Rock Bottom Girl

by Lucy Score

[stacey_is_sassy]

I wish I'd had a teacher like Jake...

I had the most amazing reading day today. I managed to get the washing, cleaning and shopping done AND start and finish a fabulous book. Actually, I'd have to say it was an amazing weekend of reading. Two 5-star books in one weekend are what every reader dreams of. Rock Bottom Girl took me on an emotional journey of highs and lows and left me with a big goofy smile.

Marley has hit rock bottom and returned to her childhood home with her tail between her legs. Broke, homeless and single, at 38 she's desperate to finally be on the right path to success. Being home is not her path to happiness it's just a fork in the road. When her mum manages to score her a job as a soccer coach and PE teacher at her old school, she accepts it on the proviso that it's short term. Marley wants more than her small town, and she definitely doesn't want to get stuck being constantly reminded of her biggest mistakes. One of those mistakes...is still in town and still as sexy as he was at 17.

Jakes Weston is a history teacher and cross-country coach. Besides teaching, his main priorities are his family, dog and fellow teachers. Now that he's nearly 40, he's started to realise that the short hook-ups and dating isn't enough. Jake's lonely and wondering if he's meant for more. When Marley comes back to town he can't help but remember that one steamy kiss under the bleachers. She's still extremely sexy and manages to make him laugh each time they're together. Maybe, Marley is the right person to test the waters to see if he could do more.

Honestly, I loved this story. Yes, Marley could be a pain in the butt with her negativity and *woe-is-me* mentality but in some ways I kind of got her. Like Marley, high school was not my best years. Luckily, unlike Marley, I managed to move on and still lead a pretty great life. Poor Marley, never really found her happy place. Meeting Jake, falling for Jake, it seems like more but it's just a matter of time before it all goes wrong.

Jake is my favourite type of hero. He's far from perfect, a little gruff, a wee bit egotistical and a bit of a slob. But, the swagger has its charm, his sexiness and good looks make me swoon, and his thoughtfulness and kindness made me sigh. It's so nice to have the heroine stuff up instead of the hero. Marley spends too much time thinking that the grass is greener on the other side instead of appreciating what's right under her feet...or standing beside her.

Rock Bottom Girl was funny, sexy and very thought-provoking. Lucy Score has thoroughly entertained me from start to finish. Her characters came to life for me and I enjoy her look into a small town. Most of this story revolves around the local high school and I loved seeing a positive side to what kids get out of modern media.

If you're looking for a story to make you laugh, sigh and swoon, you can't go wrong with Rock Bottom Girl.