rosiereads613's review against another edition
4.0
College is a place where one can start over and become an entirely new version of themselves separate from who they were in high school. That is exactly what Taren wanted to do when she began her freshman year and it seemed to be going wonderfully as she met new friends and was even persuaded to rush a sorority. Of course, that came to a bit of a screeching halt when she saw the one person from her past life she didn't want to see, Alec Hart. Finding out the guy you had a crush on in high school who you thought was a good guy but who subsequently decided to embarrass you in front of the entire school when he rejected you goes to the same college as you is the last thing that Taren wanted. And on Alec's end the feeling was entirely mutual due to the fact that he thought she was the reason the second half of his senior year of high school was ruined. Little did they know the chance encounters they had their freshman year would lead to so much more.
This was an absolutely adorable new adult romance that brought me back to college making me miss it even more than I do now especially since this is the kind of romance I wish I had the chance to experience when I was in college. Despite the ups and downs that Taren and Alec faced in the beginning of the novel it was totally worth it for what happened after they realized the other was not who they thought he/she was. The pacing of this novel and the unfolding of their romance was wonderful because not only were you let wondering when it was going to happen but you also got to see how each character developed as the story moves from their freshman year into their sophomore year of college.
My favorite aspect of Taren and Alec's relationship was when it is compared to the red string of fate which is something that Alec is learning about in one of his classes. I loved this comparison because it brought depth to their relationship as well as allowed the reader to see how all relationships could be seen in this concept. It is even expanded to encompass the relationship that Taren builds with William as part of her sorority's philanthropy project. This overall idea that you are connected to a person no matter what happens in life by this red string therefore meaning that at some point your lives will cross again was just a profound idea to me and having it woven into the story made me connect with the characters that much more.
Overall, there was an authenticity to the book in regards to the college life that was depicted that, when mixed with this, at some times, all-consuming romance just made this book so attention grabbing for me. Despite what happens along the way with Taren and Alec and the obstacles they must overcome both individually and as a couple, you can't help but hope that regardless of the pledges they made to the other aspects of their college lives they are still able to uphold the pledge that they come to make with one another. This is such a sweet and adorably cute romance that allows you to continue to believe in the power that love holds when you find the one you are meant to be with even if it happens to coincide with the best 4 years of your life: college.
This was an absolutely adorable new adult romance that brought me back to college making me miss it even more than I do now especially since this is the kind of romance I wish I had the chance to experience when I was in college. Despite the ups and downs that Taren and Alec faced in the beginning of the novel it was totally worth it for what happened after they realized the other was not who they thought he/she was. The pacing of this novel and the unfolding of their romance was wonderful because not only were you let wondering when it was going to happen but you also got to see how each character developed as the story moves from their freshman year into their sophomore year of college.
My favorite aspect of Taren and Alec's relationship was when it is compared to the red string of fate which is something that Alec is learning about in one of his classes. I loved this comparison because it brought depth to their relationship as well as allowed the reader to see how all relationships could be seen in this concept. It is even expanded to encompass the relationship that Taren builds with William as part of her sorority's philanthropy project. This overall idea that you are connected to a person no matter what happens in life by this red string therefore meaning that at some point your lives will cross again was just a profound idea to me and having it woven into the story made me connect with the characters that much more.
Overall, there was an authenticity to the book in regards to the college life that was depicted that, when mixed with this, at some times, all-consuming romance just made this book so attention grabbing for me. Despite what happens along the way with Taren and Alec and the obstacles they must overcome both individually and as a couple, you can't help but hope that regardless of the pledges they made to the other aspects of their college lives they are still able to uphold the pledge that they come to make with one another. This is such a sweet and adorably cute romance that allows you to continue to believe in the power that love holds when you find the one you are meant to be with even if it happens to coincide with the best 4 years of your life: college.
jaime_bookworm's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked reading a story set at my old college. While some of the names of places or sororities were changed, it was fun knowing the exact settings and what the landmarks really were.
As for the story itself, it was a really sweet story of a second chance at love. Taren and Alec knew each other from high school and both (sometimes justifiably and sometimes not) felt incredibly wronged by the other. They had to overcome a lot to get over the past and be together - and it took someone on the outside to really force them to look at themselves and admit their feelings.
I read this book in less than a day and couldn't put it down.
As for the story itself, it was a really sweet story of a second chance at love. Taren and Alec knew each other from high school and both (sometimes justifiably and sometimes not) felt incredibly wronged by the other. They had to overcome a lot to get over the past and be together - and it took someone on the outside to really force them to look at themselves and admit their feelings.
I read this book in less than a day and couldn't put it down.
jenn703's review against another edition
3.0
I truly think this book is worth the read. I did have a difficult time getting into the beginning part of the book. I don't know if it was just because I could not relate to sorority lifestyle and the gymnastics, or maybe I am just getting too old for college books, but as soon as Taren and Alec see one another it caught my interest. I must say, William was my favorite character in this book. I did feel like the story was rushed in some places and a lot was left out. I loved seeing how fate can play such a huge part and enjoyed seeing how Taren and Alec both reinvented themselves.
* Reviewed for Kylie's Fiction Addiction.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
* Reviewed for Kylie's Fiction Addiction.
* I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
amberbehnke2013's review against another edition
4.0
Slow going...but good
The pledge has a great concept behind it. It is a really good read. For me though it was slow getting into it. But once it picked up. I was off to the races it was a fantastic read. It had the right amount of intimacy and "relations" without being smutty. Great romance book
The pledge has a great concept behind it. It is a really good read. For me though it was slow getting into it. But once it picked up. I was off to the races it was a fantastic read. It had the right amount of intimacy and "relations" without being smutty. Great romance book
apagetoturn's review against another edition
4.0
My Rating: 4.5
I wanted to read this series because I've recently fallen for Laura Ward's stories. I just got done reading Not Yet and Until Now, so I wanted to give this series a chance. It really didn't disappoint! It had all that I love in a new adult college romance!
I feel like there was a bit of a slow start, Alec and Taren, the main characters didn't actually meet until a few chapters in. While I prefer a story to start off a little quicker, the tension built in the waiting in alternating narratives was actually perfectly matched to the history these two teens actually share. It worked out for the best in this story, even though it's a practice that I typically hate.
The story is told from Alec and Taren's POV's in alternating chapters; super easy to follow and a very well-rounded way to tell this story and to get to know our characters. My favorite part of this book was how developed these characters were - the authors fleshed them out well and I knew exactly how they would react to certain situations that arose just because we learned who they were straight on. I like that in a new adult novel, while the characters are still learning who themselves are, the reader grows and learns with them.
The story isn't always perfect and bright-sided, the dark parts to their part are hard to swallow at times but I like seeing a character grow and that is what these kids went to college to do. Taren and Alec had to work hard for what they wanted and that work completely paid off in the end. It's a great lesson for college aged kids. It's a great second chance at love story and I definitely recommend it! I'm reading the sequel now as well, and it's just as good if not better! (:
"Second chances don't change the past. They just prove we can learn from our mistakes."
I wanted to read this series because I've recently fallen for Laura Ward's stories. I just got done reading Not Yet and Until Now, so I wanted to give this series a chance. It really didn't disappoint! It had all that I love in a new adult college romance!
I feel like there was a bit of a slow start, Alec and Taren, the main characters didn't actually meet until a few chapters in. While I prefer a story to start off a little quicker, the tension built in the waiting in alternating narratives was actually perfectly matched to the history these two teens actually share. It worked out for the best in this story, even though it's a practice that I typically hate.
The story is told from Alec and Taren's POV's in alternating chapters; super easy to follow and a very well-rounded way to tell this story and to get to know our characters. My favorite part of this book was how developed these characters were - the authors fleshed them out well and I knew exactly how they would react to certain situations that arose just because we learned who they were straight on. I like that in a new adult novel, while the characters are still learning who themselves are, the reader grows and learns with them.
The story isn't always perfect and bright-sided, the dark parts to their part are hard to swallow at times but I like seeing a character grow and that is what these kids went to college to do. Taren and Alec had to work hard for what they wanted and that work completely paid off in the end. It's a great lesson for college aged kids. It's a great second chance at love story and I definitely recommend it! I'm reading the sequel now as well, and it's just as good if not better! (:
"Second chances don't change the past. They just prove we can learn from our mistakes."
christy82984's review against another edition
2.0
DNF around 55%
idk what happened. I had been liking this book alright but it must have taken a wrong turn for me because I found myself not caring what happened once I hit the halfway point :-/
idk what happened. I had been liking this book alright but it must have taken a wrong turn for me because I found myself not caring what happened once I hit the halfway point :-/
alwaysbereadin's review against another edition
2.0
I skim read most of this. Because while I tried to care about these characters, I just couldn't.
rayene_ziadi's review against another edition
4.0
It was a fat paced read, witty, funny and with an EPIC dialogue.
jaimearkin's review against another edition
2.0
I'm honestly surprised I finished this one. Maybe a full review soon
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