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Come As You Are
New Adult Romance by RITA winner and New York Times author Theresa Weir
Coming October 1, 2013
Molly Young has a secret. To keep it she holds the world at a distance. Behind her lies a trail of dumped boyfriends who came too close to discovering what no one can know. When her estranged father dies of an unexpected heart attack he leaves an even deeper secret, one tied to Molly's.
At the funeral repast Molly is unable to tolerate the shoulder-to-shoulder mourners and runs out the door and down the street to the nearest bar. Come dawn, with no memory of the past ten hours, she finds herself in bed with a beautiful stranger. She slips away before he wakes up, unaware of the role he's about to play in her life. Is he the one guy who can convince Molly to face her painful secret and become the person she's meant to be?
Coming October 1, 2013
Molly Young has a secret. To keep it she holds the world at a distance. Behind her lies a trail of dumped boyfriends who came too close to discovering what no one can know. When her estranged father dies of an unexpected heart attack he leaves an even deeper secret, one tied to Molly's.
At the funeral repast Molly is unable to tolerate the shoulder-to-shoulder mourners and runs out the door and down the street to the nearest bar. Come dawn, with no memory of the past ten hours, she finds herself in bed with a beautiful stranger. She slips away before he wakes up, unaware of the role he's about to play in her life. Is he the one guy who can convince Molly to face her painful secret and become the person she's meant to be?
200 pages, ebook
First published September 18, 2013
20 people are currently reading
756 people want to read
About the author
Theresa Weir
32 books314 followersTheresa Weir (a.k.a. Anne Frasier) is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of novels and numerous short stories that have spanned the genres of suspense, mystery, thriller, romantic suspense, paranormal, fantasy, and memoir. During her award-winning career, she's written for Penguin Putnam, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins Publishers, Bantam Books/Random House, Silhouette Books, Grand Central Publishing/Hachette, and Amazon's Thomas & Mercer. Her titles have been printed in both hardcover and paperback and translated into twenty languages.
Her first memoir, THE ORCHARD, was a 2011 Oprah Magazine Fall Pick, Number Two on the Indie Next list, a featured B+ review in Entertainment Weekly, and a Librarians’ Best Books of 2011. Her second memoir, THE MAN WHO LEFT, was a New York Times Bestseller. Going back to 1988, Weir’s debut title was the cult phenomenon AMAZON LILY, initially published by Pocket Books and later reissued by Bantam Books. Writing as Theresa Weir, she won a RITA for romantic suspense (COOL SHADE), and a year later the Daphne du Maurier for paranormal romance (BAD KARMA). In her more recent Anne Frasier career, her thriller and suspense titles hit the USA Today list (HUSH, SLEEP TIGHT, PLAY DEAD) and were featured in Mystery Guild, Literary Guild, and Book of the Month Club. HUSH was both a RITA and Daphne du Maurier finalist.
THE ORCHARD
An Oprah Magazine Fall Pick
Featured B+ Review in Entertainment Weekly
Number Two on October Indie Next List
BJ's Book Club Spotlight
LIbrarians' Best Books of 2011
Maclean's Top Books of 2011
On Point (NPR) Best Books of 2011
Abrams Best of 2011
Publishers Lunch (Publishers Weekly) Favorite Books of 2011
Eighth Annual One Book, One Community 2012, Excelsior, Minnesota
Target Book Club Pick, September 2012
www.theresaweir.com
Title List
Writing as ANNE FRASIER
Hush, USA Today bestseller, RITA finalist, Daphne du Maurier finalist (2002)
Sleep Tight, USA Today bestseller (2003)
Play Dead, USA Today bestseller (2004)
Before I Wake (2005)
Pale Immortal (2006)
Garden of Darkness, RITA finalist (2007)
Once Upon a Crime anthology, Santa’s Little Helper (2009)
The Lineup, Poems on Crime, Home (2010)
Discount Noir anthology, Crack House (2010)
Deadly Treats Halloween anthology, editor and contributor, The Replacement (September 2011)
Once Upon a Crime anthology, Red Cadillac (April 2012)
Woman in a Black Veil (July 2012)
Dark: Volume 1 (short stories, July 2012)
Dark: Volume 2 (short stories, July 2012)
Black Tupelo (short-story collection July 2012)
Girls from the North Country (short story, August 2012)
Made of Stars (short story, August 2012)
Stars (short story collection, August 2012)
Zero Plus Seven (anthology, 2013)
Stay Dead (April 2014)
Writing as THERESA WEIR
The Forever Man (1988)
Amazon Lily, RITA finalist, Best New Adventure Writer award, Romantic Times (1988)
Loving Jenny (1989)
Pictures of Emily (1990)
Iguana Bay (1990)
Forever (1991)
Last Summer (1992)
One Fine Day (1994)
Long Night Moon, Reviewer’s Choice Award, Romantic Times (1995)
American Dreamer (1997)
Some Kind of Magic (1998)
Cool Shade RITA winner, romantic suspense (1998)
Bad Karma, Daphne du Maurier award, paranormal (1999)
Max Under the Stars, short story (2010)
The Orchard, a memoir (September 2011)
The Man Who Left , a memoir and New York Times bestseller (April 2012)
The Girl with the Cat Tattoo (June 2012)
Made of Stars (August 2012)
Come As You Are (October 2013)
The Geek with the Cat Tattoo (December 2013)
Her first memoir, THE ORCHARD, was a 2011 Oprah Magazine Fall Pick, Number Two on the Indie Next list, a featured B+ review in Entertainment Weekly, and a Librarians’ Best Books of 2011. Her second memoir, THE MAN WHO LEFT, was a New York Times Bestseller. Going back to 1988, Weir’s debut title was the cult phenomenon AMAZON LILY, initially published by Pocket Books and later reissued by Bantam Books. Writing as Theresa Weir, she won a RITA for romantic suspense (COOL SHADE), and a year later the Daphne du Maurier for paranormal romance (BAD KARMA). In her more recent Anne Frasier career, her thriller and suspense titles hit the USA Today list (HUSH, SLEEP TIGHT, PLAY DEAD) and were featured in Mystery Guild, Literary Guild, and Book of the Month Club. HUSH was both a RITA and Daphne du Maurier finalist.
THE ORCHARD
An Oprah Magazine Fall Pick
Featured B+ Review in Entertainment Weekly
Number Two on October Indie Next List
BJ's Book Club Spotlight
LIbrarians' Best Books of 2011
Maclean's Top Books of 2011
On Point (NPR) Best Books of 2011
Abrams Best of 2011
Publishers Lunch (Publishers Weekly) Favorite Books of 2011
Eighth Annual One Book, One Community 2012, Excelsior, Minnesota
Target Book Club Pick, September 2012
www.theresaweir.com
Title List
Writing as ANNE FRASIER
Hush, USA Today bestseller, RITA finalist, Daphne du Maurier finalist (2002)
Sleep Tight, USA Today bestseller (2003)
Play Dead, USA Today bestseller (2004)
Before I Wake (2005)
Pale Immortal (2006)
Garden of Darkness, RITA finalist (2007)
Once Upon a Crime anthology, Santa’s Little Helper (2009)
The Lineup, Poems on Crime, Home (2010)
Discount Noir anthology, Crack House (2010)
Deadly Treats Halloween anthology, editor and contributor, The Replacement (September 2011)
Once Upon a Crime anthology, Red Cadillac (April 2012)
Woman in a Black Veil (July 2012)
Dark: Volume 1 (short stories, July 2012)
Dark: Volume 2 (short stories, July 2012)
Black Tupelo (short-story collection July 2012)
Girls from the North Country (short story, August 2012)
Made of Stars (short story, August 2012)
Stars (short story collection, August 2012)
Zero Plus Seven (anthology, 2013)
Stay Dead (April 2014)
Writing as THERESA WEIR
The Forever Man (1988)
Amazon Lily, RITA finalist, Best New Adventure Writer award, Romantic Times (1988)
Loving Jenny (1989)
Pictures of Emily (1990)
Iguana Bay (1990)
Forever (1991)
Last Summer (1992)
One Fine Day (1994)
Long Night Moon, Reviewer’s Choice Award, Romantic Times (1995)
American Dreamer (1997)
Some Kind of Magic (1998)
Cool Shade RITA winner, romantic suspense (1998)
Bad Karma, Daphne du Maurier award, paranormal (1999)
Max Under the Stars, short story (2010)
The Orchard, a memoir (September 2011)
The Man Who Left , a memoir and New York Times bestseller (April 2012)
The Girl with the Cat Tattoo (June 2012)
Made of Stars (August 2012)
Come As You Are (October 2013)
The Geek with the Cat Tattoo (December 2013)
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
October 4, 2013
Come As You Are is a story about Molly, young woman, who just lost her adoptive father. But Molly isn't mourning over his death, on the contrary, she thinks it's the best that happened for her in years.
She's carring great weight on her shoulders and memories of past that scared her soul and heart. Now, that her father's dead, she is confused and even more damaged. The same day as his funeral, Molly runs away from people that tell her over and over, how good person her father was. She goes to bar, where she drinks and meets mystery stranger.
They go to hotel room, where he lays Molly to sleep. The next day Molly thinks she slept with him and leaves him, to go the her fathers laywer. She’s shocked when she sees , the man she spent the night with there, and even more shocked to learn, he's her father's son. Son, that got money and house from their father, while she got mere 500 bucks.
Come As You Are is a novel that holds great potential and with a little bit more work, could easily sweep me off my feet.
Unfortunately, the lenght and few minor issues I've had with it, left me unsatisfied. This book is so short, it ends without being complex enough to captive the reader. It left me with many unanswered questions and slightly confused.
I would love to see it differently, but I had a feeling it was rushed or that someone ripped the pages (or delete them, as I've read ebook). Everything happens so fast, it's hard to keep track. I couldn't relax and really dive into the story, without constantly being interrupted by naggigng feeling of disbelief. There were parts, that made me want to know more about characters, but it was impossible to get informations.
Almost immediately Ian and Molly are romantically involved, despite the fact, reader couldn't even see it coming, because it was to fast.
This made Come As You Are a novel that lacked in depth and showing of author's talent. I really wanted to enjoy this book. I guess, if my ugly monster didn't rear his head, I would have great time, but as I needed something more complex, Come As You Are didn't work for me as much as I hoped it would.
Anyway, I enjoyed some parts. I liked the plot. If it was more developed, I would love it without any questions. Molly and Ian were great, likeable characters. And Theresa Weir definitely is good at writing.
Overall, this is a great book for those, who like short reads and don't have problems with not being able to see every aspect of the novel. For me Come As You Are is a three stars read, and I hope that in the future, when I decide to read another book written by Weir, I and my monster would be satisfied.
July 15, 2014
Review posted at: Swept Away By Romance
4 stars!
It is no secret that I am a fan on Theresa Weir… scratch that….a HUGE fan of Theresa Weir. I have read most of her books and will tell anyone who will listen that Theresa Weir is one of romance’s best-kept secrets. Her writing is so superior to most of what’s currently published that even a mediocre T.W. book rises above the rest.
When I learned that Theresa Weir had thrown her skills into the new adult arena, I was absolutely ecstatic. Theresa Weir also writes suspense as Anne Frasier, but I personally prefer her romance writing ;-)!
I am from Minneapolis, MN, and this book is set around the campus of the University of Minnesota. I loved how familiar streets, restaurants, and sights of the campus are integrated into this story. For me, it made things believable and added a sense of “home” while reading.
I will warn that this book has some very sobering undercurrents. Molly Young is our young heroine and she is the adopted daughter of a recently deceased University professor. Whereas everyone feels like this man was something special, Molly has suffered great atrocities at his hands, and is still trying to cope with the pain. She is clearly depressed and has even contemplated suicide.
The hero of this book is the professor’s biological son, and while odd, I was able to accept this romance because the two did not share blood or circumstance. Ian was the best part of this book. His “too good to be true” character REALLY worked for me and I loved the relationship that developed between he and Molly. The ending, albeit a bit rushed, was absolutely perfect for the tone of this story. I believed in this couple and their relationship felt real and authentic.
Although this a quick read, do not make the mistake of assuming it’s a simple read. Ms. Weir somehow has the ability to pack so much emotion, complexity, and depth into such a few pages that you’ll wonder how she does it. I was turning pages and at one point in the story, my mouth dropped open from shock. I consider myself a pretty seasoned reader who has the ability to guess what’s coming, but Theresa Weir left me shocked and speechless with this one.
Kurt Cobain (from the band Nirvana’s) haunting lyrics permeate this book and also added a sense of the time and the overall feel of this NA book.
I enjoyed this story, and more importantly, the writing. I love this author and she again proves why I will buy and read anything with her name on it.
4 stars!
It is no secret that I am a fan on Theresa Weir… scratch that….a HUGE fan of Theresa Weir. I have read most of her books and will tell anyone who will listen that Theresa Weir is one of romance’s best-kept secrets. Her writing is so superior to most of what’s currently published that even a mediocre T.W. book rises above the rest.
When I learned that Theresa Weir had thrown her skills into the new adult arena, I was absolutely ecstatic. Theresa Weir also writes suspense as Anne Frasier, but I personally prefer her romance writing ;-)!
I am from Minneapolis, MN, and this book is set around the campus of the University of Minnesota. I loved how familiar streets, restaurants, and sights of the campus are integrated into this story. For me, it made things believable and added a sense of “home” while reading.
I will warn that this book has some very sobering undercurrents. Molly Young is our young heroine and she is the adopted daughter of a recently deceased University professor. Whereas everyone feels like this man was something special, Molly has suffered great atrocities at his hands, and is still trying to cope with the pain. She is clearly depressed and has even contemplated suicide.
The hero of this book is the professor’s biological son, and while odd, I was able to accept this romance because the two did not share blood or circumstance. Ian was the best part of this book. His “too good to be true” character REALLY worked for me and I loved the relationship that developed between he and Molly. The ending, albeit a bit rushed, was absolutely perfect for the tone of this story. I believed in this couple and their relationship felt real and authentic.
Although this a quick read, do not make the mistake of assuming it’s a simple read. Ms. Weir somehow has the ability to pack so much emotion, complexity, and depth into such a few pages that you’ll wonder how she does it. I was turning pages and at one point in the story, my mouth dropped open from shock. I consider myself a pretty seasoned reader who has the ability to guess what’s coming, but Theresa Weir left me shocked and speechless with this one.
Kurt Cobain (from the band Nirvana’s) haunting lyrics permeate this book and also added a sense of the time and the overall feel of this NA book.
I enjoyed this story, and more importantly, the writing. I love this author and she again proves why I will buy and read anything with her name on it.
July 14, 2016
It was a dark story with not being very dramatic or a far fetch plot.
I finished it in a long time because of my mood and it's being a dark story. Though, l am glad that l didn't it mark it a DNF.
I like prose and story progressing.
Heroine was little bit annoying but she had good reason for it.
Hero was one of the sweetest and understanding one. It would be very nice to read more about him.
Overall, it was a well written NA that has some rock theme in it.
I would like to read a CR book was written by the author.
I finished it in a long time because of my mood and it's being a dark story. Though, l am glad that l didn't it mark it a DNF.
I like prose and story progressing.
Heroine was little bit annoying but she had good reason for it.
Hero was one of the sweetest and understanding one. It would be very nice to read more about him.
Overall, it was a well written NA that has some rock theme in it.
I would like to read a CR book was written by the author.
October 7, 2013
Pre-read: Couple of reasons why I'm reading this book:
1. I've read the author's work before, but unfortunately it wasn't really enough of an experience to really tell me anything about her writing style, so I figured I'd give her another shot and hope my experience with this was better than the last (though my perusals in the NA scheme have been mostly misses, I've had a few that struck me well. Here's to hoping this is one of the better ones).
2. The title's "Come As You Are" - which is the title of a Nirvana song and it immediately leapt to mind as I saw it listed on NetGalley. I'm wondering if that was intentional, because if it's evocative of the tone of the novel overall? I'd say: Good choice.
*crosses fingers*
Post-read: I think "Come As You Are" was a much better read in the scheme of the genres it was written in than a great many titles I've picked up this year. It's not the smoothest read to get through, and it touches upon some tough issues in light ways which I think could've been more developed in a full narrative, but I'll admit I followed Molly and Ian well for the most part. This felt real enough for me to follow and feel for the characters, though again - there were caveats.
Full review:
I think even quite some time after I've read this book, I'm still conflicted over my sentiments about it. "Come As You Are" is a much better book in the scheme of New Adult that I've picked up in recent measures. And yes, the title is a direct reference/allusion to the song of the same name by Nirvana, which was one of the reasons why I picked up and ended up reading compulsively through this story - there are significant ties to the song (as well as Nirvana's "Nevermind" album) given in the history of the main female character's life. But I'll admit the biggest thing that I had problems with in the beginning of this book was probably the leading female character, despite the compelling reasons behind her grief.
Here's the bare bones of where this story begins: Molly has just lost her adoptive father. She's grateful that the man who tormented her life is gone. It's not certain at first how he tormented her, but I think your first best guess would likely be the right one - I know I called it early on in the story, at least in part. Molly's in a rough emotional place, depressed, wanting to die, drinks herself into something of a stupor.
She meets a guy - a nice guy in fact. She forces herself onto him (yes, by that, I mean she nearly rapes him - and I was not happy with that factor, but at least the guy calls her out), but he's not having it, and he sees she's drunk and vulnerable. The two end up sharing a bed overnight, with Molly confused as to whether or not she slept with him. She leaves, ends up having to go to a meeting over what's left for her in her father's will.
Turns out the guy that she "slept" with is not only at the meeting, but she discovers that he's the adoptive brother (her adoptive father's son by blood) she's never known.
Things get very complicated from there (understatement).
I will admit that I really liked Ian. Some measures in the story made him *too* ideal of a love interest (meaning I almost lost my suspension of disbelief with aspects of his character), but he was far more of a refreshing male love interest than most I've come across in New Adult.
Even when Molly gets undercut by her foster father, Ian tries to give Molly as much as he can to help her out. It's frustrating to see Molly push him (and his efforts) away, but I'll admit it was realistic. I also liked how palpable their relationship was in spurts. I did see what Molly saw in Ian, though it was harder to see the reverse. I did think the additional backdrop of Nirvana references served as a nice touch for the thematics of the novel, and I applaud Weir on that factor.
I wished that the last part of the novel, where the reveals were made on behalf of Molly's tragic background and the truth in that, weren't as rushed as it was. It killed a part of the book for me because it didn't have the same time frame for build-up that the beginning of the novel had. I had a much harder time being able to take in Molly's coming to terms, and Ian's role in that, than I otherwise would've had.
The supporting cast of characters? They weren't as strong as the main two and I'll admit I wanted the characters collectively to have more flesh/presence than they did.
Overall, a decent read, but I had issues with parts of the narrative for theme and the overarching presentation.
Overall score: 2.5/5 stars
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from Belfry Press.
1. I've read the author's work before, but unfortunately it wasn't really enough of an experience to really tell me anything about her writing style, so I figured I'd give her another shot and hope my experience with this was better than the last (though my perusals in the NA scheme have been mostly misses, I've had a few that struck me well. Here's to hoping this is one of the better ones).
2. The title's "Come As You Are" - which is the title of a Nirvana song and it immediately leapt to mind as I saw it listed on NetGalley. I'm wondering if that was intentional, because if it's evocative of the tone of the novel overall? I'd say: Good choice.
*crosses fingers*
Post-read: I think "Come As You Are" was a much better read in the scheme of the genres it was written in than a great many titles I've picked up this year. It's not the smoothest read to get through, and it touches upon some tough issues in light ways which I think could've been more developed in a full narrative, but I'll admit I followed Molly and Ian well for the most part. This felt real enough for me to follow and feel for the characters, though again - there were caveats.
Full review:
I think even quite some time after I've read this book, I'm still conflicted over my sentiments about it. "Come As You Are" is a much better book in the scheme of New Adult that I've picked up in recent measures. And yes, the title is a direct reference/allusion to the song of the same name by Nirvana, which was one of the reasons why I picked up and ended up reading compulsively through this story - there are significant ties to the song (as well as Nirvana's "Nevermind" album) given in the history of the main female character's life. But I'll admit the biggest thing that I had problems with in the beginning of this book was probably the leading female character, despite the compelling reasons behind her grief.
Here's the bare bones of where this story begins: Molly has just lost her adoptive father. She's grateful that the man who tormented her life is gone. It's not certain at first how he tormented her, but I think your first best guess would likely be the right one - I know I called it early on in the story, at least in part. Molly's in a rough emotional place, depressed, wanting to die, drinks herself into something of a stupor.
She meets a guy - a nice guy in fact. She forces herself onto him (yes, by that, I mean she nearly rapes him - and I was not happy with that factor, but at least the guy calls her out), but he's not having it, and he sees she's drunk and vulnerable. The two end up sharing a bed overnight, with Molly confused as to whether or not she slept with him. She leaves, ends up having to go to a meeting over what's left for her in her father's will.
Turns out the guy that she "slept" with is not only at the meeting, but she discovers that he's the adoptive brother (her adoptive father's son by blood) she's never known.
Things get very complicated from there (understatement).
I will admit that I really liked Ian. Some measures in the story made him *too* ideal of a love interest (meaning I almost lost my suspension of disbelief with aspects of his character), but he was far more of a refreshing male love interest than most I've come across in New Adult.
Even when Molly gets undercut by her foster father, Ian tries to give Molly as much as he can to help her out. It's frustrating to see Molly push him (and his efforts) away, but I'll admit it was realistic. I also liked how palpable their relationship was in spurts. I did see what Molly saw in Ian, though it was harder to see the reverse. I did think the additional backdrop of Nirvana references served as a nice touch for the thematics of the novel, and I applaud Weir on that factor.
I wished that the last part of the novel, where the reveals were made on behalf of Molly's tragic background and the truth in that, weren't as rushed as it was. It killed a part of the book for me because it didn't have the same time frame for build-up that the beginning of the novel had. I had a much harder time being able to take in Molly's coming to terms, and Ian's role in that, than I otherwise would've had.
The supporting cast of characters? They weren't as strong as the main two and I'll admit I wanted the characters collectively to have more flesh/presence than they did.
Overall, a decent read, but I had issues with parts of the narrative for theme and the overarching presentation.
Overall score: 2.5/5 stars
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from Belfry Press.
September 13, 2013
I was among the lucky ones to get an advanced reader copy of Theresa Weir's first New Adult contemporary romance, Come As You Are.
When Molly Young's father dies of a heart attack, she struggles to resolve her conflicted feelings. Everyone admired Professor Young, a teacher at the University of Minnesota, but only Molly really knew the monster.
Then Ian shows up for the funeral from out of state. He tries to help her through her grief, but trust isn't big on Molly's to-do list. Not even if Ian's the most gorgeous guy she ever met. Especially not even.
From the beginning, Molly and Ian are strongly attracted to each other, but what's great about their love story is how their relationship grows as they find out they truly like each other. I fell a little in love with Ian myself - a good guy who refuses to be a doormat, but doesn't run at the first sight of trouble either.
Weir's characters always step outside the mold, and I wasn't sure how things were going to play out between Molly and Ian. As more and more secrets are revealed, the threat of suicide hangs in the air, and though Cobain's chilling lyric is never quoted, it's always in the background: No, I don't have a gun...
But don't worry. Come As You Are delivers a sweet and lovely ending and left me hoping there will be a sequel for Rose, Molly's roommate and fellow waitress at the Mean Waitress Cafe.
When Molly Young's father dies of a heart attack, she struggles to resolve her conflicted feelings. Everyone admired Professor Young, a teacher at the University of Minnesota, but only Molly really knew the monster.
Then Ian shows up for the funeral from out of state. He tries to help her through her grief, but trust isn't big on Molly's to-do list. Not even if Ian's the most gorgeous guy she ever met. Especially not even.
From the beginning, Molly and Ian are strongly attracted to each other, but what's great about their love story is how their relationship grows as they find out they truly like each other. I fell a little in love with Ian myself - a good guy who refuses to be a doormat, but doesn't run at the first sight of trouble either.
Weir's characters always step outside the mold, and I wasn't sure how things were going to play out between Molly and Ian. As more and more secrets are revealed, the threat of suicide hangs in the air, and though Cobain's chilling lyric is never quoted, it's always in the background: No, I don't have a gun...
But don't worry. Come As You Are delivers a sweet and lovely ending and left me hoping there will be a sequel for Rose, Molly's roommate and fellow waitress at the Mean Waitress Cafe.
June 18, 2017
Come As You Are Or Whatever
You know, the title here is kind of apropos - Just come as you are, wear whatever the hell you want, don't really try to look good or impress anyone. Whatevs. Who cares?
That sums up the amount of effort I feel went into making this book stand out in any way from the minefield of other books just like it. And it is a minefield, in that there are a few rare flowers that are actually good, and the rest totally bomb. Although, it actually does look good, doesn't it? That cover is very striking. Sadly, the filling is a lot less impactful.
Similar toall a lot of New Adult titles, COME AS YOU ARE, features a main character who's a little emotionally messed up due to some things that happened in her past. We join Molly's story on the day of her father's funeral, and quickly find ourselves watching her drink herself into a drunken stupor - public vomiting and all - and having to be helped home by a stranger. A stranger who turns out to have a rather unsavoury and off-putting connection to her, which totally deadened the romance for me.
There aren't really any other major plot points I can pick out after this - not because of spoilers, you understand, just because there weren't any. The plot was very weak and almost totally uneventful.
Also flat and lacklustre were the emotional scenes - and you know how much I love those normally. They just did nothing for me here. Whether because I hadn't been made to care about the characters (who weren't particularly likeable anyway) or because they were poorly executed, it's hard to tell. Or muster up the energy to care. Really, I can't think of a single way this book wasn't disappointing. Except for the cover.
High five, cover dude!
2 Stars ★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
You know, the title here is kind of apropos - Just come as you are, wear whatever the hell you want, don't really try to look good or impress anyone. Whatevs. Who cares?
That sums up the amount of effort I feel went into making this book stand out in any way from the minefield of other books just like it. And it is a minefield, in that there are a few rare flowers that are actually good, and the rest totally bomb. Although, it actually does look good, doesn't it? That cover is very striking. Sadly, the filling is a lot less impactful.
Similar to
There aren't really any other major plot points I can pick out after this - not because of spoilers, you understand, just because there weren't any. The plot was very weak and almost totally uneventful.
Also flat and lacklustre were the emotional scenes - and you know how much I love those normally. They just did nothing for me here. Whether because I hadn't been made to care about the characters (who weren't particularly likeable anyway) or because they were poorly executed, it's hard to tell. Or muster up the energy to care. Really, I can't think of a single way this book wasn't disappointing. Except for the cover.
High five, cover dude!
2 Stars ★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
September 26, 2013
* Review Copy granted from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
Molly is a complete mess due to childhood sexual abuse on the part of her adoptive father. Throw in the revelation that her twisted "father" has a biological son (whom he abandoned as a baby) and the biological son - Ian - gets everything in the will and Molly is even more of a mess. I couldn't connect with Molly, there was no depth to her.
Ian is a relatively together guy, he's nice... But he was rather 2 dimensional too. I couldn't connect with Ian.
So basically we have a story about two people finding each other, a girl with a damaged past and the guy who is supposed to help her heal... In theory it should have been emotionally wrenching and Mr. nice guy should've made me swoon, but that just didn't happen. I didn't emotionally connect with the characters (they had no soul) and the story wasn't all that exciting.
I don't hate the book, I don't dislike the book, I just don't feel much of anything for this book at all.
It just doesn't stand out from the crowd.
It was a quick read and it'll probably fade from my memory very quickly too. In fact, the only thing I'll probably remember about this book - long term - is penis penis penis. Beautiful Penis. Penis penis penis. Yep, that's right, Molly's (semi)frequent internal blathering about Ian's beautiful penis is what I'm taking away from this book... That and the gorgeous cover.
www.where-did-the-sun-go.blogspot.co.uk
Molly is a complete mess due to childhood sexual abuse on the part of her adoptive father. Throw in the revelation that her twisted "father" has a biological son (whom he abandoned as a baby) and the biological son - Ian - gets everything in the will and Molly is even more of a mess. I couldn't connect with Molly, there was no depth to her.
Ian is a relatively together guy, he's nice... But he was rather 2 dimensional too. I couldn't connect with Ian.
So basically we have a story about two people finding each other, a girl with a damaged past and the guy who is supposed to help her heal... In theory it should have been emotionally wrenching and Mr. nice guy should've made me swoon, but that just didn't happen. I didn't emotionally connect with the characters (they had no soul) and the story wasn't all that exciting.
I don't hate the book, I don't dislike the book, I just don't feel much of anything for this book at all.
It just doesn't stand out from the crowd.
It was a quick read and it'll probably fade from my memory very quickly too. In fact, the only thing I'll probably remember about this book - long term - is penis penis penis. Beautiful Penis. Penis penis penis. Yep, that's right, Molly's (semi)frequent internal blathering about Ian's beautiful penis is what I'm taking away from this book... That and the gorgeous cover.
www.where-did-the-sun-go.blogspot.co.uk
September 15, 2013
This is one of those books where you want to take you palm and just smack it right into your face..because you are feeling so stupid for losing an hour of your life reading it. I don't mean to be harsh-but I do believe in being honest. Let me break this down-
Suicidal girl who has some serious issues and is never likable and never learns anything to improve herself the entire book-loses her "monster" of a father. She meets his estranged half son and they decide to live together because they have known each other for like 3 days and that's okay. None of the characters are overly likable or even relatable. She reveals that she was abused but everything is skimmed over and never resolved. Maybe it's even okay because she inherited a boatload of money. And then nothing is resolved. Because running away from your problems is always the answer! Especially if the band Nirvana is there to serenade you and impart their deep wisdom to you. *PALM *FACE!!!
Just no book...just no!
Suicidal girl who has some serious issues and is never likable and never learns anything to improve herself the entire book-loses her "monster" of a father. She meets his estranged half son and they decide to live together because they have known each other for like 3 days and that's okay. None of the characters are overly likable or even relatable. She reveals that she was abused but everything is skimmed over and never resolved. Maybe it's even okay because she inherited a boatload of money. And then nothing is resolved. Because running away from your problems is always the answer! Especially if the band Nirvana is there to serenade you and impart their deep wisdom to you. *PALM *FACE!!!
Just no book...just no!
September 17, 2013
2.5 stars
Meet Molly Young, a restless young woman who has to face strangers after her father's funeral. She run away, literally, to calm her down then meet a man, Ian, who takes a journey to meet his father whom he never meet.
As the blurb said, this is a new adult book. I’ve read many NA books, some I love, some other I didn’t like since most of them kind of formulaic. In this book, although I can see it is like any other NA, I already liked Molly and Ian from the moment they met. They have an awkward encountered but I find it interesting and quite funny. I can feel Molly's anxiety and her feeling to numb herself. On the other hand, I didn't quite believe of how kind and thoughtful Ian is. It's like he is too good to be true for a man in his position in the night he met Molly, though later I can see that he is indeed a good man.
It is one quick reading with fast-paced and is written from 2 perspectives. While I like Molly's POV, she's so blunt and straight forward yet I can still feel her vulnerability, I'm kind of hope reading from Ian's POV. His part is written from third person POV from his perspective. Don't get me wrong, I can feel and understand him alright but I'm curious of how his voice will be.
One thing that I'm not quite like from this book is how short it is hence, everything in it feels too fast and in a rush. I mean since it fast-paced I feel Molly's past and her feeling seem didn't describe deep enough. And they have an insta-serious-relationship which I’m kind of hard to believe it. On the other hand, I like it has surprise that I didn't see it at all, though I also feel I'm not quite satisfied with the ending and the way . Maybe it's because I want to feel more from Molly and Ian or it's because I'm not ready yet to finish reading their story. In the end, I (once again) feel there's something else that needed to be answered and to be described but the story stop abruptly.
Thanks to Theresa Weir, Belfry Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read it.
Meet Molly Young, a restless young woman who has to face strangers after her father's funeral. She run away, literally, to calm her down then meet a man, Ian, who takes a journey to meet his father whom he never meet.
As the blurb said, this is a new adult book. I’ve read many NA books, some I love, some other I didn’t like since most of them kind of formulaic. In this book, although I can see it is like any other NA, I already liked Molly and Ian from the moment they met. They have an awkward encountered but I find it interesting and quite funny. I can feel Molly's anxiety and her feeling to numb herself. On the other hand, I didn't quite believe of how kind and thoughtful Ian is. It's like he is too good to be true for a man in his position in the night he met Molly, though later I can see that he is indeed a good man.
It is one quick reading with fast-paced and is written from 2 perspectives. While I like Molly's POV, she's so blunt and straight forward yet I can still feel her vulnerability, I'm kind of hope reading from Ian's POV. His part is written from third person POV from his perspective. Don't get me wrong, I can feel and understand him alright but I'm curious of how his voice will be.
One thing that I'm not quite like from this book is how short it is hence, everything in it feels too fast and in a rush. I mean since it fast-paced I feel Molly's past and her feeling seem didn't describe deep enough. And they have an insta-serious-relationship which I’m kind of hard to believe it. On the other hand, I like it has surprise that I didn't see it at all, though I also feel I'm not quite satisfied with the ending and the way . Maybe it's because I want to feel more from Molly and Ian or it's because I'm not ready yet to finish reading their story. In the end, I (once again) feel there's something else that needed to be answered and to be described but the story stop abruptly.
Thanks to Theresa Weir, Belfry Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read it.
November 18, 2013
I LOVED!!!! This book. Molly is so screwed up, her and Ian's juxtaposition was perfect. There are times I wanted to cry because of what she had gone through. I didn't see the twist coming about how she and Ian were connected that was a SURPRISE! It was such a beautiful story, with all their family members dead they had no one else and found each other.
Molly to me felt real, I actually know people like her. Those are the people I connect well with because they are in no way perfect, and they have accepted themselves that way.
She is a strong female, a fighter. The book had some dark elements but I loved that about it. At Molly's age I remember going through shit like that, not knowing how anything will work out. So I sympathized with her. I love the rawness in this story, the sex scenes were explicit (that's the only spoiler I'm putting on here).
Theresa Weir is an award winning author, a title she deserves, now I'm going on the hunt for more books from her. Brilliantly written.
If you are looking for a book that is a love story, tragic, with strong female characters (Molly and Rose), this is it. It is not a fluffy typical romance novel where the girl is rescued by the guy. Our heroin is a kick ass, take charge kind of girl.
One of my favorite lines come from Molly "I would work this stepbrother thing as long as possible because Ian bugged the hell out of me and I needed to torment him."
I would remember this book for a long time. I am glad that I bought this book so I can read it an re-read it.
Molly to me felt real, I actually know people like her. Those are the people I connect well with because they are in no way perfect, and they have accepted themselves that way.
She is a strong female, a fighter. The book had some dark elements but I loved that about it. At Molly's age I remember going through shit like that, not knowing how anything will work out. So I sympathized with her. I love the rawness in this story, the sex scenes were explicit (that's the only spoiler I'm putting on here).
Theresa Weir is an award winning author, a title she deserves, now I'm going on the hunt for more books from her. Brilliantly written.
If you are looking for a book that is a love story, tragic, with strong female characters (Molly and Rose), this is it. It is not a fluffy typical romance novel where the girl is rescued by the guy. Our heroin is a kick ass, take charge kind of girl.
One of my favorite lines come from Molly "I would work this stepbrother thing as long as possible because Ian bugged the hell out of me and I needed to torment him."
I would remember this book for a long time. I am glad that I bought this book so I can read it an re-read it.
December 18, 2019
Ian and Molly were both broken in different ways. They met in an unlikely circumstance and when they find out …well, I’ll let you find out on your own.
This book is dark and dealt with a lot is issues. I liked the storyline, but I would have liked a little more depth to the characters and also a little more meat to the story itself. It seemed a little rushed in areas that I think could have made this a five star read for me, including the (non) ending.
Overall, I liked it okay, I just didn’t love it. However, I would encourage others to read and form their own opinions.
This book is dark and dealt with a lot is issues. I liked the storyline, but I would have liked a little more depth to the characters and also a little more meat to the story itself. It seemed a little rushed in areas that I think could have made this a five star read for me, including the (non) ending.
Overall, I liked it okay, I just didn’t love it. However, I would encourage others to read and form their own opinions.
January 4, 2014
great read, so dark and haunting. full review soon!
This book was originally reviewed on The Book Hookup.
**I received a copy of this book via NetGalley, but that did not influence the review**
First Thoughts: 4.5 stars Wow, this book is dark and haunting…it pulled me in from page 1 and I didn’t put it down until I was done.
Plot, Pacing, and Style: This is the story of Molly and Ian, both dealing with a death and circumstance that put them together. There is a reason Molly always runs away from commitment, but it seems like this time with Ian might be different. I loved watching her journey as she realized she didn’t’ always have to be alone. The pacing was quick, but not so fast that I was confused, and I devoured the book in one sitting. The POV alternated between 1st person Molly and 3rd person Ian, which is one of my favorite ways to read a story lately.
Main Characters: I loved both Molly and Ian, as both were actually such strong characters. Molly may have had internal moments of weakness, but she actually had such a strong sense of self preservation and I couldn’t help but respect her. Sometimes I wanted to shout at her, “look, you should let Ian love you!!” but I knew when she shut him out it was her way of working through her issues so I just read on and waited for her turning point.
Ian was so strong, and so confident…it seemed. We never got a real look into his thoughts, but I’m guessing he wasn’t as strong as he came across. I loved seeing how drawn he was to Molly, he truly couldn’t stay away from her. Yet at the same time he respected her enough to give her space, but on other occasions he also knew she needed and loved him so he wasn’t afraid to just “let it all hang out”. Let’s not also forget that he is very, very pretty to look at. ;)
Romance/Chemistry: Holy hotness. These two want each other and Ian has some serious willpower. I loved it. The physical attraction is what started the whole thing, but Molly and Ian’s situation provided an opportunity where the romance developed and the love actually ran deep.
Title/Cover: The title is extremely amazing, perfect. Loved it. The cover is gorgeous and haunting, although I’m not sure why Molly is drowning. Maybe it’s the thought of jumping off the bridge? I still think it’s really beautiful.
Twists, Turns, and Secrets: I didn’t expect one secret (WOW), but I predicted another one from almost the very beginning, but just because I knew it was coming didn’t make it any less powerful or sad.
Ending: The ending happened fairly quickly. I love happy endings, and I think Molly and Ian are headed that way, but I’m not sure. I hope so!
Gripes/suggestions: The ending. I feel like it was rushed I was left hanging. A short epilogue would have fixed this for me, as I needed to know what happened. I’m assuming it was happy, but I don’t really know.
Final Thoughts/Rec it? Yes! This was dark, and kind of effed up, but I loved it so very much. If you have a thing for stories with characters who have some baggage and work through it, this is a great addition to your TBR.
This book was originally reviewed on The Book Hookup.
**I received a copy of this book via NetGalley, but that did not influence the review**
First Thoughts: 4.5 stars Wow, this book is dark and haunting…it pulled me in from page 1 and I didn’t put it down until I was done.
Plot, Pacing, and Style: This is the story of Molly and Ian, both dealing with a death and circumstance that put them together. There is a reason Molly always runs away from commitment, but it seems like this time with Ian might be different. I loved watching her journey as she realized she didn’t’ always have to be alone. The pacing was quick, but not so fast that I was confused, and I devoured the book in one sitting. The POV alternated between 1st person Molly and 3rd person Ian, which is one of my favorite ways to read a story lately.
Main Characters: I loved both Molly and Ian, as both were actually such strong characters. Molly may have had internal moments of weakness, but she actually had such a strong sense of self preservation and I couldn’t help but respect her. Sometimes I wanted to shout at her, “look, you should let Ian love you!!” but I knew when she shut him out it was her way of working through her issues so I just read on and waited for her turning point.
Ian was so strong, and so confident…it seemed. We never got a real look into his thoughts, but I’m guessing he wasn’t as strong as he came across. I loved seeing how drawn he was to Molly, he truly couldn’t stay away from her. Yet at the same time he respected her enough to give her space, but on other occasions he also knew she needed and loved him so he wasn’t afraid to just “let it all hang out”. Let’s not also forget that he is very, very pretty to look at. ;)
Romance/Chemistry: Holy hotness. These two want each other and Ian has some serious willpower. I loved it. The physical attraction is what started the whole thing, but Molly and Ian’s situation provided an opportunity where the romance developed and the love actually ran deep.
Title/Cover: The title is extremely amazing, perfect. Loved it. The cover is gorgeous and haunting, although I’m not sure why Molly is drowning. Maybe it’s the thought of jumping off the bridge? I still think it’s really beautiful.
Twists, Turns, and Secrets: I didn’t expect one secret (WOW), but I predicted another one from almost the very beginning, but just because I knew it was coming didn’t make it any less powerful or sad.
Ending: The ending happened fairly quickly. I love happy endings, and I think Molly and Ian are headed that way, but I’m not sure. I hope so!
Gripes/suggestions: The ending. I feel like it was rushed I was left hanging. A short epilogue would have fixed this for me, as I needed to know what happened. I’m assuming it was happy, but I don’t really know.
Final Thoughts/Rec it? Yes! This was dark, and kind of effed up, but I loved it so very much. If you have a thing for stories with characters who have some baggage and work through it, this is a great addition to your TBR.
January 4, 2014
This book was originally reviewed on The Book Hookup.
**I received a copy of this book via NetGalley, but that did not influence the review**
First Thoughts: 4.5 stars Wow, this book is dark and haunting…it pulled me in from page 1 and I didn’t put it down until I was done.
Plot, Pacing, and Style: This is the story of Molly and Ian, both dealing with a death and circumstance that put them together. There is a reason Molly always runs away from commitment, but it seems like this time with Ian might be different. I loved watching her journey as she realized she didn’t’ always have to be alone. The pacing was quick, but not so fast that I was confused, and I devoured the book in one sitting. The POV alternated between 1st person Molly and 3rd person Ian, which is one of my favorite ways to read a story lately.
Main Characters: I loved both Molly and Ian, as both were actually such strong characters. Molly may have had internal moments of weakness, but she actually had such a strong sense of self preservation and I couldn’t help but respect her. Sometimes I wanted to shout at her, “look, you should let Ian love you!!” but I knew when she shut him out it was her way of working through her issues so I just read on and waited for her turning point.
Ian was so strong, and so confident…it seemed. We never got a real look into his thoughts, but I’m guessing he wasn’t as strong as he came across. I loved seeing how drawn he was to Molly, he truly couldn’t stay away from her. Yet at the same time he respected her enough to give her space, but on other occasions he also knew she needed and loved him so he wasn’t afraid to just “let it all hang out”. Let’s not also forget that he is very, very pretty to look at. ;)
Romance/Chemistry: Holy hotness. These two want each other and Ian has some serious willpower. I loved it. The physical attraction is what started the whole thing, but Molly and Ian’s situation provided an opportunity where the romance developed and the love actually ran deep.
Title/Cover: The title is extremely amazing, perfect. Loved it. The cover is gorgeous and haunting, although I’m not sure why Molly is drowning. Maybe it’s the thought of jumping off the bridge? I still think it’s really beautiful.
Twists, Turns, and Secrets: I didn’t expect one secret (WOW), but I predicted another one from almost the very beginning, but just because I knew it was coming didn’t make it any less powerful or sad.
Ending: The ending happened fairly quickly. I love happy endings, and I think Molly and Ian are headed that way, but I’m not sure. I hope so!
Gripes/suggestions: The ending. I feel like it was rushed I was left hanging. A short epilogue would have fixed this for me, as I needed to know what happened. I’m assuming it was happy, but I don’t really know.
Final Thoughts/Rec it? Yes! This was dark, and kind of effed up, but I loved it so very much. If you have a thing for stories with characters who have some baggage and work through it, this is a great addition to your TBR.
**I received a copy of this book via NetGalley, but that did not influence the review**
First Thoughts: 4.5 stars Wow, this book is dark and haunting…it pulled me in from page 1 and I didn’t put it down until I was done.
Plot, Pacing, and Style: This is the story of Molly and Ian, both dealing with a death and circumstance that put them together. There is a reason Molly always runs away from commitment, but it seems like this time with Ian might be different. I loved watching her journey as she realized she didn’t’ always have to be alone. The pacing was quick, but not so fast that I was confused, and I devoured the book in one sitting. The POV alternated between 1st person Molly and 3rd person Ian, which is one of my favorite ways to read a story lately.
Main Characters: I loved both Molly and Ian, as both were actually such strong characters. Molly may have had internal moments of weakness, but she actually had such a strong sense of self preservation and I couldn’t help but respect her. Sometimes I wanted to shout at her, “look, you should let Ian love you!!” but I knew when she shut him out it was her way of working through her issues so I just read on and waited for her turning point.
Ian was so strong, and so confident…it seemed. We never got a real look into his thoughts, but I’m guessing he wasn’t as strong as he came across. I loved seeing how drawn he was to Molly, he truly couldn’t stay away from her. Yet at the same time he respected her enough to give her space, but on other occasions he also knew she needed and loved him so he wasn’t afraid to just “let it all hang out”. Let’s not also forget that he is very, very pretty to look at. ;)
Romance/Chemistry: Holy hotness. These two want each other and Ian has some serious willpower. I loved it. The physical attraction is what started the whole thing, but Molly and Ian’s situation provided an opportunity where the romance developed and the love actually ran deep.
Title/Cover: The title is extremely amazing, perfect. Loved it. The cover is gorgeous and haunting, although I’m not sure why Molly is drowning. Maybe it’s the thought of jumping off the bridge? I still think it’s really beautiful.
Twists, Turns, and Secrets: I didn’t expect one secret (WOW), but I predicted another one from almost the very beginning, but just because I knew it was coming didn’t make it any less powerful or sad.
Ending: The ending happened fairly quickly. I love happy endings, and I think Molly and Ian are headed that way, but I’m not sure. I hope so!
Gripes/suggestions: The ending. I feel like it was rushed I was left hanging. A short epilogue would have fixed this for me, as I needed to know what happened. I’m assuming it was happy, but I don’t really know.
Final Thoughts/Rec it? Yes! This was dark, and kind of effed up, but I loved it so very much. If you have a thing for stories with characters who have some baggage and work through it, this is a great addition to your TBR.
October 24, 2013
i received ARC for my honest review, i have to say that i found that the overall story was great. Molly has emotion and commitment issues with good reason. her adoptive father who is a professor and a great addition to the community dies of a heart attach. during the funeral Molly is going through so many emotion, from hate to forgiveness and then she breaks. has she is being asked how she is holding up by all these strangers that see the monster in her life as a saint, she runs in hopes that she can run away from life itself. but where she ends up is a bar, after several drinks she some how ends up in a booth with a guy ( Ian) she can barely stand and Ian offers to give her a bed that she can sleep it off.
they head to his hotel, once there Molly begins to undress him and Ian stops her. he feels that he isn't made for casual sex. the following morning Molly wakes to having no memory of what happen, other then a cute guy laying there naked. she takes off. and remembers she has to meet the lawyer. still feeling sick she shows up and to her surprise the guy she woke up to this morning is there. with so many emotions she really doesn't know why he is sitting there. but the surprise of a life come to her full force he is the blood son of her adoptive father. the will is read and Molly is left with only 500.00 dollars. Ian tells molly that she is welcome to stay at the house has long as she would like. Molly has commitment issues, trust issues and more then most a secret that she has never reviled to anyone. but she feel safe for some reason with Ian. between the relationship that is forming between them, they find that they are attracted to one another. after a night of real passion and what seems to move Molly in away that has never before. i have to say that each page will have you time that you want to shake her till some since is registered in her head and heart. the author leave it open to continue the journey with Molly and Ian for there next chapter. the adventure of finding out who Molly really is.
September 30, 2013
Back in February I stumbled across a lovely quirky read by Theresa Weir -The Girl With The Cat Tattoo – about Max the matchmaking cat, and loved it. I also discovered that the author – who also writes as Anne Frasier – has quite a following and many awards across a whole range of genres. So when I found her latest – Come As You Are – available on Netgalley I couldn’t resist, and wanted to try some more. And I certainly wasn’t disappointed – equally offbeat and quirky (but without the cat), I loved this one too.
We first meet Molly at her adopted father’s funeral – consumed by both sadness and euphoria, she flees the funeral, finds a bar, and ends up in the hotel room of a man who likes the look of her when he sees her throwing up in a back alley. He’s not just any man – having fled from him too, she is thoroughly shocked to find him at her solicitor’s office when she goes to find out about her inheritance. It turns out that he – Ian - is her father’s biological son who is left everything while she walks away with $500 to prevent her contesting the will.
What follows is the story of a damaged girl and a wonderfully caring man who tries to repair her. This isn’t any gentle little story – there’s drunkenness, drugs, sex, an attempted rape, thoughts of suicide. But there are also lovely touches of humour, her quirky friend Rose and her job at Mean Waitress, the saga of her car and living arrangements, the moments of joy in their relationship. As you’ll have guessed from the title, there’s also a Nirvana theme running through – and the ending is quite perfect. I really, really enjoyed it.
My thanks to netgalley and Belfry Press for the advance reading copy.
We first meet Molly at her adopted father’s funeral – consumed by both sadness and euphoria, she flees the funeral, finds a bar, and ends up in the hotel room of a man who likes the look of her when he sees her throwing up in a back alley. He’s not just any man – having fled from him too, she is thoroughly shocked to find him at her solicitor’s office when she goes to find out about her inheritance. It turns out that he – Ian - is her father’s biological son who is left everything while she walks away with $500 to prevent her contesting the will.
What follows is the story of a damaged girl and a wonderfully caring man who tries to repair her. This isn’t any gentle little story – there’s drunkenness, drugs, sex, an attempted rape, thoughts of suicide. But there are also lovely touches of humour, her quirky friend Rose and her job at Mean Waitress, the saga of her car and living arrangements, the moments of joy in their relationship. As you’ll have guessed from the title, there’s also a Nirvana theme running through – and the ending is quite perfect. I really, really enjoyed it.
My thanks to netgalley and Belfry Press for the advance reading copy.
October 23, 2013
This book is about a girl going through life with many unanswered questions and even more hurt in her life. Molly drowns herself in men and booze to help drown out the hurt she has been living with all her life. When she is left on her own with no family, she is even more confused on where to turn. Enter Ian...mysterious, sexy, has his own past secrets...he seems like just the guy for Molly to turn to, to drown in her sorrows. Only later she finds out, there is more to Ian and from there her whole world is turned upside down. Ian wants to help Molly but she is just so closed off, she doesn't want anyone's help until she just can't do it herself anymore.
Come As You Are was a mystery book for me at first. I didn't feel the connection to the characters, but I think that is the way the book was made to portray Molly...shutoff, cold, unpleasant. It's like I was in a disgruntled mood as I read her story, but in a round about way, I was just being drawn in to understand her character and feelings! I didn't realize this until the emotion started to come in later in the book. The setting are well portrayed...I felt like I was right there with the characters!
The end of this book is shocking...almost mind-blowing! Even though the book starts out cold and slow...you will definitely want to know what happens next! Great book!
ARC received from publisher for honest review.
Come As You Are was a mystery book for me at first. I didn't feel the connection to the characters, but I think that is the way the book was made to portray Molly...shutoff, cold, unpleasant. It's like I was in a disgruntled mood as I read her story, but in a round about way, I was just being drawn in to understand her character and feelings! I didn't realize this until the emotion started to come in later in the book. The setting are well portrayed...I felt like I was right there with the characters!
The end of this book is shocking...almost mind-blowing! Even though the book starts out cold and slow...you will definitely want to know what happens next! Great book!
ARC received from publisher for honest review.
September 27, 2013
4.5 strong stars from me!
I absolutely adored this book. This was my first Theresa Weir novel and it won't be my last! Her writing is the perfect example of why I have fallen in love with New Adult novels. Molly has carried this nasty, gutwrenching secret with her all her life. Her father is a monster of the worst kind to her. But, to everyone else, he is a respectable professor who can do no wrong. Ugh. Karma sweeps right in and her father dies of a heartattack.
Enter Ian. Oh my swooning heart. How can you not fall in love with him? New book boyfriend alert! He is her father's biological son. Oh, forgot to mention, Molly was adopted. So, even though at first it's kind of weird, it's not really because they aren't really related. Ian is everything Molly isn't. He's patient, he's kind, loving. He grounds her and it is beautiful.
Ladies, don't pass this one up. It's a great NA book! I can't wait to read more from Theresa!
*Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely adored this book. This was my first Theresa Weir novel and it won't be my last! Her writing is the perfect example of why I have fallen in love with New Adult novels. Molly has carried this nasty, gutwrenching secret with her all her life. Her father is a monster of the worst kind to her. But, to everyone else, he is a respectable professor who can do no wrong. Ugh. Karma sweeps right in and her father dies of a heartattack.
Enter Ian. Oh my swooning heart. How can you not fall in love with him? New book boyfriend alert! He is her father's biological son. Oh, forgot to mention, Molly was adopted. So, even though at first it's kind of weird, it's not really because they aren't really related. Ian is everything Molly isn't. He's patient, he's kind, loving. He grounds her and it is beautiful.
Ladies, don't pass this one up. It's a great NA book! I can't wait to read more from Theresa!
*Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 27, 2013
4. 5 stars.
I don't know what to write about this story. It was pretty great, a little too short but pretty great. Molly and Ian find themselves connected in ways that many aren't. It starts out with a lie but it ends up being so much more. They share a great deal and both are hiding from their past in a way. Molly has some deep dark secrets and she avoids intimacy at all costs. When meeting Ian she almost wants to take that next step with him. I was hooked right from the beginning and read the entire book in one sitting. There were parts of this story that definitely were predictable but there were still secrets that were held up until the end. I really enjoyed reading this story and Ian just sounds like an all around great guy. He was kind and caring and such a bad drunk, which was strangely adorable. Even though this was quick and enjoyable there were still parts of this story that were pretty dark and I wish the author would have expanded and explained more parts of the story but overall I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading new adult books!
I don't know what to write about this story. It was pretty great, a little too short but pretty great. Molly and Ian find themselves connected in ways that many aren't. It starts out with a lie but it ends up being so much more. They share a great deal and both are hiding from their past in a way. Molly has some deep dark secrets and she avoids intimacy at all costs. When meeting Ian she almost wants to take that next step with him. I was hooked right from the beginning and read the entire book in one sitting. There were parts of this story that definitely were predictable but there were still secrets that were held up until the end. I really enjoyed reading this story and Ian just sounds like an all around great guy. He was kind and caring and such a bad drunk, which was strangely adorable. Even though this was quick and enjoyable there were still parts of this story that were pretty dark and I wish the author would have expanded and explained more parts of the story but overall I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading new adult books!
March 8, 2015
Molly Young's father has just died and she has conflicting feelings about it. She's relieved that he's dead, but she's conflicted about feeling relieved at his death. Overwhelmed by the number of guests in his house after her funeral, she runs away to a bar where she gets wasted, and ends up meeting sweet, rational, sane, and gorgeous Ian Young. Their meeting is a stroke of fate, but they have their work cut out for them.
I wanted to read something sweet and happy when I plucked this book up, but it was not to be. Despite this, I read it one sitting. There were some very dark and difficult elements to this story, and while I would recommend it, I want to add a few trigger warnings for elements of rape, abuse, homelessness, suicide and depression.
I did enjoy this story, and Weir did a very good job of capturing depression and suicidal personalities. It was very psychological which I appreciated, and the sex scenes were written in a way that were healing and empowering for the characters which is a super plus. I would recommend this book to others.
I wanted to read something sweet and happy when I plucked this book up, but it was not to be. Despite this, I read it one sitting. There were some very dark and difficult elements to this story, and while I would recommend it, I want to add a few trigger warnings for elements of rape, abuse, homelessness, suicide and depression.
I did enjoy this story, and Weir did a very good job of capturing depression and suicidal personalities. It was very psychological which I appreciated, and the sex scenes were written in a way that were healing and empowering for the characters which is a super plus. I would recommend this book to others.
September 19, 2013
Molly Young feels broken and damaged inside. She doesn't do relationships. Then her father died, to everyone her father is a good person, to Molly, her father is a monster. The day of her father's funeral repast, she walk out and got herself drunk in a bar. Woke up the next day in bed with a hot stranger, Ian, with no recollection of how she ended there. She took off careful not to wake him up. Unbeknownst to her that Ian is going to play a big part on her life.
This is a short read, 150 pages to be exact. And I enjoyed every page of it. It certainly got angst, it's hot, sad and funny. It has it's own little twist and turns. And definitely love how it ended. I wish the story could have gone more... but it was alright.
This is a short read, 150 pages to be exact. And I enjoyed every page of it. It certainly got angst, it's hot, sad and funny. It has it's own little twist and turns. And definitely love how it ended. I wish the story could have gone more... but it was alright.
April 9, 2018
It was different... not even sure how to explain what I mean. I didn't hate the book, but didn't really like the storyline or characters. The characters had no chemistry.
Ian's character did not develop, you really don't know much about him. SPOILER ALERT ** and then after you find out Molly was molested (I guess that wasn't bad enough), you find out she was kidnapped? I just don't know and everything just felt incomplete.
Ian's character did not develop, you really don't know much about him. SPOILER ALERT ** and then after you find out Molly was molested (I guess that wasn't bad enough), you find out she was kidnapped? I just don't know and everything just felt incomplete.
October 17, 2018
New twist on romance novels
I have read many romance novels with all the same premise. And of course I love them all but this book took me by surprise with the storyline. Relatable to a lot of people that life isn't perfect but you can make your own choices to make it better.
I have read many romance novels with all the same premise. And of course I love them all but this book took me by surprise with the storyline. Relatable to a lot of people that life isn't perfect but you can make your own choices to make it better.
September 16, 2013
Recensione presente anche sul blog http://bookishadvisor.blogspot.it/2013/09/recensione-come-as-you-are-di-theresa.html
Il duro lavoro di una bookworm comprende anche controllare che ti siano state accordate determinate ARC o meno e ieri per mi grande felicità ho scoperto che mi è stato concesso di ricevere una copia digitale di Iron Traitor della Kagawa, in uscita il mese prossimo! Tra i libri che mi vengono accordati però non mancano mai, e stranamente direi, dei libri romance ma soprattutto New Adult.
Ed è così che mi sono avvicinata a questo libro: Come as You Are di Theresa Weir. Devo essere sincera ho iniziato il libro solo perchè incuriosita da una recensione su Goodreads e così, mettendo da parte il libro della Black, ho deciso di buttarmi in questa lettura che si è rivelata breve, intensa ed emozionante ma non completa.
Il libro tipico del genere New Adult riprende tematiche scottanti di abusi e violenze e di come i protagonisti cercano di superare le loro paure, difficoltà, facendo forza sul loro amore e il sostegno reciproco.
La protagonista, Molly, viene descritta perfettamente nelle sue emozioni e sensazioni, un PoV in prima persona che ti conduce nei minimi meandri dei suoi pensieri, anche quelli più nascosti, anche quelli che lei cerca di nascondere a se stessa.
In questi particolari, nelle riflessioni portate sulla carta dall'autrice possiamo rilevare la bravura di una scrittrice vincitrice di svariati premi e più volte nella lista del New York Times per i bestseller, una scrittrice che fa vivere sulla pelle del lettore le emozioni dei suoi personaggi, che ti catapulta direttamente nella storia, fino ad esserne risucchiato e coinvolto a tal punto da commuoverti anche con la descrizioni di semplici azioni.
Protagonista maschile incredibile, Ian, non solo è bello, ma anche intelligente, umile, semplice e rispettoso dei limiti altrui, un ragazzo d'altri tempi che non puoi fare a meno di amare.
Ma per quanto la storia sia ben delineata e descritta manca qualcosa al libro che purtroppo termina troppo velocemente.
Molti processi che in altri libri vengono descritti, certe volte anche dilungandosi, qui vengono completamente saltati, esempio pratico è il rapporto tra il protagonista maschile e quello femminile che viene glissato per passare direttamente al momento in cui sboccia la loro storia.
Molti elementi vengono lasciati all'immaginazione del lettore, certe volte non c'è nulla di male nel lasciare al lettore la possibilità di fantasticare su un finale aperto ma quando nella storia mancano parti che sarebbero dovute essere raccontate ti sembra solo che il romanzo non sia completo, che gli manchi qualcosa per raggiungere quella scala che ti porta a considerare un libro unico, un libro da 4/5 Stelle.
Ed è così che leggi un libro veramente bello, dalle emozioni vere in pochissimo tempo, divorando scena su scena fino a giungere alla fine, dove non puoi negare di aver apprezzato il libro ma che purtroppo presenta dei problemi.
Escludendo l'incompletezza del libro, l'assenza di passaggi e scene che necessitavano essere scritte, non solo ai fini della storia ma anche per permettere al lettore di entrare completamente nella storia, il libro risulta per certi versi un po' confusionale.
Mi spiego meglio: i capitoli del libro passano da quelli PoV di Molly in prima persona ad altri di Ian in terza persona. Questo crea una confusione incredibile, soprattutto all'inizio della lettura, sarà perchè non sono madre lingua inglese ma i PoV di Ian a mio avviso confondono incredibilmente il lettore che passa da una narrazione all'altra perdendosi il più delle volte.
Molto probabilmente la scrittrice ha voluto scrivere i suoi capitoli in terza persona per rendere il personaggio un punto fisso della storia, in modo tale da vedere le sue azioni in maniera oggettiva, in modo da poter leggere i sui gesti per quello che sono senza filtri determinati da un PoV in prima persona, ma si sarebbe potuto ottenere lo stesso risultato anche usando la prima persona, soprattutto quando questi capitoli ti sembrano essere stati scritti inizialmente in prima persona e poi corretti inserendo la terza.
Il poco approfondimento che il libro dedica ad alcune scene porta i personaggi secondari ad essere delle figure solo di passaggio, che attraversano il libro, ti incuriosiscono ma che non ti lasciano nulla.
Ma esclusi questi “errori” ho divorato il libro, molto breve come vi ho detto, ma che ti emozionata tantissimo nel leggerlo: scene incredibilmente romantiche e dolci alternate ad altre divertenti e spensierate per passare ad alte altamente piene di emozioni e situazioni forti.
Un buon libro che però non supera le 3 Stelle.
ARC by NetGalley
Recensione presente anche sul blog http://bookishadvisor.blogspot.it/2013/09/recensione-come-as-you-are-di-theresa.html
Il duro lavoro di una bookworm comprende anche controllare che ti siano state accordate determinate ARC o meno e ieri per mi grande felicità ho scoperto che mi è stato concesso di ricevere una copia digitale di Iron Traitor della Kagawa, in uscita il mese prossimo! Tra i libri che mi vengono accordati però non mancano mai, e stranamente direi, dei libri romance ma soprattutto New Adult.
Ed è così che mi sono avvicinata a questo libro: Come as You Are di Theresa Weir. Devo essere sincera ho iniziato il libro solo perchè incuriosita da una recensione su Goodreads e così, mettendo da parte il libro della Black, ho deciso di buttarmi in questa lettura che si è rivelata breve, intensa ed emozionante ma non completa.
Il libro tipico del genere New Adult riprende tematiche scottanti di abusi e violenze e di come i protagonisti cercano di superare le loro paure, difficoltà, facendo forza sul loro amore e il sostegno reciproco.
La protagonista, Molly, viene descritta perfettamente nelle sue emozioni e sensazioni, un PoV in prima persona che ti conduce nei minimi meandri dei suoi pensieri, anche quelli più nascosti, anche quelli che lei cerca di nascondere a se stessa.
In questi particolari, nelle riflessioni portate sulla carta dall'autrice possiamo rilevare la bravura di una scrittrice vincitrice di svariati premi e più volte nella lista del New York Times per i bestseller, una scrittrice che fa vivere sulla pelle del lettore le emozioni dei suoi personaggi, che ti catapulta direttamente nella storia, fino ad esserne risucchiato e coinvolto a tal punto da commuoverti anche con la descrizioni di semplici azioni.
Protagonista maschile incredibile, Ian, non solo è bello, ma anche intelligente, umile, semplice e rispettoso dei limiti altrui, un ragazzo d'altri tempi che non puoi fare a meno di amare.
Ma per quanto la storia sia ben delineata e descritta manca qualcosa al libro che purtroppo termina troppo velocemente.
Molti processi che in altri libri vengono descritti, certe volte anche dilungandosi, qui vengono completamente saltati, esempio pratico è il rapporto tra il protagonista maschile e quello femminile che viene glissato per passare direttamente al momento in cui sboccia la loro storia.
Molti elementi vengono lasciati all'immaginazione del lettore, certe volte non c'è nulla di male nel lasciare al lettore la possibilità di fantasticare su un finale aperto ma quando nella storia mancano parti che sarebbero dovute essere raccontate ti sembra solo che il romanzo non sia completo, che gli manchi qualcosa per raggiungere quella scala che ti porta a considerare un libro unico, un libro da 4/5 Stelle.
Ed è così che leggi un libro veramente bello, dalle emozioni vere in pochissimo tempo, divorando scena su scena fino a giungere alla fine, dove non puoi negare di aver apprezzato il libro ma che purtroppo presenta dei problemi.
Escludendo l'incompletezza del libro, l'assenza di passaggi e scene che necessitavano essere scritte, non solo ai fini della storia ma anche per permettere al lettore di entrare completamente nella storia, il libro risulta per certi versi un po' confusionale.
Mi spiego meglio: i capitoli del libro passano da quelli PoV di Molly in prima persona ad altri di Ian in terza persona. Questo crea una confusione incredibile, soprattutto all'inizio della lettura, sarà perchè non sono madre lingua inglese ma i PoV di Ian a mio avviso confondono incredibilmente il lettore che passa da una narrazione all'altra perdendosi il più delle volte.
Molto probabilmente la scrittrice ha voluto scrivere i suoi capitoli in terza persona per rendere il personaggio un punto fisso della storia, in modo tale da vedere le sue azioni in maniera oggettiva, in modo da poter leggere i sui gesti per quello che sono senza filtri determinati da un PoV in prima persona, ma si sarebbe potuto ottenere lo stesso risultato anche usando la prima persona, soprattutto quando questi capitoli ti sembrano essere stati scritti inizialmente in prima persona e poi corretti inserendo la terza.
Il poco approfondimento che il libro dedica ad alcune scene porta i personaggi secondari ad essere delle figure solo di passaggio, che attraversano il libro, ti incuriosiscono ma che non ti lasciano nulla.
Ma esclusi questi “errori” ho divorato il libro, molto breve come vi ho detto, ma che ti emozionata tantissimo nel leggerlo: scene incredibilmente romantiche e dolci alternate ad altre divertenti e spensierate per passare ad alte altamente piene di emozioni e situazioni forti.
Un buon libro che però non supera le 3 Stelle.
ARC by NetGalley
Recensione presente anche sul blog http://bookishadvisor.blogspot.it/2013/09/recensione-come-as-you-are-di-theresa.html
October 7, 2013
พอเราเจอว่า Theresa Weir หันมาเขียนเรื่องแนว New Adult ก็อดใจไม่ไหวค่ะ กดคลิกสั่งซื้อหนังสือมาอ่านทันที ส่วนหนึ่งเพราะเรากำลังอยู่ระยะเริ่มต้นกับการอ่านเรื่องแนวนี้ และ Theresa Weir ก็เป็นนักเขียนที่เราชื่นชอบมาก ๆ เราคิดว่า นี่น่าจะเป็นส่วนผสมที่ลงตัว
แต่อาจจะเพราะคาดหวังก็ได้นะคะ การอ่านเล่มนี้เลยไม่สมประสงค์มากนัก เราหวังว่ามันจะมีอะไรที่มากกว่านี้ มีอารมณ์เรื่องที่มากกว่านี้ โดยเฉพาะเมื่อนักเขียนขึ้นชื่อในเรื่องการเขียนบีบอารมณ์ (ทั้งที่เธอเขียนแนวโรแมนซ์ธรรมดา) และแนว New Adult ขึ้นชื่อเรื่องการเป็นแนวเรื่องที่บีบอารมณ์มาก ๆ เราหวัง และหวัง แล้วก็หวัง
เรื่องนี้ไม่ยาวมาก ซึ่งไม่ใช่เรื่องเสียหาย เราอ่านหนังสือที่ไม่ยาวมากของ Theresa Weir เรื่อง Cool Shade แต่นั่นกลายเป็นหนังสือที่เราชอบมาก แต่บางทีการฝังใจกับเรื่อง Cool Shade ก็อาจจะเป็นความผิดพลาดอีกอย่างนึงเช่นกัน
เรื่องเริ่มต้นที่งานศพ บิดาของมอลลีเสียชีวิตอย่างกระทันหัน ความรู้สึกที่มีต่อบิดาของหญิงสาวสับสน เธอเสียใจและไม่เสียใจในเวลาเดียวกัน (นี่เป็นเหตุบ่งชี้ที่ชัดเจนว่า มีบางอย่างเกิดขึ้น) มอลลีวิ่งหนีจากทุกคน ออกจากบ้าน เพราะไม่พร้อมที่จะพูดเรื่องบิดา และจบลงด้วยการเมามายอย่างหนัก พร้อมกับตื่นขึ้นบนเตียงในโรงแรมกับชายแปลกหน้าในวันรุ่งขึ้น เธอจึงวิ่งหนีอีกครั้ง
จนกระทั่งตอนบ่ายของวันเดียวกัน หญิงสาวก็ได้พบกับชายแปลกหน้าคนนั้นอีกครั้ง ในสำนักงานทนายความของพ่อเธอ ซึ่งระบุในพินัยกรรมตัดเธอจากมรดกทั้งหมด ยกเว้นเงินจำนวนเพียง 500 เหรียญ และทิ้งทุกอย่างให้กับชายคนนั้น ผู้ซึ่งเป็นลูกชายแท้ ๆ ของเขา (ส่วนมอลลีเป็นเด็กที่ถูกขอมาเลี้ยง)
ปัญหาใหญ่ของเรากับหนังสือเล่มนี้ก็คือ ความเป็นสูตรสำเร็จ เรารู้สึกเหมือนคนแต่งนึกอยากจะเขียนเรื่องแนว New Adult ขึ้นมาวันนึง ก็มาสำรวจตลาดว่า เรื่องแนวนี้มีเนื้อหา พล้อตเรื่องเป็นยังไงบ้าง จากนั้นก็เขียนตามหัวข้อที่มี
นางเอกมาจากครอบครัวที่มีปัญหา เลยใช้ชีวิตอย่างไม่มีจุดหมาย ด้วยเหตุบังเอิญ (เหลือเกิน) ได้พบกับพระเอก ที่ต่อมากลายเป็นคนที่ต้องเข้ามามีส่วนในชีวิตของนางเอก พระเอกที่แสนดี คนที่ทั้งชีวิตนางเอกไม่เคยได้เจอมาก่อน แต่นางเอกของเราก็มีปมในใจ ปฏิเสธความรัก ก่อนที่จะยอมรับความรู้สึก เปิดเผยปมปัญหาวัยเด็ก แล้วก็เลือกใช้ชีวิตกับพระเอก
มันไม่มีอะไรใหม่เลย ตอนที่อ่านเพราะศรัทธาในตัวนักเขียน เราก็คาดหวังให้มันมีอะไรที่ออกนอกสูตรสำเร็จ อะไรใหม่ให้น่าสนใจ แต่ไม่ค่ะ ทุกอย่างเป็นอย่างที่คิด ความลับดำมืดของนางเอกก็ไม่ใช่ความลับ เดาได้ตั้งแต่หน้าแรกด้วยซ้ำ
เรื่องนี้ไม่เลวร้ายนะคะ อันที่จริงดีกว่าแนว New Adult หลายเล่มที่อ่านด้วยซ้ำ แต่ความผิดหวังมันท่วมท้นเราไปหมดค่ะ ผิดหวังมาก ๆ เราคาดว่า Theresa Weir จะเขียนอะไรที่ดีกว่านี้ได้ ไม่ใช่ตามกระแสแบบนี้
เรื่องนี้จะว่าจบก็จบนะคะ แต่คาดว่าคนแต่งน่าจะเขียนเล่มต่อออกมา แต่เราไม่รู้ว่าจะอ่านไหมนะคะ ไม่มีอะไรดึงดูดใจเราได้เลย มันก็แค่ New Adult อีกเล่มที่ไม่มีอะไรใหม่
คะแนนที่ 63
แต่อาจจะเพราะคาดหวังก็ได้นะคะ การอ่านเล่มนี้เลยไม่สมประสงค์มากนัก เราหวังว่ามันจะมีอะไรที่มากกว่านี้ มีอารมณ์เรื่องที่มากกว่านี้ โดยเฉพาะเมื่อนักเขียนขึ้นชื่อในเรื่องการเขียนบีบอารมณ์ (ทั้งที่เธอเขียนแนวโรแมนซ์ธรรมดา) และแนว New Adult ขึ้นชื่อเรื่องการเป็นแนวเรื่องที่บีบอารมณ์มาก ๆ เราหวัง และหวัง แล้วก็หวัง
เรื่องนี้ไม่ยาวมาก ซึ่งไม่ใช่เรื่องเสียหาย เราอ่านหนังสือที่ไม่ยาวมากของ Theresa Weir เรื่อง Cool Shade แต่นั่นกลายเป็นหนังสือที่เราชอบมาก แต่บางทีการฝังใจกับเรื่อง Cool Shade ก็อาจจะเป็นความผิดพลาดอีกอย่างนึงเช่นกัน
เรื่องเริ่มต้นที่งานศพ บิดาของมอลลีเสียชีวิตอย่างกระทันหัน ความรู้สึกที่มีต่อบิดาของหญิงสาวสับสน เธอเสียใจและไม่เสียใจในเวลาเดียวกัน (นี่เป็นเหตุบ่งชี้ที่ชัดเจนว่า มีบางอย่างเกิดขึ้น) มอลลีวิ่งหนีจากทุกคน ออกจากบ้าน เพราะไม่พร้อมที่จะพูดเรื่องบิดา และจบลงด้วยการเมามายอย่างหนัก พร้อมกับตื่นขึ้นบนเตียงในโรงแรมกับชายแปลกหน้าในวันรุ่งขึ้น เธอจึงวิ่งหนีอีกครั้ง
จนกระทั่งตอนบ่ายของวันเดียวกัน หญิงสาวก็ได้พบกับชายแปลกหน้าคนนั้นอีกครั้ง ในสำนักงานทนายความของพ่อเธอ ซึ่งระบุในพินัยกรรมตัดเธอจากมรดกทั้งหมด ยกเว้นเงินจำนวนเพียง 500 เหรียญ และทิ้งทุกอย่างให้กับชายคนนั้น ผู้ซึ่งเป็นลูกชายแท้ ๆ ของเขา (ส่วนมอลลีเป็นเด็กที่ถูกขอมาเลี้ยง)
ปัญหาใหญ่ของเรากับหนังสือเล่มนี้ก็คือ ความเป็นสูตรสำเร็จ เรารู้สึกเหมือนคนแต่งนึกอยากจะเขียนเรื่องแนว New Adult ขึ้นมาวันนึง ก็มาสำรวจตลาดว่า เรื่องแนวนี้มีเนื้อหา พล้อตเรื่องเป็นยังไงบ้าง จากนั้นก็เขียนตามหัวข้อที่มี
นางเอกมาจากครอบครัวที่มีปัญหา เลยใช้ชีวิตอย่างไม่มีจุดหมาย ด้วยเหตุบังเอิญ (เหลือเกิน) ได้พบกับพระเอก ที่ต่อมากลายเป็นคนที่ต้องเข้ามามีส่วนในชีวิตของนางเอก พระเอกที่แสนดี คนที่ทั้งชีวิตนางเอกไม่เคยได้เจอมาก่อน แต่นางเอกของเราก็มีปมในใจ ปฏิเสธความรัก ก่อนที่จะยอมรับความรู้สึก เปิดเผยปมปัญหาวัยเด็ก แล้วก็เลือกใช้ชีวิตกับพระเอก
มันไม่มีอะไรใหม่เลย ตอนที่อ่านเพราะศรัทธาในตัวนักเขียน เราก็คาดหวังให้มันมีอะไรที่ออกนอกสูตรสำเร็จ อะไรใหม่ให้น่าสนใจ แต่ไม่ค่ะ ทุกอย่างเป็นอย่างที่คิด ความลับดำมืดของนางเอกก็ไม่ใช่ความลับ เดาได้ตั้งแต่หน้าแรกด้วยซ้ำ
เรื่องนี้ไม่เลวร้ายนะคะ อันที่จริงดีกว่าแนว New Adult หลายเล่มที่อ่านด้วยซ้ำ แต่ความผิดหวังมันท่วมท้นเราไปหมดค่ะ ผิดหวังมาก ๆ เราคาดว่า Theresa Weir จะเขียนอะไรที่ดีกว่านี้ได้ ไม่ใช่ตามกระแสแบบนี้
เรื่องนี้จะว่าจบก็จบนะคะ แต่คาดว่าคนแต่งน่าจะเขียนเล่มต่อออกมา แต่เราไม่รู้ว่าจะอ่านไหมนะคะ ไม่มีอะไรดึงดูดใจเราได้เลย มันก็แค่ New Adult อีกเล่มที่ไม่มีอะไรใหม่
คะแนนที่ 63
March 10, 2014
My secrets were the reason the day my father died was both the worst and the best day of my life."
Molly is the daughter of the renowned psychology professor at the University of Minnesota. The story begins as she hosts a houseful of people, mourning the death of her father. Unable to listen to one more person go on and on about how wonderful her father was, Molly takes off, literally running down the street to the nearest bar. She meets a sexy stranger and leaves with him, ready for a one night stand. From here on, we begin to uncover the secrets that surround Molly's life and see how each decision she makes is based on events in her past.
Growing up as a teen in the 90's, the title "Come As You Are" immediately evokes images of Kurt Cobain moaning the lyrics of his band's song (with the same title) in an MTV music video. Readers who share this memory will be delighted to know that COME AS YOU ARE is connected to that song. It is discussed throughout the book, along with the life and death of Kurt Cobain, himself.
Molly, a big Kurt Cobain fan, is a product of her environment. She surrounds herself with people she can keep at a distance and who won't ask too many questions. I truly felt for Molly. She deals with so much in her life and is stronger than she gives herself credit for. Her emotions are very real and so spot-on. I think I would have reacted the same way she did in most instances. This is what connected me to her most, though I've never shared her life experiences.
The reason for 3 out of 5 stars is that COME AS YOU ARE, a book that should have taken me 1-2 days to read, took me 5 days to read. It wasn't long, but I didn't feel a strong urge to keep turning the pages. It was something I could put down and come back to. Also, most of the secondary characters are not in the story much and I felt COME AS YOU ARE would have benefitted from more character development throughout. I'm happy to have read it, though, because there were some true surprises and poignant moments that I really enjoyed. I recommend it for fans of New Adult Romance.
✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.
✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews
Molly is the daughter of the renowned psychology professor at the University of Minnesota. The story begins as she hosts a houseful of people, mourning the death of her father. Unable to listen to one more person go on and on about how wonderful her father was, Molly takes off, literally running down the street to the nearest bar. She meets a sexy stranger and leaves with him, ready for a one night stand. From here on, we begin to uncover the secrets that surround Molly's life and see how each decision she makes is based on events in her past.
Growing up as a teen in the 90's, the title "Come As You Are" immediately evokes images of Kurt Cobain moaning the lyrics of his band's song (with the same title) in an MTV music video. Readers who share this memory will be delighted to know that COME AS YOU ARE is connected to that song. It is discussed throughout the book, along with the life and death of Kurt Cobain, himself.
Molly, a big Kurt Cobain fan, is a product of her environment. She surrounds herself with people she can keep at a distance and who won't ask too many questions. I truly felt for Molly. She deals with so much in her life and is stronger than she gives herself credit for. Her emotions are very real and so spot-on. I think I would have reacted the same way she did in most instances. This is what connected me to her most, though I've never shared her life experiences.
The reason for 3 out of 5 stars is that COME AS YOU ARE, a book that should have taken me 1-2 days to read, took me 5 days to read. It wasn't long, but I didn't feel a strong urge to keep turning the pages. It was something I could put down and come back to. Also, most of the secondary characters are not in the story much and I felt COME AS YOU ARE would have benefitted from more character development throughout. I'm happy to have read it, though, because there were some true surprises and poignant moments that I really enjoyed. I recommend it for fans of New Adult Romance.
✳✳ Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.
✳✳ Reviewed on I ♥ Bookie Nookie Reviews
April 16, 2015
"Molly Young has a secret. To keep it she holds the world at a distance."
A secret I figured out a few paragraphs into the book. The story begins with Molly hosting an after-funeral soiree (snerk, I don't know what you call it? -- the "We've Planted the Corpse, Now It's Time for Casseroles" Party?) at her childhood home. The stiff is her father, who was loved by everyone, except his daughter, who thinks he's a monster.
So what's the most obvious possibility for her estrangement, especially when she alludes to daddy being possessive, controlling and later, "a perv?"
Yeah. He sexually abused her.
And knowing exactly what the problem was, all the while Molly refused to acknowledge it -- not to the reader, or other people -- made Molly prevarication about the issue seem too coy, rather than compelling. Maybe that's just me, because I'm an asshole. But...meh.
Anyway, so faced with Daddy's clueless fan club, Molly melts down and flees the party to go bar hopping and slaughter her liver. (These kind of scenarios make me sooo glad I quit drinking in my early twenties, because, oy vey, does drinking made asshats out of people, or what?) She meets a guy and goes back to his hotel room (him, not being from around these here parts), for the hooking-up portion of the evening. But she comes on too strong and he takes a pass on the sex. She passes out, destined to remember nothing of the evening.
The next day, she drags her hung-over self to her Dad's lawyer's office for the reading of the will. Guess who's there too? Guy from last night, who turns out to be her father's long-abandoned biological son, Ian. Molly is adopted, by the way. The adopted thing being the plot device that allows Molly and Ian to have their love story without a chance of breeding web-toed children.
The remainder of the story follows Ian's Herculean efforts to get past Molly's emotional walls. Ian is a sweetheart, emotionally accessible, and a nice change from the alpha-holes in much of romance. Molly is ... okay. Not as irritating as some NA heroines, but, seriously? Can't writers come up with a way to generate conflict and angst in their female heroines that doesn't involve some manner of sexual abuse. Beep, beep, beep, "Cliche alert!"
Really quick read, but not very memorable. Interesting reveal at the end with Dad not only being a pedophile, but also a kidnapper. I.e., Molly wasn't adopted; she was stolen from a hospital as an infant.
A secret I figured out a few paragraphs into the book. The story begins with Molly hosting an after-funeral soiree (snerk, I don't know what you call it? -- the "We've Planted the Corpse, Now It's Time for Casseroles" Party?) at her childhood home. The stiff is her father, who was loved by everyone, except his daughter, who thinks he's a monster.
So what's the most obvious possibility for her estrangement, especially when she alludes to daddy being possessive, controlling and later, "a perv?"
Yeah. He sexually abused her.
And knowing exactly what the problem was, all the while Molly refused to acknowledge it -- not to the reader, or other people -- made Molly prevarication about the issue seem too coy, rather than compelling. Maybe that's just me, because I'm an asshole. But...meh.
Anyway, so faced with Daddy's clueless fan club, Molly melts down and flees the party to go bar hopping and slaughter her liver. (These kind of scenarios make me sooo glad I quit drinking in my early twenties, because, oy vey, does drinking made asshats out of people, or what?) She meets a guy and goes back to his hotel room (him, not being from around these here parts), for the hooking-up portion of the evening. But she comes on too strong and he takes a pass on the sex. She passes out, destined to remember nothing of the evening.
The next day, she drags her hung-over self to her Dad's lawyer's office for the reading of the will. Guess who's there too? Guy from last night, who turns out to be her father's long-abandoned biological son, Ian. Molly is adopted, by the way. The adopted thing being the plot device that allows Molly and Ian to have their love story without a chance of breeding web-toed children.
The remainder of the story follows Ian's Herculean efforts to get past Molly's emotional walls. Ian is a sweetheart, emotionally accessible, and a nice change from the alpha-holes in much of romance. Molly is ... okay. Not as irritating as some NA heroines, but, seriously? Can't writers come up with a way to generate conflict and angst in their female heroines that doesn't involve some manner of sexual abuse. Beep, beep, beep, "Cliche alert!"
Really quick read, but not very memorable. Interesting reveal at the end with Dad not only being a pedophile, but also a kidnapper. I.e., Molly wasn't adopted; she was stolen from a hospital as an infant.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2013
Molly is numb. Her father just died and she feels….well….relieved. Instead of feeling that relief - she is ‘playing host’ to all of the mourners that have shoved themselves into her father’s home. The sympathy, kind words, food, and compliments about her father leave Molly feeling smothered. She needs air!!
What Molly does next is probably not the norm. She runs!!! She runs until she finds a bar. Inside - she finds comfort in beer after beer. Hoping to dull the feelings swirling around her brain. She finds herself in the company of a handsome, young man. Wanting to ease the pain further, she finds herself in his hotel room. Sex with a stranger is exactly what she thinks will numb the pain.
Waking the next morning, Molly leaves without so much as a goodbye. Never knowing exactly what transpired - since she was too drunk to remember. She didn’t even remember his name.
Molly must meet with her father’s attorney about his will. As she enters the office - she finds the handsome stranger sitting at the end of the table. Stunned is not the word for it!! Molly soon finds out that this sexy guy that she spends the night with is her father’s son - Ian. Then the next blow - her father left her with $500 and Ian is the inheritor of her father’s entire estate.
Ian finally confides in Molly that ’nothing happened’ at his hotel. Molly passed out. So - she doesn’t have to worry. Molly has her own confession - she is really adopted. She assures Ian that he is ’in the clear’ as well.
Both find themselves sharing - but not really sharing - about their lives. Molly is just coasting through. She never intends to let herself get too close to anyone….Ian includes. Ian sees through Molly and wants to help her works through some of the demons she is facing. The two embark on a journey that has several twists along the way. Can Ian help Molly find her ’true self’? Or will her secret destroy them both?
This was an interesting twist on the new Adult genre. Theresa Weir did not write a ’typical’ romance. This one is full of twists & turns, with a few ’bumps’ along the way. I enjoyed Molly and Ian and would love to see what happens to them next.
*ARC provided for an honest review*
What Molly does next is probably not the norm. She runs!!! She runs until she finds a bar. Inside - she finds comfort in beer after beer. Hoping to dull the feelings swirling around her brain. She finds herself in the company of a handsome, young man. Wanting to ease the pain further, she finds herself in his hotel room. Sex with a stranger is exactly what she thinks will numb the pain.
Waking the next morning, Molly leaves without so much as a goodbye. Never knowing exactly what transpired - since she was too drunk to remember. She didn’t even remember his name.
Molly must meet with her father’s attorney about his will. As she enters the office - she finds the handsome stranger sitting at the end of the table. Stunned is not the word for it!! Molly soon finds out that this sexy guy that she spends the night with is her father’s son - Ian. Then the next blow - her father left her with $500 and Ian is the inheritor of her father’s entire estate.
Ian finally confides in Molly that ’nothing happened’ at his hotel. Molly passed out. So - she doesn’t have to worry. Molly has her own confession - she is really adopted. She assures Ian that he is ’in the clear’ as well.
Both find themselves sharing - but not really sharing - about their lives. Molly is just coasting through. She never intends to let herself get too close to anyone….Ian includes. Ian sees through Molly and wants to help her works through some of the demons she is facing. The two embark on a journey that has several twists along the way. Can Ian help Molly find her ’true self’? Or will her secret destroy them both?
This was an interesting twist on the new Adult genre. Theresa Weir did not write a ’typical’ romance. This one is full of twists & turns, with a few ’bumps’ along the way. I enjoyed Molly and Ian and would love to see what happens to them next.
*ARC provided for an honest review*
October 23, 2013
*Received a copy of this book from the author in exchange of a review*
About the book:
Molly Young has a secret. Her estranged adoptive father dies of an unexpected heart attack he leaves an even deeper secret.
At his funeral Molly is unable to tolerate the mourners and kind swords spoken about her father that she runs out the door and down the street to the nearest bar. Come morning she is in bed with a complete stranger and has no memory of last night. She leaves before he is awake and is unaware of the role he's about to play in her life.
I'm having a difficult time trying to rate this book. I understand the message the author was trying to portray. About letting go of our past and to live in the present and that our past don't defy our future or who we are. However, I didn't connect with the characters and the storyline felt rushed. The storyline wasn't terrible I liked the little twist and suspense but I just needed more depth of it.
Molly- She was a complete mess!( which is understandable due to her situation she went through) but she was so confusing at times. I don't know if the story went into more depth about her past I might feel a little more connected or understand her character. I feel like I needed more about her to help understand her personality.
Ian- I liked him. He was a good guy. Too nice sometimes, but there is still a mystery about him. I wanted to know about his past too. Why he is the way he is.
I thought there was so much more to their story. I feel like I didn't get closure. I was left with lots of questions.
Over all, it's a short read and kept me interested into what was going to happen next so I read it quickly. I really hope there will be another book for them to see how things go and reveal or dig into their pasts.
I would rate this book 2.5-3 stars
About the book:
Molly Young has a secret. Her estranged adoptive father dies of an unexpected heart attack he leaves an even deeper secret.
At his funeral Molly is unable to tolerate the mourners and kind swords spoken about her father that she runs out the door and down the street to the nearest bar. Come morning she is in bed with a complete stranger and has no memory of last night. She leaves before he is awake and is unaware of the role he's about to play in her life.
I'm having a difficult time trying to rate this book. I understand the message the author was trying to portray. About letting go of our past and to live in the present and that our past don't defy our future or who we are. However, I didn't connect with the characters and the storyline felt rushed. The storyline wasn't terrible I liked the little twist and suspense but I just needed more depth of it.
Molly- She was a complete mess!( which is understandable due to her situation she went through) but she was so confusing at times. I don't know if the story went into more depth about her past I might feel a little more connected or understand her character. I feel like I needed more about her to help understand her personality.
Ian- I liked him. He was a good guy. Too nice sometimes, but there is still a mystery about him. I wanted to know about his past too. Why he is the way he is.
I thought there was so much more to their story. I feel like I didn't get closure. I was left with lots of questions.
Over all, it's a short read and kept me interested into what was going to happen next so I read it quickly. I really hope there will be another book for them to see how things go and reveal or dig into their pasts.
I would rate this book 2.5-3 stars
September 29, 2013
THIS BOOK IS A DARK AND COMPLICATED READ!
If you are looking for a sweet, light love story this is not the book for you.
This book is full of dark and deep emotions that at times are so intense that you will need to put the book down for a minute just to process all that you are feeling.
Molly is a mess and her life is a mess. It is dark and complicated and she is lost in a sea of anger, despair, and hopelessness. Thoughts of suicide of never far from her mind and It is almost a safety net for her. She knows it is always an option if it all becomes to much. It is a dark read and difficult to read at times.
Enter Ian and her life becomes more of a mess and she has no clue how to handle it. Ian is sweet but sometimes a clueless guy. I liked him and felt very bad for him. He really has no idea how messed up everything is. I think they begin to fall for each-other but the mess that is their lives distracts them from the real romance and emotion of it all. The twist at the end of book just flipped me over the edge and to learn that it also ended without any real closure for Molly, was just too much for me. I really thought it was well written and the author does a great job of making you feel emotions for and of the characters. My problem with this book is that there was so much dark and not enough hope or light to make the book a worthwhile read for me. I need a light at the end of tunnel. I need hope and love. This book ended with too much dark, too much mess and not enough closure or healing. If you like intense dark reads with little light, this is a good book for you.
If you are looking for a sweet, light love story this is not the book for you.
This book is full of dark and deep emotions that at times are so intense that you will need to put the book down for a minute just to process all that you are feeling.
Molly is a mess and her life is a mess. It is dark and complicated and she is lost in a sea of anger, despair, and hopelessness. Thoughts of suicide of never far from her mind and It is almost a safety net for her. She knows it is always an option if it all becomes to much. It is a dark read and difficult to read at times.
Enter Ian and her life becomes more of a mess and she has no clue how to handle it. Ian is sweet but sometimes a clueless guy. I liked him and felt very bad for him. He really has no idea how messed up everything is. I think they begin to fall for each-other but the mess that is their lives distracts them from the real romance and emotion of it all. The twist at the end of book just flipped me over the edge and to learn that it also ended without any real closure for Molly, was just too much for me. I really thought it was well written and the author does a great job of making you feel emotions for and of the characters. My problem with this book is that there was so much dark and not enough hope or light to make the book a worthwhile read for me. I need a light at the end of tunnel. I need hope and love. This book ended with too much dark, too much mess and not enough closure or healing. If you like intense dark reads with little light, this is a good book for you.
December 9, 2013
This was such an angsty and dark read, much more so than I ever guessed. Molly is a tormented main character and the walls she had built up made it difficult to connect with her character. However, I liked Ian a lot and I felt like he was able to bring some light into Molly’s dark existence.
Molly is a complicated character and although many NA heroines are tortured—Molly is a NA heroine to the extreme. Thoughts of suicide are never far from her mind and some really awful crap has happened to her at the hands of her father. To make matters worst, her father dies and leaves her next to nothing in his will.
Ian was really a nice guy and I liked that he was always trying to do the right thing despite how difficult Molly could be. The beginning was really good and their chemistry was obvious despite the circumstances surrounding how they meet. Once the relationship happened between the two, it happened super fast and fizzled out just as quickly.
My main issue with the book was I felt like certain things were way too rushed. A few major reveals happen towards the end and they were never fully explored. The ending also felt like it came out of nowhere and too many things were unresolved.
I liked Come As You Are and I’d love to read another book by the author. I don’t believe there’s a sequel in the works but I believe there could be due to the abrupt ending.
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this novel for review!
Molly is a complicated character and although many NA heroines are tortured—Molly is a NA heroine to the extreme. Thoughts of suicide are never far from her mind and some really awful crap has happened to her at the hands of her father. To make matters worst, her father dies and leaves her next to nothing in his will.
Ian was really a nice guy and I liked that he was always trying to do the right thing despite how difficult Molly could be. The beginning was really good and their chemistry was obvious despite the circumstances surrounding how they meet. Once the relationship happened between the two, it happened super fast and fizzled out just as quickly.
My main issue with the book was I felt like certain things were way too rushed. A few major reveals happen towards the end and they were never fully explored. The ending also felt like it came out of nowhere and too many things were unresolved.
I liked Come As You Are and I’d love to read another book by the author. I don’t believe there’s a sequel in the works but I believe there could be due to the abrupt ending.
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this novel for review!
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