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Maverick
Kellen Handler is in deep.
Ever since he can remember, he’s wanted to be a professional surfer. And he made it, rising to the top of the ranks, traveling the world and riding every break he’s ever dreamed of. His good looks and reputation for living on the edge—both in and out of the water—have made him an international superstar. But when his best friend dies in a tragic accident, Kellen wipes out big time, spiraling so badly that everything he’s worked for starts to disintegrate.
Tour officials scramble to do damage control and demand he work with a public relations company to clean up his bad boy image. It doesn't help that the person assigned to him, Gina Bellori, has her own demons associated with the surfing world.
Against her better judgement Gina accepts the job and concentrates on repairing Kellen's tattered reputation, despite his protests and despite the pain it causes her. With her past colliding with her present—and Kellen in the thick of it—she begins to realize that some secrets can't stay hidden.
And suddenly, Kellen Handler is no longer worried about losing his career.
He's more worried about losing his heart.
Ever since he can remember, he’s wanted to be a professional surfer. And he made it, rising to the top of the ranks, traveling the world and riding every break he’s ever dreamed of. His good looks and reputation for living on the edge—both in and out of the water—have made him an international superstar. But when his best friend dies in a tragic accident, Kellen wipes out big time, spiraling so badly that everything he’s worked for starts to disintegrate.
Tour officials scramble to do damage control and demand he work with a public relations company to clean up his bad boy image. It doesn't help that the person assigned to him, Gina Bellori, has her own demons associated with the surfing world.
Against her better judgement Gina accepts the job and concentrates on repairing Kellen's tattered reputation, despite his protests and despite the pain it causes her. With her past colliding with her present—and Kellen in the thick of it—she begins to realize that some secrets can't stay hidden.
And suddenly, Kellen Handler is no longer worried about losing his career.
He's more worried about losing his heart.
213 pages, ebook
First published May 21, 2013
28 people are currently reading
976 people want to read
About the author
Anna Cruise
29 books462 followersAnna Cruise has been writing and drooling over boys since middle school. Lots of years have passed but some things never change...
Her novels include IT WAS YOU, IT WAS ME, IF I FALL, SET IN STONE and MAVERICK. Additional titles releasing during 2013 include a stand-alone NA, DOWN BY THE WATER and two untitled novels.
Her novels include IT WAS YOU, IT WAS ME, IF I FALL, SET IN STONE and MAVERICK. Additional titles releasing during 2013 include a stand-alone NA, DOWN BY THE WATER and two untitled novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
September 6, 2013
3.5 STARS
There really was so much going against this book. On its own, it's pretty hard to sell an adult contemporary romance between a hugely successful professional surfer with a sob story and the similarly haunted publicist sent to fix his wrecked image. The potential for cliches is astounding, all of which Maverick delivered on. If you're looking for something original and fresh, mixing surfing with mediocre angst is probably as far as this book will take you.
But the ride really wasn't that bad. After getting my mind screwed pretty thoroughly by my last read, I found myself enjoying the predictable turns this story took me in for.
What this book lacked in originality, it totally made up for with character likability.
Kellen was my biggest surprise. He's a professional surfer who carries the baggage of losing his best friend in a freak accident and he deals with it thru drunk sex and punching disgruntled boyfriends in bars. The moment he started to rationalize his misogyny to Gina, the snark was full on locked and loaded.
Thankfully some redemption was in the horizon. How he ended up reasonable and obedient, knowing when to defer to Gina in matters that are not his expertise (which pretty much covers everything outside sex and surfing, heh) was squee-worthy. Or maybe it was the knowing when to shut up and belt out an apology that did me in.
I love me some apologetic, surfer dudes… especially when they're shirtless in my brain.
Gina as the publicist who fell for her client is begging for some hate and I think I may have gone there a good couple of times here. I may have raised an eyebrow over one scene where she was because Jesus H, what is this, the 50's? But I really appreciate that she's good at her job and admire her tenacity in the face of all that has happened to her in the past.
Not so much her reason for resisting Kellen in the first place (outside the professionalism issue) which makes absolutely no sense for a smart woman like her.
This was told in an alternate POV and I really liked that it shifted from Kellen to Gina's perspective when it best served the reader's interest and not as something that feels forced to balance out the POV counts. Kellen's thoughts were pretty credible as a male written by a female author. This usually means peppering the character's inner monologues with expletives to cut the maleness across which Anna Cruise successfully avoided… by falling through a different kind of trap.
I dunno, the over-description, not to mention noticing other girls' nail polish and eyeliner, ruins the maleness for me. And I wasn't sure if he was concerned about the beach or the shoes in that one. And speaking of fashion choices.
I respect our individual fashion preferences and all, but my fashion preference is hoping he's using that belt to go hang himself for even considering that get-up.
I quite appreciated that the romance wasn't in-your-face saccharine cheese and diabetus since most of the gushing and fawning were in the characters' minds and they pretty much acted like rational people on the outside. The last 20% did succumb to the stereotypical rescue and everything gets resolved by the universal power of mind-blowing condom-less sex but at 90-ish% I felt raging about it was pointless anyway.
So a cliche-ridden but enjoyable read that I feel is best consumed after getting thoroughly mind-screwed by your last book.
ARC provided by the author thru NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
There really was so much going against this book. On its own, it's pretty hard to sell an adult contemporary romance between a hugely successful professional surfer with a sob story and the similarly haunted publicist sent to fix his wrecked image. The potential for cliches is astounding, all of which Maverick delivered on. If you're looking for something original and fresh, mixing surfing with mediocre angst is probably as far as this book will take you.
But the ride really wasn't that bad. After getting my mind screwed pretty thoroughly by my last read, I found myself enjoying the predictable turns this story took me in for.
What this book lacked in originality, it totally made up for with character likability.
Kellen was my biggest surprise. He's a professional surfer who carries the baggage of losing his best friend in a freak accident and he deals with it thru drunk sex and punching disgruntled boyfriends in bars. The moment he started to rationalize his misogyny to Gina, the snark was full on locked and loaded.
Thankfully some redemption was in the horizon. How he ended up reasonable and obedient, knowing when to defer to Gina in matters that are not his expertise (which pretty much covers everything outside sex and surfing, heh) was squee-worthy. Or maybe it was the knowing when to shut up and belt out an apology that did me in.
I love me some apologetic, surfer dudes… especially when they're shirtless in my brain.
Gina as the publicist who fell for her client is begging for some hate and I think I may have gone there a good couple of times here. I may have raised an eyebrow over one scene where she was because Jesus H, what is this, the 50's? But I really appreciate that she's good at her job and admire her tenacity in the face of all that has happened to her in the past.
Not so much her reason for resisting Kellen in the first place (outside the professionalism issue) which makes absolutely no sense for a smart woman like her.
This was told in an alternate POV and I really liked that it shifted from Kellen to Gina's perspective when it best served the reader's interest and not as something that feels forced to balance out the POV counts. Kellen's thoughts were pretty credible as a male written by a female author. This usually means peppering the character's inner monologues with expletives to cut the maleness across which Anna Cruise successfully avoided… by falling through a different kind of trap.
He wore a white polo with the organization's logo on the front in tiny red letters, a pair of black shorts and loafers I was sure were full of sand. There should be a rule about wearing shoes on the beach.
I dunno, the over-description, not to mention noticing other girls' nail polish and eyeliner, ruins the maleness for me. And I wasn't sure if he was concerned about the beach or the shoes in that one. And speaking of fashion choices.
I checked my reflection in the mirror, then after a moment, tucked the shirt into my shorts and grabbed a belt from my closet.
I respect our individual fashion preferences and all, but my fashion preference is hoping he's using that belt to go hang himself for even considering that get-up.
I quite appreciated that the romance wasn't in-your-face saccharine cheese and diabetus since most of the gushing and fawning were in the characters' minds and they pretty much acted like rational people on the outside. The last 20% did succumb to the stereotypical rescue and everything gets resolved by the universal power of mind-blowing condom-less sex but at 90-ish% I felt raging about it was pointless anyway.
So a cliche-ridden but enjoyable read that I feel is best consumed after getting thoroughly mind-screwed by your last book.
ARC provided by the author thru NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
November 4, 2013
Initial reaction: This is one of those times when I feel torn about a rating because there was quite a bit in this that took turns away from the typical New Adult novel, but at the same time, it doesn't shed many of the stereotypes and some things had me feeling a little ragey at the consideration.
But for what it's worth, I liked Kellen and Gina's relationship, at least watching it in its better moments and for the fact that the two actually talked out their issues. That's far different than from what most authors do in this genre. Was it dramatic? In turns, yes, but not overly so for the situations and conflicts that were in each of the characters lives.
Still, I had a few bones to pick. Hopefully I can explain more in the full review.
Full review:
Anna Cruise's "Maverick" is the first novel I've read from the author. The premise in this is very promising, about a surfer grieving over the loss of a good friend and mentor, but as his grief consumes him, his prospects in his career fall by the wayside. A manager, Gina, is hired to help get Kellen's affairs in order, but the two of them embark on a much closer relationship than the professionalism of their careers demand. Likewise, they both have heavy measures of grief to carry and have to navigate through those trials.
This book started really sluggish, and I'll admit, the writing itself left much to be desired. I wasn't pulled into the narrative, and worst for wear on a collective perspective? This book is told in two perspectives that aren't delineated in the text as they come up. Rule of thumb: if you are writing from two perspectives in first person, NOTE the perspective of who's talking at the beginning of the chapter, otherwise it's very easy to get lost as a reader. I'll admit a few times when reading the narrative, I had to reorient myself as to whom was speaking, and that threw me out of the narrative, especially in the beginning.
The novel goes through Kellen's grief - he's also got attachment issues as evidenced with his actions in the beginning. I liked the descriptions of his being on the water, and I liked Kellen's attachment to the sport (being someone who is not only weak for any story centered on the water, but also sports). I did not like him as a character at first. I think as Gina came into the picture, the story became so much more interesting. Gina starts off as a no-nonsense agent that helps Kellen repair his public image in different ways. I definitely like the descriptions of Kellen working with the kids at the swim camp as well as Gina and Kellen's confrontation with the family of the guy Kellen punched at the beginning of the novel. I also appreciated hearing Gina's backstory and at the very least the interesting measure of grief that she had within the novel.
I definitely appreciated Kellen and Gina's ability to talk out their issues and own up to the things they did wrong. Was it a little quick for resolution? Yeah, but at least there was an attempt for the characters to be human and redeem themselves for parts of the palpable conflict. And I did like watching their relationship grow, at least the few parts of the novel where that was actually shown, rather than told.
But there's a lot of conflict in this novel that came across as contrived. I don't want to say that this book follows in the typical New Adult formula (abrasive hero, weak heroine, rape or attempted rape used a conflict plot point, instalove, etc), but it does hit a few of the aforementioned stereotypes. And it came across as really obvious that they were put in just to throw the conflict out there, so that the hero and heroine could reunite. That vexed me, especially with one last curveball towards the end.
I wish that the novel had a bit more vetting out, more showing than telling, and such for it to be a better experience. But it was okay, at least for an introduction to this author. I'm not sure if I'm going to continue reading Anna Cruise's novels at this point, but I will say there were parts of this novel I liked. But it still could've been much better than what it provided.
Overall score: 2/5 stars
Note I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher.
But for what it's worth, I liked Kellen and Gina's relationship, at least watching it in its better moments and for the fact that the two actually talked out their issues. That's far different than from what most authors do in this genre. Was it dramatic? In turns, yes, but not overly so for the situations and conflicts that were in each of the characters lives.
Still, I had a few bones to pick. Hopefully I can explain more in the full review.
Full review:
Anna Cruise's "Maverick" is the first novel I've read from the author. The premise in this is very promising, about a surfer grieving over the loss of a good friend and mentor, but as his grief consumes him, his prospects in his career fall by the wayside. A manager, Gina, is hired to help get Kellen's affairs in order, but the two of them embark on a much closer relationship than the professionalism of their careers demand. Likewise, they both have heavy measures of grief to carry and have to navigate through those trials.
This book started really sluggish, and I'll admit, the writing itself left much to be desired. I wasn't pulled into the narrative, and worst for wear on a collective perspective? This book is told in two perspectives that aren't delineated in the text as they come up. Rule of thumb: if you are writing from two perspectives in first person, NOTE the perspective of who's talking at the beginning of the chapter, otherwise it's very easy to get lost as a reader. I'll admit a few times when reading the narrative, I had to reorient myself as to whom was speaking, and that threw me out of the narrative, especially in the beginning.
The novel goes through Kellen's grief - he's also got attachment issues as evidenced with his actions in the beginning. I liked the descriptions of his being on the water, and I liked Kellen's attachment to the sport (being someone who is not only weak for any story centered on the water, but also sports). I did not like him as a character at first. I think as Gina came into the picture, the story became so much more interesting. Gina starts off as a no-nonsense agent that helps Kellen repair his public image in different ways. I definitely like the descriptions of Kellen working with the kids at the swim camp as well as Gina and Kellen's confrontation with the family of the guy Kellen punched at the beginning of the novel. I also appreciated hearing Gina's backstory and at the very least the interesting measure of grief that she had within the novel.
I definitely appreciated Kellen and Gina's ability to talk out their issues and own up to the things they did wrong. Was it a little quick for resolution? Yeah, but at least there was an attempt for the characters to be human and redeem themselves for parts of the palpable conflict. And I did like watching their relationship grow, at least the few parts of the novel where that was actually shown, rather than told.
But there's a lot of conflict in this novel that came across as contrived. I don't want to say that this book follows in the typical New Adult formula (abrasive hero, weak heroine, rape or attempted rape used a conflict plot point, instalove, etc), but it does hit a few of the aforementioned stereotypes. And it came across as really obvious that they were put in just to throw the conflict out there, so that the hero and heroine could reunite. That vexed me, especially with one last curveball towards the end.
I wish that the novel had a bit more vetting out, more showing than telling, and such for it to be a better experience. But it was okay, at least for an introduction to this author. I'm not sure if I'm going to continue reading Anna Cruise's novels at this point, but I will say there were parts of this novel I liked. But it still could've been much better than what it provided.
Overall score: 2/5 stars
Note I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher.
August 25, 2013
The ocean was an extension of myself, the only place where I could find solace and peace. And even though I'd lost my best friend to it, I couldn't let it go, couldn't turn my back to it. I couldn't exist without it.
There was something in his voice, in his eyes, something that hinted there really was more to him than the public persona I'd read about. He was damaged.
If I'm being honest here, what initially drew me in to read this was the hot cover. What? Like you've never done that! Please!
I was so happy to find that this book was filled with more depth than I had when I was choosing it. :)
Kellan Handler is a professional surfer. It is all he's ever dreamed of doing, and the ocean is the only thing that is able to give him peace.
He hits the water hard, and parties even harder. His reputation and good looks never leave him without a female body in his bed. But he's not interested in anything more than a casual hook up. So he goes through women like he goes through waves; he find one, takes it on, and then moves on to the next one.
But beneath the shallow exterior, still waters run deep. He is still dealing with the pain of losing his best friend in a tragic accident; his hidden grief causing him to walk a fine life that can ultimately cost him everything.
When tour officials essentially tell him that he either clean up his image or be suspended from the tour, Kellen reluctantly agrees to work with the PR rep assigned to him, Gina Bellori.
Gina is dealing with demons of her own. But unlike Kellan, hers are buried even deeper, and she refuse to let them break the surface.
When Kellen and Gina begin to work together on righting his image, things began to blur. The damaged guy is forcing Gina to fight even harder to keep her demons hidden. All of a sudden her past begins to collide with her present, with Kellen right in the center of everything and her feelings are becoming more difficult to control.
Kellen begins to find that for the first time in his life, he wants something more from a woman other than a few moments spent between the sheets.
She knew everything about me and pretty much the only thing I knew about her was her name. And that she was starting to get under my skin. In more ways than one.
Can the two damaged souls heal each other? Or will the secrets that they keep ultimately cost them everything?
I really enjoyed this one, and read it pretty much in one sitting. I really loved Kellan, but had a few issues with Gina and her behavior. While Kellan's past and secrets come to the surface fairly early in the book, Gina's tragic past takes a little longer to learn about.
These two characters were both damaged in their own right. I really liked that there was no case of insta-love, or even insta-lust. There was definitely a connection between the two of them, but it grew over time.
So why only 4 stars? I felt that the character POV's didn't have a clear transition. It caused me to get slightly confused, since I didn't know when they switched, and didn't know who's POV I was reading right away.
The book had a very realistic HEA, and I was glad that the author went the route that she did with the ending. I felt it was very fitting to the story and the characters.
ARC courtesy of publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews visit: Dirty Girl Romance Book Blog
August 9, 2017
Maverick by Anna Cruise Author: Anna Cruise Title: Maverick Series: Cover Rating: Book Rating: Buy This Book:
Kellen Handler is in deep.
Ever since he can remember, he’s wanted to be a professional surfer. And he made it, rising to the top of the ranks, traveling the world and riding every break he’s ever dreamed of. His good looks and reputation for living on the edge—both in and out of the water—have made him an international superstar. But when his best friend dies in a tragic accident, Kellen wipes out big time, spiraling so badly that everything he’s worked for starts to disintegrate.
Tour officials scramble to do damage control and demand he work with a public relations company to clean up his bad boy image. It doesn't help that the person assigned to him, Gina Bellori, has her own demons associated with the surfing world.
Against her better judgement Gina accepts the job and concentrates on repairing Kellen's tattered reputation, despite his protests and despite the pain it causes her. With her past colliding with her present—and Kellen in the thick of it—she begins to realize that some secrets can't stay hidden.
And suddenly, Kellen Handler is no longer worried about losing his career.
He's more worried about losing his heart.
I gotta say this is my first surfer novel and I was not disappointed, Anna Cruise has done a great job really giving her readers the wounded hero to fall in love with - and for animal lovers... kittens. This book is easy for anyone that has lost a good friend to relate to on a personal level for how much that loss can affect your personal life and sometimes your professional one as well. Kellen loses a close friend in an accident and takes it so hard that his life begins to spiral out of control, after a few incidents he's forced to repair his image. In comes Gina - who has a few ghosts of her own and her own reasons to hold a grudge against the surfing industry but as for her relationship with Kellen I really thought Gina was perfect because I felt that Kellen really needed her sternness to keep his butt in line as well as open up that broken place in his heart. I really don't think the story would have worked unless Kellen had a female lead that could relate to what he was going through and someone that was strong enough to stand next to him. No simpering, weak females could have held onto him. Gina was none of those things, Gina was perfect. A great redemption finding read.
Until next time book lovers...
Krissys Bookshelf Reviews received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.
If any of Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews has been helpful please stop by to like my post or leave a comment to let me know what you think. I love hearing from you!
Thank you so much for stopping by!
Krissys Bookshelf Reviews
Krissys Bookshelf Reviews has a QR code for your phone!
Kellen Handler is in deep.
Ever since he can remember, he’s wanted to be a professional surfer. And he made it, rising to the top of the ranks, traveling the world and riding every break he’s ever dreamed of. His good looks and reputation for living on the edge—both in and out of the water—have made him an international superstar. But when his best friend dies in a tragic accident, Kellen wipes out big time, spiraling so badly that everything he’s worked for starts to disintegrate.
Tour officials scramble to do damage control and demand he work with a public relations company to clean up his bad boy image. It doesn't help that the person assigned to him, Gina Bellori, has her own demons associated with the surfing world.
Against her better judgement Gina accepts the job and concentrates on repairing Kellen's tattered reputation, despite his protests and despite the pain it causes her. With her past colliding with her present—and Kellen in the thick of it—she begins to realize that some secrets can't stay hidden.
And suddenly, Kellen Handler is no longer worried about losing his career.
He's more worried about losing his heart.
I gotta say this is my first surfer novel and I was not disappointed, Anna Cruise has done a great job really giving her readers the wounded hero to fall in love with - and for animal lovers... kittens. This book is easy for anyone that has lost a good friend to relate to on a personal level for how much that loss can affect your personal life and sometimes your professional one as well. Kellen loses a close friend in an accident and takes it so hard that his life begins to spiral out of control, after a few incidents he's forced to repair his image. In comes Gina - who has a few ghosts of her own and her own reasons to hold a grudge against the surfing industry but as for her relationship with Kellen I really thought Gina was perfect because I felt that Kellen really needed her sternness to keep his butt in line as well as open up that broken place in his heart. I really don't think the story would have worked unless Kellen had a female lead that could relate to what he was going through and someone that was strong enough to stand next to him. No simpering, weak females could have held onto him. Gina was none of those things, Gina was perfect. A great redemption finding read.
Until next time book lovers...
Krissys Bookshelf Reviews received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.
If any of Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews has been helpful please stop by to like my post or leave a comment to let me know what you think. I love hearing from you!
Thank you so much for stopping by!
Krissys Bookshelf Reviews
Krissys Bookshelf Reviews has a QR code for your phone!
May 30, 2013
"I see you holding on to the past. Letting it control what you do, what you allow into your life. I don't want that for you. And I don't want that for me."
---------
"And I'm not saying that things are gonna be perfect. I'm not saying we're gonna wake up tomorrow and all our demons will be gone. But I think we can keep them locked away. Deal with them on our own time. In our own way. You know?"
---------
*****5 AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL AND TEAR-WORTHY STARS*****
First of all, the hot cover totally misled me to believe that this was just some typical new adult read about a playboy surfer and a girl who puts him in his place... BUT NO. I'm way beyond ecstatic to stumble upon this novel that really struck deep into my emotions with its depth and substance. In addition, this novel was also mostly from the guy's POV and switched just a few times to the girl's POV, which gave me more insight to Kellen's thoughts and feelings as well.
So we meet Kellen Handler, a playboy surfer at the top of his game but seem to want to piss it all down the drain, and Gina Bellori, a PR exec who's hiding an equally tragic secret of her own that hinders her from getting too attached with another person. Basically, both of them are wounded and broken souls who just can't seem to let go of their tragic past so much so that it consumes their every move in the present. Kellen's past was revealed pretty early on but it did take some time for me to put two and two together as to what happened to Gina. Both their stories were so heartbreaking that I found myself randomly tearing up even with their little flashbacks and whenever their thoughts go to those .
The moment they were thrown in each other's paths, you just know how hesitant they both were in opening up and trusting each other but somehow it just happened naturally. Not to mention, their budding attraction and intense chemistry was so palpable as well. Kellen really surprised me with how he was actually the first one to sort of cave in, showing that there really was more to his cocky and rude playboy facade. It took some time for Gina to do the same because of self-preservation and I honestly cannot blame her for it because if it was me who was in her place, I'd probably do the same or worse even. I swear, there came a point when I was reading this book that I could not see through my tears. They just really had their personal demons that they can't seem to let go and move on from. But once they accepted it as part of who they are and who they will be and decided to deal with their demons together, oh man, it was so completely beautiful how they found the perfect partner and ally in each other.
I really highly recommend this novel to those looking for more substance when it comes to new adult novels. After dealing with your typical angsty stories, it was refreshing to get sucked in deep once again in a story and I have nothing but praises for this novel and for the author as well!
---------
"And I'm not saying that things are gonna be perfect. I'm not saying we're gonna wake up tomorrow and all our demons will be gone. But I think we can keep them locked away. Deal with them on our own time. In our own way. You know?"
---------
*****5 AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL AND TEAR-WORTHY STARS*****
First of all, the hot cover totally misled me to believe that this was just some typical new adult read about a playboy surfer and a girl who puts him in his place... BUT NO. I'm way beyond ecstatic to stumble upon this novel that really struck deep into my emotions with its depth and substance. In addition, this novel was also mostly from the guy's POV and switched just a few times to the girl's POV, which gave me more insight to Kellen's thoughts and feelings as well.
So we meet Kellen Handler, a playboy surfer at the top of his game but seem to want to piss it all down the drain, and Gina Bellori, a PR exec who's hiding an equally tragic secret of her own that hinders her from getting too attached with another person. Basically, both of them are wounded and broken souls who just can't seem to let go of their tragic past so much so that it consumes their every move in the present. Kellen's past was revealed pretty early on but it did take some time for me to put two and two together as to what happened to Gina. Both their stories were so heartbreaking that I found myself randomly tearing up even with their little flashbacks and whenever their thoughts go to those .
The moment they were thrown in each other's paths, you just know how hesitant they both were in opening up and trusting each other but somehow it just happened naturally. Not to mention, their budding attraction and intense chemistry was so palpable as well. Kellen really surprised me with how he was actually the first one to sort of cave in, showing that there really was more to his cocky and rude playboy facade. It took some time for Gina to do the same because of self-preservation and I honestly cannot blame her for it because if it was me who was in her place, I'd probably do the same or worse even. I swear, there came a point when I was reading this book that I could not see through my tears. They just really had their personal demons that they can't seem to let go and move on from. But once they accepted it as part of who they are and who they will be and decided to deal with their demons together, oh man, it was so completely beautiful how they found the perfect partner and ally in each other.
I really highly recommend this novel to those looking for more substance when it comes to new adult novels. After dealing with your typical angsty stories, it was refreshing to get sucked in deep once again in a story and I have nothing but praises for this novel and for the author as well!
September 30, 2013
If you've been following my reviews, then it's no secret to you that I love a good Anna Cruise book. Maverick definitely delivers. In fact, dare I say it, it may just be my favorite of her books. There's a shortage of bad boy surfers in the literature arena, so Kellen is a refreshing addition to the book boyfriend shelf.
When we first meet Kellen, he's waking up from a drunk night of debauchery with another conquest, whom in his mind can only remember as "Ch."
Chelsea? Cheryl? What was her name? Something with a Ch.
Now before you go thinking, "that dog!" you need to know that Kellen makes no promises, he's not a womanizer. He's up front with the fact that he doesn't do relationships, so if the women still go with him, well, that's on them.
He leaves Ch to head to his surfing competition, barely making it on time, and still smelling of booze. He goes out and surfs well, but then blows off interviews and a chance at a new sponsorship, much to the chagrin of the surfing tour's leadership. You see, a recent tragedy took the life of Kellen's best friend, and his life has been in a downward spiral ever since. Because of that, the surfing tour has hired a professional to help clean up Kellen's image. Kellen, of course being the hot-headed male, refuses the help, claiming that he doesn't need it.
Unfortunately for Kellen, an unexpected situation later that night causes him to end up in a drunken brawl, so the tour draws the line in the sand. Accept the PR help, or you're out of the tour.
Enter Gina Bellori, the young, attractive professional who's going to be Kellen's one stop shop to a better reputation. Gina has a hidden past that leads to her aversion to surfing, so she wants to be there about as much as Kellen wants her. Ever the professional, Gina sets about changing Kellen's image, which leads to them spending a lot of time together. It doesn't take long for them to be drawn to each other, effectively blurring the lines between professional and personal.
I didn't want to fuck Gina. I mean, I did, but not right then. What I wanted was her. Not her body and not what she could do to me or give me. I wanted her.
Kellen wants to know Gina, all of her, but will her past issues with love, loss, and surfing keep her from letting him in, or is Kellen just the man she needs to finally be able to let go and move on?
*****
I LOVED this book. It had all the elements that I like in a good love story. It was equal parts funny, sad, and heartwarming. Both Gina and Kellen are fucked up. They both have baggage. And they are both exactly what the other needs to heal the pain that's been set so deep within their hearts.
Gina frustrated the crap out of me, but it was understandable once you learned the truth about her past. It wanted to smack her and tell her to run, not walk, into Kellen's arms. I knew her resistance was futile, and I kept wanting her to finally realize how perfect they were for each other.
And another plus to this book is the steam! Anna Cruise wrote some of her steamiest scenes in this one, and I loved it! The sexual tension radiates off the pages as Gina tries to resist all that is Kellen Handler.
To be honest, I really have no complaints about this book. The only one I could possibly come up with is that I want MORE. I want more of Kellen & Gina in a relationship. I could read another full book about them just to see them interacting as a true couple. And when my only complaint is that I want more, I think that means it was pretty. damn. good.
Last but certainly not least, there's one notable character that puts the cherry on top, the icing on the cake, the ice in my vodka. Let me introduce you to...
Yes, our bad boy, sexy surfer is the proud owner of an adorable black cat. I've never loved an animal more in a book than I loved Rip. He was a perfect addition to showcase Kellen's softer side. Seriously, not only do we get a hot surfer, we get a hot one who owns and loves an adorable cat. Does it get any better??
When we first meet Kellen, he's waking up from a drunk night of debauchery with another conquest, whom in his mind can only remember as "Ch."
Chelsea? Cheryl? What was her name? Something with a Ch.
Now before you go thinking, "that dog!" you need to know that Kellen makes no promises, he's not a womanizer. He's up front with the fact that he doesn't do relationships, so if the women still go with him, well, that's on them.
He leaves Ch to head to his surfing competition, barely making it on time, and still smelling of booze. He goes out and surfs well, but then blows off interviews and a chance at a new sponsorship, much to the chagrin of the surfing tour's leadership. You see, a recent tragedy took the life of Kellen's best friend, and his life has been in a downward spiral ever since. Because of that, the surfing tour has hired a professional to help clean up Kellen's image. Kellen, of course being the hot-headed male, refuses the help, claiming that he doesn't need it.
Unfortunately for Kellen, an unexpected situation later that night causes him to end up in a drunken brawl, so the tour draws the line in the sand. Accept the PR help, or you're out of the tour.
Enter Gina Bellori, the young, attractive professional who's going to be Kellen's one stop shop to a better reputation. Gina has a hidden past that leads to her aversion to surfing, so she wants to be there about as much as Kellen wants her. Ever the professional, Gina sets about changing Kellen's image, which leads to them spending a lot of time together. It doesn't take long for them to be drawn to each other, effectively blurring the lines between professional and personal.
I didn't want to fuck Gina. I mean, I did, but not right then. What I wanted was her. Not her body and not what she could do to me or give me. I wanted her.
Kellen wants to know Gina, all of her, but will her past issues with love, loss, and surfing keep her from letting him in, or is Kellen just the man she needs to finally be able to let go and move on?
*****
I LOVED this book. It had all the elements that I like in a good love story. It was equal parts funny, sad, and heartwarming. Both Gina and Kellen are fucked up. They both have baggage. And they are both exactly what the other needs to heal the pain that's been set so deep within their hearts.
Gina frustrated the crap out of me, but it was understandable once you learned the truth about her past. It wanted to smack her and tell her to run, not walk, into Kellen's arms. I knew her resistance was futile, and I kept wanting her to finally realize how perfect they were for each other.
And another plus to this book is the steam! Anna Cruise wrote some of her steamiest scenes in this one, and I loved it! The sexual tension radiates off the pages as Gina tries to resist all that is Kellen Handler.
To be honest, I really have no complaints about this book. The only one I could possibly come up with is that I want MORE. I want more of Kellen & Gina in a relationship. I could read another full book about them just to see them interacting as a true couple. And when my only complaint is that I want more, I think that means it was pretty. damn. good.
Last but certainly not least, there's one notable character that puts the cherry on top, the icing on the cake, the ice in my vodka. Let me introduce you to...
Yes, our bad boy, sexy surfer is the proud owner of an adorable black cat. I've never loved an animal more in a book than I loved Rip. He was a perfect addition to showcase Kellen's softer side. Seriously, not only do we get a hot surfer, we get a hot one who owns and loves an adorable cat. Does it get any better??
August 21, 2013
I got to read Maverick for Ashley’s Reading Bliss blog. First off, I enjoyed reading Maverick. I wasn’t sure what I was going to get out of this book. Kellen seemed liked he wasn’t going to be a good guy at first and then I was like oohhhh I like him! He had a bad*** reputation but he was just hurting and needed someone to help him see he needed to talk through his emotions and Gina was there for him until she got scared. Gina I wasn’t a very big fan of at some parts of the book but in the end I think that both Kellen and Gina were just misunderstood and Gina needed to stop running from her past and talk about it. In the end they finally made it work and I enjoyed seeing how they grew. Anna Cruise did a great job in writing this book and I will be looking into reading some of her other books. This was a good book and I give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars.
December 30, 2013
I'm going to keep this short and simple.
This book was alright. I feel like it had a lot of potential. I really liked Kellen in this book. I thought he was a great guy. He wasn't a hard headed asshole...he really was sweet, thoughtful and caring. Gina on the other hand. I think she was just crazy. I hated her character. I could not really relate to her at all. The angst was really not necessary. I did not understand why she kept on lashing out on Kellen.
I gave it 3 stars because the story was interesting. I just wish it had more depth to it. I wanted to really feel their pain and their love, but the book just didn't take me on an emotional journey.
This book was alright. I feel like it had a lot of potential. I really liked Kellen in this book. I thought he was a great guy. He wasn't a hard headed asshole...he really was sweet, thoughtful and caring. Gina on the other hand. I think she was just crazy. I hated her character. I could not really relate to her at all. The angst was really not necessary. I did not understand why she kept on lashing out on Kellen.
I gave it 3 stars because the story was interesting. I just wish it had more depth to it. I wanted to really feel their pain and their love, but the book just didn't take me on an emotional journey.
March 25, 2015
I loved this story for more than my obsession with surfing. This book holds deeper issues for both main characters that I wasn't expecting. I was really happy that Kellen wasn't made to sound stupid or one dimensional like many surfer book boyfriends. Gina was given secrets that unfold as you go and give way to a deep pain that links them together. This book was crafted well to keep interest and pace, but did leave me a little wanting at the end. Great quick summer read!
July 26, 2015
Not a bad, there was just something missing for me.
October 18, 2018
This was pretty cute. I may have to check out more book by this author.
August 18, 2013
One of the common threads in New Adult fiction is that the male star in the books can often play a sport, more than often it's something like Boxing, MMA, Football or Baseball. In Anna Cruise's she offers us up the sport of Surfing. This peaked my interest as I like the "idea" of a surfer and love surfing movies, though of course I'm not really a water person myself. In Maverick we meet champion surfer and a bit of a smart-ass Kellan Handler. He's the type of guy who will sleep with anyone and not remember their name and will not see them ever again. To him sex is just sex. When he gets into a bit of trouble which leaves him with a possible suing on his manager's hands. His manager Heath hires a PR lady to help Kellan clean up his act. Enter Gina , growing up surfing was her life as her brothers and boyfriend Luke were surfers. That was until three years ago when tragedy entered her life and caused a giant rift in her family. Kellan reminds Gina of Luke so much , can Gina work with Kellan and keep her feelings separate or will working with Kellan be the thing that can save her and help her move forward with her life ? Kellan lost his friend Jay in an surfing accident and from then on has headed into a downward spiral. Can Gina be the one to save him from hitting rock bottom and losing everything he has worked for ?
Find out all this and more in Anna Cruise's Surfing New Adult novel "Maverick".
Author Anna Cruise has something for everyone from her Teen Angst novel "If I Fall" to her New Adult Romance "It Was You" series to her new Sports New Adult "Maverick".
Find out all this and more in Anna Cruise's Surfing New Adult novel "Maverick".
Author Anna Cruise has something for everyone from her Teen Angst novel "If I Fall" to her New Adult Romance "It Was You" series to her new Sports New Adult "Maverick".
May 27, 2013
I adore this book! The main characters, Kellen and Gina...sigh. They both have a past and they were thrown together against their wishes, but as they get to know each other they are able to help each other. That’s what I adore! Gina isn't the type of person to take anyone’s crap, especially Kellen’s, and Kellen is exactly the type of person Gina needs to pull her back into life. Anyone else want a group hug?
I enjoyed reading the book from Kellen's point of view. Ms. Cruise did a wonderful job of letting me in on his thoughts and seeing the world through his eyes. I was happy to switch to Gina's point of view briefly because it offered the needed insight to her actions and emotions, but Kellen really is the focal point of this book. And he is not an asshat!!
It also has a beautiful setting. How can I not love SoCal? My knowledge of the surf scene is what I learned from Point Break (and maybe Blue Crush, shh). This book makes me want to get up early to go watch surfers. If you don't want to join me, I'm not sure what’s wrong with you. I'll even buy the breakfast burritos!
This story was definitely worth my time and I think it's worth yours also. It’s well paced, clever and sweet. Another excellent book from Ms. Cruise!
I enjoyed reading the book from Kellen's point of view. Ms. Cruise did a wonderful job of letting me in on his thoughts and seeing the world through his eyes. I was happy to switch to Gina's point of view briefly because it offered the needed insight to her actions and emotions, but Kellen really is the focal point of this book. And he is not an asshat!!
It also has a beautiful setting. How can I not love SoCal? My knowledge of the surf scene is what I learned from Point Break (and maybe Blue Crush, shh). This book makes me want to get up early to go watch surfers. If you don't want to join me, I'm not sure what’s wrong with you. I'll even buy the breakfast burritos!
This story was definitely worth my time and I think it's worth yours also. It’s well paced, clever and sweet. Another excellent book from Ms. Cruise!
August 18, 2013
I haven't read one Anna Cruise book that I haven't devoured from beginning to end. Seriously! This one was just as good as the others. Kellan and Gina are both fighting demons, running from their grief, all while trying to fake it for the world. I love how strong of a character Gina is, how she just takes control of the situation and let's Kellan know what's what, no questions allowed. This book was beautiful, heartbreaking, and full of hope. I loved it!!!
June 3, 2013
4.5 YUMMY STARS
FULL REVIEW SOON
FULL REVIEW SOON
December 27, 2014
Good story.
January 3, 2015
3.5 Stars
Total guilty pleasure!!
Total guilty pleasure!!
June 16, 2013
4.5 stars
March 17, 2022
4.5/5 - Rounding Up
This book was crack to me. I love surfing and wanted a Surfing Romance book, and that is what I got!
Hero that is an active pro surfer. All the surf breaks mentioned I know of and been to some. The title Maverick is in reference to Maverick’s in San Francisco, and also the place of a tragedy for Kellan and contributes to his downward spiral.
The incident at Maverick’s was kind of glossed over for being to crux of his emotional trauma, which isn’t really shown. This is probably due to a lot of telling versus showing in the book.
Gina, the heroine was really cool until she wasn’t — she’s the reason I knocked half a star off. She was a ball of angst and a bit immature. She’d kiss him then freak out and tell him he’s a bad guy. The next day she’d apologize. They had sex and she bounced while he was sleeping, didn’t talk to him for 2 weeks and acted like it was his fault for having sex, the alcohols fault, then she admits she wanted it. Gina as cornered the market on leading a man on.
The writing is rather simple too. This isn’t a book full of similes or metaphors which would help show the story. It I also recognize this isn’t supposed to be a book leaning toward literature; it’s an easy read, and a great palate cleanser.
NOW, we have a major issue to discuss. At the end of this book there’s a teaser chapter for the second Maverick book. Where is it? This book was written in 2013, I’d say 11 years is quite a long time to release a second book in a series? I’d say it’s a bit necessary for book 2 because the ending of book one is a flimsy HFN, and the teaser doesn’t give any hint to where Gina is at.
This book was crack to me. I love surfing and wanted a Surfing Romance book, and that is what I got!
Hero that is an active pro surfer. All the surf breaks mentioned I know of and been to some. The title Maverick is in reference to Maverick’s in San Francisco, and also the place of a tragedy for Kellan and contributes to his downward spiral.
The incident at Maverick’s was kind of glossed over for being to crux of his emotional trauma, which isn’t really shown. This is probably due to a lot of telling versus showing in the book.
Gina, the heroine was really cool until she wasn’t — she’s the reason I knocked half a star off. She was a ball of angst and a bit immature. She’d kiss him then freak out and tell him he’s a bad guy. The next day she’d apologize. They had sex and she bounced while he was sleeping, didn’t talk to him for 2 weeks and acted like it was his fault for having sex, the alcohols fault, then she admits she wanted it. Gina as cornered the market on leading a man on.
The writing is rather simple too. This isn’t a book full of similes or metaphors which would help show the story. It I also recognize this isn’t supposed to be a book leaning toward literature; it’s an easy read, and a great palate cleanser.
NOW, we have a major issue to discuss. At the end of this book there’s a teaser chapter for the second Maverick book. Where is it? This book was written in 2013, I’d say 11 years is quite a long time to release a second book in a series? I’d say it’s a bit necessary for book 2 because the ending of book one is a flimsy HFN, and the teaser doesn’t give any hint to where Gina is at.
August 3, 2019
I thought this story could’ve gone in two separate ways. One, Gina and Kellen could’ve been great friends, but the second option: them getting together, is also a good fitting story as well. Gina is right, Kellen is not a bad guy, but he didn’t have someone to direct him, which got him into trouble in the first place. For some reason, I feel that if this was all in Kellen’s point of view that it would’ve been a tad more interesting, but this is a very very very tiny nitpick and nothing that I can complain about really. We need stories like this every once in a while, so I’m happy I read this.
March 13, 2018
This was the first book I've read by this author after being recommended by author Melissa Pearl. The storyline was OK, but not enough to get me invested into the characters. There were some contrived scenes that really didn't need to be included especially the last scene with Gina & Branagan. And for me, the ending seemed to be incomplete. It felt like it needed an epilogue to give it closure. I'm not sure if I will read anything else by this author other than the collaboration with Ms. Pearl.
July 15, 2018
Good read
This was a great book. It was well written and the storyline and characters. There was a lo of emotions in it.Sadness,love,& unexpected events. Good to the very end.
This was a great book. It was well written and the storyline and characters. There was a lo of emotions in it.Sadness,love,& unexpected events. Good to the very end.
September 28, 2018
A nice enough read.
Nothing major happened. A book about loss and healing with the right person. But not something extraordinary.
I liked the writing though, it managed to keep my attention.
Nothing major happened. A book about loss and healing with the right person. But not something extraordinary.
I liked the writing though, it managed to keep my attention.
April 4, 2019
I loved!
August 22, 2013
For more on this review, please see...
http://www.scandaliciousbookreviews.c...
I am not going to lie…look at that cover! That’s the first thing that drew my attention and lucky for me, I was NOT disappointed by a pretty cover! The second thing that grabbed my attention is that this is a story about a professional surfer. I love the water! God only knows how I developed this love of water when I was raised in a region with grass and mountains as far as the eye can see. I am going to go as far as to probably embarrass myself by admitting I was a HUGE fan of Blue Crush, a chick flick surfer movie from 2002. I have seen it countless times. Talking about it almost makes me want to break out singing Cruel Summer by Bananarama. Feel free to sing along…”it’s a cruel, cruel summer, leaving me here on my own…”
Maverick introduces us to Kellen Handler, the hottest thing, both physically and professionally, in the surfing world. At 24 years of age, Kellen has the world at his feet, but he could care less. Drowning himself in booze and a different pro-ho surfer girl every night, Kellen can barely drag his hungover ass out of bed each morning to compete. Kellen’s womanizing reputation is handed to him on a silver panty covered platter. Seriously girls, you throw it at guys, they will take it, use it and toss it back and there is no lack of beach bunnies trying to bag themselves a night with Kellen Handler! Kellen is not an egotistical ass and it is quite easy to love him. He is tortured after the drowning death of his best friend and surfing buddy, Jay Torres. Blaming himself for the freak accident that claimed Jay’s life, Kellen is just a shell of himself, going through the motions but not taking his life or his surfing career seriously.
“You think Jay would have been happy? Seeing you last night? Knowing you’re throwing all this away? This is yours, Kellen. All this. And you’re pissing it away.”
Deciding that Kellen’s reputation is in need of a serious overhaul, the tour executives stage an intervention and suspend him from competition. With the help of his newly hired public relations manager, Gina Bellori, he is to stay out of trouble and change his public image before he can get back in the water.
“Surfing was the one thing I had left. It was the one thing I’d clung to since Jay’s death. And now they were threatening to take it away from me.”
Gina is a beautiful 23 year old recent college grad who doesn’t have the experience to handle such a high profile case but her own surfing history has landed Kellen Handler right in her lap. The problem here is that Gina has got her own surfing demons to contend with and Kellen is a constant reminder of a world she no longer wants to have anything to do with.
Kellen isn’t a bad guy, he’s just down and out and struggling to continue on. There is nothing asshole-ish about him and he conforms to Gina’s agenda immediately with little drama. Gina is impressed with Kellen’s effort to stop his downward spiral and a friendship develops. The biggest boost to Kellen’s ego is that he knows Gina believes in him and in turn he starts to believe in himself. The more she gets to know him the more she finds herself affected by him. Gina struggles with her attraction to him and continually reminds herself that he is a job and nothing more while trying to maintain professional boundaries. Kellen is a constant reminder of what she has lost and she doesn’t want to put herself in that position ever again.
Kellen is insanely attracted to Gina and as he oh so sweetly continues to pursue her, the professional lines are blurred and Gina becomes angry and pushes back. When Gina extends the olive branch with beer and a little “you tell me your demons and I will tell you mine” confession time, emotions run high. This leads to some scorching hot beach to shower to bedroom sex. With a big WTF did I just do? Gina goes into self-preservation mode and cuts all ties to Kellen. Thankfully our surfing hottie realizes PDQ that all the drinking and mindless sex since Jay’s death has not made him feel better. There has been only one thing that has made him feel good about himself and he plans to get it back, no matter how many times he has to remind her he is not her past but her present.
“Hey, let me introduce myself. I’m Kellen. Kellen Handler.”
And let me tell you, he is swoon worthy and oh so worth it!
http://www.scandaliciousbookreviews.c...
I am not going to lie…look at that cover! That’s the first thing that drew my attention and lucky for me, I was NOT disappointed by a pretty cover! The second thing that grabbed my attention is that this is a story about a professional surfer. I love the water! God only knows how I developed this love of water when I was raised in a region with grass and mountains as far as the eye can see. I am going to go as far as to probably embarrass myself by admitting I was a HUGE fan of Blue Crush, a chick flick surfer movie from 2002. I have seen it countless times. Talking about it almost makes me want to break out singing Cruel Summer by Bananarama. Feel free to sing along…”it’s a cruel, cruel summer, leaving me here on my own…”
Maverick introduces us to Kellen Handler, the hottest thing, both physically and professionally, in the surfing world. At 24 years of age, Kellen has the world at his feet, but he could care less. Drowning himself in booze and a different pro-ho surfer girl every night, Kellen can barely drag his hungover ass out of bed each morning to compete. Kellen’s womanizing reputation is handed to him on a silver panty covered platter. Seriously girls, you throw it at guys, they will take it, use it and toss it back and there is no lack of beach bunnies trying to bag themselves a night with Kellen Handler! Kellen is not an egotistical ass and it is quite easy to love him. He is tortured after the drowning death of his best friend and surfing buddy, Jay Torres. Blaming himself for the freak accident that claimed Jay’s life, Kellen is just a shell of himself, going through the motions but not taking his life or his surfing career seriously.
“You think Jay would have been happy? Seeing you last night? Knowing you’re throwing all this away? This is yours, Kellen. All this. And you’re pissing it away.”
Deciding that Kellen’s reputation is in need of a serious overhaul, the tour executives stage an intervention and suspend him from competition. With the help of his newly hired public relations manager, Gina Bellori, he is to stay out of trouble and change his public image before he can get back in the water.
“Surfing was the one thing I had left. It was the one thing I’d clung to since Jay’s death. And now they were threatening to take it away from me.”
Gina is a beautiful 23 year old recent college grad who doesn’t have the experience to handle such a high profile case but her own surfing history has landed Kellen Handler right in her lap. The problem here is that Gina has got her own surfing demons to contend with and Kellen is a constant reminder of a world she no longer wants to have anything to do with.
Kellen isn’t a bad guy, he’s just down and out and struggling to continue on. There is nothing asshole-ish about him and he conforms to Gina’s agenda immediately with little drama. Gina is impressed with Kellen’s effort to stop his downward spiral and a friendship develops. The biggest boost to Kellen’s ego is that he knows Gina believes in him and in turn he starts to believe in himself. The more she gets to know him the more she finds herself affected by him. Gina struggles with her attraction to him and continually reminds herself that he is a job and nothing more while trying to maintain professional boundaries. Kellen is a constant reminder of what she has lost and she doesn’t want to put herself in that position ever again.
Kellen is insanely attracted to Gina and as he oh so sweetly continues to pursue her, the professional lines are blurred and Gina becomes angry and pushes back. When Gina extends the olive branch with beer and a little “you tell me your demons and I will tell you mine” confession time, emotions run high. This leads to some scorching hot beach to shower to bedroom sex. With a big WTF did I just do? Gina goes into self-preservation mode and cuts all ties to Kellen. Thankfully our surfing hottie realizes PDQ that all the drinking and mindless sex since Jay’s death has not made him feel better. There has been only one thing that has made him feel good about himself and he plans to get it back, no matter how many times he has to remind her he is not her past but her present.
“Hey, let me introduce myself. I’m Kellen. Kellen Handler.”
And let me tell you, he is swoon worthy and oh so worth it!
October 3, 2014
A competitive surfer who is self-destructing fast and is barely clinging to the one thing he still has- surfing and the sea and a woman afraid to go near the sea and her memories who is hired to clean up his image. It shouldn't work, but it does- too well- if they can both stop running from their pasts long enough to see it through.
Kellen gets his name in the paper and not in a good way marking the beginning of the end for him if he doesn't clean up his reputation. Unfortunately, he is also dangerously close to not caring about anything since his friend died. He can't get past it and carries around a boatload of guilt for his part in Jay's death. The only thing he both loves and paradoxically at the same time hates is when he can be out on the waves. He can't let them take that from him so if he has to jump through a few PR hoops like a trained monkey for thirty days than that is what he'll do.
Gina knows working on Kellen's image is a really bad idea because of her own past tragedies that have kept her far away from the sea and from surfing, but her boss doesn't agree. She has preconceived notions in her mind of how things will be. Hardliving, womanizing surf god who doesn't care about anyone, but himself. Meeting Kellen tells her that she's got him all wrong and that makes him even more dangerous still. He's just a guy in serious pain who has lost his moorings when his friend and mentor dies tragically. He agrees to all that she asks of him, but he is also observant and questioning when he sees hints at those things she tries desperately to hide.
Kellen doesn't know what to make of Gina because she is like no woman he has met before. She is a calm, cool professional who is good at what she does. She's got his back when a jerk and his dad try to manipulate Kellen. Gina is also empathetic and kind- his friend. Well, she's friendly until he asks one question too many or accidentally hits a sore point with her and then she turns into a hissing, spitting Queen B who shoves him away hard. They circle each other closer and closer peeling back layer and layer until they get to the bleeding hearts, fears and guilt within. It all comes down to healing and trust.
I knew this was going to be an emotionally intense story going in. Kellen and Gina are both just hot messes barely keeping it together. She just pulls it off better than he does because she has had longer to put tape on all her broken pieces and she's not in the public eye or has people targeting her because she's a celebrity like Kellen. I was in the mood for this one as a change of pace from some of the other stuff I've been reading lately. It certainly didn't hurt that the hero was an easy-on-the-eyes pro surfer who wasn't as hopelessly lost and jaded as he seemed or that the back drop was mostly the sunny beaches and blue waves of SoCal. I was all in from the instant Kellen started telling his story from page one and was doubly intrigued after his first meeting with Gina and trying to figure out what her deal was. Let's just say that between the two of them, they made me hurt for them and cheer when it seemed they each were starting to heal even a little.
At first, Kellen comes off as a real tool, but then his character is further revealed and I just ended up aching for his pain. Gina got a similar reaction from me with her hot and cold stuff and the way she flew into an absolute freak at times, but then she would turn around and own her messy stuff and move on to helping Kellen. There was a bad moment in the last half and it was the big crisis that had to happen so that everything would break open and the bad stuff would pour out. That twisty danger element in the end took me by surprise too. All the way through, I loved the pace of this relationship. The attraction and tension are there, but I'm glad they didn't jump in bed right away. Well worth it for things to tease out the way they did even the false starts and bad moments. Only niggle I had was that it ended abruptly for me. There was a little denouement that wrapped things up in a believable manner. However, I guess after all the angst, I just wanted to bask in a longer time of the smooth sailing and lovey stuff.
All in all, it was a most satisfying read that I would recommend to Contemporary Romance lovers who are in the mood for a bit of drama and a hot dose of passion by the sea.
My thanks to Netgalley for providing the book for review purposes.
Kellen gets his name in the paper and not in a good way marking the beginning of the end for him if he doesn't clean up his reputation. Unfortunately, he is also dangerously close to not caring about anything since his friend died. He can't get past it and carries around a boatload of guilt for his part in Jay's death. The only thing he both loves and paradoxically at the same time hates is when he can be out on the waves. He can't let them take that from him so if he has to jump through a few PR hoops like a trained monkey for thirty days than that is what he'll do.
Gina knows working on Kellen's image is a really bad idea because of her own past tragedies that have kept her far away from the sea and from surfing, but her boss doesn't agree. She has preconceived notions in her mind of how things will be. Hardliving, womanizing surf god who doesn't care about anyone, but himself. Meeting Kellen tells her that she's got him all wrong and that makes him even more dangerous still. He's just a guy in serious pain who has lost his moorings when his friend and mentor dies tragically. He agrees to all that she asks of him, but he is also observant and questioning when he sees hints at those things she tries desperately to hide.
Kellen doesn't know what to make of Gina because she is like no woman he has met before. She is a calm, cool professional who is good at what she does. She's got his back when a jerk and his dad try to manipulate Kellen. Gina is also empathetic and kind- his friend. Well, she's friendly until he asks one question too many or accidentally hits a sore point with her and then she turns into a hissing, spitting Queen B who shoves him away hard. They circle each other closer and closer peeling back layer and layer until they get to the bleeding hearts, fears and guilt within. It all comes down to healing and trust.
I knew this was going to be an emotionally intense story going in. Kellen and Gina are both just hot messes barely keeping it together. She just pulls it off better than he does because she has had longer to put tape on all her broken pieces and she's not in the public eye or has people targeting her because she's a celebrity like Kellen. I was in the mood for this one as a change of pace from some of the other stuff I've been reading lately. It certainly didn't hurt that the hero was an easy-on-the-eyes pro surfer who wasn't as hopelessly lost and jaded as he seemed or that the back drop was mostly the sunny beaches and blue waves of SoCal. I was all in from the instant Kellen started telling his story from page one and was doubly intrigued after his first meeting with Gina and trying to figure out what her deal was. Let's just say that between the two of them, they made me hurt for them and cheer when it seemed they each were starting to heal even a little.
At first, Kellen comes off as a real tool, but then his character is further revealed and I just ended up aching for his pain. Gina got a similar reaction from me with her hot and cold stuff and the way she flew into an absolute freak at times, but then she would turn around and own her messy stuff and move on to helping Kellen. There was a bad moment in the last half and it was the big crisis that had to happen so that everything would break open and the bad stuff would pour out. That twisty danger element in the end took me by surprise too. All the way through, I loved the pace of this relationship. The attraction and tension are there, but I'm glad they didn't jump in bed right away. Well worth it for things to tease out the way they did even the false starts and bad moments. Only niggle I had was that it ended abruptly for me. There was a little denouement that wrapped things up in a believable manner. However, I guess after all the angst, I just wanted to bask in a longer time of the smooth sailing and lovey stuff.
All in all, it was a most satisfying read that I would recommend to Contemporary Romance lovers who are in the mood for a bit of drama and a hot dose of passion by the sea.
My thanks to Netgalley for providing the book for review purposes.
August 27, 2013
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Review Originally Posted at: Book Freak
I fell in love with the waves, the cover and Kellan - in no particular order.
Maverick was something I looked forward in reading once I was done with two others (If I Fall & It Was You). I love the way she writes - not to mention the length of her novels: not too short, not too long and she never intends to drag her readers.
Kellan knew what loss it - but he never did learn how to cope unless he's suited and riding the waves. In the water - he's focused, more in his element and somehow just enjoying himself. Out of the water - he's a lost boy, broken, unsure of himself, haunted, swallowed by guilt over the death of his best friend. He still knew how to surf, still one of the best, but becoming a professional surfer like he always wanted would warrant you to be good not only when you're at the waves, but when you're out of it as well. And Kellan is failing at the latter. Tour officials tries to damage control the situation that he was recently involved in, they called in public relations to have his image cleaned.
Here comes Gina, the PR person who was assigned to him. She was pretty, smart, and is keeping secrets of her own. The prologue had me curious on what was going on with her. Why was demons from the past haunting her? What happened? Gina didn't want to work with Kellan, she reminds him too much of her past, but she had no choice when her boss demanded her to work with the bad boy surfer. So despite everything he reminds her of - all the painful memories long buried that began to resurface, she made sure that Kellan would do everything she tells him too. Kellan drives a hard bargain when he suddenly ask for something in return - he will do anything she ask, if she answers his questions.
I like Kellan - he could be an a-hole sometimes, especially when he's not on the water. But on it - he was FOCUSED, some people may find it hard to do anything after grief runs through them. In the water, however, Kellan is able to be himself and not think of anything else but the waves. Anna Cruise did a great job in writing Kellan's character. The grief he was experiencing was radiating off the pages - sometimes its hard to imagine for guys to experience such emotions since they're pretty good in keeping it bottled up inside them. Kellan is also good in hiding his emotions, he does not share it with anyone and resorts to drowning himself in booze and sleeping around.
Gina, on the other hand, is good at her work. Especially how she handled the 'crisis' - it was really smooth of her. The lost she had was also something one could not really get over for a while, since it involved two person who is close to her. She tries, but its not that simple - so I understand why forgiveness was still a long way for her. It makes Grace more human and this novel more real. Because who can really forgive and forget that easily? AT LEAST, she's open to the possibility :)
Maverick is a beautiful story of loss, second chances and moving on. It's a story on how two broken people found and unconsciously helped each other to bury and let go the past that is haunting the both of them. I love how the two characters finally found peace within themselves. It was a relief because they have been castigating themselves over events that they don't have any control of. Kellan's change was just great, he did things he didn't know he was capable of: teaching kids, speaking to crowds and avoiding being 'hit-on' by a girl.
Reading Maverick is like riding the waves. Exhilarating. Frustrating at times. Total adrenaline rush. But in the end - you get to ride the perfect wave, it is so worth it!
*ARC Copy was given in exchange for an honest review.
Review Originally Posted at: Book Freak
I fell in love with the waves, the cover and Kellan - in no particular order.
Maverick was something I looked forward in reading once I was done with two others (If I Fall & It Was You). I love the way she writes - not to mention the length of her novels: not too short, not too long and she never intends to drag her readers.
Kellan knew what loss it - but he never did learn how to cope unless he's suited and riding the waves. In the water - he's focused, more in his element and somehow just enjoying himself. Out of the water - he's a lost boy, broken, unsure of himself, haunted, swallowed by guilt over the death of his best friend. He still knew how to surf, still one of the best, but becoming a professional surfer like he always wanted would warrant you to be good not only when you're at the waves, but when you're out of it as well. And Kellan is failing at the latter. Tour officials tries to damage control the situation that he was recently involved in, they called in public relations to have his image cleaned.
Here comes Gina, the PR person who was assigned to him. She was pretty, smart, and is keeping secrets of her own. The prologue had me curious on what was going on with her. Why was demons from the past haunting her? What happened? Gina didn't want to work with Kellan, she reminds him too much of her past, but she had no choice when her boss demanded her to work with the bad boy surfer. So despite everything he reminds her of - all the painful memories long buried that began to resurface, she made sure that Kellan would do everything she tells him too. Kellan drives a hard bargain when he suddenly ask for something in return - he will do anything she ask, if she answers his questions.
I like Kellan - he could be an a-hole sometimes, especially when he's not on the water. But on it - he was FOCUSED, some people may find it hard to do anything after grief runs through them. In the water, however, Kellan is able to be himself and not think of anything else but the waves. Anna Cruise did a great job in writing Kellan's character. The grief he was experiencing was radiating off the pages - sometimes its hard to imagine for guys to experience such emotions since they're pretty good in keeping it bottled up inside them. Kellan is also good in hiding his emotions, he does not share it with anyone and resorts to drowning himself in booze and sleeping around.
Gina, on the other hand, is good at her work. Especially how she handled the 'crisis' - it was really smooth of her. The lost she had was also something one could not really get over for a while, since it involved two person who is close to her. She tries, but its not that simple - so I understand why forgiveness was still a long way for her. It makes Grace more human and this novel more real. Because who can really forgive and forget that easily? AT LEAST, she's open to the possibility :)
Maverick is a beautiful story of loss, second chances and moving on. It's a story on how two broken people found and unconsciously helped each other to bury and let go the past that is haunting the both of them. I love how the two characters finally found peace within themselves. It was a relief because they have been castigating themselves over events that they don't have any control of. Kellan's change was just great, he did things he didn't know he was capable of: teaching kids, speaking to crowds and avoiding being 'hit-on' by a girl.
Reading Maverick is like riding the waves. Exhilarating. Frustrating at times. Total adrenaline rush. But in the end - you get to ride the perfect wave, it is so worth it!
*ARC Copy was given in exchange for an honest review.
July 20, 2013
MustReadBooksOrDie
Court: Maverick is my kryptonite for a book. We have a tortured bad boy surfer who is messing up his reputation and spot on the pro tour with women and booze. Then we have PR person Gina who is sent in to help fix his reputation, and of course the sparks fly. Gina though has an interesting past herself, so things don't go quite like I thought they were going to.
Shel: Oh, me too Courtney. Me too. Hot surfer boy? Strong, smart, sassy female? I'm all in.
Court: The setting of SoCal was also a major plus for me. It is my all time favorite place that I have visited, and if I could talk my husband into moving out there I so would in a heartbeat. Alas, that hasn't happened yet. Huntington Beach *sigh* all the way down toward San Diego *sigh again* are absolutely beautiful, so I loved all of the references to those and the beaches and waves. I also watched Chasing Mavericks not long before I read this, so I definitely was loving all of the Maverick references and surfing! Shel: I've never been to California but it's on my list of places to go and I cannot wait to see the West Coast. Cannot wait!
Court: Poor Kellen. He lost his best friend surfing and the rest of the world is expecting him to be over it by now. It has only been six months and he does have obligations to fill, but give the guy a break! That being said...he is making some bad alcohol influenced choices going home with some nasty women...ick! He and Gina definitely do not want the same things so that was an interesting aspect of the story, because usually it is the guy who is being standoffish with the girls advances. We have a little bit of gender role reversal here, which is nice because guys can't always get what they want, too, ya know!
Shel: Yes, it was nice to see a guy actually express his neediness and desire for once. But I hated to see him in pain and to feel so guilty for something that he had no control over. And then when he finally opens up to Gina and she bails on him...well I was no longer thrilled with her character. She does redeem herself and they are able to move forward but only after a seriously bad altercation between Gina and a scum-of-the earth jerk.
Court: My star rating was boosted because while this was a romantic story, it was much more about each of them dealing with their grief together than it was about steaming up the pages. For Gina's side of the story, we got teeny tidbits throughout and her losses were completely different yet so horrifying. Sorry, can't tell you why...but if I was in that situation I don't think I would have been able to deal quite as well as her!
Shel: Yeah, Gina and Kellen both have some serious losses to overcome. I think that's why the work so well--they truly understand trying to live through (or just exist) through the emotional pain caused by loss and grief and guilt and blame.
Court: Again, I definitely wanted more, more, more before the end...but for those of you who are looking for a stand alone novel, wrapped up by the end...here you go! I really enjoyed it! Shel: We always want more. Hahaha. This was a very enjoyable and quick read--another great summer beach read for sure!
Courtney: 5 Stars
Shelley: 4 Stars
Court: Maverick is my kryptonite for a book. We have a tortured bad boy surfer who is messing up his reputation and spot on the pro tour with women and booze. Then we have PR person Gina who is sent in to help fix his reputation, and of course the sparks fly. Gina though has an interesting past herself, so things don't go quite like I thought they were going to.
Shel: Oh, me too Courtney. Me too. Hot surfer boy? Strong, smart, sassy female? I'm all in.
Court: The setting of SoCal was also a major plus for me. It is my all time favorite place that I have visited, and if I could talk my husband into moving out there I so would in a heartbeat. Alas, that hasn't happened yet. Huntington Beach *sigh* all the way down toward San Diego *sigh again* are absolutely beautiful, so I loved all of the references to those and the beaches and waves. I also watched Chasing Mavericks not long before I read this, so I definitely was loving all of the Maverick references and surfing! Shel: I've never been to California but it's on my list of places to go and I cannot wait to see the West Coast. Cannot wait!
Court: Poor Kellen. He lost his best friend surfing and the rest of the world is expecting him to be over it by now. It has only been six months and he does have obligations to fill, but give the guy a break! That being said...he is making some bad alcohol influenced choices going home with some nasty women...ick! He and Gina definitely do not want the same things so that was an interesting aspect of the story, because usually it is the guy who is being standoffish with the girls advances. We have a little bit of gender role reversal here, which is nice because guys can't always get what they want, too, ya know!
Shel: Yes, it was nice to see a guy actually express his neediness and desire for once. But I hated to see him in pain and to feel so guilty for something that he had no control over. And then when he finally opens up to Gina and she bails on him...well I was no longer thrilled with her character. She does redeem herself and they are able to move forward but only after a seriously bad altercation between Gina and a scum-of-the earth jerk.
Court: My star rating was boosted because while this was a romantic story, it was much more about each of them dealing with their grief together than it was about steaming up the pages. For Gina's side of the story, we got teeny tidbits throughout and her losses were completely different yet so horrifying. Sorry, can't tell you why...but if I was in that situation I don't think I would have been able to deal quite as well as her!
Shel: Yeah, Gina and Kellen both have some serious losses to overcome. I think that's why the work so well--they truly understand trying to live through (or just exist) through the emotional pain caused by loss and grief and guilt and blame.
Court: Again, I definitely wanted more, more, more before the end...but for those of you who are looking for a stand alone novel, wrapped up by the end...here you go! I really enjoyed it! Shel: We always want more. Hahaha. This was a very enjoyable and quick read--another great summer beach read for sure!
Courtney: 5 Stars
Shelley: 4 Stars
August 22, 2013
I am reviewing this book for My Family's Heart Book Reviews.
I have been sitting here honestly flipping through stuff on my computer just trying to figure out what to say for this review. And trust me that doesn't happen a lot. Even if I claim that I don't know what to say, I usually do. But not this time, nope I jut kept trying to come up with something. And I am not saying that this book was in any way bad because it was good but it was just a book to me. It was nothing more, nothing less. And very few people know what to say about "just a book." So I am going to say what I can, the best I can.
I guess I will start with the characters. At first I thought I would like Gina, I mean she seemed to be a take no junk kind of chick and you don't always see that in these type of books. But the more I got to know her the more I just wanted her to take a chill pill and stop all the whining. I understand that this girl had something very tragic happen to two of her loved ones but eek, the way she was constantly flipping out on the poor hot guy was terrible. I felt bad for him. And that brings us to Kellen, the poor hot surfer guy. He is also suffering from a tragedy and of course like any damaged bad boy he is handling it with alcohol and numerous random girls. I seriously wish I could give him a cookie for having to deal with Gina. Anyways, so Gina is hired to fix Kellen's image after he gets into some trouble and from there, their rocky relationship starts. I honestly never really saw them as more than friends, I got no romantic warm and fuzzes when it came to them. Did they ever actually use the big "L" word? Did I miss that somewhere? So as far as the characters go I didn't like her and him I just pitied. Who wants to be with someone that is going to be constantly reminded of their murdered first love every time they look at you? Eesh.
So as I was saying, this to me was just a book. It's just there. The story wasn't bad, it did keep me intrigued though. I wanted to know the whole time what Gina's story was. You pretty much got Kellan's out of the way from the start, but her's you just had to wait for. Drove me nuts And when all the puzzle pieces finally fell in place, I was just like "eeh ok." The sex was luke warm to me and the romance was nada, I mean anytime you thought aww here we go, bam the crazy came out of the girl lol. I wished there would of been an epilogue also. What happened with them, we saw 2 months in and that was it. Did we have any surf babies? What happened with her brother Leo? Did Kellen take back to the waves? This book left me with no closure, sighhh. I still decided to give this book 4 stars because there wasn't a thing to give it 3.5. Great story idea even though there was no closure for me, I was disappointed with the characters and their relationship or lack there of. But I will say this, it was a great story idea and the parts that were good, were actually greaat. So hopefully that explains my rating.
My song for this book: Wasteland by 10 years.
I have been sitting here honestly flipping through stuff on my computer just trying to figure out what to say for this review. And trust me that doesn't happen a lot. Even if I claim that I don't know what to say, I usually do. But not this time, nope I jut kept trying to come up with something. And I am not saying that this book was in any way bad because it was good but it was just a book to me. It was nothing more, nothing less. And very few people know what to say about "just a book." So I am going to say what I can, the best I can.
I guess I will start with the characters. At first I thought I would like Gina, I mean she seemed to be a take no junk kind of chick and you don't always see that in these type of books. But the more I got to know her the more I just wanted her to take a chill pill and stop all the whining. I understand that this girl had something very tragic happen to two of her loved ones but eek, the way she was constantly flipping out on the poor hot guy was terrible. I felt bad for him. And that brings us to Kellen, the poor hot surfer guy. He is also suffering from a tragedy and of course like any damaged bad boy he is handling it with alcohol and numerous random girls. I seriously wish I could give him a cookie for having to deal with Gina. Anyways, so Gina is hired to fix Kellen's image after he gets into some trouble and from there, their rocky relationship starts. I honestly never really saw them as more than friends, I got no romantic warm and fuzzes when it came to them. Did they ever actually use the big "L" word? Did I miss that somewhere? So as far as the characters go I didn't like her and him I just pitied. Who wants to be with someone that is going to be constantly reminded of their murdered first love every time they look at you? Eesh.
So as I was saying, this to me was just a book. It's just there. The story wasn't bad, it did keep me intrigued though. I wanted to know the whole time what Gina's story was. You pretty much got Kellan's out of the way from the start, but her's you just had to wait for. Drove me nuts And when all the puzzle pieces finally fell in place, I was just like "eeh ok." The sex was luke warm to me and the romance was nada, I mean anytime you thought aww here we go, bam the crazy came out of the girl lol. I wished there would of been an epilogue also. What happened with them, we saw 2 months in and that was it. Did we have any surf babies? What happened with her brother Leo? Did Kellen take back to the waves? This book left me with no closure, sighhh. I still decided to give this book 4 stars because there wasn't a thing to give it 3.5. Great story idea even though there was no closure for me, I was disappointed with the characters and their relationship or lack there of. But I will say this, it was a great story idea and the parts that were good, were actually greaat. So hopefully that explains my rating.
My song for this book: Wasteland by 10 years.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2013
Blog Tour Post: The Shadow Realm
I must admit, I was a bit worried that I wasn't gonna like this book. I had been dying to read it since I seen that awesome cover. But a couple weeks ago I read Cruise's other book, It Was You, and I didn't like it. This really disappointed me because I was so looking forward to reading Maverick and I was worried that I wasn't gonna like it the same way I didn't like It Was You. I am delighted to say though that this is not the case. I really really enjoyed this book and I am so thrilled about this!
You can tell from the way Ms Cruise tells the story that a lot of research went into this book. There is so much information about surfing it was extremely enjoyable to read about. It made me want to visit all these surfing hot spots (and not just to perv on all the hot surfer dudes :P).
The main reason I liked this book so much better than Cruise's other book is that the characters didn't annoy me one bit. They were so easy to read about, they didn't make overly stupid mistakes and they apologized if they did over-react to something. It is mainly told from Kellen's POV (which I loved!) but we do get the odd chapter here and there from Gina's POV. I was hoping it was gonna be an all male POV book but I can see that Gina's parts did add a bit more to the story. Both characters are dealing with tragic pasts and they are both just trying to cope the best they can. But it's not really working, especially for Kellen. He is in jeopardy of throwing away his surfing career if he doesn't get his act together. My heart broke for Kellen. The poor guy lost his best friend who he's know nearly his whole life. I just wanted to give him a big hug. Kellen is not your usual"bad boy" type that is portrayed in most NA books. He is actually a really nice guy and can be incredibly sweet. Even though he sleeps around he never leads any of the girls on. He tells them straight out it's just a one night stand. He is just trying to find a way to cope, even if it isn't the healthiest way to do it.
Gina I liked too. She is dealing with her own tragic past which is slowly revealed as the story progressed. I liked that it remained a mystery for a lot of the book. Even though she did over-react to some situations I still liked her. She was tough and resilient and I loved the chemistry between the two characters. It felt easy and natural, not at all forced. They helped each other to over come their pasts and they were just so good for each other.
Beautiful writing, beautiful settings, wonderful characters. Romance, humor heart-break, hot surfers(!!). If all these things appeal to you then this is the book for you. A fantastic read.
I must admit, I was a bit worried that I wasn't gonna like this book. I had been dying to read it since I seen that awesome cover. But a couple weeks ago I read Cruise's other book, It Was You, and I didn't like it. This really disappointed me because I was so looking forward to reading Maverick and I was worried that I wasn't gonna like it the same way I didn't like It Was You. I am delighted to say though that this is not the case. I really really enjoyed this book and I am so thrilled about this!
You can tell from the way Ms Cruise tells the story that a lot of research went into this book. There is so much information about surfing it was extremely enjoyable to read about. It made me want to visit all these surfing hot spots (and not just to perv on all the hot surfer dudes :P).
The main reason I liked this book so much better than Cruise's other book is that the characters didn't annoy me one bit. They were so easy to read about, they didn't make overly stupid mistakes and they apologized if they did over-react to something. It is mainly told from Kellen's POV (which I loved!) but we do get the odd chapter here and there from Gina's POV. I was hoping it was gonna be an all male POV book but I can see that Gina's parts did add a bit more to the story. Both characters are dealing with tragic pasts and they are both just trying to cope the best they can. But it's not really working, especially for Kellen. He is in jeopardy of throwing away his surfing career if he doesn't get his act together. My heart broke for Kellen. The poor guy lost his best friend who he's know nearly his whole life. I just wanted to give him a big hug. Kellen is not your usual"bad boy" type that is portrayed in most NA books. He is actually a really nice guy and can be incredibly sweet. Even though he sleeps around he never leads any of the girls on. He tells them straight out it's just a one night stand. He is just trying to find a way to cope, even if it isn't the healthiest way to do it.
Gina I liked too. She is dealing with her own tragic past which is slowly revealed as the story progressed. I liked that it remained a mystery for a lot of the book. Even though she did over-react to some situations I still liked her. She was tough and resilient and I loved the chemistry between the two characters. It felt easy and natural, not at all forced. They helped each other to over come their pasts and they were just so good for each other.
Beautiful writing, beautiful settings, wonderful characters. Romance, humor heart-break, hot surfers(!!). If all these things appeal to you then this is the book for you. A fantastic read.
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