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Risking It All
Paige knows exactly what she wants—to graduate from Wallingford Academy and become a pilot in the US Air Force. She’s inherited her father’s no-nonsense attitude and whip-smart intelligence, all of which have made her the perfect Wallingford cadet.
Logan has spent the last five years doing as little as possible. Once a star basketball player and one of the most popular boys at school, he now spends his days playing video games. When a friend borrows his car and commits a crime, Logan takes the fall and ends up at Wallingford as part of his court order.
When Paige is asked to mentor Logan, it’s the perfect opportunity to prove her leadership skills—but she doesn't account for the feelings that start to develop or the baggage from Logan's past which could threaten her future.
Logan has spent the last five years doing as little as possible. Once a star basketball player and one of the most popular boys at school, he now spends his days playing video games. When a friend borrows his car and commits a crime, Logan takes the fall and ends up at Wallingford as part of his court order.
When Paige is asked to mentor Logan, it’s the perfect opportunity to prove her leadership skills—but she doesn't account for the feelings that start to develop or the baggage from Logan's past which could threaten her future.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published June 18, 2019
7 people are currently reading
1499 people want to read
About the author
S.M. Koz
4 books221 followersSM Koz was born in Michigan, but moved to North Carolina for college and never left.
She enjoys traveling, camping, hiking, photography, reading, spending time with foster kids who call her house home, and learning new things. When she’s not creating online training for pharmaceutical companies (her day job) or writing, Koz can be found at the local community college taking courses on various topics ranging from digital art to HTML to desktop publishing. Next in line are auto mechanics and cake decorating.
Being trained as a veterinarian, it’s not surprising that Koz and her husband were recently told they have a mini-zoo with their two dogs, fish, cockatiels, and foster cats. In the past, they have also had parakeets and a snake. Other than the fish, all the animals were acquired through rescue organizations, something Koz wholeheartedly supports.
SM Koz has written six novels. Although her stories differ by genre, ranging from contemporary realism to sci-fi to fanfiction, two things they all have in common are a young or new adult focus and romance. If you'd like to read more by SM Koz, check her out on Amazon.
She enjoys traveling, camping, hiking, photography, reading, spending time with foster kids who call her house home, and learning new things. When she’s not creating online training for pharmaceutical companies (her day job) or writing, Koz can be found at the local community college taking courses on various topics ranging from digital art to HTML to desktop publishing. Next in line are auto mechanics and cake decorating.
Being trained as a veterinarian, it’s not surprising that Koz and her husband were recently told they have a mini-zoo with their two dogs, fish, cockatiels, and foster cats. In the past, they have also had parakeets and a snake. Other than the fish, all the animals were acquired through rescue organizations, something Koz wholeheartedly supports.
SM Koz has written six novels. Although her stories differ by genre, ranging from contemporary realism to sci-fi to fanfiction, two things they all have in common are a young or new adult focus and romance. If you'd like to read more by SM Koz, check her out on Amazon.
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June 23, 2019
Straight-laced Paige is on her way to the Air Force Academy. She's done everything right at her military high school, but when she's assigned a new delinquent to mentor, she finds her simple life upended. Logan is a challenge—disrespectful, rude and arrogant. Can she help him adjust to life at Wallingford Academy? Or will she develop feelings first?
Lemme be the first to say, I need to give up reading books featuring the military that are written by civilians.
I'm existentially tired of the stick-up-her-ass military woman learning to "loosen up" after being assigned a rowdy male mentee. Yes, this is a trope that exists outside of military fiction. It's an insult to women in the military and it's an insult to women in general—that ~feelings~ will happen when a hetero man and hetero woman are assigned to work closely together.
Granted, that is the entire plot of the book...but still. It is fraternization, even if this is a high school military academy.
As for the military academy aspect, having never been to one, high school or otherwise (being medically disqualified from the Naval Academy was the best thing to happen to me ), but there were some things that were confusing as hell.
Okay, a couple things.
Two things.
One is the cadet ranks. At OCS, we were given "ranks" for the billets (jobs) we were assigned, but the unreality of these ranks in the real (military) world was embedded in the title. For example, Candidate Platoon Commander. Paige and Alex were addressed by real Naval ranks without cadet attached to them, which felt weird. Also, instead of being called "sir" or "ma'am," every time someone addressed them it was by their rank and name. To me as a Marine Corps officer (it's similar in the Navy...dunno about the other services), being addressed by rank and name (or rank) is rude as fuck unless someone is trying to get your attention from a crowd of officers. Just say "ma'am." Seriously, this is a thing. So seeing everyone say, "Yes Lieutenant Commander" had me constantly thinking, "Damn, these people are rude as fuck" and "but she's a damn cadet put that in the rank to differentiate her from the instructors." But maybe high school military academies are just weird?
As to the instructors. Apparently there is a Rear Admiral teaching at this place? And Paige addresses him as "Good morning, Rear Admiral"? Errrrrr, should be "Good morning, Admiral" or "Good morning, sir." C'mon. Basic military. Also, somehow the dean is a colonel despite serving in the Navy as a SEAL alongside Paige's dad and also being the dean of a Navy high school military academy. Riddle me that, Batman, because I have no clue.
Okay, enough nit-pickiness.
Overall, I just did not enjoy this book. From the premise that being career-focused to the extreme is a bad thing, to the need to loosen up and learn a little white lie here and there is okay (ummm, not in this case), to Logan in general, I just found myself shaking my head or rolling my eyes constantly.
Logan in general is a real catch. He's misogynistic, constantly reducing Paige down to her various body parts, calling her mean/uptight/frigid because she's being professional, and I think the one okay thing about him was that he wasn't taller than Paige and came in a little pudgy and out of shape (although this miraculously changes—not the height thing—after a gruelingly misguided work-out plan...because you need to build up the endurance and strength of a couch potato instead of launching them straight into 5-mile runs with punishment laps built on top of it. How Logan avoided stress fractures and brutal shin splints from going from sedentary to 5+ miles/day is beyond me.
Sure, I guess he changes a little bit, but overall he's still convinced that loyalty to your friends is paramount above all else despite all evidence to the contrary slapping him in the face time and time again like a 3-day old stinky fish.
Additionally, while I liked that consent was well portrayed in Paige's case (with Logan actually respecting these boundaries despite not actually respecting her as a leader, mentor or general human being), having Logan make comments like, "I'm a guy. I'm always feeling it," is just so...no? Guys are not always feeling it. Consent is for guys too. And I'm not even going to start on Paige's I'm-a-SEAL dad. Or all that I pee on is mine Alex.
Anywho, I suppose other people will probably enjoy this, but please don't leave this book with the takeaway that all women in the military are uptight and driven and just need a little bit of romance in them in order to loosen up and become human. Also the fraternization thing. And the not-like-other-girls thing.
I think I would have enjoyed this a lot more if I hadn't been in the military.
P.S. THAT COVER. Why the hell is her hair in a braid in cammies?
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
Lemme be the first to say, I need to give up reading books featuring the military that are written by civilians.
I'm existentially tired of the stick-up-her-ass military woman learning to "loosen up" after being assigned a rowdy male mentee. Yes, this is a trope that exists outside of military fiction. It's an insult to women in the military and it's an insult to women in general—that ~feelings~ will happen when a hetero man and hetero woman are assigned to work closely together.
Granted, that is the entire plot of the book...but still. It is fraternization, even if this is a high school military academy.
As for the military academy aspect, having never been to one, high school or otherwise (being medically disqualified from the Naval Academy was the best thing to happen to me ), but there were some things that were confusing as hell.
Okay, a couple things.
Two things.
One is the cadet ranks. At OCS, we were given "ranks" for the billets (jobs) we were assigned, but the unreality of these ranks in the real (military) world was embedded in the title. For example, Candidate Platoon Commander. Paige and Alex were addressed by real Naval ranks without cadet attached to them, which felt weird. Also, instead of being called "sir" or "ma'am," every time someone addressed them it was by their rank and name. To me as a Marine Corps officer (it's similar in the Navy...dunno about the other services), being addressed by rank and name (or rank) is rude as fuck unless someone is trying to get your attention from a crowd of officers. Just say "ma'am." Seriously, this is a thing. So seeing everyone say, "Yes Lieutenant Commander" had me constantly thinking, "Damn, these people are rude as fuck" and "but she's a damn cadet put that in the rank to differentiate her from the instructors." But maybe high school military academies are just weird?
As to the instructors. Apparently there is a Rear Admiral teaching at this place? And Paige addresses him as "Good morning, Rear Admiral"? Errrrrr, should be "Good morning, Admiral" or "Good morning, sir." C'mon. Basic military. Also, somehow the dean is a colonel despite serving in the Navy as a SEAL alongside Paige's dad and also being the dean of a Navy high school military academy. Riddle me that, Batman, because I have no clue.
Okay, enough nit-pickiness.
Overall, I just did not enjoy this book. From the premise that being career-focused to the extreme is a bad thing, to the need to loosen up and learn a little white lie here and there is okay (ummm, not in this case), to Logan in general, I just found myself shaking my head or rolling my eyes constantly.
Logan in general is a real catch. He's misogynistic, constantly reducing Paige down to her various body parts, calling her mean/uptight/frigid because she's being professional, and I think the one okay thing about him was that he wasn't taller than Paige and came in a little pudgy and out of shape (although this miraculously changes—not the height thing—after a gruelingly misguided work-out plan...because you need to build up the endurance and strength of a couch potato instead of launching them straight into 5-mile runs with punishment laps built on top of it. How Logan avoided stress fractures and brutal shin splints from going from sedentary to 5+ miles/day is beyond me.
Sure, I guess he changes a little bit, but overall he's still convinced that loyalty to your friends is paramount above all else despite all evidence to the contrary slapping him in the face time and time again like a 3-day old stinky fish.
Additionally, while I liked that consent was well portrayed in Paige's case (with Logan actually respecting these boundaries despite not actually respecting her as a leader, mentor or general human being), having Logan make comments like, "I'm a guy. I'm always feeling it," is just so...no? Guys are not always feeling it. Consent is for guys too. And I'm not even going to start on Paige's I'm-a-SEAL dad. Or all that I pee on is mine Alex.
Anywho, I suppose other people will probably enjoy this, but please don't leave this book with the takeaway that all women in the military are uptight and driven and just need a little bit of romance in them in order to loosen up and become human. Also the fraternization thing. And the not-like-other-girls thing.
I think I would have enjoyed this a lot more if I hadn't been in the military.
P.S. THAT COVER. Why the hell is her hair in a braid in cammies?
I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.
June 17, 2019
Rating: 4.5 Stars
She followed the rules. He colored outside the lines. She was there by choice. He was there as a form of punishment. They seemed like oil and water, but you know what they say about opposites.....
This book was such a fantastic read for me! Once I started, I couldn't stop, because I was just loving being with Paige and Logan so much.
I found the premise fantastic. You have Paige, who was raised by her Navy Seal father, and longed for a military career. She lived strictly by the book, and saw things in black and white. Then, you had Logan. He was a video game playing slacker, who intentionally underperformed. He had no problem breaking a rule, here and there, for the right reasons, and was all about the grey areas.
I absolutely loved these two together! It was such a pleasure watching their hate turn to friendship and, then to more. I thought they had great chemistry, and I also believed they were really good for each other. Paige pushed Logan to use his potential, and also taught him to respect the rules, while Logan helped Paige blur the lines a little, and reach for the things she really wanted. Both these characters were fantastic. It was a pleasure getting to know them, and watching them get to know themselves better.
Can I say, I was a huge fan of the setting, too. Getting to be inside a military academy was quite an experience. I admired the work ethic the these cadets adhered to, and also loved the ceremony of it all. But, it was also about the camaraderie and bonds, that form between the cadets. There was this one scene towards the end of the book, that just earned such a GIANT emotional response from me. It was S T U P E N D O U S!
I believe that everyone within a mile radius heard me applauding that ending. It just left me with such a full heart and in a ridiculously elated state.
This was a fun and delightful story about love, friendship, forgiveness, being true to yourself, and also seeing things in a different light, which left me extremely happy, satisfied, and wanting to read more of Koz's books.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
She followed the rules. He colored outside the lines. She was there by choice. He was there as a form of punishment. They seemed like oil and water, but you know what they say about opposites.....
This book was such a fantastic read for me! Once I started, I couldn't stop, because I was just loving being with Paige and Logan so much.
I found the premise fantastic. You have Paige, who was raised by her Navy Seal father, and longed for a military career. She lived strictly by the book, and saw things in black and white. Then, you had Logan. He was a video game playing slacker, who intentionally underperformed. He had no problem breaking a rule, here and there, for the right reasons, and was all about the grey areas.
I absolutely loved these two together! It was such a pleasure watching their hate turn to friendship and, then to more. I thought they had great chemistry, and I also believed they were really good for each other. Paige pushed Logan to use his potential, and also taught him to respect the rules, while Logan helped Paige blur the lines a little, and reach for the things she really wanted. Both these characters were fantastic. It was a pleasure getting to know them, and watching them get to know themselves better.
Can I say, I was a huge fan of the setting, too. Getting to be inside a military academy was quite an experience. I admired the work ethic the these cadets adhered to, and also loved the ceremony of it all. But, it was also about the camaraderie and bonds, that form between the cadets. There was this one scene towards the end of the book, that just earned such a GIANT emotional response from me. It was S T U P E N D O U S!
I believe that everyone within a mile radius heard me applauding that ending. It just left me with such a full heart and in a ridiculously elated state.
This was a fun and delightful story about love, friendship, forgiveness, being true to yourself, and also seeing things in a different light, which left me extremely happy, satisfied, and wanting to read more of Koz's books.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
September 9, 2019
This was a fun, quick read. I really liked that Paige was the badass Navy girl and Logan was the kind of pathetic one haha. She was smart and capable and true to herself, a great female lead. Logan was a slacker with an attitude, but he cares so much for his friends and would do anything for them. They fit well together, offsetting each other and rubbing off some good skills. The book flew by and the pacing was great.
September 28, 2021
This book was actually pretty good, but unfortunately it did not live up to my expectations. Which really sucks lol
February 9, 2021
It is an amazing book! I couldn't put it down, I have read it so many times but each time I read it, it feels like my first time reading it. I know exactly what happends, but I'm always surprise by what happens. If you are thinking about getting this book for your teenager or young adult, or for yourself, get it. I highly reccommend this. This book also has alot of humor and very romantic parts in it! Thank you SM Koz for writing such an amazing book!
May 19, 2019
First a confession. Generally speaking, I am not a huge YA contemporary person but being a military spouse and former Cadet myself I was intrigued. And friends, I was not disappointed.
My issue with some contemporary YA novels is that they can read young and cringeworthy. What I found in Risking it All was laughter and nostalgia instead. It felt real and reminded me of the awkwardness that is teenage love. I really enjoyed that Paige stayed true to herself yet had room to grow. Overall a really cute story with some great moments, especially in the second half.
Definitely check this one out 18 June!
I receive this for free as part of a Storygram Tour with the publisher but reviewing was optional. This did not effect the content of my review.
My issue with some contemporary YA novels is that they can read young and cringeworthy. What I found in Risking it All was laughter and nostalgia instead. It felt real and reminded me of the awkwardness that is teenage love. I really enjoyed that Paige stayed true to herself yet had room to grow. Overall a really cute story with some great moments, especially in the second half.
Definitely check this one out 18 June!
I receive this for free as part of a Storygram Tour with the publisher but reviewing was optional. This did not effect the content of my review.
June 21, 2019
Paige has been the best cadet she could possible be at her military boarding school, on the fast track to a career in the armed forces just like her father. When she is assigned to peer mentor the new delinquent student Logan, she feel she may be in over her head with him. She could never have predicted the level of sarcasm and eye rolls contained in one lazy boy but she is determined to whip him into shape. Logan strives to spend his days playing video games with his friends, never expecting himself to end up at a military boarding school to avoid prison. Hopefully the two can survive their interaction...
I think my favorite thing about this story was the personal growth that we get to see in Logan. He went from a lazy boy with no ambitions to a hardworking almost man who wanted to prove himself and strive for more. I wanted to cheer him on every time he made the right choice in a situation, including spending his free time running laps. It was interesting to see that he went from doing the right thing because he thought it would make his court case easier to choosing the right thing because that is what his brain/body wanted to do. I think Logan was my favorite character overall and even when he wanted more he still kept his good heart and sense of humor.
Keep in mind that I liked Paige a lot too, she was the straightest of arrows with the best of moral compasses. I appreciated Paige's steadfastness with the code of ethics, her lack of ability to lie led to the most interesting of situations. There was no lying to get out of trouble or self preservation, instead she told told it like it was with no guile, regardless of how the story would play out.
While I would easily classify this as YA contemporary romance, there was only a little actual romance on the pages. We watched the characters go from almost enemies (mainly on Logan's part) to really good friends over the course of time, with the romance only slowly building towards the end of the book. I loved watching their relationship unfold page by page, allowing me (and each other) time to get to know and understand the characters. Also I appreciated the realism that is the ending, with a HEA- for now, since this is only high school after all.
I think my favorite thing about this story was the personal growth that we get to see in Logan. He went from a lazy boy with no ambitions to a hardworking almost man who wanted to prove himself and strive for more. I wanted to cheer him on every time he made the right choice in a situation, including spending his free time running laps. It was interesting to see that he went from doing the right thing because he thought it would make his court case easier to choosing the right thing because that is what his brain/body wanted to do. I think Logan was my favorite character overall and even when he wanted more he still kept his good heart and sense of humor.
Keep in mind that I liked Paige a lot too, she was the straightest of arrows with the best of moral compasses. I appreciated Paige's steadfastness with the code of ethics, her lack of ability to lie led to the most interesting of situations. There was no lying to get out of trouble or self preservation, instead she told told it like it was with no guile, regardless of how the story would play out.
Other than holding hands, it’s like usual and doesn’t even seem like we just agreed to be more than friends. I guess that’s the best type of relationship, though— one that so effortlessly morphs from friends to more you don’t even notice it happening.
While I would easily classify this as YA contemporary romance, there was only a little actual romance on the pages. We watched the characters go from almost enemies (mainly on Logan's part) to really good friends over the course of time, with the romance only slowly building towards the end of the book. I loved watching their relationship unfold page by page, allowing me (and each other) time to get to know and understand the characters. Also I appreciated the realism that is the ending, with a HEA- for now, since this is only high school after all.
April 24, 2019
I am starting with saying something about S. M. Koz there are very few authors that can create characters that I can start out the book not really liking and not identifying with and turn them into favorites she is now a part of that short list!
Paige: She is driven and has a moral code that is strictly black and white. She has self control and discipline that seems unwavering. Things start to change when she meets Logan.
Logan: He seems to be the antithesis of Paige. Unfocused, self serving, and a bad attitude that just won't quit! After meeting Paige he allows her and himself to see his true self.
I loved this story. It is far from insta-love and even insta-like what held my attention was the insta-interest that they both try oh so hard to ignore. Not only do they grow as they discover a possible relationship they both grow by leaps and bounds personally. This seems like it is a straight up opposites attract however when people become their true selves sometimes they find that they aren't so opposite after all.
Paige: She is driven and has a moral code that is strictly black and white. She has self control and discipline that seems unwavering. Things start to change when she meets Logan.
Logan: He seems to be the antithesis of Paige. Unfocused, self serving, and a bad attitude that just won't quit! After meeting Paige he allows her and himself to see his true self.
I loved this story. It is far from insta-love and even insta-like what held my attention was the insta-interest that they both try oh so hard to ignore. Not only do they grow as they discover a possible relationship they both grow by leaps and bounds personally. This seems like it is a straight up opposites attract however when people become their true selves sometimes they find that they aren't so opposite after all.
June 18, 2019
If you're looking for a new setting in YA, this is it!
Within a military academy, we meet two unlikely people who are thrown together. This creates an enemies-to-lovers scenario that I found to be quite entertaining.
There is a big jump in character development within the story that I feel was done nicely. It encompasses the teenage changes that we tend to see within YA characters and creates that typical contemporary feel.
Overall, I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars. My favorite part was the setting. It showed the clash between a strict personality and the care-free, almost bad-boy vibes. There's strength, friendship, discipline, and all-over themes that are great for YA readers.
Within a military academy, we meet two unlikely people who are thrown together. This creates an enemies-to-lovers scenario that I found to be quite entertaining.
There is a big jump in character development within the story that I feel was done nicely. It encompasses the teenage changes that we tend to see within YA characters and creates that typical contemporary feel.
Overall, I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars. My favorite part was the setting. It showed the clash between a strict personality and the care-free, almost bad-boy vibes. There's strength, friendship, discipline, and all-over themes that are great for YA readers.
October 23, 2019
Oh my gosh! That was so cuteeeee!!! I absolutely loved both Logan and Paige. The hate to love trope is one of my favorites and it worked really well here. There was a lot of character growth in both of them and they had many cute moments together. Just adorable!!! I loved it, and can’t wait to read more by this author.
June 30, 2019
I thought this would be more focused on Air Force stuff and it is not. Just a tainted love story.
June 24, 2019
Rating: 4.5 stars
This book is a dark horse. It slowly snuck up on my heart and left me crying TWICE, plus gave me more confidence in myself. So if you take nothing else from this review, let it be that Risking It All is inspiring af.
The story is a hate-to-love YA romance, but it seemed like so much more. Paige is a student officer at Wallingford and has her life all planned out. She plays by the rules and holds the Honor Code above all. She also comes from a military family, so she lives and breathes the lifestyle. Enter Logan, an 18-year-old sent to Wallingford Academy in an effort to avoid a jail sentence that he doesn't really deserve. He's lazy and unambitious, but he is loyal to a fault. (Literally to a fault.) Thrown together as mentor and mentee, they will both test each other over the course of a few (glorious) months.
I don't even know how to explain how much I loved this book. Maybe because it wasn't big and flashy, but instead took the tortoise approach to both developing the plot and Paige and Logan's relationship. Maybe because it showed such great personal growth on both Paige and Logan's part. Maybe because Paige was shown to be the badass, while Logan was the caring, romantic one that helped Paige open up, which was a massive role reversal from "the norm". Maybe because Paige was actually the same height as (if not a bit taller than) Logan, and this wasn't a big deal.
It's all of those things really.
And ultimately, I loved it because it made me feel stronger. I read this and wanted to be a better person, to be stronger and tackle confrontations head on (I hate confrontations). While I'd already had the idea to train for a 5K by the end of September last week, reading about how Logan was able to develop exercise as a habit (even a way of life) gave me the push I needed to get out today and run. Ok, fine, mostly walk, but I'll get there, just like Logan did.
So I want to say THANK YOU to Koz with my whole heart. Thank you for making me believe in myself by showing that Paige and Logan could both become better. And thank you for that wonderful camaraderie scene towards the end that made me weep.
****************************************
There are specific parts of the book that I want to call out. These are spoilery, so here's your warning.
SPOILERS AHEAD.
SO. Logan is at military school because his girlfriend did a hit and run, then convinced Logan take the fall. He's threatened with a year of military school with the potential of prison time, and he just rolls with it for her sake??? What??? And then she doesn't seem to be grateful at all, even as she learns what he's going through at this school? This smart guy sacrifices his future for you, and you're just cool with it?? This just made me so mad at both of them – him for jeopardising his future, and her for being an all-round terrible human being. The more I read about her, the angrier I became. I know she's fictional, but I hope karma came for her eventually!
On a more positive note, there's a specific scene in the book that made me want to stand up and give a round of applause to Koz. Logan and Paige are working on something together, and Paige points out that Logan seems to be coming around. In response, Logan makes a comment about being worn down and hitting rock bottom, which is where he thinks everyone wants him to be so they can then mould him into whatever they want. While Logan approaches being ridiculed until he's lying in the foetal position crying like it's a joke, Paige takes this very seriously, even suggesting they go to the nurse. I loved this. I also felt called out, as I used self-deprecation as a way of hiding how much I'm struggling.
Let's also mention Logan's strenuous relationship with his dad, which I related to far too much. His dad cheated on his mom, and this book didn't attempt to "fix" this or show them reconciling in a Big Moment. I really appreciated that, yes, Paige pointed out that he should try to find a way forward, but sometimes parent-child relationships aren't great, and problems can't be swept under the carpet or addressed all in a few months.
Anyway, that's the end of my random rants. Hope you enjoyed haha.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book is a dark horse. It slowly snuck up on my heart and left me crying TWICE, plus gave me more confidence in myself. So if you take nothing else from this review, let it be that Risking It All is inspiring af.
The story is a hate-to-love YA romance, but it seemed like so much more. Paige is a student officer at Wallingford and has her life all planned out. She plays by the rules and holds the Honor Code above all. She also comes from a military family, so she lives and breathes the lifestyle. Enter Logan, an 18-year-old sent to Wallingford Academy in an effort to avoid a jail sentence that he doesn't really deserve. He's lazy and unambitious, but he is loyal to a fault. (Literally to a fault.) Thrown together as mentor and mentee, they will both test each other over the course of a few (glorious) months.
I don't even know how to explain how much I loved this book. Maybe because it wasn't big and flashy, but instead took the tortoise approach to both developing the plot and Paige and Logan's relationship. Maybe because it showed such great personal growth on both Paige and Logan's part. Maybe because Paige was shown to be the badass, while Logan was the caring, romantic one that helped Paige open up, which was a massive role reversal from "the norm". Maybe because Paige was actually the same height as (if not a bit taller than) Logan, and this wasn't a big deal.
It's all of those things really.
And ultimately, I loved it because it made me feel stronger. I read this and wanted to be a better person, to be stronger and tackle confrontations head on (I hate confrontations). While I'd already had the idea to train for a 5K by the end of September last week, reading about how Logan was able to develop exercise as a habit (even a way of life) gave me the push I needed to get out today and run. Ok, fine, mostly walk, but I'll get there, just like Logan did.
So I want to say THANK YOU to Koz with my whole heart. Thank you for making me believe in myself by showing that Paige and Logan could both become better. And thank you for that wonderful camaraderie scene towards the end that made me weep.
****************************************
There are specific parts of the book that I want to call out. These are spoilery, so here's your warning.
SPOILERS AHEAD.
SO. Logan is at military school because his girlfriend did a hit and run, then convinced Logan take the fall. He's threatened with a year of military school with the potential of prison time, and he just rolls with it for her sake??? What??? And then she doesn't seem to be grateful at all, even as she learns what he's going through at this school? This smart guy sacrifices his future for you, and you're just cool with it?? This just made me so mad at both of them – him for jeopardising his future, and her for being an all-round terrible human being. The more I read about her, the angrier I became. I know she's fictional, but I hope karma came for her eventually!
On a more positive note, there's a specific scene in the book that made me want to stand up and give a round of applause to Koz. Logan and Paige are working on something together, and Paige points out that Logan seems to be coming around. In response, Logan makes a comment about being worn down and hitting rock bottom, which is where he thinks everyone wants him to be so they can then mould him into whatever they want. While Logan approaches being ridiculed until he's lying in the foetal position crying like it's a joke, Paige takes this very seriously, even suggesting they go to the nurse. I loved this. I also felt called out, as I used self-deprecation as a way of hiding how much I'm struggling.
"Mental health is not a joking matter."
His face becomes more serious. "You're right. Sorry."
"There's usually some truth to what people say when they're trying to be funny."
Let's also mention Logan's strenuous relationship with his dad, which I related to far too much. His dad cheated on his mom, and this book didn't attempt to "fix" this or show them reconciling in a Big Moment. I really appreciated that, yes, Paige pointed out that he should try to find a way forward, but sometimes parent-child relationships aren't great, and problems can't be swept under the carpet or addressed all in a few months.
Anyway, that's the end of my random rants. Hope you enjoyed haha.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 14, 2019
~*Check out all my reviews over on The Bent Bookworm!*~
I went into this book with a lot of hope AND a lot of trepidation. As a military veteran from a military family, I've found that it's often really hard for authors without an actual military background (which, it doesn't appear Koz has, I tried to look it up) to realistically portray the environment without being either completely kitschy or derogatory. Risking It All was a pleasant surprise on that front! While the action takes place at a military prep school, not in the military, it was fairly balanced and neutral in attitude. There was no political agenda (either to the left or right).
Paige was awesome - uptight, but awesome. I loved her so much and could totally identify with her attitude and her heart. It IS really hard, especially at that age, to learn to balance career aspirations and relationships. Logan was cute, if kind of hard to sympathize with...he really got himself into his original mess, and let himself be taken advantage of...but then had a giant chip on his shoulder. Eh, puppy love, I suppose. He was adorable AND had amazing guitar skills, so that kind of made up for it.
Overall I gave this book 4/5 stars. Recommended for cute teenage romance and interesting/unusual setting for a YA novel!
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I went into this book with a lot of hope AND a lot of trepidation. As a military veteran from a military family, I've found that it's often really hard for authors without an actual military background (which, it doesn't appear Koz has, I tried to look it up) to realistically portray the environment without being either completely kitschy or derogatory. Risking It All was a pleasant surprise on that front! While the action takes place at a military prep school, not in the military, it was fairly balanced and neutral in attitude. There was no political agenda (either to the left or right).
Paige was awesome - uptight, but awesome. I loved her so much and could totally identify with her attitude and her heart. It IS really hard, especially at that age, to learn to balance career aspirations and relationships. Logan was cute, if kind of hard to sympathize with...he really got himself into his original mess, and let himself be taken advantage of...but then had a giant chip on his shoulder. Eh, puppy love, I suppose. He was adorable AND had amazing guitar skills, so that kind of made up for it.
Overall I gave this book 4/5 stars. Recommended for cute teenage romance and interesting/unusual setting for a YA novel!
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February 27, 2019
Thank you to Netgalley and Swoon Reads!
Paige Durant is a model cadet at Wallingford Academy who is poised to graduate and hopes to become a pilot of the US Air Force. With a no nonsense attitude and obedience in her blood, she has no time for distractions which includes the newest student to Wallingford who she's been tasked to mentor.
Logan Evans was once a model student in school.. now he just enjoys playing video games with his friends. But when he takes the fall for a crime that lands him in Wallingford Academy, life as he knows it is over.
Disrespecting code, conduct, and authority at every turn, Paige struggles to keep Logan in check
while attempting to whip him into the fine, obedient, respectful cadet that the Academy demands.
But when walls are broken down and new feelings emerge, Logan proves to be Paige's biggest challenge yet in ways she never imagined. And when Logan's need to help a friend once again gets him into trouble causing even more serious consequences than just dealing with the Academy, Paige will have to risk her own future to save his.
Risking It All is a standalone contemporary that I absolutely loved! Paige is such a great character. She always wants to do what's right, but at the end of the day she wants to be happy. Watching her struggle between her needs and her father's wants is so relatable and is sure to connect with a lot of readers.
Logan will become yet another book boyfriend in the best kind of way. While he's moody and rebellious on the outside, he is loyal and compassionate to a fault. Your heart will go out to him when you find out just how loyal he can be and how those closest to him take advantage.
Individually Logan and Paige are solid characters, but when you put them together: magic happens! What starts out as a tenuous relationship, slowly turns into an understanding friendship that melts into swoon worthiness! While their relationship isn't technically "forbidden" it is something completely out of Paige's comfort zone which causes her to show this new vulnerability that she's never shown before. While eager, Logan is also patient and allows Paige to set the speed and tone of their relationship. Kudos for the real talk! Logan helps Paige come out of her shell and shows her that the decisions in her life are HERS to make while she proves to Logan that he is so much more than what life has given him and he deserves better.
Outside the main cast is this great group of secondary characters that will cause you to run the gamut of emotions. You will either like, love, tolerate, or dislike immensely and they round out this little world that S.M. Koz has created so completely.
I can not recommend Risking It All enough! I didn't expect to love it as much as I do. Don't miss it, preorder today!
Paige Durant is a model cadet at Wallingford Academy who is poised to graduate and hopes to become a pilot of the US Air Force. With a no nonsense attitude and obedience in her blood, she has no time for distractions which includes the newest student to Wallingford who she's been tasked to mentor.
Logan Evans was once a model student in school.. now he just enjoys playing video games with his friends. But when he takes the fall for a crime that lands him in Wallingford Academy, life as he knows it is over.
Disrespecting code, conduct, and authority at every turn, Paige struggles to keep Logan in check
while attempting to whip him into the fine, obedient, respectful cadet that the Academy demands.
But when walls are broken down and new feelings emerge, Logan proves to be Paige's biggest challenge yet in ways she never imagined. And when Logan's need to help a friend once again gets him into trouble causing even more serious consequences than just dealing with the Academy, Paige will have to risk her own future to save his.
Risking It All is a standalone contemporary that I absolutely loved! Paige is such a great character. She always wants to do what's right, but at the end of the day she wants to be happy. Watching her struggle between her needs and her father's wants is so relatable and is sure to connect with a lot of readers.
Logan will become yet another book boyfriend in the best kind of way. While he's moody and rebellious on the outside, he is loyal and compassionate to a fault. Your heart will go out to him when you find out just how loyal he can be and how those closest to him take advantage.
Individually Logan and Paige are solid characters, but when you put them together: magic happens! What starts out as a tenuous relationship, slowly turns into an understanding friendship that melts into swoon worthiness! While their relationship isn't technically "forbidden" it is something completely out of Paige's comfort zone which causes her to show this new vulnerability that she's never shown before. While eager, Logan is also patient and allows Paige to set the speed and tone of their relationship. Kudos for the real talk! Logan helps Paige come out of her shell and shows her that the decisions in her life are HERS to make while she proves to Logan that he is so much more than what life has given him and he deserves better.
Outside the main cast is this great group of secondary characters that will cause you to run the gamut of emotions. You will either like, love, tolerate, or dislike immensely and they round out this little world that S.M. Koz has created so completely.
I can not recommend Risking It All enough! I didn't expect to love it as much as I do. Don't miss it, preorder today!
July 15, 2020
A Enemies to lovers romance. I did really enjoy this story just not as much as the authors previous book which I felt had more heart.
Currently reading
April 21, 2023Squee! When I heard S.M. Koz was releasing another book. I could not wait to know more. I loved her book "Love Me, Love Me Not". So, I had some expectancy. This book surpassed my expectations.
Enemies-to-lovers. There's your theme. As someone who remembers the 90s and early 2000s, this book kinda reminded me of Cadet Kelly (starring Hilary Duff). Mostly because it takes place in a military academy. That's the only connection I have, but I loved it! Logan and Paige. Whoa. There was a lot going on. Paige has herself together. She knows what she wants for her future, and then Logan swoops in and messes with that vision. I really enjoyed this book. It was fun to read. The characters were great.
Thank you NetGalley!
Enemies-to-lovers. There's your theme. As someone who remembers the 90s and early 2000s, this book kinda reminded me of Cadet Kelly (starring Hilary Duff). Mostly because it takes place in a military academy. That's the only connection I have, but I loved it! Logan and Paige. Whoa. There was a lot going on. Paige has herself together. She knows what she wants for her future, and then Logan swoops in and messes with that vision. I really enjoyed this book. It was fun to read. The characters were great.
Thank you NetGalley!
May 29, 2019
I thought this story was super cute and I love enemies to lovers romance and this one did not disappoint. I gotta say that I LOVED Logan, I thought he was a great character even if he did do some very immature things but he is a teen after all so I cannot blame him for it. Paige was not my favorite but in the end she did redeem herself so I was pretty happy. I also liked how the story ended, I thought it was perfect that way. The story is consistently good and will keep you reading.
I would recommend this book!
I would recommend this book!
June 6, 2020
DNF’d this. Thought it was great (relatable characters with strong chemistry)... until this unacceptable date scene in which suggests going further with physics intimacy, and responds “Um... I’m not sure.” It continues:
“I pause and then lean on my elbow, watching her. ‘If you’re not sure, it’s probably a yes.’
She nods. ‘Probably.’”
And then the book just goes on. How about let’s not promote the message that a young woman should assume a man knows more about what she’s ready for and wants than she knows?
Yeah, let’s not.
“I pause and then lean on my elbow, watching her. ‘If you’re not sure, it’s probably a yes.’
She nods. ‘Probably.’”
And then the book just goes on. How about let’s not promote the message that a young woman should assume a man knows more about what she’s ready for and wants than she knows?
Yeah, let’s not.
September 16, 2019
This novel is about two teenagers who go to a military boarding school. Paige is there by choice, and logan is there because his lawyer said it would be good for his case. Logan took the blame for something that his girlfriend did and so he was trying to do everything he could to not get put in jail. Paige was trying to get into the air force. She was one of the highest-ranking cadets at the academy and so she got assigned to mentor Logan. At first, Logan would not cooperate and got in a lot of trouble but eventually, he got better. Also, in the beginning, he thought Paige was a goody-two-shoes with a stick up her ass. But after a while, he started warming up to her and she started warming up to him. Little by little their relationship developed into an actual relationship. Logan leads Paige to do things she never thought she would do, like break the rules or choose a boy over getting into the air force academy.
This was a good book, but I would have liked it more if it weren't that when Logan came along Paige learned to lossen up. I think that Paige should not have to have a guy come along and get her to loosen up. I don't think that women in the military are like that at all. They are bad-ass women who like to have fun but also love to serve their country. I also did not like the character Alex. He seemed like a total piece of shit and I don't see how the teachers at the academy did not see that he was a total bully.
Overall I think this was an ok book but it did seem a little bit insulting to women in the military. I would recommend this book to people who like romance and who like the military but don't really understand it at all. Because then it might seem a little insulting if you were in the military.
This was a good book, but I would have liked it more if it weren't that when Logan came along Paige learned to lossen up. I think that Paige should not have to have a guy come along and get her to loosen up. I don't think that women in the military are like that at all. They are bad-ass women who like to have fun but also love to serve their country. I also did not like the character Alex. He seemed like a total piece of shit and I don't see how the teachers at the academy did not see that he was a total bully.
Overall I think this was an ok book but it did seem a little bit insulting to women in the military. I would recommend this book to people who like romance and who like the military but don't really understand it at all. Because then it might seem a little insulting if you were in the military.
July 29, 2019
2.5*
For a book that had so much potential, everything was pretty much...mediocre?
What I liked most was the setting. If you’re looking for a new YA romance with a change of scenery, this could be for you.
However, what I disliked the most were the dialogues. At times (most times with side-characters) it felt very basic, and other times, such as the conversations between Paige and Logan, there were connections.
Logan was really hard to warm up to, mainly because he didn’t have the best first-impression. He was basically shit. But throughout the book, you get to see his better traits (such as his loyalty, flexibility, and understanding). Besides that, I felt that the leap in his character development didn’t do its justice, but the intention was still much-appreciated.
Paige was a better character. She’s hardcore yet passive. Paige allowed herself to grow while staying true to herself. She never lost sight of her goal and never let herself down once. Even in her bad moments, she never looked back.
In my opinion, the romance was entertaining. It showed the awkwardness of a relationship and the excitement of teen love. Logan respected Paige’s boundaries and Paige kept them both on track. I liked the aspect of friendship to more but it was fine.
Plot-wise (Logan’s crime), it was just something to be there. One of the obstacles in the way of a half-baked love. It didn’t really dig into it or give us much information. Literally, it was just there.
The book was fun while it last. The ending was especially sweet, so that’s a plus. Book is worth a try, but it does not live up to its potential.
For a book that had so much potential, everything was pretty much...mediocre?
What I liked most was the setting. If you’re looking for a new YA romance with a change of scenery, this could be for you.
However, what I disliked the most were the dialogues. At times (most times with side-characters) it felt very basic, and other times, such as the conversations between Paige and Logan, there were connections.
Logan was really hard to warm up to, mainly because he didn’t have the best first-impression. He was basically shit. But throughout the book, you get to see his better traits (such as his loyalty, flexibility, and understanding). Besides that, I felt that the leap in his character development didn’t do its justice, but the intention was still much-appreciated.
Paige was a better character. She’s hardcore yet passive. Paige allowed herself to grow while staying true to herself. She never lost sight of her goal and never let herself down once. Even in her bad moments, she never looked back.
In my opinion, the romance was entertaining. It showed the awkwardness of a relationship and the excitement of teen love. Logan respected Paige’s boundaries and Paige kept them both on track. I liked the aspect of friendship to more but it was fine.
Plot-wise (Logan’s crime), it was just something to be there. One of the obstacles in the way of a half-baked love. It didn’t really dig into it or give us much information. Literally, it was just there.
The book was fun while it last. The ending was especially sweet, so that’s a plus. Book is worth a try, but it does not live up to its potential.
August 1, 2019
For some reason, this book made me think of the movie, An Officer and a Gentleman, only with the roles reversed. Paige Durant is on the fast-track to a career as an Air Force pilot. She follows the rules, is at the top of the class, and her only concerns are her physical endurance test and telling her father that she doesn't plan to follow his footsteps in the Navy. When Logan Evans arrives at Wallingford Academy as part of a plea bargain, Paige becomes his mentor. He behaves badly from the start, clearly unaware of the rules or what it will take to survive the training. He and Paige butt heads from the start, but slowly, they start to appreciate each other. Not surprisingly, they feel attracted to one another, and Paige risks all her plans for the future in order to save Logan after he makes a mistake. While this book will make many readers feel good as they ponder how love can save someone or turn him around, parts of it left me feeling uncomfortable because Paige is portrayed as just too straitlaced and driven. I'm not sure that I could buy that someone that goal-oriented would ever take the kinds of risks she does, and all for the possibility of a romantic relationship. I just don't know about that. I also felt doubtful that a woman would be assigned to mentor a man in such a situation, especially one who was in trouble with the law. I finished the book and thought about the self-discipline that can be instilled through military training but also wondering about the (un)fairness of some rules. It seems clear to me that some of us just aren't cut out for such a career.
November 7, 2019
Grade Range: 9-12
Genre: YA Romance
Literary Merit: Good
Characterization: Very good
Recommendation: Recommended
Paige is one of the best and brightest at Wallingford Academy, a military school that is made up of two distinct groups of students. There are those who, like Paige, are planning to commit their lives to the military and there are the so-called DQ’s, delinquents who have gotten into trouble with the law and are at Wallingford in an attempt to avoid harsher punishment. Logan is a member of the latter group, arriving at Wallingford midyear to try to make himself look good before a court date where he will confront hit and run charges. Logan’s attitude towards military school is not great; he is used to a life of loafing around and playing video games. When Paige is assigned as his mentor, the two seem to have nothing in common. Since they are forced to spend time together, they begin to get to know each other better and soon discover that each of them is more than they seem on the surface.
Risking It All is a cute and fluffy romance that is both predictable and enjoyable. The novel alternates between Paige and Logan’s first-person perspectives. Knowing what was going on in the minds of these two characters makes them more likable at the outset, though you can certainly understand why they drive each other crazy. The characters do have some depth, and their relationship develops in a way that is mostly believable (no instalove here). They also have a mature conversation about physical boundaries (they keep it pretty tame), which I found refreshing. There were no big surprises here, but it was a quick, fun read with a satisfying ending that will appeal to teens who enjoy lighter romances in the lane of other Swoon Reads titles and Jennifer E. Smith.
Genre: YA Romance
Literary Merit: Good
Characterization: Very good
Recommendation: Recommended
Paige is one of the best and brightest at Wallingford Academy, a military school that is made up of two distinct groups of students. There are those who, like Paige, are planning to commit their lives to the military and there are the so-called DQ’s, delinquents who have gotten into trouble with the law and are at Wallingford in an attempt to avoid harsher punishment. Logan is a member of the latter group, arriving at Wallingford midyear to try to make himself look good before a court date where he will confront hit and run charges. Logan’s attitude towards military school is not great; he is used to a life of loafing around and playing video games. When Paige is assigned as his mentor, the two seem to have nothing in common. Since they are forced to spend time together, they begin to get to know each other better and soon discover that each of them is more than they seem on the surface.
Risking It All is a cute and fluffy romance that is both predictable and enjoyable. The novel alternates between Paige and Logan’s first-person perspectives. Knowing what was going on in the minds of these two characters makes them more likable at the outset, though you can certainly understand why they drive each other crazy. The characters do have some depth, and their relationship develops in a way that is mostly believable (no instalove here). They also have a mature conversation about physical boundaries (they keep it pretty tame), which I found refreshing. There were no big surprises here, but it was a quick, fun read with a satisfying ending that will appeal to teens who enjoy lighter romances in the lane of other Swoon Reads titles and Jennifer E. Smith.
May 24, 2019
I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Paige Durant is one of the most ambitious officers at her military school, Wallingford Academy. A Lieutenant Commander, an ace student, partakes in multiple activities, and a dream to fly fighter jets. The only problem? She wants to go Air Force. Which is hard to explain to her Navy SEAL father why she doesn't want to continue in the family Navy tradition. Which is why she hasn't told him yet.
Logan Evans does not want to be at Wallingford. Unfortunately, it's that or jail. He's starting to think juvie would be better. Needless to say, he's regretting letting his girlfriend talk him into taking the blame when she did a hit-and-run with his car. His goal: survive to graduation in June and keep out of trouble. Easier said than done, when he keeps getting assigned laps for breaking one of the gazillion school rules.
When Paige is assigned to be Logan's peer mentor, she has her work cut out for her. And he has no idea that his outlook on life is about to change.
A strong addition to the Swoon Reads line-up, "Risking It All" is a story about finding love when and where you least expect it, standing up for your dreams, finding yourself, and figuring out just how far you'll go--and what you'll risk--for the people you care for.
Paige Durant is one of the most ambitious officers at her military school, Wallingford Academy. A Lieutenant Commander, an ace student, partakes in multiple activities, and a dream to fly fighter jets. The only problem? She wants to go Air Force. Which is hard to explain to her Navy SEAL father why she doesn't want to continue in the family Navy tradition. Which is why she hasn't told him yet.
Logan Evans does not want to be at Wallingford. Unfortunately, it's that or jail. He's starting to think juvie would be better. Needless to say, he's regretting letting his girlfriend talk him into taking the blame when she did a hit-and-run with his car. His goal: survive to graduation in June and keep out of trouble. Easier said than done, when he keeps getting assigned laps for breaking one of the gazillion school rules.
When Paige is assigned to be Logan's peer mentor, she has her work cut out for her. And he has no idea that his outlook on life is about to change.
A strong addition to the Swoon Reads line-up, "Risking It All" is a story about finding love when and where you least expect it, standing up for your dreams, finding yourself, and figuring out just how far you'll go--and what you'll risk--for the people you care for.
June 28, 2019
I absolutely loved this hate-to-love romance book. Paige and Logan are so different, but their banter and friendship reminds me of one of my favorite TV couples (Logan and Veronica from Veronica Mars). My heart hurt for them at times, but it also had the jumbles for them.
I liked that Paige was the one in charge rather than having it be the male character. She has her life all planned out and Logan throws a major wrench into it. He's disrespectful and obviously doesn't want to be at Wallingford (military school). As the book goes on, you learn why he's there and that while he does have his faults, he is loyal above all things. I saw a review mention that this book had the typical gender role reversed and I agree and loved it. Paige is determined, where as Logan is the heartfelt guy who gets her to live a little and open up.
I enjoyed how much character building there was. Not just with Paige and Logan but also with Paige's dad and Alex. There was also a lot of female empowerment. One of my favorite parts was when Paige stopped herself from saying SORRY, because there was nothing for her to apologize for.
I liked that Paige was the one in charge rather than having it be the male character. She has her life all planned out and Logan throws a major wrench into it. He's disrespectful and obviously doesn't want to be at Wallingford (military school). As the book goes on, you learn why he's there and that while he does have his faults, he is loyal above all things. I saw a review mention that this book had the typical gender role reversed and I agree and loved it. Paige is determined, where as Logan is the heartfelt guy who gets her to live a little and open up.
I enjoyed how much character building there was. Not just with Paige and Logan but also with Paige's dad and Alex. There was also a lot of female empowerment. One of my favorite parts was when Paige stopped herself from saying SORRY, because there was nothing for her to apologize for.
May 8, 2020
Risking It All by S.M. Koz is a great YA read. Set at Wallingford Military Academy, it gives teen readers a glimpse into a world few get to see in real life, a training academy where discipline is everything, television and video games are nonexistent, and teenagers set incredibly high goals for themselves. Paige—or, rather, Lieutenant Commander Durant—is the epitome of a strong female protagonist, a leader among her peers who works unbelievably hard to prepare for a career in the military. She’s the type of girl who will let nothing stand in her way…until a difficult new cadet, Logan Evans, is assigned to her battalion. Logan has a secret in his past and a terrible attitude. Will Paige be able to help him turn things around? Will she have to risk everything she’s been working toward to do so? Readers will enjoy the characters’ alternating points of view as their relationship evolves from a mentor-mentee arrangement into something more. This was an enjoyable read that was difficult to put down, and Paige Durant is a smart, independent, memorable character who will stay with me for a long time to come.
February 7, 2019
Paige has military discipline drilled in her soul and she dreams of joining the Air Force even if her dad is Navy. She always follows the rules of her military high school Wallingford. She’s asked to mentor a new cadet named Logan who doesn’t follow the rules and doesn’t want to be at Wallingford. He’s only there to stay out of prison...
What I loved:
1. Paige is a fabulous female lead who is determined, intelligent, and a great mentor/leader. She shows that a woman can be tough and pretty.
2. I really liked the bread crumb clues about why Logan is in legal trouble, eventually leading the reader to the ultimate truth.
3. Friendship and loyalty are important themes in the book.
4. The setting of the military high school was new to me and I really enjoyed it; the structure, discipline, and physical training.
5. The romance builds slowly and is based on a strong friendship.
Attention! This book is going get your feet marching and your heart thumping.
What I loved:
1. Paige is a fabulous female lead who is determined, intelligent, and a great mentor/leader. She shows that a woman can be tough and pretty.
2. I really liked the bread crumb clues about why Logan is in legal trouble, eventually leading the reader to the ultimate truth.
3. Friendship and loyalty are important themes in the book.
4. The setting of the military high school was new to me and I really enjoyed it; the structure, discipline, and physical training.
5. The romance builds slowly and is based on a strong friendship.
Attention! This book is going get your feet marching and your heart thumping.
March 15, 2019
Risking It All is a book for both YA and mature readers alike. The characters are strong and complex in many ways. This book is set at a military academy and it has those students driven to be career military and those there as a "last resort." This is where this book gets so interesting seeing the blending of the two and how each background guides the decisions they make.
Our main characters, Paige and Logan, are from two different worlds. Paige is strong and has a hard and fast belief in following the rules, no matter the cost. Logan comes in with a chip on his shoulder bent on bending, if not breaking, every rule he finds. She is determined to change him and falls in the process. Together, these two find out that the world isn't black and white and everything isn't always straight forward.
SM Koz did a beautiful job with this story showing the growth of all the characters, even the adults in this book. It was a 5 star read for me!
Our main characters, Paige and Logan, are from two different worlds. Paige is strong and has a hard and fast belief in following the rules, no matter the cost. Logan comes in with a chip on his shoulder bent on bending, if not breaking, every rule he finds. She is determined to change him and falls in the process. Together, these two find out that the world isn't black and white and everything isn't always straight forward.
SM Koz did a beautiful job with this story showing the growth of all the characters, even the adults in this book. It was a 5 star read for me!
March 25, 2019
Risking It All gives readers everything they could want in a YA romance! After reading the back cover synopsis, you may think you have Paige and Logan pegged - but don't make the mistake of putting them in a box. Paige's strong, determined, confident characteristics are refreshing to see, and Logan's reasons for being sent to Wallingford will keep you guessing while you root for these two to work things out and get together. For this reader, Risking It All is a genuine look into life at a military school, something I had never considered before, and the possibilities and challenges that path presents.
I would (and will) definitely recommend Risking It All. With this being SM Koz's second traditionally published YA romance, I think this firmly plants her as an automatic "one-click" go-to YA author. Her stories are unique and do not disappoint!
I would (and will) definitely recommend Risking It All. With this being SM Koz's second traditionally published YA romance, I think this firmly plants her as an automatic "one-click" go-to YA author. Her stories are unique and do not disappoint!
June 19, 2019
This book is taken in a Military school and delinquent child Logan who has been court ordered to go to military school or go to prison and Lieutenant commander Paige Durat has been appointed to teach him the school ways.
I really enjoyed reading this book I loved seeing Paige a stickler to rules and her whole life organised by father finally stand up and relax and then you also see Logan who came to school with an attitude turn out to be a not so bad guy, each character rub off on each other and they form a romantic relationship. This book sweet and lovely, it’s more for teens and young adult but adults can also read it if it’s your cup of tea.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
I really enjoyed reading this book I loved seeing Paige a stickler to rules and her whole life organised by father finally stand up and relax and then you also see Logan who came to school with an attitude turn out to be a not so bad guy, each character rub off on each other and they form a romantic relationship. This book sweet and lovely, it’s more for teens and young adult but adults can also read it if it’s your cup of tea.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
December 23, 2019
3.5...but I had an enjoyable experience!
Paige is a strong female character which I appreciated. A no-nonsense and stickler for the rules, though I would have liked to see her flexibility explored more. Paige firmly sticks to her decisions regarding her future plans. Logan's backstory was solid and provided the perfect backdrop for him to be at this military-boarding type school. There is a good balance of seeing who he is and what his life is outside of the academy.
I liked that Paige was inexperienced, but also not nervous and shy with Logan. She clearly states her boundaries, in addition to Logan asking what she is okay with. To me, this scene of mutual consent was an important scene.
This is a book that ends in a neatly wrapped bow, but not far-fetched enough that it tampered my enjoyment.
Paige is a strong female character which I appreciated. A no-nonsense and stickler for the rules, though I would have liked to see her flexibility explored more. Paige firmly sticks to her decisions regarding her future plans. Logan's backstory was solid and provided the perfect backdrop for him to be at this military-boarding type school. There is a good balance of seeing who he is and what his life is outside of the academy.
I liked that Paige was inexperienced, but also not nervous and shy with Logan. She clearly states her boundaries, in addition to Logan asking what she is okay with. To me, this scene of mutual consent was an important scene.
This is a book that ends in a neatly wrapped bow, but not far-fetched enough that it tampered my enjoyment.
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