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Love You #1
Trying Not to Love You
An older brother’s best friend romance…
MacKenzie Cahill has dealt with her overprotective brothers her entire life, making it near impossible to enjoy her teenage years. Having a boyfriend was practically unthinkable until she met a guy that wasn't afraid to stand up to them. Dominic was sweet, thoughtful, and everything MacKenzie ever wanted in a man.
But when they go away to college, MacKenzie sees a whole new side to Dominic.
Her world is turned upside down after a party, and her brothers' best friend, Hunter, steps in. The chemistry between them is electric, and feelings for each other that have been hidden for years are finally voiced.
Is Hunter willing to face his best friends in order to be with the one girl he's always secretly wanted?
MacKenzie Cahill has dealt with her overprotective brothers her entire life, making it near impossible to enjoy her teenage years. Having a boyfriend was practically unthinkable until she met a guy that wasn't afraid to stand up to them. Dominic was sweet, thoughtful, and everything MacKenzie ever wanted in a man.
But when they go away to college, MacKenzie sees a whole new side to Dominic.
Her world is turned upside down after a party, and her brothers' best friend, Hunter, steps in. The chemistry between them is electric, and feelings for each other that have been hidden for years are finally voiced.
Is Hunter willing to face his best friends in order to be with the one girl he's always secretly wanted?
291 pages, ebook
First published May 17, 2013
558 people are currently reading
7976 people want to read
About the author
Megan Smith
17 books2,116 followersMegan Smith is a USA TODAY Bestselling author who’s a stay-at-home mom and writes whenever her little heart can. She lives in Southern New Jersey with her husband and three children. When she’s not chasing around her children she loves watching movies, reading, spending time with her family and watching beautiful sunsets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 928 reviews
October 20, 2014
2 - 3 Stars. Maybe?
I'm not quite sure how to rate this one. I liked the story idea but the writing itself didn't really do much for me. When I'm reading a book sometimes I hear voices in my head. Not the freaky ass kind that tell you to run around and bark like a dog, but the kind of voices that tell me what the book would sound like if I were listening to the audio version. The voice for this book would be a sort of monotone mumbling. “I did this and then that. He said some stuff and I cried.” Long sigh. The characters weren’t given a whole lot of depth and their personalities were never really developed. It’s told from a first person POV and just because MacKenzie knew everything about everyone else didn’t mean I had a handle on it all as I was reading the book.
I have a HUGE issue when it comes to reading and contractions. I need them. Don’t be afraid of the words can’t, don’t or won’t authors! These words can be your friends. When I read sentences written along the lines of “I cannot wait to go to the party. I hope I do not get too drunk that I will not be able to drive home” the awkwardness of it takes me right out of the story. Call me a picky bitch but these little things matter to me.
On the other hand, I didn’t hate the book. The story itself was good and the beginning of the book when Kenzie and Hunter were younger was adorable. It ends in a pretty decent sized cliffhanger and there’s a strong possibility I’ll be picking up the next one in the series. I may be a glutton for punishment but I’ve put the hard work in, damn it, and I want to see how the story finishes up.
I'm not quite sure how to rate this one. I liked the story idea but the writing itself didn't really do much for me. When I'm reading a book sometimes I hear voices in my head. Not the freaky ass kind that tell you to run around and bark like a dog, but the kind of voices that tell me what the book would sound like if I were listening to the audio version. The voice for this book would be a sort of monotone mumbling. “I did this and then that. He said some stuff and I cried.” Long sigh. The characters weren’t given a whole lot of depth and their personalities were never really developed. It’s told from a first person POV and just because MacKenzie knew everything about everyone else didn’t mean I had a handle on it all as I was reading the book.
I have a HUGE issue when it comes to reading and contractions. I need them. Don’t be afraid of the words can’t, don’t or won’t authors! These words can be your friends. When I read sentences written along the lines of “I cannot wait to go to the party. I hope I do not get too drunk that I will not be able to drive home” the awkwardness of it takes me right out of the story. Call me a picky bitch but these little things matter to me.
On the other hand, I didn’t hate the book. The story itself was good and the beginning of the book when Kenzie and Hunter were younger was adorable. It ends in a pretty decent sized cliffhanger and there’s a strong possibility I’ll be picking up the next one in the series. I may be a glutton for punishment but I’ve put the hard work in, damn it, and I want to see how the story finishes up.
June 6, 2016
I need to stop reading books in which a good (or, at the very least, promising) premise is completely destroyed by awful execution. I can't take it anymore! I feel bad writing negative reviews because it takes courage to write something and put it out there for the world to see but I think some authors need to take a step back at times and ask themselves if their work is ready for public consumption. This book is definitely not ready. The writing is robotic and juvenile. I am not a fan of books that just summarize what happens for pages on end. Can I get some believable dialogue? The characters are also one dimensional. MacKenzie is weak and dumb. So, so, so, so dumb. She makes Bella look like a nuclear physicist! I don't know how many huge neon signs she needed to clue her in on several obvious plot points. And don't get me started on the brothers. They are unbelievably overly-interested in their little sister's life. Red flags are going off with Masen. There is a hint that Cooper has some relationship issues that I am mildly intrigued by but I don't trust this author enough to read anything she has to write on the matter. And I don't care for the unnecessary stupid cliffhanger and upcoming sequel.
May 19, 2013
Ladies, oh Ladies, are you ready to take a little ride with MacKenzie (Kenzie), Hunter, Dominic, Hailey, Jaylinn, Mason, Cooper, Jackson and Chloe? Well let me tell you I jumped right into this one and I was ....
Kenzie has been in love with Hunter for as long as she can remember but being the youngest and the little sister to 3 older VERY PROTECTIVE brothers who are also best friends with Hunter may get in the way of Kenzie getting what she wants. See Kenzie was brave enough once to tell Hunter how she felt and once she did that I was.........
Well life goes on and Kenzie starts dating Dominic her senior year in high school and Dominic had no problem standing up to her brothers. He treated her like a queen, doted on her, loved her and they were both heading to Old Dominion for college where Dominic had a full football scholarship! Well the summer before she leaves things seem............
between Kenzie & Dominic ~ he's not acting like the boyfriend she was accustomed to and Hunter well dear Hunter the hot guy that seems unattainable with the tattoos and the abs he's there for Kenzie. Once they get to college, where Hunter also attends, things start to really get crazy and my emotions started to get out of control. Hailey & Kenzie had me.........................................................
Dominic had me wanting to .............................................
and Hunter well I wanted to...........................................
Even thought Mason & Cooper don't attend the same college they are still around and waiting to ...........................................
anyone that hurts their baby sister. I literally was..................
when things go down at a party with Dominic and the "boys" and poor Kenzie well I just wanted to .........................................
She's a strong girl and she does what's right and moves on but don't think Hunter is going to let her get away ~ see that boy has loved her a long time and he is finally ready to take the next step regardless of what the brothers think. I was totally..............................
things weren't peachy keen and I swear Mason will have you............
and when Kenzie & Hunter finally get their time a lone and a little....
and a lot of .........................................................
oh they have electricity~ I was so happy but damn if that Mason doesn't stand in the way and all I could do is stand back and watch...
right before my eyes. I felt it was hopeless I felt heartbroken and when something is revealed I was......................................
and then when Hunter came around and finally took the plunge and stood up for what he wanted and showed Kenzie how dedicated he was to her I..
I was seriously ......................................................
and things were great, they were so freaking awesome and then I got to the end and I ........................................................
Wait hold on ~ what the heck just happened Oh dear Lord NO NO NO NO!! I was ................................................................
and I was shocked and then I was giddy and then I stopped and said "self you now have to WAIT for the next book" Oh what a long torturous wait this is going to be for me!!!
Trying Not To Love You was a 5 star read for me! I loved it! I laughed, I was angry (very angry sometimes), I was elated, I cried and then I was stunned! I highly recommend you grab Megan's first book it is so AWESOME ~ Yes you are left hanging but the ride of the ride was so worth it!!! Awesome job Megan I look forward to reading more from you!! Hopefully sooner rather than later wink, wink!!!
Kenzie has been in love with Hunter for as long as she can remember but being the youngest and the little sister to 3 older VERY PROTECTIVE brothers who are also best friends with Hunter may get in the way of Kenzie getting what she wants. See Kenzie was brave enough once to tell Hunter how she felt and once she did that I was.........
Well life goes on and Kenzie starts dating Dominic her senior year in high school and Dominic had no problem standing up to her brothers. He treated her like a queen, doted on her, loved her and they were both heading to Old Dominion for college where Dominic had a full football scholarship! Well the summer before she leaves things seem............
between Kenzie & Dominic ~ he's not acting like the boyfriend she was accustomed to and Hunter well dear Hunter the hot guy that seems unattainable with the tattoos and the abs he's there for Kenzie. Once they get to college, where Hunter also attends, things start to really get crazy and my emotions started to get out of control. Hailey & Kenzie had me.........................................................
Dominic had me wanting to .............................................
and Hunter well I wanted to...........................................
Even thought Mason & Cooper don't attend the same college they are still around and waiting to ...........................................
anyone that hurts their baby sister. I literally was..................
when things go down at a party with Dominic and the "boys" and poor Kenzie well I just wanted to .........................................
She's a strong girl and she does what's right and moves on but don't think Hunter is going to let her get away ~ see that boy has loved her a long time and he is finally ready to take the next step regardless of what the brothers think. I was totally..............................
things weren't peachy keen and I swear Mason will have you............
and when Kenzie & Hunter finally get their time a lone and a little....
and a lot of .........................................................
oh they have electricity~ I was so happy but damn if that Mason doesn't stand in the way and all I could do is stand back and watch...
right before my eyes. I felt it was hopeless I felt heartbroken and when something is revealed I was......................................
and then when Hunter came around and finally took the plunge and stood up for what he wanted and showed Kenzie how dedicated he was to her I..
I was seriously ......................................................
and things were great, they were so freaking awesome and then I got to the end and I ........................................................
Wait hold on ~ what the heck just happened Oh dear Lord NO NO NO NO!! I was ................................................................
and I was shocked and then I was giddy and then I stopped and said "self you now have to WAIT for the next book" Oh what a long torturous wait this is going to be for me!!!
Trying Not To Love You was a 5 star read for me! I loved it! I laughed, I was angry (very angry sometimes), I was elated, I cried and then I was stunned! I highly recommend you grab Megan's first book it is so AWESOME ~ Yes you are left hanging but the ride of the ride was so worth it!!! Awesome job Megan I look forward to reading more from you!! Hopefully sooner rather than later wink, wink!!!
January 19, 2014
Estúpido. Estúpido. Estúpido. Estúpido. Y, oh no, espera, si.... ESTÚPIDO.
Este libro es un tostón, quiero decir, vamos a ver.. Hubiera sido un jodido buen libro, si, un libro malditamente cliché y predecible, pero un buen libro si la autora hubiera sabido desarrollar la historia y los personajes, pero no, fue cliché, predecible como ninguno y dramático a mas no poder, pero un drama estúpido, ¿me entienden?
Y oh por favor, no hablemos de la estupidez de MacKenzie, creo que cuando Dios repartió las neuronas, ella llego realmente tarde.. En serio, la leen, y encima es que leemos su maldito POV y es como: CÁLLATE YA. ME HARTA TU TONTERÍA.
Y un poco de lo mismo con los demás personajes, en resumen... Deteste completamente el libro.
Ni siquiera salvo a Hunter, tanto que dice que la ama y después.. de las palabras a los hechos, guapo ;)
Realmente no recomiendo este libro, pues, si quieren darle una oportunidad, pero de mi parte no lo recomiendo, no no.
Y eso que he sido buena y le he dado dos estrellas...
September 4, 2017
That was amazing!
I am still in shock from that ending!! Sweet baby Jesus that ending...!!!
I loved everything about the book. Everything. The plot was great, the characters were stinkin' awesome, and the romance was sexy and steamy.
I wrote a LONG review on Goodreads earlier and deleted it by accident:(
So this is the short version. But it will also be up on my blog later! So yeah!
I fell in love with ALL the characters. Every single last one of one of them. I felt so many emotions and I couldn't put the book down. I just couldn't. It was that good.
Go ahead and do yourself a favor and one click the book. You won't regret it.
I am still in shock from that ending!! Sweet baby Jesus that ending...!!!
I loved everything about the book. Everything. The plot was great, the characters were stinkin' awesome, and the romance was sexy and steamy.
I wrote a LONG review on Goodreads earlier and deleted it by accident:(
So this is the short version. But it will also be up on my blog later! So yeah!
I fell in love with ALL the characters. Every single last one of one of them. I felt so many emotions and I couldn't put the book down. I just couldn't. It was that good.
Go ahead and do yourself a favor and one click the book. You won't regret it.
June 8, 2013
Soooo freaking awesome. But that ending I need book 2 NOW please
May 20, 2013
Trying Not To Love You (Love Series) is the debut novel from Megan Smith. It's the story of what happens when you fall in love with the boy next door (or across the street). In Mackenzie Cahill's life, nothing happens. Because that boy is Hunter McCormick, her twin brothers' best friend.
Kenzie fell for Hunter the first time she saw him. She was ten and came home from school to find a strange boy sitting at the kitchen table with her brothers, Cooper and Mason. The new boy was Hunter, and his family had just moved in across the street. And Kenzie thought he was the most beautiful boy she had ever seen.
Kenzie was the baby in the family, the only girl with three older brothers. Jackson was the oldest and the twins, Cooper and Mason, were three years older than Mackenzie. Their dad always stressed to the boys that it was their job to keep their baby sister safe, and the boys took their job seriously.
Hunter and Kenzie's families were close. They took vacations together every summer. They spent every holiday together. Even worse, Hunter and the twins were inseparable, so he practically lived at the Cahill house. Kenzie had watched Hunter date his way through high school, silently wishing it was her on his arm. But that would never happen, because her brothers would kill him. Not that he thought of her that way. To Hunter, she would always be CC, his nickname for her. The little sister of his best friends.
Hunter McCormick had a problem. A big one. He wanted his best friends' little sister. Hunter had watched Kenzie grow from a little girl to beautiful woman with a rocking body. Attending college hours away from her was probably the only thing saving him from her brothers' fists.Out of sight, out of mind. The only problem was, Mackenzie and her best friend, Hailey, were now freshmen at the same college Hunter attended. Mason and Cooper trusted Hunter to watch out for her and keep her safe. Little did they know, he was the last person they should have entrusted her with.
I really, really liked this book. I liked how Megan started with the characters as children and progressed to young adulthood. I felt like I really knew them and their history. I also liked that I could feel the sexual tension between Hunter and Kenzie build the older they got. The more they tried to deny it, the stronger the urge became.
I also liked that it wasn't one of those books where the two just decided to admit their feelings and everything was rainbows and sunshine. TNTLY is definitely not a story with smooth sailing. Hunter and Kenzie face all kinds of problems besides the attack dogs called her brothers. Kenzie's longtime boyfriend Dominic is one of those problems. Be prepared to mentally want to slap sense into her where Dominic is concerned. I know I certainly wanted to!
Then there's Mason. He is the brother most protective of Mackenzie. No one is good enough, especially not Hunter. I also mentally punched him in the throat a few times. You'll understand when you realize the huge double standard Mason has. Actually, both Mason and his twin Cooper have the old "do as I say, not as I do" mentality when it comes to their baby sister.Frustrated is not a strong enough word for how I felt every time Kenzie folded to their demands without argument.
I thought that once all of the roadblocks were out of the way, Hunter and Mackenzie would just sail off to their HEA. That didn't happen. The last part of TNtLY takes a turn that I never expected, and neither will you. In fact, I think my message to Megan was "Noooo...I sort of, kinda want to choke you right now!" An edge of your seat ending that will leave you needing the next book right then!
I thought Trying Not to Love You was a really good first book for Megan Smith and I can't wait for the next one! You will love all of the supporting characters, including Hailey, Kenzie's best friend, Kenzie's parents, and Kenzie's soon to be sister in law, Chloe. How the whole family and their friends interact with each other is so real and almost always hilarious. Oh and it's definitely got some steam for you, too!
Kenzie fell for Hunter the first time she saw him. She was ten and came home from school to find a strange boy sitting at the kitchen table with her brothers, Cooper and Mason. The new boy was Hunter, and his family had just moved in across the street. And Kenzie thought he was the most beautiful boy she had ever seen.
Kenzie was the baby in the family, the only girl with three older brothers. Jackson was the oldest and the twins, Cooper and Mason, were three years older than Mackenzie. Their dad always stressed to the boys that it was their job to keep their baby sister safe, and the boys took their job seriously.
Hunter and Kenzie's families were close. They took vacations together every summer. They spent every holiday together. Even worse, Hunter and the twins were inseparable, so he practically lived at the Cahill house. Kenzie had watched Hunter date his way through high school, silently wishing it was her on his arm. But that would never happen, because her brothers would kill him. Not that he thought of her that way. To Hunter, she would always be CC, his nickname for her. The little sister of his best friends.
Hunter McCormick had a problem. A big one. He wanted his best friends' little sister. Hunter had watched Kenzie grow from a little girl to beautiful woman with a rocking body. Attending college hours away from her was probably the only thing saving him from her brothers' fists.Out of sight, out of mind. The only problem was, Mackenzie and her best friend, Hailey, were now freshmen at the same college Hunter attended. Mason and Cooper trusted Hunter to watch out for her and keep her safe. Little did they know, he was the last person they should have entrusted her with.
I really, really liked this book. I liked how Megan started with the characters as children and progressed to young adulthood. I felt like I really knew them and their history. I also liked that I could feel the sexual tension between Hunter and Kenzie build the older they got. The more they tried to deny it, the stronger the urge became.
I also liked that it wasn't one of those books where the two just decided to admit their feelings and everything was rainbows and sunshine. TNTLY is definitely not a story with smooth sailing. Hunter and Kenzie face all kinds of problems besides the attack dogs called her brothers. Kenzie's longtime boyfriend Dominic is one of those problems. Be prepared to mentally want to slap sense into her where Dominic is concerned. I know I certainly wanted to!
Then there's Mason. He is the brother most protective of Mackenzie. No one is good enough, especially not Hunter. I also mentally punched him in the throat a few times. You'll understand when you realize the huge double standard Mason has. Actually, both Mason and his twin Cooper have the old "do as I say, not as I do" mentality when it comes to their baby sister.Frustrated is not a strong enough word for how I felt every time Kenzie folded to their demands without argument.
I thought that once all of the roadblocks were out of the way, Hunter and Mackenzie would just sail off to their HEA. That didn't happen. The last part of TNtLY takes a turn that I never expected, and neither will you. In fact, I think my message to Megan was "Noooo...I sort of, kinda want to choke you right now!" An edge of your seat ending that will leave you needing the next book right then!
I thought Trying Not to Love You was a really good first book for Megan Smith and I can't wait for the next one! You will love all of the supporting characters, including Hailey, Kenzie's best friend, Kenzie's parents, and Kenzie's soon to be sister in law, Chloe. How the whole family and their friends interact with each other is so real and almost always hilarious. Oh and it's definitely got some steam for you, too!
May 14, 2013
I loved this book, anything with over-protective siblings and the love of a childhood friend and I inhale that book, this book was no different..
I'm just glad that I was forewarned about the bugger of a cliff hanger at the end of this, so I was prepared, because anyone who knows me knows that I HATE CLIFFHANGERS!! And I HATED this CLIFFHANGER!!
Because I never saw it coming!
Ok now that I've calmed down, I highly recommend this book!!
Now the sucky bit happens when I sit and sit waiting for book 2 to arrive!!
I'm just glad that I was forewarned about the bugger of a cliff hanger at the end of this, so I was prepared, because anyone who knows me knows that I HATE CLIFFHANGERS!! And I HATED this CLIFFHANGER!!
Because I never saw it coming!
Ok now that I've calmed down, I highly recommend this book!!
Now the sucky bit happens when I sit and sit waiting for book 2 to arrive!!
November 18, 2014
I didn't know Trying Not To Love You is a song by Nickelback until they mentioned the song in the book. While I loved the song, I can't say the same for the book.
The premise to Trying Not To Love You sounded good and I hadn't read any other book really containing very overprotective brothers. This is what the whole book is kind of based on, MacKenzie's brothers being overprotective of her. And they are.
Oh my, are they ever.
Jackson, Mason and Cooper took being protective to a whole new level. It comes a point when it gets creepy. MacKenzie, or Kenzie, can barely do a thing without them knowing about it. She can barely date without her brothers harassing the guy. What ticked me off most is the violence the brothers use. We're told about the first guy Kenzie dated, Ryan, in seventh grade. When they broke up, which only made Kenzie cry, the brothers went and gave the kid two black eyes and a broken nose. This isn't the only violence exerted in the book. Yet, no one files any lawsuit over these occasions.
I can't even begin on how much this ticked me off. And before someone tells me this is normal behavior, I am aware of how much violence there is in the world and that there are overprotective brothers out there. But I know a girl, the youngest of a bunch of her and three brothers where one of the guy can be hotheaded. And she'd never put up with the shit Kenzie's brothers pull on her. Her brothers certainly wouldn't go so far to beat someone up for the shit the brothers did in this book.
I can overlook the part where they are being this insanely overprotective if not for how big of hypocrites they are. One of them is dating Hunter's sister. (Hunter is the best friend of the brothers and he's in love with Kenzie and she loves him.) Another is dating Kenzie's best friend. So in this context, I can't overlook the brothers.
Let's move on to the main characters, Kenzie and Hunter. I liked neither of them but let's start with Kenzie. I didn't like her due to how shallow she is and, well, one dimensioned. I couldn't get over how she put Dominic, the guy she's dating in the beginning of the book, in the blind spot for so long. Everything he did should've risen red flags. Pretty much everything he did pointed to him cheating on her. And this is what happened in the first third of the book or so. And yet, when her brothers and her best friend say they don't like him she still looks past Dominic's behavior. How many signs do you need Kenzie? So she came off as naïve and, in lack of better word, stupid, to me.
Hunter... Hmm. We're supposed to love him because he's so good and nice and whatever. But I didn't like him. He never stands up for him and Kenzie to her brothers until the very end of the book. By then I already disliked him. I actually started to dislike him when they were driving to college in the beginning of the book. Then they play a game where they have to answer ten questions each. In the game, Hunter is very open about how she'd date Kenzie and so on. This put me off, because he knows she has feelings for him and yet he won't act on his own feelings. It felt like he just wanted to keep her on the hook and not let her move on. Not cool. Let the girl go unless you plan on doing anything with her. Sorry Hunter, you didn't do it for me.
One small thing that always bothers me is the use of skank/whore/bitch and these kinds of words. They are always used towards a girl/woman. I can never stand people saying these things about a girl. Sure, they call a girl skank for sleeping with Kenzie's best friend's boyfriend. But how do we know this girl knew he had a girlfriend? Then it's immediately the girl who's the bad person. The usage of these words always makes me angry because I know what it's like to be called these words. I haven't been called it personally but I have friends who's been called these names completely uncalled for and it's not okay on any level.
Next off to the writing. I understand this is the author's style but it didn't sit well with me. As many others have pointed out, contractions are okay to use! Every time they said I am/Cannot/It is and so, it put me off balance while reading. Most people in college don't talk like that.
The rest of the writing didn't appeal to me either. This is just my own opinion and I understand it can appeal to other people. But the writing isn't a masterpiece. Even some of the old classic writers such as Shakespeare could admit not all of their works were masterpieces either. Trying Not To Love You isn't a masterpiece either. I read this book and hoped for more flow in the paragraphs, but in my head I kept hearing this robot tell me the words.
The plot and pacing didn't do much for me either. I like my books to have some more plot except the love story. Trying Not To Love You didn't give me much except the love story. I also felt there to be a lot of lacking in backgrounds on the characters. I didn't really feel the romance between either Kenzie and Dominic or her and Hunter. The pacing was slow in the first half of the book where Kenzie goes on about her and Dominic's relationship which I'd rather read less about. It didn't bring that much to the story to drag it out as long as it did. Also, from time to time, the descriptions either got too detailed or lacked in details. For example, there is a long paragraph in the book where we're told what everyone get on Christmas that didn't contribute a single thing to the story. So the writing/plot/pacing didn't do it for me either.
However, I see how this can appeal to other people but I wouldn't go so far to recommend it. This book is more of a 1.5 rather than a simple 1 though because this isn't so terrible I couldn't stand reading it but it isn't good enough for me to want to stick to it.
1.5/5 stars
The premise to Trying Not To Love You sounded good and I hadn't read any other book really containing very overprotective brothers. This is what the whole book is kind of based on, MacKenzie's brothers being overprotective of her. And they are.
Oh my, are they ever.
Jackson, Mason and Cooper took being protective to a whole new level. It comes a point when it gets creepy. MacKenzie, or Kenzie, can barely do a thing without them knowing about it. She can barely date without her brothers harassing the guy. What ticked me off most is the violence the brothers use. We're told about the first guy Kenzie dated, Ryan, in seventh grade. When they broke up, which only made Kenzie cry, the brothers went and gave the kid two black eyes and a broken nose. This isn't the only violence exerted in the book. Yet, no one files any lawsuit over these occasions.
I can't even begin on how much this ticked me off. And before someone tells me this is normal behavior, I am aware of how much violence there is in the world and that there are overprotective brothers out there. But I know a girl, the youngest of a bunch of her and three brothers where one of the guy can be hotheaded. And she'd never put up with the shit Kenzie's brothers pull on her. Her brothers certainly wouldn't go so far to beat someone up for the shit the brothers did in this book.
I can overlook the part where they are being this insanely overprotective if not for how big of hypocrites they are. One of them is dating Hunter's sister. (Hunter is the best friend of the brothers and he's in love with Kenzie and she loves him.) Another is dating Kenzie's best friend. So in this context, I can't overlook the brothers.
Let's move on to the main characters, Kenzie and Hunter. I liked neither of them but let's start with Kenzie. I didn't like her due to how shallow she is and, well, one dimensioned. I couldn't get over how she put Dominic, the guy she's dating in the beginning of the book, in the blind spot for so long. Everything he did should've risen red flags. Pretty much everything he did pointed to him cheating on her. And this is what happened in the first third of the book or so. And yet, when her brothers and her best friend say they don't like him she still looks past Dominic's behavior. How many signs do you need Kenzie? So she came off as naïve and, in lack of better word, stupid, to me.
Hunter... Hmm. We're supposed to love him because he's so good and nice and whatever. But I didn't like him. He never stands up for him and Kenzie to her brothers until the very end of the book. By then I already disliked him. I actually started to dislike him when they were driving to college in the beginning of the book. Then they play a game where they have to answer ten questions each. In the game, Hunter is very open about how she'd date Kenzie and so on. This put me off, because he knows she has feelings for him and yet he won't act on his own feelings. It felt like he just wanted to keep her on the hook and not let her move on. Not cool. Let the girl go unless you plan on doing anything with her. Sorry Hunter, you didn't do it for me.
One small thing that always bothers me is the use of skank/whore/bitch and these kinds of words. They are always used towards a girl/woman. I can never stand people saying these things about a girl. Sure, they call a girl skank for sleeping with Kenzie's best friend's boyfriend. But how do we know this girl knew he had a girlfriend? Then it's immediately the girl who's the bad person. The usage of these words always makes me angry because I know what it's like to be called these words. I haven't been called it personally but I have friends who's been called these names completely uncalled for and it's not okay on any level.
Next off to the writing. I understand this is the author's style but it didn't sit well with me. As many others have pointed out, contractions are okay to use! Every time they said I am/Cannot/It is and so, it put me off balance while reading. Most people in college don't talk like that.
The rest of the writing didn't appeal to me either. This is just my own opinion and I understand it can appeal to other people. But the writing isn't a masterpiece. Even some of the old classic writers such as Shakespeare could admit not all of their works were masterpieces either. Trying Not To Love You isn't a masterpiece either. I read this book and hoped for more flow in the paragraphs, but in my head I kept hearing this robot tell me the words.
The plot and pacing didn't do much for me either. I like my books to have some more plot except the love story. Trying Not To Love You didn't give me much except the love story. I also felt there to be a lot of lacking in backgrounds on the characters. I didn't really feel the romance between either Kenzie and Dominic or her and Hunter. The pacing was slow in the first half of the book where Kenzie goes on about her and Dominic's relationship which I'd rather read less about. It didn't bring that much to the story to drag it out as long as it did. Also, from time to time, the descriptions either got too detailed or lacked in details. For example, there is a long paragraph in the book where we're told what everyone get on Christmas that didn't contribute a single thing to the story. So the writing/plot/pacing didn't do it for me either.
However, I see how this can appeal to other people but I wouldn't go so far to recommend it. This book is more of a 1.5 rather than a simple 1 though because this isn't so terrible I couldn't stand reading it but it isn't good enough for me to want to stick to it.
1.5/5 stars
did-not-finish
October 21, 2013I started Trying Not To Love You because I will see Megan Smith at a book signing event. First off, I love her writing style, it's easy going, has nice flow and I love the cover (very romantic).
I label it as "did not finish", BUT I fully intend to finish. It's just around the 50% mark I got .... distracted. I do not like love triangles and although it's not a full love triangle book, it drives me nuts when girls stay with a guy because the guy she actually wants isn't an option. Do not settle ladies (not in books and not in real life).
Again, the whole book isn't that, but it was enough to where I was slightly put off.
When I'm in a better frame of mind, I will finish.
I label it as "did not finish", BUT I fully intend to finish. It's just around the 50% mark I got .... distracted. I do not like love triangles and although it's not a full love triangle book, it drives me nuts when girls stay with a guy because the guy she actually wants isn't an option. Do not settle ladies (not in books and not in real life).
Again, the whole book isn't that, but it was enough to where I was slightly put off.
When I'm in a better frame of mind, I will finish.
February 11, 2018
Tenía pensado darle una ⭐ más, pero no, me convencí. No todo era nada emocionante, muy normal y exasperante las actitudes de todos los personajes. Demasiado para mi.
May 20, 2013
Mackenzie/Kenzie/CC has loved Hunter McCormick since she was 10 yrs old. At age 13, a game of Truth OR Dare is played that makes forever changes in CC.
I would remember that kiss always, my first kiss. It might not have meant anything to Hunter, but it meant the world to me.
Too bad CC's older brothers are Hunter's best friends. He will never choose her over them. At least not yet!
YAY!!!!
5 yrs later-
This book had me riveted! I swear the steam coming from these two could heat up my whole house for a year+.
Hunter ends up being the comfort that CC needs when she's betrayed by her boyfriend, Dominic. This is where the relationship between Hunter and CC takes a turn. But with 3 very overprotective brothers, CC is worried that Hunter wont make that commitment that she craves.
Honestly, I can see where Hunter is coming from. He's been best friends with CC's brothers, Mason and Cooper, for so long, it's hard to put that on the line. But, the heart wants what the heart wants, and Hunter's wants, no NEEDS, CC.
"I'm done trying to stay away," he sighed then continued. "I can't do it anymore. I need you like my life depends on it."
I'm going to kiss you now
You know, you can drag my ass out in the rain and kiss me anytime you want
This is a book full of amazing characters who are as real as they get.
Kenzie/CC is passionate, gentle, sweet natured and even tempered. There were a few moments I wanted to throat punch her for her naivety, but I quickly got over that.
Hunter...Oh dear God! a tatted up male specimen like this is right up my alley. I fell hard and fast for Hunter. He's AMAZING! sweet, nurturing, caring and still manages to give off that bad-boy vibe that I crave.
The combination of these two is explosive and I was devouring the road throughout their journey.
No matter what happens when we step foot out of this truck, just know that I love you and nothing will ever change that, nothing.
There were gut churning moments, times I felt like I was going to lose my shit from the angst, and at one point I wanted to give up the entire book because I was so pissed off at CC and Hunter for their lack of communicating. But, you know what? Fuck it! that shit is so real...You just have to read through it.
And then..............
BOOM!
Holy Mary Mother of Jebus!!! Shoot me right fucking now in the eyes, because I seriously DID NOT just read that fucking cliffhanger!
Yes! I did...and it's one pain in the aching chest! I even told Megan (the author) that I wanted to beat her with a meat cleaver. Of course she was kind enough to point out to me that if I did, then we wouldn't get the second book. Needless to say, I'll be keeping my meat cleaver to myself because I NEED that book like fucking yesterday dammit!
I would remember that kiss always, my first kiss. It might not have meant anything to Hunter, but it meant the world to me.
Too bad CC's older brothers are Hunter's best friends. He will never choose her over them. At least not yet!
YAY!!!!
5 yrs later-
This book had me riveted! I swear the steam coming from these two could heat up my whole house for a year+.
Hunter ends up being the comfort that CC needs when she's betrayed by her boyfriend, Dominic. This is where the relationship between Hunter and CC takes a turn. But with 3 very overprotective brothers, CC is worried that Hunter wont make that commitment that she craves.
Honestly, I can see where Hunter is coming from. He's been best friends with CC's brothers, Mason and Cooper, for so long, it's hard to put that on the line. But, the heart wants what the heart wants, and Hunter's wants, no NEEDS, CC.
"I'm done trying to stay away," he sighed then continued. "I can't do it anymore. I need you like my life depends on it."
I'm going to kiss you now
You know, you can drag my ass out in the rain and kiss me anytime you want
This is a book full of amazing characters who are as real as they get.
Kenzie/CC is passionate, gentle, sweet natured and even tempered. There were a few moments I wanted to throat punch her for her naivety, but I quickly got over that.
Hunter...Oh dear God! a tatted up male specimen like this is right up my alley. I fell hard and fast for Hunter. He's AMAZING! sweet, nurturing, caring and still manages to give off that bad-boy vibe that I crave.
The combination of these two is explosive and I was devouring the road throughout their journey.
No matter what happens when we step foot out of this truck, just know that I love you and nothing will ever change that, nothing.
There were gut churning moments, times I felt like I was going to lose my shit from the angst, and at one point I wanted to give up the entire book because I was so pissed off at CC and Hunter for their lack of communicating. But, you know what? Fuck it! that shit is so real...You just have to read through it.
And then..............
BOOM!
Holy Mary Mother of Jebus!!! Shoot me right fucking now in the eyes, because I seriously DID NOT just read that fucking cliffhanger!
Yes! I did...and it's one pain in the aching chest! I even told Megan (the author) that I wanted to beat her with a meat cleaver. Of course she was kind enough to point out to me that if I did, then we wouldn't get the second book. Needless to say, I'll be keeping my meat cleaver to myself because I NEED that book like fucking yesterday dammit!
May 18, 2013
Trying Not to Love you is definitely one of my favorite books of 2013, it made me laugh and absolutely sob my heart out.
This book is captivating from the first sentence, the relationship between Hunter and Kenzie or CC as he calls her is intense, passionate and sweet.
The characters in the book are so well developed that they feel like friends and family, I was brought into their family by Megan's amazing writing skills.
Hunter and Kenzie have so much love, angst to work through due to her brothers refusal to accept them together, it is hard not to feel for them, I just wanted them to get their happily ever after.
The ending well lets just say that was my 2 hour sob fest and a message to the author!
This book is captivating from the first sentence, the relationship between Hunter and Kenzie or CC as he calls her is intense, passionate and sweet.
The characters in the book are so well developed that they feel like friends and family, I was brought into their family by Megan's amazing writing skills.
Hunter and Kenzie have so much love, angst to work through due to her brothers refusal to accept them together, it is hard not to feel for them, I just wanted them to get their happily ever after.
The ending well lets just say that was my 2 hour sob fest and a message to the author!
May 20, 2013
Holy Fuck Me Sideways! Trying Not To Love You is officially being added to my favorites of 2013. Megan Smith does an amazing job at captivating you with this story. She makes you feel a connection with ALL of the characters in this book and not just the main characters.
This is a story of true love, passion, resistance. Trying to fight what your heart is telling you that you need. This is a story about Mackenzie Cahill and Hunter McCormick. Kenzie has been in love with Hunter since she was 10 years old but he's her twin brothers, Mason and Copper, best friend. Hunter tries to stay away as the years go on. When he goes off to College, Kenzie knows that she needs to stop hoping for something that will never happen so she starts dating Dominic.
When its time for her to go off to college all is good until tragedy strikes. Hunter is there to pick her up when she needs it most. They can't fight their attraction for each other anymore but Hunter doesn't want to ruin his friend with his best friends either.
This Story is “OH MY FUCKING GADS!” amazing! The emotion is raw and angsty. It will have you in tears. And it will make you laugh. 5 Stars from me!
This is a story of true love, passion, resistance. Trying to fight what your heart is telling you that you need. This is a story about Mackenzie Cahill and Hunter McCormick. Kenzie has been in love with Hunter since she was 10 years old but he's her twin brothers, Mason and Copper, best friend. Hunter tries to stay away as the years go on. When he goes off to College, Kenzie knows that she needs to stop hoping for something that will never happen so she starts dating Dominic.
When its time for her to go off to college all is good until tragedy strikes. Hunter is there to pick her up when she needs it most. They can't fight their attraction for each other anymore but Hunter doesn't want to ruin his friend with his best friends either.
This Story is “OH MY FUCKING GADS!” amazing! The emotion is raw and angsty. It will have you in tears. And it will make you laugh. 5 Stars from me!
June 5, 2015
I feel two stars is rather generous, but since I had to give Entwined w you 1 star and hated it with a burning passion-- I couldn't give this one the same # of stars or score. If 1.5 would have been an option I think that would have been accurate. Basically, I just don't get the reason for this story being written. Two young people fall in love, but can't be together because her brothers are too over protective. There's no back story as to why, there's no trauma in her past that makes their ridiculous and criminally violent behavior justified. There's basically no conflict or climax in the story- just silly fights. At the end the authors pulls some forced and transparent crisis out of her hat just to try to force a lousy cliffhanger... Thereby attempting to FORCE the reader to buy the next book. I'm not a fan of this bait and switch BS these authors are forcing on their readers. I'm all for a series of any length as long as the story ebbs and flows and the continuations are organic, but this trend of just cutting the book off with no resolution is just plan greed.
BTW- these so called over protective brothers who beat the living daylights out of anyone that is even mean to their baby sister- do NOT even notice when she gets her nose and tongue pierced the first week of college... I mean come on! Consistency in their reactions would have been beneficial. My normal reacting brothers would give me hell about that? All in all I just kept waiting for the story to "begin" and unfortunately it just never did and I will not be lured into believing it will in book two. I'm sad to leave a bad review, but feel there are way too many other AMAZING books out there to let this one stand next to them.
BTW- these so called over protective brothers who beat the living daylights out of anyone that is even mean to their baby sister- do NOT even notice when she gets her nose and tongue pierced the first week of college... I mean come on! Consistency in their reactions would have been beneficial. My normal reacting brothers would give me hell about that? All in all I just kept waiting for the story to "begin" and unfortunately it just never did and I will not be lured into believing it will in book two. I'm sad to leave a bad review, but feel there are way too many other AMAZING books out there to let this one stand next to them.
May 15, 2013
Mackenzie "Chubby Cheeks" Cahill is living in a bubble that her overbearing controlling brothers put her in. Her brothers make it impossible for her to fully enjoy life, and the boys in it. If anyone who shows any interest in her romantically they bully and beat them up.
From the moment Mackenzie first laid eyes on Hunter she just knew he was the one. The only problem is Hunter is her brother's best friend and is off limits. Really off limits. Over the years they developed a friendly, flirty relationship, but Mackenzie knew Hunter would never cross that line and fight for her.
So when Dominic, a hot football player, doesn't back down from her bothers Mackenzie decides it's time to move on and let go of Hunter. Mackenzie gives Dominic a chance. They have the picture perfect relationship, but everything changes when they go off to college. Dominic is no longer the guy Mackenzie thought he was.
When things in life aren't going as planned Mackenzie turns to the one person she needs and wants more than anyone. Hunter.
Megan Smith does an AH-MAZING job at capturing your attention and keeping you on our toes. Just as you start to get comfortable in the storyline the author decides to throw in the mother of all plot twists. It is guaranteed that you will be reading from the edge of your seat with your jaw dropped to the floor.
The character development was incredible. You get to follow Mackenzie on her path to finding out who she is and watch her grow from a sheltered naive girl to an independent mature woman.
The ONLY downfall of this book is it has the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers.
It is definitely one I would reread and recommend.
From the moment Mackenzie first laid eyes on Hunter she just knew he was the one. The only problem is Hunter is her brother's best friend and is off limits. Really off limits. Over the years they developed a friendly, flirty relationship, but Mackenzie knew Hunter would never cross that line and fight for her.
So when Dominic, a hot football player, doesn't back down from her bothers Mackenzie decides it's time to move on and let go of Hunter. Mackenzie gives Dominic a chance. They have the picture perfect relationship, but everything changes when they go off to college. Dominic is no longer the guy Mackenzie thought he was.
When things in life aren't going as planned Mackenzie turns to the one person she needs and wants more than anyone. Hunter.
Megan Smith does an AH-MAZING job at capturing your attention and keeping you on our toes. Just as you start to get comfortable in the storyline the author decides to throw in the mother of all plot twists. It is guaranteed that you will be reading from the edge of your seat with your jaw dropped to the floor.
The character development was incredible. You get to follow Mackenzie on her path to finding out who she is and watch her grow from a sheltered naive girl to an independent mature woman.
The ONLY downfall of this book is it has the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers.
It is definitely one I would reread and recommend.
May 18, 2013
OMG, that book was AMAZING, way beyond what I thought it was going to be, highly recommend this book!!!
April 9, 2020
Pages: 291
My rating: 2.5
Read other books by this author in the future: don‘t know
This book is supposed to be a na book, but the language used is definitely ya simple language. The story is okay, but it should have been finished after this book. But the author ends it in a cliffy and goes for a second part. Should have finished it with a HEA!
August 15, 2014
Guest reviewer for The Book List Reviews
http://thebooklistreviews.blogspot.com/
*Provided ARC in return for honest review*
So first I want to thank the wonderful Megan Smith. She only knew me through Facebook and trusted me with an ARC of her work when I told her I guest blogged. Thank you so very much Megan :)
Well what can I say about Trying Not to Love You....I fell in love :) I am a sucker for the friends turned lovers theme and this book did for me. Plus they are all from New Jersey...Jackpot Megan!
Hunter is h-o-t and it is not only because of the steam. There really isn't a lot of steam but does not take away from you falling love with him. Megan did a great job writing him and all the guys. The ending was bittersweet (cliffhanger haters beware...lol) because on one hand I wanted it to have a HEA but then I wasn't ready to let go of Hunter and Kenzie. You will laugh, you will cry and you will scream at you Kindle a few times.
The story starts with Hunter and Kenzie as kids meeting and you work your way up to present day. I loved not only the relationship between Hunter and Kenzie but all the interactions between friends/family. Her brothers are overbearing, super protective and funny as hell. Her best friend, Hailey, is the kind every girl should want. She pushes your buttons but you never have to doubt that she will have your back till the end of time. Kenzie struggles through must of the book trying to find a life and identity past her over protective brothers and Hunter. Hunter has a hard time dealing with his feelings for Kenzie and the family/friends he has known the majority of his life. The book is not only the story of Kenzie and Hunter but of the whole family. These are people that have been together for a long time and have so strong ties to each other. As in real life, that can sometimes be a good thing and a bad thing. Their journey was far from easy and many times I found myself angry with Kenzie but I had to remember she was 18. Who had all the answers to love at 18? I sure as hell didn't :)
I am so excited for book 2 after the cliffhanger Megan Smith leaves us with and cannot wait to see where Megan plans on take Kenzie, Hunter and this wonderful family she created. A definite must read :)
http://thebooklistreviews.blogspot.com/
*Provided ARC in return for honest review*
So first I want to thank the wonderful Megan Smith. She only knew me through Facebook and trusted me with an ARC of her work when I told her I guest blogged. Thank you so very much Megan :)
Well what can I say about Trying Not to Love You....I fell in love :) I am a sucker for the friends turned lovers theme and this book did for me. Plus they are all from New Jersey...Jackpot Megan!
Hunter is h-o-t and it is not only because of the steam. There really isn't a lot of steam but does not take away from you falling love with him. Megan did a great job writing him and all the guys. The ending was bittersweet (cliffhanger haters beware...lol) because on one hand I wanted it to have a HEA but then I wasn't ready to let go of Hunter and Kenzie. You will laugh, you will cry and you will scream at you Kindle a few times.
The story starts with Hunter and Kenzie as kids meeting and you work your way up to present day. I loved not only the relationship between Hunter and Kenzie but all the interactions between friends/family. Her brothers are overbearing, super protective and funny as hell. Her best friend, Hailey, is the kind every girl should want. She pushes your buttons but you never have to doubt that she will have your back till the end of time. Kenzie struggles through must of the book trying to find a life and identity past her over protective brothers and Hunter. Hunter has a hard time dealing with his feelings for Kenzie and the family/friends he has known the majority of his life. The book is not only the story of Kenzie and Hunter but of the whole family. These are people that have been together for a long time and have so strong ties to each other. As in real life, that can sometimes be a good thing and a bad thing. Their journey was far from easy and many times I found myself angry with Kenzie but I had to remember she was 18. Who had all the answers to love at 18? I sure as hell didn't :)
I am so excited for book 2 after the cliffhanger Megan Smith leaves us with and cannot wait to see where Megan plans on take Kenzie, Hunter and this wonderful family she created. A definite must read :)
October 11, 2015
Lo peor que he leído lately.
Todos los personajes son tan estúpidos y dramáticos que me cagan. Ni siquiera pude terminarlo y quería hacerlo porque odio no terminar los libros pero tanta pendejez me harto y lo deje.
Se los resumiré; CC es única hija en una familia de tres hermanos. La protegen y básicamente no la dejan hacer nada.
Hunter es el mejor amigo de sus hermanos y desde que era un niño ha estado enamorado de ella. Pasa el tiempo, hacen cosas estúpidas, CC sale con Dom (que es un tipo tan machista y desesperante), el la engaña con una tipa de la universidad y aunque todos le dicen eso a CC, ella no les cree. Pero la cosa es que ella también lo engaña con Hunter, solo que ella siempre le dice que no es cierto y que confíe en ella (bueno, tal vez no se acuesta con él o lo besa, pero lo desea tanto que le duele).
Meh, para no hacerles el cuento tan largo, CC se entera que la engaña Dom, lo deja y pasa mucho drama. Anda con Hunter, sus hermanos lo odian y dicen que no es suficientemente bueno para ella. Mucho, mucho drama. Cortan, porque pelean por todo (realmente una estupidez). CC se da cuenta que está embarazada. Se aman por siempre.
Tal vez lean la reseña y piensen "ok, suena como un típico cliché, tal vez no está tan malo", eso pensé cuando leí la sinopsis. Tiene todo para ser un buen libro cliché, pero la autora no pudo desarrollarlo y metió mucho drama no necesario y pendejo, y dio como resultado este tonto libro.
No lo recomiendo ni siquiera un poquito. Si quieren leerlo háganlo pero cuando lo hagan tendrán una voz en su cabeza (que será la mía) que les dirá "te lo dije".
Todos los personajes son tan estúpidos y dramáticos que me cagan. Ni siquiera pude terminarlo y quería hacerlo porque odio no terminar los libros pero tanta pendejez me harto y lo deje.
Se los resumiré; CC es única hija en una familia de tres hermanos. La protegen y básicamente no la dejan hacer nada.
Hunter es el mejor amigo de sus hermanos y desde que era un niño ha estado enamorado de ella. Pasa el tiempo, hacen cosas estúpidas, CC sale con Dom (que es un tipo tan machista y desesperante), el la engaña con una tipa de la universidad y aunque todos le dicen eso a CC, ella no les cree. Pero la cosa es que ella también lo engaña con Hunter, solo que ella siempre le dice que no es cierto y que confíe en ella (bueno, tal vez no se acuesta con él o lo besa, pero lo desea tanto que le duele).
Meh, para no hacerles el cuento tan largo, CC se entera que la engaña Dom, lo deja y pasa mucho drama. Anda con Hunter, sus hermanos lo odian y dicen que no es suficientemente bueno para ella. Mucho, mucho drama. Cortan, porque pelean por todo (realmente una estupidez). CC se da cuenta que está embarazada. Se aman por siempre.
Tal vez lean la reseña y piensen "ok, suena como un típico cliché, tal vez no está tan malo", eso pensé cuando leí la sinopsis. Tiene todo para ser un buen libro cliché, pero la autora no pudo desarrollarlo y metió mucho drama no necesario y pendejo, y dio como resultado este tonto libro.
No lo recomiendo ni siquiera un poquito. Si quieren leerlo háganlo pero cuando lo hagan tendrán una voz en su cabeza (que será la mía) que les dirá "te lo dije".
December 3, 2013
Slightly spolier-ish review
This book doesn't have much story to it. When I was halfway through I was thinking how would the story stretch for like 100 pages and kept waiting for something interesting to happen. Obviously I was disappointed. It's not the fact that every single thing that happened it was an overused cliche. I usually don't mind cliches when the writer knows how to work around them. Some writers use the same plot but still manage to add something personal, whether its awesome characters, swooning romance or just a touching writing style it doesn't matter, the get to own the book and we readers end up praising them.
But this? I couldn't wait to finish it. There wasn't even fun moments were you could actually see Kenzie and Hunter in a normal relationship, it was all about fighting. Enough was enough.
And finally the cliff hanger (if you can call it that)
The writer could have ended the story in this book, I can't find much reason to add a sequel when there's no actual suspense to the story. What else is there to find out? You know the baby is fine, you know she's alive and well, you obviously know who crashed her. You just needed to write like one more freaking chapter and that was it! What's gonna happen in the next one? 200 more pages just to find out the "mistery" of the accident? No thank you.
This could have been way better. I was actually looking forward to reading it, since I usually love when the chacters have a close family and even the protective brothers. I find it very sweet.
This book doesn't have much story to it. When I was halfway through I was thinking how would the story stretch for like 100 pages and kept waiting for something interesting to happen. Obviously I was disappointed. It's not the fact that every single thing that happened it was an overused cliche. I usually don't mind cliches when the writer knows how to work around them. Some writers use the same plot but still manage to add something personal, whether its awesome characters, swooning romance or just a touching writing style it doesn't matter, the get to own the book and we readers end up praising them.
But this? I couldn't wait to finish it. There wasn't even fun moments were you could actually see Kenzie and Hunter in a normal relationship, it was all about fighting. Enough was enough.
And finally the cliff hanger (if you can call it that)
The writer could have ended the story in this book, I can't find much reason to add a sequel when there's no actual suspense to the story. What else is there to find out? You know the baby is fine, you know she's alive and well, you obviously know who crashed her. You just needed to write like one more freaking chapter and that was it! What's gonna happen in the next one? 200 more pages just to find out the "mistery" of the accident? No thank you.
This could have been way better. I was actually looking forward to reading it, since I usually love when the chacters have a close family and even the protective brothers. I find it very sweet.
May 22, 2013
This is hard for me to review. The actual story idea is amazing. I loved that Kenzie and Hunter had a relationship going back to childhood. I loved the family dynamics and the role of her best friend. But the writing brought it down, IMO. I don't think teens speak to each other like "I do not know why he was not there." (this isn't an actual sentence from the story but it shows what I'm referring to). It just messed with the flow of the story and the actual dialogue itself. It's robotic and caused me to pause quite a few times. I've seen another reviewer get comments because she said it bothered her while reading and yeah, it totally bothered me too. Big time. It took something away from the characters and made it more difficult for me to connect with them and believe them as being young adults. I really wanted to feel bad for Kenzie during parts of the story but I didn't feel a lot for her. Maybe it was mostly due to the language or feeling like I was just being told what was happening instead of really feeling the emotions behind it.
I do think this author and series has potential. I am a strong supporter of Indie authors on my blog so I read many, many indie books.
This book ends on a huge cliffhanger, which I'm not a big fan of honestly. I do think I'll read the next one when it comes out.
I know this story has a ton of fans already and everyone is entitled to their opinions on it.
I do think this author and series has potential. I am a strong supporter of Indie authors on my blog so I read many, many indie books.
This book ends on a huge cliffhanger, which I'm not a big fan of honestly. I do think I'll read the next one when it comes out.
I know this story has a ton of fans already and everyone is entitled to their opinions on it.
June 1, 2013
Prepare to swoon!
Hmm…what do you do when you have three overly protective older brothers? Not a whole lot…lol. At ten years old, MacKenzie Cahill sets her sights on a stunningly handsome boy, Hunter. The problem? He is best friends with her brothers. At the tender age of 13, during a game of Truth or Dare, Hunter becomes her first kiss…and then is sternly warned by her brothers that he’d better NEVER do that again! Secretly, she longs for him as she goes through her teen years, but when she lets him know she’s romantically interested, he turns her down and becomes (not unlike her brothers) her protector. In the end of her high school years, she meets Dominic; a boy unafraid to stand up to her protectors. She thinks he’s perfect…or is he?
I’m not going to blow the rest of the review with spoilers (don’t like it when people do that!). Let me simply say Trying Not To Love You is a wonderful, romantic ride. Megan Smith has done a fabulous job for her debut novel, and I know she will have a long line of eager readers waiting for her future releases. Yes, there is a cliffhanger at the end of Trying Not To Love You, but isn’t that what everyone secretly loves? You become invested in the characters and you WANT the story to continue! Grab a copy and prepare to swoon over handsome, hot, muscled, tatted-up, and protective Hunter (he’d certainly have no trouble sweeping me off my feet!!).
Hmm…what do you do when you have three overly protective older brothers? Not a whole lot…lol. At ten years old, MacKenzie Cahill sets her sights on a stunningly handsome boy, Hunter. The problem? He is best friends with her brothers. At the tender age of 13, during a game of Truth or Dare, Hunter becomes her first kiss…and then is sternly warned by her brothers that he’d better NEVER do that again! Secretly, she longs for him as she goes through her teen years, but when she lets him know she’s romantically interested, he turns her down and becomes (not unlike her brothers) her protector. In the end of her high school years, she meets Dominic; a boy unafraid to stand up to her protectors. She thinks he’s perfect…or is he?
I’m not going to blow the rest of the review with spoilers (don’t like it when people do that!). Let me simply say Trying Not To Love You is a wonderful, romantic ride. Megan Smith has done a fabulous job for her debut novel, and I know she will have a long line of eager readers waiting for her future releases. Yes, there is a cliffhanger at the end of Trying Not To Love You, but isn’t that what everyone secretly loves? You become invested in the characters and you WANT the story to continue! Grab a copy and prepare to swoon over handsome, hot, muscled, tatted-up, and protective Hunter (he’d certainly have no trouble sweeping me off my feet!!).
May 17, 2013
I started reading Trying Not to Love You Sunday night I believe it was, and I did not want to stop. (Monday morning at work was ROUGH!) Honestly, I'm not quite what sure it was about the book that drew me in. I think it may be that the characters are so well done, and that they have such real dialogues and problems they are dealing with. In any case, she hooked me right away. Thr further I got into the book, the more I wanted to read. By the time I made it to the end, I couldn't wait to find out how it was going to end...And I am still waiting! Trying Not to Love You, has the mother of all cliffhanger endings. It was totally not what I was expecting, and I LOVED it. (Ok I hated it, because now I have to wait to see what happens.) I loved it, because it was such a surprise. I assumed (and yes I know what they about people who assume) it would be your typical HEA, so the cliffhanger really threw me for a loop! Overall, I give this book 4 stars! Very well written, and I highly recommend that you read it.
January 17, 2022
Random Rants-
~Ok, wtf girl? You love your BBF Hunter, but JUST because he can't fight your brothers , you go and start dating ANOTHER BBF Dominic, who stood up to your overprotective brothers, your senior year of HS.
~Hated that Dominic was actually very gentlemanly with her.
~Happy that as soon as they found out that they were attending different colleges, Dominic started acting like a .........ungentleman.🤔🤷♀️
~Again HATED that h and Hunter got accepted to same college, and THEEEENNNN madam made her move. Implying that if Dominic and her wud hv been accepted to same college, she would have taken things furthur with Dom, and this book's H wud ACTUALLY be Dom and not Hunter.
~Dumbassbi***. Don't care if she was a virgin or whatever.
~Never settle for less ladies.
~Ok, wtf girl? You love your BBF Hunter, but JUST because he can't fight your brothers , you go and start dating ANOTHER BBF Dominic, who stood up to your overprotective brothers, your senior year of HS.
~Hated that Dominic was actually very gentlemanly with her.
~Happy that as soon as they found out that they were attending different colleges, Dominic started acting like a .........ungentleman.🤔🤷♀️
~Again HATED that h and Hunter got accepted to same college, and THEEEENNNN madam made her move. Implying that if Dominic and her wud hv been accepted to same college, she would have taken things furthur with Dom, and this book's H wud ACTUALLY be Dom and not Hunter.
~Dumbassbi***. Don't care if she was a virgin or whatever.
~Never settle for less ladies.
May 19, 2013
I love this book !!!!!!!OMG OMG
but I need to know what will happen next ....I mean seriously ..that ending was just ....arghhhhhhhh I can't wait till this fall for 2nd book!!!!
Just please PLEASE
Overall, this book is great and I recommend it to everyone on this planet!!
but I need to know what will happen next ....I mean seriously ..that ending was just ....arghhhhhhhh I can't wait till this fall for 2nd book!!!!
Just please PLEASE
Overall, this book is great and I recommend it to everyone on this planet!!
June 17, 2013
That was brilliant luvd the story, character an what can I say about hunter he is just sexy adorable the list could go on its a must read an this is her first book can't wait 4 the second wish I had it now
May 14, 2013
Omg, why the cliffhanger!? I love this book, not loving the cliffhanger right now....
December 12, 2019
Kenzie is off to the same college as her boyfriend Dominic and her brothers best friend Hunter, the one she fell in love with when she was ten. But now she has Dominic, who stood up to her overprotective brothers and is sweet and thoughtful. Only, he isn't and she's still secretly in love with Hunter. And it also isn't much of a secret, Hunter constantly flirts with her but he won't act up on his feelings because her brothers won't have it.
Until this one party, where the situation with Hunter, her brothers and Dominic gets out of control.
There's a lot that I like about this story. Like not much angst and emotions all over the place. And Kenzie is really such a cutie and then she goes down on her boyfriend, outside the house at college party and afterwards he has another girl practically dry-humping him.
But her naiveté is on another level, same as the "overprotective" brothers. They're irrational, especially Mason, the hypocrite. And everyone is like, "try to understand him". Only Hayley is in her right mind and tells him to grow up. It makes the story but it's just over the top.
Sure, being mean, one could say: This is about Kenzie, who's with Dominic, who cheats but she's too stupid to get it even when he's pretty obvious. But the story was enjoyable and a quick, easy read.
I liked Hunter, including the head games he played and also partly got Kenzie but her behaviour really made it hard to feel sorry for all Dominic plays, plus she realizes that she's only with him because she can't have the one she wants and I'm totally against that stuff. She's really inconsistent.
All of this had me somewhere between "oh cute" and "duh, no!". And this makes 3,5 Stars for me.
The scene with Dominic and his proposal - that was so ironic and really my sense of humor. And I liked how things went from there - excluding the irrational behaviour her brother brings on - it might have been unneccessary drama but for me it's an unexpected turn and after that cliffhanger I need to read the next book. Not only to find out what will happen but also to learn what really happened.
Until this one party, where the situation with Hunter, her brothers and Dominic gets out of control.
There's a lot that I like about this story. Like not much angst and emotions all over the place. And Kenzie is really such a cutie and then she goes down on her boyfriend, outside the house at college party and afterwards he has another girl practically dry-humping him.
But her naiveté is on another level, same as the "overprotective" brothers. They're irrational, especially Mason, the hypocrite. And everyone is like, "try to understand him". Only Hayley is in her right mind and tells him to grow up. It makes the story but it's just over the top.
Sure, being mean, one could say: This is about Kenzie, who's with Dominic, who cheats but she's too stupid to get it even when he's pretty obvious. But the story was enjoyable and a quick, easy read.
I liked Hunter, including the head games he played and also partly got Kenzie but her behaviour really made it hard to feel sorry for all Dominic plays, plus she realizes that she's only with him because she can't have the one she wants and I'm totally against that stuff. She's really inconsistent.
All of this had me somewhere between "oh cute" and "duh, no!". And this makes 3,5 Stars for me.
The scene with Dominic and his proposal - that was so ironic and really my sense of humor. And I liked how things went from there - excluding the irrational behaviour her brother brings on - it might have been unneccessary drama but for me it's an unexpected turn and after that cliffhanger I need to read the next book. Not only to find out what will happen but also to learn what really happened.
May 31, 2013
Trying Not To Love You is a MASTER PIECE yes you heard me right this book is a master piece. One I will read and re-read for years to come. When I am grey and old I will re-read this book because it was totally EPIC! Man I have never read a story that totally had me enthralled right from the start. Man I captivated right from page one and stayed glued to the book until I finished it.
God I am going to try and do this review without giving any spoilers and lord that is going to be very hard but this is one of those books that you have to read it to get the full effect from it. Don't go by other reviews good, bad, or indifferent but pick this book up and go on an adventure of a lifetime. If you remember anything about your first crush and your first love and that first kiss this story brings it all back. I remember his name and where he lived and I even talk to him all the time because we have remained friends.
Mackenzie AKA Kenzie is the only girl out of four children. She has three over bearing and protective brothers and her brothers best friend is another brother from a different mother. Lord all these boys around her every minute of the day makes her crazy but she deals because she has her best friend. But what is difficult is dating and Kenzie can't date because the boys run the guys off all except one Dominic AKA Dom.
I loved Dom because he stood up to her brothers and showed no fear what so ever when it came to them. So she spend her senior year with Dom and is excited to be going to school with Dom and her brothers best friend Hunter and her best friend. They have all decided to go to the same college Dom and her best friend because they will be close to their families and secretly Kenzie wants to be near Hunter.
See she has had a crush on Hunter since he entered her house. She loves him and no matter what she does and says to Hunter he will never cross the friend rule. You know the rule bro's before ho's and all and he does not want to mess up the relationship he has with Kenzie's brother's. So off to college they go and Kenzie gets a dose of some bad medicine because Dom starts acting crazy and things have changed between them and when Kenzie finds out something about Dom she gets pissed off at him and decides she needs to get a break from him. But Dom is not having that and the more aggressive he gets with her the more he finds out that even though her brothers are not there to protect her Hunter is and Hunter is not having any of that.
Soon Hunter and Kenzie find themselves in a position where the truth about how they feel about each other comes to light. The only problem is what ever happens between them could destroy lifetime friendships and no one wants that. What is Kenzie supposed to do? She loves Hunter but there is just no way they can be together. Or is there? Things will change and maybe for the best but Kenzie will come face to face with crazy jealous ex's and she will lay it all on the line to have Hunter.
Will Kenzie and Hunter be together? Or will Hunter stick by his bro's before ho's motto with her brothers? The ending was crazy as hell and I need book two right the hell now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
God I am going to try and do this review without giving any spoilers and lord that is going to be very hard but this is one of those books that you have to read it to get the full effect from it. Don't go by other reviews good, bad, or indifferent but pick this book up and go on an adventure of a lifetime. If you remember anything about your first crush and your first love and that first kiss this story brings it all back. I remember his name and where he lived and I even talk to him all the time because we have remained friends.
Mackenzie AKA Kenzie is the only girl out of four children. She has three over bearing and protective brothers and her brothers best friend is another brother from a different mother. Lord all these boys around her every minute of the day makes her crazy but she deals because she has her best friend. But what is difficult is dating and Kenzie can't date because the boys run the guys off all except one Dominic AKA Dom.
I loved Dom because he stood up to her brothers and showed no fear what so ever when it came to them. So she spend her senior year with Dom and is excited to be going to school with Dom and her brothers best friend Hunter and her best friend. They have all decided to go to the same college Dom and her best friend because they will be close to their families and secretly Kenzie wants to be near Hunter.
See she has had a crush on Hunter since he entered her house. She loves him and no matter what she does and says to Hunter he will never cross the friend rule. You know the rule bro's before ho's and all and he does not want to mess up the relationship he has with Kenzie's brother's. So off to college they go and Kenzie gets a dose of some bad medicine because Dom starts acting crazy and things have changed between them and when Kenzie finds out something about Dom she gets pissed off at him and decides she needs to get a break from him. But Dom is not having that and the more aggressive he gets with her the more he finds out that even though her brothers are not there to protect her Hunter is and Hunter is not having any of that.
Soon Hunter and Kenzie find themselves in a position where the truth about how they feel about each other comes to light. The only problem is what ever happens between them could destroy lifetime friendships and no one wants that. What is Kenzie supposed to do? She loves Hunter but there is just no way they can be together. Or is there? Things will change and maybe for the best but Kenzie will come face to face with crazy jealous ex's and she will lay it all on the line to have Hunter.
Will Kenzie and Hunter be together? Or will Hunter stick by his bro's before ho's motto with her brothers? The ending was crazy as hell and I need book two right the hell now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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