What you must know: This book has flashback scenes related to domestic violence, those uninterested or disturbed by that fact should not read this book. The seller does mention drug abuse – but I found that to be secondary and not an integral plot point for the story. In addition: I received a PDF copy from the author for purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and all opinions are 100% honest, mine and my responsibility.

I want to start with kudos to the author, for tackling a tremendously difficult subject with humor and grace, showing that healing IS possible with determination and love. Devan has relocated from Ohio to make a new start for herself and her son in New York City. Moving in she literally falls in the lap of an old crush, one she doesn’t recognize, and the story takes off from there.

Intermingled with memories of teenaged hijinks this smart mouthed, quick thinking heroine with few inhibitions and even fewer brakes on her tongue is introduced to us. A survivor of beauty pageants and parental expectations: she knows how not to take herself seriously and really is someone you would like to know. Kurt, the old crush, is dazzled by her looks, her laugh, her freedom – her friends recounting of their ‘wild times’.

To be honest, the story started and it felt like you were suddenly dropped into the middle of a play; with little chance of catching up, you enjoy the show anyway. And much of the book continues in that same pattern for Kurt, while Devan is friendly and open to having him around as all of her friends and brother do little but reveal embarrassing bits about her past, he is understandably stunned and often brought to moments of utter silence.

It’s a romance – so we do have that boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl underlying plot line: all without Devan realizing the timing of the “meetings”. I don’t want to give away any more of the story – you do need to read to the end.

While people have their preferences about the flashback scenes, I found them well integrated into the story. We all speak with one part of our brain, while there are pictures and images from something entirely different in the other part. The flashback scenes, with only one exception, are all done in this format. Finding Devan an instantly engaging and sympathetic heroine, it is a technique that works well for her character.

I will say that if you want to read a story about one who survived the horrors of domestic violence in a breezier and fun read – this is the book for you. If you can’t or wish not to deal with the conflicted feelings of a survivor, or are disturbed by the reference to the triggers that cause her to retreat, you won’t be comfortable with this book.

I enjoyed the book, it was funny and paced with enough humor to lighten the true horrors that Devan had overcome, aided with meddling friends and family.
~gaele for Jeep Diva Reviews
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