Again by Lisa Burstein Pages: 252
Published by Createspace Independent Pub on September 22, 2014
Genres: contemporary, Love & Romance, New Adult
Source: eARC from Author
How far would you go for a second chance?
Eleven years after flunking out of college, Kate has finally hit rock-bottom. Losing her job and boyfriend in one drunken night, she’s determined to fix her life by going back to the moment when she let partying and sex take over. And do things right this time. At twenty-nine, she heads back to freshman year of college, with a catch.
Pretending she's nineteen with a new roommate and full class schedule is easy. When she meets her shy, sexy and seven-years-younger RA, Carter, following her self-imposed sobriety and celibacy rules is proving to be anything but.
A senior enduring years of regret, Carter is more than ready to graduate. He’s anxious to move on from the party his freshman year where he witnessed his frat brothers about to commit a sexual assault. Instead of doing the right thing and stepping in, he looked the other way and left. His guilt has made for a lonely four years.
When he meets the new freshman on his floor, spunky and confident Kate, he wonders if his time as an outcast has finally come to an end.
Kate and Carter’s growing friendship and undeniable attraction make it harder to hide the demons from their respective pasts. But when their secrets are finally revealed, will their chance at starting over together still be there?
The premise of Again sounded different and intrigued me and I have had such good luck with Lisa’s books in the past, especially her new adult books. So I knew I couldn’t pass up on Again. And I am so glad that I did. Even though the premise was unlike most new adult books that I have read, the plot tended to be a little bit predictable but it worked really well for this story. I enjoyed getting wrapped up in the story of Kate and Carter. And I also really liked that this was a complete standalone story. Not a standalone as a part of a series, but a true standalone. Everything was neatly wrapped up in the end, and while I would love to play in the world of these two some more, there is something satisfying about everything being so nicely wrapped up. (I don’t even know if that made any sense. Summary- Sometimes I just like a standalone.)
Kate and Carter have each made some pretty big mistakes in their lives. And they were both looking for a second chance to try and be a different person. Kate through reinventing herself as a college freshman when she was really 29 and Carter by trying to hide his past from the new girl. I have no idea how Kate managed to pull of 19. I mean that is probably the craziest part of the story. I want to know her secret, especially since she was practically an alcoholic. That ages a body, but she must have one heck of a moisturizer to seem that youthful. (ok, age rant over.)
I admired Kate’s determination to make something more of herself. I thought it was telling of how strong of a person she was that she went to these lengths to go after what she wanted. I can’t even imagine the Kate that I got to know in Again sleeping with a married man. She grew so much. And Carter! Carter is just the biggest teddy bear. He wants to take care of everyone. It breaks my heart that he was painted to be such a bad guy. He is the opposite. This guy has the biggest heart. I just wanted to hug him. All the time.
Lisa worked her magic again in Again. I love watching her develop character chemistry and romance. Her books are so fluid. They make you want to keep turning pages until you get to the end and find yourself wishing for more pages. The story was great. I did see the “twist” coming a little ways off, but it didn’t ruin anything for me. I still had that OMG moment, and I was still so happy about Kate and Carter’s story. You will want to read Again, Again and Again.
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kindlemom1
I think I need to meet Kate and Carter. I have a feeling I am going to love them as well.
Autumn @TheAutumnReview
Thank you for posting!
Deanne Patterson
Your review has made me want to read this book. I LOVE when reviews do that!