Never Stop Falling

by Ashley Drew

She didn't expect to fall for her best friend.
He was always waiting to catch her.

Corinne Bennett lives in the moment. Whether she's skydiving out of an airplane, or setting off on the road to anywhere, she's ready to dive into the next adventure. That is, if best friend and always-by-the-book Nicholas Kelley doesn't put his foot down on her wild stunts first.

When Corinne gives in to her growing feelings for Nicholas the summer before their freshman year of college, she takes the ultimate risk, making this one adventure he has longed to explore with her.

But the moment they take that irrevocable leap, a shocking revelation blindsides Corinne, exposing her vulnerabilities, baring her fears, and shattering her beliefs about love. With their future—and most importantly, their friendship—now clouded in doubt, she must decide if love is really worth the risk.

Because when it comes to love, you never stop falling.

Genres: Friends To Lovers, New Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Young Adult, Second Chance, Contemporary Romance

352 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2016

About the author

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay, Ashley Drew is back in the hometown she loves after living in Los Angeles for the past eight years. When she’s not going cross-eyed after writing for five hours straight, or burying her nose in a book, you’ll find her sprawled on her couch watching General Hospital, having alien conspiracy discussions with her husband over a bottle of bubbly, and dancing to Taylor Swift’s 1989 album with her daughter.

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

"... the ugly side is unavoidable. Someone will get hurt. Ain't nothing you can do about it. But I'll tell ya, once you're out of the ugly stuff, it's so damn beautiful."

This book is deadly... Okay, maybe not deadly but it did give me a nasty burn and made me lose a piece of my hair... But I'll get to that in a few.

I was sent a copy of Never Stop Falling from Ashley Drew... Every time I get a book for review, no matter if it's a physical copy or an Epub I always do the same thing, I pick it up and read the first few pages. Doesn't matter if I plan on reading it tomorrow or in two months I always read a little bit so I can at least start to feel it out. When I picked up NSF I had the same plan. I would read the first few pages set it down and return to the book I was actually actively reading... Well next thing you know I was on page 20... then 50... then 100... then I was done. I just couldn't seem to stay away from this book. It has been a very long time since I've read a book in one sitting.

NSF follows Cori and Nicholas two people who have been best friends since they were kids. These two were inseparable, spending years getting to know each others ins and outs, but never crossing the romantic line... This is until one night changed everything. Things happen so fast and without saying too much the two end up apart from one another. Cori and Nick are both very similar while remaining so different. Cori was always the spontaneous one looking for a good time while Nick always remained cautious. It is amazing to see these two grow up and become something so different. When Cori was first introduced I thought her whole "I'm wild and crazy-lets jump off stuff-flips hair" attitude was going to get old quick. Trust me when I say that this persona she has up doesn't last long and you'll end up liking her. Nick however was a character I liked from the get go. I didn't care that he was a little more reserved at first, it just made grown up-balls to the wall-confident Nick so much more enjoyable. Getting to see these twos relationship mature as they did made the story so gripping. These two characters have so much going for them when they are together, but it's very rare that couples in NA books also stand on their own well... Cori and Nick didn't have this issue. Drew manages to weave sweet moments with comical relief. Loved everything from the moments where Nick is lightly talking about Cori to Cori getting a little too tipsy on a night out.

The plot of this book is just as great! I love when stories just dive right into things and that's what this novel does. It gets right down to the love dovey goodness and keeps that momentum up throughout. There were two times in this book where things could have gone down a very predictable very mundane path (and that's where I thought they were headed) when pleasantly they didn't. Both times I was surprised by the direction Drew decided to take it. When I got mid book I was so pulled into this story that I couldn't put it down for a second. I ended up downloading it on my phone and decided to take it with me while getting ready... This is where the intro comes into play... I was so deep into reading this that I figured I would just do my hair while reading it... next thing you know I had one of those "is something burning" moments and my hair was all crispy and I was flapping the curling wand around... So worth it though.

Never Stop Falling is an emotional rollercoaster of a ride. It's emotional highs and lows will pull you in and you wont want to stop till you know how it ends. This might be weird to say, but this book feels like an amazing on the go read... a book that you would cherish while chilling in an airport or something you could soak up while sitting in a Starbucks. Just so light, fluffy, and fun. It was like the The Notebook and Remember Me mixed with Before We Were Strangers and Kaleidoscope Hearts.All the heart stop moments you loved from those you'll get presented to you in a new and fresh read.



To be plain and simple this novel stole my heart. A beautiful read that feels so true to life. Between the compelling writing style Drew gives us to the well-developed characters I never really stood a chance. So thankful for the chance to read this.

READ THIS REVIEW AND OTHERS OVER ON OUR BLOG:
SBSR SBSR SBSR
SBSR SBSR SBSR
SBSR SBSR SBSR

[KAS · Rating 5 out of 5]

YAY!! I won an autographed copy of this fabulous book. Robin Hill does a monthly drawing for prizes just for signing up for her newsletter. If you would like to be part of these monthly giveaways, go to www.robinhillwrites.com, click on "fun stuff" and sign up. Thank you Robin and thank you Ashley Drew!!



Well Daggum! I feel like I am a bit late to the party reading this fantastic book, but the saying is so true for those of us who, for whatever reason, waited ............ And. Oh. My. Yes! This was good, very good indeed!!!

As soon as I came to the end of the prologue, I knew this story was going to be unforgettable!

I really enjoy a second chance novel and when it involves friends to lovers and glorious angst, all the better! I wasn't expecting all the twists and turns, so I kept burning the midnight oil to see what was going to happen next and loved every minute of it.

Cori and Nick have been best friends and neighbors since they were infants. She is bold, brash, fearless and unpredictable. He is gentle, adorable, sensible and patient. But their night vs. day personalities complete each other. The summer before college, they start giving into the desires building between them. They can no longer hide nor deny their attraction to each other. The night of July 4th they head to the beach with a group of friends (hilarious friends, I might add) to enjoy the festivities from the balcony of a hotel room. Within minutes of arriving, life as they know it is about to change forever. Relationships that were once easy and familiar will explode like the fireworks display they are watching in the sky.

Unfortunately, LIFE HAPPENS, so plans change, promises are broken, pain is inevitable and loved ones get hurt, hurt to the core! When a jarring secret is exposed that night in the hotel, many lives are affected in a deep and profound way. How the shattered pieces of their hearts are woven back together again is riveting to witness as you turn the pages.

I felt such a deep connection with each character, I wanted to kick stuff and scream right along with them. They made me crazy at times, but were endearing to the very end. And I just didn't want it to end!

I sure hope Ashley is working on her next creation, because I for one won't be late for that release date party!

[Christie«SHBBblogger» · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: Never Stop Falling
Series: Standalone
Author: Ashley Drew
Release date: March 1, 2016
Cliffhanger: No
HEA



In Ashley Drew's debut novel, Never Stop Falling, she manages to address many different themes in the romance genre. Fans of friends to lovers, coming of age, forbidden love and tempestuous second chance love stories will find something to relish here. It's a story of a boy and girl-best friends. They journey through an awakening of passionate young love, facing trials and hardships that their fragile bond can't withstand. Life moves on, and people change, but their feelings for one another are deep-seated and unwilling to dim. No matter the impossibility of their circumstances when they meet again.

"Yesterday makes me weak and vulnerable, and I can't let that get to me. I'm Corinne Bennett-confident, fearless, and certainly not vulnerable. Or at least, that's what I keep telling myself."

As an eighteen-year-old, Corinne is a young woman who's headstrong and daring. She's impulsive and adventurous. And she's also blind to the fact the boy she's shared countless memories with growing up has deeper and more mature feelings for her. You experience the first rush of stepping past that line of friendship when they start to explore their feelings. They were young and naive and sure that the risk was worth the reward.

If this is how addiction starts, then I'm fucking screwed because I want to keep drinking her until I can't see straight.

Until Corinne's whole foundation is devastated, and everything she ever believed in didn't make sense anymore. She makes a shocking discovery, something that she can never come back from. It alters the course of their lives and sets them on separate paths. It isn't until six years later, that she returns home and faces her hometown that she ran from those years ago. It's painful and uncomfortable, even more so when she walks into Nick's bar and faces the man who she could never forget.



This is where the forbidden love part comes in.
They are both engaged to other people when they reconnect. And if you're worried about possible cheating, it falls in a murky area. For me personally, I did feel there was some emotional cheating as well as physical to a small degree. Because they did cross lines with each other they never should have. It didn't go all the way, but I would have been happier if they had cut all ties with their fiancés before they let it get that far. Some people won't have as much of a problem with it, though.

I did appreciate Corinne's evolution. She went from that stubborn girl who made rash choices, to a woman who was able to seek the true longing of her heart. Her forgiveness that she resisted for so long allowed her to find true happiness. At times, her choices frustrated me, but then again, they were consistent with her character and something that made her all the more real and human. I found the characters to be believable and well developed, especially for a newbie author.

So why not a higher rating? A 3.5 is a perfectly respectful rating, falling somewhere between liked it/really liked it. However, I found it hard to stay completely invested in the characters as much as I would have liked. While I did enjoy them, there wasn't anything that I could completely identify with and it made it more difficult for me to wholeheartedly love the story.

As a debut story, I'm really impressed with this author's natural ability and I will most definitely be watching out for future offerings from her.



FOLLOW SMOKIN HOT BOOK BLOG ON:

[NMmomof4 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

Overall Opinion: This is a tough one for me to rate tbh. Initially after reading it I was thinking a 3.5-4 star rating, but I've learned to always leave my actual rating for after I write my review to properly gage how I feel about it. I had too many issues for me to justify more than a 3 star rating. My biggest issues were with the h pushing away, with the huge time jump that we only get vague mentions about what they did in the time apart, with the lack of fall-out from their actions, with the fact that we don't get hardly any time with them as an actual couple, and with the lack of good closure and a HEA. Otherwise I did enjoy it, as I do love me a second-chance romance ;)

Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Corinne and Nicholas's story. They've known each other and been best friends their whole lives, but the summer before college they take the plunge and change their relationship from friendship to something more. Something traumatic happens to Corinne which causes them to separate. ~5 years later, they are reunited but both are engaged to other people. There is some past baggage that they have to work through, some sweet and sad times...but they do get a HFN ending.

POV: This alternated between Corinne and Nicholas's POV.

Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well (see closure section).

Instalove: No, they've known each their since they were children.

H rating: 4 stars. Nicholas. I liked him. I wanted better for him at times though.

h rating: 2.5 stars. Corinne. She was ok, but the level of her denial/pushing away became too much for me.

Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed

Push/Pull: Yes The h pushes away a good bit. They both pursue the relationship at times.

Heat level: Low. They make out a few times, but that is as far as it goes.

Descriptive sex: No

Safe sex: N/A

OW/OM drama: Yes Both are engaged to other people when reunited, and this causes a good bit of drama.

Sex scene with OW or OM: No

Cheating: Yes Both the h and H are engaged to other people when they are reunited. I would call it emotional cheating, and they do make-out as well.

Separation: Yes They are separated for ~5 years, both of them had at least one other partner during this time.

Possible Triggers: Yes Both h and H are engaged to other people when they are reunited.

Closure: This doesn't have nearly enough closure for me. One of my biggest pet peeves with second-chance romances is when we have all this time devoted to their past and their struggles in getting back together, but then no time with them as a couple! That happens here, and it definitely bugged me. I would call it a HFN ending because we have no concrete commitment for the couple at the end.

How I got it: I snagged it when it was free on Amazon.

Safety: This one should with be Safe with exception or Not Safe for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences.

- Does have cheating
- Does Not have a descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
- Does have the h pushing the H away
- Does have a ~5 year separation between the h and H
- Does Not have abuse
- Does Not have OTT sad parts
- Does Not have a HEA ending

[Robin Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

💙💙💙 99¢ SUPER SALE! 💙💙💙

*****************

5.5 stars.

This is the line that got me hooked:

“I gasp. My ears shut out all the panic around me so that I hear nothing else. And then my gasp is followed by my heavy breaths. And my breathing is silenced by my pounding heart. And then everything falls silent. Except for his words. They echo in my head, the last words I might’ve heard him say.”

Yeah. Like I’m going to put the book down after that. Needless to say, it was a long night.

Never Stop Falling is a coming of age, friends to lovers romance with everything I want in a book, but there is so much more to it than that.

The drama is intense (which is why I was immediately sucked in), and I didn’t just read what was happening to the characters, I experienced it right along with them.

“As whispers of chaos circulate through the cabin, passengers grow frantic, holding onto their seat belts with white knuckles. Many are trying to remain still—eyes closed, faces frozen as if sitting for a macabre portrait. Someone behind me begins to cry. Fear rolls over each row of the plane until it finally swallows me.”

If that scene alone wasn’t enough to drag my stomach through my throat, the uncomfortable relationship drama was sure to. The relationships get messy–all of them. Boy meets girl / boy falls in love with girl / boy and girl live happily ever after—this book is not. It’s about making bad decisions and living with consequences; wanting to change the past and dreaming of different a future.

“All she has to do is say it, that she doesn’t want anyone else to have me because she wants me. All of me. Forever. And I’m hers. My forehead grazes hers, our noses barely touching, our parted lips only an inch away from unlocking the past and changing the future.”

The heartbreaking part is that the two people at the center of it all (Nick & Cori) aren’t the only two people involved. The decisions they make negatively affect (almost) all of the people in their lives.

Which brings me to my next point. The characters are real. Their actions/reactions aren’t romanticized. I found myself wanting to slap a few of them for not doing what I want them to do or saying what I want them to say. They didn’t take my feelings into consideration at all! Of course, if they did, I probably wouldn’t have spent most of the night in tears and most of the morning downing an excessive amount of coffee to make up for my lack of sleep.

I read many books where the secondary characters feel like an afterthought. This was not the case here. All of the characters are thought out and well written. Even down to the tiniest of roles (I’m talking to you, Norman. Ugh. And now I’m emotional again). But Nick is the one who shines. He is unlike any leading man I’ve read. First of all, he’s selfless. He’s selfless throughout—with everyone in his life, but mostly with Cori, putting his own feelings aside to be the friend she needs. And when what she needs is space, he gives it to her no questions asked.

“I’d hate it if she left, but would understand. If she needs time to process everything, I’ll give her the space she needs. I’ll give it to her because I love her. More than anything. More than anyone.”

No, Nick! No more space! Stop it! Has history taught you nothing? *slap*

But, I digress.

Nick’s also compassionate. When the people around him do the worst possible things, he has a way of digging through all the crap, finding the human hiding beneath, and refrains from judgment. He understands that just because a person can royally screw up, that act doesn’t define them. He recognizes the pain they feel just as much as the pain they’ve caused. Where I’d be spiteful and judgmental, he’s kind and sympathetic. And it’s super hot.

So, obviously he’s not your typical alpha-male book hunk. He’s the guy your parents would want you to marry, the guy you’d want your daughter to meet. Having known him his whole life, even Cori’s parents are fully supportive. He’s there for his friends, he’s there for his family, and he’s absolutely there for Cori. He’s exactly the kind of guy I want to say “Awwww…” to, while petting his head. Right before I devour him. No question, he’s my new book boyfriend.

And Cori? Cori is flawed. She makes bad decisions *slap,* she puts up walls *slap, slap,* and she’s stubborn and annoying and totally relatable. SHE is real. She makes her bed and she lies in it. I finally had to quit mind-slapping her because every stupid thing she does is something I’ve probably done myself. But throughout the book, she grows up. She tries to do the right thing. She makes amends. And her journey is pretty fun to follow because she’s freaking hilarious! Even when I was crying, I was laughing. Case in point:

“Whoever coined the term hangover was a genius because that word couldn’t be more on point, considering I pretty much spent the entire night hanging over the porcelain throne. On the other hand, whoever came up with porcelain throne should reconsider it…”

Let’s just say she had a hangover for a reason.

BUT, the BEST part, the thing that really made this book stay with me is…

I can’t tell you, but you’ll know it when you read it! What I can say is that Never Stop Falling is full of surprises that will grab hold of you and pull you along for the ride until the very last page…and then some.

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to author Ashley Drew.)

“As a small voice in my head scolds me unabashedly, shouting into my ear that this is beyond wrong.
If so, then why does it feel so right?”

This started off quite well, but I found the pace lagged a bit in the middle.

I liked both Nick and Cori, and I thought they made a really cute couple. I really liked the way they seemed to click, and I thought the chemistry between them was really good.

The storyline in this started out pretty good, and again, I loved the chemistry. When they were separated though the pace really dragged, and I lost interest a bit.

Thankfully the book did pick up again towards the end though, and the love triangle was agonising! I really could not decide what should happen for the best and I was so torn!



6.5 out of 10

[Melody Kimmons-Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Longest Sigh Ever!

This book was everything. It was a VERY pleasant surprise. I'm officially obsessed with it. It was so good, just everything I look for in a good romance. The story, although a common theme, was uniquely done. The characters were perfection. I'm in love with this book. It was engaging from start to finish and I kind of love that we didn't get Cori and Nick's story from the beginning. We chimed in right at the juicy part, which made for a thrilling ride!

This book was about childhood best friends who's friendship turned into so much more. It was about that awkward transition from friends to...whatever they were to each other. Loved both Cori and Nick right away and quickly lost the love for Cori: temporarily (it was hard not to like her).

With Cori we have another super emotional female lead—although she's not nearly as bad as some I've read in the past—she still was a mess. Going into emotional fits and ruining things because her plan was derailed..this is typical in Romance. It's the stubbornness of Cori, however, not wanting to admit she's flawed and made a mistake, that had my panties in a twist.

Nick, I loved constantly throughout the story. His character was consistent, dependable, moral; heart wrenchingly vulnerable. He was what carried the story for me, the reason I continued to read when I was pissed. He was the character who's ending I had to know.  Perfection! I sound like his cheerleader, lol.

I loved the chemistry between the two of them. They were "them" together and it just worked. It was easy, the most natural coexistence. Friends who could easily be lovers. They understood each other. One without the other felt...wrong...off. It's like a car with no gas, a lamp with no bulb, or a bed without pillows...it didn't make sense. Absolutely loved them together!!!!

Cori
"I want to feel every single way he affects me. The way my heart leaps out of my chest and makes a dash for him the moment his eyes meet mine. The way my insides flutter when his mouth curls into that irresistible smile of his. The way every bone in my body seems to liquefy the second he pulls me against him. His scent, his touch, the burn of his gaze, the warmth of his lips—all manifesting into one heavenly addiction, and the sight of him intoxicating me."

Nick
 “I love you, Corinne Bennett. I am so desperately in love with you. I’ve always known it. In every photo we took, every embrace, every laugh, every smile—I loved you. In all your stubborn ways and crazy stunts, I loved you. I loved you long before I knew what it felt like to feel your lips on mine, and I loved you even more after I did. I’ve loved you every day you’ve been gone. Even as my heart breaks for you this very second, I love you. I will never stop loving you. So tell me, Cori, how can I hate you when I’ve done nothing but love you?”

The pacing was angstastic! Nothing felt rushed or unrealistic. There was a leap in time and you didn't exactly know what to expect.
I enjoyed the progression of their relationship, unspoken words and missed opportunities.

The surprise with Cori's dad was a good twist but that's when her character changed into someone I didn't like very much.
Her decisions after that pissed me off for a while. She was closed off and cold after that and made some very spontaneous decisions that, quite frankly, messed up her own chance to be happy.

This book was thrilling, I was hanging on to every word. I didn't want it to end but I also couldn't wait to see what happened. I was a ball of emotions. I was very pleased with the outcome—it was fitting with everything that had happened up to that point. This book has made its way to my highly recommended list. Love, love, loved it! Grab your copy ASAP. #fabulous



 

[Ashley Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duh! I wrote it!

[Robyn Courtney Brodrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

If you are looking for a fresh take on the New Adult Romance novel, read this book. I was honored to be one of the first to read this novel and am looking forward to reading more of Ashley's work.

Full review will come closer to release date.

[diann bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where to begin?! This story starts in an unnerving place. Then it goes back in time to start the story of Cori and Nick! Friends for 18 yrs. Cori’s Dad mentioned the way Nick looks at her. Cori never thought of Nick that way, but once she does. The ball starts rolling and then this story gives you all the emotions! Just when you think you have been gutted enough. The story continues! I will have to say that I’m happy to have read this story and experience all the good and bad feelings while reading it. Kudos to Ashley Drew for this Outstanding story of young love and broken hearts. Everyone needs to read this! Thank You to my dear friend for this book❤️ I will treasure this story always!
Also! If I could add another star! I would!!!

[Three Chicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review by Trinette Dungee

Corrine Bennett has always been adventurous, willing to try anything. Her best friend Nicholas is always there to rein her in and bring her back down to earth. Nicholas has always been a constant in her life and they’ve never been anything but the best of friends until they both start to look at each other as more than just a buddy. Crossing the line could mean the best thing in the world or the worst thing and the end of a perfect friendship.

Corrine has always seen Nicholas as her best friend. They’ve know each other since birth. Their parents bathed them together, they had sleepovers together…they did everything together. But one day of hanging out on the beach changes all of that; Corrine starts to notice Nick as more than just her buddy, he’s a man; a real flesh and blood man, a gorgeous flesh and blood man. After a mind blowing kiss it’s evident to Corrine and Nicholas that they have feelings for each other but before they can move their relationship forward Corrine is delivered a shocking blow from her father that has her running from everything and everyone she’s ever known and loved, including Nicholas. Although she promises to return, it is six years before Nick ever lays eyes on Corrine again. Aside from a few emails and messages it’s just as long before he hears from her again as well. When she does return she’s engaged and finds that her attraction or love for Nicholas hasn’t died.

The story starts off present day with Corinne on a flight to see Nicholas who she has now admitted that she loves and wants to spend the rest of her life with; while in mid-flight there is trouble with the plane and Corinne begins to wonder if she will even make it to Nicholas. At this point we are transported back in time to the events leading up to that moment. With that we kind of know that they will end up together (barring a tragic plane crash), what we get with the rest of the story is the in between and it’s told from both POVs; Corrine and Nicholas.

I don’t know what it is, but this is about the fourth consecutive book I’ve read where I really didn’t care too much for the female character. I’m going to give it to Corrine that the information she received was devastating but she just took it to a whole other level. In a word Corrine was a BRAT (at one point she even admits this). I had a really hard time liking her and when I did start to like her, she does something that once again makes me want to choke her. At one point I kind of told myself that I was going to her a break because she was young. But she was young when she was dealt the initial blow…at this point she like twenty-four/twenty-five, much too old to act the way she did. Corrine is constantly referred to as brave, even by herself. However, it seems like her bravery never really shows itself unless Nick is around. Corrine’s main reason for her trip home is to mend fences with her father, but as time passes she realizes that there are quite a few fences that need mending. Nick was pretty easy to like but with the really nice guys also comes the sometimes annoyingly nice part of them but there was just the right mixture for me.

Even after years apart Cori and Nick seems to fall right back into step with each other. There’s definitely tension between them but when they let their guards down, it’s like they never separated. You spend page after page just waiting for them to say “Okay, let’s do this…let’s be together.” Even though you already know from the way the book starts that it’s just not going too happened that way.

I really don’t like to do spoilers so I can only say so much. This is one of those; you have to read it to get the real experience. What I will say is pay close attention to the mode of communication used between Corrine and Nicholas (I instantly thought it was strange, but there’s a reason why it was strange). There was something about Nick’s phone when he goes to call Corinne after they have reconnected, I thought it was strange but again, I wasn’t paying attention. I’m normally pretty quick at catching on to things like scenery and time period. If I’d paid closer attention, the end portion of this storyline wouldn’t have caught me off guard and almost sent me into heart failure! I didn’t really realize it until the end but this was a roller-coaster read. Emotions ran high and not just from Corrine and Nick…the supporting characters were also pretty interesting (wondering if there will be some other storylines coming?).

If I’m not mistaken this is Ashley Drew’s first novel and I think she nailed it. There were some parts of the story that dragged and I was totally ready to give this book three stars but when I reached a certain point, and I factored in everything, I realized this was a four star read. It wasn’t just the storyline, it was timing and how things just came together. Most reads have an “Aha Moment” somewhere in the middle but this one…Oh the “Aha moment” came towards the end and at just the right time. Perfectly planned and perfectly laid out.

[aNneMarLi - Chatterbooks Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 "HOTSHOT AND CHICKEN SHIT" STARS!!!

She didn't expect to fall for her best friend.
He was always waiting to catch her.

Ashley Drews delivers a beautiful tale of friendship..forgiveness..acceptance...growth and love to this fast paced, easy but an enjoyable read that will take you a to an emotional roller coaster ride of emotions.

I really love this book. There I said it. From the moment I started reading this one until to the very end. I like how it was written...best friends who practically grew up together...their weekend sleep overs...their adventures..their in sync mind even at very ridiculous conversations....ahhh... everything was just sooo damn cute that you wanted to go back when you were little and have your own best friend too like them who were always "attached to the hip". But then like all love stories of friendship there is, there's this undeniable chemistry more than friendship that blossomed.

Guys and sweat don't always agree with each other, but Nick? I agree to disagree; sweat definitely agrees with him. I watch the sweat as it plunges down over his defined chest....
Aaannnnd I'm staring. Why the heck am I staring?


When finally they started to explore the growing feelings towards each other...crossing the line came a shocking revelation that changed their 18 years of friendship...exposing Corinne's vulnerabilities..shattering her beliefs about love and bringing her fears. The fears that abandoned their friendship....he fears that changed everything. Changed both of them but never the love for each other.

Overall, this story is really good except those few pages that may be a bit lagged. I love how the characters were portrayed and I love how the story doesn't just focus on a best-friend to love scenes but touches other issues that brought more edge to the story. However though, there were cases I really wanted to slap and punch some sense to Corinne but nevertheless I love how their growth not just for Corinne but for Nick as well blossomed as the story progresses. The forgiveness and acceptance as well as the conquering of fears was delivered pretty well. What I wont forget about this story aside are the words of wisdom old Norman said...

"Love is beautiful and strange; it can make heart complete and whole and yet, it's also capable of smashin' it into million pieces. Trust me I've seen both sides of it. So whatever is goin' on in that head of yours, Nicky boy, the ugly side is unavoidable. Someone will get hurt. Ain't nothin' you can do about it. But I'll tell ya, once you're out of the ugly stuff, it's so damn beautiful."

"Don't take the easy road because we often end up where we were never meant to go."


For a debut novel, this is just pretty good and I love it.

*ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review*

[Riva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a writer but a reader. I read every day. Every free minute I have, I read. I seldom give my two cents on the books I read. It's only when the book really struck me, and this book did just that. Considering this is Ashley's debut novel, I am more than impressed.

I love a good friends to lovers story. But this one is like no other. I love how even though this book is an easy, nice-paced read, the story evokes feelings in you. Corinne and Nick have been best friends since birth. Both have opposite personalities, while Corinne or Cori is adventurous and Nick is easygoing, yet these two have always complemented each other. Not surprised since these two grew up together, and they have developed feelings toward each other. But something happened with Cori's father that had sent her away. Six years apart changed Cori in so many ways, but her feelings for Nick still remained. Now, she must learn how to face everything, her father, her best friend and how to follow her heart.

I love the progression of the plot of this story. From Prologue to Epilogue, you'll definitely get hooked as soon as you start reading. I also love how everything is just tied together, so reading it is fluid. I am definitely #TeamHotShot or #TeamNick all the way, because hey, he's a photographer like me! Artists are very passionate, protective and loyal like how I see Nick is. I gotta say though, "good things come to those who wait." Cori, hmm. Cori, Cori, I understand you but you seriously need a real girlfriend. Let's talk over wine? For an adventurous person like her, who is spontaneous, fun and brave, her heart is her weakness. So girl, I totally understand. It took you six years though? But that's your story, it's solid yet sweet.

There are so many good things about this book. I finished reading this probably two to three weeks ago and I still remember the story, the characters, and the feels.

“Love is beautiful and strange; it can make the heart complete and whole and yet, it’s also capable of smashin’ it into a million pieces. Trust me, I’ve seen both sides of it. So, whatever is goin’ on in that head of yours, Nicky boy, the ugly side is unavoidable. Someone will get hurt. Ain’t nothin’ you can do about it. But I’ll tell ya, once you’re out of the ugly stuff, it’s so damn beautiful.”

So if you want a spectacular story, a memorable one, give this a try. I highly recommend it, and it will not disappoint.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the type of story that has the power to be a wake up call or to haunt your dreams with what ifs. For this being a debut novel, I’m astounded with how well it’s written. Ashley excelled in her character set up and development, emotional portrayal and the overall structure. She delivers enough angst to crush your soul while soothing the burn with heart warming moments.

Please check out my full review on the blog! I apologize in advance for the length. Sometimes you just have to keep talking about it.
http://tbbsisterhood.com/2016/02/27/r...

[Desi · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 36%

Noo, no, no no.....esto es... Qué decepción.... no tengo palabras, de verdad!!

Comencé la lectura esperando encontrar una dulce historia de mejores amigos que se enamoran... pero en los pocos capítulos que leí me decepcionó y desagradó las cosas que pasaron....


Otra de las cosas que ODIO leer es cuando hay un separación y/o divorcio por causa de infidelidad... y esto pasa aquí casi que en los primeros capítulos... y fue horrible :( (Ese Henry es un desgraciado, lo detesté... lo que hizo fue detestable) y ya eso hizo que me costara seguir la lectura.... y que esto fuera lo que hizo que los protas se separaran y ya no fueran los mejores amigos o algo más como se veía venir... Ugh, me terminó de arruinar la historia, porque habían pasado 6 años y no se habían vuelto a hablar más, eran prácticamente extraños con vidas privadas completamente ajenas al otro... O sea, ella está comprometida con otro por donde llegué y quién sabe si él tenía su novia también....y si lo que había pasado entre ellos hace tanto tiempo, esos sentimientos románticos, todavía estaban ahí ya no quería seguir leyendo de mas infidelidades y todo eso

De verdad?? Ni quiero saber como sigue... ¬¬

Muy chimbo.... tenía muchas ganas de leer algo bonito, ligero y Young Adult de Friends to Lovers

[konstantina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

from now on I will only be reading best friends to lovers books period

[Cristina (My Tiny Obsessions) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read full review HERE



Talk about an emotional ride! Seriously, this book took me a little by surprise. I wasn’t quite expecting the avalanche of feelings that would come with it.

I really liked the writing and dual POV, and this was a book that NEEDED the dual POV. I also really liked the format, the book starts in the “present day”, then goes back 6 years, to when Cori and Nick were only 18 and the night that everything between them changes, and then it skims through a whole year, then it’s 5 years later, just before the “now”. Through all of this we can see how much they both mean to each other, as well as how they grew apart, while still being the same.

Corinne was hard to love, I’ll tell you that. I really liked her at first, and I really appreciated her relationship with her best friend, and her willingness to go “there” with him – something that he was afraid to do. But then this huge thing happens and she decides to go away, leave everything behind, without so much as an explanation, and she drives everyone in her life away, Nick included, and that was so unfair. Also, the thing with her dad bugged me. It didn’t make sense to me that she wasn’t willing to at least try to understand what was happening, especially because they had such a great relationship.

Nick I loved from the get go. He did nothing wrong and poor guy, my heart broke for him at times.

The secondary characters were complex and great to read about. I could read more about Nick’s sister and their group of friends:). I had a problem with Cori’s mom for a moment there… it really got on my nerve how the acted that night – if you read the book, you know what I mean.

The plot was a bit predictable at times – until it totally wasn’t and I had tears in my eyes!!!! Seriously people, I did not see THAT coming! Moving on… like I said, the plot was a bit predictable at some points, but still very enjoyable. It hurt like hell to see both Nick and Cori moving on with their lives without each other, and even though what happened was wrong in many ways, it felt totally right.

I would highly recommend this book. It was sweet and strong at the same time, and totally worth it.

(DISCLAIMER/SPOILER: this book has an element of cheating, in case you’re not ok with the subject. It is light though, and understandable. And I was glad that no troupes were used in it.)

[Christine Alibutud · Rating 4 out of 5]

"But it has this time—for us—and if we allowed guilt and sorrow to dictate our lives, there’d be no point in living. People would never heal, life would never move forward, and our stories would never be told. We shouldn’t forget the adversities of the past or the pain of others, but we also can’t forget to live."

It's no secret that I am a big fan of best friends-turned-lovers stories. The very fact that a romantic relationship started off as something innocent as childhood friendship is beyond me. How lucky are couples who had the rare opportunity to actually have built their relationship since they were kids. Those type of stories come off as the sweetest and cutest for me. To go from something what you thought would only be platonic to what is eventually something much more magical: romantic love..

*cue swooning*

"This pull, it’s magnetic, like two opposite poles that will inevitably come together, no matter how hard you try to keep them apart. We can’t defy it any more than we can defy the laws of science. It’s impossible."

With that being said, Never Stop Falling almost nails it to a tee. 'Almost' because I have to minor issues with it. First is that I wished that we were given a better background story regarding Cori and Nick's friendship. Second is that I wasn't all that convinced with the justification of why Cori broke all communication and didn't come back for a few years. Nonetheless, I still liked the story, especially since the book tackled societal issues that at first, seemed a bit out of place, but then I grew to appreciate.

Also, I liked how the story followed a nonlinear narrative. Usually, those types of book easily pique my interest.

4 stars for this read!

"Love is beautiful and strange; it can make the heart complete and whole and yet, it’s also capable of smashin’ it into a million pieces."

[The Sassy Bookworm]

Not for me emotional cheating, maybe more. See the following review...https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Bibi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good debut from Ashley Drew although it had its good and bad moments.

The good points:

1. No grammar or punctuation errors.
2. Good execution of an otherwise tried and tired theme
3. Pacing was good

The bad points:

1. No character growth from both protagonists or even any of the supporting characters
2. There was cheating, on both sides
3. The prose was somewhat trite. Example:

“Gemma claims that she sees him merely as a friend now. Still, I beg to differ. Plus, the girl looks like she crawled out of one of Tess’s magazines, with her long, champagne-blonde hair and huge rack, which she’ll use to lure in her prey before biting their heads off”.

And I say, enough with the blonde bashing.

or

“I know what you’re thinking. Corinne, the risk-taking, outgoing party queen has never been kissed? Just because I like to have a good time doesn’t make me the school tramp. It’s a little cliché, isn’t it? That promiscuity goes hand-in-hand with popularity ninety-five percent of the time? Well, on second thought, maybe it’s true, but mad props to the five percent that know how to throw it down while keeping a good head on their shoulders and, most importantly, keeping their legs closed (patting myself on the back).”

Oh, Cori, you need to get over yourself.

I think Cori's character, as the archetypical beautiful, young, "good-girl" was too much of a stereotype, and dare I say, a bit of a narcissist. This detracted from the story.

Overall, this was a good second-chance love story, which will, probably, resonate better with YA/NA readers but it failed to provide the requisite emotional intensity and connection that I expected.

[Erica Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I am SO not into this angst thing. How do y'all read this stuff over and over and over? This almost killed me AND my marriage! I literally yelled at my husband, YELLED AT HIM, when he dared to ask me a question right when things were starting to come together with the planes.
It went like this:

Sweet Wonderful Hubby: "Just text me what everyone wants for breakfast."
Terrible Wife Erica: "I don't know! I don't have time for this! I don't know what's happening! She just said August flew by, and now there's another plane, is this September 11th?! Is she on one of the planes? I DON'T KNOW!!!"

This is also how I know I loved Corinne. While she drove me crazy a time or two, if I'd hated her, I would have been fine with her plummeting to her death. I mean I wanted Sookie dead by the end of season two in True Blood. lol

I really enjoyed this book. Ashley Drew did a beautiful job of telling Nicholas and Corinne's story in a relatable way, and I can't wait to see what she's working on next. I am definitely a fan!

Well done, Ashley. Well done!

And now I'm off to fix my marriage. =P

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. This was a debut novel? I never would have guessed.

The pacing was good, and several unique ways that the author chose to write her story- beginning at one point and flashing back, only to rip your heart out when you realize what may be happening. Or how she showed two people drifting apart by showing digital communications. I really found them to be effective. The MCs were well-developed and believable, though I wanted to smack the main female character more often than I would like to admit. I do feel that the parallels between the present day situation and what happened with Cori’s father could have been used more effectively, but all in all, the story was set up very well.

Filled with enough angst and heartbreak to fill several jars with the tears and emotions of its readers, I recommend this novel for those who enjoy the second chance romance and friends to lovers tropes. I would definitely read Ms. Drew’s follow-up work. Hint. Hint.

[celene · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7
likes:
-i am all for best friends to lovers trope!!! best trope ever!!!

-i love the angst! poetic cinema *chef’s kiss*

-and mygas their first kiss y’all *fans self* i cant y’all,,,

-ok! ok! let’s talk about nicholas kelley mygas he’s such a softie :(( love me a soft man wooo

-and uhm,,, the plot twist,,, i think it made my world upside down,,, i think,,, it was shocking to say the least and the scenes after that mygas poetic cinema *chef’s kiss*

-omg u guys and nick is 6’2” u guys awee ♥️

-i love that cori and nick go way way back,, they bffs since they were toddlers awee

-and tbh from here on out all nick/nicholas are valid i stan just how joshuas are a keeper yeet

-correct me if im wrong but nick pining for cori first,,, i may have yeeted when i read the where he’s just gives her the longing eyes or something mhMhMhM that’s my tea

-“It’s like Cori’s lips have short-circuited my brain and paralyzed my limbs-”<<< this line tho,,, omg mike wheeler flashbacks omg going thru it omg sorry ���✊🏻 check s03e08 for reference *commercial break over*

-so many yeet moments honestly!!! *inserts wee woo patrick video meme*

-and oh yeah!!! 🤟🏻🤟🏻🤟🏻 he’s her first kiss!! WoOoOoOoOoo

-ohmygas 24 yr old nick tho,,, i mean,,, can we have a moment of silence for his gorgeousness *moment of silence* ,,, thank you

-the scene where cori is lending her hand in the bar scene!!! ohmygas what are they cute for???? shut up 😩

-i love that nick is a psych major!!!! awee ♥️♥️

-omg that scene where nick’s just frustrated w the situation and cori tries to lighten up the mood,,, and he frickin smiled at her??? he whipped y’all :(((

dislikes:
-this was so close to be like 4 star read,,, but yeah it’s just me y’all,,, there was cheating involved,,, :/ wc was a bummer

-i wish there was like a part (like official scenes not like only narration or something) where they were just best friends and it’s just simply platonic,,, and then them realizing they have romantic feelings with the other person,, yeah i love that type of transition but yeah dont mind me lol this just teeny tiny detail i wouldve loved lol

[dani · Rating 1 out of 5]

how was i capable to bear this excuse of a book, of what was supposed to be a wonderful best friends to lovers ??? i don't even know!!!!!! when i finished it i was so happy i was DONE (i feel bad but honesty is one of my personality traits ups)

[Erika (The Nocturnal Fey) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received an eARC from the author, Ashley Drew, and it didn't, in any way, affect my review*

The first time I checked Never Stop Falling, my initial impression was "Oh, I think I'll be having some Christine Brae feels here." I was also a little excited because Ashley Drew mentioned that just like Brae, she's a Filipino author residing in US, and recently, I've been into discovering more novels from our very own Filipino authors, and if I'm not mistaken this is Ashley Drew's debut novel.

The prologue. Holy hell! The prologue already has so much feeeeeels. And I knew from the moment I read the prologue, that I'll be getting more feels on the next chapters.



Never Stop Falling revolves around childhood best friends, Corinne and Nicholas. Yes, you guess it right! Cori and Nick started falling for each other, but circumstances prevented them from confessing what they really feel.

The story and plot focused on many aspects of our lives all at once. It was a melodramatic novel which focused on family affairs, friendship and love. The conflicts were mainly on those matters I've mentioned. It worked quite well, especially on the friendship --- it's not just about Cori and Nick.

What I loved the most in Never Stop Falling was the plot twist. I'll be honest, I'm pretty dense sometimes, so I wasn't sure if the plot twist here was obvious or it's really surprising, because I was too surprised that I had to go back on the prologue to connect the dots properly. The plot twist was pretty cool.

However, as much as I loved the plot twist, one of the drawbacks I had for not rating this a perfect 5-star was the ending, (some were the dragging moments along the way.) Don't get me wrong, the ending was a good ending, but it was not the best. I know that Drew was capable of producing a much greater ending, but it somehow felt like "Okay, I have to end this now, so be it" and bam, that's it. I expected so much more with the ending, but nonetheless, it's was still good.

Overall, Never Stop Falling was a pretty impressive New Adult debut novel from Ashley Drew. And I'll make sure to tune on her future novels. You should too!

Read my full review at The Nocturnal Fey

Final rating - 4 STARS out 5

[Sanaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED:

4.25 stars!!

This was my first book by Ashley, and wow, did it live up to my expectations. I get a lot of requests to review and when Ashley personally asked me, I knew I had to review it because she had me hooked with the blurb of the book! I normally don't like the way how some books portray the whole best-friends-turned-lovers relationships but the way Ashley chose to write about it is totally unique and that's something I'll cherish.

The book started off with a bang - which rarely happens - and I was hooked off of the first page and my heart was already pounding. I desperately wanted answers and as I read the book, the more answers I got and the more I liked the characters.

Corinne is best friends with Nick and they've basically known each other since they were born. They live on the same street and were inseparable until a tragedy tore them apart. My heart really broke at that time. And let me tell you, I was so NOT excepting that to happen but it happened and my jaw slacked.

"... the ugly side is unavoidable. Someone will get hurt. Ain't nothing you can do about it. But I'll tell ya, once you're out of the ugly stuff, it's so damn beautiful."

This book takes place over a few years and you get to see both the characters try to redevelop their friendship, make amends for their mistakes, and most of all trying to move on from their past. Out of all the characters I loved Nick and the way he was devoted to Corinne. He was-is the perfect BBF. Yes, Corinne made some stupid mistakes but given her situation, I think many people would have done the same.

Because Corinne Bennett doesn't cry. Corinne Bennett doesn't show fear. But I see it.

I was on a rollercoaster of a ride and I enjoyed every second of this novel. Would I go back and read it? Yes. Do I wish I was reading this for the first time now? Heck yeah. On top of that, the writing was great, the characters were relatable and very realistic and I adored the plot line!! I can't wait to read more of Ashley's books!

An ARC was provided by the author for an honest review!

[Carmen (Oh, the Book Feels!) DeLoux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Wow. WOW. I LOVED this book. Full review to come later....

[Carlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
For more of my reviews visit Carlene Inspired.

Corinne is the girl who doesn't say no to anything, "Hot Shot" isn't her nickname for nothing, and when she finally owns up to the emotions she has for her best friend, Nick, they both aren't giving it a chance to get away. Until Corinne's family is flipped upside down and inside out, it changes everything and she isn't just saying no now, she's blanking out her past and creating a new future, without anyone from her past in it. Coming home to face her estranged father after 6 years was going to be hard, but she didn't expect it to come with so much change. Nick and her feel the same as always, except for the 6 years of distance between them and the paths their lives have taken. Given the chance to uncover whatever was once between them leads to several revelations for Corinne, especially once she realized you never stop falling.

“I gasp. My ears shut out all the panic around me so that I hear nothing else. And then my gasp is followed by my heavy breaths. And my breathing is silenced by my pounding heart. And then everything falls silent. Except for his words. They echo in my head, the last words I might’ve heard him say.”

If you aren't hooked from that sentence, you need to re-read it. This one starts off dramatic, it is heavy with emotions, and it ends the same way. This is a really, really good thing. Corinne is the kind of character you love to hate, because she is normal. When faced with something she couldn't handle, she ran, and it felt so real. I could feel her inner torment, I could see her friend's feeling for her, and I could see how easily it was to let everything fall apart when better things seemed to fall together. While her personality might seem annoying, the go for it and give it all you got attitude, I found myself connecting with her because of it. She went through a lot of things, because of her attitude and approach to life and it all made her grow and develop. I actually loved every single character, from Corinne's wayward father to her best friend Nick and every secondary character in between. No character's role felt small, each one had such an important hand in the book's progression. The relationship between Corinne and Nick is far more than just best friends turned love interests, they had serious friendship between them that I just loved. I also loved the changing, there was a lot of enjoyment in reading Corinne's no fear outlook and switching over to Nick's reserved, sensitive, and thoughtful outlook. While I rarely like books about cheating, it felt instrumental to the story line between them. Mix in the friendship drama with their other friends and the family drama in Corinne's life and Never Stop Falling is a well rounded, well developed book.

Loved the general story line, struggled with the writing style. The pacing at times was slow and the plot predictable, and while the emails and instant messages explained the general feeling between the characters, they made me feel disconnected. However, Ashley Drew had me hooked from page one and even though I felt disconnected at times I could not stop reading. About 25% through I could have given up, but it was worth pushing through and everything comes together perfectly.

I never stopped being surprised by this book, it wasn't twisted in that spin your head around kind of way, but it never got boring. While it was at times predictable, it doesn't read like every other book out there with similar subjects. I loved Drew's approach to friendship, relationships, and family. She tackled some incredibly tough subjects, two times had me fighting tears, but did so with a lot of grace. I absolutely would recommend this debut novel from Ashley Drew and I hope we get to see more of the other characters in future books.

[Dani (Dani Reviews Things) · Rating 4 out of 5]

See this review in its natural environment, Dani Reviews Things.

I received this book for free from Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I might be spoiling a bit here, but I feel like it's important to share upfront, as I don't think I would have been able to read this book had I not seen a warning at the bottom of someone else's review. There is cheating in this book. If you are, like me, particularly sensitive to cheating, especially parental cheating, be careful going in.

Now, moving on to business.

The story of Nick and Corinne, best friends from birth, is told from dual POV chapters that jump back and forth in time. The book opens with a prologue in "present" time (which we learn isn't actually present time, especially with IM style), then hops back six years to just after high school graduation. The two friends just about give into that promise of something more...before Corinne's life as she knows it ends in one spectacular shitstorm. We skim forward a year and then jump forward again to Corinne and Nick finally reuniting, but with six years of "moving on" between them.

Nick's POV chapters were personally easier to read. I loved how devoted he was to Corinne, even after years of being apart. Corinne was harder to read. That being said, I did relate to her in certain ways that make me feel equal parts vindicated and guilty.

The best part for me was the chemistry between Nick and Corinne. When those two gave in to what was very clearly meant to be... WOW. I had goosebumps. It was seriously frustrating to read about them growing apart. I wanted to shake them both: Nick for being a coward and Corinne for being insensitive and...well...also a coward. I wanted to smack any and all people who tried to come between them. THIS BOOK WAS FILLED WITH FRUSTRATION. You need a lot of patience with these two, I can tell you that.

That's probably one of the things that didn't make this great for me. Maybe I wasn't in the best frame of mind or have read too many contemporaries recently, but I felt myself getting impatient from time to time and skimming a little. It probably didn't help that I was also in bed with a cold so found it hard to concentrate some of the time. On the one hand, Drew did a good job of building tension, developing the characters and showing how complicated their lives had become; on the other, I can't lie and say I was hooked the whole way through.

I also think I wanted more from the ending. After some solidly skin-tingling scenes right from the beginning, the end was a little anti-climactic. Come on! This is NA! Give us a bit more to work with! Especially after all that angst...

Overall, it was a solid, well-written NA romance, with a cast of characters complex enough that they didn't just come out of the secondary character cookie cutter collection. The stars of the story clearly meet the Meant To Be criteria, and anything else was just biding time (as harsh as that sounds). Never Stop Falling is a great debut for Ashley Drew, who can write me makeout sessions any day. ;)

[Andy · Rating 2 out of 5]

As soon as I picked up reading the book after a long slump (where in I relied on quick mangas to keep me running) I knew instantly that this book was grace itself with 4 stars.
After all, the writing style was great, the premise cliche but heartwarming when executed correctly and the two main characters were as opposite as could be. What's not to like?

Cori is a whirlwind- full of vibrant energy and fun-loving thrills. She's someone who is quick to dare and quick to be dared. An energy ball of emotion and unexpected adventures. Nick on the other hand has always been the one who keeps her grounded- rooted to reality and is much more of a safety lock towards her wild and free antics that could otherwise end in disaster.



Friends since childhood, their inseparable and thus, begins their story of crashing into love headfirst. The story opens with them recently graduating high school, celebrating on the beach and eventually, lalalalala and they start realizing they have somehow developed feelings for each other. (normally I'd be swooning)



However, this is basically the entire book It will be spoiled for you on the very night Cori expresses her feelings towards Nick she finds out that her father has in fact been cheating on her mother. A divorce ensues and Cori and her mother fly halfway across the country. She cuts ties with everyone and everything she has always known and it remains that way for 6 years Now in the present day Cori is engaged and her wedding is in a few weeks time. Yay! Not.

She decides to go visit her dad and his new partner so that a reconciliation of a reunion can occur. Over time she realizes that all her previous friends have turned their backs on her and are raging with anger at being left so abruptly. Everyone that is, except Nick who is also engaged to be married. After lalalalala Cori suddenly realizes she's jealous while at the same time Nick is struck by how he still cares for her deeply. They desperately try to avoid each other and remain unfazed until they CHEAT on their partners. They break up with their respective fiances and lalalala they end up together! Yay! NOT.

THE END

UGGGHHH Do you understand why this book was so incredibly frustrating? It was an example of how a good premise went horribly wrong due to some rash decisions, uncontrollable reckless feelings (not the feelings themselves but like the characters motivations to keep them hidden/suppressed or expressed) and the general stupidity of it all. Did I mention all the impetuousness, impulsiveness, hastiness, and utter carelessness that went down as well?