Tuesday, May 07, 2013

Review: Easy by Tammara Webber

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Review: Easy by Tammara WebberEasy by Tammara Webber
Published by Berkley Trade on November 6th 2012
Genres: Contemporary, NA
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four-stars

Rescued by a stranger.
Haunted by a secret
Sometimes, love isn’t easy…

He watched her, but never knew her. Until thanks to a chance encounter, he became her savior…

The attraction between them was undeniable. Yet the past he’d worked so hard to overcome, and the future she’d put so much faith in, threatened to tear them apart.

Only together could they fight the pain and guilt, face the truth—and find the unexpected power of love.

A groundbreaking novel in the New Adult genre, Easy faces one girl’s struggle to regain the trust she’s lost, find the inner strength to fight back against an attacker, and accept the peace she finds in the arms of a secretive boy.

An amazing story involving first loves and true loves, Easy by Tammara Webber is highly emotional as it involves the topic of rape and a dark past, but in the end it remains a very heartwarming love story.

In a story like this the characters–their development and likeable qualities–are the most important, and this is where Tammara excels. As much as Jacqueline is created with tons of layers and a personality you can’t help but adore, Lucas’ character, with his tattoos, his Harley, and an extremely kind soul, is not neglected with his development one bit. These two characters become real, breathing, living beings that are effortless in getting us to care for them. Even though the chemistry between them is a character in and of itself, with palpable electricity and obvious attraction, the relationship never felt overly embellished, too perfect, or fairy-tail-ish. The imperfections and obstacles they endure make it less of a fantasy romance, and more a romance that you believe could truly happen. As a side but not a lesser character, Erin–Jaqueline’s roommate and new best friend–lends the book a nice dash of humour, with my favourite being her amusing relationship advice. Her loyalty and support gives the perfect example of what a true friend should be. Throughout the story, the complexities of these characters become even more exposed as we discover layers that weren’t immediately obvious, especially when Lucas’ past comes into play, proving once again that character growth is just as important for a story like this to have its full effect.

The college setting is a great aspect to this novel. Having gone to college in business I found the economic chatter amusing and nostalgic. College days is a time in your life that will always stay with you, and while High School will (unfortunately) never be forgotten, college is where we really find ourselves–at least for a lot of us. This is one of the biggest allures of this New Adult genre for me, and this book portrays it perfectly. It’s a time where, like Jacqueline, you make new friends, you start learning realities of the real world, and you say goodbye to your high school mistakes. Some darker consequences than what most will have to live through is introduced in this story, however, which keeps the tone of this college life on a slightly darker side than the norm, giving the story a bit of an underlying suspense. It provides it with a little oomph, alongside the romance, without it being overly dramatic to the point where it becomes emotional manipulation. Overall it’s a wonderfully told romantic story.

I really have no complaints about this one; I mean, it has your expected “broken character with worst case scenario dark past”, but even so, it was beautiful, sweet, romantic, and fantastically crafted. The only reason I hesitate to give a 5 is because of how it compares emotionally to my last 5 star NA read (Hopeless) which was a lot more affecting for me–that one truly gutted me until I was bruised. Easy is more a love story with some dark tones, while Hopeless is more dark tones with a love story. And yes I’m comparing the two because I’m thinking that, for some, whichever of these you will read first might possibly trump the other.

four-stars

4 Hot Espressos

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Giselle

Canadian blogger, wife, mother, coffee lover, and sarcastic at heart! She has had a love for all things bookish since before Amazon and eReaders existed *le gasp*. You can also find her organizing tours and other fun things at Xpresso Book Tours.

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30 Responses to “Review: Easy by Tammara Webber”

  1. Nick

    Wohoo!I’m so glad you loved this one Giselle. This book was the best thing that happened to me last year. I probably read it like 10 times already. 🙂
    I love Lucas. He never failed to make me swoon.
    I completely agree about the characters. They were so complex and realistic you can’t help but feel for them.
    Plus, the author portrayed college life perfectly. There was this one time I read a NA book where the author mentioned how the bell rang to announce the end of class! *snickers* A bell! 😛
    Fabulous review, Giselle! 🙂

  2. Amy

    Dude!! I need to read this like, soon!! I have it. I think I have both the ebook and a physical copy actually lol!! Damn me and way over scheduling myself for May and June!!

  3. Mary @ BookSwarm

    I loved the strong collegate setting in this one. It’s such a time of change and fluctuation that it just begs to be a setting. And I adored Lucas. SO FANTASTIC. Like you said, he had a very kind soul which drew me to him.

  4. Jenni @ Alluring Reads

    SO happy that you liked this one in the end! I freaking loved this book so hard. I think that this one has really set the bar for NA for me and I appreciated that the dark past was there but it didn’t take over the whole story. It seems like now in NA it’s all about how much fucked up shit they can make happen and then try to get the characters through it and it kind of drives me crazy. I want me a Lucas!

  5. Kristin @ My ParaHangover

    I’m so glad I caught your review of this one!!! I was kind of wondering about this one but I wasn’t sure if it was YP or NA. And, of course, something bright and shiny distracted me from investigating and seeing who thought what about it. I’m putting it on the list (cringe!) I’ve gotten leery of heavy reads but when Jenni said this one is okay… phew!

    Awesomely written review!!

  7. Alexa Y.

    I absolutely LOVED Easy. It was the first NA book I ever read, and there’s definitely a soft spot in my heart for it. I’m super glad that you ended up enjoying it! I do agree with your assessment – it’s really a love story with just a few darker tones to it.

  8. Siiri

    I loved the college theme as well – I mean.. She really did study and it was a huge part of this novel, not just a mentioning and then the rest wasn’t all romance and get-through-the-BS etc. I liked how Jacqueline grew into a strong woman and found herself. I, too, found the relationships and friendships in this book amusing and Erin was the best-est friend there can be. Love, love, love this book so hard! I hope this contemporary kick continues for you:-)

  9. Faith Sullivan

    Giselle, I adored this book and I was excited to read you review. Tammara, for me, really knew how to capture the essence of college life. And Lucas is a character that has stayed with me long after reading the novel. Tammara is a true talent in the New Adult world.

  10. Christina

    Oh yeah, what you’ve read before totally impacts the reading experience. If this and Hopeless are similar, no surprise this didn’t get the five star, even if Hopeless was written after. For you, it’s going to feel the other way. What did you think of the crazy drama back story for Lucas? A little over the top?

  11. Jesse Burgoyne

    So glad you liked this one! This book was the second NA I read so I wasn’t so burned out on the broken characters with dark pasts plot just yet. I still have to read Hopeless. I’m really really wanting to, especially if you’re saying its similar to this book because I really enjoyed Easy!

    Jesse @ Pretty In Fiction

  12. Nereyda @Mostly YA Book Obsessed

    Hopeless ruined you for all NA books! I read this one last June when it was first released and was blown away. I was like whoa, is she really in college?! Then I was like whoa, is Tammara really not going to force us to wait 3 books and numerous ‘interruptions’ for them to finally get it on?! And several other whoa’s.
    It kind of annoys me how now most girls in NA books are either sexually assaulted or almost. Only a few authors have done this right, the rest are just bad wanna-be copies (J.Lynn)
    As much as I love NA (and you know how much I love it) the ‘NA’ books that are just an excuse to release a book with a lot of drama and a lot of sex are driving me crazy!

    I can never write just a normal comment…*sigh***

  13. Sarah Elizabeth

    I’ve been a bit hesitant to read this one cause some people have said that the whole sexual assault thing isn’t very nice, I think I’m going to have to give it a try though 🙂

  14. Trish Hannon

    I loved Easy too, great characters and believable plots. I doubt anything will ever top Hopeless for me though. But both are great examples of the potential of the NA genre to entertain but also explore darker issues.

  17. Jen (A Reading Daydreamer)

    To be honest, I’m getting really tired of NA, and it has to stand out a LOT to have me really love it (ehem, HOPELESS for me as well!) And yes, Easy DOES sound like a typical New Adult with the main protag’s dark past, but Easy is just so popular that I honestly need to pick it up. I’m so glad that the romance worked seamlessly. Yay for imperfect relationships! 🙂 really happy that you liked this one a whole whole lot. great review, Giselle!!

  18. Aman

    I read Easy before Hopeless, so for me Easy is the NA ever, it opened the door for other NA’a, but Hopeless is a masterpiece in itself. Great review!

  19. Vi Nguyen

    I still need to read this! It’s great that you liked it. I think I might end up comparing it to Hopeless like you, since I read that one already, lol. Then again, I’ve read a ton of NA lately and they all kind of follow the same format, which is all well and dandy, of course. Great review!

    Vivian
    Confessions of a Vi3tBabe
    Deity Island

  20. Megan K.

    Wow, yet another good NA book review from you! I’m going to be broke at this rate. 😛 I like how this was more than a love story, too, because I’ve read a couple of new adult books that are NOTHING more than angst, love, sex, love, and depthless, boring parts. I’m hoping to read Hopeless soon, so I hope I’ll get to know what you mean by that reference! Lovely review as always, Giselle. 🙂

  21. Melanie

    YAY for contemporaries 😀 They seem to be the only promising books these days. I’ve heard much love for this one so I’m glad you enjoyed this one in the end.

    Stunning review Giselle! I think I’ll pick this one up sometime in the future. <3

  22. Shooting Stars Mag

    Sounds like a wonderful read. I really do love contemporary novels, so I need to check out some of these NA titles. I love that authors are finally publishing stories set in college. I just wish more traditional publishers would pick them up so it’s easier for people to get their hands on a copy. I’ll have to keep this one, and the other title you mentioned, in mind!

  23. Dea S.

    I’m so glad you liked it Giselle! I think Easy was the first NA book I’ve read and loved. NA was so new then that college-aged protagonists with dark pasts were exciting and intriguing to read.

    I’m reading Hopeless and about two-thirds into it. I totally get how someone’s standard could get higher after reading this! I also suggest you read The Sea of Tranquility if you haven’t. That was the book that ruined me for all the typical NA.

  24. Maja (The Nocturnal Library)

    I think I would really like Lucas, because hello, tattoos and a Harley AND he’s sensitive too. I’ve been hearing so much about this book, mostly from Lisa, and I think at this point, I have no choice but to pick it up.
    If I choose to read contemporary, which isn’t often, I prefer new adult, and the college setting usually makes me happy. 🙂 Older characters are slightly easier to relate to.
    Wonderful review, Giselle!

  25. Lauren Elizabeth

    So happy to hear you loved this one! I have a copy and am planning on reading it soon. I love when a romance is more realistic and not fairytale, and Lucas sounds pretty swoonworthy (tattoos on a sensitive guy are like my kryptonite). You’ve made me want to read this book sooner, but you’ve also made me want to read Hopeless like ASAP. 🙂 Lovely review!

  26. Candace

    I’ve been wanting to read this one for a long time. I’m glad you really loved it. I also like that you mentioned Hopeless gutted you a bit more and so you enjoyed it more. I hope to read both really soon!

  28. Molli Moran

    I think 4 stars is really fair for this one, Giselle. That’s what I gave it, too! I loved it a LOT, despite having some issues with a few parts to do with the Buck storyline. *punches him* I’m happy you enjoyed this one so much! Wasn’t Lucas just the SWOONIEST?!

    Molli | Once Upon a Prologue

  30. Wendy

    I aboslutely loved Easy! One of my favorite NA books. I loved Jacqueline and I really liked that college (hw, tests, classes) were actually an integral part of the story. Some NA books are set in college and they go to class maybe once, ever. Great review!