Another addition to my did-not-finish shelf. Why do I willingly put myself through this? Giving myself a pat on the back though for reaching as far as 65%. It was not easy. I had to take an antacid after closing the book because the characters were making my stomach cold. Or maybe it was all the sugary cake I consumed while reading. Who knows. I’m betting on the cheesy (and not in a good way) book.
Let me sum up this book for you: it’s all just a bunch of thirsty people trying to get some action. I’m not kidding. I would be scared to live in their town because everyone’s just hitting on random people daily. But let me back up for a bit. Let’s start with the basics before we get to the part that made my stomach turn.
We have the protagonist Amber. She’s traumatized by her horrible home life. Her father’s abusive and has actually tried to force himself on her. That pretty much causes her to have nightmares and to develop a fear of touch. Her only salvation is her brother’s bestfriend who climbs in and out her bedroom window every night to literally sleep with her. This is all so convenient because they live in a bungalow. And apparently... nobody bothers to check in on them for years? And their mother’s always away on business? Honestly, this type of situation I feel is some sort of fantasy for many. I could not see how this would fly in real life.
But okay, let’s ignore that for a second. This is what bothers me: for a girl who’s scared of being touched, she spent an awfully lot of time being okay with Liam cuddling her in bed. The simplest form of contact with a peer causes a reaction but Liam’s morning wood doesn’t? Really?? She has a problem when it’s other people touching her but all of this is, again conveniently, forgotten when it’s Liam. When they start fooling around, all hell breaks loose! There’s this constant questioning of why she feels the way she does whenever Liam is around (teenage hormones), not wanting to do anything remotely sexual (but makes out with Liam every chances she gets), saying she’s not ready for sex (and proceeds to have sex a week after being officially together). I just don’t get this disconnect with Amber being traumatized and Amber, well, in heat. I feel like if you’re going to push the whole father-is-abusive backstory then really get to the core of it; don’t just use it as a CONVENIENT plot device to turn the love interest into the hero of the story.
And now we get to the good (read: bad) part. What is up with girls and boys trying to get in each other’s pants all the time? Liam and Amber’s brother Jake is literally SWARMED by girls whenever they step out of the car. Amber’s friends are constantly lusting over Liam and Jake. Parties are described to be just sexy dancing and making out. Amber gets hit on multiple times by different people before I hit the halfway mark. One even went as far as forcing himself on her. Seriously.
(Side note: It’s a theme in this book. Poor Amber never has a choice. Guy flirts with her? She flirts back thinking that Liam wouldn’t mind because it’s not cheating. What was she supposed to do? Tell douchebag that her boyfriend is just standing there? She can’t because they’re dating secretly. Uhh, hate to break it to ya home girl but you could totally say NO because it makes YOU uncomfortable. Own your body, woman!)
Anyway. Plenty of thirsty highschoolers. The worst part is how they made a bet on who’ll get to sleep with Liam first now that he has a girlfriend and he proudly brags about it too! About 200 girls placed a $20 bet so the pot money wound up reaching $4,000. And all the girls flirt with Liam twice as hard (try, shamelessly) now because of this. Amber participates too because she’s smug like that. Seriously, ladies, have some self-respect.
I know what you’re thinking: WTF? Who does that? Why, characters in this fortunately fictional town of course. Who else? Sex is all that matters to these people. Not school. Not your education. Not forming meaningful connections with friends and potential life partners. Nope.
And can I just comment on the incessant name calling here? Amber, and at some point her friend too, calls Liam a “man-whore asshole” more than once. She also calls Liam’s fangirls sluts, whores and skanks. And don’t even get me started on the use of “ass” or “hot piece of ass.” There’s only so many times and ways you can use those words without it sounding too repetitive and irritating. Get creative! Add more value to your sentences! It doesn’t have to be this way!!!
I’m calm.
I’m sure there‘s more to this story because I left off where they were just starting to reintroduce the dad-angle into the plot. I couldn’t care less if he wreaks havoc again. I’ve had enough. Life’s too short to spend it on this book. I (partially) read it so you wouldn’t have to. You’re welcome.