Last Will and Testament (Radleigh University, #1) by Dahlia Adler

Dec 07, 2014 Lady Vigilante (Feifei) rated it really liked it

Shelves: dark-taboo-forbidden-reads, new-adult-express, it-s-against-school-rules-romance, contemporary-duckie, sweet-hero, haha-funny, panty-dropping-hot, this-is-for-ana

4.5 stars!!

description

This book ranks high on my list of favorite NA romances. Though it has clichéd tropes (what NA book doesn’t?), the approach and execution was done very well and with ethnically diverse and easy to love main characters, an engaging storyline, and side characters that were both comical and warmed my heart, Last Will and Testament was a big winner for me!

“...life doesn’t give a shit about perfect timing or perfect circumstances; it just happens. And by now, I’ve lived enough to ...more

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Nov 13, 2014 Jennifer Kyle rated it really liked it · review of another edition

*4.5 Flat-Front Pants Stars*

”I need to fix my life up at Radleigh or it’s over. If I lose my scholarships, or my brothers, or both…I just can’t.”

description

Eighteen year old college student, Lizze Brandt has to grow up quickly when tragedy strikes her family. She finds herself in danger of losing her scholarship and custody of her two minor brothers all the while falling head over heels in love with her Byzantine History TA, Connor Lawson.

”Flat-fronts. Duh.”

“Are you trying to turn me into a hipster?”

“ ...more

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Dec 10, 2014 Rachel Reads Ravenously rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommended to Rachel Reads Ravenously by: Lady Vigilante (Feifei)

Shelves: ebooks, new-adult-mania, romance, college-romance

4 stars!

I'm actually kind of bewildered that this book isn't more popular. It's a new adult gem!

Last Will and Testament is about college student Lizzie who just found out that her parents both died in a tragic accident leaving her as the guardian over her two little brothers. Lizzie moves her brothers up to college with her, but finds she is falling behind in her classes and asks her history TA to help tutor her. Thus, romance! Just kidding, but the two fall into a friendship and very soon ...more

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Dec 10, 2014 Catarina rated it really liked it

Shelves: new-adult, cotton-candy-romance

4 Strong Stars.

description

Lizzie just went to college and is going through a rebellious phase, missing out on classes, alcohol and random guys. Until tragedy happens and suddenly she find herself without her parents and with the custody of her two younger brothers. And if she doesn’t want to lose her custody she needs to maintain her scholarship, and for that she needs the help of Connor, a TA that will tutor her. Their relationship is forbidden, but when neither can resist their feelings things are ...more

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Oct 02, 2018 L A i N E Y rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: NA readers

Shelves: ooh-chemistry, humor-i-get, reviewed, pleasant-surprise, boy-i-luv-u, na, broke-me-outta-slump

“My brain’s still working to process the past few minutes. Connor has taken my fashion advice. Connor has also, apparently, taken a lover. Or already had one.

And I care, apparently.

Which means I need to get laid.”

How can you not love a girl whose brain works like this??!

This book read so much like butter: smooth, flowing and delicious (yum!). It was hella funny and I love Connor, he’s such an adorable (hot) nerd!

It’s an almost forbidden romance between a teaching assistant and an ...more

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Dec 10, 2014 ✦❋Arianna✦❋ rated it really liked it

4.5 STARS

description

“…life doesn’t give a shit about perfect timing, or perfect circumstances; it just happens.”

“Last Will and Testament” was such a fantastic read and for sure one of the best NA I’ve read so far. From the blurb you can tell the story is about a forbidden relationship. What makes this book for me so different from other books with same premise is the fact that this story is not only about a teacher-student relationship. It’s a story about life, love, family, friends and so much more.

...more

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Oct 12, 2014 Dahlia added it · (Review from the author) · review of another edition

Shelves: collegiate-setting, oh-god-i-wrote-that, racial-diversity-in-ya-na, new-adult, teacher-student, 2014-releases

I wrote this! And it is super good, in my totally unbiased opinion. (Haha just kidding - I paid myself to say that.) If you wanna read some excerpts, you can find them here, here, here, and here!

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Apr 01, 2016 Nenia ⚡ Aspiring Evil Overlord ⚡ Campbell rated it really liked it

Shelves: new-adult, kissing-books

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What were you like at eighteen? I was in my first year of college, and apart from academia, wasn't even close to having my adult game together. Neither is Lizzie Brandt, ex-valedictorian and scholarship student turned party girl. In fact, she's busy sleeping with another girl's boyfriend on the night she finds out that her parents are dead and she's been made her brothers' guardian.

We read OUT ON GOOD BEHAVIOR in the wonderful Unapologetic ...more

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Dec 10, 2014 Beverly rated it really liked it

Recommended to Beverly by: Jennifer Kyle

4 - 4.5 Stars

This story shows you that your life can change the blink of an eye. One minute Lizzie is a frat party drinking and sexing it up, the next she is the legal guardian of her two younger brothers.

At eighteen years old she is a sophomore in college and basically doing with young college students do…making bad choices. Lizzie doesn’t have the option of making bad choices when her parents are killed in a car accident one night. At that moment everything changes, she has to move from her ...more

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Sep 01, 2016 Riley rated it really liked it

Shelves: new-adult, poc-characters

This book made me remember why I like New Adult
And major plus that it had a very strong emphasis on family

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Nov 05, 2014 Faye, la Patata rated it really liked it

Shelves: someone-hold-me, sexy-leads, stand-alone, refreshing, social-issues, 1st-in-series, relationships, realistic-fiction, hot-as-hell, sibling-love

If you guys know me, then you should know that I rarely readNew Adult. Mostly, it's because I'm not into the "bad boy meets virgin girl and they both undergo an angsty drama" thingy that a lot of them areunfortunately full of. Another reason is that I'm not really into reading sex scenes. I'm not against it particularly, but it's just something I seek once in a blue moon and when I'm in the right mood for it. What's interesting is that when I chanced upon this book, I wasn'tfeeling like reading If you guys know me, then you should know that I rarely read New Adult. Mostly, it's because I'm not into the "bad boy meets virgin girl and they both undergo an angsty drama" thingy that a lot of them are unfortunately full of. Another reason is that I'm not really into reading sex scenes. I'm not against it particularly, but it's just something I seek once in a blue moon and when I'm in the right mood for it. What's interesting is that when I chanced upon this book, I wasn't feeling like reading one under this genre at all, but after taking a sneak peek at the blurb, I just knew I had to get my hands on it.

An age gap? A taboo teacher and student relationship? An orphan girl suddenly becoming the guardian of two minor kids?

Dude, something like that just screams to be read.

And I did read it and I really liked it. And it's not because I'm Filipina and the heroine is a Fil-Am - this book is legitimately awesome.

First of all, I'm not someone who is sexually active. I don't seek sex when I go party and I don't sleep around. That automatically makes Lizzie and I different, because she enjoys having sex and sees it as somehow as an escape from the problems that envelope her. But even though she and I were different, especially when it came to this certain lifestyle, I still couldn't help but feel for her and understand what she was going through. Dahlia Adler gave her a voice that was equally riveting and raw, making her someone easy to relate to and sympathize with. It's hard to lose your parents in a blink of an eye and be suddenly responsible for two other younger lives, just like what happened to Lizzie and her two siblings, because it forces you to grow up faster and put the needs and worries of other people before your own. And this book perfectly shows Lizzie's struggle while trying to look for her place in this big, confusing, and demanding world.

I absolutely loved reading how Lizzie tried to juggle so many things in her life since the advent of her parents' death - her dwindling grades, her grief, her brothers' grief, the gossips around campus, and of course, her newfound feelings for the Teacher's Assistant, Connor Lawson. Like I previously said, her narration had that perfect balance of rawness and honesty that were just so enchanting to read. We can really feel how confused and exhausted she was, but she tried her best to hide them because she had her brothers' interests at heart. You'd think this to be emotional in a dark way, but it actually wasn't (at least for me). It was rather emotional in a way that was more... heartfelt. Genuine. More human and not over-the-top.

Plus, she was a snarky, cool person to boot, and I loved how she would make fun of herself sometimes even if the situation weren't exactly all rainbows and butterflies.

And the romance was simply awesome. I loved the pace it took them to realize their feelings. I loved how there were already so much tension between the two of them from the very first scene they had together. I loved how they liked each other while recognizing at the same time the repercussions of their feelings due to their current situation, and how they gave each other space because they both understood, and how they kept finding each other all the same. It certainly was refreshing for both of them to have doubts in their relationship in the beginning, not charging into it blindly like a lovestruck fool. When you love someone, you just don't love parts of them that are convenient to you. You need to accept them wholeheartedly for who and what they are, baggage and all. And it's great that this was one of the many things that this book emphasizes.

Plus, the sex scenes! They were hot, and I loved how it teased a lot because it was, in essence, "slow and steady". If I'm not making sense, then you better read this book to find out :P

There were a few things that I wish were improved on, however...

For instance, the main heroine is a half-Filipina. While this makes me happy because I'm Filipina myself, I am quite disappointed at how the Philippine culture wasn't given much of a highlight. In my opinion, if you make a character someone of color, it's necessary to be able to give details that are representative of that person's background, that can make someone from that country say, "Yes! This is truly WHO we are!" But aside from the fact that her mom made lumpia, and that the Philippines is largely Catholic and conservative (which is hardly true today with the more recent generations. Trust me, *I* know.), nothing else were really mentioned which was really a bummer. I really wanted to feel her being a Filipina, even just a little, but it felt like this fact was more in the background than anything else.

Also, while I loved the sibling interaction going in between Lizzie and her brothers, I wish her brothers' grief were more prominent. I think it would be more traumatic to lose parents at a younger age (13 and 7) because it is during that time that they are dependent on adults and need a mother and a father to look up to. I know this is mostly about Lizzie and how she coped with all the crazy things going on around her, but it would have given the book an incredible amount of depth if we were given a look into how the kiddos were coping as well. Their struggle were mostly behind the scenes and more implied, which bummed me out a little bit because I wanted them to have their own stories alongside their sister, and not just have them be merely a background for Lizzie's.

As for the ending, it certainly wasn't what I expected. It was more bittersweet in my opinion, but I greatly appreciated the messages it were sending - that we can't handle all our problems by ourselves. That no man is an island. That there are loving and caring people out there who are willing to share with our pain and lift them from our shoulders and carry them for us. That families and friends may walk different paths, but there will always be something that would connect us back together in one way or another.

And those messages were absolutely beautiful.

All in all, Last Will and Testament was a wonderful read for me. It's not an angsty New Adult, but a more heartfelt and genuine story of a confused and lost girl trying to get back on her feet with some help along the way - from family, friends, and a man with a big heart. Dahlia Adler is definitely someone to watch out for! I know I'll be reading her next books for sure.

Follow my BLOG , TWITTER , FACEBOOK ...more

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May 22, 2018 Whitney Atkinson rated it liked it

Shelves: read-in-2018, healthy-romance, romance, smutty, ebook

Buckle up ladies and gents, this book just took the third spot on my "new adult books that are actually healthy romances!!" list.

I've been highly recommended this on the front of being a healthy romance with a main character of color (Filipina), and on those fronts, it definitely delivered. So really, this book accomplished what it needed to, and I would recommend it. It was what new adult promises: college angst, some good wholesome sex scenes, and a happy ending. But there were bits and pieces Buckle up ladies and gents, this book just took the third spot on my "new adult books that are actually healthy romances!!" list.

I've been highly recommended this on the front of being a healthy romance with a main character of color (Filipina), and on those fronts, it definitely delivered. So really, this book accomplished what it needed to, and I would recommend it. It was what new adult promises: college angst, some good wholesome sex scenes, and a happy ending. But there were bits and pieces of it that I wasn't a fan of.

Firstly, I didn't find Lizzie's reaction to her parents' deaths to be reasonable. I know people deal with grief in different ways and I'm not entitled to police someone on how they should feel, but there was a total lack of remorse that was instead replaced with sarcasm and anger. Maybe it's just because I can't relate to her grieving process, but I was just craving different reactions from her than she gave. This particularly became bothersome upon her interactions with the love interest, because Connor is such a sweetie and genuinely kind-hearted guy but she was incessantly rude to him. I'm not gonna linger on this because, again, I know just because I can't relate doesn't mean her emotions aren't valid, but it was just harder to put myself in her shoes that way and be sympathetic for her situation.

Secondly, there's a subplot in this book about a previous partner's ex-girlfriend trying to blackmail Lizzie and ruin her relationship, and I thought the idea of it was a bit unsound and farfetched. The entire last quarter of the book centering on this conflict frustrated me because it was just too difficult to picture it being plausible in any real situation. The antagonist herself was sort of a cookie cutter character of the pretty, bitchy drama queen, and the narrator had a moment or two of slut shaming her and degrading her, which I was disappointed about. This whole plot point felt unnecessary and didn't quite fit naturally into the trajectory of the story.

Regardless, Connor was just such a great love interest that I was glued onto this book and hoping for scenes where he and Lizzie were together. I think her progression throughout the story was admirable and pleasing. Especially since I couldn't stand her attitude at the beginning of the book, seeing her mature and apologize and grow closer to her family was really satifying. If you're looking for a romance book to devour that isn't perfect but still makes you feel warm and satisfied, I say go for this one! ...more

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Mar 22, 2015 Kat Kennedy rated it liked it

Shelves: romance-romance-romance, contemporary-fiction, kat-s-book-reviews

Last Will and Testament started out really strong for me. Mostly because of Lizzie’s amazing narrative voice and unapologetic style. How unapologetic? Well the story starts out with her screwing another girl’s boyfriend when the police show up and inform her that her parents are dead.

Lizzie’s entire life changes then, when she has to adult-up and take on her two younger brothers while cleaning up her life at Radleigh university. To do that, she needs the help of her uptight TA, Connor Lawson.

...more

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Dec 09, 2014 ❃**✿【Yasmine】✿**❃ rated it really liked it

Shelves: sweet-romance, new-adult, kick-ass-chick, star-rating-4-5, good-guy, favorites, geeky-lead-character

4.5 STARS

Genre: Student/Teacher romance. (College TA)
Cover: 7/10
Writing: 9/10
Heroine: 9/10
Hero: 9/10
Humour: 6/10
Hotness: 6/10
Romance: 7/10
Extra book Details: Heroine POV; 1st person. Stand Alone. Approx 290 kindle pages.

I honestly wasn't expecting much. I don't think I've read a really good student/teacher book since A Different Blue. It was GREAT.

It started off okay, my issue in the beginning was that I didn't feel Lizzie's grief. As time went on, I was like; oh ok, she's dealing with it ...more

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Dec 07, 2014 ~♡AB♡~ rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2-5-stars-and-under-did-not-like

2.5 Stars

This clearly fell short for me, the first half I quite enjoyed but then at around the 50% mark things became extremely boring, the characters became immature and the story fell flat for me.

There was a 7 year age gap between Lizzie and her TA Connor, but this wasn't evident to me. Connor wasn't my type of BBF and his French blaspheming was a bit of a turn off if I'm honest.

I felt that they got together as a couple too quickly without any kind of sexual tension. I still don't know what ...more

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Jan 27, 2015 Stacia (the 2010 club) rated it liked it

Recommends it for: Student/Teacher romance fans

Shelves: new-adult-college, contemporary-romance, drama-llama

He's bringing a salad. It's official; I want to fuck Connor Lawson.

Personally, I would have held out for dessert. But whatever.

I think there's a good chance that NA contemporary romance haters might enjoy this better than the standard fare. This is a less-ridiculous book than much of what's being offered at the moment, and is entertaining to boot.

But first to deal with : I'm probably super picky about teen mom stories because I was a teen mom. I did continue to screw up at that age. I

He's bringing a salad. It's official; I want to fuck Connor Lawson.

Personally, I would have held out for dessert. But whatever.

I think there's a good chance that NA contemporary romance haters might enjoy this better than the standard fare. This is a less-ridiculous book than much of what's being offered at the moment, and is entertaining to boot.

But first to deal with : I'm probably super picky about teen mom stories because I was a teen mom. I did continue to screw up at that age. I still went to inappropriate parties and had inappropriate sex. But the one thing that seemed easy enough to me was learning how to flip a switch from "being around friends" mode to "being around kids" mode. Lizzie stayed crude and obnoxious around her siblings throughout the entire story and that really rubbed me the wrong way for some reason. It isn't hard to do what you want when you're out with friends, then dial it back when you get home, no matter how much stress you're under.

Having said that though, I will state that the one thing that made Lizzie feel real to me was that she wasn't an extreme parody of good or bad. Often, young adults are either "too old" for their age, or "too ridiculously young." There's rarely a realistic balance. This is something that the author did manage to handle well. Lizzie was neither extreme. She struggled, she fought, she tried. She failed sometimes, and succeeded others. This is what life at 18 is like.

The story had great "pull." As a reader, I wanted to know what was coming next. I wanted to root for Lizzie and Connor. And I most certainly wanted to see good things happen for all of the main characters involved.

Did I get what I wanted? Yes and no. I can't be more clear than that. One of the major solutions didn't sit well with me (view spoiler). That right there is the main reason a very readable 4 star book fell into 3 star territory. I didn't like that mess. But the good was good, and the good made me enjoy the book quite a bit.

I'd actually recommend this. It's got a little bit of everything - problems to overcome, drama that doesn't make you want to stab someone, strong relationship building, and some sweet chemistry coupled with good coupling. ...more

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Jan 16, 2015 Lucia rated it liked it

3.5 STARS

From college party girl to guardian of her two younger brothers, Lizzie had to grow up very fast after the accidental death of her parents. I really liked transition of her character. Author made very good and believable job of developing her character. And even though I never experienced what Lizzie did (fortunately), it was very easy to connect with her. She was very realistic 18 years old character which made her POV very enjoyable for me.

Add NOT INSTA forbidden love, funny banters ...more

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Apr 10, 2016 Jamie (The Perpetual Page-Turner) rated it really liked it

Shelves: swoon-swoon-swoon, series, adult-romance, na-fiction, own-kindle

THE TYPE OF NA ROMANCE I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR. Oh man, I loved the crap out of this book. It was a sweet and sexy romance that I totally shipped like you have no idea but I also really loved how it explored how hard the college transition can be, family, grief & loss and having to grow up too soon. I have been pining for some books that aren’t just SET in college as a flimsy background setting for sexy times but the main character ACTUALLY is engaging with college life stuff and this book ...more

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Dec 20, 2014 Kathe L rated it really liked it

Shelves: 3-5-stars, didn-t-expect-to-be-so-good, romance-or-ya-book, read-2015

3,5 - 4 stars!

description

FORBIDDEN RELATIONSHIPS! This book isn't all about "love". It is also about loss, growing up, being more mature, and respect. Despise being a forbidden relationship, this one was different because the girl, Lizzie, knew he (Connor) was a teacher before they started dating. And that was new. Also, it has a whole lot of a different context.

In the very beginning, Lizzie finds out her parents died in a car accident and she has to take care of her brothers (Ty - 12 years old; Max - 7 3,5 - 4 stars!

description

FORBIDDEN RELATIONSHIPS! This book isn't all about "love". It is also about loss, growing up, being more mature, and respect. Despise being a forbidden relationship, this one was different because the girl, Lizzie, knew he (Connor) was a teacher before they started dating. And that was new. Also, it has a whole lot of a different context.

In the very beginning, Lizzie finds out her parents died in a car accident and she has to take care of her brothers (Ty - 12 years old; Max - 7 years old). But she's only 18, and she has to take care of them, keep all her grades up in order not to lose her scholarship, and deal with all the papers and problems her parents left behind. It is too much for a college girl, right? Well, since she is failing her classes she starts having classes with her TA, Connor. AND here's the romance. He helps her a lot, though, because Lizzie is a tad bit... Brutally honest? I swear, I've never seen a female character with so much personality and at the same thing so sure of herself. And also so afraid to let everyone see deep inside her heart.

Despise not having anything "new", this book was very enjoyable because it's not just focused in the romance. It is sad and it shows how life can change in seconds. Imagine being in the same situation? I would be entirely lost.

"I may not have my parents or a house up here, but I do have a family, and I do have a home, and I think I might even have a handle on this "adult" thing. Maybe. Eventually. Whatever - I'm getting there."

What I liked a lot, too? Lizzie wouldn't support Connor's crap. She was firm, and told him everything that she thought. And you know that "I want to be with you, but we can't, and I'm going to kiss you but regret later"? Lizzie was the type of girl that was up for all or nothing and I really enjoyed it, because Connor could lose his job and Lizzie could lose her scholarship. It can't be treated lightly, you know?

Anyways, this was a good, quick read, and overall, I really recommend it. Lovers of romance, family issues and character with a lot of personality, this book is for you.

...more

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Dec 09, 2014 Sue (Hollywood News Source) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: na-or-romance, characters-of-color, filipino-characters, diverse-books, interracial-romance, book-girlfriends, contemporary

Review also posted at Young Adult Hollywood.

Pants heavily.

That was me with this book.

I honestly didn't expect to love it this much.

But here we are.

I love how Adler writes her female characters.

We have a Filipino-American protagonist which is certainly a first from this genre. Her heritage was mentioned a handful of times but didn’t play any bigger stance in the plot. I kinda wish it did, though.

Lizzie is a fiery, unapologetic character and yes, she is a good person, but she makes bad and shitty ...more

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Oct 27, 2014 Hazel (Stay Bookish) rated it really liked it

Shelves: diverse-reads, preordered, new-adult

Post-reading:

This one is definitely a high 4 and I not only really liked it but loved it. Super enjoyed Lizzie's voice! Full review tk.

Pre-reading:

HELLO THIS IS BY DAHLIA ADLER OF COURSE THIS IS GOING TO BE FABULOUS AND HOTTTTT. And can we just take a moment to appreciate the fact that the main character, Lizzie, is half-Filipina? Diversity in New Adult, yes please!

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Oct 22, 2014 Brittany (The Book Addict's Guide/Novelly Yours) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemp-realistic-new-adult, read-in-one-day, all-the-swoons, best-of-2014, wishlist-physical-copy, from-the-author, otspss-wishlist

Initial Impressions 11/30/14: Yayyyyy! 4.5 stars for this lovely book!
I'm usually not quite interested in students who have relationships with their teachers/professors/TAs (I'm looking at you, Julie Taylor (Friday Night Lights)) but I trusted Dahlia Adler to steer this book in the right direction because she is awesome and she totally did.
I'm always craving for more books in college and I think it's hard because as much as people's high school lives vary, I think things start to get really Initial Impressions 11/30/14: Yayyyyy! 4.5 stars for this lovely book!
I'm usually not quite interested in students who have relationships with their teachers/professors/TAs (I'm looking at you, Julie Taylor (Friday Night Lights)) but I trusted Dahlia Adler to steer this book in the right direction because she is awesome and she totally did.
I'm always craving for more books in college and I think it's hard because as much as people's high school lives vary, I think things start to get really different in college too. I've been staying away from new adult for a long time because it's not like I'm averse to reading about seksi times but some books start to get a little vulgar for me (not the content itself, but HOW it's worded. Maybe reading so much YA makes me feel more removed from hearing about it? Maybe it's my Catholic school upbringing deeply rooted in my brain somewhere? Maybe all of the above?) and yes, at times I was like WOO boy, this is not leaving anything to the imagination but hey, it's fun! (*fans self*)
I really loved how every situation was handled and with a student getting involved with a TA, there's no doubt that either the student or the TA or both is in jeopardy of a bad rep and/or career getting ruined. I mean, of course I won't say what happens -- that's the obvious assumption there -- but I really did love what Dahlia Adler did with the book and how the characters really shaped each experience as well.

I really liked the characters a lot. Lizzie was a bit more brazen than I was (or am) but she really reminded me a lot of a few of my friends combined. I LOVED Connor (I just love a good guy. So refreshing after reading so many bad boys (though I do love the bad boy with a heart of gold story too)) and if you watch New Girl, I pictured him as hot teacher Ryan soooooo. YEAH.

Anyway. Really enjoyed this one and will be recommending for SURE! Thanks to Dahlia Adler for the copy so I could read it in advance! :D

Full review posted HERE on The Book Addict's Guide 12/15/14: Pretty much every since college, I’ve been looking for a book that incorporates a college atmosphere. I fell in love with young adult, but I was still craving those books that reminded me of my college years and there just weren’t that many out there. With the emergence of the “new adult” category, I got very excited but upon sampling a few selections, none of them really did it for me. Yes, many more sexy times happen in college than in high school but I didn’t want to read just a romance novel in a younger package than it usually is.

Then came this year. I swore off new adult for a while (unless it leaned heavily towards the young adult side), not wanting to try another one unless I really felt confident that I would enjoy it. I saw that Dahlia Adler had a new adult book coming out and because I love her so (and was genuinely interested), I immediately jumped on the chance to read, review, and promote. I finished Last Will and Testament in a single day because I couldn’t put it down. I absolutely loved it and it really was the perfect new adult for me.

The thing I’ve been craving the most in new adult — the college feel — was very much a part of the book and almost all of it takes place while Lizzie is at college at Radleigh University. I just love the campus feel and the change-up from roaming the halls of a high school to dorms and quads and lecture halls. Throw in a hot YA (hey, I’m sure a lot of us had a hot teacher/TA in college) and things just got even more interesting!

From the very first few pages, the emotions were running high. From a string of “big mistakes” to an all-time low, Lizzie Brandt was already have a terrible year and things just started piling on after her parents’ death. I really just loved how realistic her reactions to everything were. Lizzie is very protective of her brothers and immediately starts planning what she can do to keep the rest of her family together but she’s not totally un-selfish either which I liked. Of course she wants to do the best thing for her brothers but she’s also still in college and has a lot of her own life to live. Everything gets turned upside for her so quickly and it’s incredibly difficult to manage.

I really loved how everything was handled with the story line too. I’m sure some people are thinking, “Student relationship with a TA? No way.” Because in any other book, I’d be hesitant about it too. The relationship between Lizzie and Connor felt totally natural and I wasn’t quite sure exactly how that relationship would start. Despite the natural hesitance about the two getting involved (hey, they had qualms of their own, of course!), I was always rooting for them to make it work somehow. I absolutely love Connor and yes, it was infuriating and scary at times watching this romance pan out for Lizzie, but boy did I want those two together! Everything really fell into place as the story progressed and I think Dahlia Adler totally hit the nail on the head with this pairing and how the entire conflict was handled.

I KNOW you’re wondering, “But what about the sexy parts?!” WHEW, BOY, you guys. Yes, there are sexy parts. Lots of them. And GOOD ONES. I’m not a romance reader (just contemporary where things tend to not get as steamy) but things got hot and heavy in LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT and I loved it. (Also holding my Kindle away from my husband so he didn’t read over my shoulder during the more detailed scenes because I was blushing). I thought the characters had great chemistry and yep. I’ll admit it. I totally had a thing for Connor too.

For someone who’s been hesitant about new adult for so long, I’m so happy that LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT started to bring me back towards this category of books. This book was utterly addicting and so much fun to read. I finished and immediately wanted more! If you’re on the fence about new adult, DEFINITELY try this book! It’s one I will be highly recommending!
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Oct 12, 2014 Keertana rated it liked it

Shelves: kick-ass-heroines, swoooon

Last Will and Testament is one of the few novels I've managed to read in one sitting over the past few months. Considering that little has kept me away from sleep since I began college, this speaks volumes. While Adler's latest is compulsively readable, with a flawed heroine we cannot help but root for and a swoon-worthy romance to boot, my feminist brain couldn't help but nit-pick at the villain of this storyline--which only contributed to my rising dislike of the plot during its last quarter. Last Will and Testament is one of the few novels I've managed to read in one sitting over the past few months. Considering that little has kept me away from sleep since I began college, this speaks volumes. While Adler's latest is compulsively readable, with a flawed heroine we cannot help but root for and a swoon-worthy romance to boot, my feminist brain couldn't help but nit-pick at the villain of this storyline--which only contributed to my rising dislike of the plot during its last quarter. Nevertheless, I cannot help but recommend Last Will and Testament in a sea of increasingly predictable and bland New Adult novels. It isn't the best forbidden romance novel I've read, but it's certainly not the worst either.

Lizzie, the heroine of our novel, is knowingly helping the president of an on-campus fraternity cheat with his girlfriend by being the "other" woman, when the police knock of their bedroom door to inform her that both her parents have been killed in a car accident. This makes 18-year-old Lizzie the guardian of her two younger brothers, 13-year-old Tyler and 7-year-old Max, as well as forcing her to increase her GPA if she wants to remain on a scholarship to stay in college. Stunned, alone, and completely unprepared for the responsibility she must now undertake, the last place Lizzie expects to find help is from her young (and very sexy) TA, Connor. Connor, whose history class Lizzie is currently getting by with a C, finds Lizzie a new apartment to house her brothers and agrees to tutor her as well, all so that Lizzie can achieve the minimum GPA required to maintain her scholarship. While Lizzie is puzzled--and grateful--for Connor's willingness to help, she doesn't expect to fall in love with him. After all, this is the TA whose class she has ignored, skipped, and detested. But, as both Connor and Lizzie will realize, there is no convenient time for love.

First and foremost, I have to applaud Adler for, from the beginning of her novel itself, creating a heroine who isn't instantly likable. Lizzie is knowingly sleeping with a guy in a relationship and she spends her weekends getting drunk in frat houses instead of studying to improve her GPA. Yet, despite this, it is Lizzie who is our heroine and I admire that Adler crafts her in such a way that she manages to be grief-stricken and sarcastic, with "loose morals" by New Adult terms, and is still an incredible heroine with strength and courage in the face of tragedy. Moreover, another kudos I must assign Adler is her realistic portrayal of college; college is hard. Lizzie may have been the valedictorian of her high school but she's struggling to get by in college and as soon as she owns up to her responsibilities and stops partying, spending all her time looking after her brothers and studying, her grades improve. The New Adult lifestyle of party-going heroines who have time to both maintain their grades, their popularity, and their love stories? It's a myth that is very difficult to perpetuate in reality and I like that Adler approaches this from a realistic stance.

Last Will and Testament stands out, however, because of its forbidden romance. Connor and Lizzie's love story plays out slowly, cautiously, with neither of them acknowledging the feelings they have for one another until they are so ingrained into each other's lives. Lizzie starts out detesting Connor and her change of heart as she gets to know him as a person--as more than her TA--is developed perfectly. I was on the edge of my seat, dying to see how Lizzie would handle her younger siblings alongside Connor. Moreover, I was desperate to see if Connor would rise to the challenge of being with a student, particularly one with the baggage Lizzie brings with her. Adler handles this romance adeptly, making it both sexy and believable without sacrificing any of the side characters she adds. Lizzie's brothers have their own personalities, each as developed as that of Lizzie and Connor, so the complications they add to the storyline were a unique twist. Connor, too, is not without his own baggage and though the main plot line revolves around Lizzie and her issues since her parent's death, I appreciated the glimpses into Connor's past.

Where my issues with Last Will and Testament arose came in the last quarter of the novel. Lizzie, who--if you'll re-call, was sleeping with the president of a fraternity house even though he already had a girlfriend--winds up becoming Public Enemy #1 of said girlfriend. And, naturally, this girlfriend is the villain of our plot and proceeds to go to great lengths to make trouble for Connor and Lizzie in their little paradise. Last Will and Testament doesn't need a villain, frankly. The circumstances Lizzie is placed in cause enough hurdles in her life, not to mention her younger brothers, thus the emergence of such a dramatic storyline towards the end of the novel was disappointing, to say the least. What's more, the villainous girlfriend in question chooses to take down Lizzie when it was her own boyfriend who was truly at fault for cheating on her in the first place. I continue to be confused by why media--books, movies, commercials, shows, etc.--perpetuates the idea that a scorned woman will exact revenge on another woman. I attend an all-woman's college and I can assure you that, despite all the confused looks I received after I made my decision--there has been less drama and more solidarity and sisterhood on my campus than those of my friend's who all opted for the usual co-ed route. Girls are not naturally vindictive and vicious and the fact that the villain of this novel goes to extreme lengths to "get back" at Lizzie is not only unrealistic, but it perpetuates a terrible reputation upon women. It is especially saddening within the context that Adler truly created an exceptional heroine in Lizzie, one who had not just one but two close girlfriends with reliable friendships. Yet, the disintegration of the plot within these last few chapters deducted a couple of stars from my otherwise favorable rating of Adler's latest.

Like I said previously, I would not hesitate to recommend Last Will and Testament. It is a New Adult novel that manages to be un-put-dow-able and the romance at the crux of this story is truly sweet and swoony. If you manage to overlook the dramatic plot developments of the end, this is an ideal New Adult read. Adler may not be a favorite author of mine, but she certainly possesses the potential. ...more

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Nov 04, 2014 ✿kawehi.reviews rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc

I received an ARC via the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

description

Dahlia Adler’s upcoming New Adult Romance was genuine, honest, and realistic…BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, it had heart!!

Last Will and Testament dwindled a delicate balance between life, family, love, and obligation.

For college wild-child, Lizzie Brandt, What happens when your life is spiraled upside down and you suddenly become the sole custodian and provider for two adolescent boys?

description

Faced with these obscurities while being ...more

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Dec 23, 2014 Ash rated it liked it

Shelves: my-kindle-read

More like 3.5/3.75. It was cute just not amazingly spectacular :)

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Oct 12, 2014 Jaime Arkin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2014, new-adult, read-in-2014, series, on-my-real-shelves, romance, favorites, ebook-format, swoony-boys, self-pub

Lizzie Brandt has spent her year at college skipping classes, partying and sleeping with another girl’s boyfriend, so when the police show up at a house party to inform her that her parents have died she isn’t quite sure how she should react or what she should do.

Her Byzantine History TA is quite familiar with Lizzie’s slacking off and when she emails him to let him know she won’t be in class for a quiz he does what any other teacher might do in his situation… asks for proof.

But dealing with Lizzie Brandt has spent her year at college skipping classes, partying and sleeping with another girl’s boyfriend, so when the police show up at a house party to inform her that her parents have died she isn’t quite sure how she should react or what she should do.

Her Byzantine History TA is quite familiar with Lizzie’s slacking off and when she emails him to let him know she won’t be in class for a quiz he does what any other teacher might do in his situation… asks for proof.

But dealing with her parents’ death isn’t the only thing on Lizzie’s plate now... she has two younger brothers that she now has to prove she can take care of and that quite possibly means she’ll have to lean on Connor in ways she never would have expected. And who knew that her uptight History TA would be the one who helps offer her some guidance with not only school things, but also the things she can’t necessarily control.

So admittedly I have shied away from teacher / student relationship books (Slammed is the only one that I have liked) since I flounced Unteachable at about 4% in. But this sounded different to me, like something I could get on board with and understand the relationship and the actions of the characters.

And it was.

To start with, Adler writes characters that you want to be friends with… well for the most part anyway, I’m positive I’d pass on a certain person in this book, but Lizzie – definitely. She’s funny, sassy and snarky and not one to keep her opinion to herself. Even though the whole book revolves around this really sad event, I didn’t find that the story itself was sad and I attest that to Lizzie’s character. She made you sympathize with her, but she wasn’t all woe is me about it. Instead she pushed forward to try and make a life for her and her brothers and prove that she could handle these adult responsibilities… even though she maybe couldn’t. It was amazing to see her try and to push herself to accomplish all the things she had.

And Connor… *swoon* who knew what flat-front pants could do for a guy. I love slightly nerdy guys… and doesn’t Byzantine History TA just scream nerdy? Connor certainly doesn’t have all the answers but he offers Lizzie an ear and a shoulder and though he fights his feelings for Lizzie for a long time, things finally come to a head… literally… HOLY HOT *fans self*

Adler can write some sexy scenes and what I will say here is that they don’t overtake the story like they so often can (and do) in new adult. It was nice to see the relationship and friendship develop side by side and when the shit hits the fan, there were no overly dramatic moments, instead we get a mutual ‘we’ll figure it out’.

In Last Will & Testament, Adler weaves an engaging, emotional story of life, love, family and friendship filled with moments of humor, and bits of sadness, I was hooked from the first page and if you’re fan of new adult then you must grab this book as soon as possible!
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Dec 09, 2014 Beatrix rated it it was ok

Shelves: read-in-2015, annoying-lead-character, new-adult, teacher-student

Okay, I was not even going to write a review for this one, because I really have not much to report.

So just a few thoughts –

This is a proper 2-star read for me. I neither liked nor disliked Last Will and Testament; it was simply okay. Maybe I was not in the mood for it, because honestly it was not a bad book. The writing was a bit cliché, but nothing too bad. There are worst books out there, let me tell you that.

Therefore, I won’t be recommending this book to any of my friends, but I wouldn’t ...more

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Mar 11, 2015 Lea rated it really liked it

Shelves: awful-fashion-sense, favorites, romance, good-story, dead-parents, good-writing, bad-ass-heroine, disturb-me-and-die, oooh-pretty-cover, forbidden-love

DNF @61 % <-- Or not. Reliable sources (i.e: Dahlia Adler, who's the author, in case you didn't know) told me there was no mushy romance, and lots and lots of sex. So I decided to finish the book. And this is my reaction:

Because it was fucking amazing guys. Fucking. Amazing. Just buy the book, okay.

Original review:

Yes, I DNFed this. Yes, I still gave it 4 stars. Why, you ask. Why would you give such a high rating to a book you didn't even finish ?
This is where I tell you that all will be ...more

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Nov 03, 2016 Jillian rated it really liked it · review of another edition

*3.75 stars*

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Feb 27, 2016 Megan • Reading Books Like a Boss (book blog) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2014-releases, forbidden-love

As a forbidden love junkie, I'd wanted to read Last Will and Testament for a long time. If you're a fan of student/teacher love stories with loads of "but we can'ts" and "but I want to's" then you should totally check this out. Even though there were parts that didn't completely work for me, I thought it was a fun read with good dialogue and sexy sweetness.

The author doesa great job of hooking youright from the beginning. Lizzie has become accustomed to coasting in college instead of working ...more

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