Jolt

by Kris Bryant

Mystery writer Bethany Lange wasn’t prepared for the twisting emotions that left her breathless the moment she laid eyes on folk singer sensation Ali Hart. Of course she was flat on her back and looking up and backward at the gorgeous singer, but that didn’t stop her body and heart from bursting into a kaleidoscope of want, need, and lust. Scared at the intensity of her feelings, Bethany does everything she can to avoid Ali at Camp Jacomo, the camp designed specifically for children of lesbian and gay families where Bethany volunteers every summer. The camp director convinces the hottest singer at the moment, Ali Hart, to spend a week teaching the children music to everybody’s delight except Bethany’s. On her last day at camp, Ali approaches Bethany with an offer of friendship, but they both know it’s the prelude to something bolder. Should Bethany take the risk? Does she really believe she can balance her quiet private life with Ali’s outspoken one?

Genres: Romance, Lesbian, LGBT, Lesbian Romance, Audiobook, Lesbian Fiction, Music

224 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 15, 2014

About the author

Podcast with Tara Scott at queerlyrecommended.com

Multi-award winning author Kris Bryant was born in Tacoma, WA but has lived all over the world and now considers Kansas City her home. She received her B.A. in English from the University of Missouri and spends a lot of her time buried in books. She enjoys hiking, photography, spending time with her family, and her dog, Molly (who gets more attention than she does on Facebook).

Her first novel, Jolt, was a Lambda Literary Finalist. Forget Me Not was selected by the American Library Association's 2018 Over the Rainbow book list and was a Golden Crown Finalist for Contemporary Romance. Breakthrough won a 2019 Goldie for Contemporary Romance. Listen won a 2020 Goldie for Contemporary Romance. Temptation won a 2021 Goldie for Contemporary Romance. Not Guilty written under Bryant's pen name - Brit Ryder - won a 2022 Goldie for Erotica. Kris can be reached at krisbryantbooks@gmail or ww.krisbryant.net, @krisbryant14.

Jolt - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Whirlwind Romance - ebook, paperback
Just Say Yes (Novella in the wedding series) - ebook only
Taste - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Forget Me Not - ebook, paperback
Shameless (written as Brit Ryder) - ebook, audiobook
Girl Next Door Anthology - "Dog Day of Summer" - ebook, paperback
Touch - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Breakthrough - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Against All Odds - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Travel Anthology (short by Brit Ryder) - ebook, paperback
Listen - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Falling - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Tinsel - ebook, audiobook
Temptation - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Lucky - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Home - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Scent - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Not Guilty writing as Brit Ryder - ebook, paperback (audiobook in the works)
Always - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Forever - ebook, paperback, audiobook
Stranded Hearts (with Amanda Radley & Emily Smith) - ebook, paperback
Serendipity - ebook, paperback, audiobook

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm going to apologize in advance because this will probably sound very critical. Maybe more than it deserves.

Beth is an author. And she has imaginary literary author friends. I think this was supposed to be a charming trait but it really just made me feel like she was pretentious. Especially when she talked about just how much words mean to her. As if every other person in the world (non authors) couldn't possibly appreciate words as deeply as her.

Beth meets Ali, a musician, who is popular enough to be on the radio but seemingly never gets recognized wherever she goes (aside from when she is at camp and Bethany's friend conveniently knows who she is so she can tell Ali all about her.)

So there is an assumption made toward the beginning that keeps Beth from allowing herself to pursue her attraction toward Ali. Thankfully Ali doesn't let Beth's standoffish behavior deter her desire to get to know her.

Once they get beyond all that nonsense it is sex, jolt, sex, sex, sex, jolt, sex, drama, sex, sex, jolt. Describing the chemistry between them constantly as a jolt in order to tie into the title of the book was off putting to me. I would have rather read multiple descriptive ways that they connected.

Too many sex scenes for me. It wasn't creative enough to be anything other than repetitive. I got tired of hearing how 'Incredible' Beth was after each happy ending.

This was an audio book. Which I rarely like. But this narrator was very good at what she does! Unfortunately, her 70's Jane Fonda motherly voice was not at all a good match for this story. It was like listening to my mother read me erotic stories. Shudder.

It wasn't all bad. There were some things to like in the beginning when they were getting to know each other at camp. A flirty work out session. A nice first kiss in a swimming hole. I finally got invested late when some angst was introduced when Beth pays a surprise visit to Ali. But it was over pretty quick and then the book kind of dragged on after that.

I'm sorry that I can't recommend this one. It just wasn't for me.

[P. Industry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Errr. Well. There is a goodly number of very positive reviews on here for this book, and I am sorry to have to play the devil in this instance. But my experience of the book was overwhelmingly bland, and I truly struggled to reach the ending.

Bethany Lang is fairly successful author who has been much less successful in her love life. Her major feature appears to be her awkward personality (part of which is an alarming inclination towards internally talking to dead poets) and pretty much nothing else; frankly, she is so very featureless that it is actually a struggle to describe her character. Perhaps the reader is meant to find no barriers in mapping themselves onto her? If so then stronger-willed booklovers will find themselves rolling their eyes often.

Whatever the unremarkable nature of the protagonist, the plot finds Beth volunteering at a summer-camp for the children of LGBTA+ parents. It is here when she meets Ali. Ali (I am happy to report) is much less bland – indeed, she is bright, fun, and active. She is also a semi-famous musician (or perhaps simply famous? I could never figure it out). Just imagine a kind of large clump of all-American attractive things. Beth (being American) is of course instantly enamoured, and spends a goodly amount of time brooding about it. That brooding forms the plot.

The particular topic Beth is brooding on at any one point in the novel doesn’t seem to matter, by the way. In the beginning it’s that Ali might not be single; towards the middle it’s that she might not feel the same; towards the end its… but you get the picture. I got the impression after a while that dating Beth would be like dating a large cardboard cutout with a hastily drawn frowny-face on it. Not bad, per sae, but certainly leaving something to be desired.

To be frank with you, this book commits the cardinal sin. It doesn’t even have the decency to be terrible; it’s just a nothing of a book, flowing past my eyes and leaving completely. It is well edited, well-paced (as well as anything can be paced when it’s pure ‘romance’), and reasonably written. It is, however, utterly unremarkable.

I cannot recommend this book for others like myself, who are seeking interesting things. I can recommend it for those who liked Twilight, but wished it had no fantasy elements and more lesbians.

[Harrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

" I’m that girl who always thinks of the perfect thing to say several hours later, when the dust has settled and nobody is around to hear."

I cannot praise the protagonist enough, she was so cute and funny. Beth has hilarious conversations in her head with dead poets and keeps embarrassing herself in front of her crush, by either getting caught staring or being tongue-tied. SHE'S PERFECT!
Beth says things like:
"I now will forever refer to them as elephants because the word sounds like Ali fans."
"The Internet is my new archenemy."
She's so entertaining I don't even need a story, I can just listen to her talk all day.

"I’ll have to fake pneumonia and stay in my cabin."

In a world of cheaters be Bethany. So many times in books they don't care because it's 'true love' while my girl, as much as she liked Ali, she was literally running and stumbling away or planning to fake pneumonia because she didn't want to cheat.
And the couple, I definitely felt the 'jolt' between them. Not much happened in the book, most of it was Beth and Ali being the most adorable couple.

[MJSam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd give this book 4.5 stars.

There are some vague spoilers for this story contained in this review.

I liked this story, it's a sweet romance. The leads spend a lot of time together, even though they're in a long distance relationship, and get to know each other in a slow, even old-fashioned way, which made for a nice change of pace. As it's told in first person (and in present tense which isn't a favourite of mine) from Beth's POV, it's harder to get a grasp on Ali, and Beth's introspection does get a bit repetitious after awhile. The Beth talking to famous authors in her head thing also got old pretty fast.

There is a bit of semi contrived drama but it's sorted fairly quickly and not just glossed over. The only downside to the story was that given all the time spent on the build up to and then settling into a relationship, I did find the ending very rushed, but enough of the loose ends had been hinted at prior to it, that you could at least see where it would have gone. Even with that though, I enjoyed the story and recommend it.

I hate that Goodreads rating system doesn't allow for half stars. I'd have given this five stars if not for the first person/present tense narrative, and the rushed ending. I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Les Rêveur · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the first books I ever read in this genre, and I think it's what made me such a fan of Kris Bryant's.

Beth is an author. She's quiet, shy and she's has had her heartbroken which makes her more than a little nervous when she meets folk singing star Ali Hart and has an instant connection. They are both volunteers at a camp for kids, but Ali's only helping out for a week. Beth is under the impression that Ali is in a relationship, so she decides to stay away to protect her fragile heart. Her assumption is wrong, and on their last night in camp, the chemistry reaches fever pitch. They decide to try and make it work even though Ali is on tour and Beth is still at camp a few more weeks. However, will they have enough time with each other to make it work?

The book is written entirely from Beth's point of view, and she is just such a wonderful character to read. Her inner thoughts and feeling are so developed I've often wondered if Beth is based on a real person that Kris Bryant knows well. Ali calls Beth perfect a few times in the book, and I have to say I agree, but one of the main reasons (and there are lots) is how she becomes more herself when she's with Ali. Ali is Beth's opposite in many ways, but they share the same core values, and it was those things that made me excited for their journey after this book. Ali also has these moments of severe vulnerability and insecurity, and those moments made me melt because she has this strong and extroverted persona.

The chemistry between these two characters is off the chart, and the sex scenes are some of my favourite I have ever read. However, if you read my reviews, you know that Kris Bryant writes my favourite sex scenes anyway.

This book is one of my all-time favourites and is always my go-to book when I need something to take me away from the world and into the safety of a book hug.


Star Rating: 5

[hubsie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Y'know, I liked this book. MC Bethany is very hygenic and seems to shower or think about showering, or asks others if they'd like to shower, multiple times/day, haha. She says she is an introvert and shy of compliments and doesn't like photos taken of her, but in the same breath she also states she knows she's very attractive and works this to the max. Hmmm. Other MC Ali is somewhat interesting but we don't get a lot from her, as the book is from Bethany's POV. This is a predictable read, no surprises, not a ton of depth, ye ol' theme of lack of communication for awhile, but otherwise a fun, fast read.

Steam factor: Whhhhhhheeeeew! 4.5/5! There's some good sex in this one, throughout the book. Thanks for making me blush and look over my shoulder many times on my subway commute, Ms. Bryant. :p

[Lexxi Kitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my second book by this author, though it's her first published book. I'm apparently doing things backwards.

This book involves a woman of around 30 (Bethany Lange) who is a successful author, in some way introverted (she makes conflicting comments about how she is and isn't), and the main point of view. Sorry, I meant to say that as the point of view. She's also the sole child of her parents, and an idea is conveyed that she has some family money.

The book also involves, less so, a woman of around 33 (Ali Hart) who is a successful folk singer. She's on tour throughout most of the book; has a large-ish family (at least one brother, and I believe at least 2 sisters; plus a niece; and living parents). I say that her involvement is 'less so' both because Ali Hart does not have her own point of view and the manner in which information is conveyed kind of subsumes everyone and everything into almost figments of Beth's imagination.

No, this isn't a book about someone who may or may not be in a mental institution or anything like that. It's just the way the book is conveyed is almost entirely through Beth's thoughts, mental impressions, and barely seems to move outside Beth's head. So, as I noted, others kind of get subsumed into Beth's thoughts and feelings.

The book opens with Beth at a camp for . . . . oh. Hmms. I can't recall now if it is conveyed as a camp for the children of LGBT parents or for LGBT children. I've a vague recollection that both possibilities might be in play. Not that important which it is - the important thing is that it is a LGBT summer camp. That Beth is at when the book opens. As something of a volunteer (what kind of volunteer can she be if she goes there to work on her books; writing, editing, etc. - how involved can she be in being a fully involved volunteer? . . . sorry, stray thought I had distracted me).

While at the camp, Beth encounters a visitor. One Ali Hart. Who Beth finds quite attractive and alluring. Eventually, even though she only kind of maybe recognizes the name, Beth learns that Ali Hart is quite famous as a music person.

Beth, feeling a strong pull towards Ali, proceeds to spend most of the week that Ali is visiting the camp . . . . hiding from Ali. Because she, Beth, is still reeling from having her longish term partner walk out on her. And can't allow herself to . . um . . live again. Only, she then learns that Ali isn't actually currently in a relationship, and she, Beth, proceeds to berate herself mentally for wasting time that could have been spent rubbing herself against Ali. Yeah, that kind of confused me. One moment Beth is trying to hide and fleeing from her emotional instability, the next she's acting like a cat in heat. But, whatever. I distracted myself again.

So, Beth and Ali have a brief weekend to stare moodily at each other before Ali has to return to her music tour. They agree that Beth, at some point or another, will attempt to be there - visit, something or other, with Ali while she's on tour. Meanwhile Beth will be spending time writing two different books at the same time, and working as a camp volunteer at this camp I already mentioned.

Their relationship then proceeds long distance. Until, as expected, since this is in fact a romance book, sorry Romance book, something happens that creates conflict. Creates a wedge. Drives them apart. Causes anguish and whimpering. - well, that's my babbling recap of the plot up to a certain point, the point wherein if I said more I'd be into spoiler territory.

I'll now convey the comment that I had originally left in the comment box as my 'I don't feel up to writing a review, here's a comment' thingie:
I had one major and specific 'issue/problem' with this book. It isn't the fact that this book has but one (1) POV, though that issue was annoying); it wasn't how everyone is conveyed as being absolutely gorgeous (both the main character thinking this of herself; thinking this of the other main character in the book; and even thinking this of that other character's family); it wasn't the weirdness of seeing Beth refer to Ali's parents by their actual names (I don't know, that's probably normal or something; it's just that the way it was conveyed, I couldn't actually tell if she was talking about Ali's parents, or just two people who happened to be nearby); no the main problem/issue had with this book is/was directly connected to how everything is/was conveyed to the reader. Conveyed as if through an especially overally-hyper poodle squeaking continously -or, as I had originally worded it, opened their mouth and then just could not shut it again. In a 'and then this happened; and then this happened; and then I felt sad for myself more; and I really overreacted but don't feel bad, specifically, about really overreacting; gosh darn it, why doesn't she ever actually say [insert something here - referring to the main character talking to herself about the other main character] (despite, you know, dedicating a song; constantly making comments that convey love/desire/etc. - recall, if you will, that this is information conveyed by the point of view about the observable feelings/desires/etc. of the other - the one whose head we aren't in) - mind you there are also constant comments by the main character - the comments are made internally and not conveyed to the other party that convey things like how they love what's going on, or how they want the other to touch them - now; or stuff; but how she doesn't bloody actually say any of this stuff because .... reasons.'

So, to recap, the main issue that I had is how everything is conveyed through the thoughts, feelings, and observations of one character. That being Beth. Who, as far as I could tell, is actually probably a little insane. And/or mentally unstable. What with all the voices talking to her in her head. As in - 'Em, Robert, and Shakespeare are so angry with me right now.' Kindle Location 2712

Even with all that babbled, I still believe the book is probably closer to 3.5 stars than to 3. But I'll mark it down as 3 stars. *marks*

March 2 2016

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure how I should to rate Jolt... It was good and it wasn’t. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a pretty ok romance book but I just find that it’s lacking depth and kind of boring & mundane. We have the 2 MCs just moving along in their everyday life/routine in the 1st half of the book. Things got more interesting, hot and a little angsty in the second half but like all good romance... everyone gets their HEA

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook. This one messed with me a little because the main character, Beth, “hears” poets in her head. I think this just doesn’t work too well for me in an audiobook, especially because it’s in the first person as well.
It’s also super angsty and lots of the book just didn’t sit right with me.
The narration is ok, bit on the whiny side for Beth, but it might suit her character. I can’t help but think I would’ve enjoyed this one a bit better if I’d read it.

[Vic · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable read. I wasn't expecting much more than a simple romance but the book pleasantly surprised me. Beth's awkwardness could have been irritating if it wasn't for the fact I'm absolutely the same way, so I could forgive that.

I'll look forward to more books by this writer.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75* This book is okay. I understand it's the author's first book, so probably not as good as her later works (which I've been reading a lot of good reviews about). Main issue for me is that I didn't really connect to either of the MCs. The book is told from Beth's viewpoint, so we really do not know what Ali is thinking or feeling. There's also the personal issues that Beth has, like her jealousy and insecurity about being in a relationship with Ali. I don't feel like these were addressed successfully in the book. Beth talked about writing a book unlike her previous works (mystery novels), but we never really knew what the book is ultimately about. It is a romance, so the message of love conquers all should not really surprise anyone.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The basic idea for the book is really good. Some of the dynamic was lacking. The characters are well developed, but I found it difficult to read how uncommunicative they were about feelings. Although they expressed themselves very well with sex.

[Blink51n · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. In saying that, I completely understand the mixed reviews.
Beth is a frustrating and endearing narrator. At times I wanted to throttle her, however I was also charmed and could relate to her inner voice. Also, she's kind of a dork and I kind of liked that.
Bryant is a fantastic writer - I thoroughly enjoyed her characters and found both Beth and Ali well fleshed out (admirable, given that this is written in the first person). I love self-aware characters who question themselves instead of blindly moving through the world. To really succeed in writing first person narration, I believe this is essential.
Outside of this, there was the glaring and obvious drama that I was silently begging not to happen. It was like watching a car crash in slow motion. While dealt with much better than other books I have read, I would have preferred something other than this plot device.
Finally, while not being a hugely long book, I was ready for the ending about 50 pages before it happened. Even though I enjoyed Beth and Ali, there was nothing terribly different in the actual story than most romances. The pacing was much better than most, but it was still a little drawn out for me.
Solid 4 stars

[Heinerway · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jolt is a nice romance story, but rather dull and monotonous. It doesn't go in depth with a summer camp life, or with a famous country singer experiences, or even with a mystery writer struggles with a new novel.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a first book and has some first book problems with the execution, but I'm willing to forgive it everything because I just loved it so, so much. This was well worth paying full price, and I'll be coming back to this as a comfort read later.

[C. Mack · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sure thing

I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that K B is a safe pair of hands when choosing a novel. A lovely plot, easy to read.

[lauraღ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the best feeling; this mixture of need, want and tenderness. I feel hopeful again. Allie feels like home.

3.5 stars. This was super cute, and really sweet. A simple f/f romance between an author and a singer who meet while they're volunteering at a summer camp for kids. It's told in the first person POV of Beth, the author, who is reluctant to try relationships again after her ex-girlfriend betrayed and left her. But she feels this undeniable attraction to Allie, this jolt, as she calls it, every time they interact, and they're just irresistibly drawn together. It's a pretty low-stakes romance and story, not a very convoluted plot, but I still had such a good time with it. I love romances where there are obvious barriers to the relationship (Allie always being on the road, Beth's reluctance) but they make it work anyway because they want it so badly. They had lovely chemistry and were sooooo sexy together. The writing didn't amaze me or anything, but Bryant did a great job of creating characters that I really fell for. I loved Beth's English lit mind and the poets she kept company with.

Listened to the audiobook as read by Emily C. Michaels. She has one of those voices that I can't help but think of as "old school", but that didn't deter my enjoyment at all; I thought it was great. This was my first book by Bryant, and I'm looking forward to reading more.

[Ted · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audio book version. Great narrator / voice actress.

[Yahli Rot · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet, romantic and heartwarming story. Light read.

[Cathy Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this author’s books. I can tell this book was one of her first written but still a beautifully told love story.

For me characters can make or break a book and the author does phenomenal job with character development!

Definitely going to keep reading through Bryant’s books!

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple touch from THE ONE makes your heart Jolt.

Ali touches Bethany from the first moment their eyes meet. Ali is a beautiful singer that Beth can't believe would even notice her. At first Beth thinks Ali has a girlfriend and is off limits. They waste a lot of time and many long looks that they both feel. Once they finally talk they realise they both have relationship issues but that jolt is just too powerful. This is a very romantic, almost old fashion love story between two women unable to get into their hearts. The journey they take to share their hearts is sweet but requires a different sharing. The distance they live from each other challenges them to share more openly. Kris Bryant writes the dialogue so brilliantly. You feel the ache of time apart, the sheer joy of those tender moments and the hot, steamy love and breathtaking touch they have for each other. When a moment of surprise turned into a hurtful rejection my heart broke and I healed my breath till they could talk again. I love openly honest stories that bring women together in such deep love. A must read that fill the heart.

[Michelle Schuler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love

I am a Kris Bryant addict. Jolt is full of chemistry and passion. The connection between Ali and Bethany causes me to shimmer with giddiness. The angst is well resolved, the intimate scenes are HOT! Strong relationship.
I will continue to read all of her books.

[Kexx · Rating 4 out of 5]

A traditional les-rom that so follows the rules that I assume KB follows a set script. But it really works, though the biggest Jolt for me was the sudden ending! Recommended.

[✰♥✰ ↠Dominique↞ ✰♥✰ · Rating 1 out of 5]

OMG this was painful!

Let's start with the narrator. She has such a robotic kind of style... i'm really sorry to say that listening to her was terrible and it did NOTHING for this story.

This kind of felt like your first real crush story. Back at camp, or in that class you always met with the other person. It felt more like a teenage story than a real tale of two people getting to know each other. I mean that in the way that all they do is crush on each other, there's no getting to know them as individuals - all they do is crush, and the rest isn't really important. This was my first ever F/F romance novel - and it was bad.

It gives you a tell that is lackluster and boring, quite frankly.

I think i must of listened to half of this before i had to let it go it was so bad...

Yeah... no.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. You can definitely tell that this was Bryant’s debut book. Not that the writing was bad or anything because it wasn’t but it just felt like a first book if that makes sense. It was entertaining though. It’s dramatic and the romance between Bethany and Ali is huge and dramatic and felt cheesy at times but it was fun. They had great chemistry and Ali is such a babe. I loved her a lot. She’s a musician and she had me swooning a lot. Fun read.

[JoAnne Cattanach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice lesfic contemporary romance. The writing is kinda simple and straightforward. I later found out this is the authors first published novel. Outgoing Musician meets introvert camp counselor/author. The introvert seems quite insecure and nervous…except in the bedroom (woowoo). Not much of a conflict but loved the steamy parts.

[Carleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

 

*I was provided a free download of Jolt by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you to Bold Strokes Books for affording me this opportunity.*.

Mystery writer Bethany Lange wasn’t prepared for the twisting emotions that left her breathless the moment she laid eyes on folk singer sensation Ali Hart. Of course she was flat on her back and looking up and backward at the gorgeous singer, but that didn’t stop her body and heart from bursting into a kaleidoscope of want, need, and lust. Scared at the intensity of her feelings, Bethany does everything she can to avoid Ali at Camp Jacomo, the camp designed specifically for children of lesbian and gay families where Bethany volunteers every summer. The camp director convinces the hottest singer at the moment, Ali Hart, to spend a week teaching the children music to everybody’s delight except Bethany’s. On her last day at camp, Ali approaches Bethany with an offer of friendship, but they both know it’s the prelude to something bolder. Should Bethany take the risk? Does she really believe she can balance her quiet private life with Ali’s outspoken one?

Kris Bryant's new romance, Jolt (Bold Strokes Books), is a pretty solid novel.  It follows the romance formula nicely, offers a good story, and provides us with some interesting characters. But, I think that it could have been more effectively executed.

Jolt is a "girl meets girl, girl gets girl, girl loses girl, girl gets girl back" story.  We expect and get the burgeoning romance, the conflict/obstacles, and the eventual payoff.  Quite appropriate for a romance.  This formula is used to tell a good story, as well - the unyielding attraction these two women have for each other, the slow "getting to know you" process, the struggle to blend two very different lives.  It's certainly compelling - I kept looking forward to what would happen next.

Bethany and Ali are women who each have their own painful histories and are each carrying around some hefty baggage.  What I really liked is that each had a very distinctive voice throughout the story.  Their speech patterns, the way they would turn a phrase...these were unique to each of the characters.  The same holds true for the secondary characters.  They are clearly defined.  I wanted a bit more about their back stories, though.  We're told what happened to make Bethany become such a recluse and averse to "getting out there" and dating again, but I don't feel like there was enough to get past the superficial level.  Based on what we're provided, I didn't feel like Bethany's reactions were more than melodrama.  Now, I know that sounds harsh and I don't intend it that way.  What it means is that I wanted to know more - not just what happened, but more about the fallout.  With that additional information, I think Bethany's growth as a character would be more intriguing.

I was, however, a bit disappointed in the execution of the telling at times.  Much of this may be my own, personal bias, but I think there's also validity to it.  The story is told from the first-person point of view, which is fine.  But it's also told in present tense, which, for me, is a bit awkward.  Again, this is probably just my own preference.  Additionally, I believe more attention could have been paid to word/phrase choices throughout the novel.  Dialogue tags were limited mainly to "I say" and "she says."  I lost track of the number of times the word "jolt" was used in the first few chapters.  I think there definitely could have been more variety.  Similarly, there are other areas that either needed variety in word choice or to simply be edited out all-together.  I definitely understand the need to sometimes remind the reader of certain moments or thoughts throughout a novel.  However, in Jolt there were a number of instances of a chapter ending with one of those moments or thoughts and then being repeated at the beginning of the very next chapter.  In some cases, it seemed as though sentences were copied from one chapter and pasted directly into the next.  I don't know if this was intentional or it was missed in editing/proofreading.  But it definitely stood out for me.

Overall, this is not a bad book.  It's a good story with interesting characters.  I don't  not recommend the book.  If you like romance novels with some passionate sex scenes, then you'll enjoy this. If you're like me, just be prepared to get past some of the technical aspects.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Interesting book but not my favorite of Bryant's work.

[Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, but not as good as the others from this author that I have read.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Kris Bryant's "Taste" better. Most likely because Taste was less "angsty" than this book. But still a very good read.