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lmrivas54's review against another edition
5.0
Have you ever started a book and cringed because it was so contentious, you didn’t like the characters and then as the book progresses, you buy into the plot and start loving the characters? This happened to me with this book. The characters initially weren’t likable at all, they were in this juvenile attitude of confrontation, but as the story continued, I learned about their issues and could understand where they were coming from. These two really needed each other!
Ava Callahan, daughter of the famous NFL pro football player Drew Callahan (One-Week Girlfriend), felt like the lost one in her family. Her father was a famous ex-NFL pro football player, her older sister was the football cheerleader captain, her second older brother was the quarterback in the football team, where her father was now the coach, and her little brother was showing signs he was going to be even better in football than Jake. She had no special talents, she was just a good girl with good grades, involved in many clubs, and so outspoken about the issues she cared about that she also didn’t have many friends. She felt lost in the shuffle of her family’s busy life and needed something.
Eli Bennett was having a horrible home life. His parents were divorcing, his father left the house and living it up, his mother was drinking, his brother left for college and ignored all the family turmoil and Eli was left alone to face all the warfare between his parents. There were no more loving and attentive parents to attend his football games. Where before he was a charming player among the girls, he was now a bad boy, full of rage and attitude.
When these two meet, the chemistry was off the charts and the hostility rampant. Eli was too cocky and impudent, Ava was openly insulting. You’d think they would turn out to be enemies, but Eli was hung on Ava since she was a freshman. He waited until she was a Junior and started his campaign. Too bad, like the YA he is, he sneered and intimidated, which caused Ava to retaliate with snark. You could tell how much Eli needed to see Ava, but he was clueless in attracting a girl who didn’t appear to be interested in him.
I loved how these two got closer and closer. They started as enemies until they weren’t, but their friends were still on opposite sides. Eli went to the public school while Ava went to the private elite school, their football teams were rivals and both Eli and Ava’s brother Jake were the quarterbacks of their respective teams. For Ava, it seemed like an impossible situation. There was also Eli’s reputation as a player.
There was much back and forth between them, a lot of stealth meetings and bad feelings about being a dirty secret. The book ends in a cliffy and the sequel arrives in about one month. As stated before, I didn’t like these two characters when I started the book. There was even one scene where Eli climbs into Ava’s room that felt way too intimidating. Even so, as their feelings developed and their issues came out, I felt for them and rooted for them. They needed to grow up, mostly Eli, who had impulse problems and did a lot of a-holic things, mostly antagonize Jake while hanging with his sister, not cool! I can’t wait to see how these two lovebirds end up!
Ava Callahan, daughter of the famous NFL pro football player Drew Callahan (One-Week Girlfriend), felt like the lost one in her family. Her father was a famous ex-NFL pro football player, her older sister was the football cheerleader captain, her second older brother was the quarterback in the football team, where her father was now the coach, and her little brother was showing signs he was going to be even better in football than Jake. She had no special talents, she was just a good girl with good grades, involved in many clubs, and so outspoken about the issues she cared about that she also didn’t have many friends. She felt lost in the shuffle of her family’s busy life and needed something.
Eli Bennett was having a horrible home life. His parents were divorcing, his father left the house and living it up, his mother was drinking, his brother left for college and ignored all the family turmoil and Eli was left alone to face all the warfare between his parents. There were no more loving and attentive parents to attend his football games. Where before he was a charming player among the girls, he was now a bad boy, full of rage and attitude.
When these two meet, the chemistry was off the charts and the hostility rampant. Eli was too cocky and impudent, Ava was openly insulting. You’d think they would turn out to be enemies, but Eli was hung on Ava since she was a freshman. He waited until she was a Junior and started his campaign. Too bad, like the YA he is, he sneered and intimidated, which caused Ava to retaliate with snark. You could tell how much Eli needed to see Ava, but he was clueless in attracting a girl who didn’t appear to be interested in him.
I loved how these two got closer and closer. They started as enemies until they weren’t, but their friends were still on opposite sides. Eli went to the public school while Ava went to the private elite school, their football teams were rivals and both Eli and Ava’s brother Jake were the quarterbacks of their respective teams. For Ava, it seemed like an impossible situation. There was also Eli’s reputation as a player.
There was much back and forth between them, a lot of stealth meetings and bad feelings about being a dirty secret. The book ends in a cliffy and the sequel arrives in about one month. As stated before, I didn’t like these two characters when I started the book. There was even one scene where Eli climbs into Ava’s room that felt way too intimidating. Even so, as their feelings developed and their issues came out, I felt for them and rooted for them. They needed to grow up, mostly Eli, who had impulse problems and did a lot of a-holic things, mostly antagonize Jake while hanging with his sister, not cool! I can’t wait to see how these two lovebirds end up!
taniamg's review against another edition
4.0
Eli, Eli. Typical high school jock but he’s wanted Ava from the moment he saw her. But I swear these two gave me whiplash at times. Eli has his moments his hormones like a teenager but at times I thought it was excessive how he kept mentioning Ava’s older sister’s body and looks. Ava was amazing and did things her way. She was very mature for her age and knew what she wanted. She had her own voice. She tried very hard to stay away from Eli but he was persistent. She had her doubts about him since he was her older brother Jake rival in every sense of the word; they despised each other. Everything was going well until Jake found out about their relationship and I really didn’t like him at that moment. He didn’t care about his sister’s feelings and made it all about himself; he said things that were very hurtful. Eli’s reaction was to be expected and he didn’t trust Ava anymore and she was innocent in this. My heart went out to both Eli and Ava and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next story.
_bookish_kristy_'s review against another edition
4.0
Ah the infamous cliffhanger! Fortunately the author isn’t making us wait long for the ending to Eli & Ava’s story.
I enjoyed this story. I was a bit put off by Eli’s behavior. He appeared creepy and crass with a potty mouth that turned off Ava as well in the beginning. Eli comes off as a cocky d-bag that likes to trash talk way too much, but you later learn it’s a facade and he’s just a teenage boy looking to be heard by an absentee family. Ava is a quiet, feisty when pushed, teenage girl that is just going through life under well respected parents and older siblings. At first she refuses Eli’s advances, but it’s not long before she gives in, and you get a high school love story with plenty of drama. I look forward to their continuation.
I enjoyed this story. I was a bit put off by Eli’s behavior. He appeared creepy and crass with a potty mouth that turned off Ava as well in the beginning. Eli comes off as a cocky d-bag that likes to trash talk way too much, but you later learn it’s a facade and he’s just a teenage boy looking to be heard by an absentee family. Ava is a quiet, feisty when pushed, teenage girl that is just going through life under well respected parents and older siblings. At first she refuses Eli’s advances, but it’s not long before she gives in, and you get a high school love story with plenty of drama. I look forward to their continuation.
kizsia's review against another edition
4.0
Listen I'm going to need to whoop all these teenagers asses.. the stuff they are dealing with at 16/17? Crazy
booklovershangout's review against another edition
4.0
I was sucked into this story from the beginning and found myself completely involved in these character's storylines. I loved them! I thought they were so great together and rooted for them throughout the entire story even with all the frustrations I experienced reading this. I went through all the emotions with this story and I was addicted just as the title suggests. I loved every minute of reading this and I can't wait to see what Monica has in store for us next.
andreaortiz's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
emmachristine2004's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lauren_soderberg's review against another edition
4.0
A compulsively readable story that continues in Meant to Be that I kind of wish had been condensed down into one book.