Author: Jessa Russo
Series: Book One in the Ever Trilogy
Published By: Curiosity Quills (Oct. 1, 2012)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Paranormal
My Rating: 4 Stars!
Goodreads Description:
Seventeen-year-old Ever’s love life has been on hold for the past two years. She’s secretly in love with her best friend Frankie, and he’s completely oblivious.
Of course, it doesn't help that he’s dead, and waking up to his ghost every day has made moving on nearly impossible.
Frustrated and desperate for something real, Ever finds herself falling for her hot new neighbor Toby. His relaxed confidence is irresistible, and not just Ever knows it. But falling for Toby comes with a price that throws Ever’s life into a whirlwind of chaos and drama. More than hearts are on the line, and more than Ever will suffer.
Some girls lose their hearts to love.
Some girls lose their minds.
Ever Van Ruysdael could lose her soul.
My Review:
I have to start off by mentioning the
cover of this book because it is simply gorgeous! If the synopsis
wouldn't have lured me in, this cover most certainly would have. I
couldn't help but be drawn into the ethereal beauty and mystery of
the girl and the faint ghostly outline of a boy.
Thankfully this just wasn't a pretty
cover, the story inside was just as fabulous as the alluring cover of
the outside.
And while this is a story about a girl
and a ghost, this isn't your typical YA ghost love story. It is so
much more. This book really took me by surprise. I wasn't quite sure
what I was getting into when I started this but what a great surprise
it was. It is different and original and completely compelling.
Ever (what a fabulous name!) was a
great character. She wasn't perfect, in fact she was downright
awkward and clumsy at times and made some serious mistakes along the
way and yet some how, that just made me like her all the more.
Frankie was amazing. I love how he
called Ever Doll, something about it was just so sweet and made me
smile every single time he said it to her. I apparently have a thing
for guys giving girls pet names.
Toby was just as wonderful as Frankie,
but not in the same way. He too was full of hotness and was slightly
mysterious but you could tell that he really cared for Ever and
wanted to be with her.
I don't always like love triangles, in
fact I get tired of them but I didn't mind it in this one. Yes the
love and emotions going on in this one were like being trapped in a
tornado, Ever bouncing back and forth between who she liked more, who
she was loyal too and who she wanted to love, but again, it just
worked.
This really was one of those love
triangles were it wasn't easy picking a favorite and I didn't envy
Ever at all.
I even liked Ari, I think she was a fun
addition. A little bit of the evil naughty that this storyline
needed. The evil that you love to hate. You can sympathize with her a
little because, she was after all in love, but at the same time, she
is so nasty you just can't quite bring yourself to like her either.
Greg and Jessie were fun and great
secondary characters. I loved Jessie, she was a great friend to Ever
and always had her back.
This really was a fun new take on souls
and ghosts and other things I won't get into because I don't want to
ruin anything for anyone.
There were a lot more twists and turns
in this than what I was expecting and the ending does leave you
hanging but it also leaves you really anxious for the next
installment because you want to know what happens next. What it means
for Ever and Frankie and Toby. What Ari's bomb shell means for them
all really.
I think Russo has created a wonderful
story with loveable characters and I can't wait to see where she
takes it from here.
I think this is a fabulous debut novel
for her and what I am sure will be a very fun trilogy that I can see
lots of people really enjoying and loving.
Well you've convinced me! I SO wish my TBR wasn't so full cause this sounds really good! I adore ghost love stories and if you say this is a triangle that kind of works I'll believe you. ;) I definitely will have to think about reading this in the future. Ack, why are there SO many great books I'm dying to read?!
ReplyDeleteI know the feeling Candace, so many great books, so little time!!
ReplyDeleteThis has definitely been the year for awesome new releases and series!