So, I am halfway through reading one of Cindy's other books "In a Jam", and I realise that I have read all of her releases. But for whatever reason, I have no review for this one.
I consider this totally unfair because I remember this book really well and I am pretty sure that I received it for free for reviewing purposes. When I read the summary of it, I felt lots of memories and feelings about the book come flooding back, so I feel like I can review it honestly and justly.
So, Tuned into You by Cindy Dorminy starts off with a raging party gone wrong, leaving two teenagers- Lydia Flowers, a good girl and promising softball player, and Abe Fischer, the winner of the Nashville Teen Idol- roped together in a punishment of spending their summers working on a farm.
Dorminy has a way of creating such likeable, friendly characters and altogether really lighthearted novels. I found this also in Left Hanging, another one of her novels. Although she uses some tropes which can be terribly overused at times, I feel like the happy, hopeful love stories that she writes really just make you smile and laugh. I mean, you can hate a cliche, but can you really hate it when it's done so well?
I loved reading her characters. Both Abe and Lydia were incredibly cute, sweet characters. Both of them I invested my emotions in, which is a trait which I think has to be found in a good character. Their relationship, albeit cheesy and slightly typical for a contemporary novel, was incredibly heartwarming and made for a really good read.
One thing that I loved about the novel- and it's in her other books too (yes, I have noticed the pattern!) is the fact that one of the love interests always has a strong attachment to God (is the child of a Pastor, is strongly affiliated with the church, etc.) I really love reading about this, because religion isn't something mentioned often in books unless you pick one up especially for Christians.
I couldn't give this book a full 5 stars, because at times I felt the cheesiness boundaries were being toed a little too much for my liking, and I can't consider how working on your own family's farm is a punishment, especially when you love animals. Also, I wasn't a fan of West- he was quite disrespectful and times and one of the more unlikeable characters.
So overall, her books are cheesy at times, but if you like refreshing, light reads which are full of hope, please pick up this book!