In Which I Get Sucked Into the Contemporary Romance Genre

It all started when I read the synopsis for The Sweetest Thing by Jill Shalvis. I had never heard of her before, but I had seen her newest release around the blogosphere and I finally tracked it down on Goodreads. I knew I had to read it. Unfortunately, it hadn't been released yet and so I couldn't read it right then. Bummer.

Since I was in the mood, I cast about for another story that would satisfy me until my craving was met. I happened upon Just One of the Guys by Kristan Higgans. I have only read one novel by her and it was a long time ago, so I reacquainted myself with the awesomeness of Kristan Higgans. Just One of the Guys was such a wonderful read! It even made me cry, which is unusual for a contemporary romance. I became so invested in the story and the character's lives that I completely forgot everything else around me. Thank goodness I read it after my munchkin went to bed, because obliviousness with a six month old does not go well together.

After reading that book, I realized that I had been spending far too much time with young adults and was desperately craving some sweet, mature romance. I then moved on to Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis, since I figured it would be better to read the first book in the series before the second. Loved it! It made me laugh and hot dang, was Jax (the main male squeeze) a hot one. This was my first introduction to Jill Shalvis and I was not disappointed in the least. Her characters are funny, quirky and the personalities of each mesh well together to create a story worth reading.

Still in the mood, I moved on to All I Ever Wanted by Kristan Higgins. It was only okay. I am so in love with Just One of the Guys, that anything would have a hard time following it. My favorite part was the sunny, upbeat attitude of Callie, the heroine.

Then I happened upon a review of Hidden Away by Maya Banks, and I couldn't resist an action packed series about six delicious brothers. Hidden Away is the third novel in the series, and was just released. This was another first timer for me. I had never read Maya Banks before, and I was pleased with the outcome. If you like Alpha males, this book is for you. There is nothing sexier than a possessive man who thinks of you as "mine." Oh, be still my heart.

I was still jonesing for The Sweetest Thing, but I had a few days yet before it was released. So, on to a few more time fillers. Next up: My One and Only by Kristan Higgins. I think I've had enough of her for awhile. This was her newest release I believe, and again.. it was only okay. The main female character, Harper James, was a witch with a capital B. I didn't even like her until the very end. And I'm talking last few pages end. Why did I read the whole thing, do you ask? Well, Nick, the ex-husband and hero, was uber sexy and smoldering. I just had to see if he had a happy ending.

Finally, finally.. I was able to get a hold of The Sweetest Thing by Jill Shalvis. The instigator of this whole adventure. I am in love with the men of Lucky Harbor. Holy smokes, they're hot. This is a really great series, and I highly recommend it for whenever you're in the mood to completely lose yourself in sweet, mature romances.

And now, I've moved back into the young adult realm. Don't worry, I'll spare you the details. I feel like I've gone on a binge or something. A contemporary romance binge. Interesting.

Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler

Author: Holly Schindler

Genre: Young Adult

Published: March 2011

Goodreads

Star basketball player Chelsea "Nitro" Keyes had the promise of a full ride to college—and everyone's admiration back home. Then she took a horrible fall during senior year. Now a metal plate holds her together and she feels like a stranger in her own family.

 

That summer, Chelsea's dad hires Clint, a nineteen-year-old ex-hockey player and "boot camp" trainer, to work with her at a northern Minnesota lake resort. As they grow close, Chelsea finds that Clint's haunted by his own tragedy. Will their romance end up hurting them all over again—or finally heal their heartbreak?

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Have you ever happened upon a book that gets stuck in your mind and you can't seem to move on until you've gotten your hands on it? Playing Hurt was one of those types of books for me. I'd troll through my TBR list looking for another willing victim, and I'd pass this and think to myself "man, I really want to read that book now!" I finally couldn't resist any longer, and bought it at B&N. I started it last night after my munchkin went to bed, and while I wasn't extremely pleased with it, I wasn't entirely disappointed either.

Chelsea is recovering from a horrific accident in which she is now held together by a metal plate and is struggling to deal with life with no basketball. She is a senior, and for a graduation present her parents decide to book a family vacation to a outdoorsy resort in Minnesota. Chelsea's father decides to sign her up for a boot camp, without her knowledge. Clint, her trainer, has also experienced personal tragedy of his own and the story focuses on the two as they overcome fears and learn to live and embrace life again.

Ms. Schindler's story is well developed. The characters have no glaring deficiencies, and the setting is beautiful and she described it in such a way that I felt like I was there. Chelsea and Clint seemed to be normal teenagers, coping with hurt and loss. The relationship between the two was very steamy. I could feel the physical connection and the desperate want. It was actually quite graphic for a young adult novel, I thought. I'm no prude, and I enjoy a good, lusty scene every once in awhile, but I'm just not sure they have place in the young adult genre. I think there are more eloquent ways of telling us what is going on, without being so descriptive.  

Chelsea left a boyfriend back home, and it added a skeevey side to Chelsea's character that didn't sit well. Perhaps she was a confused teenager filled with angst, but my sympathy for her dwindled throughout the story. I am still grimacing slightly thinking about her character, even after I finished the book. Clint, on the other hand, was every young girl's dream. Heck, every old girl's dream too! He was sexy, heart-felt and real. The kind of guy every girl wishes they could run into on a summer vacation.

And the ending. It was sort of a happily ever after, but sort of not. I needed some sort of closure and I didn't get any. Or at least, I didn't get the closure that I was looking for. It felt like Ms. Schindler left me hanging, and I'm pretty sure that this is a single novel, with no sequel. Slightly frustrating.

So really, Playing Hurt was worth the read, I'm just not sure it was worth the buy. It contained a good message, and the chemistry was actually pretty good. I just wish the circumstances were different (the whole boyfriend thing) and the ending didn't leave me thinking "that's it?". I'd recommend it, but I wouldn't rush out and read it right this minute.