Pages

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Book Review-Giveaway-First Crush Last Love


About the book (provided by I Read Book Tours)
Remember your first crush? How your heart raced and your cheeks flushed whenever you saw him? Jessie Baxter does, and it’s happening again. Ten years ago, despite her best efforts, Lee Archer wanted to be just friends. Now, he wants more, but Jessie's still recovering from a psycho ex-husband. Can she learn to trust again and make her first crush into her last love?

Elizabeth McKenna’s latest novel will have you remembering the angst of high school, the grief of a failed relationship, and the happiness of true love.

Book Details:

Book Title: First Crush, Last Love by Elizabeth McKenna
Category: Adult Fiction, 314 pages
Genre: Romance - Contemporary
Publisher: Elizabeth McKenna
Release date: Aug 1, 2017
Tour dates: Oct 16 to Nov 3, 2017
Content Rating: PG-13 + M (There are a few short, mild sex scenes - nothing too graphic. There is swearing by certain characters. Mature themes include drinking/alcoholism, verbal abuse with some physical pushing, AIDS (a minor character is gay), stalking, brief descriptions of child abuse by a step-parent, and suicide attempt (overdose).

And I thought 
I had to think a lot about this one.  How do you say in a few sentences all the emotions you feel?   I have difficulty making a firm decision how to rate(stars) First Crush, Last Love.

There are things about the book I really loved,  There are things 
I kind of liked.  And honestly a little that I really didn't like.  

Let's get it out there.  What I didn't like was that the first 3/4's of the book was about the high school years.  Which wasn't necessarily negative.  The story was good.  The characters were great and reading this back story overall made a good plot.  

But based on the covers synopsis  I just expected more about 
Jessie's and Lee's budding love and ultimate happy ending and less about their high school years.  

There are a lot of high school parties described.  Lots of drinking. 
A little partner switching (as happens in high school).  Lee's relationship with his high school girlfriend is on again of again.  
Although Lee is the football quarterback he is a down to earth guy. He is dependable and doesn't mess around.  Unlike Tina who on an 'off again' period goes out with Lee's best friend Dale. There 
are no bedroom scenes but Lee finds out that the two have been together.  

On a bit of a side note.  I couldn't help but wonder if the author

was telling her own high school romance.  The high school era just flowed together seamlessly and took up alot of the book. 

As the story progressed and everyone graduates the story picks up with Lee and his new life.  He leaves town and becomes a police officer. 

While Jessie stays home and ends up marrying the boy she dates at the end of high school.   Things aren't rosy for them as his domineering qualities turns full throttle  possessive and abusive. 

Things do end well and Jessie manages to get divorced and move on and then things finally come together for Jessie and Lee as the are reacquainted at their high school reunion.   Jessie and Lee 
end happily ever after.  

There are many life issues touched on and included in this story. 
Marital abuse, and stalking, homosexuality (Jessie brother is gay), under age drinking and child abuse making First Crush, Last Love not a book I would want my young teenager to read.  I question the PG 13 rating.  (But I am not a fan of the ratings system.)

I enjoyed the characters and the story. I would be interested in reading about some of the other characters.  More of Dean's story (Lee's best friend).  Jessica's best friend Sarah.  And even Tina (Lee's high school girl friend.)

The group of people that Lee met and worked with while he 
lived in another city were interesting and I would love to read more about them.  

Overall I enjoyed the book.  


I received a complimentary copy from I Read Book Tours

This review will appear on retails sites where available.
This review will appear on Good Reads. 

Available




Visit the tour 
iRead Book Tours
Click here

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

1 comment: