This isn't a deep book about first loves or self-discovery. If you want a book like that, I'd be happy to recommend one, but I don't have that kind of story to tell. Instead my story is about rash decisions and finding out that your dream guy is bad in bed. It's the story of when I finally went skinny dipping, and how my life was never the same again. Oh, and it's also the story of my freshman year of college and realizing Mr. Right might have been there all along.
Fun, fresh, cute read! The Hazards of Skinny Dippinghad my attention right from the prologue! Or maybe it was the cover…
Juliet is about to start her first year of college. She isn’t naïve or a prude, but she also isn’t a big party girl either. To make sure she doesn’t “totally drown,” her cousin Amy makes her a list of five things she must do before school starts.
While completely her last challenge of skinny dipping, she gets interrupted by the boy next door, Dylan. He’s a few years older and Juliet has always had a thing for him. One thing leads to another and they end up in bed together, something she always wanted. The sad truth smacks her in the face when she finds out he is seriously lacking in the bedroom. A few weeks later Juliet and Dylan meet up again once college has started and decide to give dating a go.
Juliet begins establishing her new life as a college student, sorority pledge, and girlfriend, and she also gets a new job. This is where my favorite part of the story enters--Reed. Him and Juliet have a few cute, funny run-ins around campus and through their sororities/fraternities and he ends up hiring her to work at the local restaurant he manages. They begin forming an effortless, slow building friendship filled with lots of awesome banter. He also becomes very protective over Juliet when Dylan begins showing his controlling, self absorbed, douchebag ways. An example: "I like talking to you, Juliet, but I love having sex with you." Really, Dylan? Ass.
As the story progresses Juliet has to decide if she is ready to let go of the fantasy she had built up around Dylan for so long. At times I really wanted to strangle her for not being more proactive, but on the other hand I loved that once she made a decision, she really owned it.
I enjoyed the relationship built with Reed. It goes through so many stages throughout the story and I loved every second. Their dynamic was interesting and intriguing and I constantly wanted more of them.
The voice of the story is great and Juliet’s inner dialogue had me laughing out loud at times. What I found refreshing is that even though there is conflict, it isn’t overdone or dramatic. There isn’t this looming feeling of secrets or dark pasts. It really is about the characters in the moment and how they will move forward from their current situations and I really appreciated that. While I definitely classify this as a light read, there is depth there and I really enjoyed it. It’s a pretty short book and I got through it really quick. I almost wish it had been a bit longer because so much happens from about 70% on that I would have liked a bit more time to savor it.
I recommend this to readers who are in the mood for something light that they don't have to think too much over. What you see is what you get and I enjoyed it.
4 Hearts
Juliet is about to start her first year of college. She isn’t naïve or a prude, but she also isn’t a big party girl either. To make sure she doesn’t “totally drown,” her cousin Amy makes her a list of five things she must do before school starts.
”…but this story isn’t about the first four. It’s about what happened when I did number five.”
While completely her last challenge of skinny dipping, she gets interrupted by the boy next door, Dylan. He’s a few years older and Juliet has always had a thing for him. One thing leads to another and they end up in bed together, something she always wanted. The sad truth smacks her in the face when she finds out he is seriously lacking in the bedroom. A few weeks later Juliet and Dylan meet up again once college has started and decide to give dating a go.
”I was still trying to accept that the first time wasn’t a fluke-Dylan sucked in bed. Either he didn’t get the concept of satisfying a woman, or he didn’t care. The only think he had going for him was foreplay, and he didn’t even finish what he started.”
Juliet begins establishing her new life as a college student, sorority pledge, and girlfriend, and she also gets a new job. This is where my favorite part of the story enters--Reed. Him and Juliet have a few cute, funny run-ins around campus and through their sororities/fraternities and he ends up hiring her to work at the local restaurant he manages. They begin forming an effortless, slow building friendship filled with lots of awesome banter. He also becomes very protective over Juliet when Dylan begins showing his controlling, self absorbed, douchebag ways. An example: "I like talking to you, Juliet, but I love having sex with you." Really, Dylan? Ass.
As the story progresses Juliet has to decide if she is ready to let go of the fantasy she had built up around Dylan for so long. At times I really wanted to strangle her for not being more proactive, but on the other hand I loved that once she made a decision, she really owned it.
I enjoyed the relationship built with Reed. It goes through so many stages throughout the story and I loved every second. Their dynamic was interesting and intriguing and I constantly wanted more of them.
”I wanted him to kiss me. The thought came to me out of nowhere, but once I felt it, I wanted it so much it hurt.”
The voice of the story is great and Juliet’s inner dialogue had me laughing out loud at times. What I found refreshing is that even though there is conflict, it isn’t overdone or dramatic. There isn’t this looming feeling of secrets or dark pasts. It really is about the characters in the moment and how they will move forward from their current situations and I really appreciated that. While I definitely classify this as a light read, there is depth there and I really enjoyed it. It’s a pretty short book and I got through it really quick. I almost wish it had been a bit longer because so much happens from about 70% on that I would have liked a bit more time to savor it.
I recommend this to readers who are in the mood for something light that they don't have to think too much over. What you see is what you get and I enjoyed it.
Alyssa Rose Ivy is a New Adult and Young Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.
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Website: http://www.alyssaroseivy.com/
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I would like to read this because it looks like a great read. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI would like to read this because it sounds like a great and interesting story. I like the fact that it is not all fluff
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for reading and reviewing Hazards! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteBecause i really liked all of the other books From Alyssa and i'm sure this one will not disappoint.
ReplyDeleteI want to read this book because I have read other books by Alyssa and they have all been amazing and this one looks just as awesome :)
ReplyDeletenurse_mommy(at)live(dot)com
It sounds awesome! I wen through a similar phase of 'really living' my freshman year, too, so I'll enjoy the reminder. It wasn't so long ago for me, but things change really fast in your 20's--it seems like you do all of your growing up in this decade. Even by senior year, I had such a different outlook. I won't mind stepping back into that mindset for a few hours :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like a book I would like to read...hope I win! :)
ReplyDeleteI want to read this because I wish someone would have given me a list of 5 things to do. I've never skinny dipped and I was very prudish and naive back in the day. Heck, it's never too late...maybe I can make my own list. :) Good luck to everyone. I hope I win!
ReplyDelete