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Hawaiian Crush #1
Connected by the Sea
Living in paradise, Sydney loves her job, her friends, and her passion for marine biology. Her best friend, Henry, has an invested interest in her, but Sydney never seems to notice. While Henry is the perfect man, she only dates the wrong guys. Her ex-boyfriend cheated on her, broke her heart, and now she’s too shattered to give anyone a chance.
Until Coen…
A sexy bad boy with a tattoo, he elicits dark desires Sydney hasn’t felt in so long. His intense eyes, the color of the sea, capture her sight, making it impossible to look away. She tries to avoid him, knowing he’s no good for her, but Coen, who always gets what he wants, doesn’t take no for an answer.
Will Sydney regret this decision? Or will she find what’s been missing her entire life? The family she lost, the loves she misses, and the trust she never thought she could have for someone else?
Until Coen…
A sexy bad boy with a tattoo, he elicits dark desires Sydney hasn’t felt in so long. His intense eyes, the color of the sea, capture her sight, making it impossible to look away. She tries to avoid him, knowing he’s no good for her, but Coen, who always gets what he wants, doesn’t take no for an answer.
Will Sydney regret this decision? Or will she find what’s been missing her entire life? The family she lost, the loves she misses, and the trust she never thought she could have for someone else?
229 pages, ebook
First published January 29, 2014
364 people are currently reading
2147 people want to read
About the author
E.L. Todd
216 books2,729 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author, E. L. Todd is one of the most prolific authors of her genre, having published over a hundred novels. With over one million copies sold, she writes romance stories ranging from contemporary romance, new adult romance, and fantasy romance. She's best known for her Forever and Always Series as well as her Timeless Series.
She loves coffee, ice cream, and anything with sugar.
She loves coffee, ice cream, and anything with sugar.
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April 5, 2015
FREE on Amazon US today (4/5/2015)
BLURB:
Sydney is attending University of Hawaii on Oahu where she's majoring in Marine Biology. She loves her friends, her job, and her school. Since her ex-boyfriend cheated on her six months ago, she hasn't moves onto anybody new yet.
When Coen catches her eye, she's immediately attracted to him in a very carnal way. She refused to let herself feel that way because he's a heartbreaker just like her ex was. But when she's called to her professor's office because she's asked to tutor someone, she doesn't realize it's Coen. Will he convince her that he really is boyfriend material or will he turn out just as she suspects?
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January 17, 2014
Connected by the Sea
was a sweet romance that landed in the okay zone for me. I was initially excited with the setting being in my home state of Hawai'i but it didn't really connect with me. I guess, what I'm trying to say here is that I had hoped that there was going to be more of a Hawai'i twist other than the story just claiming to be in Hawai'i and the main character having a thing for Marine biology.
It more so just featured on perfect student Sydney being the object of affection for best friend, Henry, and falling for bad boy, Coen.
Sydney, initially blind to Henry's more than friend want, becomes torn with not wanting to hurt Henry's feelings while knowing that her decision could lose him altogether.
This, as you can see, puts a damper on her growing relationship with Coen as he does not want to be in the shadows like some dirty secret.
How will it all turn out for these lovers?
SO, MY VERDICT?: Over all, a story with potential but I hope for more exposure on Hawai'i entwined with the plot and for the main protagonist, Sydney, to stop being so noble and be more assertive. She kind of drove me nuts while trying to appease others while we all knew she wanted Coen.
That said, can't wait for book two! :)
*I was graciously given a copy of this ARC by this author for an honest review. Thank you very much!*
It more so just featured on perfect student Sydney being the object of affection for best friend, Henry, and falling for bad boy, Coen.
Sydney, initially blind to Henry's more than friend want, becomes torn with not wanting to hurt Henry's feelings while knowing that her decision could lose him altogether.
This, as you can see, puts a damper on her growing relationship with Coen as he does not want to be in the shadows like some dirty secret.
How will it all turn out for these lovers?
SO, MY VERDICT?: Over all, a story with potential but I hope for more exposure on Hawai'i entwined with the plot and for the main protagonist, Sydney, to stop being so noble and be more assertive. She kind of drove me nuts while trying to appease others while we all knew she wanted Coen.
That said, can't wait for book two! :)
*I was graciously given a copy of this ARC by this author for an honest review. Thank you very much!*
March 27, 2022
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
1 star
I did not enjoy this book as I have other EL Todd books. I felt as though parts of this book, big parts that should have been stressed upon, were rushed and sent to a quick, unrealistic resolve. Now, before I get criticized for my last comment, I am not looking for "real life" situations and I understand that it is just a book. However, there were several serious situations brought out by the author that had a juvenile and quick resolution which made the story a little less believable. The entire story felt as though it was written as a creative project during a junior high writing course. The character dialog was hard to follow at points because the author failed to identify who was talking. I am referring to almost an entire page of dialog that I had to flip back to the previous page to see who started the conversation first. The character development was minimal. We were given a glimpse of some of the characters that probably should have had a little more detail. I love a good mystery when it comes to my novels, but not ones that go unsolved. The mystery of certain characters was never brought to light.
I hope that people understand that I am not the type of person who intentionally hurts another human being, and by writing this review, I could possibly be doing that. But I was asked to provide honesty and that is what this review is, pure honesty.
1 star
I did not enjoy this book as I have other EL Todd books. I felt as though parts of this book, big parts that should have been stressed upon, were rushed and sent to a quick, unrealistic resolve. Now, before I get criticized for my last comment, I am not looking for "real life" situations and I understand that it is just a book. However, there were several serious situations brought out by the author that had a juvenile and quick resolution which made the story a little less believable. The entire story felt as though it was written as a creative project during a junior high writing course. The character dialog was hard to follow at points because the author failed to identify who was talking. I am referring to almost an entire page of dialog that I had to flip back to the previous page to see who started the conversation first. The character development was minimal. We were given a glimpse of some of the characters that probably should have had a little more detail. I love a good mystery when it comes to my novels, but not ones that go unsolved. The mystery of certain characters was never brought to light.
I hope that people understand that I am not the type of person who intentionally hurts another human being, and by writing this review, I could possibly be doing that. But I was asked to provide honesty and that is what this review is, pure honesty.
December 26, 2013
I got this ARC in exchange of an honest review, so here it it:
It's a nice story with some lovable characters, a lot of steamy scenes, but with a little of anticlimactic moments.
The characters are lovable, Coen, is the tough guy is really a sweetheart kind of guy, i really liked him. He has his priorities set straight.
You really like Sydney, because she has made a life out of herself despite her childhood.
But what makes this book a 3.5 is that sometimes they are very mature, on how they handle this and that situation, And then there are other times when you really think that she is a teen , a adolescent.
The thing that bugged me more was her attitude and the decisions she took in regard to her best friend! I just did not like it!
Its pretty predictable, but it has its very good moments!!
It's a nice story with some lovable characters, a lot of steamy scenes, but with a little of anticlimactic moments.
The characters are lovable, Coen, is the tough guy is really a sweetheart kind of guy, i really liked him. He has his priorities set straight.
You really like Sydney, because she has made a life out of herself despite her childhood.
But what makes this book a 3.5 is that sometimes they are very mature, on how they handle this and that situation, And then there are other times when you really think that she is a teen , a adolescent.
The thing that bugged me more was her attitude and the decisions she took in regard to her best friend! I just did not like it!
Its pretty predictable, but it has its very good moments!!
February 4, 2014
I am partial to E.L. Todd books, but that doesn't change my review at all. I have read 478 books this year, so I know a good book when I read it. I really loved this book!
This one is a college romance, but a great love story. One thing I hate about reading books with younger characters is the wishy washy attitude most of them have. This is not the case in CBTS. Sydney has a troubled past but instead of letting that pull her down she escaped from it and went after her dreams. She trains in self defense and martial arts, and although she could beat the crap out of anyone who crossed her, she chooses non violence. She has an incredible heart and has unwavering loyalty to her friends. Coen is everything you want in a book boyfriend. He is strong, totally hot, and hung...lol. He's also, sweet and compassionate but not so over the top that he comes off as a douche.
Sydney is healing over a break up. Her ex wasn't a bad guy...just someone who made the wrong choice. She can forgive him, but she knows she could never forget his betrayal. Coen is also trying to get over a break up...except, he can't stand his ex. She is pretty much bat shit crazy. Syd has noticed Coen from class, but it isn't until she starts to tutor him, that she actually gets to know him. Surprisingly, he isn't the cheating, dumb, man whore she expected him to be. As they get to know each other sparks fly. There are some mountains to climb and obstacles to overcome, but being together makes them both stronger. When Sydney's past arrives at her door step, it may just be too much for their relationship.
This book is sweet and romantic but not so sweet that it causes cavities. Well done!
This one is a college romance, but a great love story. One thing I hate about reading books with younger characters is the wishy washy attitude most of them have. This is not the case in CBTS. Sydney has a troubled past but instead of letting that pull her down she escaped from it and went after her dreams. She trains in self defense and martial arts, and although she could beat the crap out of anyone who crossed her, she chooses non violence. She has an incredible heart and has unwavering loyalty to her friends. Coen is everything you want in a book boyfriend. He is strong, totally hot, and hung...lol. He's also, sweet and compassionate but not so over the top that he comes off as a douche.
Sydney is healing over a break up. Her ex wasn't a bad guy...just someone who made the wrong choice. She can forgive him, but she knows she could never forget his betrayal. Coen is also trying to get over a break up...except, he can't stand his ex. She is pretty much bat shit crazy. Syd has noticed Coen from class, but it isn't until she starts to tutor him, that she actually gets to know him. Surprisingly, he isn't the cheating, dumb, man whore she expected him to be. As they get to know each other sparks fly. There are some mountains to climb and obstacles to overcome, but being together makes them both stronger. When Sydney's past arrives at her door step, it may just be too much for their relationship.
This book is sweet and romantic but not so sweet that it causes cavities. Well done!
January 27, 2014
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review..I'm gonna try and be as honest as possible..This book was a 2 star for me..at best..the dialog between characters was choppy and clipped..it didn't flow well for me..I didn't feel connected to these characters at all...the sex scenes were too clinical ...some of them were missing emotion/passion....Henry was clingy and pushy..Sydney was a pushover (for Henry), naive, and a bit annoying..I did like that she could stand up for herself and protect herself...Coen seemed a little controlling in the beginning..he did win me over some what..The stuff with his ex was WAY too juvenile for me..this was a case of intsa-relationship..later on they were in "love" and she seemed not to know he was even left handed (after tutoring him and having classes with him?!?)...that bothered me..just shows how little they knew about each other...then the stuff with her family was odd and a bit over the top for them to deal with on their own...and I think at one point her step-dad "Dan"..was refereed to as "Bob".. If I'm being completely honest this book was a struggle to get through..Just didn't work for me..However the book cover is lovely.............and now it appears to have two different covers since my December review..SMH?!?
February 1, 2014
Between 4 and 4.5 Stars!!!
ARC kindly provided by author for my honest review.
I really enjoyed this New Adult book. It is erotic, somewhat angsty, suspenseful, with great characters and a really good plot. Love Sydney and Cohen's love affair, it is HOT HOT HOT!! I also really enjoyed the setting in warm and beautiful Hawaii.
Sydney is a kind-hearted marine biology student recovering from a cheating boyfriend and an abusive childhood. Her best male friend is in love with her, but she doesn't feel the same. So when she and Cohen start dating, she keeps it a secret to avoid hurt feelings. However, she didn't count on how hurt Cohen was at being a "dirty little secret". As she and Cohen work through this, her past comes back to haunt her. Cohen is the perfect book boyfriend: Lovable, hot, sexy bad-ass who wears beach appropriate clothing. YAY!!!
This is a stand alone book with a great HEA. I recommend it to New Adult erotica readers.
ARC kindly provided by author for my honest review.
I really enjoyed this New Adult book. It is erotic, somewhat angsty, suspenseful, with great characters and a really good plot. Love Sydney and Cohen's love affair, it is HOT HOT HOT!! I also really enjoyed the setting in warm and beautiful Hawaii.
Sydney is a kind-hearted marine biology student recovering from a cheating boyfriend and an abusive childhood. Her best male friend is in love with her, but she doesn't feel the same. So when she and Cohen start dating, she keeps it a secret to avoid hurt feelings. However, she didn't count on how hurt Cohen was at being a "dirty little secret". As she and Cohen work through this, her past comes back to haunt her. Cohen is the perfect book boyfriend: Lovable, hot, sexy bad-ass who wears beach appropriate clothing. YAY!!!
This is a stand alone book with a great HEA. I recommend it to New Adult erotica readers.
January 8, 2014
*ARC PROVIDED BY AUTHOR IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW *
Sydney is a college girl just trying to get through school and life in spite of her troubled past. She has a wonderful group of friends and fails to see herself the way they do, an amazing young woman.
She has been betrayed in love and in life. It is through the handsome Coen that she finds love once more. He will teach her to empower herself and be fearless in the face of danger. Most importantly he will teach her about self forgiveness and that friends are family too.
This story take place in the ever exotic, ever beautiful Hawaii. It starts off innocent enough, then takes a turn for the erotic. A great and refreshing read.
Thank you E.L. Todd!
Sydney is a college girl just trying to get through school and life in spite of her troubled past. She has a wonderful group of friends and fails to see herself the way they do, an amazing young woman.
She has been betrayed in love and in life. It is through the handsome Coen that she finds love once more. He will teach her to empower herself and be fearless in the face of danger. Most importantly he will teach her about self forgiveness and that friends are family too.
This story take place in the ever exotic, ever beautiful Hawaii. It starts off innocent enough, then takes a turn for the erotic. A great and refreshing read.
Thank you E.L. Todd!
February 16, 2021
The only thing I got from this book is that the main character is a horny college girl who used to have great sex with her cheating ex boyfriend , and she's in a dry spell for six months, she missed the sex with the ex and she's looking for a substitute, not the friend who cares about her but the arrogant bad boy, player guy . Yeah because sex is everything . Can't blame her though, hormones are shitty if you let them control you .
March 30, 2024
This book annoyed me.
The heroine same across as judgmental about the Hero based on gossip while she wanted to keep their relationship a secret and sending mixed signals to her best friend who was in love with her.
Safety info.
The heroine is bf's with Henry who is in love with her but hasn't told her. The Hero has an ex who thinks they are still together, even though she cheated on him and it ended months ago.
No intimate scenes with anyone other than the main couple.
HFN.
The heroine same across as judgmental about the Hero based on gossip while she wanted to keep their relationship a secret and sending mixed signals to her best friend who was in love with her.
Safety info.
The heroine is bf's with Henry who is in love with her but hasn't told her. The Hero has an ex who thinks they are still together, even though she cheated on him and it ended months ago.
No intimate scenes with anyone other than the main couple.
HFN.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2024
This book annoyed me.
The heroine same across as judgmental about the Hero based on gossip while she wanted to keep their relationship a secret and sending mixed signals to her best friend who was in love with her.
Safety info.
The heroine is bf's with Henry who is in love with her but hasn't told her. The Hero has an ex who thinks they are still together, even though she cheated on him and it ended months ago.
No intimate scenes with anyone other than the main couple.
HFN.
The heroine same across as judgmental about the Hero based on gossip while she wanted to keep their relationship a secret and sending mixed signals to her best friend who was in love with her.
Safety info.
The heroine is bf's with Henry who is in love with her but hasn't told her. The Hero has an ex who thinks they are still together, even though she cheated on him and it ended months ago.
No intimate scenes with anyone other than the main couple.
HFN.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
February 9, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/9/2020)! 🎁
February 1, 2014
Escaping to a college in Hawaii to get away from the nightmares of her childhood, Sydney is a model student in the marine biology department. She has close friends and a great life, and great grades. When the hottest guy on campus needs her help to pass his classes, she finds that no matter how hard she tries to maintain her distance the man is a virtual magnet for her fantasies. Could it be possible that one of the biggest players on campus could really feel something for her? Can Sydney and Coen find a real relationship with each other? They both have been hurt before, and now Sydney fears hurting her best friend, who she knows is in love with her. Is it fair to ask Coen to keep their relationship a secret? Is it fair that he withholds taking their relationship to the most intimate of levels until she goes public about them? Can their relationship withstand her ugly past when it returns to torment her on her island paradise?
Connected by the Sea by E. L. Todd is a story of reaching out for love, learning to trust another person, and to place the value of true love above all else. E. L. Todd has created a wonderful and very likable cast of supporting characters that give that “true to life, less than perfect” feeling to this roller coaster of a romance. Coen is a warm and caring individual with a depth to his personality that shows great maturity and the ability to be a true friend and lover, who occasionally has relapses into the maturity level of a sixteen year old boy. Were those times designed to give Sydney a much needed, almost feral show of support? Sydney was much more complex, as her character on one hand was loving, fun-loving and a free spirit in many ways. I do question her maturity level, particularly when she appeared blind to what was really going on around her with her best friend, Henry. Once she knew she had probably led Henry on into thinking they could be more than friends, she went overboard “protecting” his feelings and hiding what Coen meant to her. Was this because she had little in life growing up to show her what healthy relationships were?
With sometimes over-the-top situations and over-the top cameo appearances of the demons from Sydney’s past, what saved each scene was the way Coen comported himself under the worst of circumstances. A perfect role model for Sydney to learn from, while she finally came to realize that how Coen acted/reacted in these times was what “mature” and loving people did for others. On the spicy side, these two often acted like sex-starved rabbits, never missing an opportunity for steaming up my Kindle with the intensity of their emotions!
Overall, I really did enjoy this story and the plot, which had some very convoluted twists and turns throughout! I also admit to wondering for a large part of the book what Sydney’s reaction to a secret act of kindness from Coen. When that particular gem rose to the top, I was shocked at her reaction, because it would have been mine and I did expect her to go into an angst-filled snit. A quick read with moments of lightness as warm as a tropical breeze, I think many would enjoy this journey to finding love in Hawaii.
I received an ARC edition from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: January 4, 2014
Publisher: E. L. Todd
Genre: Contemporary Romance
January 25, 2014
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The plot is simple: Sydney is a university student at the exotic Hawaii, focusing on her studies after a break-up. She’s assigned for tutoring hottie, bad boy type of Coen. Despite all her resolve not get involved with him, things fast change and all things getting heated-up.
My reading experience can best be described as: continuous debate, as the result of several reasons, see below:
Rhythm of the book (that’s my thing, might sound stupid, but that’s one of the first things I experience when reading): it started very tentative, like the writing wasn’t sure where and how is heading. And than it all speed up and practically rushed through the whole story. On one hand it was somehow good, because it was sort of a page turner, as I was curious where it was all heading. But on the other hand, it caused lacking in story, character development .
Characters : Sydney – nice, girl next door type and totally inconsistent. I didn’t get it whether it was because of her character; or simply lacking in character development. All blushing, while acting all sort of nymphomaniac (I really couldn’t put my finger it); Coen – loved the name, original; totally hot guy, perfect body, classic too-good-too-be-true, but nothing more. Supportive characters: Nancy – big mouth, some comments and dialogues here and there, didn’t know much about her (thought there was some more prospect in her); Henry – puppy eyes begging type of best friend being in loved with Sydney like forever and also good looking (I think he would have been better as some geek sort of guy). Mostly annoyed me, then totally surprised with a twist (just a snap and he does an 180).
Conflicts, drama, emotional factor : there were added, but randomly and like a blast. There were good, at least. But I didn’t see them coming as there wasn’t any kind of indication either in the characters’ behavioral or in the story itself. They simple just came from nowhere. Sydney’s emotional turmoil was understandable mostly, but I got annoyed with after a while. At least it wasn’t too dragged on, but therefore solution came sort of easy and fast. She pretty much got over her break-up/heartbreak pretty fast with a quick exchange on the beach with his ex.
What disturbed me most that there wasn’t any emotional development, bonding time, nothing. Both Sydney and Coen became attracted to each other; mostly sexually, than came the emotional part, but there wasn’t anything that suggested that. It was a like a flick of a finger, and suddenly, they have feelings for each other, while having mostly general discussions.
Sex factor: at first I was worried that I got several scenes that gets me all hot and bothered, and nothing happens between Sydney and Coen. This was stroked by heavy petting and original scenes, which also helped a lot with a story.
The strength of the story are : exotic location offered additions (whale swimming scene, Rose); one-on-one scenes (probably these were more easily executed than the overall storytelling); indication of the issues of the past (I always loved characters with screwed-up background/history); sex scenes.
It should be a good beach read for the summer or when you really want to get cozy in the cold with some hotness. But when you’re more into the storytelling, character/emotional development, you might get slightly disappointed.
The plot is simple: Sydney is a university student at the exotic Hawaii, focusing on her studies after a break-up. She’s assigned for tutoring hottie, bad boy type of Coen. Despite all her resolve not get involved with him, things fast change and all things getting heated-up.
My reading experience can best be described as: continuous debate, as the result of several reasons, see below:
Rhythm of the book (that’s my thing, might sound stupid, but that’s one of the first things I experience when reading): it started very tentative, like the writing wasn’t sure where and how is heading. And than it all speed up and practically rushed through the whole story. On one hand it was somehow good, because it was sort of a page turner, as I was curious where it was all heading. But on the other hand, it caused lacking in story, character development .
Characters : Sydney – nice, girl next door type and totally inconsistent. I didn’t get it whether it was because of her character; or simply lacking in character development. All blushing, while acting all sort of nymphomaniac (I really couldn’t put my finger it); Coen – loved the name, original; totally hot guy, perfect body, classic too-good-too-be-true, but nothing more. Supportive characters: Nancy – big mouth, some comments and dialogues here and there, didn’t know much about her (thought there was some more prospect in her); Henry – puppy eyes begging type of best friend being in loved with Sydney like forever and also good looking (I think he would have been better as some geek sort of guy). Mostly annoyed me, then totally surprised with a twist (just a snap and he does an 180).
Conflicts, drama, emotional factor : there were added, but randomly and like a blast. There were good, at least. But I didn’t see them coming as there wasn’t any kind of indication either in the characters’ behavioral or in the story itself. They simple just came from nowhere. Sydney’s emotional turmoil was understandable mostly, but I got annoyed with after a while. At least it wasn’t too dragged on, but therefore solution came sort of easy and fast. She pretty much got over her break-up/heartbreak pretty fast with a quick exchange on the beach with his ex.
What disturbed me most that there wasn’t any emotional development, bonding time, nothing. Both Sydney and Coen became attracted to each other; mostly sexually, than came the emotional part, but there wasn’t anything that suggested that. It was a like a flick of a finger, and suddenly, they have feelings for each other, while having mostly general discussions.
Sex factor: at first I was worried that I got several scenes that gets me all hot and bothered, and nothing happens between Sydney and Coen. This was stroked by heavy petting and original scenes, which also helped a lot with a story.
The strength of the story are : exotic location offered additions (whale swimming scene, Rose); one-on-one scenes (probably these were more easily executed than the overall storytelling); indication of the issues of the past (I always loved characters with screwed-up background/history); sex scenes.
It should be a good beach read for the summer or when you really want to get cozy in the cold with some hotness. But when you’re more into the storytelling, character/emotional development, you might get slightly disappointed.
November 13, 2014
Connected by the Sea
I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review. Let’s enjoy this book ride together!!
I have never read an E.L. Todd book so I feel like I am at a disadvantage
The book starts in an aquarium and all i kept thinking was
Ahh sweet daydreaming. I love a character that is excellent at something but still chooses to chase a dream.
“She would never notice him.”
Can’t stop readdinngg
““You like what you see?” he said with a laugh.
She composed herself. “It’s just distracting.”
“Not as distracting as you.”
SWOON!!
“I haven’t done that since high school but I really enjoyed it.”
It’s going to be okay,” she said. “You’re going to find someone that you love way more than you love me.”
“But I only love you.” His voice shook with emotion.
“You love me.”
“I did love you. Not anymore. I’m over you.”
ALL THE EXES wanting the main characters…I love me some love triangles!
Coen bit her lip as he came onto her skin. “Yeah.”
When she finished, she pulled her fingers out and rested them on her stomach. “Wow.”
“You wished you had learned that sooner, huh?”
“Yeah. But I still like it when you do it better.”
“You aren’t needy. And even if you are, I love it when you need me. You can ask me to do anything and I will do everything in my power to make it happen. I love it when you lean on me, ask me to hold you, confide in me. I want you to be needy. I know you’ve never been that way your whole life, choosing to stand on your own two feet and work out your own problems, but everything is different now. We split the load—always.”
I LOVE THIS BOOK!
“God, yes. I’ve wanted you forever. You mean everything to me.”
Coen is a secretly amazing bad boy =]---that’s what saves this book from Sydney’s annoying tendancies…
I love me some more erotic touch but the moments included aided the innocent storyline… great read solid 4 stars!
I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review. Let’s enjoy this book ride together!!
I have never read an E.L. Todd book so I feel like I am at a disadvantage
The book starts in an aquarium and all i kept thinking was
Ahh sweet daydreaming. I love a character that is excellent at something but still chooses to chase a dream.
“She would never notice him.”
Can’t stop readdinngg
““You like what you see?” he said with a laugh.
She composed herself. “It’s just distracting.”
“Not as distracting as you.”
SWOON!!
“I haven’t done that since high school but I really enjoyed it.”
It’s going to be okay,” she said. “You’re going to find someone that you love way more than you love me.”
“But I only love you.” His voice shook with emotion.
“You love me.”
“I did love you. Not anymore. I’m over you.”
ALL THE EXES wanting the main characters…I love me some love triangles!
Coen bit her lip as he came onto her skin. “Yeah.”
When she finished, she pulled her fingers out and rested them on her stomach. “Wow.”
“You wished you had learned that sooner, huh?”
“Yeah. But I still like it when you do it better.”
“You aren’t needy. And even if you are, I love it when you need me. You can ask me to do anything and I will do everything in my power to make it happen. I love it when you lean on me, ask me to hold you, confide in me. I want you to be needy. I know you’ve never been that way your whole life, choosing to stand on your own two feet and work out your own problems, but everything is different now. We split the load—always.”
I LOVE THIS BOOK!
“God, yes. I’ve wanted you forever. You mean everything to me.”
Coen is a secretly amazing bad boy =]---that’s what saves this book from Sydney’s annoying tendancies…
I love me some more erotic touch but the moments included aided the innocent storyline… great read solid 4 stars!
January 24, 2014
I have to be honest...I thought this book was going to totally suck! I don't know - the author started talking about the ocean and creatures and I was like "Oh My what have I gotten myself into." Well good thing I am one of those people that will not put down a book regardless of my initial impression, because I would have missed out on an AWESOME read. Once you get past the first couple of chapters you forget that the connection between the characters is supposedly the sea. Who really gives a crap about the sea when you have HOT, STEAMY, MAKE OUT SESSIONS!
This book had it all - cute friend that is infatuated, Hottie that needs tutoring, jealous ex-girlfriend, and psycho step-dad from hell. Sydney couldn't wait to escape her home - away from her mother, abusive step-father, and crazy step-brother. She is off to college in Hawaii and enjoying her time with her friends and studying what she loves (the sea). Everything is going great..and in walks Coen. Coen is the college hottie that has the love'em and leave'em reputation. Coen makes Sydney feel things she didn't even know lived inside of her. Only her best friend Henry, wished she felt those things for him. Poor Henry.
What I liked about this book...Coen of course! LOL! No seriously I liked how he wanted everyone to know they were together...how he was committed to her even when she was still straddling the fence. But besides Coen, I love the way E.L. Todd wrote the book. It had a lot of dialogue minus all the inner head mumbling. I love the way the dialogue just flowed and it was like you were actually watching it play out on t.v.
My favorite part...Coen was ready for their relationship to go public. So he pretty much gave her a choice...be with him and tell Henry the truth or be without him. So Sydney shows up at the party with Henry and Nancy...well this is what happens...'She felt an arm brush her shoulder and she looked up, seeing Coen's face close to hers. Everyone in the circle stopped talking as they watched Coen leaned toward Sydney. His lips were very close to hers, but he said nothing. He stared into her eyes, waiting for her to make her decision. Sydney knew she had to kiss him in front of Henry if she wanted to keep him, or at least embrace him in some way. Coen kept his eyes glued to hers as he waited for her to make up her mind.'
Ha! You thought I was going to tell what happened next. Really? Really? Sorry you have to read the book to get all the juicy details! We will let you know as soon as this book goes live on Amazon!
This book had it all - cute friend that is infatuated, Hottie that needs tutoring, jealous ex-girlfriend, and psycho step-dad from hell. Sydney couldn't wait to escape her home - away from her mother, abusive step-father, and crazy step-brother. She is off to college in Hawaii and enjoying her time with her friends and studying what she loves (the sea). Everything is going great..and in walks Coen. Coen is the college hottie that has the love'em and leave'em reputation. Coen makes Sydney feel things she didn't even know lived inside of her. Only her best friend Henry, wished she felt those things for him. Poor Henry.
What I liked about this book...Coen of course! LOL! No seriously I liked how he wanted everyone to know they were together...how he was committed to her even when she was still straddling the fence. But besides Coen, I love the way E.L. Todd wrote the book. It had a lot of dialogue minus all the inner head mumbling. I love the way the dialogue just flowed and it was like you were actually watching it play out on t.v.
My favorite part...Coen was ready for their relationship to go public. So he pretty much gave her a choice...be with him and tell Henry the truth or be without him. So Sydney shows up at the party with Henry and Nancy...well this is what happens...'She felt an arm brush her shoulder and she looked up, seeing Coen's face close to hers. Everyone in the circle stopped talking as they watched Coen leaned toward Sydney. His lips were very close to hers, but he said nothing. He stared into her eyes, waiting for her to make her decision. Sydney knew she had to kiss him in front of Henry if she wanted to keep him, or at least embrace him in some way. Coen kept his eyes glued to hers as he waited for her to make up her mind.'
Ha! You thought I was going to tell what happened next. Really? Really? Sorry you have to read the book to get all the juicy details! We will let you know as soon as this book goes live on Amazon!
July 20, 2016
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars to a sweet, sexy and charming novel set in lovely Oahu, Hawaii.
Coen shows all the signs of a sexy bad boy with a smart mouth. Sydney is straight laced, smart and strong. With a family life she’s trying to put in her past and a recent breakup with a cheating ex-boyfriend her mind is screaming to stay away from everything bad A.K.A. Coen no matter how attractive he is. But life has other plans in mind for her, because now she’s not just his tutor she’s also his personal defense student.
Forced to be in contact with each other, neither ignore their mutual attraction at the same time learning that what’s under the surface is more appealing than their good looks. But even after fate brought them together, life is not that easy. There are external factors threaten their instant bond.
This a very light, easy read. Don’t misunderstand, it’s a full length novel told from both POVs, but it has a fast pace, an appealing storyline and dialogue that makes the pages fly by almost effortlessly. The descriptions of their beautiful surroundings gave fuel to my imagination while placing the story in the most romantic, fun and exotic places.
The hero and heroine have very likeable personalities. Coen has a tough exterior but is also very sensitive, attentive with a very clear vision of what he wants for himself. He’s book boyfriend material all around. Sydney, besides being strong and smart, is selfless and caring, but she takes that a bit to the extreme, which gave the book a high school drama feeling at times. Her reactions were a tad immature, especially when it came to her relationship with best friend Henry.
And although the book has all the ingredients of a great read, I feel like we didn’t get enough depth into plot and characters, leaving me with too many unanswered questions. I still enjoyed it very much, and it gave me a great sweet fix and I hope that E.L. continues writing a gives us more of her loving characters (shout out for Henry anyone?)
3.5 stars to a sweet, sexy and charming novel set in lovely Oahu, Hawaii.
“You are the smartest dumb person I know.”
Coen shows all the signs of a sexy bad boy with a smart mouth. Sydney is straight laced, smart and strong. With a family life she’s trying to put in her past and a recent breakup with a cheating ex-boyfriend her mind is screaming to stay away from everything bad A.K.A. Coen no matter how attractive he is. But life has other plans in mind for her, because now she’s not just his tutor she’s also his personal defense student.
Forced to be in contact with each other, neither ignore their mutual attraction at the same time learning that what’s under the surface is more appealing than their good looks. But even after fate brought them together, life is not that easy. There are external factors threaten their instant bond.
This a very light, easy read. Don’t misunderstand, it’s a full length novel told from both POVs, but it has a fast pace, an appealing storyline and dialogue that makes the pages fly by almost effortlessly. The descriptions of their beautiful surroundings gave fuel to my imagination while placing the story in the most romantic, fun and exotic places.
The hero and heroine have very likeable personalities. Coen has a tough exterior but is also very sensitive, attentive with a very clear vision of what he wants for himself. He’s book boyfriend material all around. Sydney, besides being strong and smart, is selfless and caring, but she takes that a bit to the extreme, which gave the book a high school drama feeling at times. Her reactions were a tad immature, especially when it came to her relationship with best friend Henry.
And although the book has all the ingredients of a great read, I feel like we didn’t get enough depth into plot and characters, leaving me with too many unanswered questions. I still enjoyed it very much, and it gave me a great sweet fix and I hope that E.L. continues writing a gives us more of her loving characters (shout out for Henry anyone?)
He wrapped his finger around hers. “You know seahorses mate for life, right?”
“They do?”
“Yeah.” His pinky was wrapped around hers. “Just like humans.”
She smiled. “Do you want to be my seahorse?”
“I assumed that I was already.”
Her eyes watered. “That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.”
December 24, 2013
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review. I liked the storyline and having some of it focus on the ocean, working in aquarium was new for me which was refreshing. I loved Coen, he was the best part of the book for me, misunderstood, polite, strong, caring, protective, and so on. I liked Sydney alot at first, I liked how she was training, smart, owned her own home, and seemed like a strong woman to me but later in the story she became this hippie, love all, can't hurt a soul, vegetarian, sex fiend. I do not understand why it was necessary to make her act like she needed sex morning, noon, and night, and only intercourse would do, I felt terrible when Coen thought he was not enough for her, that she was never sated, that part was weird to me. I also thought it was terrible how she made Coen hide their relationship because of Henry. He was way too hooked on her, if he loved her that much why not tell her, two years really? Then when the evil ex kept saying horrible and hurtful things to her, and then having syrup dumped on her, and destroying her property she still didn't want to do anything, and then when she finally got the upper hand she felt bad and decided to talk it out with her, really???? This book did not seem like the characters were in college, more like high school. Sydney's past brought some sadness into the book, I hated what happened to her father and what happened to her when she was growing up in that house, so I could not understand why she allowed them to come to her house and why not kick them out as soon as creep man did what he did, instead let them stay another day, no way. Their relationship was fast, them starting a sexual relationship was fast, and everything about them after that was fast, yes the ending was beautiful, almost ruined by selfless Sydney again though, but it was a nice happily ever after and meeting Coen was worth reading the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2014
I've recieved the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review...
"You're only this way around me. I make you nervous and axcited at the same time. I give you butterflies."
Coen
Connected by the Sea by E. L. Todd
I couldn't stop reading. I fell in love with it. It's one of the best books I've read.
To tell you the truth it's my first experience in reviewing book but I simply cannot say no to all these amazing authors. I want to explore and that's why I simply couldn't miss this opportunity. And I never regretted doing it.
It turned out to be such a fascinating and fast-moving read that I caught myself wishing this book never to end. The heroes are so well written. They are so usual that they can be anybody you wish - your neighbours, your friends even your family. They are alive and real.
Sydney - I liked her imediately. It is impossible not to do it with such a name =)She is such a selfless girl that can be hardly met in everyday life. Having met a bunch of shitty people in my life I only respected her for that.
Falling for Coen, caring for Henry - any other girl wouldn't have second doubts what to do but not Sydney. She made her choice which hurt her deeply but she always has her friends' backs.
I can write a lot. About Coen and the way he is damaged. Sydney and her nightmares. Love and friendship. Sacrifice and being hurt. But will there be any point in doing it? Just read this book.
It's worth your time. Please, believe me.
Sorry if you find any mistakes here. English is not my native language. =)
"You're only this way around me. I make you nervous and axcited at the same time. I give you butterflies."
Coen
Connected by the Sea by E. L. Todd
I couldn't stop reading. I fell in love with it. It's one of the best books I've read.
To tell you the truth it's my first experience in reviewing book but I simply cannot say no to all these amazing authors. I want to explore and that's why I simply couldn't miss this opportunity. And I never regretted doing it.
It turned out to be such a fascinating and fast-moving read that I caught myself wishing this book never to end. The heroes are so well written. They are so usual that they can be anybody you wish - your neighbours, your friends even your family. They are alive and real.
Sydney - I liked her imediately. It is impossible not to do it with such a name =)She is such a selfless girl that can be hardly met in everyday life. Having met a bunch of shitty people in my life I only respected her for that.
Falling for Coen, caring for Henry - any other girl wouldn't have second doubts what to do but not Sydney. She made her choice which hurt her deeply but she always has her friends' backs.
I can write a lot. About Coen and the way he is damaged. Sydney and her nightmares. Love and friendship. Sacrifice and being hurt. But will there be any point in doing it? Just read this book.
It's worth your time. Please, believe me.
Sorry if you find any mistakes here. English is not my native language. =)
February 10, 2014
This was a fast read about two college students thrown together by chance. Sydney gets a tutoring offer because she's the smartest one in the class. Finding out who she has to tutor, blows her mind because she thinks he's hot & is totally nervous around him.
Coen wants to date Sydney, but his stipulation to sleeping with her is that she has to tell her best friend, who is a guy, that she's dating Coen. She wants to keep it a secret, so they pretend to be friends in front of everyone they know. Finally it comes down to choosing or losing Coen.
This book seems to be mostly conversation, telling the story. I had a tiny problem with the tense change. It was told in third person, but totally slipped into first person a couple times.
I'm not a fan of Young adult drama. Sorry. So this book was "OKAY" for me. It was a good story, but it's much better if you like the Young Adult/New Adult genre.
Coen wants to date Sydney, but his stipulation to sleeping with her is that she has to tell her best friend, who is a guy, that she's dating Coen. She wants to keep it a secret, so they pretend to be friends in front of everyone they know. Finally it comes down to choosing or losing Coen.
This book seems to be mostly conversation, telling the story. I had a tiny problem with the tense change. It was told in third person, but totally slipped into first person a couple times.
I'm not a fan of Young adult drama. Sorry. So this book was "OKAY" for me. It was a good story, but it's much better if you like the Young Adult/New Adult genre.
February 2, 2014
2.5 stars because I loved the Hawaii setting, and I felt for Henry's character as he was amazing and for some reason he reminded me of Stitch from Lilo and Stitch. And lastly, because I thought Rose the dolphin was awesome.
This review is full of spoilers. Proceed at your own risk!
***I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review***
When I realised this story was set in beautiful Hawaii I was so excited! I wanted this book to mentally transport me from wet,cold, dreary grey London...
To beautiful Oahu, Hawaii where I could immerse my self in the Sun, sea and sand atmosphere of the island...
And just float around in the sea of NA love drama.
This story is one of thoseYA College romance type of books were intelligent hard working girl, Sydney, falls in lust love with and can't keep her eyes and hands of off the hot tattooed bad boy, named Coen. She tried to stay away but fate kept throwing them together and being around Coen's pheromones scrambled Sydney's brain a bit making her tongue-tied and lose several IQ points and suddenly she finds it difficult to keep her libido in check and her mind out of his underwear and the feeling is mutual. Maybe there is something in the sea breeze or the water...
Coen was a great guy who tried too hard to be an alpha male and just ended up being a big softy. He looked big and bad like he could break someone in half without trying but for some reason he took a lot of crap from Sydney. Her behaviour towards him was rude and even ridiculous but he just kept putting up with it!
There is some redeeming points in Sydney's character. She has a life and works in an aquarium, when not studying at university and being top student. She also loves to swim with the whales and hangout with her special dolphin friend, Rose.
Yup, She is almost perfect.
Sydney takes self defence classes and is very good at it but for some reason she never gets to use it. Not even to teach some much manners to her boyfriends's psycho ex girlfriend. She was all gracious when that girl was talking crazy, instead she should've taken her down and out.
Sydney sounds a little too perfect but in fact this girl is seriously clueless when it comes to obvious things like her best guy friend, Henry, being totally in love with her.
Henry reminds me so much of Stitch in Lilo and Stitch because he had an unearthly attachment to Sydney that can't be explained. Henry is a surfer type, an all round good guy who is so into Sydney and is determined to show her he is different from her cheating ex Aaron.
"You deserve someone better... “Someone that always stands by your side no matter what. Someone that puts you before himself, making sure you get home safe and you’re always happy.” He stared at her, waiting for her to say something. “A man who would die for you.”
But even after this speech she still didn't get it! Everyone and their pets know how Henry feels about her except her! Ladies and gentlemen Put your hands together for queen clueless the first!
Henry has been going out of his way to show her how he feels for the last two years. He joins her in her favourite hangout at the beach.
He is in all her classes...
He does all kinds of sweet things for her that she just doesn't see or appreciate.
And sometimes Henry gets a bit too dramatic and stalkerish leading to stupid arguments making me wish the'd both just get a grip...
Henry was just too much of a good guy and he tried too hard. He went out of his way to make her happy but you just can't force someone to feel the way you feel for them.
Meanwhile, the cheeky seemingly bad boy Coen has all her undivided attention and she's got his for some reason. Things get hot and heavy at the speed of sound. Apparently lots of heavy petting equals emotional intimacy and love.
I really tried to like this book but Sydney's character made it very difficult. Sydney was supposed to be a strong intelligent woman. In the beginning she was cool and I liked her dare-devilish personality when swimming in the sea with whales and taking her chances with sharks and making friends with dolphins. But sadly that side of her personality belongs in the sea and not on land. She was supposed to be a strong well balanced intelligent woman with a warm heart but her thoughtfulness and attempt to and spare other people's feelings just ended up making her seem judgemental, immature, bratty and just plain selfish. She lied to her friends, lied to Henry and dangled Coen along and made him hide their relationship like it was a dirty secret all to spare Henry's feelings. I just found her to be a very immature all round. All that drama was of her own making and it was really pissing me off.
I really wanted to like this book but all the character's acted like a bunch of teenagers. All that lying, sneaking around and the relationship drama was just too high school for me. I just couldn't get into the story and I didn't feel the love/passion or even the attraction, It just didn't translate for me. The characters were not well rounded and there was no depth to them. I wanted to know the inner workings of the characters, how they felt and what made them tick. There were hints of mystery and possible emotional scars in their pasts that was not explored and just left hanging unresolved. The story felt a bit scripted and there was too much 'tell' and enough 'show'. It was all very frustrating and in the end I was just along for the predictable ride.
There were moments I really liked and appreciated and Sydney swimming in the sea with the whales, doing self defence making friends with the dolphin called Rose was my favourite bit by far. I also liked Henry, he was a little love lorn and so puppyish that I just couldn't help but like him. But on the whole this book just wasn't for me.
This review is full of spoilers. Proceed at your own risk!
***I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review***
When I realised this story was set in beautiful Hawaii I was so excited! I wanted this book to mentally transport me from wet,cold, dreary grey London...
To beautiful Oahu, Hawaii where I could immerse my self in the Sun, sea and sand atmosphere of the island...
And just float around in the sea of NA love drama.
This story is one of those
Coen was a great guy who tried too hard to be an alpha male and just ended up being a big softy. He looked big and bad like he could break someone in half without trying but for some reason he took a lot of crap from Sydney. Her behaviour towards him was rude and even ridiculous but he just kept putting up with it!
There is some redeeming points in Sydney's character. She has a life and works in an aquarium, when not studying at university and being top student. She also loves to swim with the whales and hangout with her special dolphin friend, Rose.
Yup, She is almost perfect.
Sydney takes self defence classes and is very good at it but for some reason she never gets to use it. Not even to teach some much manners to her boyfriends's psycho ex girlfriend. She was all gracious when that girl was talking crazy, instead she should've taken her down and out.
Sydney sounds a little too perfect but in fact this girl is seriously clueless when it comes to obvious things like her best guy friend, Henry, being totally in love with her.
Henry reminds me so much of Stitch in Lilo and Stitch because he had an unearthly attachment to Sydney that can't be explained. Henry is a surfer type, an all round good guy who is so into Sydney and is determined to show her he is different from her cheating ex Aaron.
"You deserve someone better... “Someone that always stands by your side no matter what. Someone that puts you before himself, making sure you get home safe and you’re always happy.” He stared at her, waiting for her to say something. “A man who would die for you.”
But even after this speech she still didn't get it! Everyone and their pets know how Henry feels about her except her! Ladies and gentlemen Put your hands together for queen clueless the first!
Henry has been going out of his way to show her how he feels for the last two years. He joins her in her favourite hangout at the beach.
He is in all her classes...
He does all kinds of sweet things for her that she just doesn't see or appreciate.
And sometimes Henry gets a bit too dramatic and stalkerish leading to stupid arguments making me wish the'd both just get a grip...
Henry was just too much of a good guy and he tried too hard. He went out of his way to make her happy but you just can't force someone to feel the way you feel for them.
Meanwhile, the cheeky seemingly bad boy Coen has all her undivided attention and she's got his for some reason. Things get hot and heavy at the speed of sound. Apparently lots of heavy petting equals emotional intimacy and love.
I really tried to like this book but Sydney's character made it very difficult. Sydney was supposed to be a strong intelligent woman. In the beginning she was cool and I liked her dare-devilish personality when swimming in the sea with whales and taking her chances with sharks and making friends with dolphins. But sadly that side of her personality belongs in the sea and not on land. She was supposed to be a strong well balanced intelligent woman with a warm heart but her thoughtfulness and attempt to and spare other people's feelings just ended up making her seem judgemental, immature, bratty and just plain selfish. She lied to her friends, lied to Henry and dangled Coen along and made him hide their relationship like it was a dirty secret all to spare Henry's feelings. I just found her to be a very immature all round. All that drama was of her own making and it was really pissing me off.
I really wanted to like this book but all the character's acted like a bunch of teenagers. All that lying, sneaking around and the relationship drama was just too high school for me. I just couldn't get into the story and I didn't feel the love/passion or even the attraction, It just didn't translate for me. The characters were not well rounded and there was no depth to them. I wanted to know the inner workings of the characters, how they felt and what made them tick. There were hints of mystery and possible emotional scars in their pasts that was not explored and just left hanging unresolved. The story felt a bit scripted and there was too much 'tell' and enough 'show'. It was all very frustrating and in the end I was just along for the predictable ride.
There were moments I really liked and appreciated and Sydney swimming in the sea with the whales, doing self defence making friends with the dolphin called Rose was my favourite bit by far. I also liked Henry, he was a little love lorn and so puppyish that I just couldn't help but like him. But on the whole this book just wasn't for me.
May 6, 2014
Ah, College Love.... How easy to begin a relationship but yet have loads of drama that thank goodness usually goes away with age! Well usually lol Connected by the Sea is a wonderful story of 2 beautiful College Juniors studying to be Marine Biologists and meet at school and again for self defence training.
First this is how I see our Heroine Sydney. She's muscular, fit, not small and dainty but yet gorgeous even though she doesn't see it. She swims with whales and sharks, does mixed self-defence and fight training 3 days a week.
[image error]
Sydney moves to Hawaii on a scholarship to study marine biology and to get away from her family in California. Without giving too much away, her farther dies when she is 16 years old and her mother remarries a drunken abusive asshole and brings his even more abusive son to live with them. Her mother does nothing to protect Syd from the abuse in their home and so Sydney applies for college far enough away that she thinks they cant afford to ever come and visit her.
Sydney is a beautiful, selfless,loyal to the people she loves, smart and athletic young woman who finally has found happiness living in Hawaii and following her dream of studying all things and working with all things of the Sea. She has a best friend Henry and a close friend Nancy who become her family. Henry is wonderful:) He is like the best friend all girls would want to have....but he has a secret he keeps from Sydney. Mostly it's secret because she is so clueless lol And at the beginning of the book this secret causes a lot of turmoil once Syd clues in to her best friends true feelings for her.
Here is how I pictured Henry, sweet yet handsome :)
Now...here comes COEN!! He's described as dark haired, a little longish with the ends flipping up at times and the most intense blue eyes Syd has ever seen. She says his eyes remind her of the ocean:) and she is in complete lust with him before she ever speaks to him lol He has a beautiful fit body as he holds several belts in Jiu Jitsu B and is a trainer for Advanced Street fighting. Here's how I kept picturing Coen...because of the eyes...
Coen is a Dream Guy!! Unlike other beautiful man whore popular college guys he isn't an asshole. He's loyal, not afraid of commitment and asks for it right up front. He's respectful of Sydney and doesn't want to ruin the beginning of their relationship by having sex to soon. HOWEVER lol they do fool around and let me tell ya, their chemistry is smokin! The sex scenes are written in great detail and are original and real. I loved their first encounters!!! They were written like REAL sex lol not romance book sex with the guy lasting forever or giving her 4 orgasm's before he got his lol he had a hard time holding out lol You'll fall in love with Coen if you like sweet sexy guys who could kick anyones ass if he wanted too:)
The book switches from Syd's POV to Coen's which I liked. Cause I like knowing what the guy is thinking too. It helps me to connect with him. Plus this book is FULL OF DIALOGUE!!! I love that too! There's not a lot of wasted story explaining what crap looked like lol
Sydney and Coen hook up rather easily as young people in College tend to do. You like someone, ask them out and go from there. They didn't have insta love but they did have insta lust and like. Coen knew from the get go that he "liked" Syd and so took everything seriously and respectfully. Slow as he could lol I liked that both the H and h didn't play any games or had inner turmoil about "should I go for it or not". They were both attracted to the other and just went for it! No holding back, no games. BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THEIR ROAD TO HAPPINESS WENT SMOOTHLY!! They have to deal with a crazy vindictive ex, Syd trying to spare the romantic feeling's of her BFF and not hurt him any more than she has to and ultimately her abusive family coming for a nice visit at Thanksgiving.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves young romance and all the drama they go through to get their HEA and yet stays together though it all and develops a strong beautiful love and bond that you know will last them a lifetime!!
I was provided a ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
First this is how I see our Heroine Sydney. She's muscular, fit, not small and dainty but yet gorgeous even though she doesn't see it. She swims with whales and sharks, does mixed self-defence and fight training 3 days a week.
[image error]
Sydney moves to Hawaii on a scholarship to study marine biology and to get away from her family in California. Without giving too much away, her farther dies when she is 16 years old and her mother remarries a drunken abusive asshole and brings his even more abusive son to live with them. Her mother does nothing to protect Syd from the abuse in their home and so Sydney applies for college far enough away that she thinks they cant afford to ever come and visit her.
Sydney is a beautiful, selfless,loyal to the people she loves, smart and athletic young woman who finally has found happiness living in Hawaii and following her dream of studying all things and working with all things of the Sea. She has a best friend Henry and a close friend Nancy who become her family. Henry is wonderful:) He is like the best friend all girls would want to have....but he has a secret he keeps from Sydney. Mostly it's secret because she is so clueless lol And at the beginning of the book this secret causes a lot of turmoil once Syd clues in to her best friends true feelings for her.
Here is how I pictured Henry, sweet yet handsome :)
Now...here comes COEN!! He's described as dark haired, a little longish with the ends flipping up at times and the most intense blue eyes Syd has ever seen. She says his eyes remind her of the ocean:) and she is in complete lust with him before she ever speaks to him lol He has a beautiful fit body as he holds several belts in Jiu Jitsu B and is a trainer for Advanced Street fighting. Here's how I kept picturing Coen...because of the eyes...
Coen is a Dream Guy!! Unlike other beautiful man whore popular college guys he isn't an asshole. He's loyal, not afraid of commitment and asks for it right up front. He's respectful of Sydney and doesn't want to ruin the beginning of their relationship by having sex to soon. HOWEVER lol they do fool around and let me tell ya, their chemistry is smokin! The sex scenes are written in great detail and are original and real. I loved their first encounters!!! They were written like REAL sex lol not romance book sex with the guy lasting forever or giving her 4 orgasm's before he got his lol he had a hard time holding out lol You'll fall in love with Coen if you like sweet sexy guys who could kick anyones ass if he wanted too:)
The book switches from Syd's POV to Coen's which I liked. Cause I like knowing what the guy is thinking too. It helps me to connect with him. Plus this book is FULL OF DIALOGUE!!! I love that too! There's not a lot of wasted story explaining what crap looked like lol
Sydney and Coen hook up rather easily as young people in College tend to do. You like someone, ask them out and go from there. They didn't have insta love but they did have insta lust and like. Coen knew from the get go that he "liked" Syd and so took everything seriously and respectfully. Slow as he could lol I liked that both the H and h didn't play any games or had inner turmoil about "should I go for it or not". They were both attracted to the other and just went for it! No holding back, no games. BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THEIR ROAD TO HAPPINESS WENT SMOOTHLY!! They have to deal with a crazy vindictive ex, Syd trying to spare the romantic feeling's of her BFF and not hurt him any more than she has to and ultimately her abusive family coming for a nice visit at Thanksgiving.
I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves young romance and all the drama they go through to get their HEA and yet stays together though it all and develops a strong beautiful love and bond that you know will last them a lifetime!!
I was provided a ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
March 6, 2014
Sexy, Gripping and Intense Read!
This hot and sexy New Adult romance, set in the beautiful island of Hawaii is way more than it first seems. It not only examines love and lust and the importance of trust and friendship, but also delves into the darker issues of loss, guilt, jealousy, violence and abuse.
The chemistry between Sydney and Coen just sizzles off the page. Early on we see how Sydney is attracted to Coen, who has the reputation of being a player. When they are unexpectedly brought together in the role of tutor and pupil their mutual attraction ignites and they are drawn together in some scorching and passionate scenes. Coen wants to make their relationship official, but the situation is complicated due to Sydney finally realising that her best friend Henry is deeply in love with her and she fears that knowing she is with another will destroy him. Added to this complication is Coen's ex-girlfriend, who is convinced that Coen is hers and wants him back. The first book also hints at issues from Sydney's past which haunt her and resurface in the second instalment. Can she accept Coen as her one and only before it is too late and can she trust him with her secrets? The road to Sydney and Coen's HEA is certainly fraught with difficulties.
Sydney is a role model for all young women. She is a star pupil, good at her job and loves the island, the sea and its wildlife. She also values the ties of friendship and is especially concerned about how Henry will react when he finds out about her relationship with Coen. Although she appears strong she has a hidden vulnerability due to events in the past, which we come to comprehend more fully as the series progresses.
Coen is simply drop dead gorgeous! He is an alpha male with a big heart and falls deeply for Sydney, attracted to her beauty inside and out. I really felt his frustration with how Sydney dealt with Henry's feelings for her and the fact that she concealed their relationship, although I came to understand her own personal reasons for it as the plot unfolded. The love making scenes between Sydney and Coen were super hot, sensual and descriptive (very little being left to the imagination) and make this series definitely for readers over 18. At times the sex fest was such that I had to pause and take a break and catch a breath to calm my racing heart!
The way the author described the characters and their behaviour was realistic overall. The pacing was good as was the story arc and romance. I also liked the element of suspense - what was Sydney afraid of from her past and would it come back to haunt her and would she finally get together with Coen? The secondary characters were also well defined and I enjoyed the descriptions of the island and its wildlife, especially the scenes on the beach and in the sea. The series is a great read any time of the year to bring some sunshine and romance into your life and I recommend it to adult readers, particularly those who love New Adult reads. Copies of these books were given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.
This hot and sexy New Adult romance, set in the beautiful island of Hawaii is way more than it first seems. It not only examines love and lust and the importance of trust and friendship, but also delves into the darker issues of loss, guilt, jealousy, violence and abuse.
The chemistry between Sydney and Coen just sizzles off the page. Early on we see how Sydney is attracted to Coen, who has the reputation of being a player. When they are unexpectedly brought together in the role of tutor and pupil their mutual attraction ignites and they are drawn together in some scorching and passionate scenes. Coen wants to make their relationship official, but the situation is complicated due to Sydney finally realising that her best friend Henry is deeply in love with her and she fears that knowing she is with another will destroy him. Added to this complication is Coen's ex-girlfriend, who is convinced that Coen is hers and wants him back. The first book also hints at issues from Sydney's past which haunt her and resurface in the second instalment. Can she accept Coen as her one and only before it is too late and can she trust him with her secrets? The road to Sydney and Coen's HEA is certainly fraught with difficulties.
Sydney is a role model for all young women. She is a star pupil, good at her job and loves the island, the sea and its wildlife. She also values the ties of friendship and is especially concerned about how Henry will react when he finds out about her relationship with Coen. Although she appears strong she has a hidden vulnerability due to events in the past, which we come to comprehend more fully as the series progresses.
Coen is simply drop dead gorgeous! He is an alpha male with a big heart and falls deeply for Sydney, attracted to her beauty inside and out. I really felt his frustration with how Sydney dealt with Henry's feelings for her and the fact that she concealed their relationship, although I came to understand her own personal reasons for it as the plot unfolded. The love making scenes between Sydney and Coen were super hot, sensual and descriptive (very little being left to the imagination) and make this series definitely for readers over 18. At times the sex fest was such that I had to pause and take a break and catch a breath to calm my racing heart!
The way the author described the characters and their behaviour was realistic overall. The pacing was good as was the story arc and romance. I also liked the element of suspense - what was Sydney afraid of from her past and would it come back to haunt her and would she finally get together with Coen? The secondary characters were also well defined and I enjoyed the descriptions of the island and its wildlife, especially the scenes on the beach and in the sea. The series is a great read any time of the year to bring some sunshine and romance into your life and I recommend it to adult readers, particularly those who love New Adult reads. Copies of these books were given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.
February 3, 2014
CONNECTED BY THE SEA by E.L. Todd is a wonderful story about real love. Sydney, her heroine comes from a devastating background but has forged a new life for herself in Hawaii studying to be a marine biologist. Over the past two years she's made a new family of friends who share her same interests and goals in college. Her best friend is Henry who she loves like a brother. This is unfortunate for Henry, because even though his love for Sydney is not at all brotherly, she is completely blind to it. While everyone else can easily see how Henry feels Sydney only sees it as the devotion of a beloved friend who would do anything for her.
Sydney's attention is on Coen even though she believes he is a player who would hurt her like her ex. She denies her attraction to him to her friends, because she is convinced he is bad news despite the strong chemistry she feels towards him. When one of her professors asks her to tutor a student it turns out to be Coen. They have an opportunity to get to know each other and Sydney quickly realizes she has misjudged him. When he is assigned as her new self-defense trainer at the gym they have an opportunity to become even closer and begin dating.
Coen was my favorite character. Besides being sexy and well-built, he is mature, intelligent, loyal, patient, kind, honorable, sensitive, protective and completely devoted to Sydney. He puts up with her request to keep their dating a secret until she is ready to tell Henry about them with only the caveat he won't go to the next level in their relationship until she is willing to go public. He needs to know she has fallen for him as hard as he has fallen for her so he does this to protect his own heart. I thought this was very romantic and sweet.
Sydney was a really multifaceted character. She was top in her classes, a natural beauty, loving and fiercely loyal to her friends, passionate about the sea and its creatures, and a highly skilled fighter. Yet there is a vulnerability about her that stems from her home life that causes others to be extremely protective of her. It was easy to see how she drew people to her. How Coen and Henry both fell in love with her. And easy to understand how she could love them both so much, but in different ways, that she would need to find a way not to hurt either of them. Even if it meant sacrificing her own heart, a testament of real love, putting others before yourself.
I enjoyed reading about this triangle of young love very much. The friendships portrayed were touching. The love scenes between Coen and Sydney were tender, very sensual and steamy. All in all situations felt realistic and relatable. The story ends at a good point but with more to be told. I'm looking forward to reading more about Coen and Sydney now that their relationship is out in the open in the next book in the series, Breaking Through the Waves.
*I received an ARC of this eBook free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Sydney's attention is on Coen even though she believes he is a player who would hurt her like her ex. She denies her attraction to him to her friends, because she is convinced he is bad news despite the strong chemistry she feels towards him. When one of her professors asks her to tutor a student it turns out to be Coen. They have an opportunity to get to know each other and Sydney quickly realizes she has misjudged him. When he is assigned as her new self-defense trainer at the gym they have an opportunity to become even closer and begin dating.
Coen was my favorite character. Besides being sexy and well-built, he is mature, intelligent, loyal, patient, kind, honorable, sensitive, protective and completely devoted to Sydney. He puts up with her request to keep their dating a secret until she is ready to tell Henry about them with only the caveat he won't go to the next level in their relationship until she is willing to go public. He needs to know she has fallen for him as hard as he has fallen for her so he does this to protect his own heart. I thought this was very romantic and sweet.
Sydney was a really multifaceted character. She was top in her classes, a natural beauty, loving and fiercely loyal to her friends, passionate about the sea and its creatures, and a highly skilled fighter. Yet there is a vulnerability about her that stems from her home life that causes others to be extremely protective of her. It was easy to see how she drew people to her. How Coen and Henry both fell in love with her. And easy to understand how she could love them both so much, but in different ways, that she would need to find a way not to hurt either of them. Even if it meant sacrificing her own heart, a testament of real love, putting others before yourself.
I enjoyed reading about this triangle of young love very much. The friendships portrayed were touching. The love scenes between Coen and Sydney were tender, very sensual and steamy. All in all situations felt realistic and relatable. The story ends at a good point but with more to be told. I'm looking forward to reading more about Coen and Sydney now that their relationship is out in the open in the next book in the series, Breaking Through the Waves.
*I received an ARC of this eBook free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
February 14, 2014
I recieved this book from the author for an honest review.
First of all...I LOVE THE COVER, JUST BEAUTIFUL!
Now for the book itself! LOL
I started this book a little confused and slightly disappointed...HOLD ON LET ME EXPLAIN!!!
We are in an Aquarium talking about the wildlife...oh hum...ok I get it the title is CONNECTED BY THE SEA! Then we get introduced to Henry and I start thinking is this REALLY going to be our love intrest? REALLY!?! OH COME ON! There is just no spark..no chemistry...you see I can tell that already...LOL
I keep reading, Sydney, Henry and Nancy (her other BFF) walk into their college classroom and all of a sudden you are in Sydney's head when she see's Coen. He is one HOT, SEXY, MAN with TATS! YUMMY, and I am FIST PUMPING YES!!!!
So, Coen and Sydney they start of their "relationship" by Sydney having to toutor Coen, and Coen teaching Sydney self defense. But thrown into this mix is Sydney being so unaware of her best friend Henry's feelings for her...you see he LOVES her...and when she find out,you know what hits the fan/ but with a twist of course!
NOW, this is where I got ANGRY! I was SO MAD at Sydney. I could not stand how she would not just tell Henry the truth! I LOVED how Coen was undertanding, but frustrated how he didn't say "NO TELL HIM NOW!" Or better yet just grab Sydney and kiss the daylights out of her in front of everybody spilling the beans that way!
To top all this drama off Sydney has family issues that she has not yet shared with Coen. I am talking MAJOR family issues.
One problem or another pops up...Does Sydney wise up and tell Henry about Coen? or does she wimp out and try to save Henry's feelings at the expense of her own? Does Coen accpet it or does he leave?
I will admit to staying up REALLY late to read this book... it made me MAD, but I was so invested in the characters I had to find out what happened! Now I ready to read book 2! So my honest opinion is YES I would Read this book. You will not be disappointed, you might get angry as I did...you will enjoy the YUMMY bits, you will enjoy the friendships, the romance, and the angst.
So take a chance on Connected by the Sea.
First of all...I LOVE THE COVER, JUST BEAUTIFUL!
Now for the book itself! LOL
I started this book a little confused and slightly disappointed...HOLD ON LET ME EXPLAIN!!!
We are in an Aquarium talking about the wildlife...oh hum...ok I get it the title is CONNECTED BY THE SEA! Then we get introduced to Henry and I start thinking is this REALLY going to be our love intrest? REALLY!?! OH COME ON! There is just no spark..no chemistry...you see I can tell that already...LOL
I keep reading, Sydney, Henry and Nancy (her other BFF) walk into their college classroom and all of a sudden you are in Sydney's head when she see's Coen. He is one HOT, SEXY, MAN with TATS! YUMMY, and I am FIST PUMPING YES!!!!
So, Coen and Sydney they start of their "relationship" by Sydney having to toutor Coen, and Coen teaching Sydney self defense. But thrown into this mix is Sydney being so unaware of her best friend Henry's feelings for her...you see he LOVES her...and when she find out,you know what hits the fan/ but with a twist of course!
NOW, this is where I got ANGRY! I was SO MAD at Sydney. I could not stand how she would not just tell Henry the truth! I LOVED how Coen was undertanding, but frustrated how he didn't say "NO TELL HIM NOW!" Or better yet just grab Sydney and kiss the daylights out of her in front of everybody spilling the beans that way!
To top all this drama off Sydney has family issues that she has not yet shared with Coen. I am talking MAJOR family issues.
One problem or another pops up...Does Sydney wise up and tell Henry about Coen? or does she wimp out and try to save Henry's feelings at the expense of her own? Does Coen accpet it or does he leave?
I will admit to staying up REALLY late to read this book... it made me MAD, but I was so invested in the characters I had to find out what happened! Now I ready to read book 2! So my honest opinion is YES I would Read this book. You will not be disappointed, you might get angry as I did...you will enjoy the YUMMY bits, you will enjoy the friendships, the romance, and the angst.
So take a chance on Connected by the Sea.
January 27, 2014
Sydney is a college student majoring in Marine Biology at University of Hawaii on the island of Oahu. She is at the top of her class and is very smart. Sydney enjoys her life the way it is but it’s apparent that there are unresolved issues in her past which makes her very passive. It’s apparent that she has issues with trust. Sydney also does not have a realistic view of herself even though she works out regularly and is intent to be able to defender herself in an attach.
Coen is also a college student at the University of Hawaii and has a class with Sydney. He comes across as a bad boy that breaks hearts wherever he goes but underneath he is anything but. Coen is a hot and sexy man who has not found Ms. Right until Sydney. Coen is a lot smarter than anyone gives him credit for.
Henry is head over heels in love with Sydney. While he seems devoted to her and her happiness there is a distinct feeling that he has only shown the sides he wants others to see and there is something darker and more violent underneath. I really hope not because that will just crush Sydney who values his friendship.
The chemistry between Coen and Sydney is explosive. While the relationship seemed to progress very fast I liked that they did not hop into bed together right away. The sex scenes were hot and steamy when they finally got into bed together.
Connected by the Sea is the first book in the Hawaiian Crush series by E. L. Todd. The main and secondary characters in this book are realistic and interesting. While this book had a slow start, but it picked up speed toward the middle. I am not usually a fan of books where some of the story lines carry over from one book to another but this author did it in a way that the ending was not abrupt and the book came to a natural stopping point. Overall this was a great book and I cannot wait to read the next chapter of this book.
**I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review
Coen is also a college student at the University of Hawaii and has a class with Sydney. He comes across as a bad boy that breaks hearts wherever he goes but underneath he is anything but. Coen is a hot and sexy man who has not found Ms. Right until Sydney. Coen is a lot smarter than anyone gives him credit for.
Henry is head over heels in love with Sydney. While he seems devoted to her and her happiness there is a distinct feeling that he has only shown the sides he wants others to see and there is something darker and more violent underneath. I really hope not because that will just crush Sydney who values his friendship.
The chemistry between Coen and Sydney is explosive. While the relationship seemed to progress very fast I liked that they did not hop into bed together right away. The sex scenes were hot and steamy when they finally got into bed together.
Connected by the Sea is the first book in the Hawaiian Crush series by E. L. Todd. The main and secondary characters in this book are realistic and interesting. While this book had a slow start, but it picked up speed toward the middle. I am not usually a fan of books where some of the story lines carry over from one book to another but this author did it in a way that the ending was not abrupt and the book came to a natural stopping point. Overall this was a great book and I cannot wait to read the next chapter of this book.
**I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review
January 22, 2014
I was asked if I would read this book and make a review so here is my review of this book.
The book was slow to start and kind of confusing in some parts. You start off like you have walked
into a book series on the second book of the series. You are half way through the book
when you start getting little information about their past. When reading a book I like to know the
past of the characters as I go so that I can feel connected to them and feel like a part of
their story. This book doesn't really connect you with the characters and their past, and their
past is important to the story line, you need to hear about their past through out the book.
The characters are normal people and you can relate to them as that but you just don't feel
connected to them. Over half way through the book the past is spoken about but not anymore not
even through the main characters memories. I feel like I was lost through the book.
At about eighty percent of the way through the book, it turned around and I felt like I was now part
of the story and could feel it when the main characters felt something. I felt like crying
when they cried or laughing when they laughed. I finally felt the butterflies that I like to feel
when reading a book like the story is happening to me. I hate that it took so long to get to
this point. I like to feel this from the beginning of the book.
By the end of the book I was totally engrossed in the book and didn't want it to end, I wanted to
know the rest of their story and about their past.
So all in all even though it started out slow and didn't make me feel connected to the characters,
by the end I was totally connected to the characters and anticipating what was gonna
happen next.
I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series so that I can continue on this
journey with them.
January 20, 2014
*** Was given this book in exchange for an honest review ***
Sydney is a college student living in Hawaii by herself while she is obtaining her degree. She loves the ocean and animals within and finds solice in the animals. Her friends Henry and Nancy are always by her side and Henry especially always wants to be there for her. The mysterious boy, Coen, that is in her class really strikes Sydneys interest but all she knows is that he is a playboy. Little does she know, things will change for her with her best friend and her mystery crush.
I absolutely LOVED this book!!! Sydney is such a kind hearted spirit and she is a girl that wants to make sure everyone.is always happy. I would think that might be the only one thing that bothered me in this book. I love how she is so kind hearted but you cannot always please everyone and she just couldn't get that through her head.
Coen to me is cream of the crop for a male character. He plays the guy that everyone thinks is a big jerk and a player, but really all he wants is the one girl that can make him happy. After their first tutor session, he becomes very persistent towards Sydney and he does not back down. I love a male character who never takes no for an answer and shows his domination and what he wants.
Henry is another story. He is such a sweet and loving friend and really cares for Sydney. I feel for him but I also figured if he couldnt say something sooner, then he sealed his own fate. I am glad he is a character in this story because it helped with the "drama" type side of the story.
This story is very well written and the author always gives you just enough to keep you wanting more. I cannot wait to see where Sydney and Coen's story goes. It definitely left me wanting more :-)
Sydney is a college student living in Hawaii by herself while she is obtaining her degree. She loves the ocean and animals within and finds solice in the animals. Her friends Henry and Nancy are always by her side and Henry especially always wants to be there for her. The mysterious boy, Coen, that is in her class really strikes Sydneys interest but all she knows is that he is a playboy. Little does she know, things will change for her with her best friend and her mystery crush.
I absolutely LOVED this book!!! Sydney is such a kind hearted spirit and she is a girl that wants to make sure everyone.is always happy. I would think that might be the only one thing that bothered me in this book. I love how she is so kind hearted but you cannot always please everyone and she just couldn't get that through her head.
Coen to me is cream of the crop for a male character. He plays the guy that everyone thinks is a big jerk and a player, but really all he wants is the one girl that can make him happy. After their first tutor session, he becomes very persistent towards Sydney and he does not back down. I love a male character who never takes no for an answer and shows his domination and what he wants.
Henry is another story. He is such a sweet and loving friend and really cares for Sydney. I feel for him but I also figured if he couldnt say something sooner, then he sealed his own fate. I am glad he is a character in this story because it helped with the "drama" type side of the story.
This story is very well written and the author always gives you just enough to keep you wanting more. I cannot wait to see where Sydney and Coen's story goes. It definitely left me wanting more :-)
December 31, 2013
So here we have a college romance, just so you know the ages. Sydney has been broken up with her boyfriend six months prior. She has the help of her best friend, Henry, who is in love with her but she doesn't know it. All she feels for him is a friendship more like family. A boy in her class, Coen, catches her eye and she is very attracted to him. It comes to past that she will become his tutor. Well let me tell you, he doesn't need one even though he failed his test and his father is paying for it. Wait until you read what goes on in those tutoring lessons, lol. Coen becomes a very important person in Sydney's life. He also becomes her fight trainer. Why does she need a trainer you ask, because she came from a very abuse family background. I was so appalled at her mother, how she could let this happen to her. I really enjoyed reading this book, how Sydney and Coen come together, how she handles her past and overcomes all of the pain and feels worthy of love again. You will just need to read the book to find out the entire story, and yes it is a stand alone, no cliffhanger. I received an arc for an honest review.
December 17, 2013
Received an ARC for my review
Wow loved Coen and Sydney everyone should read this story.
When I started reading the story I really didn't like Sydney she was too nice and put everyone's needs before her own. Sydney works as a janitor at an aquarium. Her friend Henry is in love with her. she's studying marine biology and in that class is the gorgeous Coen she's very attracted to him but thinks he's no good. When fate intervene Coen needs a tutor and the teacher has assigned Sydney to him. She agrees to tutor him and he then starts to fall for her she then gives him a chance. But things are complicated especially since her best friend Henry likes her too and she doesn't want to hurt his feelings. Plus she's got secrets and really shitty parent.
But as you read on you will fall in love with these characters and see what happens. I loved the story and couldn't put it down till the end.
Wow loved Coen and Sydney everyone should read this story.
When I started reading the story I really didn't like Sydney she was too nice and put everyone's needs before her own. Sydney works as a janitor at an aquarium. Her friend Henry is in love with her. she's studying marine biology and in that class is the gorgeous Coen she's very attracted to him but thinks he's no good. When fate intervene Coen needs a tutor and the teacher has assigned Sydney to him. She agrees to tutor him and he then starts to fall for her she then gives him a chance. But things are complicated especially since her best friend Henry likes her too and she doesn't want to hurt his feelings. Plus she's got secrets and really shitty parent.
But as you read on you will fall in love with these characters and see what happens. I loved the story and couldn't put it down till the end.
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