Review: Distraction



Title: Distraction
Author: Laura Clark
Series: Westbrook Series Book 1
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary
Publication Date: August 22nd, 2015
My Rating: 2.5 Stars

Seventeen-near-old, Laila Patterson, would never describe her heart as fickle. She understands the difference between reality and fantasy, which is why Sam Woodson is not realistic boyfriend material. After all, he is in college, and college boys simply do not date high school girls. Plus, he is Laila’s older brother’s best friend. According to the unspoken bro-code, messing around with your friend’s little sister is pretty high on the list of forbidden taboos.

What happens when Laila discovers that her secret crush on Sam isn’t quite so one-sided? What if the only way to keep him is to keep their relationship hush-hush? Is Sam worth all of the lying and sneaking around?

As if things weren’t confusing enough with Sam, an old family friend suddenly shows up after being gone for more than three years. She isn't expecting Trevor Maddox to move back to Westbrook. She isn't expecting him to attend her high school, and she certainly isn't expecting him to be so damned gorgeous.

Laila doesn't want or need this unexpected distraction. . . or does she? 

  I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.

It's so hard for me to rate this book because I liked the love story - it made me feel the feels - however I have problems with other things. When the author approached me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, I immediately said yes despite having a pile of other review books since I thought that this book was my type. Then I started reading this and I was just annoyed at first because of the excessive use of italics and the main liking three different boys at the beginning of the book. I couldn't help but roll my eyes because I felt like it was so juvenile.

However, after pushing through, the love story of Sam and Laila won me over. Sam is a very sweet guy and I really enjoyed their relationship. Not only did it make me feel all the feels, it also made me wish that all guys were like Sam Woodson. Despite their relationship blossoming into love within just a short span of time, I couldn't complain because it felt so natural to me. Despite being quick, it felt like it was slow-burn to me.

I also liked the main character's best friend, Avery. I liked her attitude and personality, and I think that she added a distinct voice to the book. I also liked the family element in this story, and how Laila's family treated Sam like one of their own. Her indecisiveness really annoyed me and I would just like to strangle her.

Another thing that I didn't like about this book is the abrupt ending towards the end. It felt like this book is only the first part of the story instead of the first book because of how things ended. It didn't wrap things up and it ended with a weird sentence that didn't feel like a conclusion to me, which is why I was so surprised to see the word "acknowledgements" at the next page.

I don't know if I want to read the next book or not, but I sure do want to find out what is in Sam's letter!


2.5 conflicting stars

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