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Brenna Blixen #2
Junk Miles
Kissing someone other than your boyfriend is cheating.
But what about thinking about kissing someone other than your boyfriend?
What about thinking about it a lot?
Brenna Blixen has the perfect boyfriend. He's sweet, sexy, loyal, and sure that Brenna is the best thing that's ever happened to him. But being the perfect girlfriend isn't as easy as Brenna thought it would be, and the pressure that comes with trying to be Jake's everything is beginning to weigh on her. When her mother surprises her with a trip to Paris over winter break, she's torn. She anticipated spending her vacation snuggling with Jake Kelly, ice-skating, drinking cocoa, and relaxing...but what girl in her right mind would turn down a trip to Paris?
Things only get more confusing when she winds up unexpectedly and unavoidably thrown into Saxon Maclean's arms in the City of Lights. Far away from the comfort and stability she finds at Jake's side, Brenna faces down the feelings that have been swirling through her since the day she laid eyes on Saxon. Is it fair for her to call herself Jake's girlfriend when she has so many unresolved feelings about someone else?
Brenna is determined to figure it all out, even if it means making some of the hardest decisions of her entire life. She also learns that every single thing she does has rippling repercussions, some that fill her with total regret. By the time she figures out what her heart truly wants, she realizes that she may not be able to have it after all.
But what about thinking about kissing someone other than your boyfriend?
What about thinking about it a lot?
Brenna Blixen has the perfect boyfriend. He's sweet, sexy, loyal, and sure that Brenna is the best thing that's ever happened to him. But being the perfect girlfriend isn't as easy as Brenna thought it would be, and the pressure that comes with trying to be Jake's everything is beginning to weigh on her. When her mother surprises her with a trip to Paris over winter break, she's torn. She anticipated spending her vacation snuggling with Jake Kelly, ice-skating, drinking cocoa, and relaxing...but what girl in her right mind would turn down a trip to Paris?
Things only get more confusing when she winds up unexpectedly and unavoidably thrown into Saxon Maclean's arms in the City of Lights. Far away from the comfort and stability she finds at Jake's side, Brenna faces down the feelings that have been swirling through her since the day she laid eyes on Saxon. Is it fair for her to call herself Jake's girlfriend when she has so many unresolved feelings about someone else?
Brenna is determined to figure it all out, even if it means making some of the hardest decisions of her entire life. She also learns that every single thing she does has rippling repercussions, some that fill her with total regret. By the time she figures out what her heart truly wants, she realizes that she may not be able to have it after all.
496 pages, Paperback
First published November 17, 2011
30 people are currently reading
2535 people want to read
About the author
Liz Reinhardt
25 books1,795 followersLiz Reinhardt is a perpetually homesick NJ native who migrated to the deep South a decade ago with her funny kid, motor-head husband, and growing pack of mutts. She's a fanatical book lover with no reading prejudices and a wide range of genre loves, but her heart will always skip a beat for YA. In her spare time she likes to listen to corny jokes her kid reads to her from ice-pop sticks, watch her husband get dirty working on cars, travel whenever she can scrape together a few bucks, and gab on the phone incessantly with her bestie, writer Steph Campbell. She likes Raisinets even if they aren't real candy, the Oxford comma even though it's nerdy, and airports even when her plane is delayed. When she isn't writing, Liz Reinhardt teaches a fantastic group of diverse 8th graders in Savannah, GA. Rebels Like Us, her latest YA novel, is full of hot kisses, angst, homesickness, and laughs that are almost as good as the ones that come from the stick of a melty ice-pop.
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March 6, 2012
A Week in YA Kissing Books - Haiku Mini Review #2
Brenna kisses boys
Brenna describes all her clothes
Where’s the fecking plot?
I am not kidding around with that last line. (I take my haiku’s very seriously).
I really feel that this book suffered from lack of a solid plot. Sure, events happen. But it doesn’t feel cohesive, structured, or well-paced. There’s no real climax (in one sense of the word, anyway, and yes that was a sex pun) and the storyline feels curiously flat and meandering. The love triangle begins to feel laboured, and less compelling than the first instalment.
In a nutshell:
Some of the content in this story feels superfluous and could have been whacked out with tighter editing or a more restrained hand with the writing. Ostensibly, the book is about Brenna taking charge of her decisions and experiences, but it reads like an excuse to draw out the tension between the three parties involved. It could have been an opportunity to feature Brenna’s development and growth as a character, but this aspect of the story felt oddly thin, and only explored at a surface level.
If you’re invested in this triangle, then your experience will doubtless prove more enjoyable. If, like me, your commitment to the characters is tenuous at best, it’s not really a fulfilling experience. Additionally, the Brenna (good) vs “skanks” (bad) dichotomy that I objected to in the first book is only perpetuated here. Brenna, despite her mistakes and errors of judgement, appears to go through this book on some kind of pedestal of wish-fulfillment, and it made it difficult for me to relate to her, or to care about her boy troubles.
Despite it not really being my kind of book, I do understand the appeal of Double Clutch and why so many people enjoyed it. I simply don’t feel that draw is as strong in Junk Miles.
Brenna kisses boys
Brenna describes all her clothes
Where’s the fecking plot?
I am not kidding around with that last line. (I take my haiku’s very seriously).
I really feel that this book suffered from lack of a solid plot. Sure, events happen. But it doesn’t feel cohesive, structured, or well-paced. There’s no real climax (in one sense of the word, anyway, and yes that was a sex pun) and the storyline feels curiously flat and meandering. The love triangle begins to feel laboured, and less compelling than the first instalment.
In a nutshell:
Some of the content in this story feels superfluous and could have been whacked out with tighter editing or a more restrained hand with the writing. Ostensibly, the book is about Brenna taking charge of her decisions and experiences, but it reads like an excuse to draw out the tension between the three parties involved. It could have been an opportunity to feature Brenna’s development and growth as a character, but this aspect of the story felt oddly thin, and only explored at a surface level.
If you’re invested in this triangle, then your experience will doubtless prove more enjoyable. If, like me, your commitment to the characters is tenuous at best, it’s not really a fulfilling experience. Additionally, the Brenna (good) vs “skanks” (bad) dichotomy that I objected to in the first book is only perpetuated here. Brenna, despite her mistakes and errors of judgement, appears to go through this book on some kind of pedestal of wish-fulfillment, and it made it difficult for me to relate to her, or to care about her boy troubles.
Despite it not really being my kind of book, I do understand the appeal of Double Clutch and why so many people enjoyed it. I simply don’t feel that draw is as strong in Junk Miles.
December 19, 2011
23,956,432 reasons why I love this book.....
But I'm really only going to write out a few of my favorite things.(I think I just quoted Julie Andrews from Sound of Music. Maybe I was humming that song when I saw this book was released.)
If I actually attempted to write all my reasons my hands would be disfigured; like misshapen claws....
And so, lets go to yesterday, when something magical happened to me.
I live in Germany, where time stands still, so this doesn’t happen often. But the Heavens parted, and little Cherub angels came floating down.
And voilà!! Junk Miles was released.
WILLST DU MICH VERARSCHEN?!?!
I knew it was coming out soon, and by “Soon” I thought in a few months. So I stored it away in my mind as to not drive myself crazy....
Here is kudos #1 to Liz. This book wasn’t released a year after the first book, so when the second book DOES come out you have to basically skim through the first to refresh your mind. I read book 1 a few weeks ago. I had no moments of, “oh yeah! I forgot that happened!”
In Junk Miles we quickly catch up with Brenna’s life. It’s now Christmas time, and things with her and Jake (ah, sweet Jake) are perfect. Couldn’t be better.
And then she receives a ticket to go to Paris with her mom.....
Ah, Paris where everything is romance and perfection. But in Brenna’s case its where a lot of confusion and growing occurs for her.
The rest of the book deals with her choices in Paris. She is left with a lot of decisions.
Insert kudos #2. Liz doesn’t hold back. It’s something I enjoy about this writer. She doesn’t placate the reader into what we want or think should really happen. (If that was the case, then Bella Swan,IMO, would have been killed by James in Twilight, and then I could have swooped in and been like "Oh Edward, I'm not stupid and clumsy. And I promise my blood won't drive you insane." (insert lame wink) ...or... Calla would have turned all she-wolf in Nightshade and ate Shay for breakfast or something.....)
Liz writes realistically, and shows that none of her characters are perfect. Again, this series is truest to life.
I had hoped to see more of Saxon in Junk Miles, and I did! We learn so much about Saxon. You understand more about his life, and it give you the “Ah-hah” moment as to why Saxon acts the way he does.
I was torn with my favorite bad boy in this novel.
Well, my personality was more bi-polar like.
One minute I would get excited when he opened up and showed his true side to Brenna. Because, just like Double Clutch, you can see that he holds a lot in and brushes so much off by sarcasm or smoking. And then I wanted to drop kick him, when he shut her back out. But if it was any other way it would have been false and not realistic.
I thought I liked Jake in Double Clutch. Such a sweet, and loyal guy...
I take it all back people! I loved him in Junk Miles.
In DC he is more low key. This book shows a more dangerous, and the retribution side of him. Am I jacked up for loving the bad side of him?
When Brenna comes back from Paris, I anxiously waited for her to see Jake again, and I secretly relished in any scene him and Brenna had. I think their scenes, no matter where they are fly by for me, because they are amazing together.
Brenna meshes with both Saxon and Jake in different ways. But in the spark wise department, her and Jake are one of my top couples!!
I have no idea what it is about Brenna, that I like so much!
Wait a tick.... Yes, I do! She is strong and holds her own. That is something I love so much, because it's rare to find in heroines (Especially in YA)
*And, again, I’m the pickiest reader out there*
I am the first to chuck a book when something goes ire, but I felt sympathy and sorrow right along with her. She makes mistakes, but I found that reading through her mistakes, they didn’t irritate me. She’s learning through them!
But it doesn’t make the book a happy, running through a prairie field feeling. I think thats what gives this book the final 5th star; not everything is perfect in life. I think the things that occur to her needed to happen.
I know a lot of people are complaining that this book was different from the first OR they didn't like Brenna in this one when she couldn't decide between which boy to choose from. Ummm, thats a good thing! Why do I say that? Because it's so COMPLETELY REFRESHING
How many times have we all seen some girl run around with mascara tears running down her face, giving her a striking resemblance to a raccoon as she wails about a guy that crushed her when he dumped her, used her, or was just a McDouche?
How many times have you quickly ushered a friend into the restroom, and told them, "He's such a jerk! You deserve better!" ??
Even if you don't want to admit it, you've witnessed it!
And so NOW, here we have a character that is making her own choices, living her life, deciding what's best and people are upset.
PFT!
I say keep it coming!
I loved that she didn't sigh annoyingly, stare dreamily into Jake or Saxon's eyes whenever they spoke, or followed them around like a lost puppy... Instead, it was the opposite... These TWO, not one, but TWO boys wanted her attention, they actively sought HER out.
I know, I know, this is hard for some people to comprehend... but..(thoughtful pause) shouldn't that be the way its supposed to be???
And to note: The ending made my heart drop just a little. I now I have conjure up all these scenarios as to what will happen to Jake and Brenna.
I wonder how hard it would be to ask Liz Reinhardt to write this series to Volume 26?? It could be titled, Brenna Blixen: College Days.
I’d donate my kidney to read that Volume. Okay... lets just be honest. I’m more curious to see Jake in “older version”.
But I'm really only going to write out a few of my favorite things.(I think I just quoted Julie Andrews from Sound of Music. Maybe I was humming that song when I saw this book was released.)
If I actually attempted to write all my reasons my hands would be disfigured; like misshapen claws....
And so, lets go to yesterday, when something magical happened to me.
I live in Germany, where time stands still, so this doesn’t happen often. But the Heavens parted, and little Cherub angels came floating down.
And voilà!! Junk Miles was released.
WILLST DU MICH VERARSCHEN?!?!
I knew it was coming out soon, and by “Soon” I thought in a few months. So I stored it away in my mind as to not drive myself crazy....
Here is kudos #1 to Liz. This book wasn’t released a year after the first book, so when the second book DOES come out you have to basically skim through the first to refresh your mind. I read book 1 a few weeks ago. I had no moments of, “oh yeah! I forgot that happened!”
In Junk Miles we quickly catch up with Brenna’s life. It’s now Christmas time, and things with her and Jake (ah, sweet Jake) are perfect. Couldn’t be better.
And then she receives a ticket to go to Paris with her mom.....
Ah, Paris where everything is romance and perfection. But in Brenna’s case its where a lot of confusion and growing occurs for her.
The rest of the book deals with her choices in Paris. She is left with a lot of decisions.
Insert kudos #2. Liz doesn’t hold back. It’s something I enjoy about this writer. She doesn’t placate the reader into what we want or think should really happen. (If that was the case, then Bella Swan,IMO, would have been killed by James in Twilight, and then I could have swooped in and been like "Oh Edward, I'm not stupid and clumsy. And I promise my blood won't drive you insane." (insert lame wink) ...or... Calla would have turned all she-wolf in Nightshade and ate Shay for breakfast or something.....)
Liz writes realistically, and shows that none of her characters are perfect. Again, this series is truest to life.
I had hoped to see more of Saxon in Junk Miles, and I did! We learn so much about Saxon. You understand more about his life, and it give you the “Ah-hah” moment as to why Saxon acts the way he does.
I was torn with my favorite bad boy in this novel.
Well, my personality was more bi-polar like.
One minute I would get excited when he opened up and showed his true side to Brenna. Because, just like Double Clutch, you can see that he holds a lot in and brushes so much off by sarcasm or smoking. And then I wanted to drop kick him, when he shut her back out. But if it was any other way it would have been false and not realistic.
I thought I liked Jake in Double Clutch. Such a sweet, and loyal guy...
I take it all back people! I loved him in Junk Miles.
In DC he is more low key. This book shows a more dangerous, and the retribution side of him. Am I jacked up for loving the bad side of him?
When Brenna comes back from Paris, I anxiously waited for her to see Jake again, and I secretly relished in any scene him and Brenna had. I think their scenes, no matter where they are fly by for me, because they are amazing together.
Brenna meshes with both Saxon and Jake in different ways. But in the spark wise department, her and Jake are one of my top couples!!
I have no idea what it is about Brenna, that I like so much!
Wait a tick.... Yes, I do! She is strong and holds her own. That is something I love so much, because it's rare to find in heroines (Especially in YA)
*And, again, I’m the pickiest reader out there*
I am the first to chuck a book when something goes ire, but I felt sympathy and sorrow right along with her. She makes mistakes, but I found that reading through her mistakes, they didn’t irritate me. She’s learning through them!
But it doesn’t make the book a happy, running through a prairie field feeling. I think thats what gives this book the final 5th star; not everything is perfect in life. I think the things that occur to her needed to happen.
I know a lot of people are complaining that this book was different from the first OR they didn't like Brenna in this one when she couldn't decide between which boy to choose from. Ummm, thats a good thing! Why do I say that? Because it's so COMPLETELY REFRESHING
How many times have we all seen some girl run around with mascara tears running down her face, giving her a striking resemblance to a raccoon as she wails about a guy that crushed her when he dumped her, used her, or was just a McDouche?
How many times have you quickly ushered a friend into the restroom, and told them, "He's such a jerk! You deserve better!" ??
Even if you don't want to admit it, you've witnessed it!
And so NOW, here we have a character that is making her own choices, living her life, deciding what's best and people are upset.
PFT!
I say keep it coming!
I loved that she didn't sigh annoyingly, stare dreamily into Jake or Saxon's eyes whenever they spoke, or followed them around like a lost puppy... Instead, it was the opposite... These TWO, not one, but TWO boys wanted her attention, they actively sought HER out.
I know, I know, this is hard for some people to comprehend... but..(thoughtful pause) shouldn't that be the way its supposed to be???
And to note: The ending made my heart drop just a little. I now I have conjure up all these scenarios as to what will happen to Jake and Brenna.
I wonder how hard it would be to ask Liz Reinhardt to write this series to Volume 26?? It could be titled, Brenna Blixen: College Days.
I’d donate my kidney to read that Volume. Okay... lets just be honest. I’m more curious to see Jake in “older version”.
You’re wondering now too...
August 14, 2016
4 stars! Junk Miles continues right where Double Clutch leaves off and sprinkles on plenty of angst and intense drama to this unique little love triangle. I will refrain from specifics, but I will say that the Jake-or-Saxon dilemma intensifies, as they both get some Brenna Blixen action in this installment!
The story kicks off with a mother/daughter trip to Paris-- a Christmas gift from Brenna's sometimes over-bearing, but very loving mother. After Brenna reluctantly says goodbye to Jake, she sees Saxon at the airport and learns that he is strategically taking this very same trip with his mother. So...time away from Jake plus a vacation in Paris spent with the very sexy Saxon begins the downward spiral of conflicting events that grace this book form cover to cover...
Once again, this author has amazed me with her eloquent writing and ability to completely move me with words. I felt every bit of sadness and pain experienced by these characters, as well as their frustration. At times, I was angered by Brenna's selfishness, but I understood why she had to do what she did. My heart ached for Saxon as I got a deeper peek into his truly tortured soul-- but Jake won my heart over from the beginning and I'll be rooting for him till the end!
Excellent sequel with a bitter-sweet ending that plants a seed for more drama up ahead in book three. Can't wait to see what Slow Twitch has in store!
The story kicks off with a mother/daughter trip to Paris-- a Christmas gift from Brenna's sometimes over-bearing, but very loving mother. After Brenna reluctantly says goodbye to Jake, she sees Saxon at the airport and learns that he is strategically taking this very same trip with his mother. So...time away from Jake plus a vacation in Paris spent with the very sexy Saxon begins the downward spiral of conflicting events that grace this book form cover to cover...
Once again, this author has amazed me with her eloquent writing and ability to completely move me with words. I felt every bit of sadness and pain experienced by these characters, as well as their frustration. At times, I was angered by Brenna's selfishness, but I understood why she had to do what she did. My heart ached for Saxon as I got a deeper peek into his truly tortured soul-- but Jake won my heart over from the beginning and I'll be rooting for him till the end!
Excellent sequel with a bitter-sweet ending that plants a seed for more drama up ahead in book three. Can't wait to see what Slow Twitch has in store!
November 21, 2011
ACK! How did I not know this was released?!?!?! I know what I'll be doing tonight =)
January 12, 2012
2.5 stars
First off, I'd like to give props to Liz Reinhardt on a story that is probably some of the most emotionally realistic stuff out there.
I remember once upon a time when I was this young, this stupid and was confused beyond control. She totally nails that messed up way young love is suppose to be about. The right, the wrong and the very ugly.
Now with that said...
Brenna Blixen! What the hell are ya doin'??
At the start of the story we have Brenna and Jake all adorable and in love. I remember how sweet these two were from the first book. Jake was the right choice for Brenna but there was still Saxon in the background waiting for his shot, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't want him to have it. Only, I didn't want it to happen like that.
There was a lot of bad decisions here that I wasn't very pleased about. It all started when we found out that Saxon was on the same Paris trip. I knew right there that Brenna would be playing with fire, Saxon just had to light the match.
I've never had a lot of tolerance for cheating in books, there were a few exceptions, but sadly this wasn't one of them.
I understand temptation quite well and I even understand confusion and conflicted feelings for another person. You can be attracted and want two different guys at the same time, but the way it was handled was so irresponsible and out of character for Brenna that I was completely shocked.
Saxon on the other hand didn't even phase me. I knew he was a complicated guy to begin with but the way he handled himself with Brenna wasn't what I pictured it would be like. I wasn't expecting a complete one-eighty here, but it didn't feel like he was even trying. It turned out to be a pretty dysfunctional relationship and all about sex.
As for Jake? I think his reaction was the only one that made sense. He did exactly what I expected him to do and I was even happy with the way he worked things out with Brenna in the end.
Lots of mixed up, messed up feeling's in Junk Miles and while I didn't care for a lot of what happened in this sequel, I was still intrigued enough to read this in one sitting and curious enough to want to know what happens next, so I'm looking forward to reading the third novel; Slow Twitch.
First off, I'd like to give props to Liz Reinhardt on a story that is probably some of the most emotionally realistic stuff out there.
I remember once upon a time when I was this young, this stupid and was confused beyond control. She totally nails that messed up way young love is suppose to be about. The right, the wrong and the very ugly.
Now with that said...
Brenna Blixen! What the hell are ya doin'??
At the start of the story we have Brenna and Jake all adorable and in love. I remember how sweet these two were from the first book. Jake was the right choice for Brenna but there was still Saxon in the background waiting for his shot, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't want him to have it. Only, I didn't want it to happen like that.
There was a lot of bad decisions here that I wasn't very pleased about. It all started when we found out that Saxon was on the same Paris trip. I knew right there that Brenna would be playing with fire, Saxon just had to light the match.
I've never had a lot of tolerance for cheating in books, there were a few exceptions, but sadly this wasn't one of them.
I understand temptation quite well and I even understand confusion and conflicted feelings for another person. You can be attracted and want two different guys at the same time, but the way it was handled was so irresponsible and out of character for Brenna that I was completely shocked.
Saxon on the other hand didn't even phase me. I knew he was a complicated guy to begin with but the way he handled himself with Brenna wasn't what I pictured it would be like. I wasn't expecting a complete one-eighty here, but it didn't feel like he was even trying. It turned out to be a pretty dysfunctional relationship and all about sex.
As for Jake? I think his reaction was the only one that made sense. He did exactly what I expected him to do and I was even happy with the way he worked things out with Brenna in the end.
Lots of mixed up, messed up feeling's in Junk Miles and while I didn't care for a lot of what happened in this sequel, I was still intrigued enough to read this in one sitting and curious enough to want to know what happens next, so I'm looking forward to reading the third novel; Slow Twitch.
April 3, 2012
2.5 Stars
Brenna’s true colors really shined through in this one. She, for lack of better terms, is a bitch and an elitist snob; so is her mother!
Things that bothered me :
◈ Brenna believes that Jake, her boyfriend, may not be good enough for her because he is poor and not as well traveled as she is. Home-girl needs a reality check because Jake is way out of her league.
◈ Her mother thinks that Brenna is the best thing since sliced bread – which again, is false. What I don’t understand is why Brenna’s mom is such a snob because she herself was a teenage mother so she should be sympathetic to Jake’s situation.
◈ Brenna’s reaction to Jake finding another girlfriend after she cheated on him with his brother! She bad mouthed his new girlfriend because she was “poor and a slut,” (did I mention that Brenna cheated on her boyfriend with his brother?).
◈ She complained that Jake put her on a pedestal. So basically, her only complaint about him was that he treated her too well. Give me a break! She’s one of those girls.
◈ Fast forward to the end and Jake decides that he wants to leave to create a better future from himself (and Brenna). Brenna objects after spending the whole book complaining that Jake is content with his life and going nowhere. But when he shows interest in bettering himself she protests because she doesn’t want him to change.
In layman’s terms, she wants to have her cake and eat it too. She wants a boyfriend but she wants to be able to frolic with whoever she chooses to. She wants her boyfriend to have status but she doesn’t want him to change. I could go one and on…
Brenna’s true colors really shined through in this one. She, for lack of better terms, is a bitch and an elitist snob; so is her mother!
Things that bothered me :
◈ Brenna believes that Jake, her boyfriend, may not be good enough for her because he is poor and not as well traveled as she is. Home-girl needs a reality check because Jake is way out of her league.
◈ Her mother thinks that Brenna is the best thing since sliced bread – which again, is false. What I don’t understand is why Brenna’s mom is such a snob because she herself was a teenage mother so she should be sympathetic to Jake’s situation.
◈ Brenna’s reaction to Jake finding another girlfriend after she cheated on him with his brother! She bad mouthed his new girlfriend because she was “poor and a slut,” (did I mention that Brenna cheated on her boyfriend with his brother?).
◈ She complained that Jake put her on a pedestal. So basically, her only complaint about him was that he treated her too well. Give me a break! She’s one of those girls.
◈ Fast forward to the end and Jake decides that he wants to leave to create a better future from himself (and Brenna). Brenna objects after spending the whole book complaining that Jake is content with his life and going nowhere. But when he shows interest in bettering himself she protests because she doesn’t want him to change.
In layman’s terms, she wants to have her cake and eat it too. She wants a boyfriend but she wants to be able to frolic with whoever she chooses to. She wants her boyfriend to have status but she doesn’t want him to change. I could go one and on…
November 20, 2011
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS AT READING, EATING AND DREAMING I WAS BLAIR WALDORF
Junk Miles, the second novel in the Brenna Blixen series by Liz Reinhardt, continues with Brenna, Jake and Saxon’s story. And let me just say, I love their story! I know it's not finished yet, but I am having so much fun reading their love story.
For the last couple months, Brenna and Jake have been in a happy, loving relationship, but Brenna can’t stop thinking about Saxon for some unknown reason. Jake is a great guy and a wonderful boyfriend. He treats Brenna like a princess. So why can’t she get Saxon, the mysterious bad boy, out of her head?
Brenna’s mom surprises Brenna with a trip to a Paris, and although it means they won’t be able to spend winter break together, Jake is supportive and happy for her. They exchange their goodbyes, and Brenna heads off to Paris. But, the trip isn’t only for Brenna and her mother. Other professors and their family members are also going to be along on this trip. And, guess whose mom also happens to be a college professor? If you guessed Saxon, then you got it right.
Caught having feelings for both Jake and Saxon, Brenna becomes extremely confused. And then shit hits the fan, to put things mildly.
My one big complaint about Double Clutch was that there wasn’t enough conflict and drama for me. There were small conflicts throughout the novel, but there weren’t any big explosions. Well, Liz Reinhardt remedied that in this novel. Junk Miles was loaded with conflict and drama. I have no complaints about this novel.
Like I said in my review for Double Clutch, there really isn’t an obvious choice for me between Saxon and Jake. I really, really like both guys. I think Jake is definitely more compatible with Brenna right now, but I still think that Saxon has potential to be the most compatible with Brenna in the long run. However, both guys still have a lot of growing up to do.
Saxon’s flaws are definitely advertised more than Jakes. Saxon is extremely honest and open about his faults, but for some reason that doesn’t deter me from liking him. I like his honesty. I just wish he could let his emotional guard down a little more. I think his rebelliousness is just a cry for attention, and that breaks my heart.
I will admit that I am a huge Jake fan. I hate it when he talks bad about himself and beats himself up, but I love him nonetheless. He still has his flaws, but overall, I think he is a good guy with a big heart.
While reading this novel, I went back and forth between Saxon, Jake, and Brenna’s independence. Yes, there were a few times when I thought Brenna would have been better off alone, at least for a year or two. I won’t name which guy I rooted for in the end because I don’t want to ruin anything, but I will say that I was extremely happy with the way things ended.
I gave Junk Miles by Liz Reinhardt 4 STARS. I strongly recommend this novel and this series to young adults who enjoy romance, drama, and smart, sarcastic heroines.
PS: I absolutely cannot wait until the release of Slow Twitch, the third book in this series, told from Jake, Saxon and Brenna’s perspectives. How freaking awesome is that?
-XOXO
READING, EATING AND DREAMING
Junk Miles, the second novel in the Brenna Blixen series by Liz Reinhardt, continues with Brenna, Jake and Saxon’s story. And let me just say, I love their story! I know it's not finished yet, but I am having so much fun reading their love story.
For the last couple months, Brenna and Jake have been in a happy, loving relationship, but Brenna can’t stop thinking about Saxon for some unknown reason. Jake is a great guy and a wonderful boyfriend. He treats Brenna like a princess. So why can’t she get Saxon, the mysterious bad boy, out of her head?
Brenna’s mom surprises Brenna with a trip to a Paris, and although it means they won’t be able to spend winter break together, Jake is supportive and happy for her. They exchange their goodbyes, and Brenna heads off to Paris. But, the trip isn’t only for Brenna and her mother. Other professors and their family members are also going to be along on this trip. And, guess whose mom also happens to be a college professor? If you guessed Saxon, then you got it right.
Caught having feelings for both Jake and Saxon, Brenna becomes extremely confused. And then shit hits the fan, to put things mildly.
My one big complaint about Double Clutch was that there wasn’t enough conflict and drama for me. There were small conflicts throughout the novel, but there weren’t any big explosions. Well, Liz Reinhardt remedied that in this novel. Junk Miles was loaded with conflict and drama. I have no complaints about this novel.
Like I said in my review for Double Clutch, there really isn’t an obvious choice for me between Saxon and Jake. I really, really like both guys. I think Jake is definitely more compatible with Brenna right now, but I still think that Saxon has potential to be the most compatible with Brenna in the long run. However, both guys still have a lot of growing up to do.
Saxon’s flaws are definitely advertised more than Jakes. Saxon is extremely honest and open about his faults, but for some reason that doesn’t deter me from liking him. I like his honesty. I just wish he could let his emotional guard down a little more. I think his rebelliousness is just a cry for attention, and that breaks my heart.
I will admit that I am a huge Jake fan. I hate it when he talks bad about himself and beats himself up, but I love him nonetheless. He still has his flaws, but overall, I think he is a good guy with a big heart.
While reading this novel, I went back and forth between Saxon, Jake, and Brenna’s independence. Yes, there were a few times when I thought Brenna would have been better off alone, at least for a year or two. I won’t name which guy I rooted for in the end because I don’t want to ruin anything, but I will say that I was extremely happy with the way things ended.
I gave Junk Miles by Liz Reinhardt 4 STARS. I strongly recommend this novel and this series to young adults who enjoy romance, drama, and smart, sarcastic heroines.
PS: I absolutely cannot wait until the release of Slow Twitch, the third book in this series, told from Jake, Saxon and Brenna’s perspectives. How freaking awesome is that?
-XOXO
READING, EATING AND DREAMING
December 10, 2011
There were parts that I enjoyed. Brenna is still figuring herself out AND still drawn to both boys. She makes mistakes but so do the boys. Her voice is realistic, if a little self-involved. It’s still geared to a more mature audience, with the sex and exploration and what not, but there is more drama (as to the last, is that a good thing or not?)
Now, faced with the ever present love triangle, do I want to start this by settling on which of her choices was hotter? Should I? Really? If Double Clutch was mostly her being torn between two equally smokin’ choices, Junk Miles highlights precisely what’s not to like in either Jake or Saxon… most especially in Saxon. He has a lot of face time in this one. But as usual, he could be douche. Yet, there were moments when he wasn’t. But, the girl does like her bad boys, *shrugs* Then there’s Jake who showed just how little he thought of himself (reformed bad boy and all that) and how much he thinks of her (too much at times.) And it’s these two things that gives her pause.
I could understand her misgivings, as she made a couple of valid points (really I could.) But, still, I had problems with her choices. A lot of what she thought and a lot of what she did made perfect sense… too perfect as if almost rehearsed. She did not want to be pegged as anyone’s girl; consequently the girl acts, indulges then does some pretty selfish things. Add the fact that her mother encourages her to indulge and stuff. It all sounded right, but there was one thing holding me back… what about the others around her? It was all “I am confused,” or “I don’t know what I want.” And because of those things she ‘branches out’ and tries other things. This is not bad a thing, but it didn’t mean that she had to go about it the way she did, and break so many hearts along the way.
Basically, girl wanting to prove she’s her own woman does not equal being selfish and insensitive.
2.5/5
Now, faced with the ever present love triangle, do I want to start this by settling on which of her choices was hotter? Should I? Really? If Double Clutch was mostly her being torn between two equally smokin’ choices, Junk Miles highlights precisely what’s not to like in either Jake or Saxon… most especially in Saxon. He has a lot of face time in this one. But as usual, he could be douche. Yet, there were moments when he wasn’t. But, the girl does like her bad boys, *shrugs* Then there’s Jake who showed just how little he thought of himself (reformed bad boy and all that) and how much he thinks of her (too much at times.) And it’s these two things that gives her pause.
I could understand her misgivings, as she made a couple of valid points (really I could.) But, still, I had problems with her choices. A lot of what she thought and a lot of what she did made perfect sense… too perfect as if almost rehearsed. She did not want to be pegged as anyone’s girl; consequently the girl acts, indulges then does some pretty selfish things. Add the fact that her mother encourages her to indulge and stuff. It all sounded right, but there was one thing holding me back… what about the others around her? It was all “I am confused,” or “I don’t know what I want.” And because of those things she ‘branches out’ and tries other things. This is not bad a thing, but it didn’t mean that she had to go about it the way she did, and break so many hearts along the way.
Basically, girl wanting to prove she’s her own woman does not equal being selfish and insensitive.
2.5/5
December 20, 2011
Why,Brenna,why?
As I predicted at the end of the first book-she would hook up with Saxon. i am not going to judge her because we all have temptations in our lives but that doesn't mean we should succumb to it. Oops,I said no judging.
Junk Miles starts of with Jake and Brenna happily in love. Their plans to spend winter holidays together fall through when Brenna's mom decides they should go to Paris. And surprise,surprise,Saxon and his mommy are there too. So,our dear sweet girl has a make out sesion with Saxon and because she is such a 'nice and honest' girl calles Jake and tells him about this mess. Obviously,the poor guy breaks up with her. And she is now mopping around Paris and making out with Saxon some more. When she gets back home,she finds out Jake has already found himself a new girl,who is,of course,a slut. God forbid the new girlfriend of the leading character's ex-boyfriend is a virgin. Hahaha I just couldn't help myself. In the end Jake and Brenna get back together. But nothing is perfect because Jake decides he should leave Brenna and find a better job so he could buy her a better laptop. Hahaha Just joking. Well,he will leave because he feels he is not good enought for her. *eyeroll* What a bunch of bull crap.
My GR palls did warn me about this book and I was really worried about reading it. Since I didn't have Internet over the weekend(I almost died of boredom)I read 4 books and Junk Miles was one of them. *sigh* I'll use one word to describe this book:DRAMA. I felt like I was in a Mexican soup opera. Hopefully the third and final book will be better than this one was.
As I predicted at the end of the first book-she would hook up with Saxon. i am not going to judge her because we all have temptations in our lives but that doesn't mean we should succumb to it. Oops,I said no judging.
Junk Miles starts of with Jake and Brenna happily in love. Their plans to spend winter holidays together fall through when Brenna's mom decides they should go to Paris. And surprise,surprise,Saxon and his mommy are there too. So,our dear sweet girl has a make out sesion with Saxon and because she is such a 'nice and honest' girl calles Jake and tells him about this mess. Obviously,the poor guy breaks up with her. And she is now mopping around Paris and making out with Saxon some more. When she gets back home,she finds out Jake has already found himself a new girl,who is,of course,a slut. God forbid the new girlfriend of the leading character's ex-boyfriend is a virgin. Hahaha I just couldn't help myself. In the end Jake and Brenna get back together. But nothing is perfect because Jake decides he should leave Brenna and find a better job so he could buy her a better laptop. Hahaha Just joking. Well,he will leave because he feels he is not good enought for her. *eyeroll* What a bunch of bull crap.
My GR palls did warn me about this book and I was really worried about reading it. Since I didn't have Internet over the weekend(I almost died of boredom)I read 4 books and Junk Miles was one of them. *sigh* I'll use one word to describe this book:DRAMA. I felt like I was in a Mexican soup opera. Hopefully the third and final book will be better than this one was.
December 8, 2011
EDITED:
dear brenna,
brenna...brenna...brenna....what a fucking mess you created! Your head girl is pretty fucked up. You definitely annoyed me on this one. Getting caught up between two boys (and brothers for that) is not a good idea, bet on that. Brenna, you are the most confused and fucked up girl i met for quite awhile. More fucked up than saxon (which says a lot comparing u to saxon). I hate what you did to jake (poor boy) screwed him up big time. I can't forgive you for this one. Please use your head in the next book (use it big time).
Truly pissed off, say
OK NOW FOR THE REVIEW....(had to switch to my laptop hard to type from my iphone).
I WAS TOTALLY PISSED AT BRENNA....DAMN! Girl, make up your fucking convoluted mind!!! Sheesh, you exhaust me with all your ramblings....ok i get it it's hard to be attracted to two hot guys but god might as well sleep with both of them and get it over it. Sorry Ms. Liz Reinhardt i adored your first book but i didnt like this one that much (gotta be honest) Brenna just made me dizzy and nauseous.
SO WHAT MADE ME READ THIS TILL THE END.....JAKE and still SAXON (though i have to say i loved Jake more than Saxon on this one). Jake just makes more sense than Brenna and Saxon. And Saxon don't worry i still adore you....=)
So will i read the third book....yep still would. Sexy guys never fail to amaze me. Hot sexy guys never fail to amaze me. And Saxon nice tats! And Brenna please pretty please don't annoy me that much on the third book alright?
dear brenna,
brenna...brenna...brenna....what a fucking mess you created! Your head girl is pretty fucked up. You definitely annoyed me on this one. Getting caught up between two boys (and brothers for that) is not a good idea, bet on that. Brenna, you are the most confused and fucked up girl i met for quite awhile. More fucked up than saxon (which says a lot comparing u to saxon). I hate what you did to jake (poor boy) screwed him up big time. I can't forgive you for this one. Please use your head in the next book (use it big time).
Truly pissed off, say
OK NOW FOR THE REVIEW....(had to switch to my laptop hard to type from my iphone).
I WAS TOTALLY PISSED AT BRENNA....DAMN! Girl, make up your fucking convoluted mind!!! Sheesh, you exhaust me with all your ramblings....ok i get it it's hard to be attracted to two hot guys but god might as well sleep with both of them and get it over it. Sorry Ms. Liz Reinhardt i adored your first book but i didnt like this one that much (gotta be honest) Brenna just made me dizzy and nauseous.
SO WHAT MADE ME READ THIS TILL THE END.....JAKE and still SAXON (though i have to say i loved Jake more than Saxon on this one). Jake just makes more sense than Brenna and Saxon. And Saxon don't worry i still adore you....=)
So will i read the third book....yep still would. Sexy guys never fail to amaze me. Hot sexy guys never fail to amaze me. And Saxon nice tats! And Brenna please pretty please don't annoy me that much on the third book alright?
January 25, 2013
“I wanted this to be easy. I wanted to know for sure who I loved and why. I wanted to be in love without a hint of doubt.
But I realised that I could want as hard as I liked; the reality was already messier than I liked. I was in over my head … and I had a panicked feeling that I wasn’t going to be able to manoeuvre this without screwing up big time.”
Welcome to the tumultuous world of Brenna Blixen! My emotions went through the wringer with this one, and at one point I didn’t quite know what to make of it all! But in the end, this was a very well written story of a teen love triangle, and a girl trying her hardest to work through her confusion.
Warning – there are minor plot spoilers below…
I usually try to avoid spoilers, but there isn't actually a lot of information out there about what actually happens in this book, so I felt I needed to share at least the main plot set up for those who want to know more.
The book begins with Brenna and Jake blissfully in love and looking forward to spending their winter break together. But that is all thrown out the window when Brenna’s parents surprise her with a trip to Europe, and before Brenna knows it, she’s whisked away to Paris with her Mum on a business trip. And just to make things more interesting, one of her work colleagues is Saxon's Mum, and he just happens to be along on the same trip.
The sexual tension is still very much there between Brenna and Saxon and she’s very confused about her feelings. She’s happy and in love with Jake, but can’t get Saxon out of her mind, and doesn’t know what to do about it. She knows that Saxon wants her and, knowing that she shares those feelings, he pleads with her to give him a chance,
"Forget all of our past bullshit, okay? I’ve got less than a handful of days to convince you that I’m not a complete douche bag, and I want a fair shot. Give it to me."
...
“I’m fucked up,” he admitted. “But I could be better than I am. With you, I know I could be. Give me half a chance,” he pleaded."
And to my great surprise, she agrees!
“Let’s see what there is between us, if anything. Just you and me, just between us. And if we just go with it, maybe it will relieve some of this tension.”
I must say, I had a big case of WTFery while reading this, and couldn’t quite believe that Brenna would do what she did, but the more I read, and the more we got inside of her head, I could sort of understand her motivations. It still didn’t stop my heart from breaking for poor Jake though! The conversation where she tells him, and his reaction, is AWFUL!!! But I’m glad she was honest with him and told him what was going on, even if it did break his heart!
While Brenna tries desperately to get her feelings straight, Saxon brings the charm, but also remains true to his douchey ways, and things don’t exactly go the way she envisaged. Within a week her trip is over and she is back in the US, boyfriend-less, and having to deal with the fall out of her decisions, and the pain she has inflicted on two of the most important people in her life.
After that rather shaky beginning, I love the way the rest of the story played out. There was a lot of back and forth there for a while, but I love how Brenna used the experience to sort through her feelings, spread her wings a bit and gain some more independence and figure out exactly what she wanted. And I love that she never blamed anybody else for her actions - she acknowledged she was at fault, searched for the reasons why she felt the way she did and tried to put it right.
Told entirely from Brenna’s POV, a lot of time is spent in her head, but with the brilliant dialogue and interplay with Jake and Saxon, we still get to see exactly what they are going through. These are three incredibly honest characters, and I love that they are able to talk about what they are feeling. Their reactions to everything are all very realistic, and really well written, so I felt their pain right along with them.
I love both Jake and Saxon – they are both amazing characters, but both flawed in their own ways, and even though I definitely have a favourite, both boys really appealed to me in this one. We particularly get to see a lot more of Saxon – both his softer side, and his asshole side - and come to understand why he is the way he is.
Brenna does finally figure things out, and there is a resolution at the end of the book, but further changes are ahead for these three as new opportunities present themselves, and may lead them in different directions.
I love these characters, and look forward to continuing on with their story.
4 stars.
But I realised that I could want as hard as I liked; the reality was already messier than I liked. I was in over my head … and I had a panicked feeling that I wasn’t going to be able to manoeuvre this without screwing up big time.”
Welcome to the tumultuous world of Brenna Blixen! My emotions went through the wringer with this one, and at one point I didn’t quite know what to make of it all! But in the end, this was a very well written story of a teen love triangle, and a girl trying her hardest to work through her confusion.
Warning – there are minor plot spoilers below…
I usually try to avoid spoilers, but there isn't actually a lot of information out there about what actually happens in this book, so I felt I needed to share at least the main plot set up for those who want to know more.
The book begins with Brenna and Jake blissfully in love and looking forward to spending their winter break together. But that is all thrown out the window when Brenna’s parents surprise her with a trip to Europe, and before Brenna knows it, she’s whisked away to Paris with her Mum on a business trip. And just to make things more interesting, one of her work colleagues is Saxon's Mum, and he just happens to be along on the same trip.
The sexual tension is still very much there between Brenna and Saxon and she’s very confused about her feelings. She’s happy and in love with Jake, but can’t get Saxon out of her mind, and doesn’t know what to do about it. She knows that Saxon wants her and, knowing that she shares those feelings, he pleads with her to give him a chance,
"Forget all of our past bullshit, okay? I’ve got less than a handful of days to convince you that I’m not a complete douche bag, and I want a fair shot. Give it to me."
...
“I’m fucked up,” he admitted. “But I could be better than I am. With you, I know I could be. Give me half a chance,” he pleaded."
And to my great surprise, she agrees!
“Let’s see what there is between us, if anything. Just you and me, just between us. And if we just go with it, maybe it will relieve some of this tension.”
I must say, I had a big case of WTFery while reading this, and couldn’t quite believe that Brenna would do what she did, but the more I read, and the more we got inside of her head, I could sort of understand her motivations. It still didn’t stop my heart from breaking for poor Jake though! The conversation where she tells him, and his reaction, is AWFUL!!! But I’m glad she was honest with him and told him what was going on, even if it did break his heart!
While Brenna tries desperately to get her feelings straight, Saxon brings the charm, but also remains true to his douchey ways, and things don’t exactly go the way she envisaged. Within a week her trip is over and she is back in the US, boyfriend-less, and having to deal with the fall out of her decisions, and the pain she has inflicted on two of the most important people in her life.
After that rather shaky beginning, I love the way the rest of the story played out. There was a lot of back and forth there for a while, but I love how Brenna used the experience to sort through her feelings, spread her wings a bit and gain some more independence and figure out exactly what she wanted. And I love that she never blamed anybody else for her actions - she acknowledged she was at fault, searched for the reasons why she felt the way she did and tried to put it right.
Told entirely from Brenna’s POV, a lot of time is spent in her head, but with the brilliant dialogue and interplay with Jake and Saxon, we still get to see exactly what they are going through. These are three incredibly honest characters, and I love that they are able to talk about what they are feeling. Their reactions to everything are all very realistic, and really well written, so I felt their pain right along with them.
I love both Jake and Saxon – they are both amazing characters, but both flawed in their own ways, and even though I definitely have a favourite, both boys really appealed to me in this one. We particularly get to see a lot more of Saxon – both his softer side, and his asshole side - and come to understand why he is the way he is.
Brenna does finally figure things out, and there is a resolution at the end of the book, but further changes are ahead for these three as new opportunities present themselves, and may lead them in different directions.
I love these characters, and look forward to continuing on with their story.
4 stars.
October 2, 2012
4 ½ stars
Kissing someone other than your boyfriend is cheating.
But what about thinking about kissing someone other than your boyfriend?
What about thinking about it a lot?
Some Spoilers Included, not huge but they are there. You’ve been warned.
This book picks up right where Double Clutch left off.
Meet our Love Triangle.
Brenna
Jake
Saxon
Brenna’s mum has surprised her with a ticket to Paris over the winter break. Her work is going and she wants to take Brenna with her. She is worried that Brenna and Jake are getting too serious too fast after all that’s what happened to her, and how Brenna came into her life.
Brenna doesn’t want to leave Jake. Jake wants her to go. She agrees to go as long as they keep in touch via FB and the phone.
Only problem is that while at the airport waiting to board, Brenna learns that Saxon is going to Paris. With his Mum. Who works with Brenna’s Mum.
Yep 2 weeks in Paris.
With Saxon.
We all know what’s going to happen.
And it does. She breaks Jake’s heart by breaking up with him on the phone while in Paris so she can explore her unexplainable feelings for Saxon. She can’t get him out of her system although she is madly in love with Jake.
When she comes home her and Saxon explore where it is going. Including some “fooling around.” Saxon is a womanizer after all, def knows what he’s doing! Well by YA standards that is.
However while she’s “exploring” with Saxon. She still has to sit next to Jake EVERYDAY at her Tech School. She also has to watch him dry hump and stick his tongue down his new girlfriends’ throat. Yep, Jake has reverted to his old ways.
She knows she belongs with Jake. Saxon is a distraction. A terribly hot distraction but now what to do?! She has to choose… Who will it be?
A round of applause to Liz Reinhardt on the second book of this series. It’s still SUPER HARD to pick your guy. It’s gone from YA to Mature YA fantastically. Sweet and silly at times. Steamy when needed. Romance and roses as well.
Jake is the worlds most amazing boyfriend after all. Although , he has gone back to screwing women to feel something. Saxon is changing, kind of, however he is really trying to win her over.
Onto the next!
Kissing someone other than your boyfriend is cheating.
But what about thinking about kissing someone other than your boyfriend?
What about thinking about it a lot?
Some Spoilers Included, not huge but they are there. You’ve been warned.
This book picks up right where Double Clutch left off.
Meet our Love Triangle.
Brenna
Jake
Saxon
Brenna’s mum has surprised her with a ticket to Paris over the winter break. Her work is going and she wants to take Brenna with her. She is worried that Brenna and Jake are getting too serious too fast after all that’s what happened to her, and how Brenna came into her life.
Brenna doesn’t want to leave Jake. Jake wants her to go. She agrees to go as long as they keep in touch via FB and the phone.
Only problem is that while at the airport waiting to board, Brenna learns that Saxon is going to Paris. With his Mum. Who works with Brenna’s Mum.
Yep 2 weeks in Paris.
With Saxon.
We all know what’s going to happen.
And it does. She breaks Jake’s heart by breaking up with him on the phone while in Paris so she can explore her unexplainable feelings for Saxon. She can’t get him out of her system although she is madly in love with Jake.
When she comes home her and Saxon explore where it is going. Including some “fooling around.” Saxon is a womanizer after all, def knows what he’s doing! Well by YA standards that is.
However while she’s “exploring” with Saxon. She still has to sit next to Jake EVERYDAY at her Tech School. She also has to watch him dry hump and stick his tongue down his new girlfriends’ throat. Yep, Jake has reverted to his old ways.
She knows she belongs with Jake. Saxon is a distraction. A terribly hot distraction but now what to do?! She has to choose… Who will it be?
A round of applause to Liz Reinhardt on the second book of this series. It’s still SUPER HARD to pick your guy. It’s gone from YA to Mature YA fantastically. Sweet and silly at times. Steamy when needed. Romance and roses as well.
Jake is the worlds most amazing boyfriend after all. Although , he has gone back to screwing women to feel something. Saxon is changing, kind of, however he is really trying to win her over.
Onto the next!
April 7, 2012
Summary:
It's the start of Christmas break and Brenna is looking forward to snuggling up to boyfriend Jake. However, her mother surprises her with a trip to Paris. Brenna feels torn because she would really love the trip, but doesn't want to leave Jake.
Jake is the perfect boyfriend. So, why is Brenna having doubts about their relationship? She feels like things are moving quickly in their relationship and starts second guessing where things will go from here. Then, she gets even more confused when Saxon happens to be on the same trip.
While in Paris, Brenna is tempted by Saxon once again. She makes the decision to follow her feelings for Saxon and see what happens. However, she can't have both boys. Brenna must decide if she wants to follow her heart or her attraction. Now, she faces the consequences of that decision and it may not turn out the way she hoped.
My Take:
Where do I start? I truly loved Double Clutch and couldn't wait to read Junk Miles, but was also a little nervous about it. I'm such a Jake fan, so knowing she would be with Saxon in Paris made me nervous. Of course, I sucked it up and read on.
Junk Miles was a turbulent read for me. I finally sat back and discovered why it affected me so much. Here's what I came up with. I had a very intense high school relationship with a boy who I totally thought I would marry. He was so sweet, older than me, came from a somewhat troubled home, and I was his world. My home life was good, I was smart and had good grades. Basically, the opposite of what he had. He was an amazing athlete though and that was his out. I believe I had a strong influence over the decisions he made. My senior year of high school, while he was away at college, I started to doubt our relationship. At that point, we had been together for a few years and the next step was for me to go to college where he went. I remember my mom and I having conversations about not settling, having my own adventures, etc. Spring break of that year, a mutual friend of ours came home. My boyfriend and I were on a break as a result of my doubts and I ended up kissing that friend. The friend and I both felt horrible about it after the fact. My boyfriend and I got back together for a while longer after that, but things were never the same. Our paths went in different directions, but I always think of that relationship and of him fondly. He most definitely was the first man I was in love with. In fact, we ended up living in the same area again as adults and I considered the possibility that it was a sign. It wasn't meant to be, since I met my husband shortly after moving. So, what's my point??? I could totally understand and feel what Brenna felt and that made it so emotional for me.
Brenna really does love Jake and I think the fact that it's her first relationship and it's really intense starts to overwhelm her a bit. Her mother doesn't help matters either. As a mother, I understand the instinct to want the best for your child and not see them settle so young. I also understand not wanting to disappoint the parents. I always wanted to please my parents. Then, the fact that she has an attraction to Saxon just complicates matters more.
I loved seeing how Brenna works through all of these complicated feelings as much as I loved seeing her deal with the consequences of her actions. The ending left me wanting more. I wasn't ready for it to end. I got a sneak peak at the next novel and love what I see so far. I absolutely can not wait to see what happens next in Slow Twitch, which was recently released.
Liz Reinhardt makes you feel these characters to the core. I am so completely emotionally invested in this story and I feel that says a lot about the writing. If you haven't read this series yet, please go get it. It's brilliant!
http://www.autumnreview.com/2012/04/j...
It's the start of Christmas break and Brenna is looking forward to snuggling up to boyfriend Jake. However, her mother surprises her with a trip to Paris. Brenna feels torn because she would really love the trip, but doesn't want to leave Jake.
Jake is the perfect boyfriend. So, why is Brenna having doubts about their relationship? She feels like things are moving quickly in their relationship and starts second guessing where things will go from here. Then, she gets even more confused when Saxon happens to be on the same trip.
While in Paris, Brenna is tempted by Saxon once again. She makes the decision to follow her feelings for Saxon and see what happens. However, she can't have both boys. Brenna must decide if she wants to follow her heart or her attraction. Now, she faces the consequences of that decision and it may not turn out the way she hoped.
My Take:
Where do I start? I truly loved Double Clutch and couldn't wait to read Junk Miles, but was also a little nervous about it. I'm such a Jake fan, so knowing she would be with Saxon in Paris made me nervous. Of course, I sucked it up and read on.
Junk Miles was a turbulent read for me. I finally sat back and discovered why it affected me so much. Here's what I came up with. I had a very intense high school relationship with a boy who I totally thought I would marry. He was so sweet, older than me, came from a somewhat troubled home, and I was his world. My home life was good, I was smart and had good grades. Basically, the opposite of what he had. He was an amazing athlete though and that was his out. I believe I had a strong influence over the decisions he made. My senior year of high school, while he was away at college, I started to doubt our relationship. At that point, we had been together for a few years and the next step was for me to go to college where he went. I remember my mom and I having conversations about not settling, having my own adventures, etc. Spring break of that year, a mutual friend of ours came home. My boyfriend and I were on a break as a result of my doubts and I ended up kissing that friend. The friend and I both felt horrible about it after the fact. My boyfriend and I got back together for a while longer after that, but things were never the same. Our paths went in different directions, but I always think of that relationship and of him fondly. He most definitely was the first man I was in love with. In fact, we ended up living in the same area again as adults and I considered the possibility that it was a sign. It wasn't meant to be, since I met my husband shortly after moving. So, what's my point??? I could totally understand and feel what Brenna felt and that made it so emotional for me.
Brenna really does love Jake and I think the fact that it's her first relationship and it's really intense starts to overwhelm her a bit. Her mother doesn't help matters either. As a mother, I understand the instinct to want the best for your child and not see them settle so young. I also understand not wanting to disappoint the parents. I always wanted to please my parents. Then, the fact that she has an attraction to Saxon just complicates matters more.
I loved seeing how Brenna works through all of these complicated feelings as much as I loved seeing her deal with the consequences of her actions. The ending left me wanting more. I wasn't ready for it to end. I got a sneak peak at the next novel and love what I see so far. I absolutely can not wait to see what happens next in Slow Twitch, which was recently released.
Liz Reinhardt makes you feel these characters to the core. I am so completely emotionally invested in this story and I feel that says a lot about the writing. If you haven't read this series yet, please go get it. It's brilliant!
http://www.autumnreview.com/2012/04/j...
June 25, 2015
I'm having a hard time beginning to review this book, because I disliked it SO MUCH, and I want to be fair and not completely rude about it, but it's hard when I really can't stand the book itself or any of the characters in it. Since I'm such a character-driven reader (does that make sense? hmm) I'll focus on them to describe why I can't stand this book.
Brenna: Oh Brenna. You get points for being willing to put yourself out there and give yourself the chance to experience life when you're not sure about your current situation. You totally deserve that. Except... you're so confused in your narration that one second something that makes you happy you can't stand and vice verse. Girl, you have absolutely no backbone or tact. You treat people badly when they don't deserve it and then you lay back and let them walk all over you when you SHOULD be standing up for yourself. This character is so confused about who she is and what she wants (I think she changes her mind about things as many times as her clothes are described) that the reader cannot find anything empathetic about her.
Brenna's Mom: No, Brenna, your Mom is not perfect. Yes she is a good Mom in some respects, but she doesn't trust you or support your decisions. She bases her control over your life on the experiences she had with Brenna's father. She wants trust from and control over Brenna, and on the one hand lets Brenna do whatever she wants, and on the other hand is uber controlling. No wonder Brenna is so messed up.
Jake: Jake is like.... I almost feel bad for Jake's character, because he's portrayed as dumb and gorgeous. He's so sweet and lovely, a big dumb teddy bear who isn't good enough for Brenna in any way, according to Brenna's mom (and sometimes Brenna), despite... you know, basically being the perfect (if incredibly clingy) boyfriend. Except as soon as things go badly for Jake/Brenna, Jake is all the sudden an asshole. Like seriously. I cannot BELIEVE what he did, because it's so opposite of the Jake we supposedly knew. All of the sudden he's a manipulative jerk who doesn't accept any blame for himself.
Saxon: Girls, listen to me: Saxon is an emotionally abusive jerk. I don't care how many "sweet" moments he has, he is a loser who chooses to put himself in bad situations, who chooses to use girls as garbage, and who chooses to say absolutely horrible things to Brenna. He pressures Brenna for sex (like ALL THE TIME) and is generally just manipulative.
So, add that all up with the fact that this book has absolutely NO PLOT except Brenna's back and forth with these two guys, and find me confused as to how this could POSSIBLY be a five star book for anyone. Colour me baffled, because I seriously don't get it.
Brenna: Oh Brenna. You get points for being willing to put yourself out there and give yourself the chance to experience life when you're not sure about your current situation. You totally deserve that. Except... you're so confused in your narration that one second something that makes you happy you can't stand and vice verse. Girl, you have absolutely no backbone or tact. You treat people badly when they don't deserve it and then you lay back and let them walk all over you when you SHOULD be standing up for yourself. This character is so confused about who she is and what she wants (I think she changes her mind about things as many times as her clothes are described) that the reader cannot find anything empathetic about her.
Brenna's Mom: No, Brenna, your Mom is not perfect. Yes she is a good Mom in some respects, but she doesn't trust you or support your decisions. She bases her control over your life on the experiences she had with Brenna's father. She wants trust from and control over Brenna, and on the one hand lets Brenna do whatever she wants, and on the other hand is uber controlling. No wonder Brenna is so messed up.
Jake: Jake is like.... I almost feel bad for Jake's character, because he's portrayed as dumb and gorgeous. He's so sweet and lovely, a big dumb teddy bear who isn't good enough for Brenna in any way, according to Brenna's mom (and sometimes Brenna), despite... you know, basically being the perfect (if incredibly clingy) boyfriend. Except as soon as things go badly for Jake/Brenna, Jake is all the sudden an asshole. Like seriously. I cannot BELIEVE what he did, because it's so opposite of the Jake we supposedly knew. All of the sudden he's a manipulative jerk who doesn't accept any blame for himself.
Saxon: Girls, listen to me: Saxon is an emotionally abusive jerk. I don't care how many "sweet" moments he has, he is a loser who chooses to put himself in bad situations, who chooses to use girls as garbage, and who chooses to say absolutely horrible things to Brenna. He pressures Brenna for sex (like ALL THE TIME) and is generally just manipulative.
So, add that all up with the fact that this book has absolutely NO PLOT except Brenna's back and forth with these two guys, and find me confused as to how this could POSSIBLY be a five star book for anyone. Colour me baffled, because I seriously don't get it.
November 22, 2011
To say at the end of Double Clutch I was on Team Saxon would be an understatement. Honestly there was no doubt in my mind that he and Brenna made more sense. Sure Jake was sweet and seemed to really love Brenna, but I'm such a sucker for the bad boy that I couldn't be swayed. That is until I read Junk Miles.
In book two of this delightful series, Brenna is forced to make some hard choices when it comes to who she gives her heart to and finds herself left to deal with the unsavory consequences. We get a better understanding as to why Brenna's Mom would like her to date around and though I appreciated her motivation as a parent, I also understood the pressure Brenna felt being torn between making her Mom happy and following her heart. So much of Junk Miles was about just that, soul searching and trying to find the balance of who you are with and apart from someone you love. And at Brenna's age that's a feat in of itself.
It also brought to the surface many of the flaws our characters have and definitely showed us another side of them. In some cases good, in others bad. It was interesting for me how quickly my loyalties changed and I finally realized why. In Double Clutch there was never a defined villain in my eyes. Both Jake and Saxon had their flaws but they also brought redeeming qualities to the table which helped me overlook the obvious. In Junk Miles it seemed the line was drawn in the sand with each boy deposited firmly on opposite sides.
I enjoy Reinhardt's writing style and appreciate that she's not afraid to shy away from writing a realistic POV from a teens perspective. The smoking, drinking and teen sex isn't glorified but it's also not ignored. It's teens being teens. Oh and a special thank you for my new favorite word: Hussilicious!!
I'm interested to see where book three takes our trio of characters. I for one am hoping for a little redemption for one and a whole lot of romance for the others.
In book two of this delightful series, Brenna is forced to make some hard choices when it comes to who she gives her heart to and finds herself left to deal with the unsavory consequences. We get a better understanding as to why Brenna's Mom would like her to date around and though I appreciated her motivation as a parent, I also understood the pressure Brenna felt being torn between making her Mom happy and following her heart. So much of Junk Miles was about just that, soul searching and trying to find the balance of who you are with and apart from someone you love. And at Brenna's age that's a feat in of itself.
It also brought to the surface many of the flaws our characters have and definitely showed us another side of them. In some cases good, in others bad. It was interesting for me how quickly my loyalties changed and I finally realized why. In Double Clutch there was never a defined villain in my eyes. Both Jake and Saxon had their flaws but they also brought redeeming qualities to the table which helped me overlook the obvious. In Junk Miles it seemed the line was drawn in the sand with each boy deposited firmly on opposite sides.
I enjoy Reinhardt's writing style and appreciate that she's not afraid to shy away from writing a realistic POV from a teens perspective. The smoking, drinking and teen sex isn't glorified but it's also not ignored. It's teens being teens. Oh and a special thank you for my new favorite word: Hussilicious!!
I'm interested to see where book three takes our trio of characters. I for one am hoping for a little redemption for one and a whole lot of romance for the others.
June 12, 2012
3.75 Stars
**Warning, possible spoilers in this review**
So if you’ve read the premise of this book, or if you read book one, you know Brenna ends up with. I love bad boys, and Saxon is definitely that, but Jake is just a total sweetheart and treats Brenna like a queen. For Brenna, apparently, that is one of the reasons she decided to ruin their relationship in this book. I was extremely frustrated with her in this story. I did NOT agree with how she treated Jake. I know they’re young and they’re at age where experimentation is common. We can all relate to that feeling. So part of me does understand why Brenna did what she did. She wanted to explore her connection with Saxon a little bit further, but in order to do that, she had to break Jake’s heart. The strange thing is that Brenna & Saxon were never really considered a couple. They acted like it at times, but they mostly fought. However, their chemistry was not to be denied and there were some extremely explosive scenes with them, though they never took it to that next level. Saxon all but begged her to give him a proper shot, but all throughout the book, she kept regretting her break up with Jake. There was just so much back and forth, I desperately wished that this story included Jake’s or Saxon’s POV because I wanted out of Brenna’s head. She frustrated me. That’s probably why I couldn’t really give this book a higher rating. The writing was great and it really did elicit a lot of emotions from you. That was probably why I kept on going. My morbid curiosity wanted to see where Brenna was going. However, I need a break from this roller coaster ride that is Brenna/Jake/Saxon, so I won’t be reading book three immediately. Don’t get me wrong, I will read it, but I need to settle my emotions first.
**Warning, possible spoilers in this review**
So if you’ve read the premise of this book, or if you read book one, you know Brenna ends up with. I love bad boys, and Saxon is definitely that, but Jake is just a total sweetheart and treats Brenna like a queen. For Brenna, apparently, that is one of the reasons she decided to ruin their relationship in this book. I was extremely frustrated with her in this story. I did NOT agree with how she treated Jake. I know they’re young and they’re at age where experimentation is common. We can all relate to that feeling. So part of me does understand why Brenna did what she did. She wanted to explore her connection with Saxon a little bit further, but in order to do that, she had to break Jake’s heart. The strange thing is that Brenna & Saxon were never really considered a couple. They acted like it at times, but they mostly fought. However, their chemistry was not to be denied and there were some extremely explosive scenes with them, though they never took it to that next level. Saxon all but begged her to give him a proper shot, but all throughout the book, she kept regretting her break up with Jake. There was just so much back and forth, I desperately wished that this story included Jake’s or Saxon’s POV because I wanted out of Brenna’s head. She frustrated me. That’s probably why I couldn’t really give this book a higher rating. The writing was great and it really did elicit a lot of emotions from you. That was probably why I kept on going. My morbid curiosity wanted to see where Brenna was going. However, I need a break from this roller coaster ride that is Brenna/Jake/Saxon, so I won’t be reading book three immediately. Don’t get me wrong, I will read it, but I need to settle my emotions first.
April 8, 2012
Going to keep this review nice and short.
Junk Miles was definitely worth the wait. I completely adored the first one (Double Clutch). I'd heard a few mixed things, and some people were even angry with Brenna in this one. The way she dealt with certain situations probably wasn't the best way to do it, but I understand her confusion. Jake is the right one for her, the safe one, but Saxon is the dangerous and irresistible one. So what would you do if you were away from the guy you thought was right for you, and start spending time in Paris with the wrong one?
Everything that I loved from the first book, returned in this one, including a much stronger and more independent Brenna. I could feel for Brenna in this one. When I read Double Clutch I couldn't settle on one team. I normally can during a triangle, but this was very hard. I thought during Junk Miles I would settle, but I couldn't. I was so confused. Knowing Jake, is perfect for her, but wanting to be with Saxon as well. It's an extremely difficult thing for a 16 year old to go through. And Liz Reinhardt managed to write it so well. During this one and Double Clutch I was officially Team Switzerland, very much on the fence between the whole Jake and Saxon fiasco.
I really enjoyed this one, and I didn't find it slow paced or sluggish. There were times I wanted to scream into a pillow, or just cry my eyes out. After I finished Junk Miles, I immediately picked up Slow Twitch, and only when I finish that will I have settled on a team. I'm sure of it.
Junk Miles was definitely worth the wait. I completely adored the first one (Double Clutch). I'd heard a few mixed things, and some people were even angry with Brenna in this one. The way she dealt with certain situations probably wasn't the best way to do it, but I understand her confusion. Jake is the right one for her, the safe one, but Saxon is the dangerous and irresistible one. So what would you do if you were away from the guy you thought was right for you, and start spending time in Paris with the wrong one?
Everything that I loved from the first book, returned in this one, including a much stronger and more independent Brenna. I could feel for Brenna in this one. When I read Double Clutch I couldn't settle on one team. I normally can during a triangle, but this was very hard. I thought during Junk Miles I would settle, but I couldn't. I was so confused. Knowing Jake, is perfect for her, but wanting to be with Saxon as well. It's an extremely difficult thing for a 16 year old to go through. And Liz Reinhardt managed to write it so well. During this one and Double Clutch I was officially Team Switzerland, very much on the fence between the whole Jake and Saxon fiasco.
I really enjoyed this one, and I didn't find it slow paced or sluggish. There were times I wanted to scream into a pillow, or just cry my eyes out. After I finished Junk Miles, I immediately picked up Slow Twitch, and only when I finish that will I have settled on a team. I'm sure of it.
June 7, 2012
Minor Spoilers Below
4 STARS
Genre: Mature YA
Setting: Paris and New Jersey
Thoughts
I liked this book alot some people who have read and reviewed it were upset about what Brenna did. I was not i think how she went about it was not good but in the end it all worked out. Life happens and you have to make choices i would say Brenna learned a big lesson from her choices.
Minor SPOILES BELOW
In the second book Brenna breaks up with Jake by phone while she is across the Atlantic in Paris with Saxon. Well kinda with him. His mom and her mom both work together and Brenna and Saxon both end up on the Paris trip with their parents. Brenna quickly realizes that she has made a mistake by breaking up with Jake to try and be with Saxon. Brenna and Saxon settle as friends once they return back to the states in New Jersey. Jake on the other hand has moved on. Or has he?! Both Brenna and Jake come to terms with their mistakes and eventually find their way back together. I can't wait for the 3rd book to come out Slow Twitch it sounds good so far, i hope it's not all from Saxon's POV tho cause i need more Brenna and Jake!
My Ratings
Characters- Likable
Writing Style- Solid
Plot/Storyline- Good
Steam Factor- Moderately Steamy
Overall- Enjoyable! Read it!
-Warning: This book has teens in sexual situations.
4 STARS
Genre: Mature YA
Setting: Paris and New Jersey
Thoughts
I liked this book alot some people who have read and reviewed it were upset about what Brenna did. I was not i think how she went about it was not good but in the end it all worked out. Life happens and you have to make choices i would say Brenna learned a big lesson from her choices.
Minor SPOILES BELOW
In the second book Brenna breaks up with Jake by phone while she is across the Atlantic in Paris with Saxon. Well kinda with him. His mom and her mom both work together and Brenna and Saxon both end up on the Paris trip with their parents. Brenna quickly realizes that she has made a mistake by breaking up with Jake to try and be with Saxon. Brenna and Saxon settle as friends once they return back to the states in New Jersey. Jake on the other hand has moved on. Or has he?! Both Brenna and Jake come to terms with their mistakes and eventually find their way back together. I can't wait for the 3rd book to come out Slow Twitch it sounds good so far, i hope it's not all from Saxon's POV tho cause i need more Brenna and Jake!
My Ratings
Characters- Likable
Writing Style- Solid
Plot/Storyline- Good
Steam Factor- Moderately Steamy
Overall- Enjoyable! Read it!
-Warning: This book has teens in sexual situations.
January 25, 2012
If gender roles were reversed (Brenna a boy and Jake and Sexton girls) wouldn't she be...THE BIGGEST WANKER EVER? I don't think guys would have "teams" and if they read about a dude doing this they would either praise him for being a player, or hated for being a douche bag. Girl power? Lead girl is strong? No. She's 15 and acts like it. She is obsessed with boys. That is very well written for that age, but she's just as selfish and self absorbed as a 15 yr old boy...and older.
Sexton- Fall in love with Candence in book 3. Clean up your life and get over your father's money. You have serious potential.
Jake- Time to buy some self esteem. Grab your life by the horns. Define you and don't let Brenna do it.
Brenna- BE SINGLE. Become a woman. Make us proud.
Sexton- Fall in love with Candence in book 3. Clean up your life and get over your father's money. You have serious potential.
Jake- Time to buy some self esteem. Grab your life by the horns. Define you and don't let Brenna do it.
Brenna- BE SINGLE. Become a woman. Make us proud.
April 16, 2013
Loved this book!! I read it in one day and couldn't put it down. I'm still torn between both Saxon and Jake. I love them both. Brenna loves Jake, but she has feelings for Saxon too. I'm glad Brenna and Saxon had some time together in this book. Their relationship is kind of toxic though. Saxon is really a bad boy that makes stupid decisions, well, actually Jake does too, but I still wonder who Brenna will end up with in the end. Saxon seems relentless to constantly ruffle Brenna's feathers, so in the next book, I'm really excited to see how everything ends with this trio. Even though Brenna's heart is with Jake, there is still the tension between her and Saxon. Obviously, she hasn't truly gotten him out of her system. I look foward to seeing how it all plays out.
June 7, 2012
I wanted to kick Breanna in the throat. Like round house Jackie Chan style if I has to read one more whiney boohoo I lost Jake bs! I got the Sense and Sensibility reference, and I tried to apply it to these characters but it really didn't work for me. And why make Saxon so damn hot and sexy and Jake the too good to be true blue collar no body, if your not going to have the MC give in to her desires just a little more than kissing and a PG romp in the backseat of the car?! I sooooo badly wanted Breanna to get pisses after finding out about Nikky and run to Saxon! Ugh! Overall good read, a little too much whining but a food second installment
April 1, 2017
Такое ощущение, что совсем другой человек писал. Мне все время хотелось спросить: "Чтооо?" Тут я уже определилась с тем, что двое из трех героев - полные идиоты, эгоисты и безумно странные. Я определилась с парнем (кстати, необычный для меня выбор, плюс героиня, скорее всего с ним останется), потому что он хоть относительно адекватный был. Но вообще вся книга от начала и до конца какая-то бредовая. Мне интересно, конечно, чем дело кончится, но...
December 6, 2011
Oh goodness gracious! Just when I thought it couldn't get any better than the first,,, it does! This is the 2nd novel in the Brenna Blixen series (the 3rd to come out sometime in the Spring of 2012). I am so glad that I gave these novels a shot, because they rock! I'll note that I am a Jersey girl, born and bred and so is Brenna and her 2 hot and sexy men, Jack and Saxon. So, it made this series even more appealing to me that the characters live in NJ.
Anyway, I digress. This series is not about NJ, it's about Brenna Blixen, a teenager living in NJ with her mom and step-dad, who is in love/lust with two very different guys. In Double Clutch, the first in the series, we met and fell in love with Jake, just as Brenna did. Jake is a sexy, honest, understated, humble kind of guy and he is a wonderful boyfriend to Brenna. But, Brenna's mom is very overprotective of her only child, so, she has decided to wisk Brenna away to Paris with her during Christmas break. And, when she gets to the airport, Saxon (or Sexon!) is there as well,, part of the group that will be touring Paris for the week. Things get very confusing for Brenna while she is in Paris, with Saxon, and they start to fall apart for Brenna (and her relationship with Jake).
At about 1/3 of the way through the book, I hated the person that Brenna was becoming! I was so annoyed with her choices and how much of a bitch she was turning into. And, my heart hurt for Jake, and for Saxon, and eventually for Brenna. The love triangle in this book was unlike many others I have read,, and I've read a lot. There was real, true, honest emotion in these relationships that made me sigh, cry and get a little excited over. This, to me, is what makes a good story (especially a good love-triangle story).
I could seriously gush over this book endlessly. But, first I will tell you that this author knows how to write angst, internal feelings, oh and sex (well, not actual sex)! I literally felt what Brenna was feeling and could totally relate to her internal struggle of what to do, to make herself and those around her happy.
I like the way the book ended, as it had an end. However, the door was left open and I am looking forward to seeing what else is in Brenna, Jake and Saxon's futures.
Anyway, I digress. This series is not about NJ, it's about Brenna Blixen, a teenager living in NJ with her mom and step-dad, who is in love/lust with two very different guys. In Double Clutch, the first in the series, we met and fell in love with Jake, just as Brenna did. Jake is a sexy, honest, understated, humble kind of guy and he is a wonderful boyfriend to Brenna. But, Brenna's mom is very overprotective of her only child, so, she has decided to wisk Brenna away to Paris with her during Christmas break. And, when she gets to the airport, Saxon (or Sexon!) is there as well,, part of the group that will be touring Paris for the week. Things get very confusing for Brenna while she is in Paris, with Saxon, and they start to fall apart for Brenna (and her relationship with Jake).
At about 1/3 of the way through the book, I hated the person that Brenna was becoming! I was so annoyed with her choices and how much of a bitch she was turning into. And, my heart hurt for Jake, and for Saxon, and eventually for Brenna. The love triangle in this book was unlike many others I have read,, and I've read a lot. There was real, true, honest emotion in these relationships that made me sigh, cry and get a little excited over. This, to me, is what makes a good story (especially a good love-triangle story).
I could seriously gush over this book endlessly. But, first I will tell you that this author knows how to write angst, internal feelings, oh and sex (well, not actual sex)! I literally felt what Brenna was feeling and could totally relate to her internal struggle of what to do, to make herself and those around her happy.
I like the way the book ended, as it had an end. However, the door was left open and I am looking forward to seeing what else is in Brenna, Jake and Saxon's futures.
February 14, 2012
As a testament to how much this book impacted me, I actually put it down and almost decided not to finish it....at first. I’m glad I picked it back up. This is book 2 of the Brenna Blixen series. The first book,
was a sweet, teenage relationship read - in the spirit of the Judy Blume books I grew up reading.
This book starts of with the main character, Brenna in a relationship with Jake and on her way to Paris with her mom …. and the OTHER guy she is attracted to, Saxon.
This book was difficult for me to read. After making a commitment with Jake, Brenna struggles in the City of Lights with Saxon. I hated the waffling! I was so disappointed in the character, I had to give it some distance. It took me a few days to come back to it when I realized how courageous it was for Brenna to be honest with herself about her conflicted feels. That's maturity. I have so many female friends in their 30's and 40's who could use a little dose of Brenna's honesty. It was heartbreaking to witness Brenna's soul searching and then return back to reality. But in the end, Though it is in the Young Adult genre, Liz Reinhardt could have aged her characters and had a profound adult fiction book. The book ended with a perfect note. And I am so looking forward to the next installment with Saxon's first person narrative. He is so complex and I'm looking forward to getting to know him and Jake better!
was a sweet, teenage relationship read - in the spirit of the Judy Blume books I grew up reading. This book starts of with the main character, Brenna in a relationship with Jake and on her way to Paris with her mom …. and the OTHER guy she is attracted to, Saxon.
This book was difficult for me to read. After making a commitment with Jake, Brenna struggles in the City of Lights with Saxon. I hated the waffling! I was so disappointed in the character, I had to give it some distance. It took me a few days to come back to it when I realized how courageous it was for Brenna to be honest with herself about her conflicted feels. That's maturity. I have so many female friends in their 30's and 40's who could use a little dose of Brenna's honesty. It was heartbreaking to witness Brenna's soul searching and then return back to reality. But in the end, Though it is in the Young Adult genre, Liz Reinhardt could have aged her characters and had a profound adult fiction book. The book ended with a perfect note. And I am so looking forward to the next installment with Saxon's first person narrative. He is so complex and I'm looking forward to getting to know him and Jake better!
October 10, 2012
5 Stars. Junk Miles is the second of three novels in the Brenna Blixen series, continuing the story of Brenna and her relationships with Jake and Saxon. I think the most important thing I can say about this series is that the author is so fantastic with the character development and peeling back the layers of each character as the relationships between the three of them shift. I found it tough to put Junk Miles down, really just wanting to find out what happens next.
I have particularly found Saxon such an interesting character. Saxon wears a figurative mask, showing people only what he wants them to see, but Brenna sees hidden depths underneath all of the cocky bravado. She has been attracted to him since the day she met him, and has no idea why. Brenna loves Jake, and he has been her boyfriend since the beginning of the school year. Saxon has applied extreme pressure for Brenna to give him a chance, and she has resisted him, knowing full well his reputation for using girls.
Brenna and her mother travel to Paris, France during her Christmas break, traveling with a group of college professors and their families. She quickly realizes that Saxon and his mother are part of their group, and Saxon wastes no time in applying full pressure while she is on a different continent than Jake. Brenna finally gives into both his extreme pressure and her ongoing feelings, and decides to give Saxon a chance. Brenna is honest with Jake about what is happening between her and Saxon, and they break up.
Liz Reinhardt does such an incredible job of exploring the emotions of love, temptation and the repercussions of cheating on the person that you love. There is so much more to Junk Miles following their breakup, and I highly recommend this book and series. Junk Miles is a young adult novel, but is recommended for more mature young adults.
I have particularly found Saxon such an interesting character. Saxon wears a figurative mask, showing people only what he wants them to see, but Brenna sees hidden depths underneath all of the cocky bravado. She has been attracted to him since the day she met him, and has no idea why. Brenna loves Jake, and he has been her boyfriend since the beginning of the school year. Saxon has applied extreme pressure for Brenna to give him a chance, and she has resisted him, knowing full well his reputation for using girls.
Brenna and her mother travel to Paris, France during her Christmas break, traveling with a group of college professors and their families. She quickly realizes that Saxon and his mother are part of their group, and Saxon wastes no time in applying full pressure while she is on a different continent than Jake. Brenna finally gives into both his extreme pressure and her ongoing feelings, and decides to give Saxon a chance. Brenna is honest with Jake about what is happening between her and Saxon, and they break up.
Liz Reinhardt does such an incredible job of exploring the emotions of love, temptation and the repercussions of cheating on the person that you love. There is so much more to Junk Miles following their breakup, and I highly recommend this book and series. Junk Miles is a young adult novel, but is recommended for more mature young adults.
November 9, 2012
Let me tell you that I really am enjoying this series. Even though it involves a love triangle, the writer does an excellent job. Liz Reinhardt, I love your solo work.
I don't want to give anything away so it is hard for me to write this review.
Brenna drove me nuts, so expect that when you are reading this series. She could be snotty and always thought she knew more than Jake, but then I loved that Jake grew some "balls." However, to be fair, Brenna is a 16 year old sophomore. She is suppose to me a little confused and everything else. However, I feel that her mother is control freak and Brenna is constantly worrying about what her mother will think, etc. It was exhausting for me to read. I can't imagine dealing with a woman like her mother.
You have to read this series just to meet Jake and Saxon. Jake is just so everything and Saxon I love him too, for different reasons, even when he messes up over and over. I do love them both equally. That is what made this a good love triangle.
I loved Junk Miles, but I am a little leery of reading Slow Twitch (book #3). I am concerned that it will ruin the series for me and since I have enjoyed it so much, I don't want the last book to ruin the entire series for me. This has happened in the past. I would love opinions and comments if you have read Slow Twitch. I have read reviews, but some were giving too much away, I had to stop. I just want opinions and helpful comments.
Do I recommend this book? Yes
Did I skim? No
Would I reread this book? Yes
Did I count the minutes until I was able to go back to reading this book? Yes
Did I think about this book after I finished it? Yes. I really like the characters and the writing.
I don't want to give anything away so it is hard for me to write this review.
Brenna drove me nuts, so expect that when you are reading this series. She could be snotty and always thought she knew more than Jake, but then I loved that Jake grew some "balls." However, to be fair, Brenna is a 16 year old sophomore. She is suppose to me a little confused and everything else. However, I feel that her mother is control freak and Brenna is constantly worrying about what her mother will think, etc. It was exhausting for me to read. I can't imagine dealing with a woman like her mother.
You have to read this series just to meet Jake and Saxon. Jake is just so everything and Saxon I love him too, for different reasons, even when he messes up over and over. I do love them both equally. That is what made this a good love triangle.
I loved Junk Miles, but I am a little leery of reading Slow Twitch (book #3). I am concerned that it will ruin the series for me and since I have enjoyed it so much, I don't want the last book to ruin the entire series for me. This has happened in the past. I would love opinions and comments if you have read Slow Twitch. I have read reviews, but some were giving too much away, I had to stop. I just want opinions and helpful comments.
Do I recommend this book? Yes
Did I skim? No
Would I reread this book? Yes
Did I count the minutes until I was able to go back to reading this book? Yes
Did I think about this book after I finished it? Yes. I really like the characters and the writing.
January 2, 2012
I am all too often not in love with a second book in a series because what's been built up in the first is usually torn down and generally rebuilt in the last second. Honestly, that's not only sometimes hard to read when I loved the first one, but it's also just been overdone. I feared that here with Junk Miles especially since I adored Jake and knew that his head was most likely on the chopping block.
I'm giving this 4 stars primarily because Reinhardt had me glued to this book. I was invested in these 3 and I had to know how this played out. It was like the proverbial wreck you don't want to look at but can't tear your eyes away from either.
I did hesitate on the stars though and vacillated between 3 and 4 due to something happening about half way through. It was not plot related, it was character related. Overall I think Reinhardt has wonderful characterization. Everyone is amazingly developed and the flow through the first book was perfect. But Junk Miles, not as much. I mostly saw it in Saxon and somewhat in Brenna. Something in them just got lost. I've been trying to pinpoint it but all I've really got is that their games became confusing to them as well as us and in there somewhere we lost some depth of their characters. Maybe had we had Saxon's point of view it might have been different. He's a pretty complicated guy. ;)
Overall I liked this book and I'm letting my emotional attachment to the characters drive my 4 star rating. I'm anxiously waiting for April for book 3!
I'm giving this 4 stars primarily because Reinhardt had me glued to this book. I was invested in these 3 and I had to know how this played out. It was like the proverbial wreck you don't want to look at but can't tear your eyes away from either.
I did hesitate on the stars though and vacillated between 3 and 4 due to something happening about half way through. It was not plot related, it was character related. Overall I think Reinhardt has wonderful characterization. Everyone is amazingly developed and the flow through the first book was perfect. But Junk Miles, not as much. I mostly saw it in Saxon and somewhat in Brenna. Something in them just got lost. I've been trying to pinpoint it but all I've really got is that their games became confusing to them as well as us and in there somewhere we lost some depth of their characters. Maybe had we had Saxon's point of view it might have been different. He's a pretty complicated guy. ;)
Overall I liked this book and I'm letting my emotional attachment to the characters drive my 4 star rating. I'm anxiously waiting for April for book 3!
January 9, 2012
Junk Miles is an emotional love triangle I couldn't put down!
Brenna loves her gorgeous boyfriend Jake, but can't stop thinking about Saxon who is brilliant, arrogant and sexy as hell. This book took me back to high school and the angsty tug of war of young love. Brenna is a strong smart young woman, but struggles with what she knows is right and what tempts her. It's like buying a Snickers bar, your favorite, but still wanting the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. They're both awesome for different reasons and impossible to resist.
Liz Reinhardt takes readers on an emotional ride from New Jersey to Paris and back again. This is the second book I've read by this author and she doesn't disappoint. Her writing is beautiful and transports the reader to another place and time. I highly recommend this book!
Brenna loves her gorgeous boyfriend Jake, but can't stop thinking about Saxon who is brilliant, arrogant and sexy as hell. This book took me back to high school and the angsty tug of war of young love. Brenna is a strong smart young woman, but struggles with what she knows is right and what tempts her. It's like buying a Snickers bar, your favorite, but still wanting the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. They're both awesome for different reasons and impossible to resist.
Liz Reinhardt takes readers on an emotional ride from New Jersey to Paris and back again. This is the second book I've read by this author and she doesn't disappoint. Her writing is beautiful and transports the reader to another place and time. I highly recommend this book!
February 18, 2012
This sequel to Double Clutch had me in a marathon "one sitting" read, I really want to give it 4.5 stars!!
It's an emotional roller coaster ride that had me happy one minute and frustrated the next, very much like a love-hate thing. As much as I adored Brenna, some of her decisions and actions peeved me off..but not enough not to love her and her imperfections. Oh and Saxon...no wonder this luscious bad boy is how he is...and *sigh* Jake...well Jake is Jake!!
The writing is again so realistic that you completely feel what the characters are going through as well as completely despair at some of the actions and decisions!
I can't wait for the 3rd one...hang one there is a 3rd one coming isn't there???!!!
(Got to say, thinking about it, I'm still feeling a bit like a ping pong ball bouncing between Jake and Saxon...)
It's an emotional roller coaster ride that had me happy one minute and frustrated the next, very much like a love-hate thing. As much as I adored Brenna, some of her decisions and actions peeved me off..but not enough not to love her and her imperfections. Oh and Saxon...no wonder this luscious bad boy is how he is...and *sigh* Jake...well Jake is Jake!!
The writing is again so realistic that you completely feel what the characters are going through as well as completely despair at some of the actions and decisions!
I can't wait for the 3rd one...hang one there is a 3rd one coming isn't there???!!!
(Got to say, thinking about it, I'm still feeling a bit like a ping pong ball bouncing between Jake and Saxon...)
November 21, 2011
I am so a Jake fan. Was a little teed with Breena, but she is still in my good graces. I like Saxon - though he can be a jerk. I am looking forward to the third book, I am kinda nervous that Jake and Breena are going to be a couple. And Saxon may find Love somewhere else, not happy about that. But I guess I will have to find out won't I. These books are not coming out fast enough. You need to do better Ms. Reinhardt, I am dying here :)
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