Such A Rush

by Jennifer Echols

High school senior Leah Jones loves nothing more than flying. While she's in the air, it's easy to forget life with her absentee mother at the low-rent end of a South Carolina beach town. So when her flight instructor, Mr Hall, hires her to fly for his banner advertising business, she sees it as her ticket out of the trailer park. Then Mr Hall dies suddenly leaving his teenage sons, golden boy Alec and adrenaline junkie Grayson, in charge of running the business. The two brothers have always made their hostility towards her clear so she's sure that her dreams of being a pilot are over… So when Grayson makes it clear that he wants her to stay working for him, Leah doesn't understand why. She's crushed on him for years, but always known he's out of her league… isn't he? As the summer rolls on and they spend more time together the spark between them grows, but with Alec's feelings starting to change too, suddenly things become a whole lot more complicated. Now Leah finds herself drawn into a battle between brothers - a battle that could have very serious consequences for all of them…

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary, New Adult, Chick Lit, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary Romance

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 10, 2012

About the author

Jennifer Echols was born in Atlanta and grew up in a small town on a beautiful lake in Alabama—a setting that has inspired many of her books. She has written nine romantic novels for young adults, including the comedy MAJOR CRUSH, which won the National Readers’ Choice Award, and the drama GOING TOO FAR, which was a finalist in the RITA, the National Readers’ Choice Award, and the Book Buyer’s Best, and was nominated by the American Library Association as a Best Book for Young Adults. Simon & Schuster will debut her adult romance novels in 2013, with many more teen novels scheduled for the next few years. She lives in Birmingham with her husband and her son.

Reviews

[Maida (Medley of Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH. EM. GEE!!!! I THINK I JUST FINISHED MY FAVOURITE BOOK OF 2012!! I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO SAY...JUST...WOW!!! I have no words..these will do the talking for me!!!

Me...BEOFRE....I read it:







Me..After reading the first 2 chapters:

[image error]







Me..When 17 year old Leah is introduced:

[image error]









Me..When Grayson *swoon*...is introduced:





















Me..when Alex is introduced:













Me...when Leah and Grayson FINALLY get it on!:



















And then....THIS WHOLE SHIT HAPPENS...AGAIN...











































THEN...THE ENDING HAPPENED....AND I WAS LEFT WITH NOTHING BUT THIS:






REVIEW TO COME!!....AS YOU CAN SEE I AM AN EMOTIONAL MESS RIGHT NOW.....O_O

______________________________________

UPDATE!!!

For My Review, go to my Blog!

Literary Love Affair: http://loveaffairwithabookreviews.blo...

[Susan's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leah is from the wrong side of the tracks. In the very first chapter, she is fourteen and at a crossroad in her life: follow in her alcohol addicted mother's footsteps or take charge of her life.



She has always admired the planes that zoom over the trailer park she lives in. One day she climbs through the hole in the fence separating the airport and the trailer park and applies for a low-paying job. She uses her pay check to fund flying lessons. Brian Hall, the owner and instructor of Halls Aviation, becomes a friend and mentor, helping steer her life in a better, more hopeful direction.



Three years later, Mr. Hall's twin sons inherit their father's business and Leah is caught between the two brothers. The entire town thinks Leah is exactly like her mother. There is a lot of "false" slut shaming going on in this story, despite the fact that Leah has never actually slept with any of the guys who claim to have "tapped her".

Leah is a force to be reckoned with. I loved her gritty character and her refusal to apologize for what others think she may be up to just because she is young, sexy and can sure as heck fly a plane! (She is surprised at one point to be told that she gives off the vibe of a sweet, sultry, dark-haired Marilyn Monroe once she leaves the airfield - as if there are two Leahs: the sexy bombshell and the no-nonsense competent pilot.)



This was a great story. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Leah grow both as a young woman and as a pilot. Highly recommended!

[Melannie :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll read anything by her!
Her books are awesome.
________________________

March 13th
This was so awesome I can't even comprehend how Jenn does it.
AMAZING. <3
________________________

Review on release day (7/10/2012):

Amazing is not a strong enough word to describe this book, but all things considered I would say it’s the most fitting. Jenn Echols has delivered another great book that will sure make it to lots of people favorites list. Such a Rush is everything you hope a book can be: appealing characters, complex romance, fast paced and nail-biting drama.

I don’t know how long it’s been since I’ve been waiting for this book, but I tell you this: it was a long time, and everytime Ms. Echols talked about it I swear my toes curled; well, it was actually 1000x better than I hoped. How can you go wrong with such an interesting line of events and an equally interesting line of people?

Leah Jones is the book narrator. At the beginning, she’s only 14, just moved to a trailer park next to a tiny small-town airport where she gets a job answering the phone and pumping gas for airplanes. Leah loves airplanes, so she saves up money for a flying lesson given by a local man, Mr. Hall, who runs a banner towing business. Mr. Hall has three boys, Jake the oldest flies a plane for the army, and twins Alec and Grayson are Leah’s age and they both want to be pilots too. The three sons are fun, adventurous, intense and panty-dropping handsome, from what Leah can tell from the distance, that is; she has never been close with them. But she watches them and wishes they would notice her, Grayson especially, the adrenaline junkie on whom she has developed a big crush.

When Jake gets killed in Afghanistan, Mr. Hall’s heart can’t take it, and soon he dies too. Leah is crushed; Mr. Hall was her was her friend, not to mention her only hope of ever becoming a pilot, because he had offered her a job at his banner towing business. But surprisingly, the twins come back to town to try to get the business going again. Even though Leah’s always liked the boys, they didn’t seem to like her at all, so she can’t believe Grayson, the black sheep of the family, is making her fulfill the contract she made with his dad about flying a plane for him. Leah’s not sure she can trust Grayson, but he has something on her, so she must do what he says or her dream of becoming a pilot won’t ever come true.

rest of the review here (sorry! it's too long!) ---> http://booksarevital.blogspot.com/201...

CHECK OUT MY INTERVIEW WITH JENN ABOUT THIS BOOK
HERE ---> http://booksarevital.blogspot.com/201...

[Keertana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this is where Jennifer Echols and I go our separate ways. In all honesty, I was totally prepared to do that after reading Forget You, my first novel of hers, but after Going Too Far proved to be slightly better, I had high hopes for this one. Unfortunately, Such a Rush was so riddled with problems that I was left with a bitter taste in my mouth by the end of it.

My problems with Such a Rush started from the beginning of the novel itself - it was slow. Very slow. While I enjoyed seeing how Leah, our protagonist, became a pilot, I found that her narration as a fourteen-year-old and her narration as a seventeen-year-old was not much different. Furthermore, after the death of Mr. Hall, the man who teaches her how to fly and becomes a surrogate father to her, she only breaks down and cries once which I found to be highly unrealistic. In fact, I wish Mr. Hall's grief had had a larger impact on Leah herself, opposed to solely having a great impact on his son. Leah was practically a daughter to Mr. Hall and as Leah herself doesn't have a father, I wish her pain and confusion over his death could have been more palpable. If nothing else, I definitely feel as if it would have helped me to understand Leah, a character I found very difficult to connect with, much easier.

Yet, those qualms are easy to overlook in light of what happens next. With Mr. Hall's death, his two sons, Grayson and Alec, proceed to take over his flying company. The twin brothers are mourning not only the death of their father, but their elder brother who died in war as well. Thus, Grayson, boggled down with grief amongst other issues, resorts to blackmailing Leah, forcing her to fly for Mr. Hall's his company and date his twin brother, Alec. Alec is probably the most underdeveloped character in the novel and except for being a goody-two-shoes, there isn't much to him. On the other hand, I really liked the way Grayson's personality was built around his grief and it felt very realistic to me. Yet, for a novel marketed as being a contemporary romance, I was strangely unable to understand Grayson's romance with Leah.

Leah and Grayson have had a crush on each other ever since they first met because they are both oh-so-sexy. While they aren't aware of each other's crush, it is very obvious to the reader and thus, there's a large amount of sexual tension between these two but no real development of a relationship, let alone love. I didn't understand how Leah could still like Grayson, even after the blackmail and the fact that he thought she was a whore. Yes, Grayson - along with the rest of the town actually - thinks Leah is a whore. In fact, Grayson accused Leah of sleeping with his own father because Mr. Hall gave Leah free flying lessons and Grayson uses this life-long assumption - that had no basis whatsoever - to coerce her into dating his brother! But, this doesn't matter because Grayson is really hot and Leah still likes him a lot! I'll admit that Grayson did have quite a few scenes where he was genuinely sweet to Leah and it is obvious that Leah and Grayson truly understood each other, which is quite rare in a Young Adult Novel. Yet, it almost felt as if Leah had Stockholm Syndrome most of the time, except with a blackmailer instead of a kidnapper, and her feelings for Grayson were barely explained, except to re-iterate how hot Grayson was.

Echols' romance aside, what frustrated me the most was Leah. While I sympathized with Leah's situation of being poor, a bastard child, and mostly living on her own because her mother took off from time-to-time, I couldn't connect with or understand her actions. Leah is known as the neighborhood slut for being pretty. Yes, that's it! Sure, she dresses skankily and flirts, but that doesn't warrant a reputation like that. Furthermore, Leah does nothing to dispel the stereotype and I hate the manner she's portrayed in the story. Ladies, it is not okay for a guy to blackmail you because he thinks you're a whore. It is not okay for a guy to be pissed off at you for not having sex with him. It is not okay for men to have a pre-conceived notion about you based upon what you wear. It just isn't. One of my teachers once told me that many women believe the reason they get raped is because they wear short dresses and revealing clothes, but that isn't true. You're allowed to wear what you want and nothing gives a man the right to think you want to sleep with him, to force himself on you, or to believe you're a whore based on your clothing. While Leah never gets raped in this story, I believe the allegory is very similar as the manner in which she is treated is just wrong and even by the end of the novel, that lesson is never learned. I wish Echols had either addressed this issue the way it needed to be spoken about in this novel or had at least changed her character if she didn't want to delve into such deep issues. Perhaps I'm reading too much into this, but the entire manner in which sexuality was looked upon in the story left my stomach rolling in a very bad way.

Such a Rush is a story that many readers will love, but I wasn't one of the them. I hated the underdeveloped romance and side characters and the themes this book exuded were way off the mark. Even Leah's rocky relationship with Molly, the rich girl who befriends Leah as a charity case, was confusing at best and didn't seem to have closure. Furthermore, this book was so dramatic and instead of a real discussion to solve the problems in this story, we get a predictable near-death experience to smooth things over - talk about a cop-out. Plus, I found the plot idea of a brother making decisions for his twin and blackmailing a childhood friend/sweetheart/acquaintance to be vastly unrealistic and just downright strange. I mean, Alex and Grayson are the same age! I understand Grayson's reasons for doing what he did in the novel and I really like his character, with the exception of the manner in which he treated Leah and how Leah still liked him despite all the crap he made her put up with, but at least Alec should have reacted remotely differently in this situation. I appreciate the dynamics between these two brothers, but the main ideas of this novel were simply too out there for me to grasp and connect with. Overall, I wouldn't recommend Such a Rush to people who are on the fence about Echols. If you're an avid fan, you'll most likely love this one, but me? I'm through - this is my last Echols novel for sure.

You can read this review and more on my blog, Ivy Book Bindings.

[♥Rachel♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seventeen year-old Leah has always lived by airports growing up. Living next to one in a trailer park is the cheapest rent and thanks to Leah's loser mom, that's all they can afford. Leah actually doesn't mind being close, she loves planes and longs to fly. Determined to make the best of a situation and not follow in her mother's footsteps, Leah gets a job with Hall Aviation at the airport next door. Mr. Hall takes her under his wing and is like the father she never had. Despite her close relationship with Mr. Hall Leah feels like an outsider every summer and school vacation, when his sons come to visit. They help fly the banner planes that make up the majority of Mr. Hall's business. His sons are gorgeous and complete opposites, even though they're twins. Leah stays back as a silent observer, secretly crushing on Grayson. It's a shock and a blow when Mr. Hall dies unexpectedly, and Leah makes arrangements to work elsewhere figuring the business will be sold. When Grayson and Alec show up to run the business, she's surprised but doesn't think it'll last for long, and Leah has no intention of staying. However, Grayson digs something up in Leah's past and blackmails her to stay on to help fly the banners. In addition to forcing her to stay, Grayson also wants Leah to persuade Alec to date her. Grayson threatens Leah's future hopes of flying so she has no choice but to cooperate with his scheme. She can't figure out why Grayson wants her to attract Alec, and he refuses to tell her.

One of Jennifer Echols great strengths as a writer is her ability to write perfectly flawed but relatable characters, so I connected with Leah instantly. I felt protective of her and rooted for her to triumph and rise above her situation. This is an accomplishment with the horrible excuse of a mother she has, one of the worst I've come across in fiction! Her mother only cared about herself, and Leah had to be on constant guard so she wouldn't take advantage of her. The mother relied on Leah to work and pay bills while she had no job, being too occupied with her current disaster of a boyfriend. In the beginning of the story I was on edge because Leah was vulnerable as a target from the shady characters in the trailer park. All because her mother's neglect left her open to these kinds of situations. I was glad she had the airport as safe haven to escape to.

Grayson was another flawed character that grew on me. I didn't like him at first. He wasn't all that nice, and his insistence for Leah to lure Alec in irritated me. Also he made assumptions about Leah I didn't care for. But as the mystery behind his behavior unravels, I began to understand his motivations and ended up falling hard for him. Grayson fights but can't help his attraction to Leah. He truly cared for Leah and was protective of her. Another one of Ms. Echols strengths is her ability to write some knee-weakening, steamy scenes. Trust. She delivers in this story:

"Hey, I told you. Lately my brain isn't working right. I feel one thing, but I act a different way and it surprises me. I don't know where my words are coming from half the time. But you…" He kissed my check. "Gosh…" He kissed my lips, then backed away to look at me again. "You know what? Let me show you how I feel." I gasped as he trailed kisses down my cheek, down my neck,……... Well, you get where this is going, so I'll just leave it at that.

I highly recommend this. It's right up there with my other favorite Jennifer Echols novels: Going Too Far and Forget You. This does not disappoint!

Thank you so much Tina for lending me your precious copy!!

You can find this review and more on:
The Readers Den

[Mitch · Rating 2 out of 5]

I went on a roller coaster with this one, there are parts of Such a Rush that I really really liked, and other stuff that just didn't work for me. So while the premise is good and Echols pulls quite a few emotional punches and twists, there's just something wrong with several of these characters that left me with a sour taste in my mouth after I finished.

I really had to think about Leah before I decided she's an ok character - not good, just ok. She has a huge chip on her shoulder from being trailer trash, basically - she's always hiding the fact that she has no money and thinks everyone is judging her for being poor, letting accusations fly. And yet, at the same time, she does all these things, like dressing the part, to reinforce that stereotype. It was really hard for me to like her as I was reading this, it's not until after I finished and thought about her whole situation, her absentee mother, how tough everything is for her, that I really decided to cut her some slack. I just wish she would've had some private moment of weakness to show me just how hard her situation is on her, like how she cried over Mr. Hall, but she's just so tough I had a hard time empathizing. But at least she knows she has a huge chip on her shoulder, and I really liked how Mr. Hall sort of takes her in as a surrogate daughter and how his death impacts her emotionally. So, some redeeming qualities even while I was reading.

But even if Leah has a few redeeming qualities, the other characters - no. Despite being in much of the book, Alec's character’s really underdeveloped and limited to the stereotypical good guy role, there’s really not much to say about him. But Grayson, yeah, he should keep that secret plan of his for blackmailing Leah into getting together with Alec a secret, because it makes no sense and it's like he thinks his own brother is an idiot who can't make his own decisions. Dude, I get you still haven't gotten over the death of your father and older brother, but your plan stinks. I also get the feeling Echols wanted to use his plane crash and then Mr. Hall's and his brother's deaths as a way to force him to become more responsible and mature, but this part's rather overlooked in favor of romance between him and Leah. Shame, I was really interested in seeing more of that development in his character.

Worst of all, though, is Molly, Leah's best friend. I don't think I've ever read such a contradictory character, at times Leah's like Molly's so understanding of my circumstances, her parents are totally cool with me, and other times, Leah's like Molly's just as stuck up and bitchy as the rest of them, her parents would turn their noses down at me. It would've been fine if that was just Leah's impressions of Molly depending on her mood, but Molly really acts exactly the way Leah's describing her every single time. How can one person be completely understanding one day and totally judgmental the next? No. And Molly's fight with Leah over Grayson and Alec, ugh, what was that?

I liked the plot at first though. Liked seeing how Mr. Hall comes into Leah's life and then how his death impacts Leah, Grayson, and Alec. The flying scenes were good and kept me entertained. But there are time jumps after each of the first two chapters, and Leah narrates like everything's continuous from the previous chapter. I don't know, but I think a fourteen year old girl should sound different from an eighteen year old one, it was a bit strange. And it all leads to a really predictable ending where Leah's problems are all miraculously solved.

Yeah, I guess there are parts that had me, but these characters are such turn offs, they really ruined what's otherwise a very powerful story of a poor girl who wants to fly and the roadblocks along her way. A total shame.

[Aj the Ravenous Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is Such a Rush indeed because I finished it in a rush which I honestly think wouldn’t happen judging by the very first chapter of the book because my impression of the first few pages wasn’t very promising. I even thought about not pushing through with it but when the story abruptly sped to three years later when the main characters are already 18, that’s when the story started to become really interesting and I found myself flying through (pun intended) the pages.

Reading the blurb might make the reader think it’s mainly just about the romance but I appreciate that the book tackles several issue  like grief, dysfunctional families, poverty and even gender stereotypes. What’s even better is how the story is able to center on flying planes (with no less than the heroine on her way to fulfilling her dream to become a pilot) and that the airport is the main setting. This is a first for me actually and I find it really good.
Incidentally, this is also my first read from Ms. Jennifer Echols  and I kind of like her seemingly couldn’t-care-less approach in her narrative as the story is told in the POV of Leah, always judged as the  “trailer trash” or the school’s “slut” just because of the way she looks and where she lives and it’s why I admire her for wanting to defy odds not really to prove people wrong (because she doesn’t really give two hoots about what other people think) but to give herself a life different from her mom’s.

The annoying complication in the story is perhaps the romance and her involvement with the twins, (Bigger Jerk) Grayson and and (Smaller Jerk) Alec what with Grayson’s unbelievably stupid move to blackmail Leah into dating his brother but I think it’s also what made the story more interesting and yes, I have to admit, sexier. (Too sexy for younger readers, as a warning) Lol. Leah’s friendship with (mini Jerk) Molly is an added sprinkling of good weird in the story.

So athough there are several flawed elements, it’s honestly also a very touching read and I’ll definitely start looking into other books written by the author. 

[~Tina~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are two kinds of books Jennifer Echols writes. Fluffy and Edgy. Now I've always been a big fan of the way this women can write, but I think my favorite from her would be the angst and edge. She has such a flare for taking heart achingly real characters and giving them that spunk, that confidence and that overwhelming drive to stand out.

First off, I absolutely love that this book is about airplanes. I remember when I was a kid and the rush I get when ever I went to an air-show. There is nothing like the energy, boom and whirl of a plane swooping past you. So I was thrilled and fascinated that we got to see first hand what flying is all about in this book.

Leah Jones knows that the only way out of her trailer park life is to go up, and when I mean up, I mean flying high above the clouds and away from her absentee irresponsible mother and be in control in an out of control life.

I absolutely love this character. Leah is a very well grounded person for a girl who by all rights should be pretty messed up. I'm not saying she's perfect, cause shes not, but for some reason the flaws only makes me like her more. She has two sides to her, she's calm and collected and all business when it comes to flying, but on the inside everything in her screams with passion.
Grayson can come off seeming like a jerk and most of the time he really is one. But there is so much more to this guy. Behind the threats and blackmail and hurtful accusations, there is this really great guy who can't bare the thought of losing anyone else he loves. I love his protectiveness and his take charge actions. He doesn't always say the right things and he sure as hell doesn't do the right things either, in fact I couldn't help wanting to bang my head against the wall with the things he was making Leah do, but when push comes to shove I couldn't help falling for Grayson Hall.
I also enjoyed what Alec and Molly brought into the story. Alec is good people and Molly is one of those friends where you want to either strangle or hug.

I loved the romance in this book. It's deliciously intense, raw and sexy as hell. I also love that Echols doesn't hold back on the sexy times, but I would have to recommend this to the more mature reader, it's not graphic but it's detailed enough. Also, I've always appreciated a really good heated argument scene in my reads which was so great since there was plenty in this book. Leah knows to handle her own and it was a trip to witness.

But what I love most about this book is that there is just so much heart. It makes you feel like you could do anything if you just believe and you could go even further when someone believes in you just as much.

An instant favorite! Such A Rush is the best Echols book since Going to Far!

An awesome ride!

(Arc copy provided by Simon and Schuster publishing)

[Katy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sorry, but this book really pissed me off - like the whole way through - and this review is being written after I have slept it off. The characters were just huge bitches and assholes - to the point where they're just downright nasty, which was a HUGE put-off when it came to enjoying this book.

I'm a HUGE Jennifer Echols fan because of her talented writing style and her knack for writing great dialogues. But I think I preferred it when she wrote romantic comedies, even if they're totally cliche and predictable because she has a way of making witty characters worm their way into your heart and leave you feeling good. And I was really looking forward to this one because Echols' last few books just didn't do it for me. Sadly, this one didn't either.

The writing style wasn't bad, but it wasn't up to her usual standard. It started out a little rough in the beginning with the flashback, and then three years later, you're in the present, but it was more of a past of the present (you'll have to read the book to know what I mean).

But the pacing was REALLY slow, and there were a number of parts where I just could not get into it. And it's not because I'm a girl that doesn't appreciate all the technicalities and workings of airplanes, but through all those descriptions, I failed to see Leah's passion for them until the one meal scene. Other than the beginning where Echols just flies through the timeline, the whole book was slow - the story progression, the romance, dealing with social status, the whole thing.

Now, the reason for the low rating and why the book upset me so much? Everyone was such a Class A bitch or asshole in this book. I'm sorry, but using less harsh word just won't be accurate enough. To the point where it was totally ridiculous.

I was SO mad that Leah had such a huge chip on her shoulder. You know what? Bad things happen to good people, and life isn't fair. But people deal with it. And Leah did. And I would admire her SO much for it, had it not been for her snippy attitude, walking around like the whole world hates her. True, there are those mean girls and jerks that treat her like trailer trash, but there were people who treated her well, and that attitude of hers just drove others away and made her portrayed as a big ice queen.

Now the boys - the supposedly hot, drool-worthy boys that were supposed to make you swoon. I wanted to smack them for being so stupid. A friend of mine (Mitch) said Alec's character wasn't developed enough, and he has a point. For someone who was supposed to be THE golden boy and the main object of Leah's affections, Alec really did lack personality. And it was really hard to get a read on him, and I'm not sure if Echols did that on purpose to keep us in the dark about why Grayson came forward with his proposal, but Alec became an obligation - obviously, but it would have made the book more fun if he had been more engaging in the book.

And Grayon. Oh, Grayson, you made me want to hit you SO many times - and not in the "I have the hots of you, and you arguing with me is getting me all hot and bothered" kind of way. Nope, it's the "what the hell is your problem" and "how can you be so mean and hurtful" kind of way. Like I said, sometimes, he was just downright nasty, and I know Echols comes up with a reason later on, but I'm sorry, there is NO excuse to be that mean. The part that shocked me the most was near the end WHY ARE YOU READING MY SPOILER?!? - where after a certain scene, he STILL insists on carrying out the proposal. UGH! Seriously?!?

Yes, there were many instances where I just wanted to throw the book across the room and say, "I've had it," and I probably would have if I had not been reading it with someone else.

Jennifer Echols: I really liked "Boys Next Door," "Major Crush," "The Ex Games" and other cute fluff books that you have written because of the charming characters, their witty banter and the ability you have to make me smile or giggle. I didn't think the others were bad either, but after "The One That I Want" and this one, I'm not sure my ereader can stand anymore abuse from me.

[Kat Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Regardless of whatever else I say in this book – Such a Rush is a good book. Well-written, funny, smart, heart-touching. I devoured this book in a matter of hours. I ignored family on Christmas day to read it – which is okay, because they’re used to that.

But this doesn’t mean it was a perfect read. Leah was a brilliant but, other than Mr Hall’s brief appearance, she was the singularly likable character in this book. Smart, focused, complex, interesting – everything you want out of a main character except not a single other character in this book deserved to bask in her presence let alone be her friend or date her.

Ready to meet the grand poobah of douchebag love interests? You thought Daemon from Obsidian was bad? You thought Daniel Grigori or any other of those dudes was bad? In my opinion Grayson Hall would probably mop the floor with them. Daemon might have been rude, Daniel Grigori might have been a prick, but at least none of them assumed the main protagonist was a whore and blackmailed her into dating some other guy!

Grayson treats Leah despicably. Utterly, utterly despicably and her mercy for him and continued attraction to him was inexplicable to me. His concern with how much of a whore Leah was, was exceedingly frustrating. “I’m really attracted to you. It’s a shame I need to whore you out to my brother and that I’ve convinced myself you’re a filthy creature who has sex with anyone to get her way. Damn shame.” Don’t even get me started on her best friend, who I think I might have cheerfully taken out the back and slapped silly.

There is an annoyingly heavy focus on female purity, with the underlying text supporting the importance of not just the abstinence of sex – but the appearance of it too. This was misleading for me because the beginning of the novel didn’t seem like it would head this way. It was refreshingly free of the guilt-burden in relation to how young Leah lost her virginity. Some of the sexual elements were necessary to show the basic facets of Leah’s life. The rest of it was annoying in its persistence in punishing Leah for having a sex drive.

This novel, whilst I loved it, infuriated me. I was left yelling at the book – yelling at all the “rich kids” and their stupid faces and how they treated Leah again and again. How she always just let them off. The ending was also a little hodge podge and rushed.

Ultimately, though, it was a marvelously thrilling, lovable story. Prepare to want to hug and hold Leah, to bare your teeth at the world and want to try and make things right for her.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leah has always lived by an airport. Usually in a run down trailer park with the cheapest rent possible because of the noise from the planes. And thanks to Leah’s mom, that’s all they can afford. Leah takes the proximity to the airport as an opportunity. She takes a job at there and saves her money, makes a deal with Mr. Hall for flying lessons and hopes that she can fly away from her life.

And throw a bunch of other stuff in there too! Like two boys, a best friend and a crazy summer. Whew.

Jennifer Echols can do no wrong in my mind. When I get her books, I drop everything and read them right away and I am never disappointed. I love her stories, I lover her characters, and I love how she absolutely sucks you in and makes you emotionally invested!

I wasn’t sure about the whole pilot thing. I mean really? But I was totally into it! That banner flying stuff is insane! I didn’t realize how dangerous something like that really was. It was fascinating and I can completely understand the draw that Leah felt.

Leah. What an incredibly character. I had such respect for this girl. True, I wanted to slap her a few times, but she just felt so real. And the boys. Specifially Grayson, just whew. The tension between Leah and Grayson. I could hardly stand it at times. So good.

You definitely need to read SUCH A RUSH, if you’re looking for cute boys, kissing, a awesome female protag, an engaging story, and did I mention kissing?

In case it’s not clear. I loved it. You should read it too. I think I need to get the hubs some aviator sunglasses… yummy.

[Ava · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

I am sorely disappointed.

Contemporary and realistic-fiction novels have never really been my thing, but some of my favorite books (STOLEN: A LETTER TO MY CAPTOR and THE FAULT IN OUR STARS) are contemporary, so I decided to branch out from my usual paranormal reads. I had high hopes for SUCH A RUSH, despite the mixed reactions from my friends.

2013 has been the year for total disappointments, hasn't it?

SUCH A RUSH has an incredibly original plot for a contemporary novel - I mean, when was the last time you read about a teen romance with blackmail and flying planes? Yet, it could have been so much better. The actual reason for Grayson blackmailing Leah was such a letdown and soured the story.

Having never read anything by Jennifer Echols before, I have heard that her writing is absolutely fantastic. But I failed to experience it here with SUCH A RUSH, because it was so average. There really wasn't anything to say about it, especially since it's the kind of writing that you read a billion times with a lot of young adult.

Leah left me with seriously conflicted feelings. She's an intelligent badass for sure, and her home-life situation has hardened her. Even though people treated Leah like crap and she let them, I kind of understood her. She was a very absorbing character and I enjoyed being in her head, because she DID SHIT. She had personality! I adored her, but half the time I also wanted to slap her in the face, because she really was such a bitch to everyone. Leah's been called a slut, a whore, a skank - and she hates it. But she has no problem stereotyping and bashing every other female character in the book, either. oh and I wanted to throttle her friend Molly, too.

SO. MUCH. SLUT. SHAMING.

Grayson was a complete - I don't even have words for him. If he didn't assume Leah was an uncontrollable hump-bunny and if he didn't blackmail her it would've been possible to like him. Because Grayson was actually kind of sweet when he wasn't being a TOTAL ASSHOLE. I can't even comprehend how Leah didn't bash his head in with a shovel because I wanted to throw the book across the wall whenever he acted like a douchebag.



HOW DID YOU KEEP YOUR SHIT TOGETHER AROUND HIM, LEAH. HOW.

Alec, the golden-boy of the novel and Grayson's twin brother, with whom Leah is blackmailed into dating - he's so lifeless. Talk about no personality. He didn't have enough parts in the book, even though he was supposed to be one of the main characters.

In the end, I suggest checking out this book at a library instead of spending money on it. It's worth reading, but probably not worth spending over ten dollars on.

And the cover is way uglier in person, by the way. The girl's nose looks really strange and the hair along her neck looks seriously dry and photoshopped.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m not sure where to begin this review.
I could begin with the librarian’s innocent gush over the book when she checked me out. She just lovvveeddd the cover, and didn’t think the hair was neat?
I could begin with my thoughts as I ended it. That book is going to haunt me for a long time.
Or I could move into the rush of irritation that followed that thought. Then my sorrow. Then my antsy desire to get to a computer and throw together a review so I could get the whole thing out of my head.
Why the heck am I even writing like this? That’s how I know I’ve let the story seep in just a little-to-closely.
Or, even a tempting option at this point, I could leave the review here. Or not write a review. Just wait, and a few days later add it to my Read shelf, guess the date I finished, and type out “Good but too much sexual stuff for my taste.”
There are some books that are just amazing. They have great plot and character and depth and just wrench tears of sadness and admiration from your eyes.
That wasn’t this book.
There are some books that strike a chord in your soul. Maybe they aren’t even that good, but they somehow echo a turbulence you’ve been feeling and so you cry because you know ‘what its like’ and someone finally gets it.
That wasn’t this book either.
But this book could have been that. Such A Rush was really good in some ways. Leah and Grayson have spark. They have potential. Minus a few f-bombs, this whole thing has a huge amount of potential. The general plot is good. The characters are (mostly) good. The storyline is mostly good. The content is mostly…crap.
I don’t like using that word. That should tell you something about me. I don’t like crudity. I don’t like language. I especially don’t like high schoolers “doing each other.” Talk about crass.
For some, that won’t faze them. Maybe it will sound familiar, or something. If that doesn’t bug you, go for it I guess. But it does bug me. I think it bugs a lot of my friends on Goodreads, so here is why I’d say watch out when picking up that oh-so-alluring cover.
1. The Language
Lots of f-bombs. Lots of references to sex.
2. The Sex
So…lots of f-bombs, lots of sex! What-do-you-know. Leah is supposed to be this pretty chaste individual who has a ton of sexually appeal and who all the guys want but who hasn’t “done it” since she was 14 or something. However, don’t let that fool you. There are so many passages where she describes herself flaunting her body that it’s almost disgusting. Low shirts, short-short mini shorts. Lots of guys frankly staring at her chest. That sort of thing. And of course, there is the three-chapter one night stand thing that seems longer because her alarm just randomly goes off? So confused. I was skimming by that point and didn’t bother to figure it out.
I don’t want to blow this book off as bad. I loved the parts about the airplanes. About flying, and landing and freedom. Take away the language and the outright continual bombardment of sexual commentary, and you have a really, good story and a sparking romance that doesn’t need all the description it gets.
Grayson makes a fantastic bad-boy hero without the reader needing to be told every chapter what his muscles look like. Or how his hair frames his face. Or that he’s wearing Aviators. Or that she can’t read those ‘stormy gray eyes.’ Or…you name it. If it’s mentioned once, it’s mentioned at least half a dozen times afterwards in case you forget.
Leah makes a good, smart-alecky heroine with guts and vulnerability without every guy she comes in contact wanting to sleep with her. She doesn’t have to wear a bikini-top or a tiny, tiny clubbing dress for the reader to get the idea she’s attractive.
On top of that, Leah is always making these totally random, angry assumptions. “What, he looked at me? HE MUST TOTALLY HATE ME.” There is insecurity…and then there is paranoia. She’s totally paranoid and assumes not the worst…no, she assumes the DOWNRIGHT MOST AWFUL THING every single time.
And similarly, she doesn’t need to burn with passion every time she accidently brushes against Grayson for there to be a good romance.
There is just a level of overkill going on in this romance.
Even Alec gets…overdrawn. And if I hear about his “innocent blue eyes” one more time I might do something violent. Like throw up.
Or worse, throw the book.
I mean, his character was cute. And he plays a good role and I like the semi-yet-sort-of-totally-predictable-twist at the end. And he’s got enough depth. But he’s also…overly described. Like the romance, less is more and more is what this author has got on her mind.
In the end, I’d say there are two things that bugged me, outside of just…personal taste about Grayson and Leah’s relationship. So if you haven’t noticed already, spoiler alert people.
1. They are still in freaking highschool. I’m old enough that the sex scenes don’t bug me like they used to when I was a sixteen year old, or worse the innocent twelve year old who thought she’d venture into the teen section. (Thanks a lot Tamora Pierce for ruining that summer) Point is, it wouldn’t be so bad….
In fact, I was “sort of” buying it. Buying their love, buying that it might turn out that way, that she would experience that stuff and reason it out….
Right up until he asked her to Prom. Like, Prom. First off, if Prom was really a week away would he wait until the week before to ask a girl? Would his brother have? Dumb.
But secondly, gosh. They may be “legal adults” as freakin Leah KEEPS REMINDING HERSELF (another overkill there) but they’re still high schoolers. They’re going to prom. Get that boy out of her bedroom!
So…ewww. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.
But, that’s not all.
2. At some point during their whole mushy, gushy moment at the end, Leah makes a comment like “I hope this lasted a long, long time.”
I’m probably making a mountain out of a molehill. Okay, I am making a mountain out of a molehill, but this is as good an excuse as any to get up on my soap box.
*pushes out box and climbs on top*
There is no hope offered that this relationship is ever going to end. It’s almost assumed right here in the text that it doesn’t last. That maybe there is a big fight and Grayson doesn’t come back. Or Leah freaking can’t get over herself and continues assuming the worse. I know I’m an optimist. I know I’m an idealist. But I am horrified, and thrown off that something so cavalier can be tucked in the pages during one of their “romantic” scenes. What’s romantic about planning on shacking up for a few more years before splitting? Before going and dating….someone else. After experiencing something so personal with someone, just willingly moving on to the next? Is that what relationship are? Once the fire dies, you move on?
Is there no hope to be found for Leah and Grayson? Does the reader have to be a silly dreamer to imagine them living their lives side-by-side? Because in one little comment, the table is turned. Leah goes off and becomes an airline pilot or something. Grayson maybe runs the business, maybe not. Maybe Leah buys him out someday. They shack up some more and have a tumultuous relationship and eventually….drift?
I don’t know. Maybe I’m naïve about the world, but if that is so then I’ll stay naïve. A relationship that intimate that is leveled with the expectation that they’ll break up in a few years just horrifies me. It makes me want to cry out ‘save yourself the heartache!’
Not to mention a host of other things.

So if you’re taking anything away from this review:
Good: I liked the characters enough to feel genuine sorrow at their actions.
Bad: The characters are overdrawn, and it looks like it is going somewhere but sort of becomes cheesy and dumb and way not-appropriate-for-highschoolers by the end. And it makes me sad because this is supposed to be the norm.
What are we teaching our girls to look for in a guy? Sure, Grayson beat Mark. He beat the loser, unnamed boyfriend from when she was 14. But is he really how high we encourage our girls to look? To decide she’s a “consenting adult” and have her sexy moment in a trailer park, or in a guy’s pickup? Is that class, or elegance, or helping them reach their full potential?
Is this all relationships become?
I sure hope not.

[Ferdy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Spoilers

All her life Leah Jones has had to move from town to town at her mum's say so. At age 14, Leah moves to a trailer park close to a small airport. Leah watches the planes go by and dreams of becoming a pilot. She manages to gets a job with Mr Hall who owns the airport and starts saving up for flying lessons.
For 3 years Leah works hard and takes lessons with Mr Hall along with his two sons, Grayson and Alec. When Mr Hall dies, Leah is blackmailed into working for Grayson and she ends up in the middle of Alec and Grayson's messy lives.

-The first few chapters started of promising with Leah's desire to make something of herself and not end up like her mother and prove she can do better than living in a trailer. She was determined and strong, unfortunately that didn't last. Leah ended up being an annoying idiot - she let herself get pushed around by Grayson, she fell for Grayson after her treated her like dirt and she was a hypocrite.
She got pissed when people made judgements about her because of where she lived and how she dressed but when she sees other girls in similar situations as her she judges them and calls them prostitutes, whores and sluts.
She let people make assumptions about her for example letting Molly believe that she hit on her ex-boyfriend when she didn't. Her logic was ridiculous.
Instead of fighting against the stereotype of living in a trailer she encouraged people to think the worst of her. Leah's logic was that they thought that about her anyway so why bother pretending to be different - she was dumb, yea it was unfair people made assumptions about her but practically everyone is judged unfairly and the only way for people to truly see someone is by showing them it. Leah was too lazy and stupid to try and change people's opinions of her - sure some people wouldn't have thought any differently of her but the people that matter would have once they'd gotten to know the real Leah.

-Grayson's attitude was vile and his treatment of Leah was disgusting. He genuinely thought that Leah had been sleeping with his middle aged dad since she the age of 14 even though neither Leah or his dad ever acted like anything other than employer/employee. His reasoning was that she was pretty and that his dad cheated on his mum once upon a time - so what?! She was 14 and her dad was in his 40's - how could he think so little of them both, especially Leah who he didn't even know. What's worse was that even though Grayson believed his dad and Leah had a sexual relationship he thought Leah was the one with no morals, the one that was in the wrong and the one that was bad. He didn't think badly of his 40 something year old dad and that it was wrong of him having sex with his 14 year old employee. What the hell sort of guy thinks like that?! If he truly believed there was something going on then he should have helped Leah since his dad would have actually been raping and grooming her since she was only 14.
On top of that even though he was in a long term relationship with another girl and also thought that Leah was sleeping with his dad, he claims to have been in love with Leah - WTF?!
How can he have loved with her when 1) he was dating someone else 2) he never even tried to talk to Leah 3) he thought she was getting smexy with his dad 4) he never gave her a chance 5) he blackmailed her into dating his brother 6) he insulted her and treated her like shit 7) he thought she was evul and had slept with loads of men to get ahead - how is that love? It's not.

-It's only when Leah gives Grayson a rundown of her sex life which is a grand total of having sex just the once with an old boyfriend, does Grayson start to think she's worthy of him. Because in YA land a girl who enjoys having sex or has had sex more than once before meeting the hero isn't worthy of a HEA.

-Molly was a rubbish friend to Leah, she knew the situation Leah was put in and that Leah had no choice in pretending to like Alec yet Molly still acted like Leah was evul. Molly should have stuck up for Leah and not gone behind her back just because she was jealous. What an awful friend.

-Every girl at Leah's high school hated her because she was pretty, even Molly was constantly throwing snide remarks her way and believed that she was Slutty McSlutty.

-The ending was rubbish, there was so much build up and no pay off. Instead of Leah, Grayson, Molly and Alec all having it out and explaining things to each other - there was just a stupid life and death situation and everything was just brushed under the carpet.

This was disappointing, moreso because the first few chapters were promising. Leah turned out to be a weak doormat, Grayson was a plonker, the romance was awful, the plot lost all it's gravitas as soon as the love square was hinted at and the ending was a huge let down.

[Ksenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It looks like Jennifer Echols’ YA romantic dramas work best for me. I loved her Love Story; her Going Too Far is one of my all-time favorites; and Such a Rush was no exception. So good.

As long as she can remember Leah Jones moved with her mother from one trailer park to another. Living in a trailer means living near an airport. While her mother keeps a string of loser boyfriends and wastes all their money, Leah is trying to be an adult. At fourteen she gets a job at an airport. She longs to fly, so she saves money and asks Mr.Hall, owner of banner advertising business, to give her flight lessons. At eighteen, Mr.Hall offers her a job as a pilot. It looks like her dream finally comes true. Suddenly Mr.Hall dies and his business pass on his teenage sons Alec and Grayson. For years Leah had a crush on Grayson, but Mr. Hall’s sons wanted nothing with her, so she just watched them from afar. To her surprise Alec and Grayson want to keep the banner business running. Now Grayson blackmails her to date his brother and fly for their company. Battling her feelings for Grayson, Leah tries to navigate this new reality.

I loved the romance in Such a Rush. There’s an amazing build-up, the chemistry was off the charts. And this book is so sexy. Jennifer Echols writes sensual passionate scenes which is rare in YA genre. While this book stays within YA area, it’s more suited for the older part of the YA audience. I respect that the author doesn’t shy away from teenage sex. And she raised several important topics here.

I love Jennifer Echols’ heroines. She perfected this “bad girl type”. She writes troubled strong-minded heroines with tough attitude. Leah is a wonderful protagonist.

For Leah flying is freedom, she sees flying as a way to escape her real life. I was fascinated by this theme. Both Leah and Grayson are very passionate about flying.

I enjoyed watching sibling dynamic between Alec and Grayson and Leah’s friendship with Molly, both of which were put on test through the book.

I put Such a Rush on my favorite shelf. I highly recommend it to those who are looking for a solid book with great romance, strong and passionate characters, as well as family, friendship and dreams come true.

You can find my reviews:

[Princess Bookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Thoughts: I swear if Echols wrote a book about something as annoying as spam, I'd still pick it up and read it! I adore her writing style, her insight, her romantic and intriguing characters.

We are introduced to Leah who loves airplanes. She has spent her whole life living near airports. She has moved around a lot with her mom from trailer park to trailer park, which always happens to be near an airport of some kind.

Leah is the kind of girl you have to like. She may come off as tough but really she's just motivated. Nobody really knows her or understands her. Except her best friend. All the other girls think she is bad news or out to steal their boyfriends. She has a reputation because she doesn't live on the "right" side of town and she's a little rough around the edges.

It's only right that Leah gets a job with Mr. Hall at his banner advertising business. She's only 14 years old at the time so she can only do office work but it is Leah's dream to fly an airplane so she saves up some of her earnings and plunks it on his table in exchange for a flying lesson. And that is where it all starts. Over the years, she stays at her job and learns to fly on the side.

Flash forward three years and Leah is flying for the business!!! There is nothing more she loves than being up in the air, feeling in control, taking her destiny in her hands.

Than there are the famous brothers. Grayson and Alec. Hot brothers? Oh yes! But not only are they brothers but they are twins! Oh yes! Eek! Hot! Sexy! They also have an older brother named Jake. Through the years, Leah has seen them when they come visit their dad (Mr. Hall) but she doesn't really get to know them. They think they are "better" than her I guess and they barely talk to her except when they have too.

When Mr. Hall dies, Leah is left with no idea what she is going to do next, she assumes the business will shut down and she'll be out of a job. But, instead Grayson and Alec decide they are going to keep the business with Leah as one of the pilots.

So much drama starts from there. Leah starts dating Alec. Grayson has a plan and blackmails Leah into it. Leah is trying to hold it all together, we can see her emotional and physical struggle. Her mom isn't around much, she doesn't know what she's going to eat most days as her refrigerator is usually empty.

She wants to do what she has to for Alec but she also has always had a thing for Grayson.

Leah and one of the boys kind of have a unique relationship. They don't always see eye to eye, and that is what made Such A Rush so interesting. It's your love story that doesn't start out as a love story. They don't fall in love within five pages either. There was tension, chemistry, all leading up to the big bang!

And that beach and tornado scene- HOT! SEXY! BLISTERING!

I just want to say I loved the plot of this. I loved all the airplane moments. I loved experiencing what it was like to be a pilot and to feel such love for something. I also loved Leah's relationship with both boys and how the story turned out.

Echols has this way with words. She can light up my life for a few hours by telling her stories. They are always so freaking amazing.

Such A Rush is another brilliant story full of twins, brothers, pilots, airplanes, death, and most of all love and what it means to be in love.

Overall: Can't you tell I loved this book from above? Come on! What more can I say? Echols you have wowed me again! Please write faster and more so I can read more of your marvelous books!

Cover: Really liked it! I was hoping it would have a plane or one of the boys but this is pretty too. I can see Leah looking like that, especially with her long hair.

What I'd Give It: 5/5 Cupcakes
__________
Review Taken From Princess Bookie
www.princessbookie.com

[Eunice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jennifer Echols is the author that can still make me want to read more of her books even though most of it didn't really made me fall in love with them. From all the four books I've read of her Going Too Far was the only one that had successfully astounded me. But after reading Such a Rush, I'm glad to say that a new book from her has found its way directly into my heart! Such a Rush is a complex story yet a poignant and heartwarming one that deals with issues about family and I just loved how Jennifer Echols explored it through Leah, Grayson and Alex's story.

Leah is a very endearing character. She's tough and independent yet there's something in her that makes you feel so protective of her. She is a character that is so easy to like and care about. Her determination to get away from her current life through flying was something I really loved about her. Her passion with it was just very captivating and impressive that I myself can sometimes feel the elation she get through it with her narration. Jennifer Echols voiced her character in a very appealing way but with great realness and honesty in it.

Grayson is a complex and a very confusing character. He acted like a complete jerk but I can see that she cares for Leah a lot. He'd shown some of his caring and sweet side but still it didn't stop me from getting mad at his actions. I know there was something behind all the blackmailing but when I figured what it was all about I can't help but feel sad and sympathetic for him even if his choice of actions were wrong. He was emotionally wounded from the grief of losing Jake and his Dad. He was broken and was scared of having someone he really loved to lose again. In the end, I'm glad that he gained himself and I realized how invested I was to his character actually.

Jennifer Echols did an amazing job on exploring the importance of the relationship within a family whether you're blood related or not. I love how she showed and addressed the father-daughter like relationship Mr. Hall and Leah developed; the close relationship of the Hall boys and their father even though it was quite tainted by the past and how the loss of two of them affected the others. It was poignant, heart breaking but touching and moving. I love how the characters developed, grow and learned throughout the course of the story.

Although I find the pacing a bit slow it wasn't the kind that would make you feel bored about it. It would just make you want to know more and be eager to see what's gonna happen next.

Such a Rush sure lived by it's title. Reading this was indeed such a rush, it was thrilling and exhilarating. Meeting these characters and seeing them grew and developed through all the obstacles was heartwarming and lifting. Being with them as they fly and feel the elation with it was like having the same experience as the had. It was wonderful and utterly captivating. This is such a beautiful novel. I recommend this.

P.S. I can't believe I didn't mention this. There are actually smexy times here that just had me really swooning and grinning like a maniac. Haha! Just adding more reason why you have to read this! XD

This review is also posted at Book Overdose

[Jasprit · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve had a topsy turvy relationship with Echol’s books, I’ve enjoyed them as they’re light, fun reads which I can curl up with over the summer break but I still have to find one that stood out from the rest, I was hoping Such a Rush would be that book.

Leah has always grown up around airports, every time her mother decides to make a rush move they always end up next to another one. Leah always gets a rush seeing a plane take off, so when they move to Heaven, a 14 year old Leah decides to apply for a job there, she knows she won’t be able to sit in a plane straight away, but just being around them is better than nothing. Leah soon builds a strong relationship with Mr. Hall the owner, with his sons barely around he starts giving Leah a lot of opportunities and responsibilities around the airport. But then when Mr Hall dies Leah feels like she’s lost everything, but Grayson Mr Hall’s son unexpectedly announces he will be taking charge even though he showed no clear interest before. Leah wants to walk away from it all but Grayson has her back against the wall with the little lie she kept from Mr Hall. Grayson threatens to reveal all unless she works for him and also woos his twin brother Alec too. Leah knew Grayson could be rude but she didn’t think he could stoop so low to get her to fake her feelings towards his twin brother, she wants to know why, but he’s so stubborn, he won’t budge at all, so she really has no choice in the matter.

A confusing relationship between two hot brothers and one girl is a brilliant formula Echols plays with in Endless Summer, we found ourselves in a similar situation in Such a Rush. Here Leah has to pretend to like Alec when it’s clear as day that she doesn’t and it’s obvious to see that Grayson likes Leah too. So I didn’t get why Grayson kept pushing Leah towards her brother? The reasoning behind it when revealed I understood why it was important to Grayson, but couldn’t Grayson get any other girl to do it instead of hurting his own feelings by making Leah make out with Alec and eventually Alec’s if the truth ever came out?

Grayson was your typical enigmatic hot guy who exuded a lot more confidence compared to Alec. Alec was sweeter and more innocent of the brothers, but Leah had to fall for the obnoxious one. Over the years Grayson’s been a jerk, he’s said so many hurtful things about Leah, and occasionally can still be quite hurtful and now he’s even blackmailing her, but Leah still can’t help but fall for him. But I guess we can never really help but fall for the bad boy type, but also when you do get to see Grayson’s considerate side then I guess I would have a hard time too avoiding him too, on top of that he has blonde curly hair with gorgeous grey eyes!

Despite some issues that niggled at me Such a Rush was a decent read, ideals for the summer. (Just be prepared for a lot of airplane talk).

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennifer Echols seems to have the ability to write books that I just can't put down. Such a Rush is no exception.

The characters had great depth and Jennifer explored their flaws to perfection. There are times when I loved and hated their choices but it was always engaging. It takes great talent to tread that line between writing flawed characters and still making them relatable and likeable. I just love how she achieved this. The ending was very satisfying so I can give this one 5 stars without reservation.

Loved it

[Syndi · Rating 2 out of 5]

the first chapter is promising. especially with a strong female character. but somehow in the middle of it, everythong falls apart for me.

i can not connect with the heroine caharacter. and the wording seems dragging for me.

overall not a book for me.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
{This review was originally published on Clear Eyes, Full Shelves.}

The TV said you should ignore bullies and they would stop harassing you. In practice this worked about half the time. The other half, you ended up with two tall boys shadowing you through a trailer park, their fingers taking little nips at your clothes, like dogs.

At first glance, Jennifer Echols’ new YA novel, Such a Rush, has all the tell-tale signs of a typical YA romance: two attractive boys, absent parents and high-stakes drama.

And, yet, between the covers (and what a gorgeous cover it is), you’ll find a sensitively-crafted story of an 18-year old girl, who’s never had it even remotely easy, trying to figure out what sort of person she’s going to be.

Leah is a girl who’s grown up in trailer parks, most of which have been by airports. She lives with her mother who floats from town to town based on promises from each new boyfriend—promises that never come to fruition. Often facing eviction because her mother rarely works, Leah’s life has always been in upheaval. That is until at age 14, she and her mother move into the trailer park next to the Heaven Beach Airport.

Leah’s world opens up when she gets a job working in the office at Hall Aviation, a company that tows banners in the air up and down the beach. Mr. Hall, the owner, takes Leah under his wing (ha! puns!) after she starts saving her paychecks for flying lessons. Eventually, after years of working at Hall Aviation and flying with Mr. Hall, Leah is eighteen and ready to start working as a banner plane pilot she graduates—it’s her ticket to a better future.

However, all of those dreams are threatened when Mr. Hall dies of a heart attack shortly after his oldest son is killed while serving in the military and the Hall twins, Grayson and Alec, take over the business.

Leah is certain that Grayson and Alex cannot keep the business going, so she starts looking for another pilot job—her best bet being working as a crop-duster pilot for another company at the same small private airport. Those plans are derailed when Grayson (the trouble-making, reckless twin that Leah’s always crushed on from afar) blackmails Leah into flying for Hall Aviation during spring break. Oh, and she doesn’t just have to fly for the company—she has to try to date his brother (the golden boy).

Okay, so I know that sound likes a triangulated love fest, but it’s not—I swear. Such a Rush isn’t about Leah choosing between these two boys, though there is a very compelling, dramatic Echolsian Romance (I may or may not have just made up that brilliant term). In the beginning, it’s very clear which brother Leah has chemistry with, and that’s Grayson. Which is why the whole blackmail thing is particularly assholish.

But, what struck me about the romance aspect of Such a Rush is what lingers in all of Echols’ dramatic novels: the characters are flawed people who need to figure out who they are. Through figuring themselves out, they’re also able to plant the seeds of mature relationships. Echols’ characters have flaws—significant ones—they still deserve to love and be loved. Leah is a difficult personality. Because of her transient background and lousy family life, she’s reluctant to make connections, and seems ready to push away anyone who cares about her out of her life. She puts on a tough act, and projects the outward image as the trashy girl from the wrong side of the tracks, with her tough talk,

This trailer is set to self destruct when it senses an IQ that low.

And yet, we know thanks to the excellent first-person narration, that Leah is plagued by self-doubt, that her biggest fear is that she actually is the girl who she pretends to be, that she’s just like her mother. And that’s what really struck me about Such a Rush: the contrast between Leah’s confident, tough-girl act that everyone sees and the fears and doubts that plague her. I think that’s what makes her a relatable character.

Another thing that I love about Jennifer Echols’ novels is that the girls in her books do things.

“Most people hear an airplane in the sky and think, ‘There’s an airplane,’ and go back to what they were doing. A few folks look around for the airplane, try to figure out what kind of plane it is, and watch it from the time they spot it to the time it disappears on the horizon, maybe after that. Those kids are the ones who will be pilots.” He pointed at me. “I knew that about you. I’ve just been waiting for you to show up.”

I know that sounds ridiculous, but in each and everyone one of her stories, the girls are involved in their lives in a rich way. Whether it’s snowboarding in The Ex-Games (so funny) or swimming in Forget You (so swoony), there’s more going on in these girls’ lives than just boy problems. And it’s done in a way in which these things don’t read like window dressing—there’s passion for something. And, I love that they can also feel passion for someone too without losing who they are. This is where good young adult romance really shines, and Echols nails it in Such a Rush.

In that vein, after having a bad experience with an airplane book earlier this year, the details about planes and flying were actually very interesting because they weren’t overwhelming, they set the scene and aided in the character development. Echols gives us just enough to make it thrilling and interesting without turning the book into an aviation manual. I loved the scenes in the airplane, where the thrill of flying was palpable.

Some folks may be bothered by the “rawness” in Such a Rush—and I mean that on a number of levels—but I loved it.

It looks like God barfed a rainbow.

First, Leah’s language is harsh. She’s had a tough shake in life and she draws some pretty tough lines. She doesn’t like a lot of people, and she’s hard on them. She’s been labeled the “school slut,” and she alternatively embraces that label and assigns it to others. Because of this, I think some readers will find being in Leah’s headspace frustrating, and that’s totally understandable—for me, I enjoyed this internal tension. Leah’s love interest is also a difficult personality and his motivations are as murky as Leah’s. Basically, these are some pretty broken young people that have to be adults when they’re in desperate need of the guidance of Mr. Hall, whom they’re all mourning.

Before he could utter more bullshit, I went on, “Men always do that to women when they feel threatened. They tell everybody the woman must be giving out blow jobs because there’s no way she could be successful otherwise.”

Obviously, this is also a straight-up “mature” young adult novel—for readers used to the softer touch of YA romance stalwarts like Sarah Dessen (whose books I love), the frankness in Such a Rush may be a surprise. I, for one, would like to see more of this in the YA spectrum. Even though the protagonists are still in high school, and therefore not “new adults” (a term I am not completely comfortable with), I’d include Such a Rush with books like Easy. Except there’s a lot more humor.

We already figured you were going with us like a double date from hell…

Along those same lines, this is one I’m adding to my list of “sex positive” young adult novels. (I should actually make that list, huh?) While not a message book at all, Such a Rush tackles sex in a frank manner, both in the choices to and not to have it and why. There’s a scene (on pages 235-7 for those of you with a copy of Such a Rush) in which Leah and Grayson have a very frank conversation about her sex (not in the context you’re thinking) and it is one of the most thoughtfully rendered discussions of the topic I’ve read in a YA novel. It’s actually painful to read, because it really demonstrates how emotionally screwed up Leah is, and what a hard road she’s got ahead of her.

There’s a later conversation (on pages 274-5 for those of you following along at home) that straight up made teary (if you ask Laura and Renegade, they’ll tell you that this isn’t too hard, but still) between Leah and the boy she ends up with after they’ve begun a physical relationship. It contradicts all of her assumptions revealed in the earlier scene about the purpose of physical intimacy. It’s a revealing, redemptive moment and one that I’m glad Echols included in Such a Rush.

I always recommend Going Too Far as a first Echols’ dramatic novel and Major Crush as a first of her comedies for Echols newbies. I still think that those are probably the best to start with, but Such a Rush is probably my new favorite of her novels because the character growth from everyone is just so deft. Plus, the gorgeous cover is definitely one that I’d push on people who are reluctant to pick up something labeled as “YA Romance.”

FNL Character Rating: Tyra all the way!

Initial thoughts:

Loved it! Going Too Far fans will be very happy with Such a Rush. Also, the book design is gorgeous and the
cover actually relates to the story. Cannot wait for her adult novel... this one was very much a mature YA like GTF.

I'll write a real review after I've thought on it a bit.

[Taschima · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can find more reviews @BloodyBookaholic

I don't read many contemporary books because for the most part if a book doesn't have fangs, claws, or invisible people on them I mostly get bored, but this one kept me hooked. I feel like this book was interesting, complex, and real. The relationship between the characters, that's what the whole book is about and it nails it.

The places in where the books nailed it:

The characters- True they don't have a healthy diet of blood, but real as they are these characters will keep you at the edge of your seat. Cliche maybe, but they really will! The thing about them is they are so complicated, starting with the main female character Leah and Grayson. Leah is spunky and she has a lot of snark (which is fun to read about). At the beginning she bothered me because she didn't stand up for herself, but I am happy to announce there is character development and that by the end she turns out to be someone you wouldn't mind hanging out with. Grayson on the other hand was so fucked up! Their relationship started in a bad manner, and he was such an ass through the novel. And sure we get to know his intentions and everything, but still he bothered me! At the end there he redeems himself, but just barely. Not going into my list of ultimate boyfriend's I would like to have, but man he sure will give you a healthy dose of sexy.

The romance was electric! There was chemistry coming out of these characters like there was no tomorrow, and the scenes between Grayson and Leah are not to be taken lighly. Which leads me to warn people about the potential sex, "bad" words, and other kinds of real life dialogue that might appear in this novel. If you are easy to faint or light of heart when someone drops the f bomb, well first off I am sorry for the ones dropped in this review alone, and second be weary because there is bound to be some heavy, real content in this novel.

There was one relationship that had no romance in it but it was still my favorite, the relationship between Leah and Mr. Hall, Grayson and Alec's father. He took her in and helped her like if he was her father, she listened to him and was there for him like a daughter. It was a beautiful father/daughter relationship, one I think it is almost always lacking in other books I read because most of the time the main characters are orphans or their parents aren't in the picture at all. The way that relationship is questioned in the book makes for an interesting read that will keep you throughly invested.

Things I might have disliked- The novel and the writing was not lacking at all, I am just not used to contemporary. It is not my favorite genre, but I still really liked this novel so imagine that. At some points I thought the relationships had conversations missing, like fixing-the-relationship-in-order-to-tolerate-you conversations, between leah and the boys, and between Leah and her best friend who acted weird through the novel.

This is my first try of a Jennifer Echols novel and I gotta say that I will read more work by her. It was interesting, and it rocked. Only thing missing from it was some impending doom, a british accent, or two, and some paranormal characters. But as far as contemporary goes, this one was a winner.

[Isamlq · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a got a surprisingly long introduction to a girl who really doesn’t want to turn out like her mother. And does something about. In other words, DRAMA. It’s just not the quiet kind that has you holding your breathe waiting for the next surprise, rather it’s more like those filled with convoluted little plots that don’t make sense to you but make sense to the one suggesting them. There’s a lot of secrets and truths held back… but behold: I was into it.

It’s quiet sometimes especially when it’s all about her and her thoughts and her opinions. The same ones that were slightly skewed given where she comes from, but it wasn’t all quiet all the time, all those plots and plans that made no sense to me just upped the drama to the level of 'say what now?’ See, she’s a an eighteen year old pilot… and still wants to be nothing like her mother, and he’s the bad boy wanting a do over with his father. Only, what if it’s too late for either of them? Plus, there he's one of a hot pair of twins! So, I enjoyed it, even if found things a bit tedious at first, only later to have things take a turn toward the unbelievably too much. BUT if my likening SUCH A RUSH to a soap opera makes sense, it’s something I couldn’t peel my eyes from.

She’s a history that had me rooting for her BUT at the same a little (more than a little) perplexed me by why she was going a long with things. Her tough girl façade was not all a façade. TRUE. She really does take care of herself and she really is tough, but once things got going with him asking her to be one thing and act a certain way. My first reaction was to drop kick him, and me second one was asking why she’s folded. But I did get it (sure, I didn’t buy it, but I got it). She had her secrets after all and a lot of it has to do with living where she does and the way she does, but they had secrets of their own too.

Except the blurb made it out to be more dire than things really were. Take Grayson, the bad boy no longer. He’s turned a new leaf and become all responsible. So working along side him, she learns a little more of him and what she learns makes him a tinge sadder, (even if he still is an ass in my estimation). Well intentioned… but IMO he goes about it all the wrong way. And what about the other brother, the one described as sensitive and solid? He is all that, but he’s got issues of his own too. All his issues (their issues in fact) can be surmised in one word: FAMILY. Where Leah’s running away from where she came from, and Grayson’s wants a do over, it’s Alec who wants to do them proud.

Now, if all that’s not too much yet, there’s that other issue of Molly and Leah. BFF’s? Maybe. Maybe not. Leah thinks people are in relationships because they can get something out of it, and that’s sad, because the pair of them together no matter how entertaining together, were never really themselves with each other… and when things come to head… well, you get the picture.

This was good at points particularly in the first half and if I add the smexy times that took me by surprise... well, I sailed through Grayson's convoluted plan even if it angered me more than a little.

3/5

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll save you’re the wondrously horrible cliché of saying that this book was, “Such a Rush” because it was much more than that. It was irresistible and inspiring and incredible. Such a Rush is a story about following your dreams and making them come true by any means possible and I loved every single page.

Our main character, Leah, doesn’t have the best home life. She lives in a noisy trailer park with her mom, who’s rarely ever around, and a boy that’s no good for her. Leah dreams of escaping, of becoming a pilot, she wants the freedom that flying will give her, so she starts working for Mr. Hall. Leah starts out at the company as the receptionist, until one day she asks for a flying lesson. At first, Mr. Hall doesn’t seem to keen on the idea but while talking to Leah, he sees her passion and strong desire to be in the sky, so he starts giving her lessons.

Not knowing anything about planes myself, I found their time in the sky to be absolutely fascinating! Echols gives just the right amount of details to make the jargon understandable and exciting! Kinda makes me wish I could fly a plane myself! BUT, banner flying is also EXtremely dangerous and even the smallest gust of wind or drop of rain can causes and accident. There were many a times I was frightened senseless and I wasn’t even flying the plane! For the most part, all serious accidents were avoided though. Thank gosh!

Things really start to take off though (see what i did there?) when Mr. Hall's twin sons come back to town to take over the business after he passes away. GUYS. I LOVED THESE BOYS!

Alec is an absolute sweetheart. He’s always willing to help you out or make you smile, while Grayson is the complete opposite. *Shakes head* Grayson, Grayson, Grayson…what am I going to do with you? (possibly tie you to my bed...ehem…I mean…?) Grayson is so outrageously sexy and a major daredevil, he is the epitome of a bad boy and he definitely had me and Leah falling hardcore. BUT! He’s also very confusing! One minute he’s super charming and helpful, bringing Leah dinner and the next he’s a complete asshole and totally spiteful, blackmailing her. I wanted to slap him SO HARD at one point! He was so stubborn and on such a major power trip. GAH! He was SO FRUSTRATING. BUT SO FREAKING ATTRACTIVE. (Did I already mention that?)

And oh sweet heavens! The tension between Leah and Grayson!? It flew (no pun…actually……pun intended!) off of the pages. The spark between them!? I’M SURPRISED THE BOOK DIDN’T SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUST. HOLY FOREST FIRE. Like, damn. Just make-out already! :P

I absolutely adored this book, it left me swooning and speechless. It was sexy and amazing and just…SO FREAKING GOOD! I want a sequel! I NEED more Leah & Grayson and sky time! This book is seriously a must, MUST read!

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit that I only wanted to read this because I fell in cover-lust. Then, when I saw it was about airplanes I sort of backed away and didn't think I would be in love. But, Mrs. Echols intruiged me from the very beginning.

And, I have to add this book was perect for reading over this Memorial Day weekend, while lounging in the pool and looking at these huge, fluffy, white clouds..........

There was just something so real about these characters.
Leah: Struggled with being poor, with growing up in a trailer park, with having a very absent mother. She had trouble figuring out exactly who she was supposed to be, but she had her sights set on becoming a pilot. Leah was annoying at times, but I felt for her. She was a complex and thought proviking character for me.

Grayson: Struggled with the death of his brother and Father, with the thought of his only other brother leaving, with maintaining his Father's business, with his feelings for Leah.

Alec: We don't get to know him as well, but some information given to us later in the story really gave some insight on the questions I had. He is also going through the ache of losing 2 of his family members and trying to figure out what to do with his life. He seems so easy going and polite, but he has a lot going on behind his cool demeanor.

Molly: The most annoying rich best-fried on Leah got on my nerves. She has a big mouth and feelings for someone that she should have just been honest about in the beginning.


Honesty. A simple little word that these characters needed to use. They all mostly had good intentions, but some kind of backwards ways of showing they care.

Swoon over Grayson with me and read this one.
Root for the Rags-to-Riches, stubborn, goal-oriented Leah and read this one.


4 stars

definitely curious about this author.

[Miranda Kenneally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely my favorite Jennifer Echols book!
Great voice, great world-building.
<3 <3 Grayson and his straw hat and aviator sunglasses.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leah has lived in trailer parks by the airport all her life. While her mother hates the sound of them, she decides to embrace them. She gets a job at the small local airport and saves for flying lessons. Hall Aviation is one of the businesses located at the airport and after Mr. Hall gives Leah her first lesson she is hooked. Mr. Hall becomes like a father to Leah and she continues lessons and watches his three sons from afar, sort of wishing she could be a part of their family. She watches and slowly falls for Grayson, one of the younger twins. Mr. Hall's son's always ignored her and she even walked in on them discussing whether or not she was sleeping with their father. That broke her heart and made her distance herself further from them.

Three years later Mr. Hall's oldest son dies and he soon follows. Leah is worried her flying career is over. Mr. Hall had offered her a summer job flying advertisement banners on the beach. Then Grayson shows up and tells her he plans to keep the business open and will run it with his twin brother Alec. Grayson is rude and insults Leah so she refuses but Grayson is very persistent. He shows up at her trailer blackmailing her into both working for him and dating his brother. Leah is tired of being seen as a whore but doesn't want to risk losing her chances of one day becoming an airline pilot. She has worked extremely hard to have a way out of the trailer park and into something better. This beginning part of the story was really sad. I felt horrible that Leah lost Mr. Hall. He was such an important person that believed in her. Leah thinks of him often throughout the book. I also hated the way everyone thought of and treated Leah. They all just assumed the worst of her because of her background.

Grayson angered me at first with his lies and blackmail. As I got to know him I realized that although he handled things badly, it was his desperate way to try to save Alec and the small family he has left. Grayson and Alec are very broken. Although twins, they were never close. Their oldest brother Jake usually held the family together. They really needed some open communication and honesty but instead they both deceive each other. Grayson slowly grows closer to Leah. They have a lot in common but Grayson is really standoffish. Alec was sweet. I liked his character but he also was kind of a jerk the way he handled some things. I was really worried about a love triangle, as they are the plague of my book life, but trust me when I say there isn't one. It may really really seem like it for awhile, but all will explain itself as you read. I promise! There is so much going on with the twins but they are not quite as naive as they think each other are.

Leah has had such a hard life. Her story made me appreciate my car, my mom, and even my washer machine. She has been on her own all her life, her mom is off with boyfriends and never home, so when Grayson, Alec, and her rich friend Molly don't understand why she can't drive or swim, I felt really bad for her. Molly was a weird friend. I can't say I liked her. I still don't understand why she hid some things and lied. Also Leah and Molly had one of the strangest friendships. I felt like Leah excused Molly's actions and wasn't honest with her because Leah felt like the charity case friend. Not a good way to strengthen and build a friendship. Leah definitely doesn't want pity. She never asks Molly for help. She worked really hard to try to learn to fly and to work her way into a new life. I loved the descriptions of her flying and how she felt. I've always wanted take flying lessons. There were so many twists to the story but I was paying close attention and saw the little clues. It was a highly addicting read cause I was dying for everything to come out to see if I was right about the clues.

"Are you coming on to me?" I asked sternly.
He lowered his shades on his nose and looked over them at me, his big gray eyes serious. "Considering your reaction, I guess not."

"It was the first time in my life I felt like I was in control."
"I could see," I said. "For the first time, I could see what most people never saw. I could see the whole town, and how I fit into it, and how far I would have to go to get out of it. I got such a rush, seeing that. And until that plane ride, I hadn't realized how low I'd felt for years, because I didn't have a high to compare it with."

[Julianna Helms · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Actual, full review: Original is here. (Note: due to copy-and-paste, formatting and links have been lost.)

A promising beginning crumbled by a hypocritical yet beautiful ending, Such a Rush is a convoluted novel that's both intense and grilling.

I had hoped to love this book--my friends loved it, and it looked simply amazing. But while the setting shimmered with richness and the characters flared with authenticity, this book ultimately did not claim me a fan. I am probably more disappointed by that fact than imaginable. There are several elements that contributed to my unfortunate distaste:

1) The Writing: Jennifer Echols's writing is smooth and fleshed, but the text was quite redundant. This may very well be only the ARC's issue and will not occur in the final book, but the repetitions emerged so numerously that I realized it was devaluing my experience of the book. I no longer have the ARC with me, but for example: Leah would say something was annoying, then in the next paragraph she would say the same thing, phrased only slightly differently. Then a chapter later she would mention it again, or another character would say the same thing she said. While repetition can be used as a powerful literary tool, I felt like the redundancy dragged the plot in this case and snapped me out of the story. The most prominent example I can think of is the phrase such a rush used at least twenty times, but since the title is Such a Rush, I suppose I should exclude that one. Even then, though, my thoughts still stand.

2) Leah: This is a slightly personal opinion that might not affect anyone else, but I am not a fan of girls like Leah. Let me explain something really quick: she has had a hard, hard life; neglected and used and abused. I understand that, and it makes me incredibly solemn and sympathetic. But she claims to be strong; to be different than the other girls who grow up to be "sluts," who are flaunters and exhibitionists and nothing more than that. Leah believed she was something else.

But while she appeared to be someone stronger, different, ultimately she was not.

She said she hated her mother for the oblivious decisions she made; but then Leah makes those choices herself. And sometimes she realizes that she's acting just like her mother and would be ashamed, but oftentimes she would not. She says she is not one to be a druggy like others; but you do not need drugs to sink into a "slut." I'm using her own word here, because I believe the word "slut" is extremely subjective, but Leah is bold--too bold, too hot-headed, at least in my opinion. EVERYONE tells her how beautiful and sexy she is, and she's just like, what? I'm beautiful? Since when? But then she goes and wears obscenely short shorts and disturbingly flaunting shirts; what do you actually realize, Leah? It was her act of hatred towards things and then doing them--confused and disbelieving truths and then suddenly acknowledging them as if she knew them all along--that made me eventually disappointed with her.

There are things I must applaud Jennifer for, of course. A female pilot? How cool! It's obvious she did her homework on planes and mechanics. The brothers' tension? Talk about realistic. Romance? Steamy as heck. But in the end, despite these uniquely well-portrayed aspects, Such a Rush's aggravating protagonist and a repetitive habit resulted in a sadly unfavorable response from me.

Yet, there is not much ground I hold with my sole opinion; others have loved this book, and I urge you to give its fresh and eccentric atmosphere a try.

[Riya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted at The Teen Book Guru

**This review is based on an Advance Readers Copy (thank you so, so much, Jen!!)**

This book totally blew my mind!! Jennifer Echols ROCKS! Not only does Such a Rush live up to all of her other amazing books, but it kind of surpasses them. It captivated me from the very beginning to end. Her characters were beautifully written and all came to life in the darkest, most twisted way possible. It was such a thriller!!! Filled with gallons of hot romance, a killer plot, and bad-ass characters, fans of Jen's previous books will most definitely not be disappointed, and readers who are new to her books will gobble this one up too!

Honestly, I have no clue how Jen does it. Every single one of her books are so well-written with thoroughly engaging story lines and amazing characters. I am a HUGE fan of both her Romantic Dramas and Comedies, but I have to say that I enjoy her Dramas are a little bit more than the comedies. Such a Rush, in my opinion, was the perfect mix! Throughout the novel, Jen incorporated a whole lot of wit, snark and humor... I friggin LOVED it!

“The lieutenant leading the group was a tall blond. I couldn’t tell for sure since he was wearing mirrored shades, but I thought he was boyishly handsome, like Alec. He came straight for me because, dressed in a bikini top, I was obviously in charge of this airport.”

BAHAHA. See what I mean? Jen is made of nothing but pure awesomeness.

So, I can't go into too much detail as it isn't out yet, and I'm going to try my best, but if you think you might be heading into a spoiler, just stop reading. Sometimes, when I love a book as much as I loved this one, I get a little... (ok, A LOT) carried away. :')

So... I'm telling you, BEWARE. And don't say I didn't warn you! :P

We are introduced to Leah and her love of flying and airplanes at the very beginning of the book. She lives in a trailer, with her mom, and she works hard to pay the rent. Her dream is to become a pilot, but how is that possible if she can barely support herself? Then, one day, a miracle (or something like it) happens, and she gets a spot in Mr. Hall's flying academy. Everything is going great, and Leah Jones finally starts working towards her dream.

Then, tragedy strikes. Mr. Hall dies in a spontaneous heart attack, and Leah, and his two sons, are left heartbroken. Fast forward to three years later. Leah has basically given up hope, and is still living with her mom and unstable boyfriend. Things aren't going that well. To add to her horrible living conditions, Grayson, adrenalin junkie and Mr. Hall's son, not to mention, her long-time crush, offers Leah a flying job. After she refuses, he blackmails her by digging up her most damning secret, and holds it above her head, forcing her to fly. Before she knows it, Leah is caught between two brothers in a deadly game. What does Grayson want from her? And how is it possible that even though he's so dangerous, she can't help but feel sparks whenever he's around?

A thrilling and fast-paced roller-coaster ride till the last page, Such a Rush is one heck of a Romantic Drama. The characters are so realistic and wonderful, and (I know this will sound cheesy, but it's true!), special in their own way... I loved it! And (sorry in advance about the fan-girl squealing, and exclamation marks, but), OMFG Grayson is SO HOT!!!! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE him!! Eeep!! He is definitely going down as one of my favorite book boyfriends EVER!

[andie z (amzreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO GOOD. One of my favorites from her, for sure. <3 <3 <3

Originally posted on my blog, From A to Z.

It’s no secret that I ADORE Jennifer Echols. And whenever I’m asked which book is my favorite, I say The Boys Next Door pretty much automatically, because it is. But overall, between her romantic comedies and her romantic dramas, my heart melts a little more for her dramas. SO. What does this have to do with Such a Rush, you wonder?

To me, Such a Rush felt like the perfect combination of The Boys Next Door and her romantic dramas. Some of my favorite elements of The Boys Next Door are there: a girl getting caught up in the drama between two brothers, fake relationships, real fights, and more secrets than anyone knows what to do with… But it has that mature, intense feel of her dramas, both in terms of actual content (we all know Jennifer can write a steamy love scene like nobody’s business), and in terms of motivations and consequences. This isn’t just fun, high school fluff, this is real life, and the tension (sexual and otherwise :P) that Jennifer builds is fantastic.

And through it all is that signature style of sass and humor that she does so well and that I am so in love with. One of my favorite lines, and I’m not even sure why it stuck with me so much, is after a helicopter unexpectedly lands at the airport and a group gets out and heads toward Leah and the other people working at the airport:

“The lieutenant leading the group was a tall blond. I couldn’t tell for sure since he was wearing mirrored shades, but I thought he was boyishly handsome, like Alec. He came straight for me because, dressed in a bikini top, I was obviously in charge of this airport.”

HA! The whole book is full of that snarky kind of humor. I love it.

And if you’ve ever harbored any kind of secret desire to become a pilot, Such a Rush will completely hit the spot and make you look up the nearest flight school. Both the emotional and the practical details of flying a plane were incredible; I felt like I was right there with Leah every step of the way. Oh, and going to prom in a limo? Officially not cool enough. (No offense to any limo-goers out there.)

I absolutely LOVE Such a Rush. Jennifer Echols has totally outdone herself and this is possibly my new favorite from her. I’m so excited for her next book (as always) but at the same time I just want to bask in the awesomeness of this one. Such a Rush has characters that will wrap you around their little fingers and make you care SO MUCH about them, drama that will make you laugh, cheer, and growl in frustration, sexy times that will make you sigh and swoon, and a last line that will put a smile on your face and (if you’re as emotional as I am) a tear in your eye.

You MUST read this book. This is contemporary at its finest, folks, right here. <3