By: Jamie McGuire
Published: May 29, 2018 by Montlake Romance
440 pages
Genre/Themes: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Mental Illness,
Source: Netgalley ARC
(Goodreads / Amazon)
Summary:
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jamie McGuire comes a riveting tale of first love that starts young but runs deep.MY REVIEW:
The first time Elliott Youngblood spots Catherine Calhoun, he’s just a boy with a camera, and he’s never seen a sadder and more beautiful sight. Both Elliott and Catherine feel like outcasts, yet they find an easy friendship with each other. But when Catherine needs him most, Elliott is forced to leave town.
Elliott finally returns, but he and Catherine are now different people. He’s a star high school athlete, and she spends all her free time working at her mother’s mysterious bed-and-breakfast. Catherine hasn’t forgiven Elliott for abandoning her, but he’s determined to win back her friendship…and her heart.
Just when Catherine is ready to fully trust Elliott, he becomes the prime suspect in a local tragedy. Despite the town’s growing suspicions, Catherine clings to her love for Elliott. But a devastating secret that Catherine has buried could destroy whatever chance of happiness they have left.
It's been a minute since I've read any books by Jamie McGuire. Being such a big fan of her Beautiful series, when I saw this ARC available it was a must read for me. As common to my preferences, I did not read any reviews and honestly don't remember reading the summary in Goodreads.
The story begins when the main characters are young teens. Catherine lives in a small town in Oklahoma with her mom and dad. They live in an old, what I pictured to be, antebellum style home that has been in her mom's family for generations. Her mom has a dream of turning it into a bed and breakfast but her dad, the more practical of the two, is staunchly against the idea.
Hot summers combined with little air conditioning leads Catherine outside more than inside. It's there outside where she meets an awkward but kind boy named Elliott. He is native american and they both find a common friendship as being sort of the outsiders in this small town. Elliott spends summers with his aunt and uncle and the summer of their freshman year of high school they grow loser together than ever. He loves photography and Catherine is his favorite muse.
As the story progresses, time passes after Elliott is forced to leave town. When he returns they are seniors in high school and life is very different for both of them. Catherine spends all of her free time helping her mom run the bed and breakfast, she's still an outcast but even more so now. Elliott is now the star quarterback of the football team. Some things never changed but yet many obstacles stand in their way.
What I thought was a young adult romance story turned into a mix of romance, mystery, and thriller themes. I was not expecting those aspects. I scare easily so a good bit of what occurs in the second half of the story had me slightly creeped out. I was left with several questions at the end which I can't discuss in my review due to the spoilerish nature.
Overall, this wasn't what I was expecting at all. It definitely kept my attention and it kept me guessing as to what was going on. The romantic story line between Catherine and Elliott is very sweet. Beware though, there's more going on than just a sweet love story.
Favorite Quotes:
"...people can only make us angry if we let them, and if we let them, we give them power."
"...you either get good at rising above and meeting ignorance with education, or you get really good at being bitter."
"Don't look at them. Look at me," he said, still extending his hand.
"Catherine, every time I'm close to you, I'm aware of every breath you take. When we're not, everything reminds me of you. I know because nothing else matters."
"Pain...love. Can't really have one without the other."
His words felt like a sunrise, a sunset, a beautiful dream, waking from a nightmare. It was every wonderful moment balled into one.
Language Rating: 2 (medium)
Mature Content Rating: 1 (light)
Final Rating: 4 stars
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