Welcome to my stop on The Impact of You Blog Tour! The tour is being hosted by Shh Moms Reading. My stop includes a review and giveaway.
Category/Genre: New Adult Romance Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: 6/11/13
Format: eARC
Source: Received from author for review
Needing an escape from her past, Avery chooses a college where no one knows her. Keeping a low profile was the plan, falling for the intense frat boy, Jase wasn’t. Yet she can’t deny how alive she feels when he’s near. Even as common sense implores her to stay away, her body begs her to get closer.
Jase, numb from his own family drama, has grown bored with weekends fueled by nameless girls and countless bottles when he meets Avery. Helping her cope with her past is better than dealing with the bullshit his own life’s served up. Determined to drive away the painful secret she’s guarding, he appoints himself her life coach, and challenges her to new experiences. Getting close to her and being the one to make her smile are simply perks of the job.
But when Avery’s past boldly saunters in, refusing to be forgotten, can Jase live with the truth about the girl he’s fallen for?
The Impact of You is the story of a girl trying to run from her past, and boy who is struggling to find a direction forward. The story is not one that is new to realistic New Adult, but it does have a great character in Avery, the heroine.
The Impact of You features only two prominent characters, Jase and Avery. Avery is quiet and does not want to stand out in a crowd. We soon learn that Avery has a very good reason to not want attention, and this made me very sympathetic towards her. I don't know if her big secret is considered a spoiler, so I'll just keep quiet about that. I will say that it is something that is very relevant to teens in today's society, and I hate that she feels such shame about herself. I did like to see how Avery interacted with her two best friends, Noah and Madison, and wished they had been featured more in the story. I always love to read about good, healthy friendships. Avery's biggest push towards freeing herself comes from Jase.
Jase Owens seems like the good time guy on campus, but he has issues of his own, his family. Needing distraction, he decides to take Avery in and help her break out of her shell. But it's clear that he's really just wanting an excuse to be near her. I liked Jase through much of the story. I liked how he wanted Avery to be happy and open. But...when Jase finds out what Avery's big secret is, he was a huge letdown. I know that Jase's reaction might be realistic, and partially understandable, but I just really expected better of this guy who'd been urging Avery to let go of her shame. And it's not like he was perfect by any means, either. Now, bear with me, because I know that I'm treating this as a real-life situation and real people, but I'm that kind of reader, okay? This is a personal thing of mine, but I really hate it when people/characters are unfairly judged or treated about something they did in the past that has nothing to do with the person who feels angry/hurt/offended. This especially bothers me when it is a female who is being ostracized for doing something guys do all the time. I did appreciate that Jase's change of heart, but I didn't feel that he actually earned her forgiveness. So, though she forgave him, I didn't.
Whew. So having said all of that, I did like The Impact of You. The best aspect to the story was Avery's journey of struggling through shame into acceptance, then onto full-out pride in who she is as a woman and a person. She eventually learns that she didn't need anyone's acceptance as much as she needs her own. THAT was a worthy message.
Favorite Quote:
"So what's the most interesting thing about you?" I ask, returning his strange question.
He chuckles softly, the timbre of his deep voice rolling over me like a seductive wave. "Hmm."
He considers my question for a moment, looking up at the sky. "I don't know. But I kind of want to find out, you know?"
I nod. What a pair we make sitting out here alone in the dark. I'm running from my past, and he's trying to discover his future. ~eARC, 7%
Purchase The Impact of You at:
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We had similar feelings about this one. I'm glad you liked it overall.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like all NA kind of follows the same formula now, doesn't it? Something terrible happens and a character finds a way to break out of their shell in the newly budding romance that they have found and are then able to come to terms with their past. I'm not saying that I don't enjoy this, but I just want MORE from the genre.
ReplyDeleteI love how invested in the characters you get, because I am the same! I too hate when characters are unfairly judged! And good for you not forgiving a character! I feel like so many times readers easily forgive the swoon worthy hero and sometimes he doesnt deserve it! Also I am curious about this secret.... Great review!
ReplyDeleteI am not sure this is for me, since like you judging doesn't sit well for me, especially if I don't feel forgiveness is earned.
ReplyDeleteVery unsure of this one now. If I have time...I guess.
ReplyDeleteHe urged her to open up then judged her when she told him the truth? That would drive me nuts as well. Glad you at least somewhat enjoyed the book. It did leave me wondering what the big secret is xD
ReplyDeleteDefinitely doesn't sound like the most unique premise, but I'm glad it had some good aspects. I like that it only really focuses on the two main characters - allows you to get to know them more, I assume.
ReplyDeleteBummer that Jase didn't react the way you wanted or at least didn't earn the forgiveness. Either one sounds like it's needed to really agree with the relationship in the end.
Wow, Andrea. I love a story with a strong heroine and I love a story with a powerful message. This one sounds like it fits the bill. I, too, dislike when people/characters being unfairly judged because of something that doesn't involve the person/character doing the judging. And I feel like Jase is gonna let me down as well. But I will give The Impact of You a shot. Thanks for a great review!
ReplyDeleteI would be totally pissed at Jase to. I get really into books and very vested in their characters to. I will probably still read this at some point. Thanks for the great review.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds good, but it seems that I am starting to get NA burnout! *gasp* I do like the different characters in the different books though. They each bring something different to a story. I may try this one sometime.
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