Thursday, January 24, 2013

{REVIEW} DERAILED (CRESCENT FALLS #1) by ALYSSA ROSE IVY

Derailed (Clayton Falls, #1)Series: Clayton Falls #1
Genre: Contemporary New Adult
Publisher: Self-published
Publication Date: 9/23/12
Format: ebook
Pages: 260
Source: Received from author for review.

When you're lost, sometimes the only place you can go is home.

Broken over the death of her fiancé, Molly leaves law school to return to her childhood home in North Carolina. Expecting to lay low until she can figure out what else to do with her life, she finds herself in the arms of her high school sweetheart, the boy who represents everything from the past she tried to leave behind.

Looking for an escape, she instead finds a way back to the girl she almost forgot existed and a future she never dreamed possible.


I know that I've said it a lot lately, but I love "going home" stories. I love stories with the high school sweethearts, who've split up, tried to make their separate ways, and maybe (?) end up back together. That is why I was so excited to read book one in the Clayton Falls Series, Derailed.

And I am so, so happy with what I got. Molly left town at eighteen, leaving her boyfriend Ben behind. A tragedy that she felt responsible for had her head in bad place, thinking that she wasn't good for those around her. She wanted a clean break. Another tragedy, which she also feels responsible for, sends her back home. And there she reconnects with her old friends, and Ben.

Ben was a treat. He loved Molly fiercely, and she left him brokenhearted. He wasn't perfect when they dated, but he was just a kid. When Molly comes home, she expects an icy reception from Ben; but what she gets is a matured version of her first love. And he's never stopped loving her.

Surprisingly, Derailed did not have a lot of angst. I was actually really happy with that. Since she's not in the best of places, I had expected Molly to be more angry, to push Ben away. She swore she wasn't staying in Clayton Falls, but it's immediately clear that she's not going anywhere. So the fact that the Derailed is more of a "coming to terms" story, in regards to the loss she's endured, and that this is a second chance at first love, made me really happy and was exactly what I was looking for in the book. It was less angst, less drama and that made for a Happy Andrea. The ending was so sweet and romantic, and I'll admit, I had a few tears in my eyes. Hold your surprise.

Book two in the Clayton Falls Series is Veer. It's about Gavin and Becca. I didn't really like Gavin at all in Derailed, but I'm hoping Ivy will change my mind about him. I did like what I learned of Becca. I'm always excited to read companion stories like this, and am so excited that Wrecked, about Ben's brother Jake, is coming!


 Derailed was a great start to the Clayton Falls Series. I'm expecting good things from books two and three.


Favorite Quote:

 "Why do you want me to fight with you so much?"
  "Because it's easier that way. I like being mad at you." He shifted gears.
  "Then don't feel bad for me."
  "I won't. Because you know what? You are a lucky son of a bitch."
  "You do realize I'm a girl, right?"
  "You know what I mean."   ~ Jake and Molly, 72%


   Ben announced he was about to play his last audience started chanting for "Six Feet Under". My stomach clenched. He'd promised.
  "Sorry, folks, we won't be playing that song anymore."
  Boos followed.
  "Don't you want to know why?" Ben asked with a grin.
  A variety of answers came from the crowd, the most vocal being they didn't care.
  "She's come back to me." Ben smiled right at me before starting in on another one of their songs. The crowd cheered. Evidently they did care.  ~ 75%

 
  "I know that life hasn't turned out exactly the way you wanted, and I can't change the past for you. But I can change your future, and you can change mine the way you changed my life right here so many years ago when we kissed for the first time." 



Derailed (Clayton Falls, #1)Veer (Clayton Falls, #2)Wrecked (Clayton Falls, #3)



You can purchase Derailed at:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords


About the author:

Alyssa Rose IvyAlyssa Rose Ivy is a Young Adult and New Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.

Connect with Alyssa at:
Website  |  GoodReads  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Pinterest  |  Amazon

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15 comments:

  1. I am always keen to read books that don't revolve around around angst, that's a great thing to know! And I like going home stories too, I think it's something most people can relate to!

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  2. Glad you liked this one! I need to read Veer soon.

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  3. Oh I love books that are low on the angst! Well I love angst too but not always something I just want happiness. Great review!

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  4. Fab review hon!! I am starting Veer today. I wasn't a big fan of Gavin either. I found him to be full of himself and pushy, but I hope that I will like him when he's not throwing himself at Molly. I liked Molly a lot. I liked how she didn't want sympathy and wanted to try to move on with her life.

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  5. I really liked this one and I loved that it wasn’t too angsty. I love me some books with angst but I think I needed a break from them. Gavin annoyed me but I did admire that he was so determined to win her over. I have Veer coming up next week. Really like Alyssa’s books but I really dislike the new covers :(

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  6. Oh Andrea I feel exactly the same way about books like these, where two characters have drifted apart and when they come back together, one has changed so dramatically! Ben sounds like a character that I would like too! So glad you enjoyed this Andrea! :)

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  7. I really enjoyed this story as well. And I have to agree with you about the lack of angst and drama being a good thing. :) I didn't realize Veer was about Gavin and Becca. I didn't care for Gavin much either, but I'll definitely be sure to check it out. Great review, Andrea! :)

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  8. You know, it's funny you mentioned "going home" stories, because I never really used to think I enjoyed them over other storylines but lately I have been thinking that I do like them. I think it is because I have been on such a contemporary kick lately.

    I enjoyed this book too, but I think I am going to like veer even more because I liked Gavin and I want to see what his story is going to be like. I kinda liked him a little more than Ben. (I think I am in the minority with that one lol)


    Great review! :)

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  9. There's definitely something comforting about going home. :) I always like those especially during Thanksgiving/Christmas/spring/summer. Maybe because that's when you went home when you were in college?

    I hadn't heard of this series, so thanks for the heads up!

    Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

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  10. I like going home stories too!
    Ben sounds nice to read about in this one... not so sure about Gavin.
    Happy reading,
    Brandi @ Blkosiner’s Book Blog

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  11. I kind of hate a lot of angst so knowing that it doesn't have much definitely makes it more attractive to me. I'll have to remember this one in the future cause I enjoy those 'going home' books as well.

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  12. Ohhh...I love stories like this one, so I'm excited to check this out. I'm glad to hear that the story, characters and romance were all great. Can't wait to read this, hopefully soon! :) Glad you enjoyed this, Andrea!

    Fabulous review!

    ~ Maida @ Literary Love Affair

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  13. Great review. I really enjoyed this story and I'm glad you liked it to.

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  14. These sound really good -- great review!

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