Author: Ashley Wilcox
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
(Spin-off of Planning on Forever)
Parties, sororities and getting drunk.
College.
Parties, sororities and getting drunk.
Oh, yeah. And learning.
This may be true for most college students, but not for Leah Bennett. College life for her includes studying, working, and excelling in school. When it comes to the social ladder, Leah is at the bottom. Popular girls, hot guys and star athletes are of no importance to her, except for one.
Matthew Jacobs.
Matt is the starting wide receiver at SUNY Cortland, the most wanted guy on campus and Leah’s best friend. Although Leah’s feelings toward Matt run deeper than just a friendship, it is something she would never let be seen because the odds of someone like Matthew Jacobs going for someone like Leah Bennett are slim to none.
When Matt starts showing an interest in Leah that goes beyond friendship, she is dumbfounded and doesn’t believe it is possible – until one weekend that changes everything.
Will Matt and Leah’s popularity status get in the way of having a chance at a real relationship?
Or does status mean nothing when it comes to true love?
Thumbs down
The book was classified under the adult age group but I thought it was wrong on two levels: 1) the blurb sounded like a typical YA love story where popularity getting in the way of "love" and 2) they simply were not adults yet. I think the only reason why this was classified as an adult book was the sex (and non-sex) scenes.
It was kind of misleading to say that their popularity status would have a big impact on their relationship when it didn't. In fact it wasn't even an issue! Matt's friends liked Leah, the whole football team liked having her over at their place. Nobody really mistreated Leah except for this one chick but it wasn't like she went out of her way to make Leah's life a living hell. Just a few nasty comments here and there because Brynn's a bitch like that. But it was nothing. Leah's insecurities just got the best of her at times. Quite frankly, the idea of college kids making a fuss about the star of the football team dating a "nobody" doesn't sound right for a New Adult (or "adult") novel. It's so highschool. I don't know if it's just me but I don't think it still happens in college.
Sorry, Sweetheart. I may be nerdy and quiet, but I don't let stupid people walk all over me.
My biggest issue about this book was Leah herself - I simply did not like her. Whenever she was with Matt she's likable. She's so lovestruck that her bitch mode turns off. Yes, she's a bitch.
It's still mindboggling and almost imaginary that Matthew Jacobs could love me - the artsy nerdy, no friends and loner - Leah Bennett.The only thing "nerdy" about Leah is the fact that she excels in academics but that just means she's smart. Her having no friends and her lack of experience with alcohol and boys is probably because of her attitude, not because she's a "nerd." EVEN NERDS AND ART FREAKS HAVE FRIENDS, LEAH. THEY HAVE FELLOW NERDS AND ART FREAKS TO BE NERDY AND ARTSY WITH. She's always overly snarky and always judgmental of everyone. She called all the pretty, perky girls Barbies because they were all beauty and no brains. At one point she even classified herself as "one of those dumb girls" because she had a big giddy grin while reading Matt's text. WHAT? NO, SHUT UP. IT'S OKAY TO BE GOOFY AND HAPPY WHEN YOU'RE IN LOVE. It especially annoyed me when this girl in her class eagerly asked her if she was dating The Matthew Jacobs and she reacted so negatively thinking how much she hates "annoying girls." Girl get a grip! She was just asking. No need to get all defensive. In fact, if I were her I'd relish it. Who cares if they hate me because I'm dating the football star? Matthew Jacobs is in love with you, Leah. Think about it.
Another thing I wasn't so hot about was the story's pacing. Halfway through the book I didn't know where the story was going. Perhaps it was the author's intention to simply write a love story, I don't know, but for the most part I just didn't get it. When the story picked up though I felt that it was too late.
The conflict? Very annoying. It only made me hate Leah even more. Matt never gave her a reason to doubt his loyalty. For her to say "to see is to believe" is utter bull. She didn't even see anything other than two girls coming out of Matt's bedroom. She just believed Brynn's word but you know how she is! Leah came in and one of Matt's housemates even told her he was upstairs. If something was going on, they'd know and they'd be all awkward and stuff. Leah freaked out and stormed out. I get that it's easy to jump to conclusions when it comes to situations like this (trust me, I get it) but at least have the balls to stay and ask. The way Leah handled everything just made me hate her even more.
Matt's back story, nope, too late. Although I appreciate finally knowing more about Matt, I felt that it came a little too late. It would've been nice getting a peek at his life little by little. Not in one chunk, towards the end. And don't even get me started on the happily ever after. It was nice and I loved it (I did!!!) but it was all crammed. One thing though.... bringing a five day old baby to the Superbowl? I know Daddy's playing but that's bad parenting right there.
Thumbs up
The only thing that I liked about this book was Matt. He's incredibly sweet and thoughtful. Sometimes it felt like he was the chick in the relationship. I also like how their relationship started. It happened without them talking it through - which was fine. It wasn't insta love or anything. It was just natural, I guess. Matt made everything easy and meaningful.
Overall
This book was okay. There were things that made me smile but since it's written in Leah's POV, there were more things that made me unhappy so I couldn't really bring myself to like it fully. It had a potential but Leah's attitude really got in the way.
My Rating
(Refer to rating system)
About the author
Ashley Wilcox
I’ve waitressed, styled hair, answered phones and, most recently, worked full time as mom to my two beautiful little boys.
Then there was this book… Everyone and their brother started talking about this book series titled Fifty Shades of Grey by EL James. I didn’t really pay attention to the craze at first, since I wasn’t a big reader- okay, I didn’t read at all. But curiosity got the best of me, so I downloaded it to my kindle.
I was immediately hooked. I read the whole series in three days. Yes, three books in three days.
I kept finding all these great books that I HAD to read (just ask my credit card!).
Then I started hearing voices. Voices that turned into stories; stories that were begging to get out of my head.
I started writing them down on scraps of paper. Then I transferred them to my computer. Before I knew it, Planning on Forever was born.
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