#TravelingtotheTerminus Review ~ The Vincent Brothers ~ Abbi Glines

The Vincent Brothers by Abbi Glines
Vincent Boys #2
Release Date: December 18, 2012
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased Paperback
Rating: 3.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #ShelfLove, #TravelingtoTerminus
Goodreads

Synopsis
Getting a boy to fall head-over-heels in love with you isn't easy. Especially when he's been in love with your cousin for as long as you can remember.

Lana has lived her life in her cousin's shadow. Ashton always made perfect grades, had tons of friends, and looks model-perfect. And she's always had Sawyer Vincent--the only boy Lana's ever wanted--wrapped around her finger. But now things are different. Lana has a chance to make Sawyer see her, and she's taking it. If only he'd get over Ashton--because Lana is sick of second-best.

Sawyer's heart is broken. He's lost his best girl to his best friend. And then Lana comes to town. Ashton's cousin has always been sweet and soft-spoken, but now she's drop-dead gorgeous as well. Sawyer doesn't know if Lana can heal his broken heart, but spending time with her might at least make Ashton jealous.

What starts as a carefree fling becomes a lusty game of seduction. Sawyer and Lana may have different motives, but their scintillating hookups are the same kind of steamy...

Yet another book I've put off reading since May of 2013, where I met Ms. Glines and had her sign a copy of The Vincent Brothers. *sigh* Oh well. I'm happy I finally read it.

After finishing The Vincent Boys, it was important to me that Sawyer have his day - or rather, find the girl that truly made his heart go pitter-patter (can I say that in regards to a boy?). Maybe I should say the one that turns him into a neanderthal because that tends to be a Vincent reaction when it comes to his "woman." But I digress. I couldn't have been more delighted that Lana was the girl for Sawyer.

What Worked:

• Lana's tenacity. She'd always lived in Ashton's shadow, even with her own mom, but she decided she wanted something - in this case Sawyer - and she went all out in her effort to get him.
• The premise. Even though Lana and Sawyer's intentions differed when they began their "fling", I liked the entire setup. Sawyer did irritate me with some of his decisions but since he's only 18, I suppose they were rather realistic.
• Small town setting. I love the bonds between families and the community in a small town.
• The drama being downplayed. Despite the fact that Ashton and Beau have pivotal parts in Sawyer's and Lana's story, I didn't feel like that drama was overdone.
• Football. Both Sawyer and Beau are football players and I liked the role it played in their story - even their college choices.
• Dual POV. I so enjoy getting the story from both protagonists because  it allows me an inside look, so to speak, and helps me connect that much more with the characters.
• The resolutions. They left me satisfied.

What Didn't Work:

• The resolutions. At least a few of them. They were reached too quickly, too simply.
• Dangling plot lines. There were a few plot lines left hanging and they seemed rather important.
• Underage drinking. This is a reflection of where I am in my life but as a mom of teens, all in high school or college, it bothered me there was so much underage drinking. 

Overall, The Vincent Brothers was a pleasant read. It stirred up my emotions, had me rooting for Sawyer and Lana, and falling for all he characters all over again.

#2015HW, #ShelfLove Review ~ Breathe ~ Abbi Glines

Breathe
Sea Breeze Series #1
Release Date: May 16, 2011
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased from B&N
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Goodreads

Synopsis
Sadie White's summer job isn't going to be on the beach life-guarding or working at rental booths like most kids her age. With her single mother's increasing pregnancy and refusal to work, Sadie has to take over her mother's job as a domestic servant for one of the wealthy summer families on a nearby island.

When the family arrives at their summer getaway, Sadie is surprised to learn that the owner of the house is Jax Stone, one of the hottest teen rockers in the world. If Sadie hadn't spent her life raising her mother and taking care of the house she might have been normal enough to be excited about working for a rock star.

Even though Sadie isn't impressed by Jax's fame, he is drawn to her. Everything about Sadie fascinates Jax but he fights his attraction. Relationships never work in his world and as badly as he wants Sadie, he believes she deserves more. By the end of the summer, Jax discovers he can't breathe without Sadie.

Y'all, I've had Breathe on my nook since June 2012. I picked it up after reading The Vincent Boys and loving it. And I'm pretty sure it was only 99 cents but I'm too lazy to try to figure it out. ;) I know it's been through several rounds of editing since then but I'm reviewing this version and the only knock against it, for me, is Glines' lack of contractions. I've not been to Alabama (yet) but I did grow up in Texas and I feel safe in saying teens do not speak so formally. No, they don't. Other than that...nada. :)

I am really late to the Sea Breeze party. I wish I'd read it a long time ago - but better late than never, yeah? (Thanks Marilyn and Naomi for constantly tempting me to start it) Since y'all have probably read more than a few reviews of Breathe, I'm going to list the things I liked.

• Glines did an excellent job of realistically conveying the personality and character of Sadie - a young girl who's had to grow up way before her time. She's smart, capable, and responsible.
• Glines also did well in painting the picture of Jax - who lost normal at an early age but was still a little boy, craving acceptance - normal beneath all the pomp and circumstance of being a rock star/teen idol.
• The cast of supporting characters is very well fleshed out - Jessica, Sadie's mom, is well defined as someone I simultaneously pitied and despised; Marcu is so believable as a guy smitten with Sadie but willing to be a good friend; Ms. Mary and Mr. Greg are so well-developed I feel I know then as well as I know Sadie and Jax - Mary, in particular.
• Glines accurately and realistically portrayed the emotion and angst of first love coupled with the lovers being from distinctly different worlds
• Glines had me sympathizing with both Sadie's and Jax's woes, and wrought quite a bit of emotion from me. I was a weepy mess at several different times during the story.

I really enjoyed my introduction to the Sea Breeze series. I'm not sure if the series is complete or not, but I'm thrilled to have so many at-hand. I can't wait to see what comes next for Sadie and Jax.