Avoiding Commitment (Avoiding, #1) in The Indie Bookshelf

Jul 01, 2012 Yvette Huerta rated it it was ok

Ok, so I finally finished reading AC. I don't want to disrespect the author in any way, but I wasn't feeling this book at all. It was a good love story of two people that were friends, then lovers, but it seems that there was absolutely no plot! It was all about how Lexi loves jack, hates jack, loves jack, gives up on jack... Jack, jack, jack... I was really bored!! :( ...more

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Jul 05, 2012 Courtney rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

I loved this story and the push/pull love between Lexi and Jack. I wanted to hate Jack, but could honestly understood the pull he had on Lexi. I was so proud of her in the end and loved the way she FINALLY laid it on the line. Definitely a very angsty and delicious read!

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Jun 28, 2012 Karla rated it it was amazing

Shelves: series-to-complete, heart-wrenching

What a gruesome painful read. I'm crying right now and all I can say is BRAVO to KA! You have made me partake with every emotion possible. You kept my mind on this story even when I should have been working. This book took over my thoughts and I just couldn't see what outcome would happen that would relieve my broken spirit. Lexi. My poor Lexi.... A down right idiot to a fault! I feel like I got played with her....jack you !$&;@8!(!!!!??()$&;/$&0&@"!!!!
Thank you this is all I can handle at the ...more

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Jul 24, 2012 Kelly 'Perusing Princesses blog' rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

"She knew that she had probably given him more chances than anyone else would have bothered with, but those women didn't understand what she was going through. If they weren't willing to push through the hard times and savour the good times, then they didn't understand men at all."

Oh Lexi, Lexi, Lexi, where do I begin sweetheart. I wanted to take this beautiful girl under my wing and steer her away from the one man who completely consumers her, heart, mind, body and soul.

This is a wonderfully

"She knew that she had probably given him more chances than anyone else would have bothered with, but those women didn't understand what she was going through. If they weren't willing to push through the hard times and savour the good times, then they didn't understand men at all."

Oh Lexi, Lexi, Lexi, where do I begin sweetheart. I wanted to take this beautiful girl under my wing and steer her away from the one man who completely consumers her, heart, mind, body and soul.

This is a wonderfully written story, of two kids who's mutual attraction starts off innocently enough while she is at high school, and Jack a college student. Everyday she makes the journey to a quaint coffee shop to study, although with many girls that age there is always an ulterior motive, this comes in the form of a handsome young man behind the counter, named Jack.

As time moves on and a friendship develops into attraction, Lexi feels this man is her future, her ultimate dream of a happy relationship, until the day that Jack admits he has a girlfriend back home. Crushed and heartbroken, Lexi walks away from the man she trusted.

As their paths continue to cross, it becomes apparent that regardless of other partners, other relationships, the pull that Lexi and Jack have to each other becomes a passion fuelled affair, riddled with guilt and lies.

What I adored about this book was the crossover in timeframes. We start in the present, with Lexi getting a call out of the blue from Jack. Having no contact for nearly two years, he wants to rekindle their friendship and decides that he is ready to commit, however not to the girl he promised held his heart, not Lexi, but to a girl called Bekah. His girlfriend however wants to befriend Lexi as she would like to understand Jack further and wants to confide in his ex partners, and find out once and for all if the man she wants to spend the rest of her life with is ready to commit. Yes, it's an odd concept, and if I had personally received that call I would have told the Girlfriend to mind her own damn business and the past should stay in the past, regardless of the fact that any intimate relationship should have its secrets. However, Lexi (with the advice of her best friend, Chyna), decides this is the perfect time to find closure and let go of Jack and their sordid past once and for all. However it soon becomes apparent that being in the company of the one man she ever truly loved is harder than anticipated. Jack doesn't make this any easier either as those feelings of passion rekindle, and we start to see the same mistakes of the past revive themselves.

Throw into the mix Bekah's handsome Brother, Ramsey, and we start to see the heart wrenching jealousy, confusion and guilt rear it's ugly head all over again.

Throughout this book, there is only one voice of reason, this comes in the form of Chyna, Lexi's best friend. Although wealthy, spoilt and promiscuous, her advice was a breath of fresh air, and I loved this quote: 'I don't need to make him jealous," Lexi said her brows furrowing.
Chyna rolled her eyes. "Its a reminder that if this is what he wants," she gestured towards Lexi, "then he needs to make up his fucking mind."

I think that in itself is this book in a nutshell.

This book had me seething, smiling, doing tummy flutters, and had me shed a tear or two. If you love S.C Stephens and her books Thoughtless and Effortless, you will love this book. It's well written with a similar subject matter, although this spans over six years, and I found the end to be very satisfying. However, I can't wait to read book two; Avoiding Responsibility, to see where the future takes Lexi.

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Aug 29, 2012 Bobbie rated it really liked it

Ok. What can I say about this.... This was a tough read. Wow, so Jack... This f'n guy. He is THAT guy, smart, funny, sexy, cool, and mind f'er extraordinaire. Lexi, oh sweet baby Jesus. The poor thing; I can't help but love her, hell, I've been her. I guess that's why this was so hard to read, if you've ever been in love with a perpetual one night stand *ahem, then you feel every single ounce of the pain, insecurity, self doubt, and sadly, hopefulness of our dear Lex. Don't get me wrong, I abs ...more

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Sep 06, 2012 Robin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2012-favorites, new-adult, romantic-angst

5 Stars. Avoiding Commitment has an addicting quality to its storyline, literally having me wanting to pull my hair out, while at the same time not wanting to put the book down until I was finished. I have never had anger issues over a character in a novel like I have with Jack Howard. Lexi Walsh is in love with and addicted to Jack Howard, and she just keeps coming back for more lies, pain and misery. I constantly questioned why Jack could not commit to a relationship with Lexi when it is so ob ...more

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Jul 22, 2012 Julie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-i-loved, wtf-endings, contemporary-romance, own-on-kindle, what-an-ass, cheaters, total-mind-screw, na-college-new-adult, 2012-favorites, pov-hers

5 STARS!! WOW, this book totally screws with your mind. Every bad situation possible is contained within this book. Totally an emotional rollercoaster ride! LOVED the reference to the D-Bags from TL&EL.

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