What do you think?
Rate this book
If Only.... #2
What If
Sometimes it takes letting go of the past to find out who you want to be.
During his semester abroad, Griffin Reed almost gave his heart to a girl who loved someone else. Lesson learned. Now he's home, where following in his father's footsteps may not be what he wants, but it's what his parents expect. It might be taking the easy road, but he doesn't see a way out.
Something that could have killed Maggie Kendall took away the person she used to be instead. Her condition makes her dependent on sticky notes, photos, and medication just to get through each day. The last thing she needs is a distraction—or someone new to disappoint.
What they refuse to see is they are perfect for each other. Maggie makes Griffin want to be a better man, and he makes her believe a future is possible. But these two have to find a way to share the secrets ripping them apart, if they're ever going to have a chance at happiness.
During his semester abroad, Griffin Reed almost gave his heart to a girl who loved someone else. Lesson learned. Now he's home, where following in his father's footsteps may not be what he wants, but it's what his parents expect. It might be taking the easy road, but he doesn't see a way out.
Something that could have killed Maggie Kendall took away the person she used to be instead. Her condition makes her dependent on sticky notes, photos, and medication just to get through each day. The last thing she needs is a distraction—or someone new to disappoint.
What they refuse to see is they are perfect for each other. Maggie makes Griffin want to be a better man, and he makes her believe a future is possible. But these two have to find a way to share the secrets ripping them apart, if they're ever going to have a chance at happiness.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 8, 2014
16 people are currently reading
873 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Pine
29 books922 followersA teen librarian by day and a romance writer by night, A.J. Pine can’t seem to escape the world of fiction, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. She’s the author of the If Only series (Entangled Embrace), the Only You series (Berkley/Intermix), the Kingston Ale House series (Entangled Select), and the Crossroads Ranch series (Forever Romance). When she finds that 25th hour in the day, she might indulge in a tiny bit of TV where she nourishes her undying love of vampires, superheroes, and a certain high-functioning sociopath detective. She hails from the far off galaxy of the Chicago suburbs.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
Read
December 9, 2014I'm so excited to share Griffin and Maggie's story with you!
WILD card.
Full deck
All in.
♥
***Want more Griffin and Maggie? I have TWO bonus chapters to share with you. If you post your review on one of the buy sites (Amazon, BN, etc) and email me the link to your review at amy@ajpine.com,I will personally send you two extra scenes!***
Stay in the loop for all things WHAT IF as well as other book news (like my two books releasing with Berkley/Intermix in 2015) by signing up for my newsletter HERE!
WILD card.
Full deck
All in.
♥
***Want more Griffin and Maggie? I have TWO bonus chapters to share with you. If you post your review on one of the buy sites (Amazon, BN, etc) and email me the link to your review at amy@ajpine.com,I will personally send you two extra scenes!***
Stay in the loop for all things WHAT IF as well as other book news (like my two books releasing with Berkley/Intermix in 2015) by signing up for my newsletter HERE!
November 24, 2014
5 'what if' stars!
I ABSOLUTELY loved What If. I didn't know after reading If Only who I would love more, Noah or Griffin. And I can say with 100% certainty that it's GRIFFIN! I don't know if it's the name Griffin I love so much or what but every Griffin I have read in a book I have adored. I think it helped that I adored Maggie as well. That girl has a special place in my heart. <3
I will read anything by A.J. Pine, ANYTHING! I didn't want the story to end!! I was about 73% in yesterday when I had to stop to go to work, but this was one of those books where I wished I didn't have to work so I could just stay home and finish the book!
This story is heart warming, it's super cute, and the writing is fantastic. It's one of those stories that grabs you by the heart and squeezes just right and keeps you invested the whole time. Now, are we getting a Duncan book?! Please say we are!!
I can't recommend this series enough. Grab this one when it releases you won't be sorry!! If Only is book 1 start there first!
I ABSOLUTELY loved What If. I didn't know after reading If Only who I would love more, Noah or Griffin. And I can say with 100% certainty that it's GRIFFIN! I don't know if it's the name Griffin I love so much or what but every Griffin I have read in a book I have adored. I think it helped that I adored Maggie as well. That girl has a special place in my heart. <3
I will read anything by A.J. Pine, ANYTHING! I didn't want the story to end!! I was about 73% in yesterday when I had to stop to go to work, but this was one of those books where I wished I didn't have to work so I could just stay home and finish the book!
This story is heart warming, it's super cute, and the writing is fantastic. It's one of those stories that grabs you by the heart and squeezes just right and keeps you invested the whole time. Now, are we getting a Duncan book?! Please say we are!!
I can't recommend this series enough. Grab this one when it releases you won't be sorry!! If Only is book 1 start there first!
November 14, 2015
Overall rating: 3.75 "Pippi/Fancy Pants" stars!
Triggers:
Cheating:
Love triangle:
Sex with om/ow:
Intimate Pasts:
OM/OW drama:
Push/pull:
One more scene for the safety gang:
HEA:
I was very intrigued by this story because it was so different than anything I've read before. The storyline (before I read it) reminded me of 50 first dates, which I loved. This story wasn't actually exactly like that, but I do give kudos to this author for trying something different.
Something fell a little flat for me with this story and I can't quite put my finger on it. The intimate scenes could have been a little better as well. I did enjoy their relationship and their banter. Maggie keeping her health condition a secret for so long did get on my nerves as well and all the pushing away she did.
Overall, it was an enjoyable book and I would enjoy reading more about this couple :)
Triggers:
Cheating:
Love triangle:
Sex with om/ow:
Intimate Pasts:
OM/OW drama:
Push/pull:
One more scene for the safety gang:
HEA:
I was very intrigued by this story because it was so different than anything I've read before. The storyline (before I read it) reminded me of 50 first dates, which I loved. This story wasn't actually exactly like that, but I do give kudos to this author for trying something different.
Something fell a little flat for me with this story and I can't quite put my finger on it. The intimate scenes could have been a little better as well. I did enjoy their relationship and their banter. Maggie keeping her health condition a secret for so long did get on my nerves as well and all the pushing away she did.
Overall, it was an enjoyable book and I would enjoy reading more about this couple :)
December 5, 2014
I loved this book! This is a unique story about a girl, Maggie, who has a condition where her short term memory is affected. She can remember some things, but needs a lot of visual clues and reminders. Griffin is following the path that is set out for him by his father but is unhappy and acting out. He's a bit of a man-whore and doesn't think he deserves more. He had his heart broken 2 years ago when he fell in love with a girl who is in love with someone else (this happened in book 1, If Only, which I did not read yet.) I love these characters, they are both damaged in different ways. I loved how this story unfolded, the un-date, the supporting characters (Griffins sisters and Miles), there is just so much I loved about this book, it is a definite 5 star read for me. I really hope this author is going to continue with this series, maybe write about Griffins sister Nat or even Miles. I loved this and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a unique romance! Fantastic!!!!
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
November 25, 2014
A compelling follow up to If Only, What If is powerful and deeply involving love story with a well-differentiated cast. The complexity of Pine's characters shine, leaving the reader with no choice but to go "all in" on their journey to claim love and personal fulfillment. Pine is a bright, authentic voice in New Adult romance.
Griffin Reed might be my favorite NA book boyfriend of 2014.
Griffin Reed might be my favorite NA book boyfriend of 2014.
August 10, 2015
WHAT IF is perfection in words. I have waited for this book forever. Since I finished IF ONLY and told Amy about my super duper big love for Mr. Griffin. And god did this book make me feel all the emotions.
Review also can be found here: http://www.hopelessbooklovers.com/wha...
How can you love a book so much you wish it didn’t have an ending and just be a super long book with lots of adventures and fluffy love and sexy times? This book was it. “IT” meaning the best book 2014 put in my hands. WHAT IF is everything I wanted and more. It was such so deep and had a story to tell. It wasn’t just to tell Griffin’s story because it’s a second book in a series. No. Griffin’s story needed to be told. To know his story was like a complete circle for me. I just needed him after reading IF ONLY.
There’s nothing I hated about this book, nothing I said “god get it over with” “this is taking too long” “I want to skip these chapter” HELL. NO. AJ Pine told us something spectacular. I don’t know if it’s only me that feels this way about this book, because I have waited so long and the excited grew and grew every passing month. And I WAS A BIT SCARED. I was wondering WHAT IF (lol) IT ISN’T WHAT I THINK IT IS. WHAT IF GRIFFIN’S STORY ISN’T SO INTERESTING. I am slapping myself right now because of those thoughts. AJ Pine: All the things you’ve ever wanted? I will give them to you. I just want to say thanks, Amy. Thanks for writing his story because it was pretty perfect, amazing perfect, all the kinds of perfects in the world.
Maggie and Griffin were two characters that I fell in love before I even read this book. I was not-patiently waiting for them to come to my life. I wanted to meet them since forever ago. And suddenly one night I opened WHAT IF and read it. I finished today and can’t believe I have cried so much while reading this book. It’s unbelievable I swear. It’s not a sad book, don’t worry. It’s just me being sentimental and emotional 10000x. It’s the words that made me feel this way, it’s the story that made me into a crying mess, it’s the characters, the beginning and the end. It’s everything in this book that makes me feel. Because it does make you feel. A LOT.
And [cough] I wouldn’t mind if you decide to make a Nat novel. You knoooooow. Gosh Amy what can I even say to you. You are incredible and your words are frigging amazing and you are one of my favorite authors that I wish one day I will meet so I can shake you and tell you how much your books have changed me. Thank you. Thank you.
Review also can be found here: http://www.hopelessbooklovers.com/wha...
How can you love a book so much you wish it didn’t have an ending and just be a super long book with lots of adventures and fluffy love and sexy times? This book was it. “IT” meaning the best book 2014 put in my hands. WHAT IF is everything I wanted and more. It was such so deep and had a story to tell. It wasn’t just to tell Griffin’s story because it’s a second book in a series. No. Griffin’s story needed to be told. To know his story was like a complete circle for me. I just needed him after reading IF ONLY.
There’s nothing I hated about this book, nothing I said “god get it over with” “this is taking too long” “I want to skip these chapter” HELL. NO. AJ Pine told us something spectacular. I don’t know if it’s only me that feels this way about this book, because I have waited so long and the excited grew and grew every passing month. And I WAS A BIT SCARED. I was wondering WHAT IF (lol) IT ISN’T WHAT I THINK IT IS. WHAT IF GRIFFIN’S STORY ISN’T SO INTERESTING. I am slapping myself right now because of those thoughts. AJ Pine: All the things you’ve ever wanted? I will give them to you. I just want to say thanks, Amy. Thanks for writing his story because it was pretty perfect, amazing perfect, all the kinds of perfects in the world.
Maggie and Griffin were two characters that I fell in love before I even read this book. I was not-patiently waiting for them to come to my life. I wanted to meet them since forever ago. And suddenly one night I opened WHAT IF and read it. I finished today and can’t believe I have cried so much while reading this book. It’s unbelievable I swear. It’s not a sad book, don’t worry. It’s just me being sentimental and emotional 10000x. It’s the words that made me feel this way, it’s the story that made me into a crying mess, it’s the characters, the beginning and the end. It’s everything in this book that makes me feel. Because it does make you feel. A LOT.
And [cough] I wouldn’t mind if you decide to make a Nat novel. You knoooooow. Gosh Amy what can I even say to you. You are incredible and your words are frigging amazing and you are one of my favorite authors that I wish one day I will meet so I can shake you and tell you how much your books have changed me. Thank you. Thank you.
November 13, 2014
This book. Oh man, this book. I love so much about it that it's hard to put into words. Maggie is a kick ass heroine. Griffin is charming as hell with this underlying vulnerability that makes you want to hug him to your chest.
AJ's writing is always gorgeous, but it really shines in this book. The characters have incredible depth, and you ROOT for them. Every single page you root for them to be happy for themselves and also happy together. I can't tell you because *spoilers* but the scene at the end. THE SCENE AT THE END. With Griffin? In the room? With the stuff? And the words he says? They kill me every time.
READ THIS BOOK.
AJ's writing is always gorgeous, but it really shines in this book. The characters have incredible depth, and you ROOT for them. Every single page you root for them to be happy for themselves and also happy together. I can't tell you because *spoilers* but the scene at the end. THE SCENE AT THE END. With Griffin? In the room? With the stuff? And the words he says? They kill me every time.
READ THIS BOOK.
December 27, 2015
A story about a girl who has short-term memory loss, and a boy whose father is pressuring him to finally take responsibility for his future. When the two meet, sparks fly and they promise each other one "non-date" night with no questions asked, no personal details exchanged - just one night of adventure when the can be themselves, in the present, with no worries about the past or the future. But when it becomes clear that there is something special between them, will she even remember his name?
Best Bit: This is an awesome idea. The idea that love resides in more than just our minds is a nice change from the focus on the physical. I also love the idea of Miles, the bi-sexual best friend with boundary issues. I loved Miles!
Worst bit: It could have been so much more! I felt I wanted a greater back story for both characters and I thought the big reveal should have been a little more dramatic. I am also not a fan of the hero pining for someone else for the first half of the book, and I don't think it was necessary here.
Funniest bit: It was great to hear some great Gilmore Girls references - but it won't make much sense to people who did not follow the show.
Biggest obstacle: Trust and responsibility.
Recommendation: This is not a deep exploration of the side effects of brain aneurysms or short term memory loss, or even a coming of age story for a play boy who becomes a man. It's nothing deep or serious and somehow doesn't reach it's full potential.
2.5 - 3 stars.
Best Bit: This is an awesome idea. The idea that love resides in more than just our minds is a nice change from the focus on the physical. I also love the idea of Miles, the bi-sexual best friend with boundary issues. I loved Miles!
Worst bit: It could have been so much more! I felt I wanted a greater back story for both characters and I thought the big reveal should have been a little more dramatic. I am also not a fan of the hero pining for someone else for the first half of the book, and I don't think it was necessary here.
Funniest bit: It was great to hear some great Gilmore Girls references - but it won't make much sense to people who did not follow the show.
Biggest obstacle: Trust and responsibility.
Recommendation: This is not a deep exploration of the side effects of brain aneurysms or short term memory loss, or even a coming of age story for a play boy who becomes a man. It's nothing deep or serious and somehow doesn't reach it's full potential.
2.5 - 3 stars.
March 6, 2015
3.5-4 What If? Stars
I'm not sure how to rate this book.. On one hand, I really love Griffin (team Griffin' here, even from "If Only"), but Maggie, omg Maggie.. I had many moments (too many for my liking) where I wanted to go find a real sorcerer, create a spell to transport me into the book, find Maggie and slap her!
She was too dramatic, taking her health situation as an excuse to be an idiot. Reading this, I really thought her situation would be a lot more serious than what it was revealed to be. Aside form everything, this was a good book, not as awesome as the first one - Jordan was awesome! -but it is worth reading. You just have to find it in yourself to be patient with Maggie (which is probably why it took me almost 3 days to finish this book).
Griffin is swoonworthy, you wouldn't want to miss reading this book -- but make sure you read "If Only" first to get the full Griffin effect.
*This arc was kindly provided by Entangled Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
I'm not sure how to rate this book.. On one hand, I really love Griffin (team Griffin' here, even from "If Only"), but Maggie, omg Maggie.. I had many moments (too many for my liking) where I wanted to go find a real sorcerer, create a spell to transport me into the book, find Maggie and slap her!
She was too dramatic, taking her health situation as an excuse to be an idiot. Reading this, I really thought her situation would be a lot more serious than what it was revealed to be. Aside form everything, this was a good book, not as awesome as the first one - Jordan was awesome! -but it is worth reading. You just have to find it in yourself to be patient with Maggie (which is probably why it took me almost 3 days to finish this book).
Griffin is swoonworthy, you wouldn't want to miss reading this book -- but make sure you read "If Only" first to get the full Griffin effect.
*This arc was kindly provided by Entangled Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
December 3, 2014
Amazing read!! So glad to see Griffen (from If Only) get his HEA. Loved the storyline which is different from anything I've ever read. Very enjoyable.
Back home after spending a year in Scotland, Griffen Reed is simply floating through life doing what is expected of him. Maggie Kendall is struggling through each day trying to get back to normal. Can these two be the answer that heals both their souls?
You definitely want to read this one.
Back home after spending a year in Scotland, Griffen Reed is simply floating through life doing what is expected of him. Maggie Kendall is struggling through each day trying to get back to normal. Can these two be the answer that heals both their souls?
You definitely want to read this one.
January 21, 2015
This was a great read. I love being pleasantly surprised by a read-for-review. The characters and humour were great. I loved Maggie she was sweet, caring and her 'issues' were real and not just thrown in there to create drama. The story was slightly predictable but the writing was so good it didn't bother me at all. I wished I had of read the first book in the series only because the characters that make an appearance from that story are awesome and I can tell it would be a goodie.
January 6, 2015
Let me start by saying I don't care, I've officially run out of care, I care no more, because while What If had it's little issues that elsewhere may have caused me to nit-pick and reduce ratings, I can't find myself doing that with Pine's work because her characters are too perfect, and the emotions she puts those characters and I through is just beyond this world. There was so much about What If that exceeded my expectations that any little issues I may have found among it just feel unimportant and not worth enough to affect the novel as a whole. There's no denying it, What If was absolutely flipping fabulous in all the right ways.
If Only was a game changer for me personally, New Adult novels weren't something I was too fussed on, nor looking out for, but something about a story set in Scotland won me over and I fell head over heels in love with it. One of the features I adored was that both love interests were nice guys, not one of them was really the 'bad' option and I felt terrible when Griffin had his heart tramppled over, but never fear, because Pine gave me Griffin, oh did she give me Griffin on a platter in this novel and I've never felt so utterly weightless while reading like I did when reading What If and Griffin was a huge part of that. Lets not forget Maggie and how these two characters were perfectly flawed characters and how they were so relatable in so many ways - Griffin with his family, who was just beautiful and the connections he had with them, oh man, I'll talk more on that later, and his past romantic issues, and Maggie and her more personal life issues, the things that restricted her and made her feel less capable, they were all explored beautifully and were pretty much perfect. The development that both these characters went through was astounding. Griffin, through Maggie and his sisters, learnt that he could be whoever he wanted to be and that he could find ways of finding who he wanted to be, his confidence grew and grew and his whole attitude to life changed, from his attitude and respect not only for women but for himself, to his want to not put a front on for other people, within a short space of time. Maggie's development was much more relatable and almost heartbreaking, her want to help others when she feels she is beyond help herself, her passion for art and sketching was just beautiful and how she managed to form relationships and bonds with other people, with Griffin and his family, even her next door neighbour, was beautiful, and I really think these two characters are some of the most damaged, yet perfectly flawed I've read this year.
One of the biggest selling points of What If to me though was just how much more it delved into sex and the foreplay that comes with it in comparison to If Only. If Only's scenes seemed more to complete the novel and give it that 'finished off' feel, where-as What if felt real, and Pine explored and described these scenes with just the right amount of detail, but not too much to change the feel and atmosphere. It was passionate, it was developed so fantastically and not once did it feel as though it didn't fit the novel and I'm almost disappointed that Pine didn't work her scenes like this previously. They were fresh, they were clear, they were the perfect example of when characters get lost in their own want and need for one another and I can only compliment her for it all. Speaking of the romance, oh damn, it wasn't all just sex here and some passion fueled moments there, it was so unbelievably cute in areas, it's almost hard to image that these two opposing sides could mix so well together but they did.
The romance felt so absolutely real, so believable, so honest and relatable, I can completely dismiss that it took place in what could be classed as a short amount of time, or that they went from hitchhiker/hitchhikee to couple in around a month or so, but the confidence they gave to one another, the support network, the understanding, the impossibly sweet moments and the overall feel a real, whirlwind romance was just too much for my fluttering little heart, and I'll confess, I cried all of the happy, emotional and damn right heart-aching tears during What If.
I also really thoroughly enjoyed all the relationships and connections that were involved in What If, there was an absolutely wonderful friendship between Maggie and Miles, not to mention that Pine wasn't afraid to not only include bisexual romances, but was also not afraid to give them a firm feature in the novel, which was really pretty sweet, his understanding and support for her, his confidence and passion towards her, his ability to brighten her mood and encourage her to live, not just be alive, it's exactly what you want you in a friend and he definitely did his duty. There was also the family aspect woven within What if on Griffin's side, the topic of a single mother and her daughter being Griffin's sister and how this affected her connection with some of the family, the rocky business of a family business and wanting to impress people, but also the undeniable love that flowed through these scenes, the unwavering joy and happiness that was oh so clear between them all, the relationship between Griffin and Violet for crying out loud was just beautiful and it's these features that really don't get explored too often in novels that I thought made this book better than perfect. The cherry on the cake though? Seeing characters from If Only return and not only be just how I remember them, but to have also developed beautifully and kept their dynamics; seeing Jordan and Noah again and how that affected Griffin, having Maggie feel like she was a part of these friendships and feel like she belonged somewhere and highlighting just how sensitive Griffin is when reminiscing with Jordan, even to the development of secondary characters from Scotland, like Elaina and Duncan, it was wonderful to read and even more wonderful to experience.
What If was such a beautiful novel, even with it's small amounts of predictability, with it's short span of time and with it's very damn sweet, adorable moments, I cannot come to mark it lower than perfect. Griffin and Maggie, their development, their relationships, their development, their lives, they touched me, they got in deep within my heart and once again, Pine has done it, she's swooned me, won me over and made me a dedicated fangirl for her work. If she ever wrote a story about Milles, or any of Griffin's sisters, or even Elaina, I'd read it, there would be nothing that stopped me, and I will forever be invested in this woman's work.
If Only was a game changer for me personally, New Adult novels weren't something I was too fussed on, nor looking out for, but something about a story set in Scotland won me over and I fell head over heels in love with it. One of the features I adored was that both love interests were nice guys, not one of them was really the 'bad' option and I felt terrible when Griffin had his heart tramppled over, but never fear, because Pine gave me Griffin, oh did she give me Griffin on a platter in this novel and I've never felt so utterly weightless while reading like I did when reading What If and Griffin was a huge part of that. Lets not forget Maggie and how these two characters were perfectly flawed characters and how they were so relatable in so many ways - Griffin with his family, who was just beautiful and the connections he had with them, oh man, I'll talk more on that later, and his past romantic issues, and Maggie and her more personal life issues, the things that restricted her and made her feel less capable, they were all explored beautifully and were pretty much perfect. The development that both these characters went through was astounding. Griffin, through Maggie and his sisters, learnt that he could be whoever he wanted to be and that he could find ways of finding who he wanted to be, his confidence grew and grew and his whole attitude to life changed, from his attitude and respect not only for women but for himself, to his want to not put a front on for other people, within a short space of time. Maggie's development was much more relatable and almost heartbreaking, her want to help others when she feels she is beyond help herself, her passion for art and sketching was just beautiful and how she managed to form relationships and bonds with other people, with Griffin and his family, even her next door neighbour, was beautiful, and I really think these two characters are some of the most damaged, yet perfectly flawed I've read this year.
One of the biggest selling points of What If to me though was just how much more it delved into sex and the foreplay that comes with it in comparison to If Only. If Only's scenes seemed more to complete the novel and give it that 'finished off' feel, where-as What if felt real, and Pine explored and described these scenes with just the right amount of detail, but not too much to change the feel and atmosphere. It was passionate, it was developed so fantastically and not once did it feel as though it didn't fit the novel and I'm almost disappointed that Pine didn't work her scenes like this previously. They were fresh, they were clear, they were the perfect example of when characters get lost in their own want and need for one another and I can only compliment her for it all. Speaking of the romance, oh damn, it wasn't all just sex here and some passion fueled moments there, it was so unbelievably cute in areas, it's almost hard to image that these two opposing sides could mix so well together but they did.
"I came here to not ask you out on a date.” He pauses, but his tone makes it clear he’s not done.
I cross my arms, hoping to hide the thundering of my heart against my ribs.
"Okay," I say, drawing out the last syllable.
"Because we’re not dating," he continues. "Which is why you won’t give me your number and why I have to not ask you out in person."
The romance felt so absolutely real, so believable, so honest and relatable, I can completely dismiss that it took place in what could be classed as a short amount of time, or that they went from hitchhiker/hitchhikee to couple in around a month or so, but the confidence they gave to one another, the support network, the understanding, the impossibly sweet moments and the overall feel a real, whirlwind romance was just too much for my fluttering little heart, and I'll confess, I cried all of the happy, emotional and damn right heart-aching tears during What If.
The one of us in front of the tree at the John Hancock Center, the caption reads: Aberdeen reunion with Griffin in Chicago. But the note on the card next to it has me choking back a sob.
The guy I was a month ago would have run away so fast, but everything about you pulls me in. All of it, Maggie. When you’re healthy, when you’re sick. Full deck. I’m in.
-
One card sits among the posted articles.
I see you, Maggie. I see you, and I’m amazed and scared.. and I love you.
-
..There is no caption on this photo. I didn't need one because I've always known what it means, and now so does Griffin.
You so totally love me, too.
I also really thoroughly enjoyed all the relationships and connections that were involved in What If, there was an absolutely wonderful friendship between Maggie and Miles, not to mention that Pine wasn't afraid to not only include bisexual romances, but was also not afraid to give them a firm feature in the novel, which was really pretty sweet, his understanding and support for her, his confidence and passion towards her, his ability to brighten her mood and encourage her to live, not just be alive, it's exactly what you want you in a friend and he definitely did his duty. There was also the family aspect woven within What if on Griffin's side, the topic of a single mother and her daughter being Griffin's sister and how this affected her connection with some of the family, the rocky business of a family business and wanting to impress people, but also the undeniable love that flowed through these scenes, the unwavering joy and happiness that was oh so clear between them all, the relationship between Griffin and Violet for crying out loud was just beautiful and it's these features that really don't get explored too often in novels that I thought made this book better than perfect. The cherry on the cake though? Seeing characters from If Only return and not only be just how I remember them, but to have also developed beautifully and kept their dynamics; seeing Jordan and Noah again and how that affected Griffin, having Maggie feel like she was a part of these friendships and feel like she belonged somewhere and highlighting just how sensitive Griffin is when reminiscing with Jordan, even to the development of secondary characters from Scotland, like Elaina and Duncan, it was wonderful to read and even more wonderful to experience.
What If was such a beautiful novel, even with it's small amounts of predictability, with it's short span of time and with it's very damn sweet, adorable moments, I cannot come to mark it lower than perfect. Griffin and Maggie, their development, their relationships, their development, their lives, they touched me, they got in deep within my heart and once again, Pine has done it, she's swooned me, won me over and made me a dedicated fangirl for her work. If she ever wrote a story about Milles, or any of Griffin's sisters, or even Elaina, I'd read it, there would be nothing that stopped me, and I will forever be invested in this woman's work.
December 4, 2014
Note: This ARC was provided by Entangled Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What If by A.J. Pine is the second book in the If Only series and I'm going to be upfront about this and say that I went into the book with a bit of trepidation because of my reaction to the first book in the series. As I mentioned in my review of If Only yesterday, I had somewhat of a love-hate relationship with both the story and the lead characters. It felt more like a young adult (YA) read rather than a new adult (NA) one. Still, one of the standouts in that book had to be Griffin Reed, the assumed manwhore (though he wasn't one at all in that novel) with a heart. When I started reading book two, I was pleasantly surprised at how much more mature the tone of the characters and story were and I read the whole thing in one sitting. ♥
Two years ago, Griffin Reed found himself falling for a girl who was in love with someone else. Since then, he's back to leading the rudderless life he's been wading in, a life he doesn't necessarily want but does nothing to change his circumstances. He doesn't know what he wants to do with his life and continues to stay on the path that his father has selected for him. But Griffin is far from the picture-perfect son that is expected from a family like his. He gets into random fights and steers clear of any committed relationships, believing that he doesn't really have much to offer. When he sees a hitchhiker on the side of the road, he has no idea his journey is about to veer off-course.
Maggie Kendall has been given a second chance at life, but what kind of a life can she possibly have if she can barely remember simple things like where she left her phone or what time her bus leaves, what more lifetime memories that she can cherish? She copes with her circumstances as best she can, taking photos of the people she interacts with at her job and making sure she always jots down reminders and notes on Post-Its. She takes medication and knows what triggers to stay away from so that she doesn't suffer from setbacks. What she doesn't prepare herself is the driver of a truck that stops to pick her up on the side of the road and there's simply no way that she can stay away.
Griffin and Maggie have several things in common: they both don't do the whole dating thing, they both have secrets, and they're both broken. However, they decide to pursue the non-dating even though it's obvious that what they're actually doing is dating. Even when fear and insecurity creep up on them, there's simply something about one another that draws them even deeper and closer. Being together makes them begin to believe that a future could be a possibility. But then the self-doubt comes back and they both find themselves pushing the other away. For these two to actually have a chance at a future together, they'll need to stop asking "What if?" and begin moving forward, leaving the past and doubts behind.
Okay, whatever doubt I had going into this book totally dissolved within the first few pages. I absolutely loved the story of two individuals believing themselves to be so broken beyond repair but find the perfect person in the other. I liked that these two didn't require each other to fix whatever needed fixing within themselves but rather were inspired to see the possibilities that were laid out before them and taking chances to be and have more. This book reinforced just how great a character Griffin was in book one and A.J. Pine took him several steps higher, making him a book boyfriend worth remembering. And Maggie was simply the ideal character to partner him with. I adored these two! ♥
An added bonus to this story was seeing where Jordan Brooks and Noah Keating are two years after the events in the first book, as well as the oh-so-adorable twosome of Elaina and Duncan. Yes, I liked Elaina and Duncan more than I did Jordan and Noah but at least all the angst from the main characters in If Only was a thing of the past and they've all moved on. Of course, now that I've read book two, Griffin and Maggie are now my new favorite couple and I really enjoyed Miles and Paige, Maggie's co-worker and neighbor, respectively, and both her close friends who know all about her secret and give her the support she needs, especially when Griffin becomes a part of her life.
What If is definitely going on my list of favorite reads for the year and I have no qualms about giving it five very much deserved stars. Averaging the two ratings for the two books, the series gets a four-star rating from me. I'm not sure if there are any other books that will be included in the series but this definitely set the bar really high so fingers crossed that future releases will meet or even surpass that bar. ^.^ I'm so in love with this book that I'll be pre-ordering it even though I already read the ARC. I highly recommend What If to my fellow bookaholics and declare it a must-read for anyone out there wanting a love story worth fighting for and reading about. ♥
What If by A.J. Pine is the second book in the If Only series and I'm going to be upfront about this and say that I went into the book with a bit of trepidation because of my reaction to the first book in the series. As I mentioned in my review of If Only yesterday, I had somewhat of a love-hate relationship with both the story and the lead characters. It felt more like a young adult (YA) read rather than a new adult (NA) one. Still, one of the standouts in that book had to be Griffin Reed, the assumed manwhore (though he wasn't one at all in that novel) with a heart. When I started reading book two, I was pleasantly surprised at how much more mature the tone of the characters and story were and I read the whole thing in one sitting. ♥
Two years ago, Griffin Reed found himself falling for a girl who was in love with someone else. Since then, he's back to leading the rudderless life he's been wading in, a life he doesn't necessarily want but does nothing to change his circumstances. He doesn't know what he wants to do with his life and continues to stay on the path that his father has selected for him. But Griffin is far from the picture-perfect son that is expected from a family like his. He gets into random fights and steers clear of any committed relationships, believing that he doesn't really have much to offer. When he sees a hitchhiker on the side of the road, he has no idea his journey is about to veer off-course.
Maggie Kendall has been given a second chance at life, but what kind of a life can she possibly have if she can barely remember simple things like where she left her phone or what time her bus leaves, what more lifetime memories that she can cherish? She copes with her circumstances as best she can, taking photos of the people she interacts with at her job and making sure she always jots down reminders and notes on Post-Its. She takes medication and knows what triggers to stay away from so that she doesn't suffer from setbacks. What she doesn't prepare herself is the driver of a truck that stops to pick her up on the side of the road and there's simply no way that she can stay away.
Griffin and Maggie have several things in common: they both don't do the whole dating thing, they both have secrets, and they're both broken. However, they decide to pursue the non-dating even though it's obvious that what they're actually doing is dating. Even when fear and insecurity creep up on them, there's simply something about one another that draws them even deeper and closer. Being together makes them begin to believe that a future could be a possibility. But then the self-doubt comes back and they both find themselves pushing the other away. For these two to actually have a chance at a future together, they'll need to stop asking "What if?" and begin moving forward, leaving the past and doubts behind.
Okay, whatever doubt I had going into this book totally dissolved within the first few pages. I absolutely loved the story of two individuals believing themselves to be so broken beyond repair but find the perfect person in the other. I liked that these two didn't require each other to fix whatever needed fixing within themselves but rather were inspired to see the possibilities that were laid out before them and taking chances to be and have more. This book reinforced just how great a character Griffin was in book one and A.J. Pine took him several steps higher, making him a book boyfriend worth remembering. And Maggie was simply the ideal character to partner him with. I adored these two! ♥
An added bonus to this story was seeing where Jordan Brooks and Noah Keating are two years after the events in the first book, as well as the oh-so-adorable twosome of Elaina and Duncan. Yes, I liked Elaina and Duncan more than I did Jordan and Noah but at least all the angst from the main characters in If Only was a thing of the past and they've all moved on. Of course, now that I've read book two, Griffin and Maggie are now my new favorite couple and I really enjoyed Miles and Paige, Maggie's co-worker and neighbor, respectively, and both her close friends who know all about her secret and give her the support she needs, especially when Griffin becomes a part of her life.
What If is definitely going on my list of favorite reads for the year and I have no qualms about giving it five very much deserved stars. Averaging the two ratings for the two books, the series gets a four-star rating from me. I'm not sure if there are any other books that will be included in the series but this definitely set the bar really high so fingers crossed that future releases will meet or even surpass that bar. ^.^ I'm so in love with this book that I'll be pre-ordering it even though I already read the ARC. I highly recommend What If to my fellow bookaholics and declare it a must-read for anyone out there wanting a love story worth fighting for and reading about. ♥
December 9, 2014
^^^ I wish I could give this book 10 stars^^^^
What If is my first AJ Pine book and I need her to write libraries full of books for me to read! This story hooked me from the first page and I loved every minute of it. It is full of hope, love, life, and strength. Griffin and Maggie are perfect! Their personalities and life experiences help to create an incredible story that will touch your heart and make you cheer them on.
Maggie and Griffin meet by chance. This story is full of first, second, and third chances. When they meet, there is a connection but life moves on and they go their separate ways. But once again, fate intervenes and they cannot deny the pull between them. They decide for one night of fun, a night of abandonment and adventure where they can leave their unknown past and life issues at the door to enjoy each other’s company. This non date develops into so much more and these two fall head over heels in love. But two people who are broken cannot truly love without trust and partnership, something that incites hesitancy in our two main characters. The main question is, will they risk it all or is there too much to lose?
What If is the perfect blend of romance, drama, and deep emotion. Maggie and Griffin are two lost souls who are soon tethered to one another. Their constant interactions bring fresh life to their sad lives yet they continue to allow fear to rule their actions. From the first page I was completely invested in their story. There is so much happening with our two main characters that you cannot help but become emotionally invested in their lives.
Maggie is quite the mystery. She is sweet and kind, seeing things in such clarity that it was refreshing. There is something going on with her that you never truly understand until much later in the story. The development of this plot line was so well executed. It creates a sense of curiosity without annoyance at being left in the dark. Maggie is a survivor and a fighter. She takes life as it comes and learns to adapt to her situations. Her quirks are so endearing. Her passion for life is contagious. I loved this heroine so much!
When I first started reading about Griffin, I wondered what AJ would do to make him stand out among the heroes of New Adult literature. She succeeeded in spades. I loved him. He is such an incredibly written broken yet genuine character. His need to escape and control what he can shows us so much about who he is and what life has dealt to him. His initial interactions with Maggie bring life to a sad place in his heart and when that boy comes alive, he is sweet, kind, adventurous, and sexy as hell.
As Maggie and Griffin embark on their non-dating adventure, it is such an emotional journey. Two broken characters have the ability to make or break one another in the deepest and most painful way. Their interactions are sweet and wonderful. Their passion is on fire. The deeper you go with these two characters, the more you want to know about their lives and see them succeed in life and in love. The supporting cast of characters was perfect. I absolutely loved Miles and Paige. Griffin’s sisters and niece were wonderful. These characters added a flavor that set an incredible tone for the book. Both our hero and heroine have found love and support in their personal spheres that allow for them to find love in each other. The humor in this story is great. The quirk and personalities are perfect. The emotion on each page of this book will stop your heart. There is pain, loss, and hurt that is so deeply felt. But there is also life, love, and second chances that helps to define our characters choices and decisions.
This book will draw you in. Your heart and mind cannot help but be enveloped into this emotion story. It will connect you to their characters situations and pain. It will leave you breathless and feeling alive. This story was so well written and well developed. It made me long for friends like Miles and Paige and family like Nat and Violet. This story creates a desire to see a truly happily ever after, where secrets are no more and passion for living is the standard. AJ Pine has secured a spot on my must read author list and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next. Don’t miss out on this incredibly heart felt and fun New Adult book! You will not be disappointed!
What If is my first AJ Pine book and I need her to write libraries full of books for me to read! This story hooked me from the first page and I loved every minute of it. It is full of hope, love, life, and strength. Griffin and Maggie are perfect! Their personalities and life experiences help to create an incredible story that will touch your heart and make you cheer them on.
Maggie and Griffin meet by chance. This story is full of first, second, and third chances. When they meet, there is a connection but life moves on and they go their separate ways. But once again, fate intervenes and they cannot deny the pull between them. They decide for one night of fun, a night of abandonment and adventure where they can leave their unknown past and life issues at the door to enjoy each other’s company. This non date develops into so much more and these two fall head over heels in love. But two people who are broken cannot truly love without trust and partnership, something that incites hesitancy in our two main characters. The main question is, will they risk it all or is there too much to lose?
What If is the perfect blend of romance, drama, and deep emotion. Maggie and Griffin are two lost souls who are soon tethered to one another. Their constant interactions bring fresh life to their sad lives yet they continue to allow fear to rule their actions. From the first page I was completely invested in their story. There is so much happening with our two main characters that you cannot help but become emotionally invested in their lives.
Maggie is quite the mystery. She is sweet and kind, seeing things in such clarity that it was refreshing. There is something going on with her that you never truly understand until much later in the story. The development of this plot line was so well executed. It creates a sense of curiosity without annoyance at being left in the dark. Maggie is a survivor and a fighter. She takes life as it comes and learns to adapt to her situations. Her quirks are so endearing. Her passion for life is contagious. I loved this heroine so much!
When I first started reading about Griffin, I wondered what AJ would do to make him stand out among the heroes of New Adult literature. She succeeeded in spades. I loved him. He is such an incredibly written broken yet genuine character. His need to escape and control what he can shows us so much about who he is and what life has dealt to him. His initial interactions with Maggie bring life to a sad place in his heart and when that boy comes alive, he is sweet, kind, adventurous, and sexy as hell.
As Maggie and Griffin embark on their non-dating adventure, it is such an emotional journey. Two broken characters have the ability to make or break one another in the deepest and most painful way. Their interactions are sweet and wonderful. Their passion is on fire. The deeper you go with these two characters, the more you want to know about their lives and see them succeed in life and in love. The supporting cast of characters was perfect. I absolutely loved Miles and Paige. Griffin’s sisters and niece were wonderful. These characters added a flavor that set an incredible tone for the book. Both our hero and heroine have found love and support in their personal spheres that allow for them to find love in each other. The humor in this story is great. The quirk and personalities are perfect. The emotion on each page of this book will stop your heart. There is pain, loss, and hurt that is so deeply felt. But there is also life, love, and second chances that helps to define our characters choices and decisions.
This book will draw you in. Your heart and mind cannot help but be enveloped into this emotion story. It will connect you to their characters situations and pain. It will leave you breathless and feeling alive. This story was so well written and well developed. It made me long for friends like Miles and Paige and family like Nat and Violet. This story creates a desire to see a truly happily ever after, where secrets are no more and passion for living is the standard. AJ Pine has secured a spot on my must read author list and I cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next. Don’t miss out on this incredibly heart felt and fun New Adult book! You will not be disappointed!
March 31, 2015
This romance treats us to the story of Griffin and Maggie. Griffin is coasting by, finishing his college degree with no idea of what he'll do in the future except knowing that he doesn't want to follow in his father's business footsteps. Maggie struggles daily to cope with a traumatic brain illness that has affected her memory, focusing on her studies and her job one day at a time. When Griffin picks up a hitchhiking Maggie on her way to her coffee shop job, he can't get her out of his mind and makes a point to come back and see her. The attraction between them startles them both and a no strings attached, 'let's see what happens' affair seems like an easy prospect - only as their feelings for each other deepen they both realize that the only way to have a future together is to be willing to share their secrets with each other. Will opening up be worth the risk?
When Griffin was introduced as a main character in the author's first novel in the series, If Only, (standalone but worth the read too!), I was delighted to find out that he would get his own happy ever after and this story definitely held up to the standards and quality of writing I have come to expect from the author. What an intriguing plot, to have a memory challenged heroine! I loved every aspect of the story, in particular the first person point of view of both main characters from which we are able to see Griffin's self doubts and Maggie's as well, for completely different reasons. Griffin is a player, used to non-emotional relationships after having his heart broken and is determined to keep closed off to the possibility of love. He knows his lack of decisions about his future frustrate his family. Maggie challenges him to do better, to decide what he wants for his future and go after it. Maggie's issues, stemming from her illness and subsequent memory problems are perfectly understandable. Yet she too must make the decision to move forward with her life, in this case by having a real relationship with Griffin. The sexual tension between the two of them is well written and leads to some steamy love scenes, made all the more meaningful as they start to fall for each other. Maggie's friend Miles is also a key character in the story, pushing Maggie to leave her comfort zone and take a chance with Griffin, at the same time being loyal to her and their friendship. I'm hoping we'll see more of him in the future.
Overall I found this to be an entertaining and delightful read with warm characters, a sweet romance, and a couple who deserve their happy ending. 5 stars!
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
When Griffin was introduced as a main character in the author's first novel in the series, If Only, (standalone but worth the read too!), I was delighted to find out that he would get his own happy ever after and this story definitely held up to the standards and quality of writing I have come to expect from the author. What an intriguing plot, to have a memory challenged heroine! I loved every aspect of the story, in particular the first person point of view of both main characters from which we are able to see Griffin's self doubts and Maggie's as well, for completely different reasons. Griffin is a player, used to non-emotional relationships after having his heart broken and is determined to keep closed off to the possibility of love. He knows his lack of decisions about his future frustrate his family. Maggie challenges him to do better, to decide what he wants for his future and go after it. Maggie's issues, stemming from her illness and subsequent memory problems are perfectly understandable. Yet she too must make the decision to move forward with her life, in this case by having a real relationship with Griffin. The sexual tension between the two of them is well written and leads to some steamy love scenes, made all the more meaningful as they start to fall for each other. Maggie's friend Miles is also a key character in the story, pushing Maggie to leave her comfort zone and take a chance with Griffin, at the same time being loyal to her and their friendship. I'm hoping we'll see more of him in the future.
Overall I found this to be an entertaining and delightful read with warm characters, a sweet romance, and a couple who deserve their happy ending. 5 stars!
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the publisher for review.
December 8, 2014
4.5 stars
What if? What if…you were afraid your own body would betray you in a way that’s possibly deadly? What if…you were known as a player and no one saw you as anything but? What if…you were afraid to fall in love, but that’s exactly what happens? These are just some of the things Maggie and Griffin deal with in What If, a fantastic, realistic, unique New Adult book by AJ Pine.
I really liked Griffin in If Only, but his part in the story left me with a bittersweet feeling. I was also left feeling curious about this apple-shampoo-scented player, so when I found out he was getting his own story, I was excited. As much as I liked Griffin in If Only, I loved him in What If. There’s so much more to him than meets the eye. Both he and Maggie are incredibly complex characters. They’re both afraid to get involved in something serious because of their past experiences, so when they decide to ‘not date’ each other, they just want something fun and light. They get a lot more than they planned on, though, and I loved watching them progress from friends to something more. Their interactions ranged from sweet to swoony to frustrating to sexy to heart-achingly beautiful.
Some of my favourite things about What If (that you totally won’t get unless you read the book, so READ THE BOOK): Gilmore Girls, Wild card, spray paint, Polaroid camera, ground rules, MILES, Chicago, fancy lattes, reunion, sexy shirtless nerd reading in bed. There was so much to love about this book, and these things just barely skim the surface.
Pine did a fantastic job with the dual POV. There was never any repeat information, and Maggie and Griffin both had really strong, distinct voices. The secondary characters were fantastic, too. I liked Griffin’s sisters, and I LOVED Maggie’s best friend, Miles. He was incredible. I’m definitely rooting for him to get his own book. *nudges AJ* ;-) It was also amazing to see some familiar faces. I won’t get into spoiler territory, but there was a scene with certain characters from If Only that had me squeeing and happy crying.
What If is a beautiful, engaging story about self-discovery and love. I loved the emphasis on family and friends, and the romance had me invested from the very beginning. This story made me laugh, cry, and swoon. I can’t wait to see what AJ Pine writes next.
What if? What if…you were afraid your own body would betray you in a way that’s possibly deadly? What if…you were known as a player and no one saw you as anything but? What if…you were afraid to fall in love, but that’s exactly what happens? These are just some of the things Maggie and Griffin deal with in What If, a fantastic, realistic, unique New Adult book by AJ Pine.
I really liked Griffin in If Only, but his part in the story left me with a bittersweet feeling. I was also left feeling curious about this apple-shampoo-scented player, so when I found out he was getting his own story, I was excited. As much as I liked Griffin in If Only, I loved him in What If. There’s so much more to him than meets the eye. Both he and Maggie are incredibly complex characters. They’re both afraid to get involved in something serious because of their past experiences, so when they decide to ‘not date’ each other, they just want something fun and light. They get a lot more than they planned on, though, and I loved watching them progress from friends to something more. Their interactions ranged from sweet to swoony to frustrating to sexy to heart-achingly beautiful.
Some of my favourite things about What If (that you totally won’t get unless you read the book, so READ THE BOOK): Gilmore Girls, Wild card, spray paint, Polaroid camera, ground rules, MILES, Chicago, fancy lattes, reunion, sexy shirtless nerd reading in bed. There was so much to love about this book, and these things just barely skim the surface.
Pine did a fantastic job with the dual POV. There was never any repeat information, and Maggie and Griffin both had really strong, distinct voices. The secondary characters were fantastic, too. I liked Griffin’s sisters, and I LOVED Maggie’s best friend, Miles. He was incredible. I’m definitely rooting for him to get his own book. *nudges AJ* ;-) It was also amazing to see some familiar faces. I won’t get into spoiler territory, but there was a scene with certain characters from If Only that had me squeeing and happy crying.
What If is a beautiful, engaging story about self-discovery and love. I loved the emphasis on family and friends, and the romance had me invested from the very beginning. This story made me laugh, cry, and swoon. I can’t wait to see what AJ Pine writes next.
November 26, 2015
What If follows the story of Griffin and Maggie. We first meet up with Griffin in If Only. After the way things ended for Griffin in that book, I couldn't have been happier to hear that he was getting his own story.....
What If picks up 2 years after the events of If Only. Two years since he fell for a girl who was in love with someone else. Now, Griffin is back home, but no closer to finding himself and is still doing what is expected of him......2 years ago, Maggie's life was forever changed. She survives a medical condition that should have left her for dead. She's no longer the girl she used to be. She lives her life in fear of triggers that could set her back. She depends on close friends, sticky notes and photos just to get by. The last thing either Maggie or Griffin need are distractions. With their futures undecided, will they decide to take a chance on happiness or will they continue to let their fears run their lives????
What If is a beautifully written and heartwarming story. Maggie and Griffin were both broken and I couldn't wait to read and learn more about them. I loved watching their relationship progress. Yes, it was insta-love, but it worked here. It never felt forced. The chemistry between Maggie and Griffin was undeniable. Even when Maggie and Griffin decided they "weren't" dating, they couldn't fight what was really going on.
I enjoyed everything about this book: From the characters (even the supporting ones) to the smart writing and captivating story-line. What If will make you laugh, and swoon. It has an excellent mix of angst, romance and steam. I definitely recommend checking this book out.
*I received an ARC copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
You can also see my review here at: http://www.onceuponabookblog.com/blog...
What If picks up 2 years after the events of If Only. Two years since he fell for a girl who was in love with someone else. Now, Griffin is back home, but no closer to finding himself and is still doing what is expected of him......2 years ago, Maggie's life was forever changed. She survives a medical condition that should have left her for dead. She's no longer the girl she used to be. She lives her life in fear of triggers that could set her back. She depends on close friends, sticky notes and photos just to get by. The last thing either Maggie or Griffin need are distractions. With their futures undecided, will they decide to take a chance on happiness or will they continue to let their fears run their lives????
What If is a beautifully written and heartwarming story. Maggie and Griffin were both broken and I couldn't wait to read and learn more about them. I loved watching their relationship progress. Yes, it was insta-love, but it worked here. It never felt forced. The chemistry between Maggie and Griffin was undeniable. Even when Maggie and Griffin decided they "weren't" dating, they couldn't fight what was really going on.
I enjoyed everything about this book: From the characters (even the supporting ones) to the smart writing and captivating story-line. What If will make you laugh, and swoon. It has an excellent mix of angst, romance and steam. I definitely recommend checking this book out.
*I received an ARC copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
You can also see my review here at: http://www.onceuponabookblog.com/blog...
December 2, 2014
*ARC received from publisher via NetGalley
Such a cute read, I really enjoyed this one. The feels!! Griffin and Maggie are such likable characters. I felt for Maggie. She's still trying to get used to this new life, where her brain doesn't work the way it used to and she has all of these systems in place to get through each day. She feels like she doesn't have anything to offer anyone because she's not the Maggie she used to be and she'll be a burden. This felt so real to me. It didn't feel contrived, like a lot of books where the main character is closed off. Maggie has a reason for not wanting to be in a relationship. Then she meets Griffin and he makes her feel like her old self and she pretends with him that she doesn't have this medical condition. It's supposed to just be one night, but they both feel such a connection to each other that it turns into more.
Griffin…oh Griffin, I fell for you. The guy who had his heart broken by Jordan in If Only (although you don't have to have read that book, by the way, to enjoy this one). Griffin doesn't date, he has one night stands. He's agreed to join his father's business, but he's really lost and unhappy about it because he doesn't want to do it but at the same time, he has no clue what he wants to do with his life. He deflects, he avoids responsibility and commitment, but then he meets Maggie and he can't avoid things anymore.
Loved them together and loved how their relationship progressed. Loved their non-dates. They fell fast, but it didn't feel like insta-love, it felt natural and it made me smile. Amazing secondary characters as well. If you want a feel good NA romance, read What If.
For more reviews see (YA) Escape from Reality
Such a cute read, I really enjoyed this one. The feels!! Griffin and Maggie are such likable characters. I felt for Maggie. She's still trying to get used to this new life, where her brain doesn't work the way it used to and she has all of these systems in place to get through each day. She feels like she doesn't have anything to offer anyone because she's not the Maggie she used to be and she'll be a burden. This felt so real to me. It didn't feel contrived, like a lot of books where the main character is closed off. Maggie has a reason for not wanting to be in a relationship. Then she meets Griffin and he makes her feel like her old self and she pretends with him that she doesn't have this medical condition. It's supposed to just be one night, but they both feel such a connection to each other that it turns into more.
Griffin…oh Griffin, I fell for you. The guy who had his heart broken by Jordan in If Only (although you don't have to have read that book, by the way, to enjoy this one). Griffin doesn't date, he has one night stands. He's agreed to join his father's business, but he's really lost and unhappy about it because he doesn't want to do it but at the same time, he has no clue what he wants to do with his life. He deflects, he avoids responsibility and commitment, but then he meets Maggie and he can't avoid things anymore.
Loved them together and loved how their relationship progressed. Loved their non-dates. They fell fast, but it didn't feel like insta-love, it felt natural and it made me smile. Amazing secondary characters as well. If you want a feel good NA romance, read What If.
For more reviews see (YA) Escape from Reality
January 7, 2015
I was provided a copy of this book for an honest review.
Five fantastic, well-earned stars.
Here’s the thing—I don’t award 5 stars often. In my mind, to be a 5-star review, you have to have a couple of things. (1) you have to hook me from the start (2) you have to keep that story moving so I want more (3) the characters have to be visible in my head and (4) if I have emotions where I talk out loud to the book, that’s a bonus.
This book achieved all of that and so much more.
1. Hooked? Yep. Bonus points as the book is based in Minnesota (where I live!)
2. Moving Along? Let’s just say I burned through this book in an evening. AN EVENING.
3. Visible? So visible. Even the supporting characters were visible in my head. And not just in what they looked like. I’m talking about everything, right down to their emotions. THAT is good story telling. Feeling the sass from little Violet when she calls her mom out for swearing. Where you actually *feel* as uncomfortable as Maggie at Sunday brunch, or Griffin shook his head with a lot of “WTF?” as they had their first adventure together.
4. Emotions: So many. I actually teared up when I read the final scene in her apartment.
Is the content for everyone? No. Of course not. Is it predictable? Sure. But honestly, there were so many moments in this book that were relatable to things I experienced at that age. That’s what kept me hooked—the desire to see them be successful in the end. Was this book all sunshine and rainbows? Not always, and that is refreshing.
Folks. I can count on one hand the number of books that made me have the emotional connection like I had with this book. To me? That’s a winner….hands down.
Five fantastic, well-earned stars.
Here’s the thing—I don’t award 5 stars often. In my mind, to be a 5-star review, you have to have a couple of things. (1) you have to hook me from the start (2) you have to keep that story moving so I want more (3) the characters have to be visible in my head and (4) if I have emotions where I talk out loud to the book, that’s a bonus.
This book achieved all of that and so much more.
1. Hooked? Yep. Bonus points as the book is based in Minnesota (where I live!)
2. Moving Along? Let’s just say I burned through this book in an evening. AN EVENING.
3. Visible? So visible. Even the supporting characters were visible in my head. And not just in what they looked like. I’m talking about everything, right down to their emotions. THAT is good story telling. Feeling the sass from little Violet when she calls her mom out for swearing. Where you actually *feel* as uncomfortable as Maggie at Sunday brunch, or Griffin shook his head with a lot of “WTF?” as they had their first adventure together.
4. Emotions: So many. I actually teared up when I read the final scene in her apartment.
Is the content for everyone? No. Of course not. Is it predictable? Sure. But honestly, there were so many moments in this book that were relatable to things I experienced at that age. That’s what kept me hooked—the desire to see them be successful in the end. Was this book all sunshine and rainbows? Not always, and that is refreshing.
Folks. I can count on one hand the number of books that made me have the emotional connection like I had with this book. To me? That’s a winner….hands down.
December 2, 2014
WOW! A great story about people determined not to date each other because of their past records and possible futures but there are too many forces at work to let them get away with this - love must have a way! Really enjoyed this well written traumatic tale which has great characters with whom the author makes it really easy to relate. It is a heart warming tale that grabs the reader, immersing them into the scenarios and making them feel all the dilemmas, angst and turmoil experienced by the characters as their story unfolds.
Maggie Kendall had her life turned upside down and inside out after having a brain trauma two years ago. She easily forgets people, places and events but is starting to get her life back together again by using sticky notes, an instant print camera, the photos she takes and quickly annotates and medication together with some very special, supportive friends.
Griffin Reed is reluctantly following the path determined by his parents and constantly wants to rebel. He did have a year out when he almost gave away his heart but now he’s not sure there’s any way he can leave the path set out by his father.
When the two meet, they are determined not to date, not to have a relationship with each other and not to share their pasts. What if they stick to this? What if they accidentally fall in love? What if life and all its elements interferes with their plans? Like the UNO cards, what if they turn up and get the full deck? A brilliantly related story which I highly recommend.
Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley too
for letting me read this book in exchange for this, an honest review.
Maggie Kendall had her life turned upside down and inside out after having a brain trauma two years ago. She easily forgets people, places and events but is starting to get her life back together again by using sticky notes, an instant print camera, the photos she takes and quickly annotates and medication together with some very special, supportive friends.
Griffin Reed is reluctantly following the path determined by his parents and constantly wants to rebel. He did have a year out when he almost gave away his heart but now he’s not sure there’s any way he can leave the path set out by his father.
When the two meet, they are determined not to date, not to have a relationship with each other and not to share their pasts. What if they stick to this? What if they accidentally fall in love? What if life and all its elements interferes with their plans? Like the UNO cards, what if they turn up and get the full deck? A brilliantly related story which I highly recommend.
Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley too
for letting me read this book in exchange for this, an honest review.
December 4, 2014
What if……
Maggie wasn’t sick two years ago
Griffin wasn’t a guy that had a new girl in his bed each night
Maggie never missed her bus and hitchhiked
Griffin never gave Maggie a ride to work
Maggie and Griffin never met
All those what if and so many crossed both Maggie and Griffin’s minds in order to protect themselves and each other from heartbreak. Maggie and Griffin’s story was adorable, as a reader I fell in love with this heartwarming story.
It took a long time to find out what was actually wrong with Maggie, for the most of the book, all I knew was she gets migraines, her memory isn’t that great and she takes blood thinners. I’m not too familiar with what happened to her, but she used it to stop living her life until she met Griffin.
One of my favorite scenes in the book was when Maggie and Griffin were laying in his bed and she was reading a book. It was such a simple scene but beyond sweet.
March 7, 2015
What If takes you through Maggie and Griffin's journey of finding love when neither of them wants it. They are both rejecting any sort of relationship, due to the complications they each have in their own lives, but when they meet for the first time there's a pull that can't be ignored.
I asked myself several questions while reading this book. One being "Where can I find my own Griffin, who goes to bed shirtless, in flannel bottoms with cute glasses and a book?" And, another being "Can I unread this book just to read it all over again?" What If by AJ Pine is a book that will stay with me forever. For instance, I won't be able to play "UNO" without thinking of Maggie and Griffin. (And I LOVE to play UNO quite often!).
Pine is a brilliant writer that knows how to tug at your heartstrings! Pick up your copy of What If, right now! And, escape into Maggie and Griffin's world where you'll fall in love with the story, the characters, and love itself!
I asked myself several questions while reading this book. One being "Where can I find my own Griffin, who goes to bed shirtless, in flannel bottoms with cute glasses and a book?" And, another being "Can I unread this book just to read it all over again?" What If by AJ Pine is a book that will stay with me forever. For instance, I won't be able to play "UNO" without thinking of Maggie and Griffin. (And I LOVE to play UNO quite often!).
Pine is a brilliant writer that knows how to tug at your heartstrings! Pick up your copy of What If, right now! And, escape into Maggie and Griffin's world where you'll fall in love with the story, the characters, and love itself!
December 10, 2014
4.5 stars
LOVED What If!
What If ticked all the boxes for me, loved Maggie and Griffin (even the supporting characters) loved the storyline and loved the writing.
A.J. Pine has written a heartwarming love story that will make you laugh, swoon and shed a tear or two.
I was left with a heart full of so many feels, loved What If and highly recommend it.
Thank you Entangled Embrace for the advance copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
LOVED What If!
What If ticked all the boxes for me, loved Maggie and Griffin (even the supporting characters) loved the storyline and loved the writing.
A.J. Pine has written a heartwarming love story that will make you laugh, swoon and shed a tear or two.
I was left with a heart full of so many feels, loved What If and highly recommend it.
Thank you Entangled Embrace for the advance copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
December 17, 2014
**4.5 stars** Wonderful read! I really enjoyed the first book in this series "If Only", but I loved "What if". I was so looking forward to Griffin's story and it was all that I could hope for. I loved the story, the journey of Griffin and Maggie's relationship, all of it. I even shed a few tears at the end. I'm definitely a fan of A.J.'s writing and look forward to reading her future books. *This can be read as a stand-alone, but the first book was great too*
December 2, 2014
Gah. I loved loved loved this book. I love Griffin and his sisters (and not just because the coolest one shares my name!) and I love how intensely Maggie is trying to make herself whole again.
I love their banter and I love their weaknesses and I love the way they're both terrified and both committed.
This book has all the feels and all the sexy times.
I love their banter and I love their weaknesses and I love the way they're both terrified and both committed.
This book has all the feels and all the sexy times.
December 9, 2014
**Recieved an ARC copy from NetGalley for honest Review**
Wow, this is the 1st book that I read from this Author and I have to say, I LOVED it. (It does have a book before this one, If Only - which I totally just bought - but this can be read as a Stand Alone).
What If?? Two little words, 6 letters, but can have so many emotions attached; longing, regret, wonder, sorrow, sadness. I think everyone always has those What If's and do we decide to dwell on What If, or move forward from those 6 little letters and accept what life has to offer now, in the present.
"Sometimes it takes letting go of the past to find out who you want to be"
This story is a beautiful tale of two 'broken' people that must find a way to over come their What If's if they want to be truly happy! It gave me butterflies! By the end of this story, you will totally fall in love with Griffin just like I did...of course you fall for him a little at a time through the whole dang book.
Maggie struggles with short term memory loss due to an Aneurysm, she has sticky notes all around her apartment and work to help her keep track of things that she needs to be reminded of and a blaring alarm on her phone to remind her to take her meds. Its been 2 years and she still needs daily reminders of the little things. She carries a poloroid camera with her everywhere she goes and snaps pictures and captions them for reminders.
Griffin is a self distructing prick, getting into a bar fight, and has different girls coming home with him all the time. He is trying to forget the one girl he decided to fall for 2 years ago, because she didn't choose him. He has pressure from his Father to follow in his footsteps and eventually take over the family business, but he is not sure if that is for him.
A chance meeting between strangers suddenly becomes more than either of them can ever imagine. Both, broken and afraid to fall for the other, they decide to 'not' date and when time comes to seperate, they do with no hard feelings towards each other. But, can they really do that? What If they fall for each other?
--His wide-eyed expression made me think he'd sit there in the driver's seat, stunned or too nervous to join me as I hopped out my door, wanderred around the block, and into the alley. But here he is, next to me. It's been his M.O. all night - being there. It's what I asked him to do, andhim saying yes, that made me kiss him, that taught me Idon't want to stop kissing him, even though I should. I have a hard enough time keeping drink orders straight. Someone like Griffin is a disruption to my routine, and routine gets me through the day.
--"You don't have to be anything you don't want to be," I say, stepping toward him and grabbing a clean washcloth from a shelf next to the counter. Isn't that what I've been doing for two years? Fighting to get my life back, to not be helpless and dependent. Maybe that's what connects us, not wanting to be defined as others see us. In one day, this stranger hasn't once seen me as lacking. And despite all the signs that point to him being every bit of trouble he believes he is, that's not who I see. I see someone lost, like me.
And Maggie is so right, Griffin is just someone who was lost like her, but luckily she found him and he found her. This story is truly beautiful and I'm not sure my review did it justice.
Wow, this is the 1st book that I read from this Author and I have to say, I LOVED it. (It does have a book before this one, If Only - which I totally just bought - but this can be read as a Stand Alone).
What If?? Two little words, 6 letters, but can have so many emotions attached; longing, regret, wonder, sorrow, sadness. I think everyone always has those What If's and do we decide to dwell on What If, or move forward from those 6 little letters and accept what life has to offer now, in the present.
"Sometimes it takes letting go of the past to find out who you want to be"
This story is a beautiful tale of two 'broken' people that must find a way to over come their What If's if they want to be truly happy! It gave me butterflies! By the end of this story, you will totally fall in love with Griffin just like I did...of course you fall for him a little at a time through the whole dang book.
Maggie struggles with short term memory loss due to an Aneurysm, she has sticky notes all around her apartment and work to help her keep track of things that she needs to be reminded of and a blaring alarm on her phone to remind her to take her meds. Its been 2 years and she still needs daily reminders of the little things. She carries a poloroid camera with her everywhere she goes and snaps pictures and captions them for reminders.
Griffin is a self distructing prick, getting into a bar fight, and has different girls coming home with him all the time. He is trying to forget the one girl he decided to fall for 2 years ago, because she didn't choose him. He has pressure from his Father to follow in his footsteps and eventually take over the family business, but he is not sure if that is for him.
A chance meeting between strangers suddenly becomes more than either of them can ever imagine. Both, broken and afraid to fall for the other, they decide to 'not' date and when time comes to seperate, they do with no hard feelings towards each other. But, can they really do that? What If they fall for each other?
--His wide-eyed expression made me think he'd sit there in the driver's seat, stunned or too nervous to join me as I hopped out my door, wanderred around the block, and into the alley. But here he is, next to me. It's been his M.O. all night - being there. It's what I asked him to do, andhim saying yes, that made me kiss him, that taught me Idon't want to stop kissing him, even though I should. I have a hard enough time keeping drink orders straight. Someone like Griffin is a disruption to my routine, and routine gets me through the day.
--"You don't have to be anything you don't want to be," I say, stepping toward him and grabbing a clean washcloth from a shelf next to the counter. Isn't that what I've been doing for two years? Fighting to get my life back, to not be helpless and dependent. Maybe that's what connects us, not wanting to be defined as others see us. In one day, this stranger hasn't once seen me as lacking. And despite all the signs that point to him being every bit of trouble he believes he is, that's not who I see. I see someone lost, like me.
And Maggie is so right, Griffin is just someone who was lost like her, but luckily she found him and he found her. This story is truly beautiful and I'm not sure my review did it justice.
December 4, 2014
First I have to say that I started this book without reading the first part , so I can honestly say that it's totally a standalone book , you don't need the first book to like this one.
secondly I must say that even tho it started kind of slow for me at first , it pick up after a few pages and I got really in to it.
I have never read anything from A.J.Pine before, but I most certainly will because, I really like her writing style, it flows nice and smoothly, the characters are endearing and relatable, and the story was entertaining , so much so that I read this one in one sitting.
Maggie is a Young woman who had a life changing event in her life, she survive some sort of medical condition( it's not fully explained until later on) wich left her with a frail mind and scared.she has the help of her friends , and her sticky notes to help her remember the thing she may forget about her every day life , but her life will never be like it was before and she knows it .
Griffin is at college , living in his home again after studying abroad and returning home heart-broken a few years earlier.He hasn't recover fully from that heart-break, and it's pretty much lost , not really shure what to do with his life. He's been fighting, drinking and living day-to-day , trying to stick to his parents plan for him , because he must step in to his father shoes and take on his company, whether he likes it or not.
Both of them are very much trying to stay focus on their task, but after they meet when he pick her up after she loses her bus , everything changes , because Griffin is intrigued about this beautiful Girl, there's something about her that he can´t forget.
They start to meet and decide to have a no string kind of relationship , but early on they both realize that it's fast becoming something more , and they are both scared to get deeper and reveal their secrets , especially Maggie who feels that she will be a burden to heavy to carry.
...So I can't say much more about the plot without spoiling it , I just have to say that the story was lovely , and sweet , at some point I did wanted to slap one or the other , but eventually I calmed down.
I really liked Griffin, he was a very dreamy guy , wich is why I'm torn about reading the first book, I don't know if I want to read a story where he's rejected, and Noah felt kind of Blah! in the few moment we see him in this book ... so I guess I'll figure that out eventually.
There is a fair amount of steam in this book , not so descriptive but it complements the pace of the book, and is very nicely developed.
I really likes Miles!!! Maggi's friend , he was great, super supporting and very fun to read.
all in all I really liked the book , it was a fun, sweet ,very entertaining story , and I will definitely read more from this author.
*I received an ARC copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
secondly I must say that even tho it started kind of slow for me at first , it pick up after a few pages and I got really in to it.
I have never read anything from A.J.Pine before, but I most certainly will because, I really like her writing style, it flows nice and smoothly, the characters are endearing and relatable, and the story was entertaining , so much so that I read this one in one sitting.
Maggie is a Young woman who had a life changing event in her life, she survive some sort of medical condition( it's not fully explained until later on) wich left her with a frail mind and scared.she has the help of her friends , and her sticky notes to help her remember the thing she may forget about her every day life , but her life will never be like it was before and she knows it .
Griffin is at college , living in his home again after studying abroad and returning home heart-broken a few years earlier.He hasn't recover fully from that heart-break, and it's pretty much lost , not really shure what to do with his life. He's been fighting, drinking and living day-to-day , trying to stick to his parents plan for him , because he must step in to his father shoes and take on his company, whether he likes it or not.
Both of them are very much trying to stay focus on their task, but after they meet when he pick her up after she loses her bus , everything changes , because Griffin is intrigued about this beautiful Girl, there's something about her that he can´t forget.
They start to meet and decide to have a no string kind of relationship , but early on they both realize that it's fast becoming something more , and they are both scared to get deeper and reveal their secrets , especially Maggie who feels that she will be a burden to heavy to carry.
...So I can't say much more about the plot without spoiling it , I just have to say that the story was lovely , and sweet , at some point I did wanted to slap one or the other , but eventually I calmed down.
I really liked Griffin, he was a very dreamy guy , wich is why I'm torn about reading the first book, I don't know if I want to read a story where he's rejected, and Noah felt kind of Blah! in the few moment we see him in this book ... so I guess I'll figure that out eventually.
There is a fair amount of steam in this book , not so descriptive but it complements the pace of the book, and is very nicely developed.
I really likes Miles!!! Maggi's friend , he was great, super supporting and very fun to read.
all in all I really liked the book , it was a fun, sweet ,very entertaining story , and I will definitely read more from this author.
*I received an ARC copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
December 11, 2014
****Review can also be found at Jackie's Book World**** :)
What If is A.J. Pine's second book in the If Only Series, If Only been the first book which I did not read prior to reading this book. Now, What If can be read as a stand-alone, the author does a good job explaining what happened in the first book that I see no need to read it unless you actually want to know more of Griffin's past.
After spending some time abroad, Griffin Reed has come back home ready to move on with his life. Having learned a few lessons on love, he knows that he is not ready to give his heart to anyone anytime soon. But that soon changes when an unexpected encounter makes him question whether giving his heart to Maggie might just be what he needs in order to move on.
Maggie Kendall has lived her life with a condition that requires her to depend on her closets friends, and on her trusted sticky notes, photos, and medication to get by. It is important to her to take pictures of just about anything in order to remember people and/or events. Now the last thing that she wants is a distraction, and not just any distraction, she can't afford to have a romantic relationship with anyone, afraid of disappointing the other person. Take a turn of events and she meets the one person she can't seem to forget or get enough of. She does everything to establish a safe distance between her and Griffin, but destiny has other plans and he keeps coming back to her.
Afraid of not taking a risk, she decides to give him a chance, and that's when their relationship takes off. As the two start to learn more about each other, she learn about Griffin's past love and of his family. When she learns that Griffin might not be strong enough to adjust to her condition, she turns her back on him, but Griffin is determined to win her back no matter what, and to do that he is going to have to make decisions that might just change his future for good.
What I enjoyed about the book is how complex the characters are, they both have their own pasts that they want to move away from, and the author does a good job exploring that. It was beautifully written, and realistic enough that it made it enjoyable to read. Now I do wish there was more development towards the end, it felt a bit rushed. The characters have an instant chemistry that was carried throughout the book, that worked really well. Overall, I would definitely recommend anyone to read the book, even though I didn't read the “first” book, it would be fine to read What Ifas a stand-alone novel.
*ARC provided by Entangled Publishing in return for an honest review*
What If is A.J. Pine's second book in the If Only Series, If Only been the first book which I did not read prior to reading this book. Now, What If can be read as a stand-alone, the author does a good job explaining what happened in the first book that I see no need to read it unless you actually want to know more of Griffin's past.
After spending some time abroad, Griffin Reed has come back home ready to move on with his life. Having learned a few lessons on love, he knows that he is not ready to give his heart to anyone anytime soon. But that soon changes when an unexpected encounter makes him question whether giving his heart to Maggie might just be what he needs in order to move on.
Maggie Kendall has lived her life with a condition that requires her to depend on her closets friends, and on her trusted sticky notes, photos, and medication to get by. It is important to her to take pictures of just about anything in order to remember people and/or events. Now the last thing that she wants is a distraction, and not just any distraction, she can't afford to have a romantic relationship with anyone, afraid of disappointing the other person. Take a turn of events and she meets the one person she can't seem to forget or get enough of. She does everything to establish a safe distance between her and Griffin, but destiny has other plans and he keeps coming back to her.
Afraid of not taking a risk, she decides to give him a chance, and that's when their relationship takes off. As the two start to learn more about each other, she learn about Griffin's past love and of his family. When she learns that Griffin might not be strong enough to adjust to her condition, she turns her back on him, but Griffin is determined to win her back no matter what, and to do that he is going to have to make decisions that might just change his future for good.
What I enjoyed about the book is how complex the characters are, they both have their own pasts that they want to move away from, and the author does a good job exploring that. It was beautifully written, and realistic enough that it made it enjoyable to read. Now I do wish there was more development towards the end, it felt a bit rushed. The characters have an instant chemistry that was carried throughout the book, that worked really well. Overall, I would definitely recommend anyone to read the book, even though I didn't read the “first” book, it would be fine to read What Ifas a stand-alone novel.
*ARC provided by Entangled Publishing in return for an honest review*
February 8, 2015
I have been very fortunate lately in reading some fabulous books, but What If has to be one of the best romances I have EVER read! Yes, I said EVER! It was raw, real, and utterly breathtakingly beautiful! My emotions were all over the map…anger, awe, tears, and yes, finally happiness!!!
“What if someone like her could have fallen for someone like me? How different would I be now? Would Maggie trust me enough to let me all the way past her walls? What I let her past mine?” ~Griffin~
What If is the second book in the If Only….series, and we finally get Griffin’s story. It is literally fate that brings Maggie into Griffin’s life. After their first meeting, they can’t seem to forget one another which is miraculous for Maggie. You see, she suffered a brain aneurysm which has greatly affected her memory. However, Griffin doesn’t pick up on this. He has issues of his own. As they embark on a “non-dating” (yeah right) relationship, the boundaries they have set up begin to blur. They have to let go of their issues and trust one another, but that is easier said than done.
What If hit closely to home for me. My father-in-law, one of the most precious men in my life, suffered a brain aneurysm and survived. Pine clearly did her research and did it well. She very accurately portrayed the issues that survivors have to endure. Memories are precious things, and Maggie has to work extremely hard to remember hers. Even though there were times I wanted to slap her to clearly see Griffin and his change, she was an inspiration. I know how difficult the recovery period is for someone who has suffered a traumatic brain injury, but I never thought how much it would impact such a young person who has her whole life ahead of her. As she would struggle with her self-esteem, she failed to see how much she helped Griffin grow into the person he was meant to be. And, Griffin brought laughter and light into her life. They truly complemented each other; I don’t think I will ever forget Maggie and Griffin. I hope that people who know someone who has suffered such a tragic thing will find beauty and hope in this novel. Truly outstanding read!!!!!
***Read and Reviewed for Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews***
“What if someone like her could have fallen for someone like me? How different would I be now? Would Maggie trust me enough to let me all the way past her walls? What I let her past mine?” ~Griffin~
What If is the second book in the If Only….series, and we finally get Griffin’s story. It is literally fate that brings Maggie into Griffin’s life. After their first meeting, they can’t seem to forget one another which is miraculous for Maggie. You see, she suffered a brain aneurysm which has greatly affected her memory. However, Griffin doesn’t pick up on this. He has issues of his own. As they embark on a “non-dating” (yeah right) relationship, the boundaries they have set up begin to blur. They have to let go of their issues and trust one another, but that is easier said than done.
What If hit closely to home for me. My father-in-law, one of the most precious men in my life, suffered a brain aneurysm and survived. Pine clearly did her research and did it well. She very accurately portrayed the issues that survivors have to endure. Memories are precious things, and Maggie has to work extremely hard to remember hers. Even though there were times I wanted to slap her to clearly see Griffin and his change, she was an inspiration. I know how difficult the recovery period is for someone who has suffered a traumatic brain injury, but I never thought how much it would impact such a young person who has her whole life ahead of her. As she would struggle with her self-esteem, she failed to see how much she helped Griffin grow into the person he was meant to be. And, Griffin brought laughter and light into her life. They truly complemented each other; I don’t think I will ever forget Maggie and Griffin. I hope that people who know someone who has suffered such a tragic thing will find beauty and hope in this novel. Truly outstanding read!!!!!
***Read and Reviewed for Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews***
Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews