Accepted

by Coleen Lahr

Ashley Smith spent her life being shipped from one family member to the next. When Ashley’s estranged father dies, she finally has the money to go to college and the chance to find a place where she belongs.

Within days, Ashley has found the one thing she’s always longed for – a family. She may have even found love. There’s only one problem. Ashley likes Colin…a lot, but so does Randi, and everyone likes Randi. Randi’s approval is the single easiest way to belong. Falling in love with Randi’s crush is the single easiest way to find oneself on the outside for the next three years.

When Ashley arrived at college, she never dreamed she’d find this kind of happiness. Will she allow herself to hold on to this happiness, and Colin, or will her fear of losing her friends, the only friends she’s ever known, dictate her actions?

Genres: New Adult

Unknown Binding

First published November 3, 2014

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this E-ARC through net-galley in exchange for an honest review thank you for allowing me to read this.

Accepted was a sweet enough book but for me was a bit lacklustre. Maybe it's because of all the new adult books I've been reading lately. But this one felt like it didn't go deep enough with the story and relationship.
We start this book with our main character Ashley who is starting at college and is super nervous about fitting in and making friends. As she has no real family her mum died and her dad was never present. So Ashley is desperate to fit in and feel at home. She then meets Colin who is staying at the college too who she instantly likes. Problem is her new friends she's made one of them Randi really fancies Colin too. Desperate to be liked she tries to ignore what she feels for Colin and distance herself.
To me the character's in this book came across a lot younger than college students. It was mainly because of the immature way they were acting most people at college don't care who's dating who. It felt more like that they were at secondary school, rather than college. That bothered me as I thought this was new adult.
I did like when this book moved away from her pleasing these new so called best friends. I liked how she became more strong and confident in herself. I also liked watching the relationship grow between her and Colin. I just wish there was more and that it had a more grown up feel. As it didn't feel like a new adult book.
Overall an enjoyable read but wish it had gone deeper and was more to this book. Thanks again for sending me this book to review.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet story! Ashley's mom died when she was 2 years old and her dad wasn't in the picture so she was bounced around and never had a home. She's never really had a family or close friends. When she starts at a new college, she makes friends with a popular group of girls led by Randi. Ashley is a loyal friend and is happy to finally feel like she belongs. Colin is the guy Randi has had a crush on for years. Unfortunately for Randi, Colin isn't into her. Colin is the sweetest guy and he really likes Ashley but she doesn't want to upset Randi. I really enjoyed this book. This was not a love triangle and there isn't an overload of angst. It's just a really sweet story about a girl finally being accepted and how she doesn't want to do anything to change that. Colin is a top book boyfriend, he's amazingly sweet, kind, thoughtful and romantic. Ashley is very likeable as well, she has overcome a lot and doesn't want anyone to pity her. This book is a clean romance, no steamy scenes. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweet, well-written romance.


**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story and was sad when it ended because I wanted more! I was even more sad that this author has yet to write more, I was hoping for other novels to check out, or even a sequel, or maybe a spin off with Becca (hint hint if you're reading this Coleen Lahr). I got to a point where couldn't put this one down-literally I was going about my day trying to do things one handed while my kindle was glued in my hand! All that being said, I do have to admit this one had a bit of slow start for me. At first, I wasn't sure how I felt about the characters especially Randi/Amber which really shows I have good instincts towards characters as I couldn't believe the way these girls treated Ashley later!). At some point, and I can't pinpoint exactly where, I just couldn't stop reading. I liked Colin, way more than I think Ashley did because I wouldn't have walked away...but then again I don't have Ashley's past. Colin and Ashley's romance was sweet, in a young adult way, but realistic that relationships don't always have perfect start and people have baggage to work though (reminiscent of what would be in a new adult novel). As my Ashley & Colin love grew so did my enjoyment of this novel. There were moments where I found myself grinning from ear to ear routing for those two. There were points that I was leaning towards a 4-star reading as I really liked it but there wasn't always perfect flow- but ultimately I wanted to give this one 5 stars because I enjoyed the story that much in the forget about the real world, my problems, and responsibilities I just want to read this kind of book love. I would recommend this for those who enjoy young adult, as well as those who enjoy new adult novels.

I received a copy of this from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Aimee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and was bummed that I just couldn't give it 5 stars as much as I wanted to. Ashley goes off to college and is starting a new life for herself. She has had a rough life and has had no real home all her life. Because of this, she's excited to have a place to call her own and to get an education to begin her dream of being a doctor. Colin is a really attractive and really nice guy on Ashley's floor that happens to be friends with her roommate and her best friend Randi. Randi has staked claim to Colin from the beginning, even though Colin has no interest in Randi that way. I loved Colin as a character. He was different from most college guys that Ashley thought she would meet. He is pre-med too and is far more into studying than she thought he would be. He is a lot like Ashley and they easily become friends.

On one hand, I loved that there was no insta-love in this story. Colin and Ashley's relationship slowly bloomed over the course of the book and I loved that. On the other hand, I wish we could have gotten more insight into Ashley's past than from what she just tells Colin and Becca. Maybe some flashbacks to who she lived with and why she was tossed around so much from relative to relative. She never ever experienced any holidays at all? Some things just seemed hard to believe because she never really, truly, opened up about them. I found her reasons for not wanting to have a relationship with Colin a bit silly after awhile. At first I understood it was because of Randi, but after reading it over and over, it just didn't hold as much weight with me. I also wish we could have seen a bit more of Colin and Ashley together as a couple.

I would definitely be into reading a sequel to this book and more of Colin and Ashley!

*ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

[Whispering Chapters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accepted is a very sweet and compelling story. I enjoyed reading it a lot and it was emotional to read. Reading about Ashley's life, how she doesn't have a family to care for her, how she's all alone in the world, calling her dorm room her "home", that was so sad to me. I wanted to dive inside the story and hug her.

I also wanted to slap her because she was using Randi as an excuse to not get close to colin. Randi is Ashley's friend and Randi likes Colin a lot so Ashley didn't want to ruin her friendship. This matter made the book have a high school feel to it instead of a college feel. In college, people could care less what you do, who you like so I was upset by this drama BUT it mostly happened at the beginning of the story so it didn't ruin the story for me.

I loved reading about Colin and Ashley's hang outs. I wanted more of them because I was really enjoying the activities they would or simply hanging out with each other. I loved how understanding Colin could be with Ashley and how he was always making her feel better and making her feel wanted.

I would have wanted more interaction between Ashley and Becca. Ashley kept saying that Becca was her best friend and Becca was always there for her but the reader doesn't get much insight in that area and I would have loved to read about it. All in all, it's a great story that I love and recommend to others :)

[Michelle (Adventure in Bookland) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accepted was a sweet new adult romance which dealt with friendship, love and tearing down walls. I loved so many parts of this book, the characters, the plot and every compelling scene. I absolutely adored Ashley, she was such a sweet girl that desperately wanted to feel wanted and loved. The thing was she was missing out on some of that while worrying about what she would lose if she would allow Colin in. Becca and Colin were also great characters! I wish this story was longer so I could have seen more interaction between Becca and Ashley, they seemed to become great best friends and I wanted to see/feel that a little more. Colin on the other hand was a sweetheart, he was behind Ashley every step of the way and even did things that made me say “aww” after I found out.
The things that I didn’t like aren’t huge; I just wish the story was longer!!!!! I did not want to give up reading right when Ashley and Colin started their relationship! I was left wanting more, maybe a second book can be written ;)

[Alley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accepted By Coleen Lahr was a great book. Its about Ashley (the main girl), going to college, and finding not only herself, but for the first time, family.
I really liked this book, for a couple of reasons. The first one was that Coleen Lahr did a great job of describing everything, and keeps up with the thoughts going on in Ashley's head. I truly felt sad for Ashley when she gets to school and everyone is with there family and she was just used to being alone. You could feel her inner battle with wanting Colin but not thinking she can have him, because it would run what she fought so hard for. And that's a family, she has Amber(her rommate), Randi(the leader of her group of friends), and Becca(who turns out to become the best friend she never had before). But I really enjoyed going on the journey of finding out if Ashley got what she wanted.
Recommend to anyone who wants a good girl drama, a romance, YA, or anyone who just wants a happy read!!

[Wendy Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Accepted is a compellingly sweet and wonderful coming of age story about Ashley, a girl who was going off to college and discovering the path her life was meant to take. I identified with her a great deal, with her occasional self doubt, her desire to fit in, find love and worrying about what her peers were thinking of her. Those were all feelings that I experienced at one time or another in HighSchool and College, although unlike Ashley, I had a wonderful family base to begin with. Coleen Lahr was incredibly detailed in her descriptions and her writing was a joy to read! I will be looking for more from this author. I enjoyed this warm hearted romantic story a great deal!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was nicely done. I felt it was well edited in content and grammar. That being said, I loved the characters. I clearly understand the loneliness this girl felt and also her hopefulness. I cheered for her when it was all coming together for her. She was a kind and loyal friend. Colin was a great character too. Many of the situations used in the story do indeed happen and college is a great time in ones life. Loved the uplifting ending too. ARC from netgallery in exchange of honest review. I'm looking forward to this author's works for the future.

[Kristine Ruiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collet is a girl how's lost so much in life and when she finally feels like she's getting a family again she's afraid to lose is all over a boy. But the feelings he envies in her she can't seem to stop, but with the fear her friend likes him she's worried what it could do, this book had so much of college life in it and real feelings that are so right for some many people in the same situation, was defiantly a good read.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so fun! A wonderful story about a young woman navigating the first few months of college. Ashley is a sweet, relatable character with "friends" like we all had in college.

Whether you are dreaming about college or ready to reminisce about it, you'll enjoy the time you spend with Ashley.

[stephanie dg · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Accepted" was a great read. the characters were genuine and kind. i had moments where i caught myself wondering about the characters and what was going to happen in novel when i wasn't even reading it. i sign that i was really engrossed in the happenings, so fun! great ending too, with a slight twist i hadn't expected.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Very likeable story. I loved the plot and characters, and Ashley was easy to relate to. An overall enjoyable read. I definitely recommend this book.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Accepted," by Coleen Lahr is a wonderful book! I couldn't put it down. It's a touching story, has great characters and is well written.

[fee · Rating 4 out of 5]

very fastpaced

[Kathrin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book.

'Accepted' is the story of Ashley who never had a real home due to a difficult family situation. All the moving around shaped her character and made her anxious to start university. But it turns out way better than expected - she finds a place for her love of medicine and friends who give her a home. She's so happy that she doesn't want things to change at all but doesn't see that change has already happened when she falls for Colin.

Ashley is quite an interesting character. Her story might not be unique but it made her actions quite easy to follow. And Colin is also a sweet guy. I guess what bothered me the most with him was that he was almost too perfect. Not very realistic but okay in this kind of book. A little boring maybe.
The other characters were harder to understand. I believe there's not enough information about them in the book. They sometimes felt like empty things that solely consisted for the sake of the story. Also, I don't think you have to be best friends with the person you share a room with. Hell, you don't even have to talk to each other. The whole 'living-together-with-my-best-friend' and room changing issue didn't really make sense to me.

In the end, I liked this book although I felt all the time like it was too short. I wanted more information on the supporting characters and why their friendship with Ashley was that special. It would have made all of her decisions a little bit more logical. Because of the shortness it was a little unbelievable how characters acted sometimes and to be honest, although I loved Ashley's decision at the end it was quite expected.

This was a good book with great main characters although some might call them cliche - I need this kind of book sometimes. In the end, it was pretty much what I expected to read.

[Jeraca · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this free eARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Hmm. This was an interesting novel. On the one hand I liked it. Going off to college and starting over, making new friends. Especially for Ashley who has never had a home before, no one to love her and be happy to see her.

But on the other hand, Ashley is so insecure and wants to be loved that she denies herself the simplest things. She overthinks things and wants to belong that she sacrifices her own happiness. And honestly, Randi is not the best person to have a friend anyway. There are a lot more fishes in the sea; Randi is not the high priority person to be seen with.

So I liked it, but Ashley was extremely annoying for the most part and I wanted to slap her across the face. That being said, it was a decent novel and I'm glad I read it.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED THIS BOOK!! The characters are relatable (and if we are honest we all had friends like these in college). The storyline was interesting and kept you turning the pages. Looking forward to many more books from the author!

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.