Emma (SCR)
Written on May 6, 2014
Life after college graduation is not at all what twenty-one-year-old Bree Logan expected. Unable to find a professional communications job, dumped by the guy who was THE ONE, and stuck with a pricey city apartment she can’t afford, Bree ends up moving back home with her parents in the suburbs and working as a cocktail waitress at a posh Chicago hotel.
In a desperate attempt to get a fresh start, Bree goes to a hip salon and requests that the first available stylist chop off her long dark hair. Alarmed when the stylist suggests “The Rachel,” after the famous haircut from the show Friends, Bree is hesitant, but decides to go for it when she is assured it will be a “fresh, modern adaptation” of the infamous 90’s cut. Unfortunately for Bree, it turns out to be exactly the same cut, but with horrific heavy bangs added to it. Hideous doesn’t even begin to describe it.
Bree is convinced nothing will ever go right when she meets neighbor Jack Chelten, a twenty-five-year-old German translator. Not that Bree is looking to date anyone, but there's something quirky and intriguing about his freckle-splashed face and blue eyes. And suddenly Bree finds herself seeking out different opportunities and challenges . . . as well as the boy next door.
In her new adult life, Bree learns that sometimes you have to go through crises to get to where you need to be. And if you can survive The Rachel, you can survive anything, right?
Firstly I would like to thank Aven for not only sending me a copy of this book for review but also for letting me be a part of Jack and Bree's story from the beginning. I was extremely lucky to be a beta reader for this book. I got to see Jack and Bree go from a concept to the book that I have just re-read.
Bree is back home after the worst summer of her life. Her boyfriend dumped her, leaving her to pay for their Lincoln Park apartment, she can't seem to even get an interview for the job she wants and to top it all off she now has The Rachel hair cut, great if we were still in the 90's. The last thing Bree want's is to start dating, but then along comes Jack.
Bree is really a strong, clever woman. She's pretty even with The Rachel. She's ambitious and wants a job she can be passionate about.
Jack is a sweet guy who's had his heart broken before. Jack is a good guy but he has a complex about it. He thinks that good guys finish last.
Jack and Bree are made for each other. Every step, every action they have taken has made them the people they are.
Aven has a way of creating wonderful characters that you can't help but fall in love with. Her writing makes you feel like you are right there at the thanksgiving dinners and at the Zoo lights at Lincoln Park Zoo or laughing about doga (yes this is a real thing).
I love every one of Aven's books and this is no exception. I can't wait for more of Aven's books.
Excerpt
Now it’s just me and Jack.
“Firefly,” he says, breaking the silence.
“What?” I laugh.
“Right there, hold on a second,” Jack says, pointing near the pond. “There!”
And I see it. A firefly lights up the darkness for a brief second, a flash of yellow in the dark sky.
“I condemned many fireflies to a sad death in a Cool Whip container in my childhood,” I admit, laughing.
“Did you poke holes on the top?” he teases.
“Of course! I didn’t try to suffocate them on purpose.”
“Murderer.”
“I was not,” I giggle.
“Challenge for you,” Jack says. “Can you still catch one?”
“Absolutely I can.”
“Prove it.”
“Oh, okay, you’re on. First one to catch five wins,” I say, throwing down my own challenge.
“I’ve so got this,” he declares.
So we both get up and begin catching fireflies. We’re laughing and teasing each other and before I know it, I have bested Jack.
“That’s five,” I declare happily, snatching the fifth firefly. I open up my palm to reveal it to him, and then I release it to the night sky.
And in a way, I feel released, too. I’m releasing the negativity about the job search, and I’m starting new tomorrow with Jack’s help. I gaze at his profile, and I know this German-speaking boy next door has something—if not everything-to do with this newfound feeling I have.
He turns and catches me looking at him. We don’t say anything for a moment, and another firefly flashes light between us.
“I guess I should be heading home,” he says softly.
“Okay.”
“So I’ll see you tomorrow for sushi?”
“Yes,” I say, smiling back at him. “And I’ll send you my resume right now.”
Jack nods. “Okay then. I’ll see you tomorrow. And thank you for tonight.”
“I should be thanking you,” I say softly.
He turns and begins walking across the grass. I cross my arms over my chest, his sweatshirt still keeping me warm. Jack suddenly stops and turns to me.
“’Hochzeit mit Hindernissen,’” Jack says.
I begin laughing. “What?”
“The German title for ‘The One with Monica and Chandler’s Wedding,’” Jack says, grinning at me. “That’s one of my favorite Friends episodes.”