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

Jul 31, 2012 Claire Contreras rated it it was amazing

I think my heart was still in my throat when I finished reading this, and that's why I hadn't reviewed it. This book brought out emotions in me that were either buried, or I didn't realize I had. I.Loved.It. The only way I can describe what this story does is like this: it shoves a hand in your stomach and pulse squeezes your insides. I felt like charging my kindle and killing one of the characters with my bare hands at one point.

The main characters are complicated, their story is complicated, ...more

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Aug 01, 2012 Sandra Cortez rated it it was amazing

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Is it possible to arm wrestle someone to the ground through a book?!? Oh, Jack Howard, you are the most infuriating man in the fictional planet. I'm still scratching my head on this one, it has me cursing, shouting and on the verge of an angst melt down. 5 stars for keeping me on my toes and making me look for a 'Jack' on the street so I could beat him up. If you can’t tell I am definitely not on Team J. I am Team everyone else but Jack. HAHA!

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Oh my have the times changed...caught myself ...more

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Jul 05, 2012 Courtney rated it it was amazing

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

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"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.

...more

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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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Aug 03, 2012 Rebecca rated it it was amazing

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OH MY!!!! What can I say. This book had me an emotional wreak. What a ride!! I cannot wait for Avoiding Responsibility, I'm going through heavy withdraw. LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!!! ...more

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Jul 06, 2012 Kayla rated it it was amazing

I remember reading this back when it was on fiction press. I remember sitting at my computer for HOURS so engrossed into the story of Jack and Lexi I refused to go to bed that night. I also remember telling EVERYONE about this book. It came as no shock to anyone us when both Avoiding Commitment and Avoiding Responsibility were pulled for publishing. I remember being so emotionally distraught the first time I read it thinking that the second time around couldn’t be that bad. I was wrong.

Let me ju I remember reading this back when it was on fiction press. I remember sitting at my computer for HOURS so engrossed into the story of Jack and Lexi I refused to go to bed that night. I also remember telling EVERYONE about this book. It came as no shock to anyone us when both Avoiding Commitment and Avoiding Responsibility were pulled for publishing. I remember being so emotionally distraught the first time I read it thinking that the second time around couldn’t be that bad. I was wrong.

Let me just say that Jack is sexy as all get out. He is a very bad bad boy. I’m sure it says something about me that regardless of Jack’s actions that I still get that ‘weak in the knees’ feeling when I think about him. He is a douche. He is a jerk. He is at times so selfish and heartless it’s shocking that their are two woman (quantity may fluctuate) that are helplessly in love with him. But I believe there is a difference between possessive love (Beckah) and obsessive love (Lexi). The difference is one is freaking crazy, and the other heartbreaking.

“You were the only one I saw when I closed my eyes,” he said bringing his hand up to her chin and tilting her head up to look into his crystal clear blue eyes.”Then why wasn’t I enough when they were open?” she asked another tear welling in her eyes.”

Lexi has been in love with Jack from pretty much the beginning. When you read about the memories the two of them created you understand the chemistry and attraction they share. They both have a ‘pull’ towards one another that nor time/distance or others can interfere with.

“I did those things because of my lack of control. When you touch me Jack, I completely succumb to you. I give into your every whim.”

With that said, this book is devastating. There were moments where I wanted to pull Lexi out of the book and hug the hell out of her. Her heartbreak was so real I felt as if someone broke my heart along the way too.

“I’m not sure what I’m going to do.”Lexi gasped. “You mean…”"Look, I don’t know what to do yet. I just knew that’s what you wanted,” he saying eyeing her mussed appearance.”That’s not what I wanted.”"If it wasn’t, you wouldn’t have let me do it,” he told her simply.”I wanted answers.”"And I don’t have any.”

You and me both Jack. You and me both…

Thankfully we have others that make this journey of regrets and sadness easier to deal with. Lexi’s best friend Chyna is amazing. The girl is a headcase with some daddy issues but she is there for Lexi in the ways Jack never was. And then there is Ramsey…Satan’s Beckah’s sexy brother.

I’m not sure how I feel about him at this point. Yes I am blinded for Jack just as badly as Lexi is, but there’s something about Ramsey I can’t quite put my finger on…

5 stars*
mybookmuse.wordpress.com ...more

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Aug 01, 2012 Mollie rated it it was amazing

I kept saying the same thing every page turned.

OH NO HE DIDN'T!!!!!! ...more

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Jul 28, 2012 Tara rated it it was amazing

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Roller coaster of emotions!!! I love, love, loved this book!!!!

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Sep 30, 2012 Lauryn rated it really liked it

This book left me feeling very confused. I went back and forth between a 4 star and a 5 star rating. I became so emotionally invested in Lexi's story and ugh the ending. I just need more. I think I am going to start the second book right now. Hopefully it will answer my many questions and soothe my aching heart some. ...more

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