Thursday, August 22, 2013

All Of You by Christina Lee ~ Review

Source:  Received an eBook copy through NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Book Description:

Avery has just met her hot upstairs neighbor. He's irresistible. Tattooed. And a virgin.

Nursing student Avery Michaels wants nothing to do with dating—she's perfectly happy single. Privy to too many of her mother's bad decisions and even worse taste in boyfriends, all Avery can handle is a string of uncomplicated hookups whenever the mood strikes.

When she meets smoking hot tattoo artist Bennett, she wants him—for just one night. But he won't accept a no-strings-attached arrangement. He lives by a straight-laced code of values based on his own troubled upbringing.

Bennett sees something special in Avery and he wants more from her. Way more. As Avery wrestles with her emotions for Bennett, danger and tragedy force them to open up to each other. And Avery must face the terrifying realization that she wants more from him, too.

So she needs to make a choice—let Bennett go or finally let him in.



My Thoughts:


 
4 stars - Two souls that crave and need each other - such a great ride!

When trust is taken at a young age, it's hard to trust again.  Both of these two characters have trust issues.  Both have come from similar childhoods where moms made decisions that affected them profoundly.  But each has reacted to things differently.  Avery plays the field, never letting a guy in her bed for long and never in her heart.  Bennett holds his heart differently, not giving a girl all of him.  They need each other to learn that trust again.

When I was asked to read this one, I read the premise and thought - oh yeah...WANTS.  Tattoo artist and player girl?  Hearts hidden but events changing that?  Yes, please.  I love it when two people can heal each other.  Some may feel it's an over used New Adult theme but I think it's the most hopeful thing about New Adult.  So many grow up in less than perfect circumstances and those years right after reaching adulthood is the time to either fix it or to become more jaded.  I love the hopeful stories of healing hearts and minds.  And the healing in the story doesn't magically happen just because they are attracted to each other - no time and experiences combined with that attraction build the love they need to heal.  Loved that.

I so loved Bennett.  He's a hot artist.  Yeah he does tats too but I love that he's an artist first.  He draws and there's an art show in the story.  We see a couple of his consult sessions for tattoos and I love how he asks questions and then he draws from their answers, creating something unique for each person.  My daughter is an artist and I recognize the process.  She starts with someone's idea but then she wants details to make it real.  I love how the art comes alive then.  So Bennett rang true to me.  

While this boy is a virgin, he is no saint - his words.  He has some sexy experience and it flows through the story A LOT.  Oh yeah, this is steamy and sexy.  Everything and anything is fair game except that one last thing.  And skills?  This boy has some skills.

I loved Avery too.  She's protecting herself after some pretty tough pain in her teens.  I so got her and I was proud of her.  She pulled herself out of the mess that was her upbringing.  College and a job are her focus.  Kick-boxing and self-defense are important parts of her life along with a couple of great girlfriends.  She's strong and determined - perhaps a little too determined to protect her heart.  In this one thing, her and Bennett are polar opposites.  She's bound up her battered heart to protect it while he's waiting to find the only one that's going to ever own his.  Loved them together from the first time they meet.

The story is strong and I didn't want to put it down.  I really liked the combination of detail and summary.  The balance was perfect.  I never felt like I missed anything but got the whole story.  Started it one night and woke up early the next day to finish it.  The clues gave me what was up with Avery's past and I did figure out most things a little before they happened but I loved it! 

If the New Adult bug has bitten you like it has me, then you should totally pick this one up!  If that NA bug hasn't bitten, you need to let it and this one is a great one to start.


About the author:

Once upon a time, I lived in New York City and was a fashion stylist. I spent my days shopping for photo shoots, getting into cabs, eating amazing food, and drinking coffee at my favorite hangouts.

Now I live in my hometown of Cleveland, with my husband and son—my two favorite guys. I’ve always been an avid reader—reading was actually my favorite time of day when I taught second and third grade.  


But it wasn’t until I became a local newspaper columnist that something clicked. I finally realized I could turn my love of words into my dream of writing fiction.

6 comments:

  1. Thanks for the great review. I just finished this a few days ago and really enjoyed it too.

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  2. As if I wasn't already dyyyying to read it!

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  3. I did not place this author with this book! Christina is so nice!
    I love that the guy is the less experienced and a tattoo artist. How great to have something that's not what he typically get in our books! I want this too!

    Great review!

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  4. I haven't heard of this one. Sounds like I'd like it! Thanks, Pal!

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  5. This one is on the list and I'm curious to see if I'll like it. Boy virgin?! Def a change! Lol. Great review!

    Vi
    Confessions of a Vi3tBabe
    Deity Island

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  6. This sounds fantastic. When I saw it on Netgalley I wanted to request it, but there was no way I could fit it in. I will have to buy this to read at some point though. I know I will really like it. Great review hon!!

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