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Face Time
After the best first date ever, Lee thought Laura was funny, intelligent, and impulsive, and Laura loved Lee’s sweet smile and the way he expertly filled in every awkward pause. It was the date to end all dates. What could possibly be wrong? Just the 7000 miles that separates them the next day.
Their situation, though, doesn’t mean the dates have to end while Lee is in Seoul. Picking up where they left off, Lee and Laura continue with their relationship long distance, diving deeper into their personal lives and turning up the heat… Until Laura’s past and Lee’s family throw them even farther apart. Will their differences stop the relationship before they see each other again?
Told from both Lee and Laura’s point of view, FACE TIME is a funny, romantic, modern-day story about two people who connect across the world.
Their situation, though, doesn’t mean the dates have to end while Lee is in Seoul. Picking up where they left off, Lee and Laura continue with their relationship long distance, diving deeper into their personal lives and turning up the heat… Until Laura’s past and Lee’s family throw them even farther apart. Will their differences stop the relationship before they see each other again?
Told from both Lee and Laura’s point of view, FACE TIME is a funny, romantic, modern-day story about two people who connect across the world.
360 pages, Paperback
First published April 25, 2014
5 people are currently reading
848 people want to read
About the author
S.J. Pajonas
57 books157 followers
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Stephanie (S. J.) is a writer, knitter, Capricorn, Japanophile, and USA Today Best Selling author. She loves summer, downtempo beats, yoga pants, foxes, owls, dogs, sushi, pasta, and black tea. She lives outside NYC with her husband, two great kids, and her dog who always wants to play. When it comes to her work, she writes about everyday women and uncommon worlds. Find her online at https://www.spajonas.com
Stephanie (S. J.) is a writer, knitter, Capricorn, Japanophile, and USA Today Best Selling author. She loves summer, downtempo beats, yoga pants, foxes, owls, dogs, sushi, pasta, and black tea. She lives outside NYC with her husband, two great kids, and her dog who always wants to play. When it comes to her work, she writes about everyday women and uncommon worlds. Find her online at https://www.spajonas.com
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November 12, 2014For buy links and more information, visit:
http://www.spajonas.com/face-time/
Read the first chapters of FACE TIME on Wattpad! http://www.wattpad.com/story/11816594...
Want to be notified when I have new books available? Join my New Releases mailing list: http://www.spajonas.com/newsletter/
Final edits are done and uploaded to NetGalley (04/10/2014) https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/sho...
READER NOTE: FACE TIME is a stand-alone novel and can be read out of sequence from any other future book in the Love In The Digital Age collection.
I loved writing this novel. It explores several of my favorite themes: family, past mistakes, learning to forgive yourself for those past mistakes, cultural differences, and connecting with someone via technology.
This is an adult contemporary romance. The characters are in their early 30s.
Cities featured in this novel: New York City, Seoul, Mumbai, Pune, and Seattle.
http://www.spajonas.com/face-time/
Read the first chapters of FACE TIME on Wattpad! http://www.wattpad.com/story/11816594...
Want to be notified when I have new books available? Join my New Releases mailing list: http://www.spajonas.com/newsletter/
Final edits are done and uploaded to NetGalley (04/10/2014) https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/sho...
READER NOTE: FACE TIME is a stand-alone novel and can be read out of sequence from any other future book in the Love In The Digital Age collection.
I loved writing this novel. It explores several of my favorite themes: family, past mistakes, learning to forgive yourself for those past mistakes, cultural differences, and connecting with someone via technology.
This is an adult contemporary romance. The characters are in their early 30s.
Cities featured in this novel: New York City, Seoul, Mumbai, Pune, and Seattle.
May 11, 2016
My Review:
I got a copy in exchange for an honest review
When I heard that SJ Pajonas was writing a contemporary romance book I knew I had to read it and the blurb sounded so good and original. When I received my ARC review copy I tried to convince myself I had some other review books I had to read first, but after finishing my current read my self control flew out of the window and I had to start this. This year has been slow so far in terms of reading, but I finished this book in only 3 days. I loved it so much and I want to read anything else this author is going to write. I love her writing style, the originality of the story and the fleshed out characters.
Face Time is an original story about two people who after their first date start to date through FaceTime. I have never read a book where people dated like this and it was really original and refreshing. Although I did wonder a bit how they where going to fall in love without actually seeing each other, but the author handled this really well. And beside the romance aspect there is so much more, both characters have a past, family issues and friends. I loved it all and couldn't stop reading.
Face Time is told from both Lee and Laura's point of view and this really worked well for this boook. I liked seeing both their sides of the story. Almost from the start I liked both Lee and Laure, they are easy character to like and the more I read the more I fell in love with these characters and I kept hoping they would get their happy ending. The gradually more and more characters are introduced and even though there is a big cast of side characters they each felt reall and where eays to keep apart. A few side characters I liked even more than the rest where Nicole, Lee's dad, Cori and Nari, they each surprised me in good way. I wanted to know more about each character and the author has done an amazing job creating such interesting side characters.
The romance is done so well, it's so real. I sometimes have an issue with romance books because they feel a bit fake, that certainly wasn't the issue with Face Time. Laura and Lee's relationship feels real and believeable. And they are so good together! Although some of the Face Time chats where a bit frustrating because I wanted them to be together and not only chat through Face Time.
While the focus is on the romance, there is so much more going on. Further into the story we learn much more about both characters. There are some emotional scenes, memories from the past that get's dragged up, family problems and developments with the side characters that all play a role. There also is a lot of character developments especially concerning Laura and Lee, they both grow to be a so much better and stronger version of themselves and it was great so see them change that way and realize things about themselves they didn't knew before.
To conclude: I loved this book! It's a real and believeable romance in the digital age. The story is orginal and addictive. The characters are likeable and believeable and the cast of side characters where fleshed out and interesting. Beside the romance aspect of the story there is so much more going on and I can't wait for the next book in this series. SJ Pajonas is certainly one of my favourite authors now and I can't wait to read all of the books she writes next!
I got a copy in exchange for an honest review
When I heard that SJ Pajonas was writing a contemporary romance book I knew I had to read it and the blurb sounded so good and original. When I received my ARC review copy I tried to convince myself I had some other review books I had to read first, but after finishing my current read my self control flew out of the window and I had to start this. This year has been slow so far in terms of reading, but I finished this book in only 3 days. I loved it so much and I want to read anything else this author is going to write. I love her writing style, the originality of the story and the fleshed out characters.
Face Time is an original story about two people who after their first date start to date through FaceTime. I have never read a book where people dated like this and it was really original and refreshing. Although I did wonder a bit how they where going to fall in love without actually seeing each other, but the author handled this really well. And beside the romance aspect there is so much more, both characters have a past, family issues and friends. I loved it all and couldn't stop reading.
Face Time is told from both Lee and Laura's point of view and this really worked well for this boook. I liked seeing both their sides of the story. Almost from the start I liked both Lee and Laure, they are easy character to like and the more I read the more I fell in love with these characters and I kept hoping they would get their happy ending. The gradually more and more characters are introduced and even though there is a big cast of side characters they each felt reall and where eays to keep apart. A few side characters I liked even more than the rest where Nicole, Lee's dad, Cori and Nari, they each surprised me in good way. I wanted to know more about each character and the author has done an amazing job creating such interesting side characters.
The romance is done so well, it's so real. I sometimes have an issue with romance books because they feel a bit fake, that certainly wasn't the issue with Face Time. Laura and Lee's relationship feels real and believeable. And they are so good together! Although some of the Face Time chats where a bit frustrating because I wanted them to be together and not only chat through Face Time.
While the focus is on the romance, there is so much more going on. Further into the story we learn much more about both characters. There are some emotional scenes, memories from the past that get's dragged up, family problems and developments with the side characters that all play a role. There also is a lot of character developments especially concerning Laura and Lee, they both grow to be a so much better and stronger version of themselves and it was great so see them change that way and realize things about themselves they didn't knew before.
To conclude: I loved this book! It's a real and believeable romance in the digital age. The story is orginal and addictive. The characters are likeable and believeable and the cast of side characters where fleshed out and interesting. Beside the romance aspect of the story there is so much more going on and I can't wait for the next book in this series. SJ Pajonas is certainly one of my favourite authors now and I can't wait to read all of the books she writes next!
April 25, 2014
*I received a free copy of Face Time in exchange of an honest review*
Full review to come soon.
Sweet story about how dating via Face Time is possible while living in completely different parts of the world.
This and all my other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews
Full review to come soon.
Sweet story about how dating via Face Time is possible while living in completely different parts of the world.
This and all my other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews
March 19, 2014
I wasn't sure what to expect when I first heard about FaceTime. A LDR seemed like a daunting element. I've lived in one. LDR's aren't easy and capturing that would be a hard story to tell. S. J. Pajonas did a great job communicating the nuances of time zones, schedules, and the challenge of proximity (or the lack thereof). I was blown away. It even made me a little jealous that our couple, Laura and Lee, got to tackle these things in technological glory of our time.
My other big surprise was how well S. J. Pajonas navigated telling the story in the voice of both Laura and Lee with alternating chapters. The transitions were smooth. Even if I ignored the chapter labels stating which character's perspective the next section was in, I easily knew. Changing voice seems to be a struggle for many authors, not the case here.
I got so sucked into the story that I ended up reading all of it in less than a day. I couldn't help it! I loved the chemistry between Laura and Lee, the scenery, and most of all that this is a multicultural relationship. The fact that they had different cultural backgrounds only added to the story, driving home that diversity and love can absolutely go together.
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of FaceTime in exchange for an honest review. I truly enjoyed this story and can't wait to see how this series continues!
My other big surprise was how well S. J. Pajonas navigated telling the story in the voice of both Laura and Lee with alternating chapters. The transitions were smooth. Even if I ignored the chapter labels stating which character's perspective the next section was in, I easily knew. Changing voice seems to be a struggle for many authors, not the case here.
I got so sucked into the story that I ended up reading all of it in less than a day. I couldn't help it! I loved the chemistry between Laura and Lee, the scenery, and most of all that this is a multicultural relationship. The fact that they had different cultural backgrounds only added to the story, driving home that diversity and love can absolutely go together.
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of FaceTime in exchange for an honest review. I truly enjoyed this story and can't wait to see how this series continues!
March 24, 2014
I received a complimentary ARC of FACE TIME from the author in exchange for an honest review.
A chance meeting at a bar in N.Y.C. brings Laura and Lee together and sparks an instant attraction. After one wonderful date, Lee must return to his home in Seoul before traveling for work again and Laura is left behind in the New York apartment she shares with her mother. Unable to resist contacting each other, the two start a long-distance relationship. Their feelings grow and the sexual tension builds with each FaceTime date. But they both have less than perfect pasts and neither is sure how to tell the other of their shortcomings. Can their love survive the ups and downs of a cross-continental relationship?
I loved how S.J. Pajonas presents a growing, dynamic love in FACE TIME. Thought the chemistry is instant between Laura and Lee, there is no hopeless in love at first site that is so common in books but is often hard to believe. At times the physical and emotional boundaries seem insurmountable, but all the while there is hope that these two will make it work. The alternating point of views weaves the story together perfectly. This is truly a love story for the modern world!
A chance meeting at a bar in N.Y.C. brings Laura and Lee together and sparks an instant attraction. After one wonderful date, Lee must return to his home in Seoul before traveling for work again and Laura is left behind in the New York apartment she shares with her mother. Unable to resist contacting each other, the two start a long-distance relationship. Their feelings grow and the sexual tension builds with each FaceTime date. But they both have less than perfect pasts and neither is sure how to tell the other of their shortcomings. Can their love survive the ups and downs of a cross-continental relationship?
I loved how S.J. Pajonas presents a growing, dynamic love in FACE TIME. Thought the chemistry is instant between Laura and Lee, there is no hopeless in love at first site that is so common in books but is often hard to believe. At times the physical and emotional boundaries seem insurmountable, but all the while there is hope that these two will make it work. The alternating point of views weaves the story together perfectly. This is truly a love story for the modern world!
February 13, 2015
This review was originally posted on Read Me Away.
I'm always looking for a book that is able to realistically portray a long-distance relationship, especially in our age of Skype, smartphones, and Face Time. My reason being that I am in an LDR, and I am constantly looking for books that satisfy my need to read about couples in my situation. This book was able to nail down some of the main characteristics of an LDR (at least for me): time zones, texting at odd hours, insecurity, sharing photos, and desperately wishing the other person was there beside you. Minus all the family drama, I could see my relationship reflected in the one between Lee and Laura. This book was sweet, painful, hit so close to home, and was a great read.First, the characters. I like that Pajonas doesn't go straight for the Asian stereotypes with Lee's family. They're Korean-American, and they have diverse personalities and ideas about culture and values. Yes, there's that sense of filial piety but it doesn't feel like the characters have been ripped from the many K-dramas that I watch. There's lots of drama in this book, but the drama feels well-done. You can see the clashing of cultures and personalities in the drama, and it doesn't feel like "drama for the sake of drama."
As for Laura, I really liked her. At first, I liked her because she was strong, independent, and didn't take any shit from anyone. As her story was slowly revealed to the reader, my heart was breaking for her. She has gone through so much hardship, things that would have broken anyone, but she managed to push through all that. By the end, she had completely endeared herself to me. She's an interesting contrast to Lee, who may not have gone through as much hardship, but had his own struggles and inner demons to face.
And OH their long-distance relationship! Their interactions were so realistic. The way they talked to each other, scheduled calls so that it would be at convenient times given their different timezones, it was like looking back at my own relationship. I felt such a connection with these two and so drawn by their relationship and dynamics.
So do I have any problems with this book? Well, there were a few bumps in the road. One was the pacing. Trust me, it's a great story but some parts just felt a little unnecessary or long to me. Second was that I'm just not into sex scenes in books. I don't dislike them, but I just end up skimming them and heading straight back to the story. From what I did read, they were tastefully done. Still, just not my thing.
Overall: I need to wrap this review up because it's getting rather long, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I just felt such a connection to this couple and the dynamics of their long-distance relationship. I really adore Laura and her character, I liked how the story progressed, and I just plain enjoyed this.
March 19, 2014
If there’s one thing S.J. Pajonas can do, besides yoga and knit, it’s tell a love story. More impressive is she can weave a love story so romantic and sexy through an iPad screen.
Told through both Lee and Laura’s point of view, Face Time is one of the most original novels I have read about letting go of the past and moving forward. It also focuses heavily on the scrutiny interracial relationships face as Lee is Korean American and Laura is Caucasian. Both Lee and Laura have dealt with difficult pasts and exhausting families. Their loves grows fast and furious, and the heat between them is enough to set your Kindle on fire.
The growth between these two characters is tremendous and beautiful. The main characters are in their thirties, established in life, and know what they want. If you’ve been looking for an inventive romance, be sure to check out Face Time when it releases April 25th (I was lucky enough to review a copy before release!) This is the first in her Love in the Digital Age series.
If you can’t wait for April 25th, S.J. Pajonas has two other novels out which focus on Japanese culture. Check out her website for more! http://www.spajonas.com/books/
I'll also note that I've read this book 3 times already & in 3 different drafts. I feel like I know Lee & Laura so well!
Told through both Lee and Laura’s point of view, Face Time is one of the most original novels I have read about letting go of the past and moving forward. It also focuses heavily on the scrutiny interracial relationships face as Lee is Korean American and Laura is Caucasian. Both Lee and Laura have dealt with difficult pasts and exhausting families. Their loves grows fast and furious, and the heat between them is enough to set your Kindle on fire.
The growth between these two characters is tremendous and beautiful. The main characters are in their thirties, established in life, and know what they want. If you’ve been looking for an inventive romance, be sure to check out Face Time when it releases April 25th (I was lucky enough to review a copy before release!) This is the first in her Love in the Digital Age series.
If you can’t wait for April 25th, S.J. Pajonas has two other novels out which focus on Japanese culture. Check out her website for more! http://www.spajonas.com/books/
I'll also note that I've read this book 3 times already & in 3 different drafts. I feel like I know Lee & Laura so well!
September 8, 2014
Technology is a wonderful tool and it comes out in this wonderful modern romance.
A chance meeting at a bar, progressive feelings and attraction. Trouble is, he lives a long way away and she is caring for her Mother. That is where the Face Time comes in. I didn't know what Face Time was until I got an Iphone, its great! It definitely brings the person closer to you. So that is why I understood this story so well.
This is not a soppy romance or a 'live happily ever after' which is so getting boring lately in some books, this has a modern, upto date realism that everyone can relate to.
I was lucky to get this book as a complimentary book to read and review honestly, which if I hadn't agreed to doing, I would have surely missed out.
S J Panjonas did a remarkable storyline on this. I will be looking out for more of her books.
A chance meeting at a bar, progressive feelings and attraction. Trouble is, he lives a long way away and she is caring for her Mother. That is where the Face Time comes in. I didn't know what Face Time was until I got an Iphone, its great! It definitely brings the person closer to you. So that is why I understood this story so well.
This is not a soppy romance or a 'live happily ever after' which is so getting boring lately in some books, this has a modern, upto date realism that everyone can relate to.
I was lucky to get this book as a complimentary book to read and review honestly, which if I hadn't agreed to doing, I would have surely missed out.
S J Panjonas did a remarkable storyline on this. I will be looking out for more of her books.
July 8, 2014
This was one of those books I devoured in 24 hours. The story follows the lives of two strangers (Lee and Laura) after they have a brief encounter in New York. As Lee was on his way back to his home in Korea, they start an online romance, and eventually plan to meet up one day. I loved both characters, and I love seeing how they were able to make something like this work. There was just the right amount of hot romance involved, considering a big part of the book is spent wanting the two characters to finally meet up!
August 4, 2016
I was lucky to get to read an advanced reader copy of Face Time. A complete departure from S. J. Pajonas' other books in the Nogiku series, this was a great, quick read. There were moments that really captured the essence of long-distance relationships, and although I'm not typically a big fan of romance, I really enjoyed it.
July 7, 2014
After a slow reading period, I went looking for an easy, quick pick-me-up contemporary with a cute slushy romance and some simple reading and when I started Face Time, I thought I'd found just that, but Face Time ended up surprising me in so many ways. For the life of me, I cannot remember who it was, but I do know that a very lovely blogger commented on my blog a while ago and put this book on my radar, and while their name escapes me, I'd like to thank them for putting this beautiful, wonderful and absolutely perfect book in my line of sight.
I very rarely read adult books which strikes people I meet as a little odd, (being 19 years old and all) but personally, when I'm searching out a contemporary, I want something with a romantic balance and real life issues thrown in and sometimes with Adult you can get one of these features overpowering the plot line, but Face Time had a perfect balance of sweet slushy romance, some well written and well executed sex scenes (not for the young readers out there, that was some steamy stuff) but also had a wide range of features explored throughout the novel; it went into the prejudice and almost racist morals of some ethnic families, it developed the scaring truth behind poverty and homelessness, it highlighted the physical and mental scares behind pregnancies, starvation and verbal abuse in families and you'd think that with so much going on, this book would just feel clogged up, too busy and would generally flop, but I personally think it was these features that gave the novel it's depth and beauty. You can put any type of romance into a novel and I'll more or less read it, but there has to be something more, something to work alongside the romance that can develop it, strengthen it and make it something worth fighting for, and it's almost hard to believe that I didn't even know who Pajonas was until a few months ago. The pacing of Face Time was perfect too; it had the wonderful flowing feeling between both the perspectives and Pajonas managed to create a different voice and slight different style between Lee and Laura and I thought this was absolutely wonderful.
Diving into more detail about Lee and Laura, I have to admit, I'm extremely impressed by the dynamics Pajonas provided in Face Time. First port of call is her use of Korean cultures which I absolutely adored; I might not be Korean myself, nor do I consider myself educated in the culture, but Pajonas developed and educated me even the slightest of ways through Lee's family and want they wanted for him, and I also love that Lee isn't Caucasian like other authors and novels would have painted him as, the whole dynamics between Lee being Korean and Laura being American was so perfectly executed, I could not have imagined these two people any differently than what I did. I also loved how much effort Pajonas put into developing their characters througout this novel. Both characters start off pretty reserved, aloof and and not interested in much else other the life they're currently loving, but as the story progresses, as they talk more and more and their feelings develop, the lives slowly begin to unravel and the truths behind them also start to reveal themselves and I do think that this was wonderful; they each found that they're lives were changed and brought back into a lighter parts of themselves and how they affected one another and the decisions they made was just beautiful. Lee is definitely boyfriend material even though he may be 15 years my senior, but for me, Laura was my favourite of the pairing. Her inner strength and power to make herself a better person throughout everything she's been through, her emotion and her personality shone through in this novel too, she had this wonderful way of lifting you with her positive moods and sense of humour, but also touching you and making you appreciate the life you have because of what she's been through. There are no two couples that I could have wished for a more beautiful romance for, and beautiful and steamy romance it was; with fantastically written sex scenes, to absolutely slush romance, these two had possibly my favourite romance of year and the balance between them and their romance was, you guessed it, perfect.
The last place I want to venture with this review is to Pajonas' bravery to include the 21st century in every nook and cranny possible with this novel. In contemporaries, I usually come across somebody with an Iphone, or maybe a laptop, but Pajonas took it to a whole new level and created the dynamics of the relationship through this technology. To most people, the idea of a 7000 mile relationship sounds completely insane, but I've always personally wondered whether somebody's number one is in a different country, battling different things, and feeling just as lost as they are and Face Time developed this idea and made it huge. All of Lee's contact with Laura was through Ipads and Iphones and it was the simple things that I enjoyed about this feature; searching for a coffee house close by for your after date meeting, or googling something for a personal joke, to even including Goodreads, Facebook or other social sites in the novel, it was all executed wonderfully and the fact that this story was one so clearly taking place right now just made it even better. It enabled me to connect to the characters and the story in a way I've never been able to before with a book and it just put the cherry on top of this wonderful contemporary cake.
Face Time looks and sounds like just another long distance slushy romance, but believe me when I tell you it's not. Face Time delves into the depths of pain, suffering and mental and physical illness, as well as racism and judgemental families. Yes, the romance is absolutely adorable and cute in everyway, and yes, it takes place over a short amount of time, but the development involved is beautiful, the physical connection is to die for and the characters are two that will stay in your heart for a very long time. Face Time, without a doubt, made it into my favourites list, and I cannot recommend this book more. It's a beautiful read that you can absorb yourself fully into to, and I'm already waiting to see what story Pajonas will provide me with next.
I very rarely read adult books which strikes people I meet as a little odd, (being 19 years old and all) but personally, when I'm searching out a contemporary, I want something with a romantic balance and real life issues thrown in and sometimes with Adult you can get one of these features overpowering the plot line, but Face Time had a perfect balance of sweet slushy romance, some well written and well executed sex scenes (not for the young readers out there, that was some steamy stuff) but also had a wide range of features explored throughout the novel; it went into the prejudice and almost racist morals of some ethnic families, it developed the scaring truth behind poverty and homelessness, it highlighted the physical and mental scares behind pregnancies, starvation and verbal abuse in families and you'd think that with so much going on, this book would just feel clogged up, too busy and would generally flop, but I personally think it was these features that gave the novel it's depth and beauty. You can put any type of romance into a novel and I'll more or less read it, but there has to be something more, something to work alongside the romance that can develop it, strengthen it and make it something worth fighting for, and it's almost hard to believe that I didn't even know who Pajonas was until a few months ago. The pacing of Face Time was perfect too; it had the wonderful flowing feeling between both the perspectives and Pajonas managed to create a different voice and slight different style between Lee and Laura and I thought this was absolutely wonderful.
Diving into more detail about Lee and Laura, I have to admit, I'm extremely impressed by the dynamics Pajonas provided in Face Time. First port of call is her use of Korean cultures which I absolutely adored; I might not be Korean myself, nor do I consider myself educated in the culture, but Pajonas developed and educated me even the slightest of ways through Lee's family and want they wanted for him, and I also love that Lee isn't Caucasian like other authors and novels would have painted him as, the whole dynamics between Lee being Korean and Laura being American was so perfectly executed, I could not have imagined these two people any differently than what I did. I also loved how much effort Pajonas put into developing their characters througout this novel. Both characters start off pretty reserved, aloof and and not interested in much else other the life they're currently loving, but as the story progresses, as they talk more and more and their feelings develop, the lives slowly begin to unravel and the truths behind them also start to reveal themselves and I do think that this was wonderful; they each found that they're lives were changed and brought back into a lighter parts of themselves and how they affected one another and the decisions they made was just beautiful. Lee is definitely boyfriend material even though he may be 15 years my senior, but for me, Laura was my favourite of the pairing. Her inner strength and power to make herself a better person throughout everything she's been through, her emotion and her personality shone through in this novel too, she had this wonderful way of lifting you with her positive moods and sense of humour, but also touching you and making you appreciate the life you have because of what she's been through. There are no two couples that I could have wished for a more beautiful romance for, and beautiful and steamy romance it was; with fantastically written sex scenes, to absolutely slush romance, these two had possibly my favourite romance of year and the balance between them and their romance was, you guessed it, perfect.
The last place I want to venture with this review is to Pajonas' bravery to include the 21st century in every nook and cranny possible with this novel. In contemporaries, I usually come across somebody with an Iphone, or maybe a laptop, but Pajonas took it to a whole new level and created the dynamics of the relationship through this technology. To most people, the idea of a 7000 mile relationship sounds completely insane, but I've always personally wondered whether somebody's number one is in a different country, battling different things, and feeling just as lost as they are and Face Time developed this idea and made it huge. All of Lee's contact with Laura was through Ipads and Iphones and it was the simple things that I enjoyed about this feature; searching for a coffee house close by for your after date meeting, or googling something for a personal joke, to even including Goodreads, Facebook or other social sites in the novel, it was all executed wonderfully and the fact that this story was one so clearly taking place right now just made it even better. It enabled me to connect to the characters and the story in a way I've never been able to before with a book and it just put the cherry on top of this wonderful contemporary cake.
Face Time looks and sounds like just another long distance slushy romance, but believe me when I tell you it's not. Face Time delves into the depths of pain, suffering and mental and physical illness, as well as racism and judgemental families. Yes, the romance is absolutely adorable and cute in everyway, and yes, it takes place over a short amount of time, but the development involved is beautiful, the physical connection is to die for and the characters are two that will stay in your heart for a very long time. Face Time, without a doubt, made it into my favourites list, and I cannot recommend this book more. It's a beautiful read that you can absorb yourself fully into to, and I'm already waiting to see what story Pajonas will provide me with next.
August 31, 2019
How many years has this been on my e-reader, already ? And I'm just reading it now ?! Well, at least, I finally read it.
Many years ago, when I read Lola's blog, I saw that she really loved this author so I added S.J. Pajonas to my reading list and knew that one day, I'll get to read her. And I'm so glad I did. While cleaning my e-reader, recently, I deleted many books that didn't correspond to my tastes any more. I read the first few pages, sighed heavily and deleted them. I read the first few pages of Face Time, easily got into it, loved the characters, the story, got addicted and could hardly put it down to go to sleep.
Both Laura and Lee had their family issues, both had delt differently with the cards life life had handed them, both were ready to make changes. Lee was a darling, reserved but tired of the life he's living and hoping for more. Laura needed to find some fresh air or she'd suffocate ! I loved how strong she was, I loved how they fought for the lives they want to live for themselves, not anyone else, and dammit, there was some sizzling chemistry in here !
I loved reading this book and absolutely recommend it. I hear there's a book #2 in that series, it's not available for Kindle now but somehow, I'll manage to get it ^^
Many years ago, when I read Lola's blog, I saw that she really loved this author so I added S.J. Pajonas to my reading list and knew that one day, I'll get to read her. And I'm so glad I did. While cleaning my e-reader, recently, I deleted many books that didn't correspond to my tastes any more. I read the first few pages, sighed heavily and deleted them. I read the first few pages of Face Time, easily got into it, loved the characters, the story, got addicted and could hardly put it down to go to sleep.
Both Laura and Lee had their family issues, both had delt differently with the cards life life had handed them, both were ready to make changes. Lee was a darling, reserved but tired of the life he's living and hoping for more. Laura needed to find some fresh air or she'd suffocate ! I loved how strong she was, I loved how they fought for the lives they want to live for themselves, not anyone else, and dammit, there was some sizzling chemistry in here !
I loved reading this book and absolutely recommend it. I hear there's a book #2 in that series, it's not available for Kindle now but somehow, I'll manage to get it ^^
July 17, 2014
When I found out that SJ Pajonas is putting out another book to the world, I grabbed the chance to get an advanced copy via this blog tour. I really enjoyed reading Nogiku Series, and I knew that I would enjoy this one, too. I wasn't wrong!
*ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review*
In a chance meeting at a bar in New York, Laura and Lee found themselves in a quick conversation that turned into a date to remember. We follow the lives of Laura Merchant and Lee Park. Laura is in her 30s, working for HBO, and living in the city that never sleeps, New York. Lee is also in his 30s, working as an international lawyer, but is based in Seoul. This was made for a really complicated long distance relationship, eh? Yes. And No.
There were so many things about Laura that made me relate to her. She's been single for at least 2 years. She hasn't had any dates, either. Her social calendar consists of a once-a-week drinks with her co-workers, and she reads a lot of books. When I started to realize all these things, I felt like I was Laura! Honestly, it was like reading about myself. It's not based off of me, okay? :P
In my reality, I've never been on a long distance relationship, well, if you call '2 hours away' long distance, then...maybe. But with Laura and Lee's situation, they have at least 7000 miles between them. That's a feat, yeah? We got to love technology nowadays. We can talk to anyone from anywhere! And that is exactly what they did, they used technology to get in touch : Face Time!
The way they met was very organic, and the way they got to know each other, I consider organic, too. Although they used Face Time to go on dates, it didn't take away the fact that there is human interaction, albeit they can't be in the same room, but still, conversations between people via Face Time, Twitter, Facebook, can be considered an intimate way to get to know another person.
There were so many issues happening in both their families. They both had to deal with their difficult mothers, and Lee's is a traditional Korean mother. Plus, Lee had to deal with an ex-girlfriend. The motherly issues were what made me sad about this book. If not for how it was dealt with, I'd have given this book a 5-star rating. I do believe that conflicts can be resolved, especially within family members.
The best part in the book was the BIG GESTURE. I was swooning so hard over the fact that two people can be in that HAPPY situation! The high!
Overall, it was a really great read for me. And if you're looking for a really great romantic read that promotes hope and happiness, then read this! <3
Originally posted at Sporadic Reads
*ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review*
In a chance meeting at a bar in New York, Laura and Lee found themselves in a quick conversation that turned into a date to remember. We follow the lives of Laura Merchant and Lee Park. Laura is in her 30s, working for HBO, and living in the city that never sleeps, New York. Lee is also in his 30s, working as an international lawyer, but is based in Seoul. This was made for a really complicated long distance relationship, eh? Yes. And No.
There were so many things about Laura that made me relate to her. She's been single for at least 2 years. She hasn't had any dates, either. Her social calendar consists of a once-a-week drinks with her co-workers, and she reads a lot of books. When I started to realize all these things, I felt like I was Laura! Honestly, it was like reading about myself. It's not based off of me, okay? :P
In my reality, I've never been on a long distance relationship, well, if you call '2 hours away' long distance, then...maybe. But with Laura and Lee's situation, they have at least 7000 miles between them. That's a feat, yeah? We got to love technology nowadays. We can talk to anyone from anywhere! And that is exactly what they did, they used technology to get in touch : Face Time!
The way they met was very organic, and the way they got to know each other, I consider organic, too. Although they used Face Time to go on dates, it didn't take away the fact that there is human interaction, albeit they can't be in the same room, but still, conversations between people via Face Time, Twitter, Facebook, can be considered an intimate way to get to know another person.
There were so many issues happening in both their families. They both had to deal with their difficult mothers, and Lee's is a traditional Korean mother. Plus, Lee had to deal with an ex-girlfriend. The motherly issues were what made me sad about this book. If not for how it was dealt with, I'd have given this book a 5-star rating. I do believe that conflicts can be resolved, especially within family members.
The best part in the book was the BIG GESTURE. I was swooning so hard over the fact that two people can be in that HAPPY situation! The high!
Overall, it was a really great read for me. And if you're looking for a really great romantic read that promotes hope and happiness, then read this! <3
Originally posted at Sporadic Reads
April 24, 2014
3.5 stars.
I haven’t read a book like this before that focused on love in the digital age and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Add in some family drama-rama and cultural themes and this was a really fun read.
First Line of Face Time:
“I’m being stood up by my co-workers yet again.”
My Thoughts on Face Time:
Confession time! When I picked up this book for some reason I thought it was YA. However it features characters in their early thirties and this was a pleasant surprise for me. When you are this age, you inevitably have some baggage to bring to any relationship and watching them work this out made for an entertaining read.
Laura and Lee meet in a bar in New York and have an instant spark which leads to them going on a date the next day. And their date goes really well, the only problem is that Laura lives in New York and Lee lives in Seoul. They have such a good time that they know they don’t want to leave at that. And so they start what I’m calling an ‘I’ relationship – they communicate by texts via their iphones and by facetime via their ipads.
I love the concept of this. I think because their relationship is non physical due to their locations, they get a chance to really get to know each other. Instead of being able to give a reassuring hug, they have to talk issues or problems out in depth and they really get a feel for just who the other person is. Unfortunately, I do think there is another ‘I’ in their relationship though and that is the dreaded ‘insta-love’.
I feel their connection and I believe they are meant to be together but I think it all moves a little too quickly. I would prefer to have seen their relationship build up slower and with more visits and dates between them. The other slight issue I had was that were was a scene with casual drug taking that just didn’t sit right with me. It felt unnecessary for the plot.
However individually and as a couple, I love both Laura and Lee. Laura is confident, trusting and very direct. I love how honest she is, she doesn’t hold back or play games; she lays her feelings out on the line from the very start. And Lee is just so loveable. They make each other happy and reading about them made me feel happy in turn. They have lots of obstacles in their way and their fair share of dramas to work through but none of it seems over the top. It feels believable and more than held my interest.
Overall despite my issues mentioned above, I really liked this one. The New York, Seoul and Seattle settings are fun and I loved the characters. And their flirting and passion for each other is red hot.
Who should read Face Time?
I’d recommend this one to fans of romance books. Especially if you are looking for something a little bit quirky and a little bit different.
I haven’t read a book like this before that focused on love in the digital age and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Add in some family drama-rama and cultural themes and this was a really fun read.
First Line of Face Time:
“I’m being stood up by my co-workers yet again.”
My Thoughts on Face Time:
Confession time! When I picked up this book for some reason I thought it was YA. However it features characters in their early thirties and this was a pleasant surprise for me. When you are this age, you inevitably have some baggage to bring to any relationship and watching them work this out made for an entertaining read.
Laura and Lee meet in a bar in New York and have an instant spark which leads to them going on a date the next day. And their date goes really well, the only problem is that Laura lives in New York and Lee lives in Seoul. They have such a good time that they know they don’t want to leave at that. And so they start what I’m calling an ‘I’ relationship – they communicate by texts via their iphones and by facetime via their ipads.
I love the concept of this. I think because their relationship is non physical due to their locations, they get a chance to really get to know each other. Instead of being able to give a reassuring hug, they have to talk issues or problems out in depth and they really get a feel for just who the other person is. Unfortunately, I do think there is another ‘I’ in their relationship though and that is the dreaded ‘insta-love’.
I feel their connection and I believe they are meant to be together but I think it all moves a little too quickly. I would prefer to have seen their relationship build up slower and with more visits and dates between them. The other slight issue I had was that were was a scene with casual drug taking that just didn’t sit right with me. It felt unnecessary for the plot.
However individually and as a couple, I love both Laura and Lee. Laura is confident, trusting and very direct. I love how honest she is, she doesn’t hold back or play games; she lays her feelings out on the line from the very start. And Lee is just so loveable. They make each other happy and reading about them made me feel happy in turn. They have lots of obstacles in their way and their fair share of dramas to work through but none of it seems over the top. It feels believable and more than held my interest.
Overall despite my issues mentioned above, I really liked this one. The New York, Seoul and Seattle settings are fun and I loved the characters. And their flirting and passion for each other is red hot.
Who should read Face Time?
I’d recommend this one to fans of romance books. Especially if you are looking for something a little bit quirky and a little bit different.
January 1, 2015
I read an earlier version of the book and I have to say that the changes she's made have really given this story a lovely boost. I love this new book by S.J. Pajonas! As with her other works, her characters are very well-developed, developed to the point where you feel like you know them personally. The places she takes you are also developed so well that you can see, taste, touch and hear the activity around you. The reader is completely immersed in the worlds S.J. Pajonas creates and Face Time is no exception.
The book opens to Laura being stood up by her friends and from that moment which every reader can identify with, you're hooked into the story. I was intrigued with Laura's life, her strength, her story. I wanted to know more and the author had me turning "just one more page" so that I could quench my thirst. I admit to being shocked by her mother's actions (no spoilers here!) and feeling an immense sadness that Laura's home life was so tragic. In knowing her tragedy, though, you appreciate her strength.
Lee's story is no less intriguing and getting to know him through the Face Time chats, his work life and his conversations with his father made him such a perfect compliment to Laura. I liked that the author gave him just enough vulnerability to make him real. I was thrilled with his willingness to jump on a plane and fly halfway around the world to fight for his relationship with Laura.
This book deals with so many emotions, both family and friends, not to mention Laura and Lee's own issues -- that you have to read it for yourself to get the full effect of their story. And trust me when I say you won't be disappointed, one bit. You'll find yourself staying up late to finish...and needing a tissue or two or three throughout the book. Another job well done by S.J. Pajonas!
The book opens to Laura being stood up by her friends and from that moment which every reader can identify with, you're hooked into the story. I was intrigued with Laura's life, her strength, her story. I wanted to know more and the author had me turning "just one more page" so that I could quench my thirst. I admit to being shocked by her mother's actions (no spoilers here!) and feeling an immense sadness that Laura's home life was so tragic. In knowing her tragedy, though, you appreciate her strength.
Lee's story is no less intriguing and getting to know him through the Face Time chats, his work life and his conversations with his father made him such a perfect compliment to Laura. I liked that the author gave him just enough vulnerability to make him real. I was thrilled with his willingness to jump on a plane and fly halfway around the world to fight for his relationship with Laura.
This book deals with so many emotions, both family and friends, not to mention Laura and Lee's own issues -- that you have to read it for yourself to get the full effect of their story. And trust me when I say you won't be disappointed, one bit. You'll find yourself staying up late to finish...and needing a tissue or two or three throughout the book. Another job well done by S.J. Pajonas!
May 31, 2016
Long distance relationships and communication via Internet are so common that it was great to read a book, where were both involved. I'm happy I found this book and I really enjoyed reading it.
Laura, who is waiting for friends, who didn't actually show up at a bar, she accidentally meets Lee, with whom she ends up going on a date the very next day. It is their first and last date before Lee has to leave for Korea again, where he lives. They start communicating via Face time and text messages, and they love spending time together, nonetheless the fact that it's just virtual. They have several wonderful dates online and it's not always easy and wonderful, they also face hard times, but they overcome the issues. As logical, the relationship can't stay just online, and so do they meet up in person after all the time they spent online and they are just meant for one another, despite the family drama which comes from both sides.
I really enjoyed reading about Lee and Laura, it's a wonderful modern love story.
Laura, who is waiting for friends, who didn't actually show up at a bar, she accidentally meets Lee, with whom she ends up going on a date the very next day. It is their first and last date before Lee has to leave for Korea again, where he lives. They start communicating via Face time and text messages, and they love spending time together, nonetheless the fact that it's just virtual. They have several wonderful dates online and it's not always easy and wonderful, they also face hard times, but they overcome the issues. As logical, the relationship can't stay just online, and so do they meet up in person after all the time they spent online and they are just meant for one another, despite the family drama which comes from both sides.
I really enjoyed reading about Lee and Laura, it's a wonderful modern love story.
August 12, 2015
I received this book free after signing up for the author's newsletter (thank you!). I really enjoyed it. It had a lot of things that made it so enjoyable for me. First it tackles a long distance relationship and does so well, which I have found is not always the case. I loved how it uses technology in so much of the storyline. It's a really realistic look at what a LDR could look like with today's technology. I loved the Asian locations. The descriptions make you feel as if you are right there with them. The characters were wonderful. I really enjoyed Lee and Lauren. Since the story alternated points of view we were able to see what they both thought and felt. I felt like I was dealing with their ups and downs as they were. They both had baggage from their earlier years and it was dealt with with just the right amount of angst. Add in some family drama for both characters and the book never got boring. I loved their friends as well and hope maybe we'll see more of them in future books. I enjoyed this book so much I immediately purchase the sequel.
April 30, 2014
This book should come with a disclaimer--WARNING: EXCELLENT BOOK AHEAD. YOU WILL NOT SLEEP UNTIL YOU FINISH READING. This story grabbed me right in and I could not put it down. It is modern and romantic and different. The writing was so captivating. I was immediately drawn into both Laura and Lee's worlds, rooting for the to succeed despite the odds. There is no predictability; no cliched love story here. It is real life. How we put others' need before our own. How family does not live up to expectations. How ancient culture can affect our modern world. Ms. Pajonas' writing is a breath of fresh air, unique and flavored with the spices of the Far East. It may be different than what is out there, but that is what sets it far ahead of other contemporary romances. I very rarely give books five-star ratings, and almost never to romances. However, this book deserves all five-stars. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series, and all the ones thereafter. Bravo, Ms. Pajonas. Bravo.
July 14, 2015
Face Time takes us into the challenging world of online dating, further complicated by cultural differences. It’s a relationship doomed to fail from the get go, with Laura living in New York and Lee in Seoul. Every problem imaginable is hurled at the seemingly star-crossed lovers, thousand miles apart. The funny thing is that distance is the least of their worries. They had to contend with a disapproving mother, a persistent ex-girlfriend, and essentially a cultural divide.
It’s really a question of whether Laura and Lee could hurdle all these difficulties without straining their relationship. It’s an accurate portrayal of the struggles that cripple couples in a similar situation – a modern-day depiction of an age-old problem. It’s clever in its execution, but the ending feels “unfinished”. ~3.5 stars
UPDATE: 14-July-2015 Rating changed to 4 stars after reading the "Missing" Epilogue released on 3-July via author website.
February 5, 2015
I received this book through GoodReads First Reads
Wow! This book gripped me from the beginning it was lovely to see them start out by getting together the good old fashioned way yet use modern technology to keep things going! This books is about two people who meet in a bar but reality is they live 7'000 miles apart and Lee is leaving for Seoul just hours after a fantastic date with Laura. Laura carries a lot of "baggage" and her life sounds awfully depressing but she has overcome so much which helps her keep strong with Lee and she eventually helps Lee make tough decisions become easier to make. I loved FaceTime and I cannot wait for the next one! I will definitely be buying a copy. This books kept me up all night and I was determined to finish it before I went to sleep. It's just that good!!
Wow! This book gripped me from the beginning it was lovely to see them start out by getting together the good old fashioned way yet use modern technology to keep things going! This books is about two people who meet in a bar but reality is they live 7'000 miles apart and Lee is leaving for Seoul just hours after a fantastic date with Laura. Laura carries a lot of "baggage" and her life sounds awfully depressing but she has overcome so much which helps her keep strong with Lee and she eventually helps Lee make tough decisions become easier to make. I loved FaceTime and I cannot wait for the next one! I will definitely be buying a copy. This books kept me up all night and I was determined to finish it before I went to sleep. It's just that good!!
April 25, 2014
This book caught my eyes about a few weeks ago. And with the author putting up a chapter a time on Wattpad, I was dying to get my hands on it. This book did not disappoint!!! I love the dual POV, it made the characters come alive for me. I am Vietnamese and came to this country when I was two. My husband is "white" and my kids are mixed, so this book hit a few buttons for me. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next one!!!
December 21, 2020
This was a sweet romance with some warm and cuddly sex. Both H and h come from awful families, and they rise above them. They survive long periods apart (hence the title), and work through their various baggage. Some unique twists on familiar tropes.
Pajonas is an excellent writer who presents the Asian themes well.
Accidental re-read. The family angst doesn't hold up as well the second time.
Pajonas is an excellent writer who presents the Asian themes well.
Accidental re-read. The family angst doesn't hold up as well the second time.
March 22, 2014
This very modern love story was such a lovely, fun read. Long distance relationships of all sorts are so much more prevalent in this age of ALL THE TECHNOLOGIES. And Stephanie's book tells a tale of a random meeting that turns into so much more. Great read!
July 23, 2014
I loved this book. I loved the premise. I loved loved Laura and Lee. Two broken people who are perfect for each other. What I didn't like was the rushed ending! But damn, I want more of these two! Hurry up and buy your copy!
December 23, 2014
I just loved this book. Lee is darling, Laura is great, and I was just rooting for them from the very first moment. Their first date was dreamy and first kiss was hot without being over the top. I read it in two days.
July 4, 2015
First I would like to thank Choosy Bookworm and the author, S.J. Pajonas for a copy of this book in return for an honest review. This is a new author for me but I will tell you the title and the blurb I read of the book is what caught my attention. It hit home for me. The whole struggle of a long distance relationship. Can you make 7,000 miles between you work? I know from personal experience that you can but it takes a lot of hard work, trust and love to make it so you don’t go crazy with worry and want daily.
We meet Laura, single gal, hard working HBO employee who has been stood up -again- by her co-workers. So she is sitting at The Blue Bar, alone and kind of pissy. This is when she meets Lee. He is at the bar, barely functioning after a long flight from Seoul (Korea). After he makes a chatty comment to Laura she -being pissy and all- snaps at him. Then has to apologize. And she does so by buying him a drink and gives him a little bit of talkin’. When they both go to part ways, Laura doesn’t want the talk to end and as f he is reading her mind Lee asks her to meet him the next night for dinner. And she agrees, telling him she’ll be in the bar they just walked out of.
When they meet the next night they have the date of a lifetime. Not only is Lee sweet, kind and a great guy to get to know he is the perfect guy for her. And the kiss he leaves on her at the end of the night has her missing him from the moment they part. They agreed to Face Time and text. Keeping in touch the only way they can since they are going to be 7000 miles apart starting the next morning. When Lee gets back to Soule his friend’s Chris and Cori and their daughter Evie and he goes out to dinner. And of course Cori grills him about Laura. I mean its her job after all.
Their second date a Face Time chat only sets the wheels in motion for more. They are both addicted to each other whether they really want to admit it or not. He is falling in love with this sweet girl and she is head over heels for this man she’s only met. Beth’s worried her history, her past will make this all fall apart. Her mother already hates Lee and everyone seems to say the same thing. “Why cant you find a nice guy that's in NYC?” Why should she even contemplate anyone else when she has Lee. Yes this is hard but they can make it work.
When Beth’s mother comes in one morning telling her she and Richard -her moms rich boyfriend- are getting married and she is going to the Bahamas for it -alone- Beth is hurt. But that is not the kicker. Her botch of a mother -who is a few fries short of a happy meal- tells Laura she is cutting her apron strings. She will be selling the apartment. Then she tells her once she -meaning Laura- tells Lee about her past he will leave her too. She needs to start looking for a place of her own. Laura figures she has a month or so before she is kicked out. Talk about a whole pile of shit. Now, she knows she has to tell Lee.. but how will he take it. (Something tells me this won't be as bad as she thinks but… you never know.)
Things get rocky for Laura and Lee after the ghosts of Laura’s past come back to slap her in the face. She let her mothers betrayal, her fear and the thoughts of losing Lee make her skittish to the point where she tells him not to call her or want to see her again. She isn’t good enough for him. So, what’s a man to do? After talking to Cori he gets his ass on a plane and comes straight to NYC to talk to her face to face. In the mean time Laura gets herself together enough to go to her friend Teresa’s and tells her what happened. Of course Teresa -being the good friend she is- tells her to get on a plane and go to Seoul to tell him she still wants what they have. Thankfully he gets to her door as she is walking out with her suitcase. I mean literally. HA!
The moment they are back up in her place there is no talking, they don’t need talking, they need lovin'. And that is what they both get. Then Lauren tells him -most- of her dirty little secrets. He is heartbroken for her not himself. She panics and manages to flip her shit. Lee is there to calm her and just hold her. to let her know that he is there with her, he loves her and he isn’t going anywhere. Just as they are getting back on track Lee gets a call from his mom in Seattle. It’s his mom -who never calls him- and she is upset. His father has passed away. Lee is lost immediately. How could this happen? It seems every time things start to go good.. something pulls them down.
When they arrive in Seattle his mother is not pleased that he brought his ‘girlfriend’ along. But he needs her to be with him, its the only time he feels calm during this time. His dads wake’s -there were 3 in on day spaced out by a couple of hours, of course- were held the day after they arrived. then they would have the cremation and then a family dinner at his parents house the next day. thankfully between Lee’s sister-in-law and his sister - to his surprise- Laura was kept out of the wake of unease. As much as possible that is. His mother -the nasty bitch that she is- gives Lauren the cold shoulder and refuses to speak in English around her. LOL
But in the end Lee chooses to do what -he- needs. That is to ask Laura -again- to move to Seoul and be with him. travel with him and live out the life she wants. He is losing parts of his family and that hurts but for once in his life -and hers- they are choosing to be the people they want to be. Be young, free and live life to it’s fullest.
I really enjoyed this book. It has heart, emotion and a story that is not only close to my heart -for a few reasons- but its a story I think anyone can relate to. I look forward to reading more of this series.
We meet Laura, single gal, hard working HBO employee who has been stood up -again- by her co-workers. So she is sitting at The Blue Bar, alone and kind of pissy. This is when she meets Lee. He is at the bar, barely functioning after a long flight from Seoul (Korea). After he makes a chatty comment to Laura she -being pissy and all- snaps at him. Then has to apologize. And she does so by buying him a drink and gives him a little bit of talkin’. When they both go to part ways, Laura doesn’t want the talk to end and as f he is reading her mind Lee asks her to meet him the next night for dinner. And she agrees, telling him she’ll be in the bar they just walked out of.
When they meet the next night they have the date of a lifetime. Not only is Lee sweet, kind and a great guy to get to know he is the perfect guy for her. And the kiss he leaves on her at the end of the night has her missing him from the moment they part. They agreed to Face Time and text. Keeping in touch the only way they can since they are going to be 7000 miles apart starting the next morning. When Lee gets back to Soule his friend’s Chris and Cori and their daughter Evie and he goes out to dinner. And of course Cori grills him about Laura. I mean its her job after all.
Their second date a Face Time chat only sets the wheels in motion for more. They are both addicted to each other whether they really want to admit it or not. He is falling in love with this sweet girl and she is head over heels for this man she’s only met. Beth’s worried her history, her past will make this all fall apart. Her mother already hates Lee and everyone seems to say the same thing. “Why cant you find a nice guy that's in NYC?” Why should she even contemplate anyone else when she has Lee. Yes this is hard but they can make it work.
When Beth’s mother comes in one morning telling her she and Richard -her moms rich boyfriend- are getting married and she is going to the Bahamas for it -alone- Beth is hurt. But that is not the kicker. Her botch of a mother -who is a few fries short of a happy meal- tells Laura she is cutting her apron strings. She will be selling the apartment. Then she tells her once she -meaning Laura- tells Lee about her past he will leave her too. She needs to start looking for a place of her own. Laura figures she has a month or so before she is kicked out. Talk about a whole pile of shit. Now, she knows she has to tell Lee.. but how will he take it. (Something tells me this won't be as bad as she thinks but… you never know.)
Things get rocky for Laura and Lee after the ghosts of Laura’s past come back to slap her in the face. She let her mothers betrayal, her fear and the thoughts of losing Lee make her skittish to the point where she tells him not to call her or want to see her again. She isn’t good enough for him. So, what’s a man to do? After talking to Cori he gets his ass on a plane and comes straight to NYC to talk to her face to face. In the mean time Laura gets herself together enough to go to her friend Teresa’s and tells her what happened. Of course Teresa -being the good friend she is- tells her to get on a plane and go to Seoul to tell him she still wants what they have. Thankfully he gets to her door as she is walking out with her suitcase. I mean literally. HA!
The moment they are back up in her place there is no talking, they don’t need talking, they need lovin'. And that is what they both get. Then Lauren tells him -most- of her dirty little secrets. He is heartbroken for her not himself. She panics and manages to flip her shit. Lee is there to calm her and just hold her. to let her know that he is there with her, he loves her and he isn’t going anywhere. Just as they are getting back on track Lee gets a call from his mom in Seattle. It’s his mom -who never calls him- and she is upset. His father has passed away. Lee is lost immediately. How could this happen? It seems every time things start to go good.. something pulls them down.
When they arrive in Seattle his mother is not pleased that he brought his ‘girlfriend’ along. But he needs her to be with him, its the only time he feels calm during this time. His dads wake’s -there were 3 in on day spaced out by a couple of hours, of course- were held the day after they arrived. then they would have the cremation and then a family dinner at his parents house the next day. thankfully between Lee’s sister-in-law and his sister - to his surprise- Laura was kept out of the wake of unease. As much as possible that is. His mother -the nasty bitch that she is- gives Lauren the cold shoulder and refuses to speak in English around her. LOL
But in the end Lee chooses to do what -he- needs. That is to ask Laura -again- to move to Seoul and be with him. travel with him and live out the life she wants. He is losing parts of his family and that hurts but for once in his life -and hers- they are choosing to be the people they want to be. Be young, free and live life to it’s fullest.
I really enjoyed this book. It has heart, emotion and a story that is not only close to my heart -for a few reasons- but its a story I think anyone can relate to. I look forward to reading more of this series.
July 1, 2020
I enjoyed this unusual romance--one carried on via FaceTime on an iPhone. Since we used FT a lot during the pandemic quarantine to stay in touch with your family, esp. the grandkids, that communication device isn't that special. However, the book was pubbed in 2014 when seeing and hearing callers was a marvel.
The characters are very sympathetic, their family issues are big, but instead of pulling them apart it binds them closer. Their mothers do their best to break this couple apart. Since it is a romance, you know Lee & Laura will get their happy-ever-after.
The characters are very sympathetic, their family issues are big, but instead of pulling them apart it binds them closer. Their mothers do their best to break this couple apart. Since it is a romance, you know Lee & Laura will get their happy-ever-after.
January 2, 2020
The book isn't bad per se, but I wasn't just feeling it. Too bland and pedestrian. Quit midway through the book.
Want to read
September 23, 2023I have this in the S.J. Pajonas starter library.
May 6, 2015
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Face Time is a modern take on long-distance romance. The story follows Lee and Laura who connect over one amazing dinner, only to be separated by 7000 miles (and a several hour time difference) the very next day when Lee returns to Korea. They decide to stay in touch via Face Time and see where things take them, but they soon find that starting a relationship over the internet has more than a few complications.
What I loved:
Modern take on romance.
I loved how this book perfectly captured our digital age. After all, let’s face it, a long-distance romance like the one featured in this book wouldn’t have even been possible not all that long ago. My husband and I dated long distance throughout college (many eons ago) and we had to make do with a really primitive form of YTalk, which was an incredibly basic form of messaging that worked on UNIX (and we only knew about that because my husband was a computer geek). Nowadays, relationships revolve around the internet. People meet on internet dating sites or even chat groups, they stay in touch when they’re apart via Skype or Face Time combined with texting, email, twitter – you name it. It really is possible to date without being in the same country – but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Between time zones and bad internet connections and the inability to actually touch each other – well, things can get messy and hard. That was certainly the case here.
Lee and Laura.
I really liked the fun banter and chemistry between Lee and Laura. Their conversations felt realistic and cute and sweet – their conversations weren’t always intensely meaty, but that was part of the issue between them – it’s hard to have truly meaningful conversations when you aren’t face-to-face (and you especially can’t over texts!). They both felt a pretty strong connection to each other right from the start, but there were several factors that kept them from feeling secure in their budding relationship. One of the biggest factors was Lee’s traditional Korean family. Both Lee and Laura knew that they wouldn’t be terribly accepting of her, and Laura really worried about this a lot. She also had some secrets in her past that had already ruined one relationship for her, so she was really afraid to reveal them to Lee – especially over Face Time! Laura’s insecurities drove a lot of the conflict in the story and I truly felt for her and the way that she let her distant past mar her future. The relationship between Lee and Laura did move pretty fast, especially considering that they weren’t actually together for most of it, but it didn’t feel like insta-love exactly – maybe a bit quicker than I would have liked, but the connection definitely built throughout the book. I was rooting for them!!
Foreign atmosphere.
One of the things that I love about all of Pajonas’s books is her focus on Asian cultures. I just love foreign settings and learning about other cultures in this way! I loved getting little glimpses into Korea and even places like India through Lee’s eyes!
The negatives:
A little too liberal?
Laura made a point quite often about worrying that she was too liberal for Lee (and especially for his family), and I sometimes felt a little bit like her character was just kind of liberal for the sake of being liberal. For instance, there was one scene where Laura and her friends smoked pot and the scene seemed a little thrown in to me just to make the point that Laura was really kind of cool and hip and that this was something that she and her friends would do from time to time. I don’t know – for me it just felt a little forced. (I do also have personal issues with recreational drugs, though, based on past experiences of someone close to me – so this is a personal bias. I don’t mind drug use in books, but I’m not crazy about it when it’s included flippantly.) But this was just certain instances thrown in throughout the book and is really based on my own personal preferences – other people may be really happy for a character that they can identify with in this way.
Overall, I thought that Face Time was a great read and I’m really interested to see where Pajonas goes with the rest of the contemporary books in this series! I give this one 4/5 stars.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
Face Time is a modern take on long-distance romance. The story follows Lee and Laura who connect over one amazing dinner, only to be separated by 7000 miles (and a several hour time difference) the very next day when Lee returns to Korea. They decide to stay in touch via Face Time and see where things take them, but they soon find that starting a relationship over the internet has more than a few complications.
What I loved:
Modern take on romance.
I loved how this book perfectly captured our digital age. After all, let’s face it, a long-distance romance like the one featured in this book wouldn’t have even been possible not all that long ago. My husband and I dated long distance throughout college (many eons ago) and we had to make do with a really primitive form of YTalk, which was an incredibly basic form of messaging that worked on UNIX (and we only knew about that because my husband was a computer geek). Nowadays, relationships revolve around the internet. People meet on internet dating sites or even chat groups, they stay in touch when they’re apart via Skype or Face Time combined with texting, email, twitter – you name it. It really is possible to date without being in the same country – but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. Between time zones and bad internet connections and the inability to actually touch each other – well, things can get messy and hard. That was certainly the case here.
Lee and Laura.
I really liked the fun banter and chemistry between Lee and Laura. Their conversations felt realistic and cute and sweet – their conversations weren’t always intensely meaty, but that was part of the issue between them – it’s hard to have truly meaningful conversations when you aren’t face-to-face (and you especially can’t over texts!). They both felt a pretty strong connection to each other right from the start, but there were several factors that kept them from feeling secure in their budding relationship. One of the biggest factors was Lee’s traditional Korean family. Both Lee and Laura knew that they wouldn’t be terribly accepting of her, and Laura really worried about this a lot. She also had some secrets in her past that had already ruined one relationship for her, so she was really afraid to reveal them to Lee – especially over Face Time! Laura’s insecurities drove a lot of the conflict in the story and I truly felt for her and the way that she let her distant past mar her future. The relationship between Lee and Laura did move pretty fast, especially considering that they weren’t actually together for most of it, but it didn’t feel like insta-love exactly – maybe a bit quicker than I would have liked, but the connection definitely built throughout the book. I was rooting for them!!
Foreign atmosphere.
One of the things that I love about all of Pajonas’s books is her focus on Asian cultures. I just love foreign settings and learning about other cultures in this way! I loved getting little glimpses into Korea and even places like India through Lee’s eyes!
The negatives:
A little too liberal?
Laura made a point quite often about worrying that she was too liberal for Lee (and especially for his family), and I sometimes felt a little bit like her character was just kind of liberal for the sake of being liberal. For instance, there was one scene where Laura and her friends smoked pot and the scene seemed a little thrown in to me just to make the point that Laura was really kind of cool and hip and that this was something that she and her friends would do from time to time. I don’t know – for me it just felt a little forced. (I do also have personal issues with recreational drugs, though, based on past experiences of someone close to me – so this is a personal bias. I don’t mind drug use in books, but I’m not crazy about it when it’s included flippantly.) But this was just certain instances thrown in throughout the book and is really based on my own personal preferences – other people may be really happy for a character that they can identify with in this way.
Overall, I thought that Face Time was a great read and I’m really interested to see where Pajonas goes with the rest of the contemporary books in this series! I give this one 4/5 stars.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
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