Πρώτη Φορά

Losing It #1

by Cora Carmack, Ελένη Δασκαλάκη (Translator)

Η Μπλις ετοιμάζεται να αποφοιτήσει από το κολέγιο και είναι η μόνη από τις φίλες της που είναι ακόμη παρθένα. Πρέπει να βρει ένα τρόπο να ξεμπερδεύει μ’ αυτό το θέμα και τι πιο απλό και εύκολο από το σεξ της μιας βραδιάς. Αλλά το σχέδιό της ναυαγεί όταν η Μπλις χάνει την αυτοπεποίθηση και το θάρρος της και παρατάει έναν κούκλο μόνο και γυμνό στο κρεβάτι της επικαλούμενη την πιο χαζή δικαιολογία του κόσμου. Και σαν να μην έφτανε αυτό, τα πράγματα γίνονται ακόμη χειρότερα όταν ανοίγει την πόρτα της τάξης της και αντικρίζει τον νέο καθηγητή θεατρολογίας: τον είχε αφήσει γυμνό στο κρεβάτι της πριν από οκτώ ώρες!

Genres: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, College, Young Adult, Chick Lit

312 pages, Paperback

First published October 12, 2012

About the author

Cora Carmack is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of New Adult Romance and YA fantasy. Her books have been translated into more than a dozen languages around the world. Cora lives in Austin, TX, and on any given day you might find her typing away at her computer, flying to various cities around the world, or just watching Netflix with her kitty Katniss and her dog Sherlock. But she can always be found on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and her website www.coracarmack.com.

***Please note: I am rarely on goodreads, so if you're trying to get a hold of me, the best places to find me are Twitter, Facebook, my blog, Instagram, and via email (coracarmack(at)gmail(dot)com).

Reviews

[Cora Carmack · Rating 5 out of 5]

They say write the book you would want to read. Well... that's what I did.

I hope everyone enjoys reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Update: The print book releases in the U.S. on 2/26/13! And in the UK on 3/28/13!

[Sasha Alsberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually really liked Losing It! It was a fun, exciting and romantic read! Read it in a few hours!

["That's All" Ash · Rating 2 out of 5]

I WANTED TO LIKE IT!

Do I get points for that? ;)

Here’s the thing.

It was waaaahaaaay to predictable. Holy Moses, man!

And I get that the cute and sweet books, for the most part, ARE predictable. But uhh… I knew what was goin’ to go down from the get go! I mean, it’s about a twenty-two year old virgin who really wants to lose her V-Card, so what does she do?

She just goes to a bar with her friend to find some random guy to lose it with.



Nice.



Lo and behold, the random guy she DOES find turns out to be not just random guy… but wait for it... her new professor!



Shocking, I know.




And then cue the very PG-rated sexual angst, the back and forth bullshit, the constant changing their minds, blah blah blah.



Next time it’s bring-your-child-to-work day, Miss Carmack…

Try not to let said child write your entire novel, hmmm?

[Emily May · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am conducting what I'm shelving as a "New Adult (NA) Experiment". I'm going to work my way through some of the popular New Adult books and see if I can weed out the crap and hopefully find some surprising gems. Here's hoping!

No review is completely objective. But there are two reasons I should warn you of why this review might be prone to even less objectivity than usual:

1) I recently read a book about a teacher/student relationship that was excellent - Unteachable - and it was hard not to compare the two.
2) I am British.

Let's start with the second. Losing It clearly wasn't written for me. I'm not sure how much I would have liked it anyway if the attraction of the book's love interest hadn't been built up around the sexiness of his accent and his - ohmigosh, so cute! - British mannerisms*. Like drinking tea. Tea is awesome, by the way, and I need at least three cups to achieve a normal level of brain functioning in the morning. As much as I'm sure there are many incorrect cultural stereotypes, that's one I find it difficult to argue with. Plus, this gif amuses me to no end:



Okay, sorry, I got distracted when tea came up. But, yeah, I failed to experience the same level of excitement as the protagonist and fully appreciate statements like this: "I think I could actually feel the hormones released into the atmosphere when the girls in the room heard his accent." That's why I've placed this book on my "its-me-not-you" shelf. Because I like to be fair. But I still think it was pretty generous of me.

Accurate tea (and several other) stereotypes aside, Garrick is still more like a caricature of a British person than an actual British person. I'm glad Rose pointed out that "Garrick felt like a British character written by an American author", otherwise I might have felt like the annoying little voice in the corner trying to ruin everyone's exaggerated fun (in a British accent). Though, I think the author deserves a medal for actually managing to use that much British slang in every single sentence because I never do. And no one actually says "love" at the end of every sentence either. In fact, calling someone you've just met "love" can be seen as too familiar at best and condescending at worst.

I didn't hate Losing It and there were some funny bits. Humour is a hard one to talk about in a review because it completely depends on the individual and what they find funny. For me, it was a little too ridiculous, too over-the-top. The funny parts focused on the embarrassing situations the protagonist - Bliss Edwards - found herself in. It relied on Bliss saying unbelievably stupid things at inappropriate times, making a fool of herself constantly and landing in one awkward situation after another. It was like Bridget Jones x 100 and I found it too much for my tastes. Though perhaps everything I've described so far sounds really appealing to you. Fair enough, that probably means this book would suit you more than me.

Back to my first point: this book just doesn't stand a chance when compared to Unteachable. The latter is better written; it's about more than a relationship; it's sad, moving and memorable; there is more than one important relationship in it. It's a different kind of work entirely and I, personally, liked that a lot more. But the real question is:

Would you like this book?

1) Do you like over-the-top, exaggerated humour that uses situations you'd never see in real life?
a) No - go read something else.
b) Yes! - go on to question 2.

2) How much do these gifs turn you on?

















a) Not at all - run away from this book and never look back!
b) Maybe slightly - are you sure? Look again.
c) So, so much - congratulations! You have found your next favourite book.

I hope that helps ;)

....................................................................

* Though, I am partial to the occasional American pretending to be British...

*faints*

[Jennifer Armentrout · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. One of the few reads that have made me laugh out loud. And the steamy scenes? Yep. They were hot. But it was so much more than that. My new favorite book of the year.

[Μaria Vrisanaki · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐3,7⭐

Πείτε μου σας παρακαλώ, γιατί κάθε φορά που βλέπω βιβλίο ή ταινία που έχει σχέση με καθηγητή και μαθήτρια, ο καθηγητής είναι ένας δίμετρος θεοτέκναρος με γαμάτη καρδιά και προσωπικότητα (ω και φυσικά μονογαμικός), ενώ στις δικές μας σχολές οι μόνοι άντρες καθηγητές που κυκλοφορούν είναι στριμμένοι που σε κόβουν με 4,9??????

Και εντάξει, το προσπερνάω γιατί είναι βιβλίο και πρέπει να μας απογειώσει κάπως.

Αλλά να μη σχολιάσω το άλλο; Είπαμε, Cora Carmack, διαβάζουμε βιβλίο. Ξέρουμε ότι λίγο πολύ αυτά δεν συμβαίνουν. Είναι ανάγκη να μας φουσκώνεις κι άλλο την ιστορία βάζοντας όλον τον κόσμο να την πέφτει στην χαμηλοβλεπούσα (γκουχ γκουχ) πρωταγωνίστρια; Της την πέφτει ο καθηγητής, για την ακρίβεια την κυνηγάει ο καθηγητής και αυτή του κάνει τη δύσκολη (κάπου εδώ χτυπάμε το κεφάλι μας στον τοίχο), της την πέφτει ο μπάρμαν, της την πέφτει ο σερβιτόρος και της κλείνει το μάτι μπροστά στον καθηγητή που έχει κολλήσει επάνω της λες και είναι έτοιμοι να το κάνουν! Της την πέφτει ένας άσχετος στο μπαρ μόλις που πάτησε το πόδι της, την ξανά κερνάει μέρες μετά ο μπάρμαν που φυσικά θυμάται το όνομά της που άκουσε τυχαία από τη φίλης της, της την πέφτει ένας συμφοιτητής και τη φιλάει μπροστά στον καθηγητή την ώρα της πρόβας! Της την πέφτει ο κολλητός, της την πέφτει ένας εξωγήινος που πέρασε τυχαία από το μπαλκόνι, της την πέφτει ένα αρσενικό μυρμήγκι που πάτησε κατά λάθος…. Και μετά από όλα αυτά ήταν ακόμα παρθένα στα 22.
Γκουχ γκουχ

Γρήγορη και διασκεδαστική ιστορία. Απολαυστική! Γέλασα πολλές φορές 😃

[littlebookbosomed bookreview · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yahoo another sexytime *Yummy

Is it just me? I find that guy on the cover undeniably hott. Another man worth my time *giggles



The summary caught my attention. Hope it didnt disappoint me



Oh my, couldn't stop thinking about the guy *Drooling

To anyone who is having trouble reading my review. Just click 'see review' instead of 'see more'


MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW! ALERT ALERT****

The first thing i need to do before reviewing this book
Just be patient





Okay, Okay review time

I gave this book 5 BIG INCREDIBLY SEXY STARS!

This book is BUTTERFLYIN amazing,incredible,wonderful,magnificent,impressive,remarkable
I'm so happy that i found this book -> Losing it by Cora Carmack and it was a great book. If you didn't read this book, you totally miss something in your life. When i read the first few chapters it reminds me of the book name Slammed by Colleen Hoover. But the story wasn't really the same. This is my opinion, so don't go "It wasnt really that same" or "You are so WHATEVER"

How i feel about the story It is true this book is a fun read, but lack of potential. And it ends abruptly The characters relationship I want Bliss to choose Cade, because i like Cade. Besides, Cade loves Bliss so much that it hurts. Cade loves Bliss loves Garrick loves Bliss. But sometimes i felt she chose the right guy. Because when we read more and see their reactions and it changed our opinion

Characters

Garrick Taylor


I'm not going to tell you a lot about him. Just give you guys a readable expression.







He has a sexy accent! He worth my time.

Cade



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I'm falling for him too! He is so damn suuuweeettt! I want both guys! I want him and Garrick! Both of them are a major TURN ON

Bliss Edwards My reactions toward her! Jealousy overload!







I'm so jealous of her! I wanted to be her. To get kissed by Garrick! and a HUG!

*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************STOP IF YOU DONT WANT TO KNOW THE ENDING!!!! STOP! AND DON'T BLAME ME!

I have to give out the ending and of course with a warning sign. A friend of mine likes to know the ending before reading the book, so yea. Don't be mad at me.

5

4

3

2

1

Ending!!!!!

The ending was totally great! Its a happily ever after type of book! *SCREAMS I'm so happy! The epilogue was totally great. It was 6 months later. Garrick POV! Wanna know whats the best? Garrick proposed her! You know porposal! Marriage!









*ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I'VE EVER READ!

[Kristin (KC) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stop! Cats! Stop... Losing it had me pretty much losing my mind through fits of giggles--courtesy of Bliss and her quirky inner dialogue!  I must admit that I headed into this book with some reservation due to the mixed reviews it had initially been receiving. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I very much enjoyed this book.

Bliss, a character whom I won't likely forget, had a comical energy about her that snagged my attention immediately. I loved being inside her head and hearing her hilarious thinking process...Examples? Sure:

Was he trashing my place because I'd run out and left him there like the biggest jerk this side of Kanye West at the 2009 VMA's?

Right about now, I could dive into a pool of hydrochloric acid without even a pep talk.

As humorous as Bliss was, the very hot and very British professor gave her a run for her money. Garrick was sweet, smart, and oh-so-sexy! 

The story kicks off to a fun start: A twenty-two year old virgin attempting to lose her virginity for the sake of, well...losing it. She heads to the local bar, the 'Stumble Inn', where she meets Garrick...and Voilà...operation 'lose virginty' is a go! Problem solved, right? Not quite...Finding out her new sex interest is her theater professor kind of dampens the plan. 

I really adored the writing; it was fun, fresh, and hilarious. The sexual tension was piled on thick and I was pretty awed by this author's ability to vividly map out a steamy scene. The only disappointment I had was I felt the ending was too quickly wrapped up in a neat-and-tidy bow. It began inching its way towards the corny side, but was ultimately saved by its very adorable epilogue.

4 stars for a fun and flirty read that delivered me the bundle of laughs I hardly expected! 


Book Stats:
▪ Genre/Category: Romance/New Adult
▪ Steam Caliber: Very steamy!
▪ Romance: Charming, tension-filled, and flirty.
▪ Characters: Sexy, sweet, British hero. Adorably hilarious heroine.
▪ Plot: Filled with humor and sexual tension. Focused on a complicated relationship between a student and her theater professor.
▪ Writing: Fun, fresh, witty, and engaging. *Great steam*
▪ POV: 1st Person: Heroine
▪ Cliffhanger: None
▪ Next Installment: A secondary character spinoff.

[Srikari · Rating 1 out of 5]

So one day, a book was written....



It had a boy, with a British accent mind you:



It had a girl:



They were in "love"




AND have been through "VERY DIFFICULT SITUATIONS" a tragedy, really.




They taught the world an important message through their "problems"




So I am just here like...




This book bored me to death, but I didn't give up. I stayed strong, I am strong.

[Beth Hudspeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably more like 3.5 stars. This was awkward as hell, but really cute!

This is pretty much how I picture Bliss:

It wasn’t until I’d walked halfway across the parking lot that I realized:
1. I wasn’t wearing shoes.
A. Or a shirt.
2. I didn’t bring my keys
A. Or anything really.
3. I’d just left a complete stranger in my apartment.
A. Naked.

Whoever said one-night stands were supposed to be simple with no strings attached had clearly never met the disaster that was me.

Bliss (which is such a cute unconventional name) is a 22 year old theater student in Texas with a massive awkward side. She is stressing out so much because well, she is still a virgin. This is basically what the book is about. If it weren't for the hilarious moments and likable characters I don't think I would have liked this at all. Her friend pressures her a lot and that really got on my nerves.

An accent. HE HAS A BRITISH ACCENT. Dear God, I'm dying.
Garrick is a lovable British guy that Bliss is totally in lust with, but there is one problem, he is her new professor. -- Cue the dramatic music. I really liked the scenes in class with all of the theater kids. They are all super dramatic and emotional, but what do you expect from actors? All of Bliss's friends were likable and I loved reading about their outings with each other.

There were a few things that were just kind of left up in the air, but it's nothing I'll lose sleep over, so I will forgive and forget.
Plus, there is a cute cat named Hamlet, if a book has a cat as a side character, I'm almost guaranteed to like it.
I had no one, but Hamlet. Who hated me with the fire of a thousand suns.

Losing It is a short book so it's worth giving it a shot. I think you will find the characters funny and engaging, even if you don't like the plot.

[Shelly Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok. This is one of those books that stays with you. In fact, I immediately went back to reread a couple parts as soon as I was done last night, at like 3 am, and then again this morning.

The main character's name is Bliss. For one, I'm so jealous that I didn't think to name a character that. I LOVE it. She reacted to things the way I would have. I love the theater\acting stuff that was talked about. The plot twist with the play and her best friend Cade was genius. I want to go to college with this girl and be her friend.

And then Garrick... he was so normal!! He was seriously sweet, he was British, he got mad, he apologized and then got mad again when she kicked his ego a little bit, he was a typical male who was very interested in certain parts of her anatomy. I like that he was so normal and had to do a little "I'm Sorry" in the end. And these two, when they got together to kiss or other things, holy moly. Like really, the air in my living room started to crackle. Those parts were SOO well written that I lost touch with reality for a minute. I loved how she was so open about her virginity in the end and they kind of embraced it. Garrick was such a gentleman.

And the ending\epilogue was so good.

This is a New Adult\Adult book for sure, but even though the sex was descriptive, it wasn't crude.

5 must-have-on-my-shelf-pronto, swoon swoon swoon, bff MC material, will re-read more than once, way to write a book, stars from me.

[Katrina Passick Lumsden · Rating 1 out of 5]

You know what pissed me off about this book? The fact that it could have been pretty good, but wasn't. It really, really wasn't. I love English guys, and I dig the idea of some painfully shy virgin gettin' her groove on with a hot British theater prof. Seriously, how do you go wrong with that? I'll tell you how; by crafting one of those most dishonest, cowardly, irritating heroines this side of the nuthouse. The girl...is...useless. She freaks out and lies about having a cat, and then keeps up the pretense by actually adopting a cat. I just wanted her to die. Several times would have been nice. Like in Groundhog Day when Bill Murray's character kept finding new and interesting ways to kill himself? I wanted that to keep happening to Bliss Edwards.

By the way, what the fuck kind of name is Bliss? That's the name you give your daughter when you think her grandest achievement will be stripping for singles.

Anyway, she adopts a cat because she doesn't want hot English professor to know that the real reason she freaked out about having sex with him was because she's a virgin. Yes, apparently presenting yourself as a deranged and neglectful pet owner is so much better than being a virgin. I suppose the only real justice here was that, even at the end of the book, her cat hates her guts. As should everyone.

Then there was, of course, the bonus of the grammar being rather bad. Improper use of commas, the term "every once and a while", and weird similes. Like, "My throat burned like chapped lips."



If Cora Carmack wants to be taken seriously, she needs to up her game by learning basic English phrases, brushing up on comma usage, and learning how to tell a story that's even somewhat believable.

[Natasha Polis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute. But nothing more, maybe a good book if you're in a slump.

[♥Rachel♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story had me at HOT BRITISH GUY!

I was a little worried from the title that Losing It was just going to be about a girl trying to lose her V-card, but I’m happy to say it wasn’t. What you get instead is a sweet story of immediate attraction, and chemistry that develops into more. Have you ever met someone who instantly lit your insides on fire? Well, this is what happens to Bliss when she runs into Garrick.

Twenty-two year Bliss is on her last year of college but has yet to go all the way with someone. She’s never found the right guy and her nerves about sex have made her reserved. When Bliss’s best friend Kelsey finds this out, she’s determined to change things and drags Bliss out to a bar to do so. Got to say, not a huge fan of Kelsey, but I’ll get to that later. Bliss runs into Garrick, sitting in the back reading Shakespeare of all things, she’s a drama student so this captures her attention. Well, that and his amazing looks! When he speaks, Bliss is a goner, because like me, she’s a sucker for a British accent! Throw in a few “love” comments, like “What’s your name, love?” and Bliss feels like he’s the perfect guy to “lose it” to, and they take off for his apartment. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depends on how you look at it, after a few hot and steamy make-out sessions, Bliss loses her nerve and flees the apartment. Count me in the fortunately column, because I like characters to have more of a connection!

The next day Bliss finds out that Garrick is actually Mr. Taylor, her new drama teacher and awkward ensues. More than just awkward though, because Bliss doesn’t want to get into trouble and lose her scholarship or Garrick to lose his position, so she makes it clear to him they need to keep things professional. Easier said than done, because every time they’re in a room together, ELECTRICITY SPARKS, and they can barely keep their hands off each other! Plus, if not for the fact that Garrick was Bliss’s teacher, they’d be perfect for each other. They both have the same goals with acting and love of drama. I didn’t find this to be a big deal, because Garrick was only teacher for a semester before Bliss graduated but this added the necessary conflict to keep our attention in this story.

I loved this story! I found myself hopelessly in love with Garrick from the moment he enters the story. Such a gentleman and never gives up! He was so open, just saying exactly what he thinks and feels without holding back. Here’s a swoony sample:

“It was just a kiss. It didn’t mean anything.”

“I don’t want anyone else to kiss you……I know I’m not being fair. I’m being a right bastard, actually. I keep telling myself to leave you alone, but the truth is…I’m not sure I can. And now that I know you’re not with Cade…”

*sigh*

Bliss was an awkwardly cute character, maybe a little cliché with the whole oblivious to others being in love with her, or how she’s really pretty, talented, etc, and doesn’t have a clue, but still, she was a fun main character. No frustrations with her at all, which, lately is a rarity with a lot of the female characters I’ve been reading lately.

I have to say that I felt really bad for Bliss’s close friend, Cade. He had it bad for Bliss and he seems like such a sweetheart, I hope Ms. Carmack writes a story for him, so he can get his happy ending too! I wasn’t so much of a fan of Kelsey, the best friend. A friend does not push you into going all the way with some random person to get it over with. Sex is not just some cheap act to throw away at anyone, IMO. I’m happy Bliss obeyed her instincts and didn’t listen to Kelsey. I think she would’ve regretted it, and things probably would’ve turned out a lot differently between Garrick and Bliss because of it. My favorite part in the end:

She didn’t scream. She didn’t run. She didn’t faint.-----mostly…she danced.

Maybe I didn’t have to wait a few months after all. She said she wanted my best line tomorrow after the show, and now I knew what it was going to be.


This was a wonderful debut for Cara Carmack. I’ll be looking out for what she comes up with next. Like I said, I hope it’s Cade’s story, that boy needs some loving!

[rameau · Rating 1 out of 5]

This review can also be found on Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell-blog.



The premise of this novel is really promising: A chance encounter that leads to a taboo relationship between a theatre student and her professor. It’s a shame that it was wasted on such a poor story about a naive little girl and a man whose only charm was his British accent.

As the title says Losing It is about Bliss Edward’s quest to lose her virginity at twenty two and before she graduates from college. She’s supposedly held on to it this far because she’s a control freak and not at all attracted to all the wannabe actors in her theatre school. The control makes her a good stage manager but it doesn’t exactly hinder her acting either, which is just a blatant contradiction. The head of the department points this out to Bliss:

”You’ve always been a bit too in your head, I suppose. Controlled. Careful. Mechanical, might be the best word for it. But in those auditions—you were living in the moment. You were feeling instead of thinking. I saw shades of emotion in you—strength and vulnerability, desire and disgust, hope and shame—that were quite simply captivating. I don’t know what you’re doing or what you’ve done, but please continue. You’re much better when you make bold choices.”

So, we’re told in Bliss’ narration and with the voice of an authority that she was controlled and careful, but we’re never actually shown it. Bliss is way too comfortable in her small group of friends to classify as socially awkward. She is at best a naive little girl who hasn’t fully embraced the risks and rewards of being an adult. She’s afraid and that fear is what spurs her into drinking herself silly, ignoring a lovely boy flirting with her at the bar, and falling all over a stranger with A BRITISH ACCENT. (I’m just typing as it was in the book.)

Maybe I’m being a little cruel, but from the start Garrick Taylor’s defining characteristic is his British accent, and that’s really not enough for me. I have this vague impression that Garrick had his sweet moments and that he was patient with Bliss when she was freaking out over nothing, but those possible good guy moments were overshadowed by the lack of chemistry between the couple and the sexist red flags that would have had me and any other woman with a speck common sense run away from him.

Let’s not forget the most important part, the great illicit love affair that never was. Garrick is in the know from the start. He knows he’s a teacher and he knows he lives in an area close to the school where college students might live. And yet when Bliss confesses living practically next door, he follows her and would have sex with her, if she didn’t grab the nearest flimsy excuse and run away from her apartment and the naked boy in her bed.

That’s another thing, Kelsey, a supposed friend of Bliss’—what ever happened to her?—repeatedly calls Garrick a boy before they learn that he’s their new professor. The cover shows a boy, and I’m supposed to believe Garrick is an adult, a man? Umm, okay?

When the truth about their power dynamics comes out in chapter seven, it’s only a momentary disruption. Garrick soon decides it’s not enough to keep him away from Bliss. Neither of them really acts like they’re doing something they’re not supposed to be doing, although Bliss occasionally thinks she shouldn’t. There isn’t any of that delicious angst of a forbidden love and sexual tension building up between the main couple the blurb promises, and all the emotional stress is reserved for Bliss’ relationship with her friend Cade, who is quite unnecessarily in love with her.

It says a lot about the romance when I’m ready to cheer for two other minor characters to win the wishy-washy girl rather than the apparent love interest. In two words: It sucks. This book’s only saving grace is that it’s not romanticising an abusive psychopath—that’s because it hardly romanticises anything—but unfortunately for Carmack that’s no longer enough to inflate the rating.

P.S. I really didn’t like how the gay character was portrayed.

[Jeaniene Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed out loud so many times while reading this book. "Stop! Cats! Stop!" may be my new favorite line (if you've read the book, you know what I mean ;)). It also gave me "One More Chapter" disease, because despite being tired when I picked it up, I kept reading until I was done. Very romantic and very funny.

[La-Lionne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't believe I finally finished this book. It took me two months. And now I don't know why I even bothered to finish at all.
I'm not sure why I'm giving it two stars. I guess it wasn't horrible, but it wasn't even close to being somewhat okay.

The reason I picked up this book in a first place was the cover. When I look at it I see a lot of different emotions. Maybe love, lust, frustration, longing, a little sadness. I felt like it was telling a story and I wanted to know more about it. But what I imagined was not what I got.

Dislikes:

- Heroine. Imature, annoying and just crazy. She is 22 and sick of being a virgin. After a conversation with her best friends she sluttys herself up and hits the bar to find random prince charming to put her out of her misery. Ends up taking a random guy home. There is a lot of groping, making out and skin. she freaks out, makes up a story about her cat (that she doesn't have) and runs out. Of course he turns out to be her teacher (very original).

And of course it's not right and awkward and frustrating and a lot of other things. Then, there is another story happening. Auditions, who gets what part and her being brilliant at everything she does. I found it totally boring. Then, there is some drama between her and her best friend, who has feeling for her. After a fight with him she gets all pissy. He wants to be with her and she wants to be friends. He's in love with her and that's why he can't be around her. I get it. But somehow she manages to make it all about her. She is angry that he ruined their friendship and how dare he, poor her. Now she is sad and feeling sorry for herself. There is a lot of me me me. What a bitch!

Then, she goes on this wild drinking and making out spree. That game of spin the bottle was just disgusting. Her getting drunk, rolling around on a ground, laughing hysterically, hangovers the day after... ugh.

One guy from the spin the bottle circle was sick with something and exchange of saliva led to half of the group getting sick. Cute right?

So, now he and she are sick, too. Which lasts for two freaking chapters. Slipping in and out of consciousness . There is a lot of "He can't be real... It's a dream.. He is not real... I'm dreaming... If he was real he wouldn't be here... I'm dreaming, it's just my imagination." Oh puhlease!

They both get well and start puking I love yous. I got the feeling that it suppose to look cute, but it wasn't. I love you, I love you back. Good morning, I love you, bye, I love you. Tell me one more time, I'm not sure I heard it right *gag*. Their I love yous were kind of like getting a new puppy, he's cute and cuddly and makes funny noises and you love him at first. And then, this cute furry thing craps in your favorite pair of shoes and he isn't cute anymore. First and second I love you was cute, but after 17th it sounded like cute puppy crapping in your shoe.

You get to the Losing It par, which is nothing special. At. All. Then there is the ridiculous prologue. Not only it wasn't necessary, it was cheesier that cheese.

- Hero. He wasn't horrible, but wasn't something special either. I don't get his "One month, love. We just need to wait one month.". He is a teacher and it's not right. Really?

Groping and making out is fine? What does one month gonna change? All kinds of no-no's and lines have been crossed long time ago. They did everything but had sex. So what putting thingy in a thingy going to change?

The whole story is just ridiculous.

[Aestas Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Heaven help me but I wanted my professor to be my boyfriend.”

This was a light, cute read and was a wonderful way to spend my Saturday afternoon. If you are looking for a shorter, sweet, slightly fluffy read, this is a great choice!

Bliss Edwards had a problem. Virginity. It wasn’t that she set out to stay a virgin, she just never met the right guy and for one reason another, she ended up in her last year of college and ’it’ had just never happened. So, with encouragement from her best friend she sets out to find herself a yummy one night stand. No strings. Just hot, fun sex.

At least, that’s plan.

She does find herself a gorgeous guy, Garrick. That much of the plan goes well. In fact, it goes better than well – not only is he gorgeous but he’s British and charming and ohhhh the accent!! *melt*

“An accent. HE HAS A BRITISH ACCENT. Dear God, I’m dying.”

Things get hot and heavy but at the last minute, she chickens out and pretty much just leaves the poor dude naked in her bed. Convincing herself to just get over the embarassement of that botched evening, she contents herself knowing she’ll probably never have to see him again and pack her stuff and heads out to the first day of class. And there he is. Standing at the front of the room. Her new teacher.

Let me tell you, the banter, the UST, the hotness was just intense enough to keep the book serious but just light enough to keep my heart fluttering all over the place and have the sudden need to turn the AC on… in October. I was giggling and grinning and pretty much just all out enjoying myself.

Garrick was quite the charmer. Hot. Confident. Bold, but gentlemanly. He was very easy to fall for. Oh, and the accent. Let’s not forget the accent. “What’s your name, love?” *swooooon*

I loved that the author didn’t gloss over their first encounter. We got to see it in full swoony detail. I kept turning the page at the of each chapter so worried it would just fade to black but it just kept going. So awesome!

And in that same respect, I loved that the first half of this book’s timeline didn’t skip around at all. It was pretty much just one continuous story which was a pleasantly refreshing change.

Another thing you should know is that there isn’t a huge age difference between them or anything (she’sin her last year and he graduated 6 months before and was really just filling in as a last minute replacement teacher).

There is the tiniest whiff of a love triangle for a few minutes - her best friend, Cade, has feelings for her which he brings up, but she’s pretty strongly in swoon with Garrick so it never really goes anywhere… this is not a love triangle book.

I did find the heroine a little frustrating at times… she just always found ways to stop things from going forward by avoiding, not talking through things etc.

But any and all frustrations I had were forgiven after the most romantic bout of mono I’ve ever read about (lol, don’t laugh, I’m serious —–> “I’m here, love. Hold on.” awwwwwwwwwww <3) and everything worked out very sweetly in the end and was wrapped up with a cute little epilogue

“Sex.
I was going to have sex.
With a boy.
With a hot boy.
With a hot BRITISH boy.”

Teehee.

**little edit because I've been asked a few times: It's an adult book - nothing closed door. But not super smutty either.

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[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I think I'm losing it, or have lost it...whatever.

And by it, I mean my damn mind. My head. My train of freaking thought.



I feel like I've just stepped out of washing machine and my thoughts need to be wrung out of me like water.

I really loved this book.

God only knows why I've been putting it off. Maybe it was the fear that the teacher-student dynamic could only be done a finite number of times before it became predictable. Or the doubt that the protagonist being a virgin would make her shy and quiet, an identity I read about on regular occasion and am growing bored of.

It is nothing like that at all.

Simple facepalm-worthy moments, hotter-than-a-thousand-suns scenes and proof that I shouldn't always trust my instinct.
The only complaint I have is that I wish it would have been longer.


(And who doesn't love a good Emma Stone gif to summarise my feelings.)

[Rose · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pre-read Guess who got an ARC from Edelweiss for this title? :P

I'll likely read it alongside some of the other NA and YA titles I've received from them, it's just a matter of when.

Never mind, wrong book. I'll have to read this one before I read the sequel.

Post-read: I can't decide whether I want to rate this 1 star or 1.5 stars, because it really wasn't as bad as other reads I've had in the genre, but at the same time, there were too many things that annoyed me about this book. I really did not like the heroine, she was incredibly stupid and not endearing to me at all. Garrick felt like a British character written by an American author - did not sound the least bit authentic to me. While I can say he definitely didn't fit into the typical NA hero that I've read in other stories thus far (he was actually much nicer in fact), the inaccuracies surrounding his character and the fact that there's a POV change in the epilogue where his voice didn't really sound that authentic either tipped the balance for me.

It's a fluffy read, but I had too many issues with it. And I'll admit the cover's really not romantic at all. It's just showing the hero's pale chest and the heroine looking like she's not exactly comfortable. =/

Full review:

"Screwed" (featuring the cast of Cora Carmack's "Losing It")

Author's notes: If you guys didn't think I was crazy before, you'll probably think twice after reading this. I wanted to do a lyrical review for Carmack's Losing it and somehow with the craziness of the storyline, a wacky, dynamic tune that would highlight it perfectly. (It probably doesn't help that I came from an Animaniacs marathon of things on Youtube just prior to writing this…"I'm Mad" came to mind and then this came to life. Alongside a rewatch of "An American Tail." Don't blame me if your brain is broken after reading this.)

This might have some crude language and adult content, but it isn't anything that wasn't in the book.

Yeah, not much else to say other than I hope you guys enjoy this as much as I did writing it. I didn't like the book, but I figured I'd have fun with this all the same. I almost wish it'd been written in this way because it would've been more hilarious to have a lyrical play on words. Then again,maybe not.

Kelsey:
Wake up, wake up, girl - today's an important day,
It's been long enough that people think you're gay,
Don't look at me like that!
Do it now, up and at 'em,
A man, you need to grab him
And get this pesky thing called virginity out the way!

Bliss (aside):
Knowing Kelsey is my friend,
I'm sorry that I have to pretend
That this doesn't worry me, no, not at all.

So I'll put a smile on my face,
Get my sexy skirt into place,
And out the door I go, just hope I don't fall.

Garrick: *spoken in most exaggerated accent ever* Oh hullo there, love!

Bliss:
Oh my word, his accent is so cute!
He's pale, British, and charming to boot.
I wonder if I can get him in my bed
But oh my gods, I'm so dead
Standing over there is Kelsey
And she's screaming in the phone "Woman, after, call me!"

Bliss:
I don't want, I don't want!
I'll put it in CAPS SIZED FONT;
I'm not the least bit interested in getting screwed.

Kelsey (aside): Yes you are! You told me!

Bliss:
Not now, I'm not, I'm NOT!
It makes my insides rot.
From these feelings that I've fought,
I'm giving it a second thought.

Bliss:
I'm scared, I'm scared,
I'm really, really scared!
I've come into this so unprepared!

Garrick: Bliss, wait just a minute…

Bliss:
I think I may not make it,
Oh my Gods, he's so naked
And I don't know what to say!
On the floor, out the door, I'll make my getaway!

Bliss:
Out in the parking lot tonight,
Left him there, it's not right,
But I figured he would laugh in my face.

Wait a minute, I left my keys!
Even while he was saying "Please!"
I'm an idiot, 'cause I ran from my own place!

Garrick:
I don't know what's wrong with Bliss,
We shared far more than a kiss,
But then she gets her things, running out the door.

Was it something that I did or said
That left her seeing red?
There goes my dignity, like my clothes, on the floor.

Bliss:
Just another day, I start it with a cheer,
Last of my senior year.
The night before made me like a leecher.

But then I walk into class,
Who's that I'm strolling past?
Oh for the love of... I nearly screwed my teacher!

Cade: (in a crooning, melancholy style)
I wish I could say
That I had another day
When Bliss would know me as more than a friend.

But up to the night she was pissed*
After spin the bottle, we deeply kissed
That was the point I could no longer pretend.

Audience: Awwww…

Bliss (resumes rhythm)
My best friend is in love with me,
Please say it's not to be,
Because I don't want to lose him over this.

But I can't stop thinking of him,
And my hindsight is dim,
The things I want to do with him are way more than a kiss.

But then I think he thinks I'm stupid
Whenever I'm hit by Cupid,
Making excuses why I ran out the night of that,

But I always tend to choke,
And even though I'm broke,
To keep up the lie, I have to buy that mean ol' cat.

Female gray cat named Hamlet: *hisses*

Garrick
She's my theater student, it's so forbidden,
We have to keep our relations hidden,
Though the devil may be whatever for,

But then upon the stage,
She's mauled with kisses by a page**,
And my anger boils til' I can't take it anymore.

Cade (in a crooning, melancholy style):
And alas, but it seems,
My love only exists in dreams,
Not returned by the one for whom I have longed.

Though I try to keep a straight face,
My lonely heart feels out of place,
And I wander, knowing not where I've belonged.

Audience: Oh no...

Bliss
First Cade, then Garrick broke my heart,
Though by then, I knew we were apart,
Guess that it wasn't meant to be, can't kiss and tell.

But then I realize
A haze hits my eyes,
And suddenly I'm not feeling very well...

Garrick Oh bloody hell...*stops music* it's mono. We both got it because of that night you were pissed playing spin the bottle.

Cade Why are you saying "bloody hell"?

Garrick *shrugs* I'm British, explains the vampiric paleness, my use of "love" after everything, and my irresistible accent. Just go with it. There are so many other stereotypes we're running in this, anyway.***

Cade:*grumbles* Fine. *restarts music*

Bliss:

I'm in love, I'm in love,
My heart is a little dove,
Flying about inside of me,

And to think that what I've lost,
I don't mind paying the cost,
That by the end of this tale, I've lost my virginity!

Cast: And that's the end, my friend...

Cade: Though next book, I'll lament again...****

Cast: But for now, we're saying goodbye! Goodbye!

Fin.

*pissed = drunk

**Not really, considering it's a guy in Bliss's class around her age, but I needed something to rhyme here.

***There are so many stereotypes in this novel for a romance, for depicting a British hero, and for a NA work, I couldn't begin to name them all. Some of them had me rolling my eyes a while.

****Cade's one of the protagonists in "Faking It" - the next book in this series, though I won't make the whole review verse, like I did this one.

Overall score: 1/5

[Regan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cheesy and basically a life time movie. I have my moments, and sometimes I need a little cheese.

[Sofia Lazaridou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sex.
I was going to have sex.
With a boy.
A hot boy
A hot BRITISH boy.
Or maybe I was going to throw up.
What if I threw up on the hot British boy?
What if I threw up on the hot British boy DURING SEX?

5 out of 5 stars.It's reccomended for adult people but I think it's more +16.

The synopsis of the book made me to want to read the book like a man who is dying from thirst wants water.What can I say?I am a sucker for this kind of setuations.

He stood and offered me his arm.“My lady?”
“You don’t want to finish our drinks?”
He took my hand, and pressed his lips against the inside of my wrist.“I’m already intoxicated.”

Bliss decides that she does not want to be a virgin anymore and picks up a guy from the bar she went with Kelsey,her friend.While they are hot and heavy she freaks out and leaves him.In her apartment.Garrick except from be the guy Bliss decides that he is the one to take her virginity also happens to be her teacher and neighbor.First it's a little awkward but things change as the time passes.

Cade is Bliss's friend and secretly he has feelings for her.When he admits them his relationship with Bliss changes and that made is the only part I didn't liked in the book.I have seen before best friends falling in love with each other and I didn't want to see that here because I am i love with Garrick and I don't want to see him hurt.Note:there is no triangle in this book.

Friendships fall apart.Some relationships just end.Like a star,they burn bright and brilliant,and then nothing in particular goes wrong,they just reach their end. They burn out.I couldn’t fathom my friendship with Cade being over.

"Professor I’m sex incarnate and could probably get you pregnant just by looking at you.Seriously, that first day when he spoke, I think his accent alone nearly gave me an orgasm.”

Garrick is hot.He has british accent,blond hair and blue eyes and I wish my teachers were like that.

“What? Just because I can’t have you right now, doesn’t mean I’m okay with him having you?"

Bliss a control freak,she gets very nervous and overthinks things.The time she spends after meeting Garrick will change her a little and will make her see things a little bit different.

“Let me get this straight… you didn’t have a cat? Did you get a cat just so that you wouldn’t have to tell me you were a virgin?”

The title is very fit to the content of the book and the cover is nice.It was fun and I loved reading it.It has some beautiful quote(the phrases with bold) and here are some more:

“I just… I get what it’s like to want something,but to try and force yourself toreally believe that you don’t. It doesn’t even have to be about love. It’s about wanting something you can’t have or something you don’t think you deserve. Hell, we want the parts that our friends get, even though they’re our friends and we should be happy for them. We sit in the audience and think about how we would have done a role. We want what we can’t have. It’s human nature.”

"Its not that I don’t like cats. And really, I think I would enjoy having… a cat. But what if I get a cat before I’m ready? What if I choose the wrong cat? Or what if I’m bad at it… being a cat owner, I mean?” (she is not talking about cats,cats here)

And a song

No matter how close,you are always too far
My eyes are drawn everywhere you are
I’m tired of the way we both pretend
Tired of always wanting and never giving
I can feet it in my skin,see it in your grin
We are more. We always have been
Think of everything we’ve missed.
Every touch and every kiss.
Because we both insist.
Resist
Hold your breath and close your eyes
Distract yourself with other guys
It’s no surprise, your defeated sighs
Aren’t you tired of the lies
Think of everything we have missed
Every touch and every kiss.
Because we both insist
Resist
No matter how close, you are always too far
My eyes are drawn everywhere you are
I am done.I wont ignore
I wont pretend or resist
I want more

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

As one can guess from the title, this is about “losing it." Cute and lots of fun with a slightly awkward MC and flirty scenes. Bliss (our MC), has an adorkable meeting with a hot British guy in a bar where her best friend is trying to get her to pick up a guy and finally lose her virginity. They flirt and go back to Bliss’ place. But at the last second, when things are getting steamy, Bliss chickens out and tells him to leave, faking an emergency about needing to get her imaginary cat at midnight from the vet’s. Wouldn’t you know, the next morning she finds out he’s going to be her professor this semester. This was super cute with lots of hilarious scenes, angst, misunderstandings and chemistry between the two leads.

[Warda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alright, I really enjoyed this. It was so addictive and entertaining. Slight cheesy, idealises the student-teacher relationship trope a bit too much, but at least they weren't young little shits and what the heck, I just inhaled it.

[ink · Rating 1 out of 5]

ookaeyyy.... one star... that's pretty generous to be quite fuckin honest.

here's what i hated about this story:

1. im certain this book was written in another decade when Stereo Hearts was the shit and everyone slow danced to Hey There Delilah by Plain White T's because it's the most hip thing to do. Everything was olddddddd and c l i c h e as fuck man. I'm sure every new-born fan fiction written on Wattpad from the time period of 2012 to 2013 had used this story as a users guide.

2. Why is Garrick reading Shakespeare in a fucking bar?

3. The motorcycle was an idea from a math probability problem. but still we get 9+10=21.

4. Bliss is so naïve and she gets on my nerves like 84% of the story. I take that back, she gets on my nerves from the first word in the story till the last fuckin word.... and the last chapter wasn't even from her POV.

5. Garrick is no different. (I can't with this white man)

6. "Sorry, love."

7. "Please, love."

8. He sounded like a headass. Or maybe I just don't find the British accent hype that sexy anymore. Thanks Obama.

9. I hate how people treat this story as a "Teacher-student" relationship because they make it sound SO SEXUAL and it made me have higher expectations for this book and when i started it i was like "........sike", like it's tagged as Chick Lit. looks sexy, sounds sexy, EVERYTHING SHOULD BE SEXY... what went wrong here?

10. Why is it hard to have human-like-conversations and non-monotonous-dialogues in a story?

11. Bliss needs some milk.

12. Conversations sound like they're trying to get this story over with, just like me.

13. I h a t e d the style of writing. PARDON ME. i'm not a fan of female protagonists sounding/looking/feeling weak all the fuckin time like girl.... all this because of some british dick? damn... you need to chill sweetie

14. i wanted this to be sexy, not cheesy. it's like being deceived to buy hand cream when you clearly wanted some fuckin lube. why??

15. the characters felt dumb..... and i will say this..... *whispers* they felt L I F E L E S S. sike

16. he's everywhere ?? like girl astagfarullah if a boi came outta nowhere and popped up in my apartment like that i would whip his ass back to his mama's womb and say he's possessed by a Jin sike.

17. why

18. who was bartender-boy-brandon and what did he contribute in this story? he should've handed her some milk

19. the "dramatic" events weren't even that dramatic. they ended in three sentences.

20. We only heard from her mother once, and her mother is not even an evil bitch. But still she treated the poor woman like shit.

21. WHICH MAKES ME WONDER.... why would she name her Bliss?? ironic.

22. Garrick's name is annoying me i'm sorry it sounds like the word "throwing up" in my language.

23. I don't know if it's the real book or the online free version of it, but the grammar was.... outrageously ridiculous. here's a sample of the most repeated mistakes that made me take two seconds off of reading to breathe out the frustration:

"We pulled up outside the bar several minutes later, and the night felt anything, but simple."

"I told her I had to go to the bathroom, and hoped someone would catch her eye while I was gone so that I could slip away with no drama."

EHHHHHHHHHHHHHGGGHHHHHHH

24. This wasn't a book; it was a joke. A bad fuckin joke.

25. The dialogue was like a group chat trying to add as much information in the story as possible.

26. I wish I can unread things.

what i liked in this story!!!!

1. i'm happy the story had an actual ending. i thought the writer would delete it because she's overwhelmed she'll never be with Harry Styl- I mean the sexy lookin white dude and delete it from frustration and we'll never hear of it again. But then my wackass found the ending, to which I'm proud of achieving.

2. i'm happy they continued the conversations.

3. the writer made a good job concealing the fact that she didn't know how to fill up the time in the story. trust me, i felt the effort.

4. she wasn't hardcore insecure about her body!!!!! congratulations we have a character who doesn't trigger you with shaming their bodies!!!!!! i'm a m a z e d.

5. the only person i like in this story is Lindsay. queen.

6. The cat was also my favorite thing in the story because she hated Bliss.

7. this story was too short, to which i'm thankful.

8. as long as i finished this book, i enjoyed reading it SIKE i didn't. but it was refreshing and sth to get my mind off of things. but i wouldn't consider this a genuine read. like, at all.

overall: What did I learn from this? I learned that this was a bad idea.

[Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)* · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Sweetness Stars

This book was adorably awkward, funny and cute as fuck!



The MC, Bliss (which some Deity somewhere help me, can these NA names get any more special snowflake?!) is a virgin. Which is generally a big no-no for me, but in this case I actually liked it. She decides, with the help of her loving friend, that she just needs to get rid of that sweater already...

And she is COMPLETELY insane and awkward. And it’s amazing!!!

“Stop! Cats! Stop!”



In the contrived way that IS the romance genre, the guy who she almost losses it to and her are thrust together by life and circumstance – on several occasions. And it’s a touch overly dramatic what with the whole teacher/student trope (that is REALLY minor here, so if you hate that trope understand that there are MAYBE five years age difference here and he is her university ACTING teacher not, like, her Math 12 teacher or something like that which would make me puke all over the place.)

The part about this book that I enjoyed the most was the general sweetness of these two together. Yes Bliss is awkward – a la Zooey Deschanel (or preferable Rory & Dean days Rory) but it’s hilarious and cute and completely how I imagine I would have been had my life taken a different road. Carmack magnifies the little moments so well! The handholding, the innocent touch of hand on flesh, the kissing.



I did roll my eyes a few times while reading this story but far more often I laughed or made that d’aww noise in the back of my throat. What I have to applaud Carmack for is bringing the sensual aspect into this novel, rather than the far more common sexual vein.

Recommended to those craving a sweet fix with a side of British accent!

Category: A Book by an Author I’ve Never Read Before.

[Whitney Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

typical, but entertaining nonetheless!

[Carvanz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a light, fluffy, fun read. I really enjoyed the author’s “voice” but the pacing the first half of the book seemed slow due to the fact that Bliss and Garrick don’t have a lot of in-depth interactions. However, during that time there is plenty of knowledge shared about what takes place at a school for theater arts. Unfortunately I’m not a big theater fan. I know, go ahead, skin me but it’s true. I’m a central Texas girl living in the country so it’s not something I’ve ever been exposed to. Despite that, I laughed out loud so many times with Bliss and her friends. She has some amazing friends and I’m pretty sure they’re going to get their books as well.

Once I felt the connection with Bliss and Garrick I was able to settle down and truly enjoy the story. This is a very low angst book written in the heroine’s POV with some push and pull. The epilogue was sweet and written totally from Garrick’s view point. I wish this author had given me more of his inner musings because instead of just liking this book I would have loved this book. There is no other woman drama, the hero is no manwhore, and there is no abuse or violence.

[Geo Just Reading My Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Losing it – Cine zice că e simplu prima oară?" este un roman pe care îl citești cu sufletul la gură, un romance contemporan, un young-adult plin de savoare.
Dacă este prima carte pe care o citești, a autoarei, ești uimit de felul în care scrie și de situațiile aparte în care își pune personajele. Dacă ai mai citit ceva scris de penița ei agilă, nu-ți rămâne decât să savurezi cu plăcere povestea!
Recenzia mea completă o găsiți aici:
https://justreadingmybooks.wordpress....

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another reread, and I STILL LOVE IT!!! *sigh*

*******************************

Full review to come on Reading Lark (www.readinglark.blogspot.com) on October 21st. Suffice it to say that:

1) I SERIOUSLY LOVED THIS BOOK

2) It made me have feelings of the goosebumps & butterflies in stomach variety.

3) I am immediately rereading this.

UH-MAZE-ING!

*full review follows this*

This is only the second time I have ever immediately reread a book upon finishing it - the other time was when I read the Twilight saga. What will follow may contain serious gushing about how much I loved this book, but I'm going to lead out with a warning: I don't for a minute imagine that everyone will feel like I did about this book. Losing It seems to have caught me at the right time in my life, in the right mood, and it totally swept me away.

Losing It is the story of Bliss; a heroine who I just adore. She's a late developer and makes things hard on herself, which is why she's at the end of her college years and still a virgin. She's pretty, intelligent, funny, and she doesn't really believe that she is. She is kind of desperate to lose her virginity, but at the same time she is totally freaked out by the idea. One night her BFF talks her into getting it over with, and with some liquid courage she finds herself talking to a hot stranger in a bar. This is the point at which I could have rolled my eyes and wandered off to make a cup of tea - if not for the writing. I loved the word play, the zinging back and forth and Bliss's inner dialogue which was almost exactly what I would have been thinking... a lovely mix of disbelief, glee, and sarcasm.

My fangirl love was sealed when, following a ridiculously hot scene, Bliss freaked out, yelled something about a fictitious pet cat, and ran out of her own flat into the middle of the night in her undies. How could I not love such a lunatic?! Better yet that she recognized her own insanity and then berated herself. I think there's not a woman alive that couldn't relate to that, at least in part. I was sucked in by the romance but I stayed because Bliss totally won me over - she actually went out and rescued a cat to try and cover up her insanity! I seriously love that character! (I am also a sucker for a well written cat, and Hamlet was fabulous!)

As for the lover boy... Garrick was such a swoonsome hero that it wasn't hard to lust after him like Bliss did. I usually get really irritated when people try to write British men in books, because the Hugh Grant stereotype hasn't ever done a thing for me, but happily although Garrick was British he wasn't a Hugh clone. He was just the right mix of sexy grinning and dashing gentleman, sprinkled with a smidgen of sexual predator that made both Bliss and I go weak at the knees. I also really enjoyed the forbidden nature of Bliss and Garrick's relationship. I first enjoyed the student/teacher angle in the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead, followed it up with Half Blood by Jennifer Armentrout, and I think Losing It this is another great example, although I would say Losing It is definitely for older readers than those other stories.

This was a hot HOT story. I won't lie - I wouldn't give this to any teenager. I would absolutely hand this out to young women in their 20s and give them a wink though! I am eager to explore other reads coming out in the New Adult genre after this book - the sexuality of the book was just the right side of the adult romance genre and just the wrong side of YA fiction to feel utterly pitch perfect to me. It left me seriously hot under the collar, covered in goosebumps and wishing I wasn't quite so single. There is a marvelous build up of sexual tension through the book to the inevitable departure of Bliss's virginity, and I wouldn't have changed a single word. It was fun, seductive and full of just the right amount of red faced humiliation to suck me in and keep me glued to my Kindle until I had finished the book... twice.

Full marks to the Cara Cormack - she's on my 'to watch' list, and I will be watching and waiting to get a copy of this in hard back for my super special shelf in the bookcase.



RELEASE DATES:

USA paperback 2/26/13
UK and Australia paperback: 3/28/13