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Absolutely
One mistake sends Ashlyn Ramos plummeting from popular naiveté and into the outskirts of the social order. She’s had a great life so far. So many things were going right! Now, she has a wrecked car, a parentally confiscated cell phone, and ex-friends making life miserable. Not the way she wanted to start the best year of her life. And walking to school was totally going to suck. Until she saw him on the sidewalk ahead of her.
Kiel Fuller has a past he’d prefer to keep to himself. He’s had several rough years. His own fault, admittedly, for screwing up. Now, he’s settled in a small town and ready to make the most of senior year. However, his dad is borrowing his Jeep. Walking to school won’t suck too much, though. He could blast his iPod and think. What he didn’t count on was Ashlyn walking up beside him.
It is not love at first walk. Kiel’s heard the rumors about her. And Ashlyn can’t make herself heard over his blaring iPod. They’re both facing demons, but they learn it’s better to face them together.
Kiel Fuller has a past he’d prefer to keep to himself. He’s had several rough years. His own fault, admittedly, for screwing up. Now, he’s settled in a small town and ready to make the most of senior year. However, his dad is borrowing his Jeep. Walking to school won’t suck too much, though. He could blast his iPod and think. What he didn’t count on was Ashlyn walking up beside him.
It is not love at first walk. Kiel’s heard the rumors about her. And Ashlyn can’t make herself heard over his blaring iPod. They’re both facing demons, but they learn it’s better to face them together.
- GenresYoung Adult
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 26, 2014
4 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 8, 2014
A TALE OF TEENAGE LOVE
I decided to get this book, after reading a blurb on Goodreads. This is her first book. My hat goes off to this author for a well edited story.
This book would be excellent for teenagers. The dialogue in itself was very articulate. The pace flowed smoothly throughout the story. I loved how the author made references and what consequences could be had, with dealing with Bullies, lying, pre-martial sex, and teenage drinking. These are problems that our own children are doing, or subjected to, and we, as parents, need to step up and not allow this. This is demonstrated by the parents, school officials, and law enforcement in this story.
The main characters: Kiel and Ashlyn, demonstrates realistic emotions and feelings that are prevalent in teenagers today. They start out acting immature, thus making bad choices. They will learn from making bad choices and having consequences. You will see how they will think before they act as the story unfolds. Secondary characters played their roles well, which made this story more realistic. I could actually relate to these characters. They remind me of my trials with my own children.
The book cover correlates with the story and fits with desired age group for readers. It contains humor, budding romance, and a little sarcasm. The story is done in perspectives by Kiel and Ashlyn. Makes you aware of what each character displays with situations and emotions. I would recommend this book for young teenagers, and those readers that like to read about "Young" love. Happy Reading!!! Cheers!!!
I decided to get this book, after reading a blurb on Goodreads. This is her first book. My hat goes off to this author for a well edited story.
This book would be excellent for teenagers. The dialogue in itself was very articulate. The pace flowed smoothly throughout the story. I loved how the author made references and what consequences could be had, with dealing with Bullies, lying, pre-martial sex, and teenage drinking. These are problems that our own children are doing, or subjected to, and we, as parents, need to step up and not allow this. This is demonstrated by the parents, school officials, and law enforcement in this story.
The main characters: Kiel and Ashlyn, demonstrates realistic emotions and feelings that are prevalent in teenagers today. They start out acting immature, thus making bad choices. They will learn from making bad choices and having consequences. You will see how they will think before they act as the story unfolds. Secondary characters played their roles well, which made this story more realistic. I could actually relate to these characters. They remind me of my trials with my own children.
The book cover correlates with the story and fits with desired age group for readers. It contains humor, budding romance, and a little sarcasm. The story is done in perspectives by Kiel and Ashlyn. Makes you aware of what each character displays with situations and emotions. I would recommend this book for young teenagers, and those readers that like to read about "Young" love. Happy Reading!!! Cheers!!!
October 20, 2014
Thank you to Melissa for providing me a copy to review, although this didn't alter my review in any way. I loved book!
Absolutely is teenage love story taking place amidst the dramas of high school bullying, centred on two kids who are trying to get their lives back together. It all starts when Ash crashes (accidentally) her car with a police officer’s daughter and Ash’s best friend, Reyna, inside. Everyone is fine, but Reyna is nowhere to be found, and her dad is conveniently among the first responders. This doesn’t mean that Reyna disappeared or was kidnapped or anything – she straight up bailed on her best friend and proceeds to make sure everyone thinks Ash was alone in the car, drunk and loose. Reyna is a crazy bitch, for even more reasons that become clearer and clearer as the story unfolds. Most of Ash’s class then proceeds to pounce and blame her for moments where she is actually the victim. Absolutely tackles these issues head on in a sophisticated and thoughtful manner.
Ash rapidly finds herself at the bottom of the high school food chain, with no car, friends, or phone, walking to school with a near-stranger (Kiel Fuller) who lives a few blocks from her house. But, in the long run, it’s not so bad. Her walking companion ends up being the love of her life so far, she grows in confidence enough to stand up for herself and realise that life as Reyna’s best friend was not all it was cracked up to be, and gains a new set of caring friends who are endearing and genuinely good people.
Kiel becomes a little bit possessive in parts, but it’s to be expected and doesn’t take away from his and Ash’s story. Throughout Absolutely, we gain deep insight into the leads – Kiel and Ash – but I felt as if I wanted to know the supporting characters a bit better, too. A little more insight into Reyna’s motivations to cut ties and destroy Ash at the drop of a hat would have been interesting, too, not to justify Reyna’s actions but to understand where that kind of cruelty comes from.
Absolutely felt authentic with very relatable, intriguing characters placed in a believable world. Ash and Kiel fell into a charming romance that kept the pages turning to see what kind of drama would eventuate next and how they chose to handle their harassers.
**This review was first published on IndieYAYA at http://indieyaya.blogspot.co.uk/2014/... **
Absolutely is teenage love story taking place amidst the dramas of high school bullying, centred on two kids who are trying to get their lives back together. It all starts when Ash crashes (accidentally) her car with a police officer’s daughter and Ash’s best friend, Reyna, inside. Everyone is fine, but Reyna is nowhere to be found, and her dad is conveniently among the first responders. This doesn’t mean that Reyna disappeared or was kidnapped or anything – she straight up bailed on her best friend and proceeds to make sure everyone thinks Ash was alone in the car, drunk and loose. Reyna is a crazy bitch, for even more reasons that become clearer and clearer as the story unfolds. Most of Ash’s class then proceeds to pounce and blame her for moments where she is actually the victim. Absolutely tackles these issues head on in a sophisticated and thoughtful manner.
Ash rapidly finds herself at the bottom of the high school food chain, with no car, friends, or phone, walking to school with a near-stranger (Kiel Fuller) who lives a few blocks from her house. But, in the long run, it’s not so bad. Her walking companion ends up being the love of her life so far, she grows in confidence enough to stand up for herself and realise that life as Reyna’s best friend was not all it was cracked up to be, and gains a new set of caring friends who are endearing and genuinely good people.
Kiel becomes a little bit possessive in parts, but it’s to be expected and doesn’t take away from his and Ash’s story. Throughout Absolutely, we gain deep insight into the leads – Kiel and Ash – but I felt as if I wanted to know the supporting characters a bit better, too. A little more insight into Reyna’s motivations to cut ties and destroy Ash at the drop of a hat would have been interesting, too, not to justify Reyna’s actions but to understand where that kind of cruelty comes from.
Absolutely felt authentic with very relatable, intriguing characters placed in a believable world. Ash and Kiel fell into a charming romance that kept the pages turning to see what kind of drama would eventuate next and how they chose to handle their harassers.
**This review was first published on IndieYAYA at http://indieyaya.blogspot.co.uk/2014/... **
September 18, 2014
*I received a copy of the eBook in exchange for an honest review.*
Ashlyn Ramos’ life changes after two drinks at a summer party. She must adhere to her parent’s consequences for drinking and totaling her car. This means no cell phone and walking to school.
Kiel Fuller is new to the community and is starting school with a clean slate leaving his history behind hopefully forever.
Walking to school on their first day they bump into each other. Ashlyn is effervescent and Kiel is dismissive. As their journey begins so does their friendship.
It is a novel of young love. Their voices are likeable, honest and believable. The plot keeps you reading. The novel deals with high school issues—bullying, lying, teenage hormones, drinking, and friendship. It is refreshing to read a young adult novel where the families are not dysfunctional. Ashlyn and Kiel’s parents are positive, supportive and realistic adult role models.
Will you enjoy this read? Absolutely!
Ashlyn Ramos’ life changes after two drinks at a summer party. She must adhere to her parent’s consequences for drinking and totaling her car. This means no cell phone and walking to school.
Kiel Fuller is new to the community and is starting school with a clean slate leaving his history behind hopefully forever.
Walking to school on their first day they bump into each other. Ashlyn is effervescent and Kiel is dismissive. As their journey begins so does their friendship.
It is a novel of young love. Their voices are likeable, honest and believable. The plot keeps you reading. The novel deals with high school issues—bullying, lying, teenage hormones, drinking, and friendship. It is refreshing to read a young adult novel where the families are not dysfunctional. Ashlyn and Kiel’s parents are positive, supportive and realistic adult role models.
Will you enjoy this read? Absolutely!
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January 22, 2025(3.5 stars, rounded up)
I'm surprised to be giving this book such a high rating, given that I could not be more different from its intended audience. But that just goes to show how well-written and engaging it is.
Absolutely is a high school romance featuring a once-popular, now-ostracized (by the popular crowd) cheerleader and a reformed-bad-boy quarterback. The two are very horny for each other, but they are Church-going kids who love their families and homecoming dance. Here is why I'm not the intended audience: I never went to a high school (I skipped it and went straight to college, THANK GOODNESS. This book reminded me of why that was the best decision of my life). But if I had gone to high school, I would've been a Freak or a Geek (I love the show Freaks & Geeks, obviously :)). I never would've found myself sharing a social circle or even an enjoyable conversation with the two protagonists. Also, I'm an atheist, and I think homecoming is lame. So there you go: I could not be further from the intended audience.
HOWEVER! Somehow, I found myself continuing to read this book. The writing style was fluid and easy to read, and I somehow liked the characters, despite the fact that I wouldn't want to deal with them in person. :) The book is written from alternating perspectives--Ashlyn's and Kiel's--and every time it switches to a new perspective, we get a few paragraphs of the current narrator's take on events just related from the previous person's perspective. That could easily get boring or repetitive, but the author did a really nice job with it.
The middle of the book was a little weak (I got tired of Ashlyn and Kiel constantly wanting to rip each other's clothes off) and the "drama" with the popular kids was a little overdone. (So much police involvement! Would police really give a shit? I've never lived in a small town, so I don't know; maybe they would.)
I can see this book really appealing to its intended audience: Teenagers whose entire world is high school and romance. (After all, I enjoyed it, and that's saying something.)
I'm surprised to be giving this book such a high rating, given that I could not be more different from its intended audience. But that just goes to show how well-written and engaging it is.
Absolutely is a high school romance featuring a once-popular, now-ostracized (by the popular crowd) cheerleader and a reformed-bad-boy quarterback. The two are very horny for each other, but they are Church-going kids who love their families and homecoming dance. Here is why I'm not the intended audience: I never went to a high school (I skipped it and went straight to college, THANK GOODNESS. This book reminded me of why that was the best decision of my life). But if I had gone to high school, I would've been a Freak or a Geek (I love the show Freaks & Geeks, obviously :)). I never would've found myself sharing a social circle or even an enjoyable conversation with the two protagonists. Also, I'm an atheist, and I think homecoming is lame. So there you go: I could not be further from the intended audience.
HOWEVER! Somehow, I found myself continuing to read this book. The writing style was fluid and easy to read, and I somehow liked the characters, despite the fact that I wouldn't want to deal with them in person. :) The book is written from alternating perspectives--Ashlyn's and Kiel's--and every time it switches to a new perspective, we get a few paragraphs of the current narrator's take on events just related from the previous person's perspective. That could easily get boring or repetitive, but the author did a really nice job with it.
The middle of the book was a little weak (I got tired of Ashlyn and Kiel constantly wanting to rip each other's clothes off) and the "drama" with the popular kids was a little overdone. (So much police involvement! Would police really give a shit? I've never lived in a small town, so I don't know; maybe they would.)
I can see this book really appealing to its intended audience: Teenagers whose entire world is high school and romance. (After all, I enjoyed it, and that's saying something.)
November 30, 2014
Would like to thank Melissa Veracruz for gifting me this book for a honest review.
We get this cute high school love story and we see the extremes bullies will go to hurt someone. We are introduced to Ash, a senior, cheerleader and popular girl in school and after one huge mistake she is cast out by her best friend Reyna and the rest of the popular crew. Ash lost her car and has to start walking to school and has to start making friends again.
On her walk to school she sees another classmate walking and starts to walk with him, this where Kiel comes in, he is a changed guy, he is on the football team and has heard the rumors about Ash and he doesn't want trouble and he sees Ash as trouble. He tries to resist Ash, but he is a good guy and likes her. Kiel hates how Ash is being bullied and defends her. When they finally start to spend more time together, Kiel gets to really know Ash and sees that she is just another victim to Reyna. Ash and Kiel's relationship really starts to get very heated and starts to get very serious.
I really loved this books, I loved that we get some Spanish lingo here, both Kiel and Ash's parents being part Hispanic and how Ash struggled so much in Spanish class. We really see Ash finally get her wake up call about life and how naive she was about her friends.
"My eyes were open now. I'd breezed through life following blindly in Reyna's wake, never seeing what she plowed through to get where she was going what she wanted. It may sound like I was the most naive person to have graced this earth. But I'm not the first or the last that has followed the person they thought was their friend, thought they could trust. And I won't be the last."
Thanks again!!!
We get this cute high school love story and we see the extremes bullies will go to hurt someone. We are introduced to Ash, a senior, cheerleader and popular girl in school and after one huge mistake she is cast out by her best friend Reyna and the rest of the popular crew. Ash lost her car and has to start walking to school and has to start making friends again.
On her walk to school she sees another classmate walking and starts to walk with him, this where Kiel comes in, he is a changed guy, he is on the football team and has heard the rumors about Ash and he doesn't want trouble and he sees Ash as trouble. He tries to resist Ash, but he is a good guy and likes her. Kiel hates how Ash is being bullied and defends her. When they finally start to spend more time together, Kiel gets to really know Ash and sees that she is just another victim to Reyna. Ash and Kiel's relationship really starts to get very heated and starts to get very serious.
I really loved this books, I loved that we get some Spanish lingo here, both Kiel and Ash's parents being part Hispanic and how Ash struggled so much in Spanish class. We really see Ash finally get her wake up call about life and how naive she was about her friends.
"My eyes were open now. I'd breezed through life following blindly in Reyna's wake, never seeing what she plowed through to get where she was going what she wanted. It may sound like I was the most naive person to have graced this earth. But I'm not the first or the last that has followed the person they thought was their friend, thought they could trust. And I won't be the last."
Thanks again!!!
June 10, 2014
This is a great high school ya romance book.
Ash and Kiel are both 17 and just starting their senior year of high school for as this story begins. Both have some mistakes they are trying to get past/over come/forget. Personally I think Kiel's are bigger-but they aren't really an issue in the story. Ash's mistakes are the ones that taunt her through this story.
I love the writing style in this book. It flips back and forth from Kiel's pov to Ashlyn's. It's funny and straight forward as these two deal with high school drama, bullying, mean girls who rule the school, parties, lieing and underage drinking. They also learn who they can be as they evolve from strangers to friends to a couple.
(I'm stating this next part, not as a spoiler, but as a parent myself I never know whether a book is safe to hand to my child or not, and I don't always want to preread everything-but I don't want them reading steamy adult romance novels and/or erotica.)
There is NO actual sex in this book. Is there sexual tension, discussion, and acts that could lead to sex? Absolutely. Would I let my teenager read this book? Absolutely. This book has some nudity in it and of course raging teenage hormones, luckily one of them keeps their head about themselves whenever these situations come up.
**I was provided a copy to beta read this book.
Ash and Kiel are both 17 and just starting their senior year of high school for as this story begins. Both have some mistakes they are trying to get past/over come/forget. Personally I think Kiel's are bigger-but they aren't really an issue in the story. Ash's mistakes are the ones that taunt her through this story.
I love the writing style in this book. It flips back and forth from Kiel's pov to Ashlyn's. It's funny and straight forward as these two deal with high school drama, bullying, mean girls who rule the school, parties, lieing and underage drinking. They also learn who they can be as they evolve from strangers to friends to a couple.
(I'm stating this next part, not as a spoiler, but as a parent myself I never know whether a book is safe to hand to my child or not, and I don't always want to preread everything-but I don't want them reading steamy adult romance novels and/or erotica.)
There is NO actual sex in this book. Is there sexual tension, discussion, and acts that could lead to sex? Absolutely. Would I let my teenager read this book? Absolutely. This book has some nudity in it and of course raging teenage hormones, luckily one of them keeps their head about themselves whenever these situations come up.
**I was provided a copy to beta read this book.
June 20, 2014
"...the paths we take may twist, but we end up where we should be."
Ashlyn is your typical all-American, cheerleader teen growing up in a small Texas town. After one fateful mistake, she not only totals her car, forcing her to walk to school everyday, but she is labeled a pariah and loses all of her friends. Not the best way to start senior year. Then she meets Kiel. No, not Kyle, it's pronounced kee-uhl.
Kiel
Kiel is hoping to put his past behind him and start fresh. This doesn't include becoming friends with one of the most notorious girls at his new school. He intends to stay as far away from this girl who is rumored to be nothing but trouble. But Ashlyn intrudes on his life, on his music, and soon on his mind.
This book is a fun, light read and intended for the young adult audience. It is a clean read, but definitely sensual in some parts. I very much enjoyed this debut novel!
Ashlyn is your typical all-American, cheerleader teen growing up in a small Texas town. After one fateful mistake, she not only totals her car, forcing her to walk to school everyday, but she is labeled a pariah and loses all of her friends. Not the best way to start senior year. Then she meets Kiel. No, not Kyle, it's pronounced kee-uhl.
Kiel
Kiel is hoping to put his past behind him and start fresh. This doesn't include becoming friends with one of the most notorious girls at his new school. He intends to stay as far away from this girl who is rumored to be nothing but trouble. But Ashlyn intrudes on his life, on his music, and soon on his mind.
This book is a fun, light read and intended for the young adult audience. It is a clean read, but definitely sensual in some parts. I very much enjoyed this debut novel!
October 27, 2015
*I was provided a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review...I also participated in beta-reading for this author.*
I was excited to get the chance to read the final draft of this book. I like this simple high school contemporary romance. This new author has taken some relatively serious high school-type issues (such as cyber bullying, drug dealing, etc.) and addressed them in a redemptive story about teenagers finding themselves while finding each other.
I enjoyed the soundtrack that flowed through the telling of this story. Music is a tool for the characters as well as the author to create the mood and tone of the story. I was introduced to the music of The Kooks through this story - to which I now listen on a regular basis - and for that I will always be grateful.
There are parts of this story that are unrealistic for the adult reader, such as the speed of the relationship development; however, I enjoyed it despite that, because let's face it, teenagers really can fall in and out of love that quickly...
While addressing some serious issues, this story manages to be a light and uplifting YA read.
I was excited to get the chance to read the final draft of this book. I like this simple high school contemporary romance. This new author has taken some relatively serious high school-type issues (such as cyber bullying, drug dealing, etc.) and addressed them in a redemptive story about teenagers finding themselves while finding each other.
I enjoyed the soundtrack that flowed through the telling of this story. Music is a tool for the characters as well as the author to create the mood and tone of the story. I was introduced to the music of The Kooks through this story - to which I now listen on a regular basis - and for that I will always be grateful.
There are parts of this story that are unrealistic for the adult reader, such as the speed of the relationship development; however, I enjoyed it despite that, because let's face it, teenagers really can fall in and out of love that quickly...
While addressing some serious issues, this story manages to be a light and uplifting YA read.
December 26, 2014
What I liked about it:
It definitely gave the authentic sense of Texas high school society. Rarely have I seen a book written about some high schooler in Texas that really went into football and homecoming tradition. That is so integral, but this is evidently written by someone who either first hand experienced it or really did her research. She also dealt with the complexity of mixing of races, bullying, and police "looking the other way" until it could no longer be swept under the rug. This snapshot into an authentic Texas high school society is why I gave it so many stars.
What I did not like about it:
This is NOT my cup of tea. I am not into "I so want to jump your bones". I completely get that this is very authentic, but perhaps a bit too authentic for my tastes.
It definitely gave the authentic sense of Texas high school society. Rarely have I seen a book written about some high schooler in Texas that really went into football and homecoming tradition. That is so integral, but this is evidently written by someone who either first hand experienced it or really did her research. She also dealt with the complexity of mixing of races, bullying, and police "looking the other way" until it could no longer be swept under the rug. This snapshot into an authentic Texas high school society is why I gave it so many stars.
What I did not like about it:
This is NOT my cup of tea. I am not into "I so want to jump your bones". I completely get that this is very authentic, but perhaps a bit too authentic for my tastes.
October 26, 2015
The young adult romance situations I tend to read about usually involve the supernatural. As much as I love those kinds of books, I admit the market is saturated with them now, so this purely human tale of a high school romance is somewhat refreshing. It incorporates many real issues faced by that set, including underage drinking, the excitement of homecoming, and most notably the problem of bullying.
This is not my usual type of book, but it was well-written and an admirable example of its kind. I enjoyed seeing the relationship through the eyes of both characters, and there is a good dose of humor in these pages. If you like a good old-fashioned romance that has you just as breathless as the characters, odds are you will enjoy this book.
This is not my usual type of book, but it was well-written and an admirable example of its kind. I enjoyed seeing the relationship through the eyes of both characters, and there is a good dose of humor in these pages. If you like a good old-fashioned romance that has you just as breathless as the characters, odds are you will enjoy this book.
June 14, 2014
LOVE IT
The beginning was the best!!! It got sort of weird in the middle. But the ending was great!!! It's perfect for any love crazy teen!
The beginning was the best!!! It got sort of weird in the middle. But the ending was great!!! It's perfect for any love crazy teen!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews