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At First Sight
Lola Adams started fending for herself at the age of thirteen after her druggie parents ditched her without any notice. Now, five years later, she is on the fast track to a better life away from her hometown of Los Angeles. She is graduating as valedictorian in one month and she has a full ride to Harvard. Nothing seems to be getting in her way. Then, she meets Dean Baker after he saves her during a wild beach party. Their eyes meet and something powerful happens that makes her feel an immediate attraction and pull to him. While spending time with him, she comes to find out his entire family line is filled with people who can read minds, display imprinted powers, and perform magical spells. Two mysterious family members are suddenly on the hunt for Lola and Dean so they can ultimately rid the family of their love and their powers once and for all. Can they stop an impending battle before everyone, even Lola and Dean, loses their bond forever?
90 pages, Paperback
First published January 14, 2014
55 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 25, 2014
Let me start off with this, the only reason I finished this book was because:
I am not a quitter.
I tried to read this book a few weeks ago and I couldn’t continue after the 8th page. It’s written like fan fiction, but that seems unfair because there are some really amazing pieces of fan fiction that I’ve read and loved. Everything that happens in the book is so highly unrealistic. With each page I read, I literally rolled my eyes.
Groaned in frustration.
Threw the book.
I asked my friend to read it to me because I didn’t think I could do it. That didn’t work either. I was so annoyed and infuriated by what I was hearing that it made me upset to the point where I wanted to cry.
Unrealistic Moment #1: After her notorious drug dealing parents abandoned her at the age of 13, she’s lived alone for FIVE YEARS without ANYONE KNOWING.
First of all, I would like to know exactly how did a thirteen year old provide for herself? How did she survive? How did she pay the rent for this house in the suburbs? (It was never clearly stated that the home was paid for) How did she afford food if her parents left the kitchen “empty of necessities”? Gas, light, water bills anyone??? Other than her parents, there are no other family members mentioned.
To explain my reaction, I’m going to just pull out some moments that I couldn’t believe happened & were just so…. absurd: (I’m going to try to do this without giving explicit spoilers.)
Unrealistic Moment #2: Lola begins to hear a male voice in her head. Initial reaction? She’s bothered because his voice sounds agitated. Her heart begins to ache for him. (WHAT?) I’m sorry, but if I heard a voice in my head other than my own, I would think I was crazy and deny it to the highest of my abilities. Second conclusion? She’s thinks this voice she’s hearing could be some weird pedophile or stalker. (Again, WHAT?!?) You hear a voice in your head and conclude that they’re a stalker?
BTW, “He sounded handsome.”
Okay, so I put the other unrealistic moments under here because they're a little spoilery.
But wait, there’s more!
Within minutes of meeting this guy she’s inviting him back to her house. “I don’t want to leave by myself. I want to stay with you.” And then tells him that she has no family and lives by herself.
Okay, Lola. Don’t you think this is the time to jump to the conclusion that HE could be the pedophile????!!?
Then she does everything wrong:
1.Tells him where she works
2.Tells him her birthday
3.Invites him into her bed
4.Sleeps with him. (Honestly they just slept. But still.)
I’m not even going to continue because all of this has happened by page 25 and honestly it’s not worth it to continue.
Now for just some other tidbits:
1.THIS BOOK TELLS YOU EVERYTHING. The way it’s written doesn’t allow you to come to conclusions. Her writing tells and doesn’t show.
2.Descriptions are poor. I don’t even know how the main characters look tbh.
3.DEAN TELLS HER THAT HE LOVES HER AFTER 3 DAYS OF BEING TOGETHER.
4.Dean (her savior at the beach?) Yeah, well his pet name for Lola is ‘pretty girl’. If that doesn’t sound like a 45-year old pedophile I don’t know what does.
I miss you, pretty girl.
Hey pretty girl, I miss you.
Open the door so I can see you pretty girl.
Oh! One of my favorites! Lola’s getting attacked and is panicking because someone is trying to kill her and she’s talking mentally to Dean and you know what Dean says?
Calm down, pretty girl.
I felt like he just demoted her feelings and the situation from 10 to -55. -_- Pretty girl is probably one of the worst pet names ever. I would’ve taken Baby gladly in replacement.
5.The book is all about the romance. Not for me.
6.All characters are so 1 dimensional.
There are more but I can’t even talk about this book anymore. If you want to read it, go ahead.
I am not a quitter.
I tried to read this book a few weeks ago and I couldn’t continue after the 8th page. It’s written like fan fiction, but that seems unfair because there are some really amazing pieces of fan fiction that I’ve read and loved. Everything that happens in the book is so highly unrealistic. With each page I read, I literally rolled my eyes.
Groaned in frustration.
Threw the book.
I asked my friend to read it to me because I didn’t think I could do it. That didn’t work either. I was so annoyed and infuriated by what I was hearing that it made me upset to the point where I wanted to cry.
Unrealistic Moment #1: After her notorious drug dealing parents abandoned her at the age of 13, she’s lived alone for FIVE YEARS without ANYONE KNOWING.
First of all, I would like to know exactly how did a thirteen year old provide for herself? How did she survive? How did she pay the rent for this house in the suburbs? (It was never clearly stated that the home was paid for) How did she afford food if her parents left the kitchen “empty of necessities”? Gas, light, water bills anyone??? Other than her parents, there are no other family members mentioned.
Mind you, we’re only on page 2.
The second time I decided to pick it up, it took me three days to finish. I had to throw all my moral judgments and inhibitions out the door to complete the book. It’s like I could feel my brain melting and I needed to take a break every chapter. Listen, if you’re all for blind love and trust- this is your book.
To explain my reaction, I’m going to just pull out some moments that I couldn’t believe happened & were just so…. absurd: (I’m going to try to do this without giving explicit spoilers.)
Unrealistic Moment #2: Lola begins to hear a male voice in her head. Initial reaction? She’s bothered because his voice sounds agitated. Her heart begins to ache for him. (WHAT?) I’m sorry, but if I heard a voice in my head other than my own, I would think I was crazy and deny it to the highest of my abilities. Second conclusion? She’s thinks this voice she’s hearing could be some weird pedophile or stalker. (Again, WHAT?!?) You hear a voice in your head and conclude that they’re a stalker?
BTW, “He sounded handsome.”
Okay, so I put the other unrealistic moments under here because they're a little spoilery.
But wait, there’s more!
Within minutes of meeting this guy she’s inviting him back to her house. “I don’t want to leave by myself. I want to stay with you.” And then tells him that she has no family and lives by herself.
Okay, Lola. Don’t you think this is the time to jump to the conclusion that HE could be the pedophile????!!?
Then she does everything wrong:
1.Tells him where she works
2.Tells him her birthday
3.Invites him into her bed
4.Sleeps with him. (Honestly they just slept. But still.)
I’m not even going to continue because all of this has happened by page 25 and honestly it’s not worth it to continue.
Now for just some other tidbits:
1.THIS BOOK TELLS YOU EVERYTHING. The way it’s written doesn’t allow you to come to conclusions. Her writing tells and doesn’t show.
2.Descriptions are poor. I don’t even know how the main characters look tbh.
3.DEAN TELLS HER THAT HE LOVES HER AFTER 3 DAYS OF BEING TOGETHER.
4.Dean (her savior at the beach?) Yeah, well his pet name for Lola is ‘pretty girl’. If that doesn’t sound like a 45-year old pedophile I don’t know what does.
I miss you, pretty girl.
Hey pretty girl, I miss you.
Open the door so I can see you pretty girl.
Oh! One of my favorites! Lola’s getting attacked and is panicking because someone is trying to kill her and she’s talking mentally to Dean and you know what Dean says?
Calm down, pretty girl.
I felt like he just demoted her feelings and the situation from 10 to -55. -_- Pretty girl is probably one of the worst pet names ever. I would’ve taken Baby gladly in replacement.
5.The book is all about the romance. Not for me.
6.All characters are so 1 dimensional.
There are more but I can’t even talk about this book anymore. If you want to read it, go ahead.
August 24, 2015
This book deserves 1 star. It is completely ridiculous, to be honest. The plot, the characters... the whole story is ridiculous and the writing style was quite childish and repetitive. But I would say that it was short and it made me laugh, a lot
June 2, 2014
I just wish that the romance wasn't so stupidly unrealistic. I read it very quickly and easily but didn't get to enjoy it that much. Wouldn't necessarily recommend unless you like blind trust and love.
January 24, 2015
I wish i read the reviews beforehand, this was atrocious.
October 5, 2014
So I went to bookcon in NY in May with my best friend and it was exciting. My friend wanted to wait in line for Cassandra Clare (who I unfortunately am not a fan of) so we sat in a line that barely moved for a good hour. Now I'm the kind of person who will not say no to free stuff, so while I'm being a good friend waiting in line, I became the annoying daughter and made my mother go out and get me some signed books. My mom comes back with a handful of YA books (thanks mom!) and hence the existence of this book into my life.
So, I read this book because I got it for free, and I decided to just read it because I needed a book for English class and I finished everything else, so why not this book?
Well, I'll tell you "why not this book". The writing was just poorly written; it's like explaining to a second grader between show versus tell, and from the beginning it felt like I was reading fanfiction (blah). It wasn't a surprise at all when I found out the author writes fanfiction. Ms. Todd, please keep the fanfiction and novels separate. I mean, "allowing his tongue to perform the familiar tango with her own" (179). That sentence alone screams "fanfiction". I've never given a book one star before, unless you count this book I read in 5th grade called Becoming Naomi León Go check it out. Great read.
So that saying, this is the second book I ever gave on star to. Anyway, everything in this book was so fast-paced. I find out Lola's name and right away she meets Dean and right away they go out and right away they say "I love you". There is absolutely no character development at all, and very little plot climax. The only thing I found interesting in this book was Freddie, and then he turned all goo-goo happiness in one page flip, and I was physically gagging.
And what the hell is a manifester? Do any of you know? Because I finished this whole book and I have no idea what they are. Where did they come from? Why do they have special powers? Nothing really was described about these "manifesters" at all.
I freaking hate Lola and Dean so much. First of all, everyone in this damn book, especially Dean, "smirks" way too much even in the weirdest situations. Every single time, Dean is always smirking at Lola which makes him seem so damn conceited. And the annoying nicknames he gives Lola. At first he calls her "baby" and I nearly was about to throw up, and then he calls her "pretty girl" and Lola actually likes it which figuratively had me over the toilet bowl puking my brains out.
And then there was the accident, where Leo breaks into the school, compels everyone to stay still, and nearly kills Lola, and you know what they do? The principal lets Lola, with the cuts and bruises all over her arm and a broken window indicating someone broke in, to go home with Dean. What. The. Hell. First of all, she should've definitely gone to the police or hospital or something! And second of all, they just let her go to Dean's house? For all the principal knows Dean could be the one who broke in and hurt her. Okay, I let that one pass, but then they go to a beach party and prom?!?! When they know that Lola is in danger?! Even if Dean's parents were "working on it" that doesn't mean they could do whatever they want with a murderer on the loose. I was literally going to stop reading there.
I have many more complaints that I'm just going to list off:
- narrators kept switching back and forth every SENTENCE and just so many issues with Ms. Todd's second narrator in general "Lola never wanted to leave this spot" (62). It should be "Lola never wanted to leave that spot."
- Lola doesn't even care that Dean is some psycho alien
- "Leo chuckled at the orb before him as he watched Lola and her family plan out the attack" (165). Great. He has an orb. How cliché.
- Dean's mother has an imprint where she can spy on whomever she wants. And on page 172 she specifically says that she knows Dean has never had sex "referring to her imprint". That makes me believe that she would spy on her kids while they are having sex. *pukes*
- Page 198 is altogether stupid. "collapse to death from their burns" are literally the exact words Todd uses, and when Lola and Dean see their family members dying all they are doing is opening their mouths a little in shock. Like if I were Lola I would've screamed and cried and fell to the floor sobbing!
- Like I said before, Todd tells me everything and doesn't show which kills me. "After waking up feeling pretty blissful and continuing to bask in it all for nearly two hours, Lola and Dean decided to make the best of their time together before their date that night" (62). I now have to play English teacher and tell Ms. Todd that you could maybe say "Lola woke up smiling at Dean with crinkled eyes, basking in the warmth with the amazing morning wrapping around her. Dean edged closer to her, his hair a halo of messiness. 'Let's make the best of our time before our date tonight,' he said, wrapping his arms around her."
- Lola wanted to have sex with Dean in a classroom. Let me rephrase; they were about to have sex in a classroom. How dumb are they really?
It was hard to keep reading; I almost stopped at pg 20. I really wanted to like this book but I just couldn't :( I'm not hating on Heather Todd, she's probably a good person and all. I mean I could ask my mom but she could probably be winner of worst memory in history, so I'm literally just judging the book for it's writing, and it's easy to tell that I was very disappointed and annoyed with this book.
So, I read this book because I got it for free, and I decided to just read it because I needed a book for English class and I finished everything else, so why not this book?
Well, I'll tell you "why not this book". The writing was just poorly written; it's like explaining to a second grader between show versus tell, and from the beginning it felt like I was reading fanfiction (blah). It wasn't a surprise at all when I found out the author writes fanfiction. Ms. Todd, please keep the fanfiction and novels separate. I mean, "allowing his tongue to perform the familiar tango with her own" (179). That sentence alone screams "fanfiction". I've never given a book one star before, unless you count this book I read in 5th grade called Becoming Naomi León Go check it out. Great read.
So that saying, this is the second book I ever gave on star to. Anyway, everything in this book was so fast-paced. I find out Lola's name and right away she meets Dean and right away they go out and right away they say "I love you". There is absolutely no character development at all, and very little plot climax. The only thing I found interesting in this book was Freddie, and then he turned all goo-goo happiness in one page flip, and I was physically gagging.
And what the hell is a manifester? Do any of you know? Because I finished this whole book and I have no idea what they are. Where did they come from? Why do they have special powers? Nothing really was described about these "manifesters" at all.
I freaking hate Lola and Dean so much. First of all, everyone in this damn book, especially Dean, "smirks" way too much even in the weirdest situations. Every single time, Dean is always smirking at Lola which makes him seem so damn conceited. And the annoying nicknames he gives Lola. At first he calls her "baby" and I nearly was about to throw up, and then he calls her "pretty girl" and Lola actually likes it which figuratively had me over the toilet bowl puking my brains out.
And then there was the accident, where Leo breaks into the school, compels everyone to stay still, and nearly kills Lola, and you know what they do? The principal lets Lola, with the cuts and bruises all over her arm and a broken window indicating someone broke in, to go home with Dean. What. The. Hell. First of all, she should've definitely gone to the police or hospital or something! And second of all, they just let her go to Dean's house? For all the principal knows Dean could be the one who broke in and hurt her. Okay, I let that one pass, but then they go to a beach party and prom?!?! When they know that Lola is in danger?! Even if Dean's parents were "working on it" that doesn't mean they could do whatever they want with a murderer on the loose. I was literally going to stop reading there.
I have many more complaints that I'm just going to list off:
- narrators kept switching back and forth every SENTENCE and just so many issues with Ms. Todd's second narrator in general "Lola never wanted to leave this spot" (62). It should be "Lola never wanted to leave that spot."
- Lola doesn't even care that Dean is some psycho alien
- "Leo chuckled at the orb before him as he watched Lola and her family plan out the attack" (165). Great. He has an orb. How cliché.
- Dean's mother has an imprint where she can spy on whomever she wants. And on page 172 she specifically says that she knows Dean has never had sex "referring to her imprint". That makes me believe that she would spy on her kids while they are having sex. *pukes*
- Page 198 is altogether stupid. "collapse to death from their burns" are literally the exact words Todd uses, and when Lola and Dean see their family members dying all they are doing is opening their mouths a little in shock. Like if I were Lola I would've screamed and cried and fell to the floor sobbing!
- Like I said before, Todd tells me everything and doesn't show which kills me. "After waking up feeling pretty blissful and continuing to bask in it all for nearly two hours, Lola and Dean decided to make the best of their time together before their date that night" (62). I now have to play English teacher and tell Ms. Todd that you could maybe say "Lola woke up smiling at Dean with crinkled eyes, basking in the warmth with the amazing morning wrapping around her. Dean edged closer to her, his hair a halo of messiness. 'Let's make the best of our time before our date tonight,' he said, wrapping his arms around her."
- Lola wanted to have sex with Dean in a classroom. Let me rephrase; they were about to have sex in a classroom. How dumb are they really?
It was hard to keep reading; I almost stopped at pg 20. I really wanted to like this book but I just couldn't :( I'm not hating on Heather Todd, she's probably a good person and all. I mean I could ask my mom but she could probably be winner of worst memory in history, so I'm literally just judging the book for it's writing, and it's easy to tell that I was very disappointed and annoyed with this book.
Read
July 6, 2014I'm not saying I don't enjoy harsh criticism because I take all criticism to heart so I can improve myself.
But, I would just like to remind everyone that no fantasy romance is supposed to be realistic because it is FANTASY.
The reason Dean and Lola feel so attached to each other is because of the gift they experienced. It is what their bodies and their hearts tell each other because they are meant to be.
Honestly, no love out there in the world (fantasy or not) is realistic.
Bottom line, Dean and Lola's relationship is not going to be realistic because it is pure fantasy considering they literally experienced "love at first sight".
Also, this book is only the introduction for more that is to come. You have no idea what happens next. You can't take everything in life so seriously and realistically. Have an imagination. Otherwise, reading wouldn't be for fun.
But, I would just like to remind everyone that no fantasy romance is supposed to be realistic because it is FANTASY.
The reason Dean and Lola feel so attached to each other is because of the gift they experienced. It is what their bodies and their hearts tell each other because they are meant to be.
Honestly, no love out there in the world (fantasy or not) is realistic.
Bottom line, Dean and Lola's relationship is not going to be realistic because it is pure fantasy considering they literally experienced "love at first sight".
Also, this book is only the introduction for more that is to come. You have no idea what happens next. You can't take everything in life so seriously and realistically. Have an imagination. Otherwise, reading wouldn't be for fun.
March 31, 2016
It was a good laugh, at least. Got it for free at BookCon. Got some really great free books there, but this was not one of them. It's not even the story that bothers me, just the simplistic and honestly bad writing style. I've dealt with some unrealistic books, but this one takes the cake, even for a YA Fantasy novel.
Update: I'm reading the book description right now. "Their eyes meet and something powerful happens that makes her feel an immediate attraction and pull to him" Can someone please let the author know that "attraction" and "pull" are synonyms?! Redundant sentence, very indicative of the rest of the book.
Update: I'm reading the book description right now. "Their eyes meet and something powerful happens that makes her feel an immediate attraction and pull to him" Can someone please let the author know that "attraction" and "pull" are synonyms?! Redundant sentence, very indicative of the rest of the book.
June 4, 2014
This reads like fan fiction but if you can get over that and just accept it for what it is than you will enjoy this book. It's really short and has cute as well as funny moments. The characters aren't really that developed yet but hopefully more will happen in the sequel. The cover is gorgeous!! A lot of this story you just have to accept what is going on and not think about it too much. Like I said fan fiction but it's still enjoyable as long as you know what to expect. I would give this maybe a 2.5-3 stars but I am feeling pretty generous
May 27, 2014
When I first started this book I have to be honest I didn't really like it. I don't like intent love and that is how this book started. As I continued on I sort of got used to it but felt the book could of been so much more then just about the relationship. There were times the characters got on my nerves and I wanted to punch them and there were times that the characters showed potential.
Overall I give this book 2.5 stars and I might not continue on with the series.
Overall I give this book 2.5 stars and I might not continue on with the series.
July 23, 2014
I'm not a huge fantasy reading but I loved this book. Lola & Deans relationship was perfectly genuine and unique. I literally cannot wait for the second one. There gift of love and everything just tied it together beautifully. Good job Heather !
August 24, 2014
**Received a signed copy at BookCon 2014**
I didn't like this book, but I also couldn't stop reading it, either. I don't know, I just didn't feel any connection to the characters. I also didn't appreciate the best friend part of the story; it was too predictable. I shan't be continuing this one.
I didn't like this book, but I also couldn't stop reading it, either. I don't know, I just didn't feel any connection to the characters. I also didn't appreciate the best friend part of the story; it was too predictable. I shan't be continuing this one.
Want to read
May 7, 2014There isnt a review for this yet??!!?! Alright im buying it!!!! 6.00 on Books A Million and i get shipping for free :)
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews