521]I loved all of the secondary characters...Jake's group of friends really were so wonderful. They instantly accepted Mickey(Kayla) into the fold, and added more of that humor to the mix, but also gave Mickey the loyalty that she didn't get from those that should have been loyal at the beginning. Here's a tidbit from Lucy, the most awesome of drunks:"...that fucking bitch has it all, ten out of ten every fucking thing. She's super smart. Like, fucking Harvard smart. She's nice to fucking everybody. She's always looked like the cover of a fucking magazine and I hate it so much and if I could get away with it I'd fucking cut a bitch for you."WHAT DIDN'T WORK:The whole back and forth between Jake and Kayla, the jealousy, the things so typical to this genre that drive me freaking batty. I mean, seriously...the dude has practically carried you through the last few months of your life...it's okay if he talks to a girl. The whole no-kissing situation started off as cute, but it eventually bugged that ever loving crap out of me. It's just too unbelievable, and with all of the other sexual things they did, not kissing seemed like an odd plot device. Also, this entire book is one HUGE TURN ON................Every...Freaking...Page...Is...Foreplay.So that "sex" scene? Left me hanging, big time. In fact, I'm not sure...did they even actually have sex? Hmmm...very disappointing. If your going to make the book THAT sexual in nature...and let's face it...this book is extremely sexual....PLEASE, for the love of God...give us some real sex. It doesn't have to be explicit but come on...Wrapping it up...I really loved this book, sort of despite myself...these characters are all normal people...no one really acts over the top or out of character for the way they were intended. Yes, it's a bit too dramatic, but I've just resigned myself to a bit of soap opera with this genre. I remember being a teenager, and a young adult. This is pretty much the way I felt about everything...emotions running amuck and all that.I see that there is another book in the works about Logan, which I'm sure we're all stoked about, especially after showing his sweetheart side to Mickey a couple of times and spouting his drunken longing for love. He hasn't found a girl that makes him feel? I bet Jay McLean can!!
 - Jay McLean)
