Reviewer: Holly Misunderstandings by Tiffany King
Series: Woodfalls Girls #2
Also in this series: No Attachments, No Attachments, Misunderstandings, Contradictions
Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: May 6th 2014
Genres: Fiction, New Adult
Pages: 304
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Series Rating:
Just when she thought things were going up…
Two years after a devastating breakup, Brittni Mitchell has moved on from Justin Avery—or so she tells herself. But when she returns to Seattle for her best friend’s engagement party, Brittni finds herself the victim of a disastrously timed elevator breakdown. She’s trapped with the last person she wants to face, and forced to recount the past she desperately wants to forget.
She’s going to have to look back…
When Brittni left her podunk hometown for a big city college experience at the University of Washington, hooking up with a guy like Justin Avery was not part of her plan. Between Justin’s attention-grabbing tattoos, cigarette smoking, and bad boy attitude Brittni quickly chalked him up as “Mr. Wrong.” But his charm was unrelenting, and Brittni’s decision to give Justin a chance quickly turned into the worst choice she ever made.
So that she might be able to move forward.
Now she’s stuck with Justin—literally—and the complicated web of misunderstandings that tied up the truth for two years is about to unravel.
This was my first read by King. I enjoyed her writing and the story.
Brittni goes to college with some preconceived notions about the different kinds of people she meets there. She’s judgmental and kind of moody, but that doesn’t stop Justin from pursuing her pretty hard. There was always a bit of tension between them because of her initial impression of him and his feelings about how reserved she was, so when something big happens and strain is put on their relationship, neither handle it well. It ends in a terrible way, and both are left devastated, but for different reasons.
Two years later their best friends are getting married and ask them to be the respective Best Man and Maid-of-Honor. In a misguided attempt to smooth things over between them, they’re invited to lunch at the same time…only their elevator gets stuck on the way there. They’re forced to spend hours together – which means plenty of time to face all the hurts and misunderstandings from the past.
It’s hard to review this book without spoiling the story, so I’m going to keep it vague. The pain and betrayal both Brittni and Justin felt came across very well. It wasn’t hard to understand what came between them. Their animosity for one another was hard to take at times, but necessary to the story.
I’m on the fence about the back-and-forthing the plot did between present day and two years prior when their relationship was developing (and subsequently imploding). While I liked reading about their romance in real-time rather than being told about it, I did struggle with the continuity. The transition between then and now wasn’t always smooth, which pulled me out of the story.
I also struggled with the resolution of their issues. Things moved quickly once their misunderstandings were cleared up. I felt they needed more time to come to terms with their feelings from the past. Especially Brittni. Justin’s betrayal was really hard on her, yet she was quick to brush aside her feelings of anger and hurt. On the one hand, it had been two years and time can dull negative feelings. On the other hand, I’m not sure I believe those things won’t come up again on the future. Especially considering the nature of their breakup.
Still and all, this was a solid, emotional read. I look forward to reading more from King.
4 out of 5
We’re giving away a free copy of Misunderstandings to one lucky commenter (US Residents only, sorry). Leave a comment and tell us what has you most excited about reading this book. The misunderstandings? The hot hero? The getting stuck in the elevator bit? Don’t forget to use the rafflecopter widget to enter as well. 🙂
This book is available from Berkley. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
Definitely excited about getting stuck in the elevator! I love Tiffany King’s writing! 🙂
I am very curious about what happened to this couple.