I really like this author, and have since she was a newbie. I like how her books tend to be a bit more explicit than a lot of contemporary authors, so I was curious how she'd handle toning it down for an NA read. Overall, the story was great. It tugs on your heartstrings a little bit. Tyler's brothers and their home life are a tough thing to read about, especially considering one of them has Downs Syndrome. I love that the author included a special needs kid that was fairly high functioning and didn't portray him as someone who was a huge burden to Tyler. That aspect of Tyler's character, plus the way that he just overall seems to be a protective kind of guy made me fall in love with him. REally, the guy did nothing to upset me at all, which usually doesn't happen in an NA book. Rory comes across as shy and awkward, but she also comes across as a bit too naive and somewhat self centered sometimes. Master of the obvious, she is not. I did appreciate that while she was a virgin, she wasn't a motive behind the story that revolved around her losing her virginity...as if it's goal to attain. One big thing that bothered me was that Rory's friend was sleeping with Tyler in the opening scene. That skeeves me out. You don't sleep with a guy that has been inside your friend. That's gross. And I'm sorry but girls are more possessive than Rory's friend. It's like she just handed Tyler off to Rory with apparently no thoughts about the situation at all. Overall, it was okay. Somewhat forgettable, but while I was reading it, I was thoroughly entertained and I liked the overall message...there is more to a person than they show you initially. You have to really get to know someone before you...REALLY get to know them. And it's almost always worth the effort.Copy of ARC provided by Penguin via Net Galley
