Epic

Going the Distance #2

by Lark O'Neal

Every decision is an ending ... and a beginning

Broke and close to broken-hearted, Jess Donovan doesn't know what to do with her life. She's lost her job and she's discovered that the man she loves, the charismatic and elusive Tyler Smith, has a troubled past that's left him damaged...perhaps beyond repair. Unable to trust him or her feelings, when her long-lost father invites her to visit him a continent away, she leaps at the chance to get some perspective.

In dazzling New Zealand, her fortunes seem to be turning way, way up. She lands a lucrative gig in a tourism commercial, cast opposite Kaleb Te Anga, a guy who's Tyler's opposite in every way. When things heat up between them on-set, fake kisses turning to hot real kisses, Jess finds herself torn. Is this just a holiday hook-up, or something deeper? How can she feel so much for two different people, and how will she ever choose between them?

If she gets that chance ... because her indecisive heart might mean she'll lose them both.


EPIC is the third installment in the Going the Distance series. Read Random and Stoked, the first two books.

Genres: New Adult, Romance

350 pages, Paperback

First published August 28, 2014

About the author

Lark O’Neal has waited tables, dispensed drugs to schizophrenics, loaded trucks, answered phones in a call center and tended bar, but the only thing she ever really wanted was to write novels. She writes new adult contemporary romance and paranormal young adult.

As a noted romance and women's fiction writers, she has won many awards for her books, and writes full time from Colorado.

Going the Distance series:
Random, November '13
Stoked, February '14
Epic, August 28, 2014
Brilliant, Winter, 14

The OtherLands Chronicles, a series of novellas
Mirror, April '14
Echo, May '14
#3 , June '14

#4-9 coming in 2014

Reviews

[Jac (For Love and Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read. A lot. But every so often? A book comes along that I get lost in the pages of. That I devour, and am so submerged in the world that the author has created that I don't want to leave. Lark O'Neal (pseudonym for beloved Barbara O'Neal) does that, in the most beautiful of ways.

I stumbled upon the Going The Distance series with Stoked (#1.5) back in Febraury. I didn't realize it was a novella, nor that it was sandwiched in between the two fabulous books at first. But I was sucked in none the less. I loved Tyler, and I fell in love with Jess as I read their story in Random - although I have to admit I always had an extra special place for Tyler, and Jess just came along for the ride.

Book #2 is Jess's side of the story in Stoked. And let me tell you - that brings out a billion emotions in me. I am giving this book a coveted 5 stars because it was incredibly well written, and because in the moments where I forgot about Tyler (which wasn't nearly as much as Jess, apparently?) I was so submersed in the story of Jess and Kaleb that I loved it. O'Neal has a way with words, a way that has captured my heart so fully. Her worlds are so vivid, so magical. And her characters so real that sometimes it hurts.

I want to hate Kaleb. I want to hate Jess. And I still want to wring Tyler's neck for not being open with Jess. (Although I can't blame this all on him - she is stubborn, and annoying and just plain a pain in the butt sometimes!) But that's what makes a good book, right? The emotions that it evokes?

And of course, we leave with no more resolution than we did after Stoked. In fact? I am even less sure of what's going to happen - and that is going to drive me absolutely insane until Brilliant comes out in December!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Never have I ever traded sides in a love triangle story. But I am very, very sorely tempted to jump onto Team Kaleb. I was annoyed when I realized this book was just Jess's side of what we already knew from Tyler's novella, with more detail. Then I was annoyed that she was so instantly and strongly attracted to Kaleb. But then I found myself liking him more and more...and seeing from Jess's perspective how imperfect Tyler is for her. And how pointless it would be for her to return to Colorado. Sooooo...

Can't wait to see how the last book turns out!

[Melissa Storm]

I love books that are both fun and teach you something. The author's attention to detail when it comes to New Zealand and Maori culture shines through. Loved Jess and Kaleb both as characters and had fun living vicariously through them for a few hundred pages. Can't wait to read more in this series!

[Danielle Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Considering I read the 3 books in three days, I would say that I loved it. It was the type of books that I didn't want to put down. I only wanted to be engrossed in the story. Great book about trying to find out what you want in life.

[Nina]

No! No no no no. After everything we went through in the first two books there's going to be a love triangle NOW? Just no.

[Krissys Bookshelf Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author: Lark O'Neal
Title: Epic
Series: Going The Distance
Cover Rating:
Bronze Star

Book Rating:
3 Stars



About the Book:
Every decision is an ending ... and a beginning

Broke and close to broken-hearted, Jess Donovan doesn't know what to do with her life. She's lost her job and she's discovered that the man she loves, the charismatic and elusive Tyler Smith, has a troubled past that's left him damaged...perhaps beyond repair. Unable to trust him or her feelings, when her long-lost father invites her to visit him a continent away, she leaps at the chance to get some perspective.

In dazzling New Zealand, her fortunes seem to be turning way, way up. She lands a lucrative gig in a tourism commercial, cast opposite Kaleb Te Anga, a guy who's Tyler's opposite in every way. When things heat up between them on-set, fake kisses turning to hot real kisses, Jess finds herself torn. Is this just a holiday hook-up, or something deeper? How can she feel so much for two different people, and how will she ever choose between them?

If she gets that chance ... because her indecisive heart might mean she'll lose them both.



My Thoughts:
You get some self discovery in Epic, you get to experience the transition of trying to come to terms with past and present but I wished there had been more feeling to all of it because it felt just a little numb.

There was a lot of angst and a lot of maturing but at the same time there was a disconnection I felt as a reader to the emotions that were taking place.

I still enjoyed the read but I would have liked to have really felt for Jess on a more personal level.



Disclaimer:
Krissys Bookshelf Reviews received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from the publisher. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.

Note:
If any of Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews has been helpful please stop by to like my post or leave a comment to let me know what you think. I love hearing from you!

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

So after I read "Stoked", I was totally on board Team Tyler. Like, I could've been voted president, that's how pro-Tyler I was. And I thought Jess was being extremely unfair by breaking things off with him just for keeping the whole snowboarding/parole arrangement thing secret. But that was all before I met Kaleb. And man, after reading "Epic", I can totally understand Jess's dilemma. Choosing between these two guys would be a nightmare! I have no idea what direction Lark O'Neal is going to take this series, but either way, I just have to find out!

Not only are the characters in this series fantastic, the setting is too. I've always wanted to travel to New Zealand, but realistically, that is not going to happen for quite some time. Seeing New Zealand through Jess' eyes, and with Kaleb as her tour guide, I could clearly picture everything from the cities to the beaches and vineyards she visited. It was a truly wonderful reading experience!

There's a bit of a mystery surrounding Jess' past. She does not remember much of her childhood in New Zealand, and wants very much to find out why her mother took her from her father and moved them across the world to the States. While this part of the story takes a backseat to the romance/love triangle aspect, it was present enough to make me curious and want Jess to find all her answers in "Brilliant".

In short, if you love the New Adult genre and haven't discovered the "Going the Distance" series by Lark O'Neal yet, get your butt in gear! The first book, "Random", is free right now everywhere ebooks are sold (oh, except Barnes and Noble, looks like)!

[Melanie Holden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jess Donovan is off to New Zealand to visit the father she doesn’t remember and hasn’t seen for 14 years. As her life was falling apart at the end of Random she was able to reconnect with her father and Epic starts out with that journey.

This is a very entertaining story. You have the mystery of why Jess and her mother left New Zealand in the first place (Jess is still trying to find out about that). The new people Jess meets and the usual confusion about life decisions, young love and trying to make it all make sense. It’s a wonderful illustration of how the people we come in contact with complicate our lives but how dreary and unsatisfying life would be without them.

Having never traveled to New Zealand I was fascinated by the descriptions of the country. It sounds amazing and Lark O’Neal’s beautiful descriptions of the scenery really make me want to see it..

[Jenny T. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book in the "Going the Distance" series and picks up where the 1st book left off. Jess Donovan leaves Colorado behind and travels to New Zealand to stay with the father that she never knew. Her life takes a turn for the better and brings a new man, Kaleb Te Anga, into her life. I thought the best part of the story was the scenery. I'm not a fan of Jess who presents as a passive person that things happen to and can be too serious for my taste.
Thanks to the Inner Circle for the copy of this book.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well-written, quick read. It is the second in a series which continued on from where the first left off. Jess has agreed to travel to New Zealand to re-connect with the father she hasn't seen since she was a child. She also needs time to think about her relationship with Tyler, who had not told her about elements of her past that have surfaced recently. In New Zealand she meets Kaleb, a man who is very different from Tyler but who she is attracted to as well... I am eager to read the next book in the series! I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kacey Vanderkarr · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far, this is my favorite book in this series. I loved the setting in New Zealand and Jess's father. I think it's a testament to the author's skill that I still LIKE all the characters, considering the rollercoaster Jess has been on throughout the story and usually in a triangle there's one person who has the advantage.

I can't wait for the next book to see what happens between Jess, Kaleb, and Tyler!

[Sabre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I feel like Jess has grown a lot since the first book. She's feeling more confident about life and her place in the world. I like the fact the Electra told her to focus on herself and and even Kaleb pushed her a bit in that direction, even though he wants her to be with him. I can't wait to see what happens in the third and final novel.

[Tiffani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was well written. But I personally hate cliff hangers and the Kaleb vs Tyler thing broke my heart. I want to shake Jess. I'm hoping there is some kind of decision and closure in the next book.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series and I particularly like this book because of the detail about New Zealand. We visited last year and this author really got the places, the people, the wine (!), the annoyances, the beauty just right. Thanks!

[Lou Arna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is Kaleb her cousin???

Double standards Jess is pissing me off

[Rogue]

I have enjoyed this series so far. I don't think there is much for more then one more book. I sure hope the author does not try to stretch this for another several books.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the one! There are still many things in this series I would like answers to. I hope they are in the next book!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book and I hated it. Throwing a second amazing man in the pot causes me huge anxiety.
Guess it's onto book 4... technically book 3.