I initially found this book in my Amazon Recommended Reading suggestion box on my Kindle. I was skeptical. It was one of those books that had interesting enough blurb, but was so intentionally vague that, for all he knew, the goblins might be the big plot twist. I scrolled down to see other reviews and there were two absolute RAVES about the story and a tanker. Now, I gave this book the benefit of the doubt. Now I understand where both the ravers and the tanker came from. This book left me a bit lost. Sometimes the main character Evie (beautiful name by the way) was strong and fierce, and other times she was incredibly goofy. However, the chemistry between her and Reed is instant. I fall in love fast and fast with duos who hate loving you. When everything is tense and heartbreaking, and you shouldn’t love someone, but you do, and you don’t know how to describe what you feel? If that is good.

Best friend but also love interest, Russell, on the other hand, was hard to love. He wanted me to like him, but the southern dialect made it difficult for me. He was very exaggerated and made it seem unintelligent. The way he immediately feels a connection to Evie and seems almost possessive was annoying. As a reader and cheerleader of strong women, I was horrified that Evie put up with the constant “she’s mine, I want her, I won’t let you have her” conversations that are sprinkled throughout the novel. Evie is a character that I have a strange relationship with. I want her to like me, and I do. But I also wish that she could be more genuine and realistic. The dialects and slang throughout the book seem rather forced to me, but I respect the author’s intent to relate it to today’s college student (one being one myself). I was too shocked and taken aback by the familiar plot twist at the end that I forgot to even cry. It seemed like an afterthought, and one he really wasn’t prepared for. This poor girl goes through hell.

The brilliant bits were there: Freddie, the brotherly best friend, is fabulously written and evolves splendidly throughout the book. The tension of not knowing along with Evie what was going on was tempting. Reed is good at the sexy role of him, but I want him to grow even more. The sweet stuff is a bit too cheesy for me, but I hope the author steps up the sensual side in book two. The story needs more tension on that level. I’m giving the second book a try, and I hope it helps the story grow! I’m interested to see where this goes. Curious indeed.