If Only by A.J. Pine
ebook, 342 pages
Expected publication: March 24th 2014 by Entangled Publishing
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance 
Sometimes it takes crossing an ocean to figure out where you belong.
It’s been two years since twenty-year-old Jordan had a boyfriend—which means it’s been forever since she, well, you know. But now she’s off to spend her junior year in Aberdeen, Scotland, the perfect place to stop waiting for Mr. Right and just enjoy Mr. Right Now.
Sexy, sweet (and possible player) Griffin may be her perfect, no-strings-attached match. He’s fun, gorgeous, and makes her laugh. So why can’t she stop thinking about Noah who, minutes after being trapped together outside the train’s loo, kisses Jordan like she’s never been kissed before? Never mind his impossible blue eyes, his weathered, annotated copy of The Great Gatsby (total English-major porn)…oh, and his girlfriend.
Jordan knows everything this year has an expiration date. Aberdeen is supposed to be about fun rather than waiting for life to happen. But E. M. Forster, Shakespeare, and mistletoe on Valentine’s Day make her reconsider what love is and how far she’s willing to go for the right guy.
If Only is a study abroad romance that will be lots of fun for literature lovers. Jordan hasn’t had a boyfriend in a long time, and her best friend makes her promise that on her study abroad experience that she will just let loose and let herself have some fun for once. Insert two other american guys also doing study abroad and you know that they will spice things up for Jordan. There is Griffin, the fun loving and no commitment type of guy that has charm to spare. And then there is Noah, who has so much in common with Jordan but does have a few strings attached. So who will she pick?
I really liked how Authors E.M Forester and Shakespeare played a big role in this book. The classes she takes are very interactive and we get to see the literature interwoven into the storyline. I think that was my favorite part of the book. The writing is great and the characters are all very engaging.
I had a lot of ups and downs with this book. I absolutely loved Griffin and I was disappointed that he didn’t play a bigger role in the story. I would love to see him get a follow up story of his own. I liked If Only, but with A.J. Pine’s writing and Griffin’s personality, I think that would be a story that I would LOVE.
I just wasn’t sure about Noah. I went back and forth with him so much. A few of his decisions rubbed me the wrong way. I loved the chemistry that him and Jordan shared, but there were so so so many ups and downs between the two of them. It was tiring. I think the ending of the book was great, and I like the way it ended up working out. I think it was best for the characters. I loved the international setting of the book. I think a lot of people that weren’t as attached to Griffin as I was, would really fall in love with this book. It is so well written and very cute.
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Christy @ Love of Books
What? She goes to Scotland and doesn’t sample the … delicacies? She goes all that way, to a country full of Scottish men, and hooks ups with two Americans? Bah! lol. This still sounds cute, though. 🙂
Kim Baker
You pointed out a couple things in your review that I didn’t in mine, and they were things that I enjoyed. I loved the international setting and the Shakespeare and E.M Forester references. I might not always have understood them, but I appreciated that they were there.
More Griffin, please.
kimbacaffeinate
This sounds cute, but why no romance with a Scot? I love that it has literary references. Wonderful review Michelle!
Ari T.
This sounds like a book I would enjoy. I like how you said there were literary references and connections made throughout the story, I think I would enjoy reading just for that reason. I am also curious about no Scotsman involved too, but the book sounds cute regardless! Thanks for the review! I might check it out.