When I was a teenager, my book buying routine was fairly (and by fairly I mean ridiculously) damaging. I would see a book, perched in all of its loveliness on a shelf, take it down and flip to the last page. I wouldn’t read the entire last page (cause that would just be stupid) but I WOULD read the last sentence. If I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t buy the book. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.
What I failed to see then (that I understand now) is that a book is not necessarily about the last sentence, it’s about the journey the characters travel to GET TO that last sentence. The happiness they encounter. The pain that shapes them. The love, courage, hope and redemption that makes them who they are. All things you will never learn from 8 words and a few well placed commas.
Thankfully I have matured over the past 15 or so years (or at least I like to tell myself that I did) and shoved that nasty little habit into file 13 (otherwise known at the “black pit of absurdity”) If not, I may have (very ungracefully) bowed out of the chance to read Tammara Webber’s novel “Easy” and, to put it quite melodramatically, that would have been a colossal mistake.
“A girl who believes trust can be misplaced, promises are made to be broken, and loyalty is an illusion. A boy who believes truth is relative, lies can mask unbearable pain, and guilt is eternal. Will what they find in each other validate their conclusions, or disprove them all?
When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup two months into sophomore year. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she’s single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle of friends, and failing a class for the first time in her life.
Leaving a party alone, Jacqueline is assaulted by her ex’s frat brother. Rescued by a stranger who seems to be in the right place at the right time, she wants nothing more than to forget the attack and that night–but her savior, Lucas, sits on the back row of her econ class, sketching in a notebook and staring at her. Her friends nominate him to be the perfect rebound.
When her attacker turns stalker, Jacqueline has a choice: crumple in defeat or learn to fight back. Lucas remains protective, but he’s hiding secrets of his own. Suddenly appearances are everything, and knowing who to trust is anything but easy.”
There is this saying amongst book people: “If a book doesn’t capture your attention in the first chapter, it never will.” Now, while I don’t necessarily agree with this statement, I can appreciate its sentiment. Books are a dime a dozen, why waste your time on one that doesn’t grab your attention right out of the gate, right?
Just for the record, that is NOT the case for “Easy.”
It takes a lot to floor me, to get my blood stirring and my emotions to react as “normal people’s” do. It’s a consequence of my job…desensitation. So when after just two chapters I found myself shaking with dispair and genuinely concerned for the well-being (both physical and mental) of Webber’s lead character Jacqueline I knew, without a doubt, I had stumbled upon something worth my time.
“Easy” is not just another romance novel. It’s a 318 page lesson in compassion, understanding, courage and self-worth.
Lucas and Jacqueline define the phrase “beating the odds” and they manage to do so by not only challenging themselves, but each other. Life is hard. Trust isn’t given easily BECAUSE life is hard. It’s this concept alone…trust…that makes their duo so beautiful.
To be blunt, Jacqueline is the victim of a heinous crime. Lucas (abstractly) is a part of it. It’s the effect of this crime that drives the novel. Makes not only the situations IN the novel feel real but the people a well. As a reader you want to yell at them for their inability to let people in. As a human…you want to embrace them for their flaws. Together it makes for a mesmerizing combination.
Should I tell you all about the plot and how magnificently paced and planned out it was? Yes, probably. But…this is one of those times that I think the book should speak for itself.
In short…highly recommended.
Happy Reading my fellow Kindle-ites and remember: Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. -Lao Tzu
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[Rating:5/5]
Recognizing Inspiration
About Tammara
I write romantic Mature Young Adult / New Adult fiction.
EASY is my newest contemporary stand-alone novel. BETWEEN THE LINES is my contemporary series. Available on:Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iBookstore, IndieBound, and the Book Depository.
Reading was one of my first and earliest loves, and writing soon followed. My first book was about a lost bear, but my lack of ability as an illustrator convinced me to abandon that effort and concentrate on passing 3rd grade. I wrote sad romantic poetry in high school and penned my first half-novel when I was 19, for which I did lots of research on Vikings (the marauders, not the football team). It was accidentally destroyed when I stuffed it into the shredder at work.
Addictions: coffee and Cherry Garcia frozen yogurt. Also baby carrots, but not with coffee or frozen yogurt, because that would be disgusting. I love shopping for earrings, because they always fit – even if I occasionally forget to work out. I’m a hopeful romantic who adores novels with happy endings, because there are enough sad endings in real life.
Representation: Jane Dystel of Dystel & Goderich handles all questions regarding subsidiary rights for any of my work. Please direct inquiries regarding foreign translation and film rights availability to her.
Writing/Self-Publishing Advice: Any success I’ve enjoyed as an author can be attributed to a combination of hard work, blind luck, and fantastic emotional support. As much as I’d like to, I don’t have time to write back to everyone who asks me questions about my journey as an author. Most questions are answered in this post: Indie Writing FAQs.
Reader FAQs: No, I don’t plan to write any more stories centered on Graham and Emma or Lucas and Jacqueline. Here’s why: Love May Make the World Go ‘Round… But Conflict Makes a Novel Go ‘Round.
Want to gush, gripe, or ask a question? Please write to me at tammarawebber(at)hotmail(dot)com. I’ll attempt to answer in a timely manner! (Please assume timely is a relative term.) Questions concerning anything answered on this page or in one of the referenced posts will likely be ignored, due to the fact that I have a book or two to write. 🙂
The Giveaway
I love posts with author’s playlists! Its fun to learn about their creative process and what they envision for their characters. It gives their book another dimension. Thanks for the giveaway! (I loved this book so much but only I have it on Kindle so I would love a hard copy.:)
Ok I think the comments are working now.. 🙂 Sorry Book Nerds!
Awww my hero 🙂 thanks babe.
WHERE DID MY AWESOME COMMENT GO?! I just typed a long one, and it didn’t show up, because of some website error. Oh well. This one won’t be as good.
I don’t think the playlists are necessary. What an author does not write with music playing? Do authors write better with or without music? Authors before this time did not need music to write. Nowadays authors act like that they can’t write without music. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I think it’s cool to get new song recs! And to see what songs match with which scene. So, I’m for and against posting playlists.
Thanks for the post and giveaway!
I love seeing the playlists. I like to see what songs inspire their writing and the story!
Glad the comment thing wasn’t just my work computer hating me and glad it is all fixed. Great review and great giveaway Misty! I have already told a few friends to enter. I read this book a couple of months ago and really enjoyed it. Tammara Webber has a way with weaving a story that sucks you in. I found myself caring for characters in record time. After reading Easy I sought out some of her other work. I only have the 3rd book in the Between the Lines series left. Best of luck to all the giveaway participants, hopefully you will enjoy this book as well.
I love when authors post their playlists! The soundtrack really helps complement the story and gets me in the mood. However, authors should also be careful and make sure they don’t overdo it. I’ve read a few where authors fall into that trap and it really kills it. The story must always be about the writing; the music should always be secondary.
I love the playlists. It’s almost like you are getting in their heads. 🙂
I think it’s great, it helps me, at least get the feel of things. It make me understand what they were feeling while writing.
I think author playlists are cool! I love new music.
oh my comment didn’t show up here? hmmm something wrong? i posted my comment yesterday 🙁 anyways… i love music… the lyrics inspires us and the rhythm calms us… so every author that i discovered like abbi glines its totally awesome that they include playlist with their books.. it gives more colours to our worlds that we created while reading their book 😉 i love it! ^_^
Heyyy my comment didn’t show up 🙁 Well I think the playlist was ok, then again I only listen to rock music, but I did like that it had Amberlin as Mumford and Sons 🙂 You show listen to Closer by Amberlin, now that one’s really good.
It’s interesting to see what authors like listening to and the songs can give you a feeling for the story.
I enjoy playlists. Sometimes I don’t agree with the playlists because of certain times.. I would choose a different song. However, seeing and hearing brings something to a whole new level!
I love it when authors share their playlists! I’ll look up the songs on YouTube and listen to it when I read the book. The songs are usually perfect fits and they add that extra “omph” and “feel” when reading and listening at the same time! Also, it’s great to know that these are the songs that inspired them 🙂 So YAY for playlists! And thanks for the giveaway!
tess_halim(at)hotmail(dot)com
I think it’s very interesting to learn about what inspires/motivates an author to write their particular story. Don’t think playlist is necessary but it’s neat 🙂
who won? 😀
Haven’t drawn yet. Will do it tonight