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Oak Brook Academy #5
A Fresh Start
A teen girl who is trying to move on from her past. A new student who's already gotten the label of being strange. Can their common passion for music change their lives?Jennifer Richards isn't new to Oak Brook Academy but she's been away for an entire school year. And to her dismay, the whole school seems intent on not letting her forget the reason why. She's developed a tough skin, but the bullies are getting to her.Gabriel Jenkins isn't particularly interested in fitting in at his new school. And being the son of one of the teachers doesn't exactly help his case. Besides, all he really cares about is his music. It's the one thing that never disappoints him. When Gabriel saves Jenny from an attack in the hallway, she's grateful and curious about his offer to teach her self-defense. And later, when he spontaneously starts playing his guitar along with her at the piano, something seems to happen deep inside her. She's suddenly feeling something again and it may almost be worth facing her fears. A Fresh Start is the fifth standalone book in the Oak Brook Academy teen sweet romance series. If you like stories about flirtatious mismatches, high school outsiders and teenagers at boarding school, then you'll love Jillian Adams’ clean story of love and romance for teens. Buy A Fresh Start to lose yourself in a high school romance today!Read all the books in the Oak Brook Academy series!The New Girl (Sophie and Wes)Falling for Him (Alana and Mick)No More Hiding (Apple and Ty)Worth the Wait (Maby and Oliver)A Fresh Start (Jennifer and Gabriel)Taking a Chance (Candy and Nicholas)Risking it All (Savannah and Ethan)Time for Healing (Lily and Austin)Nanny The Hamptons It Started With A Rescue (Jaxx and Nate)It Started With A Joke (Kelsie and Frankie)It Started With A Song (Maby and Devon)It Started With A Crash (Lucy and Sol)It Started With A Drink (Wren and Zach)It Started With A Ride (AJ and Danny)
- GenresRomance
228 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 14, 2019
71 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 28, 2019
As angsty high school soap operas go, it succeeds
I just realized that I've actually read 4 of the 5 books in this series(!) So I have to ask myself why do I keep coming back to it when I haven't exactly been enthusiastic in my other reviews.
Looking over my notes as I read this one doesn't help: So much back and forth. Indecision. Confusion. But I'm not sure even the story is clear what's going on. Jenny has had the realization that she needs to let Gabriel choose for himself multiple times. And that she's not protecting him from getting hurt by hurting him multiple times. She pushes him away over and over again. He keeps almost kissing her but stops cause he's not going to push her. She says she won't push him to talk, but keeps asking anyway.
Yeah, clearly I'm confused, too.
The characters are kinda stereotypic, but they're still likeable. Same with the plots. I guess outside of the things that bug me, I am still amused enough to keep reading anyway. Props to the author, then, for that talent, though she would benefit from working with a clearer plot outline & a constructively critical editor.
*Clean romance level: sweet kisses, secular attitudes on sex outside of marriage, heroine had a child out of wedlock & gave her up for adoption - I'm rounding up my score for the refreshingly positive message on making that personal sacrifice in order to provide the best possible future for her child
I just realized that I've actually read 4 of the 5 books in this series(!) So I have to ask myself why do I keep coming back to it when I haven't exactly been enthusiastic in my other reviews.
Looking over my notes as I read this one doesn't help: So much back and forth. Indecision. Confusion. But I'm not sure even the story is clear what's going on. Jenny has had the realization that she needs to let Gabriel choose for himself multiple times. And that she's not protecting him from getting hurt by hurting him multiple times. She pushes him away over and over again. He keeps almost kissing her but stops cause he's not going to push her. She says she won't push him to talk, but keeps asking anyway.
Yeah, clearly I'm confused, too.
The characters are kinda stereotypic, but they're still likeable. Same with the plots. I guess outside of the things that bug me, I am still amused enough to keep reading anyway. Props to the author, then, for that talent, though she would benefit from working with a clearer plot outline & a constructively critical editor.
*Clean romance level: sweet kisses, secular attitudes on sex outside of marriage, heroine had a child out of wedlock & gave her up for adoption - I'm rounding up my score for the refreshingly positive message on making that personal sacrifice in order to provide the best possible future for her child
March 12, 2025
Honesty, I didn't really like this that much. I kinda of got bored sometimes. I still liked Jennifer and Gabriel. Just not the plot as much. I did want to punch Jennifer's bullies. So you know if you hate characters so much, if their meant to be hated in the first place that the author is a good writer. I will still read the next book. I'm actually really excited to read the next installment. Oh, I forgot to mention in my other reviews of this series is that I love how the author sprinkles in little hints of the next book. I really like the detail. It's still easy to get through. I enjoyed it.
December 3, 2021
I had some issues with this story. Yes, it had a good storyline, which is why it has a four-star, however, the romance came out of nowhere. Maybe he loved her from afar but we don't even know that and all of a sudden he's professing his love. That aside it was a great story of starting over, finding real love, forgiveness, and growing stronger.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews