Life with Jesse Daniels

Jessie Daniels #1

by Chrissy Favreau

CONTENT This YA Contemporary Romance is recommended for ages 16+ due to non-graphic sexual content and some strong language. - Anna can’t believe her life is such a mess. She’s dating Derek, but she’s in love with his brother—and her best friend—Jesse Daniels. To make matters worse, Anna’s dad is about to make them her stepbrothers! Now she’s graduating high school, but instead of thoughts centered on her future with Derek, all she can think about is Jesse Daniels. When had he slipped past her defenses, with his blond hair and soulful eyes…and that grin that makes her knees wobble? When had her crush become full-blown desire? Everywhere she turns, Anna’s confronted with her love for the Daniels’ boys, and she knows she can only choose one. Even her twin, Tiffany, is gaga over Jesse’s cousin, Greg—a bad boy with a mean streak! Anna is torn and doesn’t know what to do. She doesn’t want to hurt either of them, but she can’t stay away from Derek any more than she can stay away from Jesse. Derek and Jesse are egged on by Greg, and it’s only a matter of time before they come to blows over Anna. As the summer heats up, so do emotions. At a beach party one night, Greg—as always—fuels the emotional fires to a raging blaze and the unthinkable happens. No one, not even Anna, could have imagined the unspeakable tragedy that awaited them, or the bittersweet aftermath that could be the balm to heal their hurting souls.LIFE WITH JESSE DANIELS is a poignant exposé of young love that is sure to become a keeper with everyone who reads it!

Genres: Young Adult, Romance

301 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2014

Reviews

[Liz Vinc · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a love story set during high school, then you'll enjoy “Life with Jesse Daniels.” The story follows Anna Devlin who is dating the handsome Derek Daniels despite being in love with Derek’s brother, Jesse. The novel is set during a chaotic couple of months at the end of the school year/summer. Somehow, between prom and the parties, Anna must make major decisions about her future. When tragedy strikes, Anna’s world is completely turned upside down. At its heart, I’d say this is a coming-of-age love story. The reader reads about Anna facing difficult decisions during an extremely emotional part of her life. The plot is unpredictable, making for an interesting engaging story. One of the highlights of the book is the strong cast of characters. Fanslau develops them thoroughly, and I felt invested in them as I read about their triumphs, shortcomings, and growth.

[Chel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This starts off as quite an easy going teen novel, with a cast of fun characters and plenty of plot depth. As the story continues and problems start to develop in young Anna’s life you really start to feel for her and struggle over her decision with he; should she stay with her long-term boyfriend Derek or follow her heart with his brother and her best friend Jesse? This is the kind of book where there is no clear ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answer and you have to think on it a lot.
From the description I was expecting there to be some kind of crisis towards the end which, in such a light hearted teenage world, would eventually be overcome. I was NOT expecting what actually did happen, things quickly get much darker and the plot and lives of the characters’ crash swiftly into reality. As a reader it was a shock and it speaks for Fanslau’s penmanship that I was caught completely unawares and hit so hard by how things turn out. This is not just some ditzy teen drama but a realistic and hard hitting portrayal of real life and the consequences of feelings and mistakes, I highly recommend it to any age reader but especially teenagers and young adults as the book focuses on that age group.

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read my full review here: http://bit.ly/1vokkOl

~Happy reading :)

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the last 3 years Anna and Derek have had the perfect relationship. The future is bright and it seems like nothing can get in the way of their fairy tale ending. Little do they know that the future is darker than they thought.
Anna wakes up one day and realizes she has feelings for her best friend. If that wasn't bad enough, her best friend is also her boyfriend's brother...and they just moved into her house. Now there is no escape from the Daniels boys and Anna is tearing herself to pieces trying to figure out what in the world she is supposed to do now-how does she choose between the two men she loves? She wonders if things could possibly get any worse. Sadly, the answer is yes.
A fight and a stupid decision lead to the worst night of everyone's life. Devastation is everywhere; hearts are broken. But in all of the darkness, there is a light. One that will change things in ways nobody can expect...and lead to healing nobody thought possible.

Chrissy Fanslau...Life With Jesse Daniels...where do I even begin?? I'm staring at the screen trying to figure out how to explain the brilliance of this book and her writing in a way that makes sense (and isn't 12 pages long lol.) I could go on forever about how much I loved this book but I will do my best to restrain myself.
Everything about this book is amazing: the story, the writing, the characters, everything. Fanslau brings it all to life perfectly and makes you a part of the story. From the first page to the last you are taken on an emotional rollercoaster ride but it is so hard to walk away from it; it is hard to put it down (trust me I tried!!)
Fanslau made everything very realistic and believable; especially the characters and their interactions. They are all fully developed with their own personalities. They react in a lot of the exact same ways any of us would in certain situations.
Life With Jesse Daniels is a journey, and it is a journey you take with the characters. You feel, see, and experience everything the characters do as you read and it takes this already amazing book to the next level.
Part of the brilliance of the book and Fanslau's writing is the fact that as soon as you think you know what is going on or what is going to happen she completely changes it up and keeps you on your toes.
I read this book in one day-no matter how hard I tried to put the book down I picked it right back up again, and you will feel the same way. The book grabs you and doesn't let go. Love, loss, betrayal, forgiveness, and more come together to make this a book you will definitely want to read!!

[Megan Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful read, part contemporary romance, part coming-of-age story. The characters are extremely well-written, and come to life off the pages. My favorite character was Anna, the heroine. This book start off very much like a young adult, teen romance where Anna has started to develop feelings for both Jesse and his brother. My jaw literally fell open halfway through the book when it took a decidedly much darker turn. I will admit that halfway through this book I began to wonder about the title, but the ending tied everything up nicely. I like that this book took an almost diary approach with the dates at the top of the chapters. All in all, this was an amazing read that managed to explore a wide spectrum of emotions, and was written in such a way that the reader felt it along with the characters.

[Lauren P Frey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Life with Jessie Daniels

The book was just too simple. Anna never took any responsibly for anything and was too weak. The drama was simplistic and not enough emotions express. It read for a younger immature audience but the content was for young adult. It just needs more feelings and emotions. Being in love is not enough of excuse of why. Everyone written was only in the surface. There was also too much going on.

[Rachel Christiansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was ok. Intriguing at least. That’s didn’t care for Anna the main character. She was too indecisive. Either she wanted Derek or his brother. She finally had no choice but to choose who she wanted. I did not care for the poisoning of the dog, although he lived, it bothered me. It was a good clean book for a teen to read.

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤❤❤❤❤

[Mitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5stars.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. This is the story of Anna, Jesse and Derek Daniels Anna is dating Derek who is Jesse's brother. Jesse is Anna's best friend. Anna's twin sister one day decides she wants to hook up their single father with the daniels' mom since she wants to spend more time with the Daniels' cousin Greg. Anna of course thinks it's a horrible idea but still let's it happen. Their parents eventually move in together but along this way Anna realizes she loved Jesse but feels guilty since she IS with his brother. Anna and Jesse can't stop their feelings for each other and start seeing each other behind Derek's back and even sleep together. Jesse asks Anna to choose between him and his brother but Anna loves them both and can't decide. Everything changes the night they go to a party and get in a car accident in which only Jesse dies. After this part the rest of the book was spent crying on my part since I too had loved Jesse and I wanted him back. All of them try to deal with jesse's death but it's hard since they all blame each other and Anna is dying from the guilt of having cheated on Derek and their relationship slowly deteriorates. Derek one day confesses to Anna that he knows she slept with Jesse since he had told him. Derek then asks Anna if she had loved Jesse which she says yes to. Derek becomes distant and Anna feels lonely now that she doesn't have either brother and has no one to confide in since her best friend died. She texted Jesse's phone number and tells him how she feels lonely now that she doesn't have either brother and she wonders what Derek meant when he said "ok then" after she told him she loved jesse. She's surprised when she receives a reply from Jesse's phone knowing that she buried the phone along with Jesse. When she turns around she realizes it's Derek who had passed Jesse's phone number to another phone. After that Anna and Derek go back to being a couple and start living together. During all their drama they find out that before Jesse had the accident that killed him he had gotten a girl pregnant and Anna sees this as Jesse having made the choice of letting her go so that she could stay with Derek. Anna and Derek's parents decide to adopt Jesse's son who they name after him and every time Anna sees the kid she's reminded of Jesse and how much she misses and loves him. This book made me cry so much and made me feel so much. It's been one of the best books I have read.

[rove · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never been in love/hate with any novel till this. I thought Anna had no backbone. She wanted to ride in two boats at the same time. I don't understand why didn't she came clean with her feelings cause everything was on her plate. She would've saved us and this novel from so much anguish and frustration and she only knew very well was how to cry. Jesse was stupid on other level. I didn't like his final act and I wanted to know his pov so much. That's why I competed this story. I don't find Derek completely honest also. As I thought he had feedings for Zoey (he was blushing so much!). .

[Danita Cahill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected Twists and Turns

A pair of brothers. Twin sisters as different as night and day. One love triangle... All good, but it was the unexpected twists and turns that kept me turning the pages of this compelling young adult novel.

[cathernmcmullin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dogs who see ghosts

I wish he.could have seen his child Very good.romance for.young.people. to see what can happen to them so.quickly. I enjoyed the light readi

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review to come later. I got some thing to say about this one!

[Esther Haddie's Haven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I only have one word to say: WHAT!

[Leanne Crabtree · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't get the storyline. I was 41% in and I was like WTF? She was going out with Derek but wanted Jesse? I gave up.

[deborah hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Excellent story. I absolutely loved it from page one. Laughter, tears, strong friendship and family bonds. So well written. Highly highly recommend