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South Boys #1
Southbound Surrender
Five days. Fifty square feet. One last shot at love.
Cash Rowland first laid eyes on the tenacious and irresistible Piper Sullivan when they were both seventeen. He falls for her hard and just when he thinks she's doing the same, Piper is torn from his life without warning. She leaves no contact information but only a vague promise of fate.
Five years later, their paths unexpectedly cross. When he shows up with his eighteen-wheeler unannounced, Cash persuades Piper to head out on the open road to give him one last shot at love. But what should be a routine delivery across six states suddenly becomes an unforgettable journey when they save a woman with a broken past and discover that second chances are only for the lucky ones.
Cash Rowland first laid eyes on the tenacious and irresistible Piper Sullivan when they were both seventeen. He falls for her hard and just when he thinks she's doing the same, Piper is torn from his life without warning. She leaves no contact information but only a vague promise of fate.
Five years later, their paths unexpectedly cross. When he shows up with his eighteen-wheeler unannounced, Cash persuades Piper to head out on the open road to give him one last shot at love. But what should be a routine delivery across six states suddenly becomes an unforgettable journey when they save a woman with a broken past and discover that second chances are only for the lucky ones.
275 pages, Paperback
First published January 17, 2014
About the author
Raen Smith
7 books97 followersRaen Smith is the author of the Unraveled Series and Southbound Surrender. She loves writing about complex characters with a sprinkling of happily ever after.
When she isn't writing novels, she spends her time wrangling two small sons and teaching at a technical college. She lives in a small corner of Wisconsin with her husband and two sons.
Visit Raen Smith's website, Facebook page or follow Raen on Twitter.
When she isn't writing novels, she spends her time wrangling two small sons and teaching at a technical college. She lives in a small corner of Wisconsin with her husband and two sons.
Visit Raen Smith's website, Facebook page or follow Raen on Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
February 28, 2014
Cash Rowland meets Piper Sullivan when they're both seventeen and he strongly feels she's the one. They're quickly torn apart and it's 5 years before fate intervenes and brings them back together. They embark on a road trip that, for many reasons, becomes an unforgettable journey.
"I knew the moment I saw Piper Sullivan that I never wanted to exist in a world without her."
I'm sad to say I didn't really feel this book, sorry if you loved. This was just an 'ok' read for me, hence the 2 stars.
I didn't feel any development after 5 years had passed. I still heard an immature 17 year old voice from Cash and Piper.
Sadly I didn't warm to the heroine on any level, which is quite unusual for me. I see why she behaved and said the things she did, but???
The universe was mentioned too many times for me. It's a great sentiment but it just felt too laboured. There was too much 'telling' about it, I needed to be shown, and to feel it..... I needed more subtlety
On the positive, I enjoyed the story being told from the male point of view. It's an aspect that always works well for me. Although I found his voice immature, I still liked that it was him doing the talking. I enjoyed his personality.
At 80% the story gets a whole lot more interesting. I had a feeling it was leading to something, and it did.
On the whole Southbound Surrender felt more YA than NA so I think if you enjoy YA you may like this book more than I did. Definitely check out a few other reviews before discounting because of me.
"The universe has a funny way of working things out."
Arc received from Raen Smith Publishing, via NetGalley for an honest review
January 31, 2014
Quick review for a quick read. I guess on a positive note to start this review - at least this book wasn't nearly as depressing as many other New Adult titles? "Southbound Surrender" definitely had this distinct chick-lit, humored vibe that was meant to be funny in places, but you know what killed this book for me?
It was just TOO much. Too much sappiness, too much awkward writing, and not compelling enough for me to really care about either Piper or Cash.
I think even from the beginning, it was hard for me to connect to Cash as a narrator. His humor and voice felt entirely forced, including the odd description of feeling a "pang" in his right nipple whenever he was around the heroine (Where...did this come from? Why was it even a focus - it was such an awkward statement.) I understood that he was an awkward teen guy who fell in love with a girl who was a compulsive liar (and for this reason, Piper and I did not hit off well from the beginning of the book. There was one point where she lied about her GPA among other things and it didn't seem like she had a reason behind doing it.) They get separated as her father pulls her out of school and away from Cash's influence after the two get in trouble for hooking up in a closet. The two don't see each other for a full five years and once they're back together, there's obvious pushes in the narrative to have them together and I still don't feel convinced of their insta-love connection and destiny to be together. The rest of the story is really threadbare where it's meant to be compelling while they're on the road, but Cash's direct address to the reader was not endearing and it irritated me more often than not.
Plus the love scenes? Cheese, pure cheese, almost to the point where it was painful. I don't mind cheese, but the overabundance in the depiction was enough to make me roll my eyes and just want this book to be done.
The ending was the final straw - I was just glad to be done. It doesn't come across as sweet or sentimental to me, it was just too obvious and unnatural. I think the biggest thing was that this narrative was trying too hard for all the emotions it purported to show, and that ruined the narrative for me.
Overall score: 1/5 stars
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher.
It was just TOO much. Too much sappiness, too much awkward writing, and not compelling enough for me to really care about either Piper or Cash.
I think even from the beginning, it was hard for me to connect to Cash as a narrator. His humor and voice felt entirely forced, including the odd description of feeling a "pang" in his right nipple whenever he was around the heroine (Where...did this come from? Why was it even a focus - it was such an awkward statement.) I understood that he was an awkward teen guy who fell in love with a girl who was a compulsive liar (and for this reason, Piper and I did not hit off well from the beginning of the book. There was one point where she lied about her GPA among other things and it didn't seem like she had a reason behind doing it.) They get separated as her father pulls her out of school and away from Cash's influence after the two get in trouble for hooking up in a closet. The two don't see each other for a full five years and once they're back together, there's obvious pushes in the narrative to have them together and I still don't feel convinced of their insta-love connection and destiny to be together. The rest of the story is really threadbare where it's meant to be compelling while they're on the road, but Cash's direct address to the reader was not endearing and it irritated me more often than not.
Plus the love scenes? Cheese, pure cheese, almost to the point where it was painful. I don't mind cheese, but the overabundance in the depiction was enough to make me roll my eyes and just want this book to be done.
The ending was the final straw - I was just glad to be done. It doesn't come across as sweet or sentimental to me, it was just too obvious and unnatural. I think the biggest thing was that this narrative was trying too hard for all the emotions it purported to show, and that ruined the narrative for me.
Overall score: 1/5 stars
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher.
January 27, 2014
3 Easy Reading Stars.
Southbound Surrender is a really funny and completely unique story. This is the first book by Raen Smith that I have had the pleasure of reading, but I am pretty sure it won’t be the last.
Told completely from Cash Rolwand’s point of view, it begins in summer 2008 when he is 17 and charts the course of his life from then on (although it does jump 5 years straight to summer 2013) I really liked Cash, he has been bought up by his father after losing his mother early on in life, Big Dave is pretty easy going and lets Cash grow and nurture in his own way, without too much pressure to conform to any expected norm. Whether it be the lack of expectation to go to college, or the acceptance that he ends up driving a rig aptly that he names “Cash Money”.
The book is quite observational as well, so although told from Cash’s POV, there are a lot of points where he is talking to the reader and not his fellow characters, in the main I enjoyed this, because he is a pretty funny guy –
• Cash – You know what they say about wishes. You can wish in one hand, shit in the other, and see which one gets filled first.
Piper Sullivan catches Cash ogling her through a hole in her back yard fence one afternoon, and it is instant attraction for Cash. Unfortunately they are caught in a compromising position on the first day of school and both suspended, they do not see each other again for 5 years (hence the jump in the tale).
What ensues is a road trip across the US to Florida, and a hilarious and sometimes touching set of adventures along the way, including –
• Line dancing,
• Rescuing damsels in distress from gun toting cowboys,
• Jumping off cliffs
• Hi-jacking amongst other things.
I loved the secondary characters in this story, Big Dave, Viv and Hudson all added their own personal charm to the story as a whole.
Piper Sullivan likes pink, has a penchant for $200 cigars and a passion for telling lies. And she is what dropped this story from a 4 star to a 3 star read for me. I just didn’t connect with her at all, I found her to be a tad selfish and as the story develops the depth of the dishonesty just made her even more unlikeable to me. I understand that the lies were the reason for a lot of the story and there were moments that I almost forgot my dislike of her –
Piper “Cash” she whispers “I don’t want to know what it feels like to miss you anymore.”
That-said, I still enjoyed the story, it’s a little different from what I normally read, and although there is drama, it’s not overly full of angst, there are plenty of giggles, and it’s generally well written.
ARC provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
Southbound Surrender is a really funny and completely unique story. This is the first book by Raen Smith that I have had the pleasure of reading, but I am pretty sure it won’t be the last.
Told completely from Cash Rolwand’s point of view, it begins in summer 2008 when he is 17 and charts the course of his life from then on (although it does jump 5 years straight to summer 2013) I really liked Cash, he has been bought up by his father after losing his mother early on in life, Big Dave is pretty easy going and lets Cash grow and nurture in his own way, without too much pressure to conform to any expected norm. Whether it be the lack of expectation to go to college, or the acceptance that he ends up driving a rig aptly that he names “Cash Money”.
The book is quite observational as well, so although told from Cash’s POV, there are a lot of points where he is talking to the reader and not his fellow characters, in the main I enjoyed this, because he is a pretty funny guy –
• Cash – You know what they say about wishes. You can wish in one hand, shit in the other, and see which one gets filled first.
Piper Sullivan catches Cash ogling her through a hole in her back yard fence one afternoon, and it is instant attraction for Cash. Unfortunately they are caught in a compromising position on the first day of school and both suspended, they do not see each other again for 5 years (hence the jump in the tale).
What ensues is a road trip across the US to Florida, and a hilarious and sometimes touching set of adventures along the way, including –
• Line dancing,
• Rescuing damsels in distress from gun toting cowboys,
• Jumping off cliffs
• Hi-jacking amongst other things.
I loved the secondary characters in this story, Big Dave, Viv and Hudson all added their own personal charm to the story as a whole.
Piper Sullivan likes pink, has a penchant for $200 cigars and a passion for telling lies. And she is what dropped this story from a 4 star to a 3 star read for me. I just didn’t connect with her at all, I found her to be a tad selfish and as the story develops the depth of the dishonesty just made her even more unlikeable to me. I understand that the lies were the reason for a lot of the story and there were moments that I almost forgot my dislike of her –
Piper “Cash” she whispers “I don’t want to know what it feels like to miss you anymore.”
That-said, I still enjoyed the story, it’s a little different from what I normally read, and although there is drama, it’s not overly full of angst, there are plenty of giggles, and it’s generally well written.
ARC provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.
July 20, 2014
ARC received on behalf of Patchwork Press from NetGalley
3.5 Truckn' & fallin' in love stars
Cash is that awkward boy, the kind of boy that falls in love with a girl through a hole in a fence. The boy that can't stop searching for her years later. A few shared moments and it's all over for him.
Piper likes to lie and she likes Twinkies, other than that there's not much you learn about this snarky little blonde.
A few words shared, a cherry scented $200 cigar and one heck of a first kiss is all gone in a blink of an eye. Five years later, Cash has grown into a man, but his heart still wants the girl he fell in love with at seventeen. When he finally finds her he is ready to give it his best shot. Five days on the road as his big-riggin' side kick, time to get to know each other and time to get her to fall in love with him. But as they cross travel the highway they find that fate might have more to do with their finding each other than either imagined.
This was a very cute love story told completely from Cash's point of view with witty narration as he navigates from a young man into an adult. I wasn't quite sure what I was expecting when I came across this one, but I was pleased with the story entirely. Both Piper and Cash had a good dash of humor mixed in to their story and although it was a light and fluffy read, there was something deeper lingering beneath the surface. Raen Smith kept the story flowing nicely and was able to keep the banter between these two consistent throughout.
I didn't expect Piper's character to be too deep, but after the full story is known she became much more a leading character than she originally started. This was certainly a feel good romance, a bit on the more PG-13 scale of things, but one of those hearts & flowers - smile all night long kind of reads.
3.5 Truckn' & fallin' in love stars
Cash is that awkward boy, the kind of boy that falls in love with a girl through a hole in a fence. The boy that can't stop searching for her years later. A few shared moments and it's all over for him.
Piper likes to lie and she likes Twinkies, other than that there's not much you learn about this snarky little blonde.
A few words shared, a cherry scented $200 cigar and one heck of a first kiss is all gone in a blink of an eye. Five years later, Cash has grown into a man, but his heart still wants the girl he fell in love with at seventeen. When he finally finds her he is ready to give it his best shot. Five days on the road as his big-riggin' side kick, time to get to know each other and time to get her to fall in love with him. But as they cross travel the highway they find that fate might have more to do with their finding each other than either imagined.
This was a very cute love story told completely from Cash's point of view with witty narration as he navigates from a young man into an adult. I wasn't quite sure what I was expecting when I came across this one, but I was pleased with the story entirely. Both Piper and Cash had a good dash of humor mixed in to their story and although it was a light and fluffy read, there was something deeper lingering beneath the surface. Raen Smith kept the story flowing nicely and was able to keep the banter between these two consistent throughout.
"I missed you, Piper, but I always knew you were still out there somewhere. I knew you weren't lost because I never felt the moment of fully losing you. I knew you were just misplaced."
"Cash," she whispers. "I don't want to know what it feels like to miss you anymore."
I didn't expect Piper's character to be too deep, but after the full story is known she became much more a leading character than she originally started. This was certainly a feel good romance, a bit on the more PG-13 scale of things, but one of those hearts & flowers - smile all night long kind of reads.
January 27, 2014
When Cash Rowland first laid eyes on Piper he knew he was in a world of trouble. He was hers - simple as that. Of course, he was just a seventeen year old and he never met the girl, but whatever. He knew she was it for him.
I loved, LOVED this story. Let me count the ways!
1. Cash Rowland
If there ever was a voice I've enjoyed reading it was his. He was adorable and funny as hell. I loved not only his humor but his loyalty and tender ways. I loved that this story was told from his point of view, I don't think I would have loved it as much if it weren't. It fit the story.
2. The Romance
3. The Story
Sweet, with a dash of intense emotions, Cash and Piper's journey of love had all the elements I've come to expect in a great romantic story. Plenty of 'Aww' inducing moments, characters that complemented each other and felt real throughout, appropriate emotions that captured each character's frame of mind and chemistry that although tamed in the page still shined through.
I loved how the author went about bringing them together. Their adventure as they traveled in Cash's truck was entertaining and enlightening. There were elements of the story that surprised me, but complimented it and made it sweeter. The characters' emotions jumped off the page and their personalities never wavered. They grew as individuals as the story progressed, but it was their growth as a couple and how their connection strengthened that made this such a fantastic read for me.
If you like your stories sweet with a dash of humor and adventure I say that you pick this book right now. It had that and much more. This is one story that will go on my 'favorites' shelf for those times when I need a little pick me up. It was that good!
All in all, a fantastic read with emotional undertones, characters you will come to love and romance abound.
I loved, LOVED this story. Let me count the ways!
1. Cash Rowland
If there ever was a voice I've enjoyed reading it was his. He was adorable and funny as hell. I loved not only his humor but his loyalty and tender ways. I loved that this story was told from his point of view, I don't think I would have loved it as much if it weren't. It fit the story.
2. The Romance
Who doesn't remember their first love? Who doesn't enjoy a 'second chance at love' story? This one had it both and it was fantastic.
3. The Story
Sweet, with a dash of intense emotions, Cash and Piper's journey of love had all the elements I've come to expect in a great romantic story. Plenty of 'Aww' inducing moments, characters that complemented each other and felt real throughout, appropriate emotions that captured each character's frame of mind and chemistry that although tamed in the page still shined through.
I loved how the author went about bringing them together. Their adventure as they traveled in Cash's truck was entertaining and enlightening. There were elements of the story that surprised me, but complimented it and made it sweeter. The characters' emotions jumped off the page and their personalities never wavered. They grew as individuals as the story progressed, but it was their growth as a couple and how their connection strengthened that made this such a fantastic read for me.
If you like your stories sweet with a dash of humor and adventure I say that you pick this book right now. It had that and much more. This is one story that will go on my 'favorites' shelf for those times when I need a little pick me up. It was that good!
All in all, a fantastic read with emotional undertones, characters you will come to love and romance abound.
March 8, 2014
"4 The One Stars"
Southbound Surrender is a Sweet, Adorable, Funny yet a bit Adventurous and Easy to read story.
The story was been in Cash Rowland's POV. It is all starts in way back in Summer 2008 before his senior year in Xavier High when he met this one of a kind girl named Piper Sullivan. Sharing a unforgettable moment on that cleaning room from the first time he sees her and from that moment he knows that this girl is "THE ONE".
After five long years of waiting and searching leaving him without any information just a note that torn him apart.. The Universe conspire them to bring back them together like Faith and Destiny. Asking her to join him on a one hell of a ride in their life.. Five days. Fifty square feet. One last shot at love.
The things I love or you will love about the story..
1. Piper loves PINK and ME too!!
2. The characters and the story itself are well written with the kick ass and charming characters..
3. The story talks about The Universe , Faith, Destiny things like that.. Yeah I believe on those things..
4. The Damsel and Distress kinda thing and the one hell of Adventure.
5. The story is light, funny and easy to read.
6. I LOVE IT!!
I received a copy via Netgally in exchange of an honest review.
Southbound Surrender is a Sweet, Adorable, Funny yet a bit Adventurous and Easy to read story.
The story was been in Cash Rowland's POV. It is all starts in way back in Summer 2008 before his senior year in Xavier High when he met this one of a kind girl named Piper Sullivan. Sharing a unforgettable moment on that cleaning room from the first time he sees her and from that moment he knows that this girl is "THE ONE".
The Universe torn them apart, The Universe will bring them back together.
After five long years of waiting and searching leaving him without any information just a note that torn him apart.. The Universe conspire them to bring back them together like Faith and Destiny. Asking her to join him on a one hell of a ride in their life.. Five days. Fifty square feet. One last shot at love.
The things I love or you will love about the story..
1. Piper loves PINK and ME too!!
2. The characters and the story itself are well written with the kick ass and charming characters..
3. The story talks about The Universe , Faith, Destiny things like that.. Yeah I believe on those things..
4. The Damsel and Distress kinda thing and the one hell of Adventure.
5. The story is light, funny and easy to read.
6. I LOVE IT!!
I received a copy via Netgally in exchange of an honest review.
Want to Read
January 25, 2014**ARC courtesy of the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
February 9, 2014
*ARC generously provided by Raen Smith Publishing via NetGalley for an honest review.
2.5 Truckin’ Stars
Interesting book… it was just engaging enough to keep me reading.
So, what is it about? Instant-love, Fate and a five day adventure in a semi.
What makes it stand out? The male POV. I really enjoyed reading this story from Cash's point of view, definitely a twist to the typical YA novels.
This was a feel-good read, something atypical of the recent YA themes circling. However, everything about this book felt too easy. Love was too easy , the decision to spend Spring Break in an 18 wheeler was too easy, Fate was too easy, the signs were easy... I didn’t have any tension to reel me in.
2.5 Truckin’ Stars
Interesting book… it was just engaging enough to keep me reading.
So, what is it about? Instant-love, Fate and a five day adventure in a semi.
What makes it stand out? The male POV. I really enjoyed reading this story from Cash's point of view, definitely a twist to the typical YA novels.
This was a feel-good read, something atypical of the recent YA themes circling. However, everything about this book felt too easy. Love was too easy , the decision to spend Spring Break in an 18 wheeler was too easy, Fate was too easy, the signs were easy... I didn’t have any tension to reel me in.
January 25, 2014
I finished this yesterday night and it left me at odds. Because some things are really wonderful and others weren't that great. So this morning I am still at the same dilemma; How to rate this?
Well it's good. So three stars. But this is seriously well written. So it's kinda more. It's not really good though. So my most popular rating it is 3,5 Stars
The story line of Southbound Surrender was probably my least favorite part. I love anything to do with traveling. And since a lot of the book happens on the road, you'd think this was my favorite part. But well it wasn't. While Cash and Piper might be on the long road together, this wasn't actually really about their travels, more about their journey together. On a side note, I totally would have gone with Cash on the truck ride at their age! The best way to know if you suited is to travel together. Welll, then I am the girl who met this guy on and a couple of months later went on a 4yr trip.... I might be biased a bit when it comes to some of the things. But I promise not much, we didn't travel in a truck after all.
I did request this on Netgalley because of the traveling bit to be honest. It sounded like my kind of book. But as I said, while this is set to a big part on the road, I don't think it's a significant part of it.
I enjoyed the story line until about 70% of the book, then it was more like a blockbuster rom-com than the book I had started.
I mean the stuff that happens to them, right from the beginning. It's fun and cute and yeah some of it a bit cliche but then Smith took it to far with the police thing, at least in my opinion.
I loved the truck station sarnies, the swim in the rain, the trivia game - though yeah, thinking back, it has rom-com block buster written all over it. Amazingly at the time, I didn't really notice it.
Then the was the big twist - and honestly I really really didn't expect this one. AT ALL. Which is so refreshing, I mean normally one sees the big drama coming in a mile away, and I nearly always guessed the secret before had. But this time? I was totally knocked off my feet, because I didn't see this coming nor would I have ever guessed it.
But then the twist it self, was a bit meh. I did love the Carnie scene. Carter, le sigh, is one awesome dude! Again said swoon-worthy Carnie scene, totals rom-com blockbuster...
And so was the end. Which while it naturally was what I wanted, it was sort of not that satisfying funny enough. Maybe because it was too sweet and perfect all over sudden. I don't actually know why. I do know that a hell of a lot of readers will grin and happy-sigh over it though. Just like with all of the rom-com moments that kinda bugged me.
This is all about insta-love, Love at first sight, the one and all that. Which, yeah exactly!, I really don't fancy. But here is the shocker: I didn't mind. Well there were small parts where I was slightly annoyed about it, mostly I really didn't mind.
Which I attribute in part to the character building. Well, Carter's charater building to be exact. This is written from his POV. Oh not only that, it's written as if Carter would be telling you the story. Charter is witty and fun, obsessive (5years is a freakn long time) smart and in as he says, a details guy. I totally related to him and more I feel like I got to know him. He feels more like a friend than a charater - ok that sounds so creepy imaginary friend, but I can't actually describe it better. Over the course of reading this one gets to know Carter really well.
All the other characters one gets to know as Carter sees them. Piper stayed a mystery to a big part, she is obsessive (all that pink!), fun, intelligent and a little crazy but that's all we really are given about her. Hudson is the bestie, loyal, handsome and the typical guy best friend, Big Dave is broken and lost somehow, but has a heart of gold and in all his hippy glory really loves Carter.
After finishing this I actually thought, well most side character are a bit rom-com blockbuster as well.. well, they are. But I actually care about them, because Carter does. Carter is so well written, that none of that matters. All the other characters in fact feel like people my friends told my about a lot. You know them but you haven't actually met them yet. Which in the setting of this book. Well it's perfect!
My favorite part about this was Smith's prose. It's awesome! Seriously! And you know that's the most important part of a book for me. Smith made Carter come alive for me and more so she is seriously witty. There are so many amusing moments in this one, the banter was fun, but Carter's point of view of things made me grin over and over through the entire book. But there are also beautiful descriptions and heartfelt moments. I am definitely going to read more by Smith, because I totally fell in love with her writing.
Remember how I said this was all about love at first sight. Well it was. But it was also about meant to be, fate, the One and perusing what you think is meant to be. Again I am avers to the insta-love thing and I don't believe in the One. So some of this was not my cup of tea. But I do believe that there are things that are meant to be, that there are signs around you and that if you believe you want something as badly enough it's worth pursuing. The sign thing was put on a tad bit too thickly for my taste. But seriously most lovers of the genre are going to adore this. And I did get why Carter did what he did, I actually know that while I don't see eye to eye with some of his convictions, I would probably done the same things as Carter and Piper at their age. Actually I saw a lot of Piper in me - well except my colour of choice was not pink... it was black
Would you have asked me about this yesterday night, I would have told you it was too much about serendipity for my taste. But after sleeping on it, thinking on it. I realised that Smith did have me thinking on all that stuff- which moved this one out of the simply cute & fluffy bracket. It just snuck up on me and I am quite impressed by that actually.
So the bottom line, this is fun, cute and surprisingly thought provoking
My biggest issue is that the storyline felt too much like a blockbuster movie. On a side not it did remind me a bit of Serendipity (the Cusack Movie) which is a really good thing. Which is why I rounded it down. But Raen Smith has written herself into my heart and I am looking forward to reading more of her works.
Oh and if this would be made into a movie, I probably would go and watch it.. though I am not sure I would broadcast it, I got a hardass reputation to protect after all
Well it's good. So three stars. But this is seriously well written. So it's kinda more. It's not really good though. So my most popular rating it is 3,5 Stars
The story line of Southbound Surrender was probably my least favorite part. I love anything to do with traveling. And since a lot of the book happens on the road, you'd think this was my favorite part. But well it wasn't. While Cash and Piper might be on the long road together, this wasn't actually really about their travels, more about their journey together. On a side note, I totally would have gone with Cash on the truck ride at their age! The best way to know if you suited is to travel together. Welll, then I am the girl who met this guy on and a couple of months later went on a 4yr trip.... I might be biased a bit when it comes to some of the things. But I promise not much, we didn't travel in a truck after all.
I did request this on Netgalley because of the traveling bit to be honest. It sounded like my kind of book. But as I said, while this is set to a big part on the road, I don't think it's a significant part of it.
I enjoyed the story line until about 70% of the book, then it was more like a blockbuster rom-com than the book I had started.
I mean the stuff that happens to them, right from the beginning. It's fun and cute and yeah some of it a bit cliche but then Smith took it to far with the police thing, at least in my opinion.
I loved the truck station sarnies, the swim in the rain, the trivia game - though yeah, thinking back, it has rom-com block buster written all over it. Amazingly at the time, I didn't really notice it.
Then the was the big twist - and honestly I really really didn't expect this one. AT ALL. Which is so refreshing, I mean normally one sees the big drama coming in a mile away, and I nearly always guessed the secret before had. But this time? I was totally knocked off my feet, because I didn't see this coming nor would I have ever guessed it.
But then the twist it self, was a bit meh. I did love the Carnie scene. Carter, le sigh, is one awesome dude! Again said swoon-worthy Carnie scene, totals rom-com blockbuster...
And so was the end. Which while it naturally was what I wanted, it was sort of not that satisfying funny enough. Maybe because it was too sweet and perfect all over sudden. I don't actually know why. I do know that a hell of a lot of readers will grin and happy-sigh over it though. Just like with all of the rom-com moments that kinda bugged me.
This is all about insta-love, Love at first sight, the one and all that. Which, yeah exactly!, I really don't fancy. But here is the shocker: I didn't mind. Well there were small parts where I was slightly annoyed about it, mostly I really didn't mind.
Which I attribute in part to the character building. Well, Carter's charater building to be exact. This is written from his POV. Oh not only that, it's written as if Carter would be telling you the story. Charter is witty and fun, obsessive (5years is a freakn long time) smart and in as he says, a details guy. I totally related to him and more I feel like I got to know him. He feels more like a friend than a charater - ok that sounds so creepy imaginary friend, but I can't actually describe it better. Over the course of reading this one gets to know Carter really well.
All the other characters one gets to know as Carter sees them. Piper stayed a mystery to a big part, she is obsessive (all that pink!), fun, intelligent and a little crazy but that's all we really are given about her. Hudson is the bestie, loyal, handsome and the typical guy best friend, Big Dave is broken and lost somehow, but has a heart of gold and in all his hippy glory really loves Carter.
After finishing this I actually thought, well most side character are a bit rom-com blockbuster as well.. well, they are. But I actually care about them, because Carter does. Carter is so well written, that none of that matters. All the other characters in fact feel like people my friends told my about a lot. You know them but you haven't actually met them yet. Which in the setting of this book. Well it's perfect!
My favorite part about this was Smith's prose. It's awesome! Seriously! And you know that's the most important part of a book for me. Smith made Carter come alive for me and more so she is seriously witty. There are so many amusing moments in this one, the banter was fun, but Carter's point of view of things made me grin over and over through the entire book. But there are also beautiful descriptions and heartfelt moments. I am definitely going to read more by Smith, because I totally fell in love with her writing.
Remember how I said this was all about love at first sight. Well it was. But it was also about meant to be, fate, the One and perusing what you think is meant to be. Again I am avers to the insta-love thing and I don't believe in the One. So some of this was not my cup of tea. But I do believe that there are things that are meant to be, that there are signs around you and that if you believe you want something as badly enough it's worth pursuing. The sign thing was put on a tad bit too thickly for my taste. But seriously most lovers of the genre are going to adore this. And I did get why Carter did what he did, I actually know that while I don't see eye to eye with some of his convictions, I would probably done the same things as Carter and Piper at their age. Actually I saw a lot of Piper in me - well except my colour of choice was not pink... it was black
Would you have asked me about this yesterday night, I would have told you it was too much about serendipity for my taste. But after sleeping on it, thinking on it. I realised that Smith did have me thinking on all that stuff- which moved this one out of the simply cute & fluffy bracket. It just snuck up on me and I am quite impressed by that actually.
So the bottom line, this is fun, cute and surprisingly thought provoking
My biggest issue is that the storyline felt too much like a blockbuster movie. On a side not it did remind me a bit of Serendipity (the Cusack Movie) which is a really good thing. Which is why I rounded it down. But Raen Smith has written herself into my heart and I am looking forward to reading more of her works.
Oh and if this would be made into a movie, I probably would go and watch it.. though I am not sure I would broadcast it, I got a hardass reputation to protect after all
February 7, 2014
Short review: This book contains insta-love and I can't stand insta-love.
Long review: Had I of known that this book contained love-at-first-sight I wouldn't have read it. I just can't take books seriously when characters fall in love before they even get to know each other. So, naturally a book where the characters know each other for less than a week before she leaves without giving him any way to contact her and he spends the next five years fawning over her, seems ridiculous to me. There was no slow build up of emotions, it was just snap - love.
I also didn't like the use of fate and signs from the universe in this book. Again, because I think it's ridiculous. They kept on seeing people with blue eyes and believing it to be a sign that they needed to be together. Hate to break it to you guys: blue eyes aren't unusual. And all of the random comments from said blue-eyed strangers about how he should never let her go = weird. I can't imagine ever saying that to a random couple, it's odd.
Another thing I didn't like: Piper. She liked to "exaggerate" things. Personally I don't get why you would want to be around a habitual liar. It's annoying to not know whether you can believe someone.
So. If I didn't like so much about this book, why did I give it two stars not one? Because of Cash. I quite liked his narration. It was quirky and refreshing. I definitely don't forgive him for being "in love" with someone he doesn't really know, but the narration did somewhat redeem him.
If you are into books with insta-love, signs from the universe, and you aren't bothered by liars, go ahead and read it - you might like it. However, unfortunately this one wasn't for me.
Long review: Had I of known that this book contained love-at-first-sight I wouldn't have read it. I just can't take books seriously when characters fall in love before they even get to know each other. So, naturally a book where the characters know each other for less than a week before she leaves without giving him any way to contact her and he spends the next five years fawning over her, seems ridiculous to me. There was no slow build up of emotions, it was just snap - love.
I also didn't like the use of fate and signs from the universe in this book. Again, because I think it's ridiculous. They kept on seeing people with blue eyes and believing it to be a sign that they needed to be together. Hate to break it to you guys: blue eyes aren't unusual. And all of the random comments from said blue-eyed strangers about how he should never let her go = weird. I can't imagine ever saying that to a random couple, it's odd.
Another thing I didn't like: Piper. She liked to "exaggerate" things. Personally I don't get why you would want to be around a habitual liar. It's annoying to not know whether you can believe someone.
So. If I didn't like so much about this book, why did I give it two stars not one? Because of Cash. I quite liked his narration. It was quirky and refreshing. I definitely don't forgive him for being "in love" with someone he doesn't really know, but the narration did somewhat redeem him.
If you are into books with insta-love, signs from the universe, and you aren't bothered by liars, go ahead and read it - you might like it. However, unfortunately this one wasn't for me.
January 25, 2014
This book . . . was 'alright'. I mean, it wasn't my favourite story or anything close to that, but it was just an okay kind of book for me.
I think the only thing I didn't really like about this book and what brought down the star rating for me with this book was the relationship shared between the two main characters, which I didn't buy at all I'm afraid nor the chemistry between them both. Although for some reason I think for this particular book, this insta-love kind of relationship still manages to work I guess (since it is a new adult and a romantic book) despite what my initial feelings were about this relationship, so I guess it depends on the reader and whether they will buy into this relationship.
So overall, while there was nothing groundbreaking, especially when it comes to the storyline or with its characters own development, but it was a very quick read that I think will help pass the time for readers and one some may enjoy.
* Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy of this book.
I think the only thing I didn't really like about this book and what brought down the star rating for me with this book was the relationship shared between the two main characters, which I didn't buy at all I'm afraid nor the chemistry between them both. Although for some reason I think for this particular book, this insta-love kind of relationship still manages to work I guess (since it is a new adult and a romantic book) despite what my initial feelings were about this relationship, so I guess it depends on the reader and whether they will buy into this relationship.
So overall, while there was nothing groundbreaking, especially when it comes to the storyline or with its characters own development, but it was a very quick read that I think will help pass the time for readers and one some may enjoy.
* Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy of this book.
January 26, 2014
I am loving this author. Got an ARC for an honest review and Raen Smith has done a great job of showing us how the universe works. The love story between Cash and Piper is romantic and funny, a real life connection. Would recommend this book anytime. Can't wait for more from this author.
Want to Read
January 23, 2014*NETGALLEY*
September 6, 2022
DNF at pg 39. Yikes. I was drawn to the title of this book, looking for an adorable, southern girl to fall for the ladies man, yes ma'am country boy. I was greatly disappointed.
Firstly, the story was told from the boys POV, which I usually love, but not Cash (his name is the only thing slightly attractive about him). He is way too much nasty boy pervert for my taste. The female, Piper, is not the sweet-hearted southern girl, but wears pink bikinis and shows off for the male population because she knows she is hot. I don't feel connected to either of them and I don't see this relationship being worth the drama I'm sure they'll go through.
Secondly, the writing, oh dear. If I read "Piper and me" one more time I will choke on my own disgust. And something about "my right nipple tingling". Why? WHAT PURPOSE DO YOU SERVE?
Firstly, the story was told from the boys POV, which I usually love, but not Cash (his name is the only thing slightly attractive about him). He is way too much nasty boy pervert for my taste. The female, Piper, is not the sweet-hearted southern girl, but wears pink bikinis and shows off for the male population because she knows she is hot. I don't feel connected to either of them and I don't see this relationship being worth the drama I'm sure they'll go through.
Secondly, the writing, oh dear. If I read "Piper and me" one more time I will choke on my own disgust. And something about "my right nipple tingling". Why? WHAT PURPOSE DO YOU SERVE?
December 15, 2021
This was a very cute and wholesome story. I enjoyed reading it. I give it a 3 star rating as I enjoyed it but it wasn't my favorite book I've read. It was fairly predictable, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. If you are looking for a light, cute story to read, I would recommend this.
A copy was provided to me in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.
A copy was provided to me in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.
September 19, 2014
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
Talk about an awesome book that came out of nowhere! Just the cover alone had me suckered in, it is YA reading at its finest!
Cash has spent his whole life not living up to his full potential; and while most parents would have a problem with this, his nearly-a-hippie dad, lovingly referred to by Big Dave, (even by his son), doesn’t have a problem with it. Cash lost his mother at an early age to a car accident and in an effort to deal with the grief, his father seeks the guidance of a new age shaman. Big Dave works as a janitor at Cash’s high school in an effort to receive discounted tuition for Cash. Funny, considering Big Dave is an MBA graduate of an Ivy League school. While Cash has scored incredibly well on his SATs and has a near-perfect GPA, he has not applied to any colleges and really has no plans to do so.
Piper is probably one of the most eccentric people you might ever meet. She’s a teller of tall-tales and is an enigma, which Cash is immediately drawn to. When Piper was just a child, she lost her mom to brain cancer, so she too is raised by a single dad, a well-known neurosurgeon specializing in the brain. In an effort to keep Cash at a distance, even though she is instantly attracted to him, she concocts lie after lie.
Southbound Surrender begins with a flashback to their senior year of high school. Piper is brand new to St. Xavier and Cash finds himself smitten with the girl he’s never met. Their awkward first encounter takes place as Cash is caught peeping through a hole in Piper’s backyard fence…he’s ogling her in her bikini as she lies sunbathing. Within the span of a week, Cash and Piper have met a couple of times and are caught kissing (and oddly smoking a $200 cigar) in the janitor’s closet during the middle of class. Cash finds himself suspended from school for a few days and Piper finds herself shipped off to live with her aunt in California, or so she says. From that day, Cash vows to find Piper again.
Fast-forward five years and Cash is working as a truck driver. He went to Princeton for a year (hoping to find Piper there) and found himself failing half of his classes, a $20,000 lesson learned. He decides to return home to his small town in Wisconsin and enrolls in community college. Deciding academics just isn’t for him, he pursues the truck-driving career and finds he likes it. The open road serves as a sort of therapy to help him find his place in life…and the hopes of someday finding Piper. One day, Cash’s best friend Hudson lets on that he’s found Piper, living just two hours away in Madison where she is getting ready to finish her undergraduate degree. It is then that he decides to find her, go to her, convince her to hit the road with him on a five-day job to Florida; all in an effort to see if that spark is still there between the two of them.
Road trip stories are fun in and of themselves, but add to it the history between these two characters and the sexual tension between them and you get the makings of a funny, romantic, light-hearted romp. But when you learn that the most important people in Cash’s life have been keeping life-changing secrets from him all his life, you’re left near broken-hearted. Can Cash find it in his heart to forgive those he loves from lies told simply out of love for him?
Southbound Surrender was a fast, easy read and a lot of fun. I was immediately drawn in to the story and read it in one sitting. The banter between Piper and Cash was hilarious and the dialogue was very natural. Ms. Smith developed the characters in a way that I was instantly intrigued by their stories and I found them very likeable. There was a little bit of a predictability factor towards the end, but all in all, this was really a light, feel good book that left me smiling at the end. Easily four and a half stars, I definitely recommend it!
Talk about an awesome book that came out of nowhere! Just the cover alone had me suckered in, it is YA reading at its finest!
Cash has spent his whole life not living up to his full potential; and while most parents would have a problem with this, his nearly-a-hippie dad, lovingly referred to by Big Dave, (even by his son), doesn’t have a problem with it. Cash lost his mother at an early age to a car accident and in an effort to deal with the grief, his father seeks the guidance of a new age shaman. Big Dave works as a janitor at Cash’s high school in an effort to receive discounted tuition for Cash. Funny, considering Big Dave is an MBA graduate of an Ivy League school. While Cash has scored incredibly well on his SATs and has a near-perfect GPA, he has not applied to any colleges and really has no plans to do so.
Piper is probably one of the most eccentric people you might ever meet. She’s a teller of tall-tales and is an enigma, which Cash is immediately drawn to. When Piper was just a child, she lost her mom to brain cancer, so she too is raised by a single dad, a well-known neurosurgeon specializing in the brain. In an effort to keep Cash at a distance, even though she is instantly attracted to him, she concocts lie after lie.
Southbound Surrender begins with a flashback to their senior year of high school. Piper is brand new to St. Xavier and Cash finds himself smitten with the girl he’s never met. Their awkward first encounter takes place as Cash is caught peeping through a hole in Piper’s backyard fence…he’s ogling her in her bikini as she lies sunbathing. Within the span of a week, Cash and Piper have met a couple of times and are caught kissing (and oddly smoking a $200 cigar) in the janitor’s closet during the middle of class. Cash finds himself suspended from school for a few days and Piper finds herself shipped off to live with her aunt in California, or so she says. From that day, Cash vows to find Piper again.
Fast-forward five years and Cash is working as a truck driver. He went to Princeton for a year (hoping to find Piper there) and found himself failing half of his classes, a $20,000 lesson learned. He decides to return home to his small town in Wisconsin and enrolls in community college. Deciding academics just isn’t for him, he pursues the truck-driving career and finds he likes it. The open road serves as a sort of therapy to help him find his place in life…and the hopes of someday finding Piper. One day, Cash’s best friend Hudson lets on that he’s found Piper, living just two hours away in Madison where she is getting ready to finish her undergraduate degree. It is then that he decides to find her, go to her, convince her to hit the road with him on a five-day job to Florida; all in an effort to see if that spark is still there between the two of them.
Road trip stories are fun in and of themselves, but add to it the history between these two characters and the sexual tension between them and you get the makings of a funny, romantic, light-hearted romp. But when you learn that the most important people in Cash’s life have been keeping life-changing secrets from him all his life, you’re left near broken-hearted. Can Cash find it in his heart to forgive those he loves from lies told simply out of love for him?
Southbound Surrender was a fast, easy read and a lot of fun. I was immediately drawn in to the story and read it in one sitting. The banter between Piper and Cash was hilarious and the dialogue was very natural. Ms. Smith developed the characters in a way that I was instantly intrigued by their stories and I found them very likeable. There was a little bit of a predictability factor towards the end, but all in all, this was really a light, feel good book that left me smiling at the end. Easily four and a half stars, I definitely recommend it!
February 16, 2014
"I first laid eyes on the love of my life at the tender age of seventeen"
"I knew the moment I saw Piper Sullivan that I never wanted to exist in a world without her."
"And I knew that day after day, Piper Sullivan would continue to shatter my heart until that moment when there'd be nothing left but a mere dust where my heart used to be."
This story is about true love, second chances, finding yourself, and figuring it all out while on a road trip with an unexpected twist. Cash fell in love with Piper the first time he saw her, he couldn't stop thinking about her, and had to know her. Right when they're getting to know each other she moves away, leaving a vague letter for Cash that leaves him confused and heartbroken. He was such a sweet guy, all he wanted to do was be with her, so he didn't understand why she left. When he finally finds her 5 years later; she's still in school and he's become a truck driver, (an eighteen wheeler) he's driven all across the country. He's got 5 days to deliver his load so he goes to Piper's house with a proposition for her to give him 5 days to prove that they belong together. Their journey turns out to be adventurous and eye opening for both of them.
I really like this story told from Cash's perspective but I can't help to think that there's something missing. I don't particularly like Piper's character, she described herself as a person that liked to "exaggerate" the truth. When they first met she told Cash that her father was a drug dealer when he really was a neurosurgeon, her excuse was that he did prescribe heavy drugs as a doctor. I just found it hard to trust anything she said throughout the story. I didn't feel that moment when the two characters fall for each other. When Piper left the note she didn't leave him any contact information, she just said that if it was meant to be that he will find her one day. What the heck is that? I thought she was crazy. I did like what Cash found in the box about his mom, that was also a heartbreaking part of this story. Cash and Piper both lost their mother when they were kids and that was really hard to read.
In the end when the secret was revealed Piper runs away again but he finds her quickly after, and then all's forgiven. I didn't think that was realistic, I would need time to process that. I don't think in real life things would have happened that fast.
I still loved reading from Cash's point of view, his words were so beautiful and his emotions were so raw that I couldn't help but feel for him for everything he was going through.
Handing the cigar to her.
"That, Piper Sullivan, is how you stole my heart"
"And this..." I held up the note. "Is how you shattered it."
I think that was one of the most beautiful moments in the book. Piper wanted to get his attention the first day of school so she hid in the janitor's closet to smoke one of her fathers cigars, so when Cash smelled it he walked in, they got to talking and fell head over heels for her. The other part was the infamous note made him miserable for 5 years. He kept the cigar and the note that reminded him of her. That is just the sweetest thing and we definitely need more men like Cash in the world.
"I knew the moment I saw Piper Sullivan that I never wanted to exist in a world without her."
"And I knew that day after day, Piper Sullivan would continue to shatter my heart until that moment when there'd be nothing left but a mere dust where my heart used to be."
This story is about true love, second chances, finding yourself, and figuring it all out while on a road trip with an unexpected twist. Cash fell in love with Piper the first time he saw her, he couldn't stop thinking about her, and had to know her. Right when they're getting to know each other she moves away, leaving a vague letter for Cash that leaves him confused and heartbroken. He was such a sweet guy, all he wanted to do was be with her, so he didn't understand why she left. When he finally finds her 5 years later; she's still in school and he's become a truck driver, (an eighteen wheeler) he's driven all across the country. He's got 5 days to deliver his load so he goes to Piper's house with a proposition for her to give him 5 days to prove that they belong together. Their journey turns out to be adventurous and eye opening for both of them.
I really like this story told from Cash's perspective but I can't help to think that there's something missing. I don't particularly like Piper's character, she described herself as a person that liked to "exaggerate" the truth. When they first met she told Cash that her father was a drug dealer when he really was a neurosurgeon, her excuse was that he did prescribe heavy drugs as a doctor. I just found it hard to trust anything she said throughout the story. I didn't feel that moment when the two characters fall for each other. When Piper left the note she didn't leave him any contact information, she just said that if it was meant to be that he will find her one day. What the heck is that? I thought she was crazy. I did like what Cash found in the box about his mom, that was also a heartbreaking part of this story. Cash and Piper both lost their mother when they were kids and that was really hard to read.
In the end when the secret was revealed Piper runs away again but he finds her quickly after, and then all's forgiven. I didn't think that was realistic, I would need time to process that. I don't think in real life things would have happened that fast.
I still loved reading from Cash's point of view, his words were so beautiful and his emotions were so raw that I couldn't help but feel for him for everything he was going through.
Handing the cigar to her.
"That, Piper Sullivan, is how you stole my heart"
"And this..." I held up the note. "Is how you shattered it."
I think that was one of the most beautiful moments in the book. Piper wanted to get his attention the first day of school so she hid in the janitor's closet to smoke one of her fathers cigars, so when Cash smelled it he walked in, they got to talking and fell head over heels for her. The other part was the infamous note made him miserable for 5 years. He kept the cigar and the note that reminded him of her. That is just the sweetest thing and we definitely need more men like Cash in the world.
February 17, 2014
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Oh, insta-love. Sometimes you work, sometimes you don't. This was a case where it didn't necessarily work for me. Mainly because, after just setting eyes on the girl, the boy *knew* he was going to spend the rest of his life with her. I'll buy into insta-attraction and insta-lust, but this particular type of insta-love is just too much for me. It's one thing to have strong feelings for someone immediately. But knowing you'll spend the rest of your life with them, without even having spoken one word to them? Call me a cynic but I'm not buying that. Don't get me wrong, there's no doubt they had a strong attraction and chemistry and that was believable, but the speed at which things developed was a little less realistic to me. However, the strength of Cash's feelings did lead him to some pretty sweet moments.
What I thoroughly enjoyed about Southbound Surrender was that it was told solely from the male POV. I find that to be pretty rare in the new adult genre, and while it's not something I generally seek out, when done well it makes for a unique book. Even more interesting was that this wasn't just a retelling of Cash and Piper's story through his eyes (aka Beautiful Disaster/Walking Disaster - which I loved, don't get me wrong), but a brand new story told entirely by him. His POV was real and believable and I loved seeing Piper and the world through his eyes, even if some of the feelings caused me to sometimes roll my eyes. But, he was pretty swoony at times, too.
This book was unique to me because, in addition to being told from the male POV, it was about a guy who was a truck driver. That's something I've never come across in a book before. I was captivated by the "Five days. Fifty square feet. One last shot at love." part of the blurb for the book and that lived up to my expectations. Their adventure was just that. They found out a lot about each other, and quite a bit about themselves along the way. There was a lot in the book about fate and signs, and while I believe in both, I found these ones a little difficult to swallow at times.
All in all, Southbound Surrender was a cute little new adult read. As I said above, the insta-love was a bit much for me, but the book made up for that in the other ways I mentioned. It wasn't angsty or overly sexy, but it was sweet. The characters were interesting, though I wish I would have gotten a better feel for Piper. She was keeping a secret and that accounted for some of her strange behavior. Honestly, I thought she was keeping a more severe secret that was going to lead me to a) not a happy ending and b) tears, but I'm glad I was wrong.
In actuality, this is more a 2.5 star read than a 3, but since I don't give half stars and it was better than a 2 star, I rounded up. I do look forward to reading more from this author in the future. She does the male POV well and I appreciate that.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Oh, insta-love. Sometimes you work, sometimes you don't. This was a case where it didn't necessarily work for me. Mainly because, after just setting eyes on the girl, the boy *knew* he was going to spend the rest of his life with her. I'll buy into insta-attraction and insta-lust, but this particular type of insta-love is just too much for me. It's one thing to have strong feelings for someone immediately. But knowing you'll spend the rest of your life with them, without even having spoken one word to them? Call me a cynic but I'm not buying that. Don't get me wrong, there's no doubt they had a strong attraction and chemistry and that was believable, but the speed at which things developed was a little less realistic to me. However, the strength of Cash's feelings did lead him to some pretty sweet moments.
What I thoroughly enjoyed about Southbound Surrender was that it was told solely from the male POV. I find that to be pretty rare in the new adult genre, and while it's not something I generally seek out, when done well it makes for a unique book. Even more interesting was that this wasn't just a retelling of Cash and Piper's story through his eyes (aka Beautiful Disaster/Walking Disaster - which I loved, don't get me wrong), but a brand new story told entirely by him. His POV was real and believable and I loved seeing Piper and the world through his eyes, even if some of the feelings caused me to sometimes roll my eyes. But, he was pretty swoony at times, too.
This book was unique to me because, in addition to being told from the male POV, it was about a guy who was a truck driver. That's something I've never come across in a book before. I was captivated by the "Five days. Fifty square feet. One last shot at love." part of the blurb for the book and that lived up to my expectations. Their adventure was just that. They found out a lot about each other, and quite a bit about themselves along the way. There was a lot in the book about fate and signs, and while I believe in both, I found these ones a little difficult to swallow at times.
All in all, Southbound Surrender was a cute little new adult read. As I said above, the insta-love was a bit much for me, but the book made up for that in the other ways I mentioned. It wasn't angsty or overly sexy, but it was sweet. The characters were interesting, though I wish I would have gotten a better feel for Piper. She was keeping a secret and that accounted for some of her strange behavior. Honestly, I thought she was keeping a more severe secret that was going to lead me to a) not a happy ending and b) tears, but I'm glad I was wrong.
In actuality, this is more a 2.5 star read than a 3, but since I don't give half stars and it was better than a 2 star, I rounded up. I do look forward to reading more from this author in the future. She does the male POV well and I appreciate that.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
March 14, 2016
I acknowledge that I hung to the story of Southbound Surrender only with his summary. The little that we reads here makes us want to learn some more on Cash and Piper… Plus, the idea that the story proceeds over 5 days, on the roads like a road movie immediately packed me. But what definitively convinced me, in fact as the first chapters that tell their meeting, how they came to like each other and who they are. The fact that the account is cut in two parts: the first with the summer in 2008, their last year of high school and their love at first sight; then 5 years later, their meeting again and the last try for Cash, even if it means that he can end with a broken heart. The story, is diverting, it's attractive, it's addictive. A romance as we likes them and like we dreams of!
Cash explains the things from his point of view to us, talking to us as if we are part of the story, while making us laugh. He is a really complex character and concerning, we understands very quickly that he is madly in love with Piper, that she is the only one for him and that he is ready to do anything for her. He is a simple person, honest and extremely nice, besides having a great intelligence which he doesn't use unfortunately. His romance with Piper definitively changed him, and in spite of dating other women, he doesn't manage to make a fresh start. Piper on the other side is all the opposite of Cash, funny, she adores to lie or to stretch the truth like she says. And yet, she likes Cash more than anyone else in the world, it's for sake that she left far from him, without giving news. This couple is really adorable and touches us in right int the heart.
Love, the idea of second chance and the destiny are in the center of the story. They have only 5 days together on the roads, in a 18 tons to change the things, for finally being a couple and face their destiny. What we learns from them, their choices, their decisions, all had a goal and changed them. Their love is however an obviousness, they are destined to be together and I liked all these small wink which they cross in way, showing them that she sees following, being evidence that their couple must be. The feelings are well described through Cash, he isn't afraid to say what he feels, how he sees the things and finally he isn't afraid to show it to everyone. The revelations which are made throught the pages are stabing, but I acknowledge that I had guessed most of them.
A beautiful lovestory that makes us cry and which is worth truly the sorrow to be read. It's a real pleasure to follow the adventures of Cash and Piper. Raen Smith's writing makes us travel with them, to discover various regions of the USA. We laughs with Cash, we cries with Piper, we apprehends with them the end of this travel and we adores the other characters who make a short appearance. A true tormented romance with a beautiful happy end and in bonus, some hot scenes that spiced everything and continue to make us dream…
Cash explains the things from his point of view to us, talking to us as if we are part of the story, while making us laugh. He is a really complex character and concerning, we understands very quickly that he is madly in love with Piper, that she is the only one for him and that he is ready to do anything for her. He is a simple person, honest and extremely nice, besides having a great intelligence which he doesn't use unfortunately. His romance with Piper definitively changed him, and in spite of dating other women, he doesn't manage to make a fresh start. Piper on the other side is all the opposite of Cash, funny, she adores to lie or to stretch the truth like she says. And yet, she likes Cash more than anyone else in the world, it's for sake that she left far from him, without giving news. This couple is really adorable and touches us in right int the heart.
Love, the idea of second chance and the destiny are in the center of the story. They have only 5 days together on the roads, in a 18 tons to change the things, for finally being a couple and face their destiny. What we learns from them, their choices, their decisions, all had a goal and changed them. Their love is however an obviousness, they are destined to be together and I liked all these small wink which they cross in way, showing them that she sees following, being evidence that their couple must be. The feelings are well described through Cash, he isn't afraid to say what he feels, how he sees the things and finally he isn't afraid to show it to everyone. The revelations which are made throught the pages are stabing, but I acknowledge that I had guessed most of them.
A beautiful lovestory that makes us cry and which is worth truly the sorrow to be read. It's a real pleasure to follow the adventures of Cash and Piper. Raen Smith's writing makes us travel with them, to discover various regions of the USA. We laughs with Cash, we cries with Piper, we apprehends with them the end of this travel and we adores the other characters who make a short appearance. A true tormented romance with a beautiful happy end and in bonus, some hot scenes that spiced everything and continue to make us dream…
February 25, 2014
Review Originally Posted at: Book Freak
FIVE DAYS. FIFTY SQUARE FEET. ONE LAST SHOT AT LOVE.
Hold on to your seats: You are in for a one heck of a ride for this novel!!
The first time Cash Rowland saw Piper Sullivan – he knew SHE was the one for him. It didn’t matter if he was just seventeen. He fell hard, and just he thought it would likely to be reciprocated, she disappeared.
Five years later, their paths have crossed. He showed up on her doorstep unannounced and convinced her to give him one last shot at love and go with him for a ride on his truck. I wonder how this ride will end…
But his routine delivery turned out to be something more when they save a woman with a broken past, meet unexpected people, and finally uncover the truth about her disappearance five years ago and SO MUCH MORE.
I missed you Piper, but I always knew you were still out there somewhere. I knew you weren’t lost because I never felt the moment of fully losing you. I knew you were just misplaced.
Well, I just can’t believe that someone with a high test score like Cash Rowland would end up driving a truck for a living. I find his intelligence wasted, he could go to any school he wanted, but he opted to drive his way into living. As for Piper – I love her humor, wit and intelligence. She had some secrets as well, but she opted to keep it to herself, hide and allow fate to work its magic. I wonder what happened to her, what made her disappear except for her angry father – and the secret, although I had a clue what it might be, never failed to knock me off my chair.
It’s a story of love, second chances and fate. Indeed, if two souls are meant to be together, whatever happens, no matter how much time passes, or how long they have been apart – fate will always lead you back to each other. I have always believed in signs, and I’m glad these two are perceptive enough not to ignore it.
I have enjoyed reading the quirkiness and witty conversation of these two intelligent characters. I smiled, laugh a little, fell in love, got surprised, had my heart broken a little, and certainly had one amazing ride with Cash and Piper.
My first Raen Smith novel and I wasn’t disappointed.
★ARC Copy was given in exchange for an honest review.★
March 9, 2014
*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
I don't know what it was (okay, I have a hunch), but I could not get into this book. I contemplated giving up on it a few times, but I felt the need to finish it since I was granted the ARC... Unfortunately I resulted to something I constantly frown upon..... skimming. I'll admit it. I skimmed about half the book, and yeah, I feel bad about it, but this book seriously was not for me.
I guess the main reason for my dislike of the novel was the fact that I really didn't like the characters. I didn't like Cash and I didn't like Piper. I found them both rather annoying and I simply didn't understand their obsession with the other, to the point where I found myself saying:
I hate insta love. I hate it. So much. This book was and wasn't insta love... Cash was pretty much obsessed with this girl from when he first heard her name. That's weird. He pretty much stalked her for a good portion of the book. When he wasn't creepily watching her, his thoughts were revolving around her. I mean good god, YOU DON'T EVEN REALLY KNOW HER YET, GET OVER IT..... It wasn't believable.
And Piper... She was a bit of a free-spirit wannabe. Her attitude ticked me off. I felt that she was very full of herself, and I kept waiting for her to stop acting so hard.
At the end of every story the main character has overcome some obstacle, and has ultimately changed. Honestly, I don't think any of the characters changed. The story was more of a big run-on sentence rather than a full fledged novel. Raen Smith has a decent style with good grammar, but the tone and characterization was simply off.
This book really wasn't for me... If you read this review I hope you find this novel more entertaining and endearing than I did.
I don't know what it was (okay, I have a hunch), but I could not get into this book. I contemplated giving up on it a few times, but I felt the need to finish it since I was granted the ARC... Unfortunately I resulted to something I constantly frown upon..... skimming. I'll admit it. I skimmed about half the book, and yeah, I feel bad about it, but this book seriously was not for me.
I guess the main reason for my dislike of the novel was the fact that I really didn't like the characters. I didn't like Cash and I didn't like Piper. I found them both rather annoying and I simply didn't understand their obsession with the other, to the point where I found myself saying:
I hate insta love. I hate it. So much. This book was and wasn't insta love... Cash was pretty much obsessed with this girl from when he first heard her name. That's weird. He pretty much stalked her for a good portion of the book. When he wasn't creepily watching her, his thoughts were revolving around her. I mean good god, YOU DON'T EVEN REALLY KNOW HER YET, GET OVER IT..... It wasn't believable.
And Piper... She was a bit of a free-spirit wannabe. Her attitude ticked me off. I felt that she was very full of herself, and I kept waiting for her to stop acting so hard.
At the end of every story the main character has overcome some obstacle, and has ultimately changed. Honestly, I don't think any of the characters changed. The story was more of a big run-on sentence rather than a full fledged novel. Raen Smith has a decent style with good grammar, but the tone and characterization was simply off.
This book really wasn't for me... If you read this review I hope you find this novel more entertaining and endearing than I did.
January 23, 2014
This is a sweet touching story with humour and pathos. Here, love is bound up with serendipity, fate, or destiny...whichever way you prefer to see it. The quirky Cash Rowland is a 17 year old school kid who becomes completely enraptured by first her name, and then the girl herself, Piper Sullivan who newly enrols at the school where both Cash and his Janitor dad (Big Dave) attend. Father and Son are bonded through the early loss of a Mother that Cash barely knew and who died tragically when he was a baby. But Father and son are separated in ideological beliefs. Piper, equally without a Mother who died when she was at just the same stage, is a the rich daughter of a Neurosurgeon father living in the far affluent part of town. The story opens with Cash secretly spying on the object of his desire and falling completely in love. The enigmatic Piper senses the attraction, but is able to keep Cash guessing about her desire towards him. The two are then forced apart by happenstance and circumstance both known and also unknown to them.
Cash then spends the next 5 years longing for his lost love, and eventually finds her. So begins the next part of their story as young twenty somethings who together take a road trip across America that is as much about self discovery, and unearthing hidden secrets about the past, as it is about their destined love.
All of it is told from Cash's POV with subtle humour, curious insight and sensitivity. There are wonderful moments in this book as Cash narrates the story, and he makes humorous quips aside - acknowledging, with a wink, the presence of the reader. In Piper he finds a worthy equal with guile and beauty. While Cash presents himself as a seemingly heroic, funnily romantic idealist.
The story has a lovely feelgood element to it. Simply unfurling and inviting you to share in the journey where you constantly yearn for the two to get together as quite frankly they are made for each other. The coincedental touches that fuel their romance are charming and certainly made me smile. Relax with this one. The story is told effortlessly with a leisurely pace and style - that made me wish for a slow, warm summer day relaxing outdoors with no care in the world...if only!
I received a kindle edition of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Cash then spends the next 5 years longing for his lost love, and eventually finds her. So begins the next part of their story as young twenty somethings who together take a road trip across America that is as much about self discovery, and unearthing hidden secrets about the past, as it is about their destined love.
All of it is told from Cash's POV with subtle humour, curious insight and sensitivity. There are wonderful moments in this book as Cash narrates the story, and he makes humorous quips aside - acknowledging, with a wink, the presence of the reader. In Piper he finds a worthy equal with guile and beauty. While Cash presents himself as a seemingly heroic, funnily romantic idealist.
The story has a lovely feelgood element to it. Simply unfurling and inviting you to share in the journey where you constantly yearn for the two to get together as quite frankly they are made for each other. The coincedental touches that fuel their romance are charming and certainly made me smile. Relax with this one. The story is told effortlessly with a leisurely pace and style - that made me wish for a slow, warm summer day relaxing outdoors with no care in the world...if only!
I received a kindle edition of the book in exchange for an honest review.
February 10, 2014
It's love at first sight for Cash Rowland. He falls hard and fast for Piper Sullivan in his senior year of highschool. By fast, we mean he falls for her in the few days at the beginning of the school year before her dad moves her out of state to finish off her year in California with her aunt...or so he's told. Fast forward five years later, Cash finds out that she's NOT in California...and that she's only a two hour drive away. He shows up at her doorstep and persuades her to hop in his tractor trailer for a five day trip to Miami. Surprisingly (or not?), she agrees and off we embark on a trip where the two (finally) get a chance at what they missed out on five years ago.
Cash Rowland is an awkward guy who's got an obsessive personality. He's book-smart but doesn't have much sense otherwise. He meets a girl and spends an iota of time with her and bases his entire future off of the chance of seeing her again. Gag. It's aww-inducing to some but for me it's kinda like...ok, common, buddy, you didn't even know her. It's one of the main themes of the book. Fate: if it's meant to be, it will happen. I can't picture him as hot, though. No matter what Piper thinks/insists, I tried really hard but I just have this mental image of lanky, nerdy kid spying through a fence =| you get the picture...
Then we have the one and only Piper Sullivan. Your hot blonde with brains to round up the whole package. Sounds like a dream, right? Except she's harbouring a secret. A huge one. One that makes her take off with no details for Cash to find her. Somehow, though, she's got Cash wrapped around her finger--the guy will do ANYTHING for her. She seems to have a good heart but there's just something about these characters that keep them at an arms length.
* * * * * * *
Southbound Surrender was alright. I can't say I really got into the book all that much, though. The writing got a bit awkward at times which made it difficult to really get into it. I also didn't really dig the connection between the characters--he stalked her out of curiosity of her SAT scores and fell in love at the sight of her? The whole her father was the neurosurgeon who slipped up on the job and killed his mom on the day that she was born...well, it was sad, really sad...but it was just too much sob story for me.
My Rating: 2.5 Stars
Cash Rowland is an awkward guy who's got an obsessive personality. He's book-smart but doesn't have much sense otherwise. He meets a girl and spends an iota of time with her and bases his entire future off of the chance of seeing her again. Gag. It's aww-inducing to some but for me it's kinda like...ok, common, buddy, you didn't even know her. It's one of the main themes of the book. Fate: if it's meant to be, it will happen. I can't picture him as hot, though. No matter what Piper thinks/insists, I tried really hard but I just have this mental image of lanky, nerdy kid spying through a fence =| you get the picture...
Then we have the one and only Piper Sullivan. Your hot blonde with brains to round up the whole package. Sounds like a dream, right? Except she's harbouring a secret. A huge one. One that makes her take off with no details for Cash to find her. Somehow, though, she's got Cash wrapped around her finger--the guy will do ANYTHING for her. She seems to have a good heart but there's just something about these characters that keep them at an arms length.
* * * * * * *
Southbound Surrender was alright. I can't say I really got into the book all that much, though. The writing got a bit awkward at times which made it difficult to really get into it. I also didn't really dig the connection between the characters--he stalked her out of curiosity of her SAT scores and fell in love at the sight of her? The whole her father was the neurosurgeon who slipped up on the job and killed his mom on the day that she was born...well, it was sad, really sad...but it was just too much sob story for me.
My Rating: 2.5 Stars
February 8, 2014
2.5 stars
I started out loving this.
Cash’s voice was one I could read in for days. It was a bit John Green esque, and I couldn’t put it down. He was your typical teenage boy, but he was witty and adorable with a “Luella Intuition” that intrigued me. God, he was awesome.
So things happened and promises were made and kisses were stolen and I was eager to find out what the heck was going on.
And then 5 years pass without Cash and Piper seeing each other.
But it doesn’t seem like it because Cash still has that inner teenager vibe and Piper (I seriously was on my way to get my Kindle to look up her name when I remembered it only because of Charmed. I don’t blame my forgetting on lack of a memorable character, but more of the fact that I had a very long day at work) just didn’t click with me.
Very quickly, the whole universe thing grated on my nerves and warranted several eye rolls from me. Yes, this is called fate.
But this is basically just coincidences. A happenstance that fate has lined up. I guess I was never the type of person to see recurring facts in certain situations and base my whole life on it.
Fate: A nail gets into my tire causing me to break down on my way to work.
Coincidence: I run into several people with broken legs and that means I shouldn’t go jogging that day.
“That’s what it was. It was about our ancestors leaving us with something to deal with, whether we like it or not.” Really, now. You got all that out of another man’s story. I think not.
It was all very cute, but very cheesy. That sex scene. Seriously? The cowboy hat. Seriously.
They say “yee-haw” 4 too many times for my liking. I’m from southwest Louisiana and even we don’t say that down here. Ever.
Once I figured out what was going on, the book slowed down from there. The ending was sweet and finding out who L was made me smile.
I loved Hudson. He is the sidekick that every good character needs.
Cash is tragically a hopeless romantic and Piper is just…well Piper. Not much to say about her.
It just wasn’t what I was expecting. It was extremely fluffy and cheesy and okay for a quick read, but other than that, it was wasn’t special to me.
I started out loving this.
Cash’s voice was one I could read in for days. It was a bit John Green esque, and I couldn’t put it down. He was your typical teenage boy, but he was witty and adorable with a “Luella Intuition” that intrigued me. God, he was awesome.
So things happened and promises were made and kisses were stolen and I was eager to find out what the heck was going on.
And then 5 years pass without Cash and Piper seeing each other.
But it doesn’t seem like it because Cash still has that inner teenager vibe and Piper (I seriously was on my way to get my Kindle to look up her name when I remembered it only because of Charmed. I don’t blame my forgetting on lack of a memorable character, but more of the fact that I had a very long day at work) just didn’t click with me.
Very quickly, the whole universe thing grated on my nerves and warranted several eye rolls from me. Yes, this is called fate.
But this is basically just coincidences. A happenstance that fate has lined up. I guess I was never the type of person to see recurring facts in certain situations and base my whole life on it.
Fate: A nail gets into my tire causing me to break down on my way to work.
Coincidence: I run into several people with broken legs and that means I shouldn’t go jogging that day.
“That’s what it was. It was about our ancestors leaving us with something to deal with, whether we like it or not.” Really, now. You got all that out of another man’s story. I think not.
It was all very cute, but very cheesy. That sex scene. Seriously? The cowboy hat. Seriously.
They say “yee-haw” 4 too many times for my liking. I’m from southwest Louisiana and even we don’t say that down here. Ever.
Once I figured out what was going on, the book slowed down from there. The ending was sweet and finding out who L was made me smile.
I loved Hudson. He is the sidekick that every good character needs.
Cash is tragically a hopeless romantic and Piper is just…well Piper. Not much to say about her.
It just wasn’t what I was expecting. It was extremely fluffy and cheesy and okay for a quick read, but other than that, it was wasn’t special to me.
February 5, 2014
ARC generously provided by publisher via Netgalley
Cash Rowland met the love of his life, Piper Sullivan, right before his senior year in high school. He also knew this girl would break his heart, but he didn't care he had to take his chance. Cash lived in happiness for one week with the climax being a stolen kiss in the janitorial closet. Then his heart ache began. After getting caught by the principal in the closet, Piper's dad for no reason pulls her out of school and moves her away. All Cash is left with is a note and a broken heart. The note doesn't tell Cash where Piper will be only if they are meant to be, fate will step in and they will find each other again.
Five years later, Cash is a truck driver and crosses paths with Piper once more. He must convince her to go on a haul with him to make her give them another shot. Can Cash convince Piper, are their lives too different now, or do they have secrets that might keep them apart?
I really had no expectations going into this book and I was pleasantly surprised. I loved that the whole book is written from Cash's POV and he is funny. IF you stop to think about the actually story you may question the probability of the story line, they barely know each other when they are separated at 17 and then 5 years later (after never forgetting each other) they reconnect immediately. But somehow it all works. These two are made for each other, they just fit and all they signs are in their favor. (This book deals alot with fate and its signs)
There are a few surprises and a couple of things happen which I actually suspected would happen but I have to say that I didn't find this predictable at all, and the ending surprise really did surprise me. Was that vague enough so not to give anything away? This is a story of first love and fate putting two people together who belong together, to help heal past pain. Both Piper and Cash are great characters who you just can't help to like.
Cash Rowland met the love of his life, Piper Sullivan, right before his senior year in high school. He also knew this girl would break his heart, but he didn't care he had to take his chance. Cash lived in happiness for one week with the climax being a stolen kiss in the janitorial closet. Then his heart ache began. After getting caught by the principal in the closet, Piper's dad for no reason pulls her out of school and moves her away. All Cash is left with is a note and a broken heart. The note doesn't tell Cash where Piper will be only if they are meant to be, fate will step in and they will find each other again.
Five years later, Cash is a truck driver and crosses paths with Piper once more. He must convince her to go on a haul with him to make her give them another shot. Can Cash convince Piper, are their lives too different now, or do they have secrets that might keep them apart?
I really had no expectations going into this book and I was pleasantly surprised. I loved that the whole book is written from Cash's POV and he is funny. IF you stop to think about the actually story you may question the probability of the story line, they barely know each other when they are separated at 17 and then 5 years later (after never forgetting each other) they reconnect immediately. But somehow it all works. These two are made for each other, they just fit and all they signs are in their favor. (This book deals alot with fate and its signs)
There are a few surprises and a couple of things happen which I actually suspected would happen but I have to say that I didn't find this predictable at all, and the ending surprise really did surprise me. Was that vague enough so not to give anything away? This is a story of first love and fate putting two people together who belong together, to help heal past pain. Both Piper and Cash are great characters who you just can't help to like.
May 15, 2014
To check out this review and others like it check out my website www.homelovebooks.com
This book has a totally cute premise, two people meet and have one quick moment in time before becoming separated, and then five years later they find their way back to each other. Cash takes Piper on a five day long-haul truck ride with him in an effort to convince Piper that they are meant to be together. It was a cute premise, and the author mentioned a couple of times, it would make a really cute romantic comedy movie.
As characters, I liked certain aspects of Piper and Cash, but then really didn't like some aspects of them. For Piper, I liked that she was spunky and spontaneous, and in general she's a good person. But Piper had certain parts of her personality that I really did not like, she has a a loose relationship with the truth, which I find highly annoying. I also found it really frustrating that she was constantly jumping out of the truck and making Cash chase after her, it was like she didn't seem to care that he was working and she was along for the ride. Or that she was putting herself in danger, it was just really annoying.
Cash I liked a lot more than I liked Piper, he was a really smart guy who somehow ended up in a career of truck driving. You can tell that he is a good person, he's a good friend, and he's a really good son. I really don't have to many complaints about him, he was a good looking guy and a good romantic character.
I think the hardest part I had with this book is that it seemed to be based on faulty ground. I have a hard time believing one kiss in high school would result in Cash never really dating anyone and spending his whole life looking for her. Just seems like a bit of a stretch. Also at the end the author threw in a twist, that connected Cash and Piper in an unforeseen way, and it felt a little bit rushed. I mean I think it would have made a better plot point if it had come about earlier and was fleshed out a bit more, it may have made the book a bit more interesting.
This book easily fits into the new adult genre, and contemporary romance, so if those are your go to romances, then you might want to check out this book.
This book has a totally cute premise, two people meet and have one quick moment in time before becoming separated, and then five years later they find their way back to each other. Cash takes Piper on a five day long-haul truck ride with him in an effort to convince Piper that they are meant to be together. It was a cute premise, and the author mentioned a couple of times, it would make a really cute romantic comedy movie.
As characters, I liked certain aspects of Piper and Cash, but then really didn't like some aspects of them. For Piper, I liked that she was spunky and spontaneous, and in general she's a good person. But Piper had certain parts of her personality that I really did not like, she has a a loose relationship with the truth, which I find highly annoying. I also found it really frustrating that she was constantly jumping out of the truck and making Cash chase after her, it was like she didn't seem to care that he was working and she was along for the ride. Or that she was putting herself in danger, it was just really annoying.
Cash I liked a lot more than I liked Piper, he was a really smart guy who somehow ended up in a career of truck driving. You can tell that he is a good person, he's a good friend, and he's a really good son. I really don't have to many complaints about him, he was a good looking guy and a good romantic character.
I think the hardest part I had with this book is that it seemed to be based on faulty ground. I have a hard time believing one kiss in high school would result in Cash never really dating anyone and spending his whole life looking for her. Just seems like a bit of a stretch. Also at the end the author threw in a twist, that connected Cash and Piper in an unforeseen way, and it felt a little bit rushed. I mean I think it would have made a better plot point if it had come about earlier and was fleshed out a bit more, it may have made the book a bit more interesting.
This book easily fits into the new adult genre, and contemporary romance, so if those are your go to romances, then you might want to check out this book.
September 12, 2016
What happens when it’s just you and the guy you use to love on an open road?
Southbound Surrender was an enchanting read that brought love back together. The narrative intertwined Piper Sullivan and Cash Rowland in a dual point of view read that carried emotion, heart and romance through a southern trip. The narrative began in the Summer of 2008 through the first few characters creating the foundation of what Piper and Cash reactions and feelings towards each other result in.
In chapter 6, there was a time jump to Spring 2013 and the narrative brought back the result of the Summer of 2008. The time difference changed my perspective of the writing, but I still fell in love with the characters. Southbound Surrender also does a unique job at speaking to the reader as well as the character’s talking within the pages. This narrative does feel like the characters are talking to you as well as each other, this is the first book I have read like it and it was definitely an interesting experience.
Through the trek to Miami I really enjoyed how Raen enchanted the reader with characters coming along and daring mystery meat sandwiches through the journey. A love that is missed but found again is what I truly loved about the narrative, the character development of Piper and Cash brought the reader to an undying love courtship. I loved the sass and expressions that Raen used within the book to show colour in the characters.
Overall, I loved the southern charm of the 5 day road-trip there were secrets told, love ignited and jumping into the surrender of the southern drive made this a lovely book to read. It was full of heart and romance. I found that Piper was the strong witty character I most enjoyed to read and discover her emotions and reasoning throughout the book. I rated Southbound Surrender a 4 Lit-Love as it was a lovely read that brought charm, love and an undying courtship to a lovely romantic narrative of Piper and Cash.
Review from www.booklitlove.com
Southbound Surrender was an enchanting read that brought love back together. The narrative intertwined Piper Sullivan and Cash Rowland in a dual point of view read that carried emotion, heart and romance through a southern trip. The narrative began in the Summer of 2008 through the first few characters creating the foundation of what Piper and Cash reactions and feelings towards each other result in.
In chapter 6, there was a time jump to Spring 2013 and the narrative brought back the result of the Summer of 2008. The time difference changed my perspective of the writing, but I still fell in love with the characters. Southbound Surrender also does a unique job at speaking to the reader as well as the character’s talking within the pages. This narrative does feel like the characters are talking to you as well as each other, this is the first book I have read like it and it was definitely an interesting experience.
Through the trek to Miami I really enjoyed how Raen enchanted the reader with characters coming along and daring mystery meat sandwiches through the journey. A love that is missed but found again is what I truly loved about the narrative, the character development of Piper and Cash brought the reader to an undying love courtship. I loved the sass and expressions that Raen used within the book to show colour in the characters.
Overall, I loved the southern charm of the 5 day road-trip there were secrets told, love ignited and jumping into the surrender of the southern drive made this a lovely book to read. It was full of heart and romance. I found that Piper was the strong witty character I most enjoyed to read and discover her emotions and reasoning throughout the book. I rated Southbound Surrender a 4 Lit-Love as it was a lovely read that brought charm, love and an undying courtship to a lovely romantic narrative of Piper and Cash.
Review from www.booklitlove.com
January 27, 2014
Five days, Fifty Square Feet, One Last Chance equals FIVE Stars
In Southbound Surrender Cash met Piper, or more correctly got caught peeping on Piper before the start of their senior year of high school. Even though Cash’s gut was telling him it was going to end badly, he knew that Piper was the girl for him. It turns out that his gut was right, and Piper ends up being pulled from school and sent away, leaving any future relationship to fate.
Five years later, fate seems to have smiled on Cash when he’s told by a friend that not only had he seen Piper, she was back in town. Cash, who had been told that Piper didn’t want to see him, decides to take one last chance at love and convinces Piper to join him on a 5 day trip in the semi he was going to be driving cross county, to take one last shot at love. It would be a chance to get to know one another and see if the relationship that was interrupted when they were teens might have someplace to go now that they are adults.
It’s a crazy journey, where fate steps in time and time again in unusual and unpredictable ways. And it gives Piper and Cash a chance to really get to know one another and to explore not only their growing relationship but their connections going back to a time before they even knew one another.
It’s a fascinating journey through the lives of these two characters, and I did a lot of laughing along with some crying for these two. The situations they get themselves into range from amusing to you wondering just how much bad luck can two people have. But it’s never so unrealistic that you don’t want to keep reading and finish.
Raen Smith did a masterful job of crafting this NA story, with just the right mix of laughter, sadness and heart string tugging tenderness. AS you’re reading, you just really want these two kids to make a go of it and you’re hoping for the best for them.
In Southbound Surrender Cash met Piper, or more correctly got caught peeping on Piper before the start of their senior year of high school. Even though Cash’s gut was telling him it was going to end badly, he knew that Piper was the girl for him. It turns out that his gut was right, and Piper ends up being pulled from school and sent away, leaving any future relationship to fate.
Five years later, fate seems to have smiled on Cash when he’s told by a friend that not only had he seen Piper, she was back in town. Cash, who had been told that Piper didn’t want to see him, decides to take one last chance at love and convinces Piper to join him on a 5 day trip in the semi he was going to be driving cross county, to take one last shot at love. It would be a chance to get to know one another and see if the relationship that was interrupted when they were teens might have someplace to go now that they are adults.
It’s a crazy journey, where fate steps in time and time again in unusual and unpredictable ways. And it gives Piper and Cash a chance to really get to know one another and to explore not only their growing relationship but their connections going back to a time before they even knew one another.
It’s a fascinating journey through the lives of these two characters, and I did a lot of laughing along with some crying for these two. The situations they get themselves into range from amusing to you wondering just how much bad luck can two people have. But it’s never so unrealistic that you don’t want to keep reading and finish.
Raen Smith did a masterful job of crafting this NA story, with just the right mix of laughter, sadness and heart string tugging tenderness. AS you’re reading, you just really want these two kids to make a go of it and you’re hoping for the best for them.
March 19, 2014
Cash meets Piper at 17, an awkward age for the handsome but boyish guy. Still, the new girl sees him for what he is: smart, fun, and genuine. For five days they flirt and Cash falls hard. Then Piper's taken away from him.
He spends the next five years obsessing. Until one day his best friend, Hudson, comes through for him and delivers her address.
In the meantime, Cash has not exactly lived up to his potential, but he's made his stress-averse dad proud by becoming a truck driver. Cash shows up at Piper's door in his rig, hoping she'll ride with him for five days to see if they can get back what they had. Piper's intrigued and still a bit hung up herself, so she agrees.
This is a really sweet story, told from Cash's point of view. There are far too many coincidences, which is normally really annoying, but in Southbound Surrender it's part of the story, so for the most part I could let that go. What I loved was how the primary characters weren't at all clichés. (Some of the minor characters were, but oh well.) Cash is smart and a bit of a know-it-all, plus he lives on the wrong side of the tracks, but he and his smart-but-buff friend Hudson aren't shunned for either reason at their private school. Piper is gorgeous and privileged, but she isn't the least bit snobby, nor does she see Cash's career choice as a deal-breaker.
This isn't a crazy steamy book, so don't expect that, and Cash is a really sweet guy, so this isn't the male POV readers tend to go nuts for, but it's an adorable read.
Neva
Reviewed from ARC. Published by author January 2014.
Full review at nomdeplumepress.wordpress.com.
He spends the next five years obsessing. Until one day his best friend, Hudson, comes through for him and delivers her address.
In the meantime, Cash has not exactly lived up to his potential, but he's made his stress-averse dad proud by becoming a truck driver. Cash shows up at Piper's door in his rig, hoping she'll ride with him for five days to see if they can get back what they had. Piper's intrigued and still a bit hung up herself, so she agrees.
This is a really sweet story, told from Cash's point of view. There are far too many coincidences, which is normally really annoying, but in Southbound Surrender it's part of the story, so for the most part I could let that go. What I loved was how the primary characters weren't at all clichés. (Some of the minor characters were, but oh well.) Cash is smart and a bit of a know-it-all, plus he lives on the wrong side of the tracks, but he and his smart-but-buff friend Hudson aren't shunned for either reason at their private school. Piper is gorgeous and privileged, but she isn't the least bit snobby, nor does she see Cash's career choice as a deal-breaker.
This isn't a crazy steamy book, so don't expect that, and Cash is a really sweet guy, so this isn't the male POV readers tend to go nuts for, but it's an adorable read.
Neva
Reviewed from ARC. Published by author January 2014.
Full review at nomdeplumepress.wordpress.com.
January 30, 2014
Southbound Surrender. Raen Smith
Review from Jeannie Zelos Book reviews.
Sometimes you read a book description, flick through sample and think it fits what you want but...it doesn't :( That's how Southbound Surrender was for me. Its well written, decent plots and no big loopholes but – it just didn't get my attention. I read through it as it was a review book. If it hadn't been I’d not have continued, but I found that really I wasn't that bothered what happened to the characters, and whether they finally found their way back together. I just found the journey rather..tedious. There were a few light, dramatic moments and of course a secret to be revealed, but I really wasn't invested in the outcome. A combination of both characters that I didn't love – they were OK, not horrible or anything, but for me I need to really want them to be together, to get invested and carried along by their emotions, and that the plot just wasn't working for me.
I enjoy second chance romances, but somehow this one just didn't float my boat so to speak. That's life, we don't love everything we read and just because its not one for me doesn't mean you wont like it. As I said the book itself is perfectly well written and I'm sure will have lots of five star followers, its just a personal thing that for me it wasn't right. It's reasonably priced at £1.87 for 308 pages.
Stars: two and a half, just a good story that didn't work for me.
ARC supplied by Netgalley.
Review from Jeannie Zelos Book reviews.
Sometimes you read a book description, flick through sample and think it fits what you want but...it doesn't :( That's how Southbound Surrender was for me. Its well written, decent plots and no big loopholes but – it just didn't get my attention. I read through it as it was a review book. If it hadn't been I’d not have continued, but I found that really I wasn't that bothered what happened to the characters, and whether they finally found their way back together. I just found the journey rather..tedious. There were a few light, dramatic moments and of course a secret to be revealed, but I really wasn't invested in the outcome. A combination of both characters that I didn't love – they were OK, not horrible or anything, but for me I need to really want them to be together, to get invested and carried along by their emotions, and that the plot just wasn't working for me.
I enjoy second chance romances, but somehow this one just didn't float my boat so to speak. That's life, we don't love everything we read and just because its not one for me doesn't mean you wont like it. As I said the book itself is perfectly well written and I'm sure will have lots of five star followers, its just a personal thing that for me it wasn't right. It's reasonably priced at £1.87 for 308 pages.
Stars: two and a half, just a good story that didn't work for me.
ARC supplied by Netgalley.
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