There’s a difference between falling and letting go.
Lauren has a good life: decent grades, great friends, and a boyfriend every girl lusts after. So why is she so unhappy?
It takes the arrival of Evan Kirkland for Lauren to figure out the answer: She’s been holding back. She’s been denying herself a bunch of things (like sex) because staying with her loyal and gorgeous boyfriend, Dave, is the “right” thing to do. After all, who would give up the perfect boyfriend?
But as Dave starts talking more and more about their life together, planning a future Lauren simply can’t see herself in — and as Lauren’s craving for Evan, and moreover, who she is with Evan becomes all the more fierce — Lauren realizes she needs to make a choice…before one is made for her.
I have to hand it to Elizabeth Scott – she made Lauren’s attitude work. It could have easily fallen into the realm of annoying, but she skated that fine line and kept my interest.
Lauren’s home life is less than perfect and that makes her create a perfect public persona so no one knows how things really are with her. You see, when Lauren was 6, her mom just up and left one day, never to come back. Her and her father have never really spoken about it and now her dad just works all the time. She practically raised herself. But what she presents to everyone is that everything is peachy keen. She couldn’t control her past but she’s definitely going to be in control of everything else.
Things start to spin out of control when Evan Kirkland starts at her school. Evan’s mother used to date Lauren’s father when they were younger and Evan and Lauren became friends. But after a few months of living together, Evan and his mother moved out, never to be heard from again. But now Evan is back and he’s grown up and Lauren definitely feels something towards him. It scares her because it messes with her perfectly controlled life so she avoids him…except he gives her rides home from school and she finds herself telling him things she’s never told anyone else.
This budding attraction to Evan totally throws Lauren for a loop. She stays with her perfect boyfriend David because they’re the Golden Couple of her high school but she starts seeing more of Evan. And this goes on for quite a while, with Lauren knowing she needs to break up with David but not wanting to shatter that picture perfect facade she has going on.
Scott could have definitely taken this wishy-washy attitude of Lauren’s too far but she doesn’t. At the root of Lauren’s insecurities is her perception of her mother. She doesn’t really remember much of her mother but she’s formed some opinions:
I think love ate her up. I think all she had left was that wild streak, the one that had led her to my father, to me. I think it pointed her elsewhere and so she went.
…
I don’t want that. I don’t want to be like that. I don’t want to feel the way she did because I know what happens when you do. You love with your whole heart, with everything, and you wake up one morning and kiss someone good-bye the way you always do except you mean it as good-bye forever.
With David, things are controlled. But with Evan – he makes her feel and those feelings are not controllable.
I really liked the journey that Lauren took – she had to find out about herself, her mother and she had to reach out to her absent father. It was good.
Glad you enjoyed it Ames! I also loved that she worked in the library! 😉
This is my second favorite ES novel after The Unwritten Rule.
I haven’t read any books by Elizabeth Scott yet, but I keep hearing great things about her. I’m glad you liked this book. Maybe I’ll start with this one and keep my eye out for it the next time I’m in a bookstore.
Mollie-I loved that too! And how she was in band – but her best friend didn’t understand why and that her dad didn’t even know. She was very complex!
toothy-I think any book you pick up by ES will be a good one. I’ve read three of hers and this one and The Unwritten Rule are my fave so far. 😛
Elizabeth Scott!! <3 her books. Great Review :D
Sounds like a really great book that deals with some interesting issues. Different from others that I’ve read lately. This one is going on the wishlist.
Fab review Ames! Thanks, I’m so curious about this book and about whether or not I’d enjoy it. I really think I would even though I’m scared to start with the whole attitude thing. I can’t wait teenage attitude but if you enjoyed it then I’m going to give it a try!
You have won an award on my site It’s Time to Read. The award is: – the Versatile Blogger 🙂 Do come and get it!
Hey Katie,
Thanks so much for the blog award!
Faye-Thanks! I’ve just discovered her so I’m catching up on her backlist. 😛
Amy-Good stuff! I hope you enjoy it!
Wena-It’s realistic, so I think that’s why it worked.
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This book sounds good, nice review. I’ll add this to my books to read list for the summer. So why didn’t we have all these books and authors back in the day hmm..Umm I’ll stop right there before i reveal my age..haha!
Ok, thanks again for the insight on the book. A definite must read for me.
I know what you mean Haven! Where were these books when I was in school? It’s ok though, I’m having fun discovering them now, right? 😛
I’m with you Ames, totally having fun reading all these books. I feel as if I’m reliving my Younger Adult Years ha!
Wena- Do you still have Beastly? I wanted to read that one too. The Beast is a HOTTIE! Wouldn’t mind getting lost in the wilderness with that beast one bit.