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Butterfly Days #1
Because of Lucy
2013 Discontinued Edition
*** This edition of the book has been withdrawn from sale. A revised and expanded 2016 edition is now available**
*Recommended 17+ due to strong language and sexual content*
Ness's parents are shocked when she turns down her place at Leeds University and takes on a full-time job in a call center. Determined to begin her adult life the way she wants, Ness moves to Leeds to live with her best friend Abby.
One night she meets Evan, who is everything she hates about guys. He may be hot but he's also drunken, arrogant, and on top of that, he apparently has sex with girls and forgets about it. But Evan isn't what he seems and Ness soon discovers they have more in common than she thought.
Evan is struggling to escape from his past too, and when Lucy appears she threatens his new relationship with Ness. Unsure if she can deal with the effect Lucy has on Evan, Ness makes a decision about her future which pulls them apart.
When their new lives don't go as planned, Ness and Evan are both faced with difficult choices.
All because of Lucy...
*** This edition of the book has been withdrawn from sale. A revised and expanded 2016 edition is now available**
*Recommended 17+ due to strong language and sexual content*
Ness's parents are shocked when she turns down her place at Leeds University and takes on a full-time job in a call center. Determined to begin her adult life the way she wants, Ness moves to Leeds to live with her best friend Abby.
One night she meets Evan, who is everything she hates about guys. He may be hot but he's also drunken, arrogant, and on top of that, he apparently has sex with girls and forgets about it. But Evan isn't what he seems and Ness soon discovers they have more in common than she thought.
Evan is struggling to escape from his past too, and when Lucy appears she threatens his new relationship with Ness. Unsure if she can deal with the effect Lucy has on Evan, Ness makes a decision about her future which pulls them apart.
When their new lives don't go as planned, Ness and Evan are both faced with difficult choices.
All because of Lucy...
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 2013
259 people are currently reading
2146 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Swallow
30 books472 followersI am unable to read/answer GR messages at present.
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Lisa is an author of new adult romance and writes both paranormal and contemporary, often with a side of snark.
Lisa is originally from the UK but moved to Australia in 2001 and now lives in Perth in Western Australia with her husband, three children and dog.
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Website: www.lisaswallow.net
Please feel free to contact me by email at lisa_writes@ymail.com
It's unfortunately become difficult to keep up with requests/messages made via various social media sites.
Thank you so much for understanding! :)
Lisa is an author of new adult romance and writes both paranormal and contemporary, often with a side of snark.
Lisa is originally from the UK but moved to Australia in 2001 and now lives in Perth in Western Australia with her husband, three children and dog.
Newsletter sign up: http://eepurl.com/Po81D
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lisaswallowbooks
Twitter: www.twitter.com/lisa_swallow_au
Website: www.lisaswallow.net
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
September 15, 2013
I received this book as part of a giveaway on a book blog.
Ok, I will be honest that sometimes I am wary of reading books that are set in other countries (in this case the UK) because the dialogue can be tedious to follow. Often times I find myself having to google phrases to find out what in the world they are talking about! This was not the case with this book! But maybe I've just read enough to know my stuff now. LOL
I was a bit confused by the title, because through the beginning of the book I was like "Who in the world is Lucy and what in the world does she have to do with these two characters?" And, you do find out there is indeed a Lucy, but who she is kept a bit of a mystery until about halfway through.
So, quick synopsis.....
Ness (Vanessa) decides to forego enrolling in University to live her own life. She's tired of her parents pushing her and telling her what she should do, when she should do, and plan every aspect of her life for her. So, she's going to live her own life. Instead of going to school to become a doctor (like her dad) she moves to Leeds and takes a job in a call center (the "Battery Farm") that she hates and rents a house with her best friend Abby. Abby is going to University and definitely living the life of a first time college student... partying hard! Abby is dating Matt (at least at the beginning). Evan is Matt's friend from back home and part of the party crowd that often makes their way to Ness and Abby's home after the pubs and clubs close on the weekends.
We start out with Ness coming home from her shift on a weekend to find a messy house, drunk or stoned people passed out everywhere and an unknown guy in her bed! Needless to say she's not happy. And who could blame her. While in the kitchen she meets Evan. During their first exchange he proceeds to peg her as being stupid because she's not enrolled in university and tells her she sounds like the Queen! Not really a great start Evan. He offers to get the guy out of her bed.... by replacing him. Yea, not really what Ness is looking for. Their banter is witty and enjoyable. She gives as good as she takes and so does Evan (even if he is drunk!). The following day has them sparring again, but unfortunately he doesn't remember their exchange from the previous night. But he gives her a ride to work because Abby forgot to fill up Ness' car with gas. Again, their banter flows back and forth with natural ease. It's refreshing when it just flows and it doesn't seem like it's forced from either side.
The book is told from both Ness and Evan's points of view. They gravitate to each other. He enjoys being with her and she enjoys being with him and they just gravitate towards each other. They hook up... well, at least they start to hook up... and then there's Lucy! Evan avoids the calls, the messages and texts from her, but leaves Ness wanting (like really hot and bothered on the couch!) to deal with whatever is going on. Ness lets it go because she thinks that Evan is a player (even though we learn later he's not really anything like she pegged him to be). But it always seems to get in the way and finally Ness has enough, checks the phone and finds that Lucy is hunting Evan down. Evan has to go home to diffuse a situation and Ness feels like she's being blown off. She doesn't know who Lucy is and Evan doesn't seem to want to fill her in.
Eventually he feels he has to tell her, because he's falling in love with Ness (whether he realizes it or not at this point he is). Unfortunately the meeting didn't go as he planned for it to go. But we learn who Lucy is and why Evan wants to keep his past exactly there... in the past!
Evan and Ness are both running from things. Ness wants to be her own person... she doesn't want her parents to dictate who she is... and Evan is running from his past and what he feels like are his responsibilities because no one else in his family wants to shoulder that responsibility.
In the end "because of Lucy" Ness finds that what her parents want and what she wants aren't really such different things. She just needed to find that out on her own. And Evan realizes that Lucy isn't his responsibility completely. He has to learn to let go.
I loved the ending and hope there was a "Happily Ever After" in there :)
Ok, I will be honest that sometimes I am wary of reading books that are set in other countries (in this case the UK) because the dialogue can be tedious to follow. Often times I find myself having to google phrases to find out what in the world they are talking about! This was not the case with this book! But maybe I've just read enough to know my stuff now. LOL
I was a bit confused by the title, because through the beginning of the book I was like "Who in the world is Lucy and what in the world does she have to do with these two characters?" And, you do find out there is indeed a Lucy, but who she is kept a bit of a mystery until about halfway through.
So, quick synopsis.....
Ness (Vanessa) decides to forego enrolling in University to live her own life. She's tired of her parents pushing her and telling her what she should do, when she should do, and plan every aspect of her life for her. So, she's going to live her own life. Instead of going to school to become a doctor (like her dad) she moves to Leeds and takes a job in a call center (the "Battery Farm") that she hates and rents a house with her best friend Abby. Abby is going to University and definitely living the life of a first time college student... partying hard! Abby is dating Matt (at least at the beginning). Evan is Matt's friend from back home and part of the party crowd that often makes their way to Ness and Abby's home after the pubs and clubs close on the weekends.
We start out with Ness coming home from her shift on a weekend to find a messy house, drunk or stoned people passed out everywhere and an unknown guy in her bed! Needless to say she's not happy. And who could blame her. While in the kitchen she meets Evan. During their first exchange he proceeds to peg her as being stupid because she's not enrolled in university and tells her she sounds like the Queen! Not really a great start Evan. He offers to get the guy out of her bed.... by replacing him. Yea, not really what Ness is looking for. Their banter is witty and enjoyable. She gives as good as she takes and so does Evan (even if he is drunk!). The following day has them sparring again, but unfortunately he doesn't remember their exchange from the previous night. But he gives her a ride to work because Abby forgot to fill up Ness' car with gas. Again, their banter flows back and forth with natural ease. It's refreshing when it just flows and it doesn't seem like it's forced from either side.
The book is told from both Ness and Evan's points of view. They gravitate to each other. He enjoys being with her and she enjoys being with him and they just gravitate towards each other. They hook up... well, at least they start to hook up... and then there's Lucy! Evan avoids the calls, the messages and texts from her, but leaves Ness wanting (like really hot and bothered on the couch!) to deal with whatever is going on. Ness lets it go because she thinks that Evan is a player (even though we learn later he's not really anything like she pegged him to be). But it always seems to get in the way and finally Ness has enough, checks the phone and finds that Lucy is hunting Evan down. Evan has to go home to diffuse a situation and Ness feels like she's being blown off. She doesn't know who Lucy is and Evan doesn't seem to want to fill her in.
Eventually he feels he has to tell her, because he's falling in love with Ness (whether he realizes it or not at this point he is). Unfortunately the meeting didn't go as he planned for it to go. But we learn who Lucy is and why Evan wants to keep his past exactly there... in the past!
Evan and Ness are both running from things. Ness wants to be her own person... she doesn't want her parents to dictate who she is... and Evan is running from his past and what he feels like are his responsibilities because no one else in his family wants to shoulder that responsibility.
In the end "because of Lucy" Ness finds that what her parents want and what she wants aren't really such different things. She just needed to find that out on her own. And Evan realizes that Lucy isn't his responsibility completely. He has to learn to let go.
I loved the ending and hope there was a "Happily Ever After" in there :)
September 22, 2013
Great little story that has you guessing who Lucy is to Evan, a student at Leeds Uni.
Ness has gone to Leeds with her best friend but she turns down the opportunity to go to University and instead gets a job in a call centre.
Evan comes across as a player but as the story unravels it becomes evident that there is a lot to Evan than meets the eye.
It's a story with a poignant insight into responsibilities that can be forced on us in life.
Well written and set in the UK the story is told from Evan and Ness's POV.
Ness has gone to Leeds with her best friend but she turns down the opportunity to go to University and instead gets a job in a call centre.
Evan comes across as a player but as the story unravels it becomes evident that there is a lot to Evan than meets the eye.
It's a story with a poignant insight into responsibilities that can be forced on us in life.
Well written and set in the UK the story is told from Evan and Ness's POV.
Want to read
September 20, 2013FREE today on Amazon US (9/19/2013).
http://www.amazon.com/Because-of-Lucy...
September 3, 2013
Filled with sexual tension and witty banter, Because of Lucy is a fun read that proves Lisa Swallow can write more than just one genre and excel! The primary characters have distinctive voices and her descriptions had me wanting to visit the UK by the time I was through. I’m definitely looking forward to her next contemporary romance.
September 17, 2013
Review Originally Posted at: Book Freak
Too much pressure from her parents made Vanessa decide to turn down med school and instead, worked in a call center. She wanted to run her life the way she wanted it to be. She moved in with her best friend Abby who loves to invite half of the university into their home.
Then one night, she met Evan – he’s everything she didn’t want in a guy. He’s arrogant, man-whore, drunk but he’s also a lit major and speaks poetry as his second language and let’s not forget that he’s also SUPER hot. But there is more to him than he lets on, and soon Ness will realize that.
Evan moved away from home to escape his past and Lucy. The moment Lucy appears in his life again, it threatens his new-found relationship with Ness. It’s not only that, Ness’ previous plans may pull them apart as well.
Half of the novel, I must admit – I was looking for Lucy. Wondering who she is and what is her relationship with the characters in this story. When I found out who she is, I was surprised, and saddened. Her involvement with Evan is not what you think it is, but she’s one of the reasons why Evan could not live his life the way he wanted it to be. He’s bound to Lucy – whether he likes it or not.
Ness understood it at first, but she also believes that even good people should have their limits, she wanted Evan to understand it. But he felt it was his responsibility, his burden. This is why I fell in love with Evan – not just because he’s a cool-walking Byron and can do wonders with his tongue even when he’s not speaking. Beyond the a** exterior – he’s a good person, responsible and very loyal.
Ness and Evan’s relationship was almost perfect as well – theirs were not the type that is all-consuming and unhealthy. They need not see each other daily or communicate every minute – but they knew their importance to each other and showed how much they care. Only that, none of them has said the “L” word.
Because of Lucy is a short read that will make and break your hearts. I fell in love with the two characters, loved their relationship, wishing everything will turn out fine between them – because these two, most especially Evan deserves a happy ending.
*ARC Copy was given in exchange for an honest review.
Too much pressure from her parents made Vanessa decide to turn down med school and instead, worked in a call center. She wanted to run her life the way she wanted it to be. She moved in with her best friend Abby who loves to invite half of the university into their home.
Then one night, she met Evan – he’s everything she didn’t want in a guy. He’s arrogant, man-whore, drunk but he’s also a lit major and speaks poetry as his second language and let’s not forget that he’s also SUPER hot. But there is more to him than he lets on, and soon Ness will realize that.
Evan moved away from home to escape his past and Lucy. The moment Lucy appears in his life again, it threatens his new-found relationship with Ness. It’s not only that, Ness’ previous plans may pull them apart as well.
Half of the novel, I must admit – I was looking for Lucy. Wondering who she is and what is her relationship with the characters in this story. When I found out who she is, I was surprised, and saddened. Her involvement with Evan is not what you think it is, but she’s one of the reasons why Evan could not live his life the way he wanted it to be. He’s bound to Lucy – whether he likes it or not.
Ness understood it at first, but she also believes that even good people should have their limits, she wanted Evan to understand it. But he felt it was his responsibility, his burden. This is why I fell in love with Evan – not just because he’s a cool-walking Byron and can do wonders with his tongue even when he’s not speaking. Beyond the a** exterior – he’s a good person, responsible and very loyal.
“Our names. Evan… Vanessa…” He gives me the lop-sided grin, accompanied by a shine in his eyes. “Evan fits into Vanessa.”
Ness and Evan’s relationship was almost perfect as well – theirs were not the type that is all-consuming and unhealthy. They need not see each other daily or communicate every minute – but they knew their importance to each other and showed how much they care. Only that, none of them has said the “L” word.
Because of Lucy is a short read that will make and break your hearts. I fell in love with the two characters, loved their relationship, wishing everything will turn out fine between them – because these two, most especially Evan deserves a happy ending.
*ARC Copy was given in exchange for an honest review.
August 30, 2013
This book caught my eye because the story is set in the UK and it makes a great change to read something from over there! The story is written in both Ness and Evan’s point of view so you can connect to both characters well.
There was so much that kept me gripped with this book. The crafty way it's written transported me right back to that age, and all the angst that goes with it. It was like the author was reliving parts of my past in the way she interweaved the characters and the different issues they faced at that time of life. It was spot on for that age bracket
I like that Evan is very different to a lot of male characters in this genre - I just don’t like books with controlling, obsessive heroes. It’s hard to say much about him without spoiling it for another reader, but I'll just say there is more to him than meets the eye, which is refreshing.
I found myself connecting immediately with Ness she clearly has an idea of what she wants to do but like Evan is struggling to match the idea of what her life should be like compared to the reality.
As you’d expect, there’s some steamy scenes and a some angst. And of course a hot English guy! But thankfully NO love triangle.
The story is different to anything I’ve read before clear a day if you start this novel, the hook, Lucy, will have you frantically reading to find out who she is, and how she fits in.
There was so much that kept me gripped with this book. The crafty way it's written transported me right back to that age, and all the angst that goes with it. It was like the author was reliving parts of my past in the way she interweaved the characters and the different issues they faced at that time of life. It was spot on for that age bracket
I like that Evan is very different to a lot of male characters in this genre - I just don’t like books with controlling, obsessive heroes. It’s hard to say much about him without spoiling it for another reader, but I'll just say there is more to him than meets the eye, which is refreshing.
I found myself connecting immediately with Ness she clearly has an idea of what she wants to do but like Evan is struggling to match the idea of what her life should be like compared to the reality.
As you’d expect, there’s some steamy scenes and a some angst. And of course a hot English guy! But thankfully NO love triangle.
The story is different to anything I’ve read before clear a day if you start this novel, the hook, Lucy, will have you frantically reading to find out who she is, and how she fits in.
July 20, 2014
ARC received from author in exchange for an honest review.
This one hovered around a 3.5- 3.7ish read.
It is a college-aged coming of age story of Vanessa "Ness" and Evan, who at first glance seem to detest one another.
Ness has felt like her entire life was planned out for her, never knowing if the plans her parents laid out were ever something she truly desired. So when it's time to make the choice, Ness veers from the path. But although she is not in college, her best friend & roommate is. With a full time job that she hates, Ness is still stuck with the late night parties and drunken students that always make their way back to their place at the end of the night.
But when a drunken conversation brings Evan and Ness together, there is a slight flush of sexual chemistry mixed in with all of the loathing.
Evan is your typical one-night stand kind of guy, at least at first glance. But when Ness doesn't seem to give him the time of day, he finds the challenge of it all intriguing. But it ends up being about much more than the chase - there is something about Ness that he makes him want to get to know her and let down some of his walls so she can meet to real him.
Both Ness & Evan want to escape their past - start fresh. But Evan's past is pulling him back into the mess. And then there is Lucy, the person who is pulling him back into his past - pulling him away from Ness.
Although this story had some predictable moments (but most books do), I enjoyed the story. I liked both Ness and Evan and was able to easily connect with the Lucy situation. This was a good story that kept me interested throughout the story and was a fun, relaxing read. There was a light dose of angst and I am a sucker for the rotating POV.
This one hovered around a 3.5- 3.7ish read.
It is a college-aged coming of age story of Vanessa "Ness" and Evan, who at first glance seem to detest one another.
Ness has felt like her entire life was planned out for her, never knowing if the plans her parents laid out were ever something she truly desired. So when it's time to make the choice, Ness veers from the path. But although she is not in college, her best friend & roommate is. With a full time job that she hates, Ness is still stuck with the late night parties and drunken students that always make their way back to their place at the end of the night.
But when a drunken conversation brings Evan and Ness together, there is a slight flush of sexual chemistry mixed in with all of the loathing.
Evan is your typical one-night stand kind of guy, at least at first glance. But when Ness doesn't seem to give him the time of day, he finds the challenge of it all intriguing. But it ends up being about much more than the chase - there is something about Ness that he makes him want to get to know her and let down some of his walls so she can meet to real him.
Both Ness & Evan want to escape their past - start fresh. But Evan's past is pulling him back into the mess. And then there is Lucy, the person who is pulling him back into his past - pulling him away from Ness.
Although this story had some predictable moments (but most books do), I enjoyed the story. I liked both Ness and Evan and was able to easily connect with the Lucy situation. This was a good story that kept me interested throughout the story and was a fun, relaxing read. There was a light dose of angst and I am a sucker for the rotating POV.
September 21, 2013
ENJOYABLE READ
Vanessa " Ness" decided not to take her place at Leeds university. Mostly because she was tired of doing what her parents wanted her to do. So she moved away, got a job in a call centre and shares a house with her long time friend Abby. Abby is attending university and sharing the house with Ness does not always work out all the time. Abby's parties are a constant irritant. Coming home from work Ness walks in to another party. Furious when she discovers a strange man sleeping in her bed. Forced to go back downstairs, this is where she meets Evan, a very drunk Evan. Their first meeting doesn't go well.
Evan is studying at university and loves the life of a student. But Ness sees beneath the carefree mask that Evan puts on. As they get to know one another it's more and more obvious that something in Evans life is causing him to hold himself back from Ness. Then she finds out about Lucy.
I enjoyed this story. I really liked Evan and Ness, together they worked well. The first half of the book was them getting to know one another. Their witty and sharp dialogue was amusing. Evan loves that Ness is a challange, she's not the clingy type of girl he usually deals with. Then about halfway into the story, the whole tone and pace alters. Ness finds out who and what Lucy is to Evan. The blurb states that Lucy affects Evan and Ness's relationship. She does to a certain extent, but it's Evan that allows his life to be affected, and the result then affects those around him not just Ness. For Evan to be whole something has to give.
While I liked this I felt a bit short changed with the ending, it was a bit of a HFN. Perhaps an epilogue would have helped. Unless the author is going to write more.
Vanessa " Ness" decided not to take her place at Leeds university. Mostly because she was tired of doing what her parents wanted her to do. So she moved away, got a job in a call centre and shares a house with her long time friend Abby. Abby is attending university and sharing the house with Ness does not always work out all the time. Abby's parties are a constant irritant. Coming home from work Ness walks in to another party. Furious when she discovers a strange man sleeping in her bed. Forced to go back downstairs, this is where she meets Evan, a very drunk Evan. Their first meeting doesn't go well.
Evan is studying at university and loves the life of a student. But Ness sees beneath the carefree mask that Evan puts on. As they get to know one another it's more and more obvious that something in Evans life is causing him to hold himself back from Ness. Then she finds out about Lucy.
I enjoyed this story. I really liked Evan and Ness, together they worked well. The first half of the book was them getting to know one another. Their witty and sharp dialogue was amusing. Evan loves that Ness is a challange, she's not the clingy type of girl he usually deals with. Then about halfway into the story, the whole tone and pace alters. Ness finds out who and what Lucy is to Evan. The blurb states that Lucy affects Evan and Ness's relationship. She does to a certain extent, but it's Evan that allows his life to be affected, and the result then affects those around him not just Ness. For Evan to be whole something has to give.
While I liked this I felt a bit short changed with the ending, it was a bit of a HFN. Perhaps an epilogue would have helped. Unless the author is going to write more.
January 18, 2016
I had been waiting to read this for quite a while when I read about it on a blog. I loved the fact that for one it was set in the UK which made a nice change. I also liked how both lead characters had pain and secrets. So with all the things I love in NA, I was so excited to jump in to this book.
Vanessa (Ness) has started a job in telesales, a job she hates but has to do to prove a point to herself and her parents who had mapped her life out for her. She moves in with her old friend who has started at uni, so she's stuck in student life without being a student. Hell to some.
During one particular night of partying in her house, she comes home from work and meets Evan, a somewhat normal student, off his face. There is something about him but hard to tell. They end up bumping in to each other a few more times due to mutual friends and realise they have some things in common. I like the witty banter between them and the heat is crazy.
It's obvious they should be together but Evan has some demons that keep cropping up and causing probs. So without giving any more away, a fantastic read. There was moments where I was giggling like mad and then alternating with sighing and trying not to cry. It's packed with emotion and frustration. Also quite short so I flew through it as I couldn't put it down. Amazing ending that ticked all my boxes! Loved this book.
*Originally read 2/12/2013
*Re-Read 12/1/2016
Vanessa (Ness) has started a job in telesales, a job she hates but has to do to prove a point to herself and her parents who had mapped her life out for her. She moves in with her old friend who has started at uni, so she's stuck in student life without being a student. Hell to some.
During one particular night of partying in her house, she comes home from work and meets Evan, a somewhat normal student, off his face. There is something about him but hard to tell. They end up bumping in to each other a few more times due to mutual friends and realise they have some things in common. I like the witty banter between them and the heat is crazy.
It's obvious they should be together but Evan has some demons that keep cropping up and causing probs. So without giving any more away, a fantastic read. There was moments where I was giggling like mad and then alternating with sighing and trying not to cry. It's packed with emotion and frustration. Also quite short so I flew through it as I couldn't put it down. Amazing ending that ticked all my boxes! Loved this book.
*Originally read 2/12/2013
*Re-Read 12/1/2016
September 18, 2013
I love NA books but being English I often struggle to associate with all the cowboys, football players and virginal cheer leaders. It was a welcome change to start reading 'Because of Lucy' and immediately identify with the characters. It brought back fond memories of all the times I was inebriated on someone's sofa at 2 am, trying to talk about politics and ultimately snogging some dodgy bloke I just met. *blushes*
I felt like I knew Evan and I could practically feel the electricity between him and Ness. I loved the fact that she didn't just fall into his arms, although it was wonderful when she finally did.
This is not some fluffy romance, it's a story packed with real emotion, passion and heartache. It is an engaging read that takes you on a difficult journey but that just makes the ending all the more worthwhile.
I felt like I knew Evan and I could practically feel the electricity between him and Ness. I loved the fact that she didn't just fall into his arms, although it was wonderful when she finally did.
This is not some fluffy romance, it's a story packed with real emotion, passion and heartache. It is an engaging read that takes you on a difficult journey but that just makes the ending all the more worthwhile.
November 30, 2013
Wow..I really was not expecting the book to affect me as much as it did. I figured the story was about a super sexy college student, Evan. You know, the ones we read about drinking it up and taking a new girl to be every night. Then he meets the unassuming girl, Ness. You know, the one who is turned off by his behavior but unable to fight the intense attraction she has to him. Well let me tell you, Because of Lucy is so much more than that.
I have to say reading the book in alternating POV of Ness and Evan, I was really baffled. After all the book is called Because of Lucy. Eventually, as the story progresses it is apparent where the title comes from. I really do not want to give anything away, so I will simply say that Lucy is the reason I loved Evan's character. Lucy is the reason I shed tears for Evan and Ness. And because of Lucy, I feel Ness found her way as well.
I loved this story. It was so different then the typical books I read and like. The witty banter between Ness and Evan definitely made me laugh, and the breakdown moments in the book brought me to tears. The book was so good I finished it in simply one butterfly day. (sigh). Read the book, and then you will get it.
Thanks to the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have to say reading the book in alternating POV of Ness and Evan, I was really baffled. After all the book is called Because of Lucy. Eventually, as the story progresses it is apparent where the title comes from. I really do not want to give anything away, so I will simply say that Lucy is the reason I loved Evan's character. Lucy is the reason I shed tears for Evan and Ness. And because of Lucy, I feel Ness found her way as well.
I loved this story. It was so different then the typical books I read and like. The witty banter between Ness and Evan definitely made me laugh, and the breakdown moments in the book brought me to tears. The book was so good I finished it in simply one butterfly day. (sigh). Read the book, and then you will get it.
Thanks to the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
my-kindle-freebie-to-read
September 19, 2013FREE TODAY 9-19-13 on Amazon
U.S. LINK -->http://amzn.com/B00EUSMJHK
U.K. LINK -->http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00EUSMJHK
CDN. LINK -->http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00EUSMJHK
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September 21, 2014
***This book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.***
I really enjoy the whole ‘opposites attract’ trope, and this book was no exception.
On the outside, Ness appears to have it together. Against her parents wishes, she’s chosen to join the workforce instead of going to college to become a doctor. She’s the rock for her melodramatic but fun roommate, Abby, and she’s definitely the more responsible of the two. On the inside, however, Ness isn’t quite so together. She isn’t happy with her job, and she’s frustrated with Abby for the wild parties that keep going on at their place. That is…until Ness meets Evan at one of these parties…
Evan was a ‘playboy’ who was looking for a good time, or so that’s what Ness assumes when she meets him. As it turns out, there is more to this playboy that meets the eye.
I love witty banter between characters, and I really enjoyed Ness and Evan’s. It was so much fun to read; they really thought they had each other’s numbers from the get go, but neither had a clue what the other was really like. Though still a bit put off that Evan was a playboy, Ness couldn’t help but be impressed with his knowledge of poetry.
I really liked the evolution of their relationship. I didn’t feel like it happened too quickly. I really enjoyed how open both characters were to things changing between them. I thought the sex scenes in this book were well written.
I enjoyed reading about the obstacles to their relationship in this book, as I don’t feel like it’s something that is explored very often. You were able to learn so much more about Evan’s character especially as things were revealed.
I definitely recommend this if you are looking for a quick, satisfying read!
I really enjoy the whole ‘opposites attract’ trope, and this book was no exception.
On the outside, Ness appears to have it together. Against her parents wishes, she’s chosen to join the workforce instead of going to college to become a doctor. She’s the rock for her melodramatic but fun roommate, Abby, and she’s definitely the more responsible of the two. On the inside, however, Ness isn’t quite so together. She isn’t happy with her job, and she’s frustrated with Abby for the wild parties that keep going on at their place. That is…until Ness meets Evan at one of these parties…
Evan was a ‘playboy’ who was looking for a good time, or so that’s what Ness assumes when she meets him. As it turns out, there is more to this playboy that meets the eye.
I love witty banter between characters, and I really enjoyed Ness and Evan’s. It was so much fun to read; they really thought they had each other’s numbers from the get go, but neither had a clue what the other was really like. Though still a bit put off that Evan was a playboy, Ness couldn’t help but be impressed with his knowledge of poetry.
I really liked the evolution of their relationship. I didn’t feel like it happened too quickly. I really enjoyed how open both characters were to things changing between them. I thought the sex scenes in this book were well written.
I enjoyed reading about the obstacles to their relationship in this book, as I don’t feel like it’s something that is explored very often. You were able to learn so much more about Evan’s character especially as things were revealed.
I definitely recommend this if you are looking for a quick, satisfying read!
May 26, 2014
this is a 4.5 but I rated it highly based on story line and uniqueness.
Evan is a great character and Ness is too, a bit immature but that is actually brought up; other than the strange inserting of British lingo (ya we get it!) this was a solid love story.
At first I didn't like Ness; I thought she was a bitch. But reasons and past lives that dictate who they are as people are quick to the point and we are not left dragging it out like some big reveal. This is paced nice. We learn all about Evan and Ness in some of the most poetic and well written ways! I loved the way Ms. Swallow wrote they're dialogue.
What's better? hearing "I love you" or this:
"I've said so many other things, so much more I've told you how you're the center of my world, my strength. The person who holds my heart when they hold my hand. You see into the dustiest corner of my soul and I've never let anybody do that." Evan catches my hand, pulls it to him. "How many times have you felt my heart beating next to you, only for you?"
Then Evan says this,
"People say "I love you" all the time and it means nothing. Throw away words. They lie. Love isn't about how much you say "I love you", but about how much you prove it's true"
Evan and Nessa hurt each other with loving words. It makes your chest heat up and heart hurt for them........
Because Evan can say this,
"No, I care about you too much. When I'm with you, the only place I want to be is closer."
This was a sweetly written love story. Their dialogue was so deep and passionate in its pain. I loved it!
Evan is a great character and Ness is too, a bit immature but that is actually brought up; other than the strange inserting of British lingo (ya we get it!) this was a solid love story.
At first I didn't like Ness; I thought she was a bitch. But reasons and past lives that dictate who they are as people are quick to the point and we are not left dragging it out like some big reveal. This is paced nice. We learn all about Evan and Ness in some of the most poetic and well written ways! I loved the way Ms. Swallow wrote they're dialogue.
What's better? hearing "I love you" or this:
"I've said so many other things, so much more I've told you how you're the center of my world, my strength. The person who holds my heart when they hold my hand. You see into the dustiest corner of my soul and I've never let anybody do that." Evan catches my hand, pulls it to him. "How many times have you felt my heart beating next to you, only for you?"
Then Evan says this,
"People say "I love you" all the time and it means nothing. Throw away words. They lie. Love isn't about how much you say "I love you", but about how much you prove it's true"
Evan and Nessa hurt each other with loving words. It makes your chest heat up and heart hurt for them........
Because Evan can say this,
"No, I care about you too much. When I'm with you, the only place I want to be is closer."
This was a sweetly written love story. Their dialogue was so deep and passionate in its pain. I loved it!
September 10, 2013
This is such a gut wrenching book. Gut wrenching because of what Evan is going through with his sister and his emotions for Ness.
Ness puts off college to a) show her parents up and b)to find herself. I understand the finding oneself. We all feel this way as a freshman starting college. Who am I? Am I myself or my parents? Do I meet the standards? So to gain independendence she works at a call center and hates it. One night she comes home to a party and meets a arrogant man named Evan.
Evan is misunderstood for being a party guy. I think he does this so people won't see the pain he is masking. He doesn't want anyone to get to close to him for he can't handle being hurt or dragging them into his life that is riddled with issues. Issues being Lucy. Lucy's portrayal is a pretty good description of the illness she has and Lucy hurts Evan along the way.
So Evan and Ness meet and it isn't pretty he basically calls her a stuck up unintelligent chick and what's worse forgets he does this the next day. He slowly gets her to warm up to him and they start to see one another to both their surprise. It is such a sweet relationship.
Evan is so thoughtful on their dates. He's considerate and listens. Unfortunately his past and Lucy rear their ugly heads and threaten to destroy it. Add to that Lucy wishing to leave and backpack europe and boy it is messy.
There is a HEA though which is so wonderful it will make you melt. This is a story of coping with illness, gaining independence, finding yourself, love and trust, and finding the strength to stand up for yourself. A beautiful read.
Ness puts off college to a) show her parents up and b)to find herself. I understand the finding oneself. We all feel this way as a freshman starting college. Who am I? Am I myself or my parents? Do I meet the standards? So to gain independendence she works at a call center and hates it. One night she comes home to a party and meets a arrogant man named Evan.
Evan is misunderstood for being a party guy. I think he does this so people won't see the pain he is masking. He doesn't want anyone to get to close to him for he can't handle being hurt or dragging them into his life that is riddled with issues. Issues being Lucy. Lucy's portrayal is a pretty good description of the illness she has and Lucy hurts Evan along the way.
So Evan and Ness meet and it isn't pretty he basically calls her a stuck up unintelligent chick and what's worse forgets he does this the next day. He slowly gets her to warm up to him and they start to see one another to both their surprise. It is such a sweet relationship.
Evan is so thoughtful on their dates. He's considerate and listens. Unfortunately his past and Lucy rear their ugly heads and threaten to destroy it. Add to that Lucy wishing to leave and backpack europe and boy it is messy.
There is a HEA though which is so wonderful it will make you melt. This is a story of coping with illness, gaining independence, finding yourself, love and trust, and finding the strength to stand up for yourself. A beautiful read.
August 30, 2013
**ARC received from the author in exchange for an honest review**
This book had me giggling from the beginning; I love books where the author throws witty one-liners in there.
I was a bit confused when I first started this book because the title didn’t match the lead characters but it all became apparent very quickly.
This book looks at the difficulties faced by sufferers of mental health issues and their families/carers. It also highlights the lack of professional support available. This is a difficult issue to be tackled in a book and I think Lisa has done a good job of it.
I sat and read this book in one sitting. I literally devoured it. I fell in love with Evan. Such a strong young man who’s trying to find himself in the world with all the pressures he faces. Ness grew on me as the progressed. That girl had some serious PMT issues lol. Both these characters are young and are trying to find their way through life with all the baggage they are carrying.
Even though the book started out with some real lol moments it became quite a serious book around half way through. It could have done with the comedy factor being carried through to the end. I know the book is dealing with some serious issues but I feel the characters became a little to intense considering their ages and the way the book started.
This book had me giggling from the beginning; I love books where the author throws witty one-liners in there.
I was a bit confused when I first started this book because the title didn’t match the lead characters but it all became apparent very quickly.
This book looks at the difficulties faced by sufferers of mental health issues and their families/carers. It also highlights the lack of professional support available. This is a difficult issue to be tackled in a book and I think Lisa has done a good job of it.
I sat and read this book in one sitting. I literally devoured it. I fell in love with Evan. Such a strong young man who’s trying to find himself in the world with all the pressures he faces. Ness grew on me as the progressed. That girl had some serious PMT issues lol. Both these characters are young and are trying to find their way through life with all the baggage they are carrying.
Even though the book started out with some real lol moments it became quite a serious book around half way through. It could have done with the comedy factor being carried through to the end. I know the book is dealing with some serious issues but I feel the characters became a little to intense considering their ages and the way the book started.
October 2, 2013
I was contemplating not reading this once I realized it was set in England, the dialect is VERY hard for me to get...but I am so glad I gave this a chance. The book itself reminded me a little of Beautiful Disaster (character wise). For awhile there I thought I wouldn't get a HEA but I was content with how this book ended.
Evan and Ness in this book complement each other so well, you can tell early on with the banter between the two that the book has it's funny parts, and there were many funny parts in this book.
You don't hear about Lucy until later on in the book...she is technically there but never mentioned by name.
Evan and Ness in this book complement each other so well, you can tell early on with the banter between the two that the book has it's funny parts, and there were many funny parts in this book.
You don't hear about Lucy until later on in the book...she is technically there but never mentioned by name.
September 18, 2013
What a wonderful story this was. Reading through it I kept thinking who is Lucy. When her identity was revealed the story got even more interesting.
Thoroughly loved the characters although I did want to bang their heads together on a few occasions!!
Living in the UK it was a nice change to read a story based here.
This author certainly kept me interested all the way through & I ended up reading this in a day. This is the first book I've read from the author. I hope she's going to write a lot more.
Received this from author in return for an honest review.
Thoroughly loved the characters although I did want to bang their heads together on a few occasions!!
Living in the UK it was a nice change to read a story based here.
This author certainly kept me interested all the way through & I ended up reading this in a day. This is the first book I've read from the author. I hope she's going to write a lot more.
Received this from author in return for an honest review.
September 15, 2013
I kind of liked the idea of this story but I didn't feel any real connection to the characters. More Evan than Nessa. In the beginning the only thing I could think was: who in the hell is Lucy?... I could respect Evan for his stance on the Lucy situation and thought Nessa being a bit unreasonable in her feelings about the situation even though I agree that he needed to take a step back and for that I understood where Nessa was coming from. I would not read this again and probably wouldn't recommend it either. It was to dull and the high/low points weren't very dramatic.
November 23, 2013
Another surprise from an Amazon freebie this past week. This one dealt with the issue of mental illness and left some unanswered questions near the end. It was an entertaining NA (college age) romance with some very sweet moments shared by the two lead characters. It didn't necessarily knock my socks off, but made for an overall enjoyable read.
September 22, 2013
This was another free little gem that I got through Amazon's Daily Deals. I don't think its free anymore but it is a read worth paying for.
I loved that this was a YA title set in Leeds, England. Most of what I read these days is set in the US so it was nice for a change.
I loved that this was a YA title set in Leeds, England. Most of what I read these days is set in the US so it was nice for a change.
September 25, 2013
Two very different people who come together. The tension and issues are what really makes this story to me. Love is not always easy as this shows. Sometimes it takes work.
February 26, 2016
4.5 OUT OF FOCUS STARS
People say, 'I love you' all the time and it means nothing. Throw away words. They lie. Love isn't about how much you say 'I love you', but about how much you prove it's true. It's a word, Ness.
Reading the summary and seeing the cover of Because of Lucy, I wanted to start the book immediately. I was intrigued by Evan and Ness, without even really knowing them. I was also very curious to who Lucy was. Was she an ex from Evan for example? I really wanted to know how Evan and Ness' relationship developed and in which way Lucy would affect their bond.
"You busy tonight?"
What? "Um. Yes. No. Not really."
"Is that a multiple choice quiz? Do I have to tick a box?"
"I'm a bit tired after last night."
"You do look a bit-" He bites his lip. "Tired."
"Crap?"
"You couldn't look crap, Ness. You look better when you smile, though."
"Smooth, Evan."
He rests against the bench. "No."
"What?"
"That's your answer. No, you're not busy tonight, and you'd love to see the smooth Evan Hyde who nobly braves inclement weather to bring you coffee."
Ness and Evan both want to escape control of other people. Escape from their past. Ness is tired of her parents controlling her. That’s why she made the decision to work full-time at a call centre, instead of accepting a place at medical school, provided by her parents. They planned her whole life for her already. She’s going to med school, just like them. But with her decision, she tries to take back control over her own life. ("Freedom from the stress of being what I don't want to be. For not being what someone else wants me to be.") Although, the decision also makes her unhappy, because working at a call centre isn’t exactly her dream job. Evan has major problems of his own. He’s trying to escape his past in Lancaster. A past I’m not going to tell too much about, because it’s for you to find out while reading Because of Lucy. It has to do something with Lucy, that’s all I can tell you.
I should've lived in the present and ignored the past. Instead, I picked up the past and took it home with me.
The first time Ness meets the arrogant and cocky Evan, lets just say she isn’t his biggest fan. She’s living with her best friend, Abby, who has a relationship with Evan’s best friend, Matt. Abby tends to host a lot of parties at Ness and Abby’s house, without Ness’ consent. Ness has seen Evan around a couple of times. Him always being drunk or in the company of some girl. One night, Evan actually speaks to her. The introduction is a huge disaster. He’s stupidly drunk and knows how to offend her without even trying. Worst part, the next day he has no recollection at all of their irritating encounter. Still, Ness is intrigued by him. She finds him incredibly sexy and secretly hopes that there are underlying reasons for his immature behavior. ("Some guys just exude sexuality, engulfing you when you're around them, even when you don't like them. Exactly like Evan.") That the drinking and the girls are coping mechanisms. She is correct. Evan puts up one hell of a facade to cover the real him. He might seem arrogant and cocky, but he’s actually very insecure. He can also be very chivalrous, a good friend and helpful. And he’s drawn in by the green-eyed, brown-haired and witty Ness.
"It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you're not."
After breaking down some high built walls, Evan and Ness grow close. ("I don't think forgetting about Ness is a possibility anymore. She's a risk I'm willing to take.") But never too close, as Evan’s keeping something from Ness. Lucy. Who is slowly breaking them apart. Matters get worse when Lucy actually comes back into his life. With these new problems, Ness makes an important life decision that will influence her relationship with Evan in a devastating way. Both have problems with communicating their fears and hopes to each other. They also have defense mechanisms and concrete walls built so high they can't see their way out. Which really creates some stellar problems. Can Evan and Ness let their fears go, confide in each other, to survive and become a solid couple?
"That night together, it was never just another night with another girl. I wanted it to be the first of many mornings I woke up with you in my arms."
I loved how Because of Lucy started. Without too much explanations and just in the middle of something happening. Almost like you jump into Evan and Ness’ story, just before it really begins. For me, that’s the best way to start a book. While reading, details about the character’s lives reveal themselves to you. You get to know the characters bit by bit and you grow close to them. That’s exactly what happened with Ness and Evan. And even with Lucy. Evan reads books. Oh my my, I really loved that. A boy who loves reading. Oh and the boy has some serious abandonment issues and that is my weakness: boys who are afraid everyone leaves them, because that's what every person has done in their lives.
Sometimes people say something really small, but the words fit right into an empty space in your heart.
Something I didn’t like though, was the fact I couldn’t really connect with Abby and Matt. The story is just entirely focused on building Evan and Ness’ characters, resulting in them being the perfect characters and getting a lot of attention, but the persona’s of the side characters aren’t described to the extent needed to become accustomed to them. That is too bad, because the book could have had so much more depth if these characters had a bigger spotlight. By the way, I loved the twist with Lucy. Lucy added some layers to the story. I enjoyed the writing, but I didn’t absolutely love it. Of course, that isn’t essential for liking a book. So that’s okay. The writing was sufficient enough to keep me reading and thoroughly enjoying the book. Not exactly prose, but descriptive enough to lose myself in the admirable story of Evan and Ness. And the heartbreaking story of Evan.
"Jesus, I wish a guy would look at me how he looks at you."
"How?"
Abby stands towards me. "Like the stars would go out if you weren't there anymore."
Because of Lucy is a terrific story about finding love in a person and at a moment you least expect. About learning to make your own choices. Two people finding solace and calm with each other. This was my first Lisa Swallow’s novel, but it certainly won’t be my least. I read a sample of the continuation of Evan and Ness’ story, Finding Evan. I’m already sad to know there will be more problems for this couple, but I can’t wait to read it of course. If you are looking for a book to keep you warm at night, Because of Lucy is an absolute must read!
Being with Evan is as natural as breathing.
*** Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. However, this doesn't affect my opinion of this book and the words in this review. ***
People say, 'I love you' all the time and it means nothing. Throw away words. They lie. Love isn't about how much you say 'I love you', but about how much you prove it's true. It's a word, Ness.
Reading the summary and seeing the cover of Because of Lucy, I wanted to start the book immediately. I was intrigued by Evan and Ness, without even really knowing them. I was also very curious to who Lucy was. Was she an ex from Evan for example? I really wanted to know how Evan and Ness' relationship developed and in which way Lucy would affect their bond.
"You busy tonight?"
What? "Um. Yes. No. Not really."
"Is that a multiple choice quiz? Do I have to tick a box?"
"I'm a bit tired after last night."
"You do look a bit-" He bites his lip. "Tired."
"Crap?"
"You couldn't look crap, Ness. You look better when you smile, though."
"Smooth, Evan."
He rests against the bench. "No."
"What?"
"That's your answer. No, you're not busy tonight, and you'd love to see the smooth Evan Hyde who nobly braves inclement weather to bring you coffee."
Ness and Evan both want to escape control of other people. Escape from their past. Ness is tired of her parents controlling her. That’s why she made the decision to work full-time at a call centre, instead of accepting a place at medical school, provided by her parents. They planned her whole life for her already. She’s going to med school, just like them. But with her decision, she tries to take back control over her own life. ("Freedom from the stress of being what I don't want to be. For not being what someone else wants me to be.") Although, the decision also makes her unhappy, because working at a call centre isn’t exactly her dream job. Evan has major problems of his own. He’s trying to escape his past in Lancaster. A past I’m not going to tell too much about, because it’s for you to find out while reading Because of Lucy. It has to do something with Lucy, that’s all I can tell you.
I should've lived in the present and ignored the past. Instead, I picked up the past and took it home with me.
The first time Ness meets the arrogant and cocky Evan, lets just say she isn’t his biggest fan. She’s living with her best friend, Abby, who has a relationship with Evan’s best friend, Matt. Abby tends to host a lot of parties at Ness and Abby’s house, without Ness’ consent. Ness has seen Evan around a couple of times. Him always being drunk or in the company of some girl. One night, Evan actually speaks to her. The introduction is a huge disaster. He’s stupidly drunk and knows how to offend her without even trying. Worst part, the next day he has no recollection at all of their irritating encounter. Still, Ness is intrigued by him. She finds him incredibly sexy and secretly hopes that there are underlying reasons for his immature behavior. ("Some guys just exude sexuality, engulfing you when you're around them, even when you don't like them. Exactly like Evan.") That the drinking and the girls are coping mechanisms. She is correct. Evan puts up one hell of a facade to cover the real him. He might seem arrogant and cocky, but he’s actually very insecure. He can also be very chivalrous, a good friend and helpful. And he’s drawn in by the green-eyed, brown-haired and witty Ness.
"It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you're not."
After breaking down some high built walls, Evan and Ness grow close. ("I don't think forgetting about Ness is a possibility anymore. She's a risk I'm willing to take.") But never too close, as Evan’s keeping something from Ness. Lucy. Who is slowly breaking them apart. Matters get worse when Lucy actually comes back into his life. With these new problems, Ness makes an important life decision that will influence her relationship with Evan in a devastating way. Both have problems with communicating their fears and hopes to each other. They also have defense mechanisms and concrete walls built so high they can't see their way out. Which really creates some stellar problems. Can Evan and Ness let their fears go, confide in each other, to survive and become a solid couple?
"That night together, it was never just another night with another girl. I wanted it to be the first of many mornings I woke up with you in my arms."
I loved how Because of Lucy started. Without too much explanations and just in the middle of something happening. Almost like you jump into Evan and Ness’ story, just before it really begins. For me, that’s the best way to start a book. While reading, details about the character’s lives reveal themselves to you. You get to know the characters bit by bit and you grow close to them. That’s exactly what happened with Ness and Evan. And even with Lucy. Evan reads books. Oh my my, I really loved that. A boy who loves reading. Oh and the boy has some serious abandonment issues and that is my weakness: boys who are afraid everyone leaves them, because that's what every person has done in their lives.
Sometimes people say something really small, but the words fit right into an empty space in your heart.
Something I didn’t like though, was the fact I couldn’t really connect with Abby and Matt. The story is just entirely focused on building Evan and Ness’ characters, resulting in them being the perfect characters and getting a lot of attention, but the persona’s of the side characters aren’t described to the extent needed to become accustomed to them. That is too bad, because the book could have had so much more depth if these characters had a bigger spotlight. By the way, I loved the twist with Lucy. Lucy added some layers to the story. I enjoyed the writing, but I didn’t absolutely love it. Of course, that isn’t essential for liking a book. So that’s okay. The writing was sufficient enough to keep me reading and thoroughly enjoying the book. Not exactly prose, but descriptive enough to lose myself in the admirable story of Evan and Ness. And the heartbreaking story of Evan.
"Jesus, I wish a guy would look at me how he looks at you."
"How?"
Abby stands towards me. "Like the stars would go out if you weren't there anymore."
Because of Lucy is a terrific story about finding love in a person and at a moment you least expect. About learning to make your own choices. Two people finding solace and calm with each other. This was my first Lisa Swallow’s novel, but it certainly won’t be my least. I read a sample of the continuation of Evan and Ness’ story, Finding Evan. I’m already sad to know there will be more problems for this couple, but I can’t wait to read it of course. If you are looking for a book to keep you warm at night, Because of Lucy is an absolute must read!
Being with Evan is as natural as breathing.
*** Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. However, this doesn't affect my opinion of this book and the words in this review. ***
December 21, 2013
'Because of Lucy' is a brilliant, new adult novel that I absolutely loved reading. It has everything you could ever want in a romance novel but with a side of something extra, more tension, more angst and more problems.
This book tells the story of Vanessa who turns down studying med at Uni and now works in a call centre. Why, you ask? She was fed up being told what to do by her parents. She lives with her best friend Abby, who does go to University, and she has to live with the fact that there will be drunken students round their house almost every night. One of these nights she bumps into Evan. Evan's drunk, a bit of a man-whore and keeps quoting poetry but she can't resist him and soon finds out there is more to him than he is letting on. Someone from Evan’s past turns up, Lucy, but who is she and what does she want?
I thought the plot of the book was absolutely brilliant, when we found out who Lucy was I was heart-broken, it was a surprise and completely not what I was expecting. Whilst we were getting hints of who Lucy was I was more and more anxious, Ms Swallow would go down the more cliché route but I’m glad to say that she didn't at all.
Vanessa, the main character was a very likable one, Ms Swallow wrote her in a way that she was able to be fierce and sharp without being totally hated by readers. I enjoyed reading through her POV as she always made me laugh with some kind of sarcastic comeback. However, at times I did feel the way some of Evan’s friends felt about her, she did come across as snobby sometimes and very judgemental what peeved me off the most about her though was when she became irritated when Evan was helping Lucy , Vanessa became irritated which she had no right to as Lucy really needed Evan. This was very insensitive of her and irritated me quite a bit. She also put Evan through quite a bit of hell in their relationship.
Evan was a character you could easily become so emotionally attached to, at the beginning he was sarcastic, rude and hilarious
”Our names. Evan… Vanessa…” He gives me the lop-sided grin, accompanied by a shine in his eyes. “Evan fits into Vanessa.”
But sometimes I felt the more he was in the relationship with Vanessa, the more he kind of lost that side to him. Perhaps I’m wrong and perhaps that was just him putting a facade on but I would have really liked to read more of him like that near the end. Evan was sweet and caring and my heart broke for him every time something happened to him whether it was what Lucy put him through or whether it was what Vanessa put him through. I loved reading in Evan’s POV a lot more than Vanessa’s and I only wish we could read more of his POV as he is a much more sensitive character and has so much emotional depth but we didn't really see this through Vanessa’s POV.
Vanessa and Evan’s relationship was one full of angst; we didn't really get many scenes of them together where they were happy, like really happy. And I understand that was part of the plot and their character development but it really frustrated me as whenever they seemed to be happy, a bombshell dropped, and argument broke out, something always happened. Ms Swallow described their relationship as a healthy one, it wasn't all consuming, but I really disagree with that, they needed each other, a lot and even though they never really said ‘I love you’ their love for each other was all-consuming.
“I've said so many other things, so much more. I've told you how you’re the centre of my world, my strength. The person who holds my heart when they hold my hand. You've see into the dustiest corner of my soul and I've never let anybody do that.” Evan catches my hand, pulls it to him. “How many times have you felt my heart beating next to you, only for you?”
All in all, I really, really enjoyed this book and I feel as if Evan and Vanessa's story isn't finished so I’m so glad for a sequel. This is a book any new adult fan can read. Love the British feel to it which makes it so different to every other new adult contemporary book I've read!
*Thanks to Ms Swallow for the free copy in exchange for a review*
This book tells the story of Vanessa who turns down studying med at Uni and now works in a call centre. Why, you ask? She was fed up being told what to do by her parents. She lives with her best friend Abby, who does go to University, and she has to live with the fact that there will be drunken students round their house almost every night. One of these nights she bumps into Evan. Evan's drunk, a bit of a man-whore and keeps quoting poetry but she can't resist him and soon finds out there is more to him than he is letting on. Someone from Evan’s past turns up, Lucy, but who is she and what does she want?
I thought the plot of the book was absolutely brilliant, when we found out who Lucy was I was heart-broken, it was a surprise and completely not what I was expecting. Whilst we were getting hints of who Lucy was I was more and more anxious, Ms Swallow would go down the more cliché route but I’m glad to say that she didn't at all.
Vanessa, the main character was a very likable one, Ms Swallow wrote her in a way that she was able to be fierce and sharp without being totally hated by readers. I enjoyed reading through her POV as she always made me laugh with some kind of sarcastic comeback. However, at times I did feel the way some of Evan’s friends felt about her, she did come across as snobby sometimes and very judgemental what peeved me off the most about her though was when she became irritated when Evan was helping Lucy , Vanessa became irritated which she had no right to as Lucy really needed Evan. This was very insensitive of her and irritated me quite a bit. She also put Evan through quite a bit of hell in their relationship.
Evan was a character you could easily become so emotionally attached to, at the beginning he was sarcastic, rude and hilarious
”Our names. Evan… Vanessa…” He gives me the lop-sided grin, accompanied by a shine in his eyes. “Evan fits into Vanessa.”
But sometimes I felt the more he was in the relationship with Vanessa, the more he kind of lost that side to him. Perhaps I’m wrong and perhaps that was just him putting a facade on but I would have really liked to read more of him like that near the end. Evan was sweet and caring and my heart broke for him every time something happened to him whether it was what Lucy put him through or whether it was what Vanessa put him through. I loved reading in Evan’s POV a lot more than Vanessa’s and I only wish we could read more of his POV as he is a much more sensitive character and has so much emotional depth but we didn't really see this through Vanessa’s POV.
Vanessa and Evan’s relationship was one full of angst; we didn't really get many scenes of them together where they were happy, like really happy. And I understand that was part of the plot and their character development but it really frustrated me as whenever they seemed to be happy, a bombshell dropped, and argument broke out, something always happened. Ms Swallow described their relationship as a healthy one, it wasn't all consuming, but I really disagree with that, they needed each other, a lot and even though they never really said ‘I love you’ their love for each other was all-consuming.
“I've said so many other things, so much more. I've told you how you’re the centre of my world, my strength. The person who holds my heart when they hold my hand. You've see into the dustiest corner of my soul and I've never let anybody do that.” Evan catches my hand, pulls it to him. “How many times have you felt my heart beating next to you, only for you?”
All in all, I really, really enjoyed this book and I feel as if Evan and Vanessa's story isn't finished so I’m so glad for a sequel. This is a book any new adult fan can read. Love the British feel to it which makes it so different to every other new adult contemporary book I've read!
*Thanks to Ms Swallow for the free copy in exchange for a review*
September 30, 2013
I have to be honest, this is only the second book I have read by this author, yet I can already tell she is an all-round superstar. The other book I have read of hers is called Soul Ties and is a Paranormal Romance, then here's this Contemporary Romance which has just come along to show that Lisa can switch-up the genres and be able to pull it off with deft ease.
This is the story of Vanessa and Evan. The two meet by chance when Ness's friend Abby is dating Evan's friend Matt. There's an attraction between the two but Evan's reputation as a charmer precedes him and Ness doesn't want to get caught up in the drama.
Abby and Ness room together, and Abby has a habit of holding parties til stupid o'clock in the morning. Ness can't get away from the student life even though she isn't one. She decided not to follow along the path that she had previously been on. Her parents wanted her to study but she decided to get a job instead.
Evan is attracted to Ness. Maybe it's the fact that she's gorgeous, maybe it's the fact she doesn't seem interested or maybe it's both. When Ness looks at Evan, all she can see is his reputation for being the 'love them and leave them' type of guy. She can't deny she's attracted to him but as drawn as she is, she doesn't want to be just another notch on his bed post.
What ensues is a tale of a not-so-straightforward romance. Don't forget, there's Lucy to consider. But just who is the mysterious Lucy and what hold does she have on Evan?
I would definitely recommend this book to lovers of Contemporary Romance and anyone who loves an emotionally gripping story.
I was so drawn into this story. I had an emotional investment in it from the beginning. I felt as though Lisa had written the role of Vanessa for me. She has sass and doesn't take any messing. She is just my kind of girl.
This book was full of sexual tension and oh-so-witty banter and repartee. There were times aplenty when I had to laugh out loud at some of the moves Evan was trying to pull and Ness wasn't having any of it. But then there were also times when my mood was brought down, take for instance my Goodreads status at 72% in:
"I just can't hold them back any longer... Hot salty tears are racing each other quietly down my cheeks as I take in all that Evan is and what he and Ness could be... I want my own real-life Evan, minus the "issues""
and my status update when I finished:
"I couldn't go to bed because I simply had to finish not just want to, but HAD to finish this book. I seriously adore Evan and Vanessa. The whole man-whore thing was so... well, you'll see... I am bowled over by Lisa's beautiful words and her insight into "the issues" - I am crying my eyes out but trying to be quiet so as not to wake my son!"
In all honesty, I can NOT wait until the next book in this series, I think I might have bitten my fingers off in the slow, agonizing wait!
February 26, 2016
I originally read Because of Lucy when it was released in 2013, and was just a novella at the time. I absolutely loved it, and it started a big love of NA and of course Lisa Swallow for me. It was the first book of Lisa's I had read, and I have never looked back. It showed perfectly just how unique a writer Lisa is, and how her characters are so real and down to earth, at the same time being characters you could fall in love with, or even want to be. The writing style had me literally hooked on every page, and wondering what would happen next. I was routing for Ness and Evan, but at the same time frustrated with the both of them. I just couldn't help but be so moved by such 'real' characters, and their gripping love story. A love story that had it's up's and down's, like anyone else, but written so beautifully, you wanted to jump in the pages, and bang their heads together.
This revised version of Because of Lucy, is without a doubt worth reading if you have already read the original. It's now longer, making it a full novel, and has some great new scenes between Ness and Evan, that seem to show just how perfect a couple they really were. It also has a GORGEOUS new cover which is perfection!! So whether you are new to this story, or have already read the original, you need to go read this revised version, and fall in love with Evan!!! :)
Original review of Because of Lucy:
I had been waiting to read this for quite a while when I read about it on a blog. I loved the fact that for one it was set in the UK which made a nice change. I also liked how both lead characters had pain and secrets. So with all the things I love in NA, I was so excited to jump in to this book.
Vanessa (Ness) has started a job in telesales, a job she hates but has to do to prove a point to herself and her parents who had mapped her life out for her. She moves in with her old friend who has started at uni, so she's stuck in student life without being a student. Hell to some.
During one particular night of partying in her house, she comes home from work and meets Evan, a somewhat normal student, off his face. There is something about him but hard to tell. They end up bumping in to each other a few more times due to mutual friends and realise they have some things in common. I like the witty banter between them and the heat is crazy.
It's obvious they should be together but Evan has some demons that keep cropping up and causing probs. So without giving any more away, a fantastic read. There was moments where I was giggling like mad and then alternating with sighing and trying not to cry. It's packed with emotion and frustration. Also quite short so I flew through it as I couldn't put it down. Amazing ending that ticked all my boxes! Loved this book.
This revised version of Because of Lucy, is without a doubt worth reading if you have already read the original. It's now longer, making it a full novel, and has some great new scenes between Ness and Evan, that seem to show just how perfect a couple they really were. It also has a GORGEOUS new cover which is perfection!! So whether you are new to this story, or have already read the original, you need to go read this revised version, and fall in love with Evan!!! :)
Original review of Because of Lucy:
I had been waiting to read this for quite a while when I read about it on a blog. I loved the fact that for one it was set in the UK which made a nice change. I also liked how both lead characters had pain and secrets. So with all the things I love in NA, I was so excited to jump in to this book.
Vanessa (Ness) has started a job in telesales, a job she hates but has to do to prove a point to herself and her parents who had mapped her life out for her. She moves in with her old friend who has started at uni, so she's stuck in student life without being a student. Hell to some.
During one particular night of partying in her house, she comes home from work and meets Evan, a somewhat normal student, off his face. There is something about him but hard to tell. They end up bumping in to each other a few more times due to mutual friends and realise they have some things in common. I like the witty banter between them and the heat is crazy.
It's obvious they should be together but Evan has some demons that keep cropping up and causing probs. So without giving any more away, a fantastic read. There was moments where I was giggling like mad and then alternating with sighing and trying not to cry. It's packed with emotion and frustration. Also quite short so I flew through it as I couldn't put it down. Amazing ending that ticked all my boxes! Loved this book.
September 12, 2016
3.75 - 4 Stars
There was just something that stopped me from loving this book, but I can't put my finger on it. I don't know I felt like I was missing something, what? I'm not sure, but I know I was.
I loved the idea of the story BUT let me say this I'm from the U.S. and I don't know about everyone else in this country, but what I got from a "call girl" is definitely not what this book was about. Usually, at least in the states a call girl/center is more of um, an adult sort of thing, if ya catch my drift ....
So I was expecting something completely different, which would've been hysterical, but I'm not sure would have fit in with the story that the author wrote.
Ahem, okay so 'Ness' is this call girl, she doesnt want to be the doctor her parents want her to be, or at least she doenst want to be controlled by them anyway. So we meet her partyrific roommate who throws these ragers, and at one of these parties she meets Evan and he's well your typical hottie who has a bad rep, but not really. Anyway they start to get closer, but he's hiding something. Evan gets all these calls from someone and Ness is very paranoid til one day she finds out who it is, Lucy. We eventually find out all about Lucy and who she is to Evan. I don't want to give to much away though so there's my blurb about the book.
Back to the review, I really enjoyed the book, I just couldn't really get into Ness and Evan, they we're cute together and everything I just don't know. I loved Evan though, I think he was probably the best character in the whole book he was funny, whitty, and so loveable. Like I totally could date him (if he was ya know, real) I thought he was great with Lucy and that whole situation he went above and beyond what should be expected by anyone in that situation and I loved him.
Ness was a different story, this is probably why the book wasn't a solid 4 stars. I didnt like Ness. She just came across exactly as Evan and his friends described her; snotty and better than everyone else. That's just my general opinion. There was just something about her personality that I wasn't a fan of. Not to mention the whole thing with Lucy, that just annoyed me. Ness came across as whinny and selfish.
It had a cute ending though and I'd recommend it
*ARC provided by author
There was just something that stopped me from loving this book, but I can't put my finger on it. I don't know I felt like I was missing something, what? I'm not sure, but I know I was.
I loved the idea of the story BUT let me say this I'm from the U.S. and I don't know about everyone else in this country, but what I got from a "call girl" is definitely not what this book was about. Usually, at least in the states a call girl/center is more of um, an adult sort of thing, if ya catch my drift ....
So I was expecting something completely different, which would've been hysterical, but I'm not sure would have fit in with the story that the author wrote.
Ahem, okay so 'Ness' is this call girl, she doesnt want to be the doctor her parents want her to be, or at least she doenst want to be controlled by them anyway. So we meet her partyrific roommate who throws these ragers, and at one of these parties she meets Evan and he's well your typical hottie who has a bad rep, but not really. Anyway they start to get closer, but he's hiding something. Evan gets all these calls from someone and Ness is very paranoid til one day she finds out who it is, Lucy. We eventually find out all about Lucy and who she is to Evan. I don't want to give to much away though so there's my blurb about the book.
Back to the review, I really enjoyed the book, I just couldn't really get into Ness and Evan, they we're cute together and everything I just don't know. I loved Evan though, I think he was probably the best character in the whole book he was funny, whitty, and so loveable. Like I totally could date him (if he was ya know, real) I thought he was great with Lucy and that whole situation he went above and beyond what should be expected by anyone in that situation and I loved him.
Ness was a different story, this is probably why the book wasn't a solid 4 stars. I didnt like Ness. She just came across exactly as Evan and his friends described her; snotty and better than everyone else. That's just my general opinion. There was just something about her personality that I wasn't a fan of. Not to mention the whole thing with Lucy, that just annoyed me. Ness came across as whinny and selfish.
It had a cute ending though and I'd recommend it
*ARC provided by author
December 2, 2013
*I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review*
I liked this book, but it just felt like something was missing! I can't put my finger on it though! It will come to me (hopefully soon)
Vanessa (Ness) has moved to Leeds with her best friend Abby and they share a house. Abby is the party animal as she is the one at Uni studying. Ness is the one who rejected her college acceptance and is working at a call centre.
She meets Evan at one of Abby's party's and has an attraction to him (even though he is a party animal)! They start 'dating' each other after 'hooking up' one night as they both feel the attraction, but to Ness its like he's hiding something.
He keeps getting these calls all the time and keeps rejecting them. And this is where the books title's makes sense as you find out what Evan is hiding.
After finding out the reason for all the calls I just had to fall in love with Evan as you then understand why you first think him a party animal, drinking all the time!
The book was a short read for me and I enjoyed it even though I feel like it kind of lacked some depth! I liked the characters but felt it hard to connect with them!
Maybe some more explanation of Vanessa and her background!
I see that there is another book, so maybe in the next book we will get more into the characters
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book!
I liked this book, but it just felt like something was missing! I can't put my finger on it though! It will come to me (hopefully soon)
Vanessa (Ness) has moved to Leeds with her best friend Abby and they share a house. Abby is the party animal as she is the one at Uni studying. Ness is the one who rejected her college acceptance and is working at a call centre.
She meets Evan at one of Abby's party's and has an attraction to him (even though he is a party animal)! They start 'dating' each other after 'hooking up' one night as they both feel the attraction, but to Ness its like he's hiding something.
He keeps getting these calls all the time and keeps rejecting them. And this is where the books title's makes sense as you find out what Evan is hiding.
After finding out the reason for all the calls I just had to fall in love with Evan as you then understand why you first think him a party animal, drinking all the time!
The book was a short read for me and I enjoyed it even though I feel like it kind of lacked some depth! I liked the characters but felt it hard to connect with them!
Maybe some more explanation of Vanessa and her background!
I see that there is another book, so maybe in the next book we will get more into the characters
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book!
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