Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Review: Tell Me When by Stina Lindenblatt

Tell Me When
Tell Me When by Stina Lindenblatt
Amber Scott should be enjoying life as a college freshman. She should be pursuing her dream of becoming a veterinarian. She should be working hard to make sense of her precalculus math class.
She shouldn’t be waking up her college roommate with screaming nightmares. She shouldn’t be flashing back, reliving the three weeks of hell she barely survived last year. And she definitely shouldn’t be spending time with sexy player Marcus Reid.
But engineering student Marcus is the only one keeping Amber from failing her math course, so she grudgingly lets him into her life. She never expects the king of hookups will share his painful past. Or that she’ll tell him her secrets in return, opening up and trusting him in a way she thought she’d never be able to again.
When their fragile future together is threatened by a stalker Amber thought was locked away for good, Marcus is determined to protect her. And Amber is determined to protect Marcus…even if that means pushing him away.
GR
Publishes in US: January 20th 2014 by Carina Press 
Genre: NA contemp
Source: Carina via Netgalley
Series? No

Buy it: Pre-Order Amazon | Pre-Order Barnes and Noble

Author stalk away: Website/blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Goodreads

 
    I decided to read Tell Me When because it was available on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, and it caught my eye because I can't get enough New Adult and it sounded like a premise that I would enjoy. 
    If you are burnt out on NA, like I know some of my readers are, this may not be the book for you, but if, like me you are still craving and devouring, then I know that you will like this one. 
    Amber definitely has her own voice, and I was intrigued by her nightmares and the freak outs, and how this happened to her. We get to see her struggle day in and out with very real physical symptoms that can start to take over her life. I like the fighter spirit in her and even though she sees herself as weak and damaged, especially at first, I loved seeing the growth in her as she opened up to a new friend Jordan as well as Marcus who keeps showing up in her life, and the once man-whore who is feeling new things for a girl as well as forming a friendship. 
    The dual perspective is almost a trademark of NA these days, but I think that Stina Lindenblatt did it well. She captured their voices, and showed pivotal moments of change as well as bringing that ever valuable other opinion of events and see the main characters in another light and through some one else's eyes. 
     The secondary characters were enjoyable as well, and I especially liked Jordan's (her new friend's) upbeat and accepting persona. I liked how she could probe for an answer but know when to stop as to not push too hard or far. I also enjoyed Marcus and his roomie/best friend Chase, how easy going they were with each other, but still brought that nugget of truth when needed. I also saw a new side of Marcus with the younger guys Juan and Carlos, from his neighborhood, and who he still works with at the community center playing basketball with them. 
    The revelation of both Amber and Marcus' pasts was timed well, and I appreciated how they opened up with one another because they saw that familiar hurt and pain. They had a lot more in common than they ever would have guessed at first glance, and their stories are so raw and painful. The emotions in this book really got to me, and they were well written. 
    And oh, the chemistry between Amber and Marcus. The reluctance at first because it is new for them or has been so long makes it even more tense and delicious. 
     The ending had me on the edge of my seat, but I did like how everything (eventually) wrapped up and where it left them. 

My question to you, my lovely readers:
 Are you still pursuing/living your childhood dream job?
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17 comments:

  1. I am a bit burned out, but I'm glad you enjoyed this!

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    1. It's easy to get that way, so I tend to rotate what I read in genres and it helps some.

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  2. This sounds like your typical NA with well done characters. I usually stay away from the genre so I doubt I'll be reading it, but I'm glad you enjoyed it.

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    1. It is pretty typical NA, but I still can't keep away :)

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  3. Childhood dream job, can't say I do

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  4. No I am not pursuing my childhood job, I wanted to be an artist. I am one who is burned out on NA. I am glad you are still loving it and enjoying it.

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  5. I can't say I'm burned out by NA because I'm not the biggest reader. I guess I stay away from the very emotional ones where the MCs are just tortured souls! My heart can only take so much of that.

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  6. I am not a huge NA fan so this one is not for me. I never addressed my issues in college i am wondering if anyone else did?

    Yeah, I am pursuing two right now. How about you?

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  7. Great review Brandi. I don't think I'm burnt out on NA, there is a lot of different ones out there still. Amber and Marcus sound like interesting characters.

    Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

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  8. Not burnt out yet, but I mix genres and age groups so I think that keeps it fresh for me, and I love the dual perspective, so I am glad to hear this was done well, lovely review Brandi!

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  9. I'm still enjoying NA as long as it's a good story. I think I'm more burned out with YA to be honest. This sounds like a sweet story and I'm wondering what gave Amber nightmares. Great review, Brandi! :)

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  10. I'm just on the verge of being burnt out on NA so maybe I'll wait a little while before picking this one up. Glad you enjoyed it though! :-)

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  11. Just requested on Netgalley. Thanks for convincing me.

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  12. I'm one of those burned out on NA people lol

    But when I find one done well it makes me very happy! This one sounds interesting to me.

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  13. I don't think I saw this one on NG but I'm curious. I want to see the intereaction between the two characters, it sounds wonderful!

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  14. Since I AM tired of the same NA plots and dual POVs, this may not be for me, but I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Brandi! The characters (yay for great secondary ones) seem nice even though I don't think I'll read it, but lovely nevertheless:)

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  15. oooh this sounds interesting! I think I will give it a try! :)
    feel free to visit my blog, I have only just started it.
    http://jordypaigebooks.blogspot.co.nz/

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