Welcome to day one of the blog tour for Biggest Flirts, the first book in a new series by the amazing Jennifer Echols! Today, I have a review, plenty of book and author information, and a giveaway for you! Enjoy!
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Biggest Flirts by Jennifer Echols
Book One of the Superlatives series
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: May 20, 2014
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
Official Summary:
Tia and Will’s lives get flipped upside down when they’re voted Yearbook’s Biggest Flirts in this sassy novel from the author of Endless Summer and The One That I Want.
Tia just wants to have fun. She’s worked hard to earn her reputation as the life of the party, and she’s ready for a carefree senior year of hanging out with friends and hooking up with cute boys. And her first order of business? New guy Will. She can’t get enough of his Midwestern accent and laid-back swagger.
As the sparks start to fly, Will wants to get serious. Tia’s seen how caring too much has left her sisters heartbroken, and she isn't interested in commitment. But pushing Will away drives him into the arms of another girl. Tia tells herself it’s no big deal…until the yearbook elections are announced. Getting voted Biggest Flirts with Will is, well, awkward. They may just be friends, but their chemistry is beginning to jeopardize Will’s new relationship—and causing Tia to reconsider her true feelings. What started as a lighthearted fling is about to get very complicated…
What I Liked:
I really enjoyed this book! I had a feeling that I would, because it's Jennifer Echols, and I've had good experiences with Echols' books. I loved Such a Rush, and liked Dirty Little Secret. This novel might be my favorite of the three... it comes close between this one and Such a Rush.
Tia doesn't want a boyfriend, for various reasons. Will, the new guy, really likes Tia. They have amazing chemistry, and they flirt constantly, but Tia refuses to go out with him, as a couple. So Will moves on to another girl, which makes Tia irrationally jealous. Tia needs to own up to her feelings, before it's too late for her and Will.
This book seems like a bit of a cliche, on the surface. However, I wouldn't say that it is. Tia's character surprised me. I wasn't really expecting such a wild, free girl. I feel like in YA novels, the girls are quiet, shy, slightly introverted girls. Tia is not afraid to hook up with whomever she wants to hook up (not that she hooks up with anyone and everyone). This is definitely a bolder, different type of "strong", and I like it. Tia also acts like a not-very-intelligent person, even though she is crazy smart. She's afraid of starting a serious relationship with someone, and she is afraid of being put in a leadership role. Tia is more complex and interesting than I thought she would be. I love the depth of her character.
The same goes for Will. He's not just the new boy, the love interest, the spurned one. He's got a rather recent tragic incident with love, and so his love life is not the most straightforward at the moment. He's also from Minnesota, which is apparently much more different than I thought it was. Interesting. Anyway. He has a certain charm that I absolutely LOVE. Also, he's a hockey player. You know what that means... ab heaven!! Yes, I definitely just said that. But in all seriousness, Will is a total sweetie and hottie at the same time, and that is a glorious combination.
This book revolves around Tia and Will's flirtation, their weird relationship/non-relationship. I loved seeing them flirt, and then get mad at each other, and then flirt some more, and then try to stay away from each other. Everything felt so backwards, but the two of them together definitely got more than enough alone time/page time. I love the development of their relationship. I also love the Senior Superlatives aspect to this book. It made me think of my Senior Superlative - I think I got something with positiveness? I can't remember. It was something sweet though.
Anyway, if I haven't convinced you yet, I don't know what else to say. Great story, excellent development of characters, superior yet subtle depth to just about everything, HOT MALE. Run, don't walk. I'll be reading the next book(s) in the series for sure!
What I Did Not Like:
I feel like I wanted a more concrete ending from this book. I totally get that this is part of a series, but I think this series acts as a companion series. This one ended well, but I wish things were more solid. Of course, I'm a very clear-cut person, and I generally dislike it when things are left to the reader's own interpretation. But whatever.
Would I Recommend It:
Definitely! I'm not a contemporary romance person, and I really liked this book. There is just something about Jennifer Echols' contemporary novels - I really like them! She's definitely my go-to author, when I want something in the contemporary genre. If you like contemporary romance novels, read this one and/or anything by Jennifer Echols. Even if you don't, read something by Jennifer Echols.
Rating:
4 stars. What a fantastic start to a cute, original series! I definitely cannot wait to read the next book in the series - there are some characters about which I cannot wait to learn!
Was this review helpful? Please let me know in the comments section!
About the Author:
Jennifer Echols was born in Atlanta and grew up in a small town on a beautiful lake in Alabama—a setting that has inspired many of her books. She has written nine romantic novels for young adults, including the comedy MAJOR CRUSH, which won the National Readers’ Choice Award, and the drama GOING TOO FAR, which was a finalist in the RITA, the National Readers’ Choice Award, and the Book Buyer’s Best, and was nominated by the American Library Association as a Best Book for Young Adults. Simon & Schuster will debut her adult romance novels in 2013, with many more teen novels scheduled for the next few years. She lives in Birmingham with her husband and her son.
The Giveaway:
I love your review! I'm adding the book to my TBR list :D
ReplyDeleteJackie @Jackie's Book World
I was so sad that I missed the sign up for this blog tour, but it's out soon so I'll be sad no longer--especially now that you so enjoyed this!! I've not read anything from Jennifer Echols before, but this will definitely be my first. Ab heaven? I think someone should quote you with that! :)
ReplyDeleteYay, I'm really glad you liked this one Alyssa! I'm a fan of Jennifer Echols, so it makes me happy to see that you like her books too (well, at least this one :P)!
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Alyssa! I loved this book too. My favorite thing about it was that Jenn took these characters who seemed to be flat and one-dimensional at first glance and made them deeper and more complex.
ReplyDeleteI just finished reading this book last night and really enjoyed it too. It was so stinking cute, Alyssa! :)
ReplyDeleteI also really loved Tia. She was feisty and I loved how bold and confident she was when it came to her sexual life. It was frustrating how she pushed Will away although I knew where she was coming from. But still, how was she even able to resist someone as adorable as Will in the first place? *shakes head*
I did wish for a more concrete ending too, but overall this was super cute. I can't wait to read Brody and Harper's story. That one will be even better from what I got from reading the blurb! :)
Lovely review, Alyssa!
This book sounds really interesting! I can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteOkay one, I love these books. Two, this blog! I like it, a lot. And three, what a lovely giveaway!
ReplyDeleteXo, Kristi
I've already added this to my TBR. It sounds like a fun new series.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read this!
ReplyDeleteI am a huge fan of Jennifer Echols. I once contemplated driving 8 hours in one day to go and see her. I still haven't met her yet, but I can't wait to!
ReplyDeleteYay, so happy you liked this one Alyssa!
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I'm not sure if I'd read this one, cause I really am not in the mood and moment for reading contemporaries that deal mainly with romance, no matter how cute and fun the book might be, but as soon as I'm in a better emotional place, I'll check it out!
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Alyssa!
Yay! Glad to hear you enjoyed it! It sounds like a really cute and flirt read and it's nice to know that's it's not a big cliche. I love awkward flirt and banter, so sounds like this couple is for me! Definitely can't wait to check it out!
ReplyDeleteLovely review Alyssa!