Monday, August 25, 2014

Review: Shatter by Erin McCarthy

Title: Shatter
Author: Erin McCarthy
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Series: True Believers #4
Publication Date: 2nd September 2014
Pages: 304
Book Source: Penguin Group & NetGalley

Synopsis: Kylie Warner prides herself on being optimistic, but after finding her best friend in bed with her boyfriend and flunking chemistry, her upbeat attitude has taken a dive. Even an impromptu hook-up with her sexy new chemistry tutor only brightens her mood slightly. After all, it’s not like she’ll ever see the tattooed scholar again…

While he’s a whiz at complex equations, Jonathon Kadisch has trouble when it comes to figuring out women. So when Kylie tells him that she’s pregnant after their night of passion, he’s at a complete loss. He’s prepared to be a good father—unlike his own deadbeat dad—but he’s less prepared to fall for the genuine and alluring blonde bearing his child.

With emotions running high, Kylie wonders if Jonathon’s devotion is out of growing love or looming obligation. And when heartbreak threatens to tear them apart, Jonathon will have to fight for the only girl who’s ever made him feel whole ...

Karen's Thoughts: 
This series has had many and varied reviews, some good and some not so good. It’s a series I have particularly enjoyed and would recommend reading it for yourself.

I really like how the author touches upon issues that are aimed at the College age group. Whilst the issues are not entirely pleasant to read about, I feel they have been quite realistic. In this book Ms McCarthy touches on Kylie’s ex having certain expectations in their physical relationship due to the amount of porn he watches online. Whilst Kylie was trying to be a ‘good girlfriend’ and please Nathan, it wasn’t making her feel particularly good about herself. Finding out that he had slept with one of her best friends has absolutely crushed her confidence. It was refreshing that she was sensible when it came to Nathan and didn’t believe his promises of better things.

Kylie is failing chemistry and here is where we get introduced to the geeky and extremely lovely Jonathon Kadisch, her new chemistry tutor. Fitting that not only is there chemistry on the pages they are studying, but also between themselves. On a whim they share a night together. Their attraction to each was just heart warming. I loved that Jonathon got to show Kylie just how a guy should treat a girl and that she was able to experience that it is about her just as much as it is him. Kylie then discovers she is pregnant yet they barely know each other and have a lot they need to work out.

I loved the geeky Jonathon and the chemistry jokes he shares with Kylie created some lightheartedness in their journey to being together. 

I have really enjoyed Erin McCarthy’s True Believers series and Shatter is most definitely my favourite.  I hope Ms McCarthy has more in store for us in this series.

Guest review by Karen

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11 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. It was my favourite in this series Julie. I thought that Jonathon was portrayed in a different light than most of the main male characters in romance novels these days.

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  2. Replies
    1. I have Teddyree to thank for encouraging me to branch out and read new genres. It took me quite some time to try YA. YA for me can be very hit and miss and its always great to come across one that I enjoy.

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  3. I just want to read this one since it's your favourite lol ... will I miss out, reading out of order? Thanks for the fabulous review Karen :)

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    1. You could read them as stand alone Teddyree but I'm a bit OCD about reading a series in order so the thought makes me cringe a little lol!

      Believe (book 3) is Robin and Phoenix's story. Robin is one of Kylie's friends that finds herself in a 'sticky' situation with Nathan, Kylie's boyfriend at the time. There's a fair bit of background story in Believe that would give you some insight into how broken Kylie was finding out about her boyfriend and a close friend.

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    2. Darn, I couldn't do it. I'm the same about reading a series in order but I was hoping I might get away with it just for this one lol

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  4. Karen, great review and it sounds like a very good read. What is the heat rating? I don't like too hot, but can handle a certain amount.

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    1. Thanks for your question Kathryn. I find steam hard to rate as everyone has a different idea of what they think is hot or not. This is definitely not a 'fade to black' type of book but I found the intimate scenes pretty tasteful but I am also someone that can skim over something that's not to my taste. I guess one of the things I enjoyed about this book was the contrast between Kylie's previous boyfriend and his expectations compared to Jonathon who had a very sincere and caring nature. There is certainly steamy chemistry between the two characters. I hope this helps.

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    2. Karen
      I think you are right about everyone has different ideas of steamy! If its tasteful and/or I can skim over it then I don't mind. I hate missing a good book because it might be too hot for me! Yes I picked up the contrast in your review and I liked that aspect.

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  5. I love to hear that the author addresses issues and that they were well done. I actually have book one in this series. I know, I know I have book one of every series but it's true..and I am an addict. #biggest tbr pile ever:)

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