Fever by Melissa Pearl Pages: 272
Published by Createspace Independent Pub on May 25, 2014
Genres: contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Source: ecopy from Author
Singing in the shower takes on a whole new meaning in Melissa Pearl's first New Adult Contemporary Romance.
Ella Simmons does not want to move across the country. But she is, because her boyfriend has persuaded her to join him at UChicago to finish out her college education. Never able to tell him no, she hops on a plane and makes the trek from LA expecting to adjust to life like she's often forced to, but things are not that simple when she hears a luscious voice singing over her shower wall.His deep, sexy tenor makes her weak in the knees, spreading fire through her limbs and making her question everything about her life and relationship.
Can one voice really have that much of an impact?
Cole Reynolds is on his way out. In his final year at UChicago, the only thing he wants to do is finish school and get on with his life. But the sweet voice that interrupts his morning shower turns his world upside down. Compelled to find his shower songbird, he begins a search across campus. The only thing to distract him from this goal is his roommate's gorgeous girlfriend who's just arrived from LA - Ella Simmons.
Relationships are put to the ultimate test as future dreams are questioned and friendships are thrown on the line for love.
Fever is the first new adult romance book that I have had the pleasure of reading from Melissa Pearl, and I enjoyed it so much that I am left wondering if there is anything this lady can’t write the pants off of. I have loved her suspense/thrillers, her young adult paranormal, her young adult contemporaries, and now this. The characters in Fever are not perfect, but that was kind of what I liked about them. It totally took me by surprise too, because I thought those particular traits (or really situation) would be something I would need to overcome and like them despite of, but the opposite occurred. I was rooting them on more than I thought possible.
Ella is a sweet and quirky young lady. I just adored her. I completely sympathized with her desire to please people. I have been known to yes someone to death and to go out of my way to try and make everyone happy, and I know first hand how stressful and disappointing it can be for yourself. I wanted her to grow her backbone so bad, but I know how hard that can be. I loved her love of Jazz. I thought it was also beautiful how her and Cole connected. And speaking of Cole, I can’t even tell you how many ways I love him. He was so sweet and considerate and it was clear that he really saw Ella for who she was. (Which was wayy more than I could say for David.) The only thing that irked me a bit about Cole was how quickly he switched from being against anything relationship to thinking Ella was “the one”. It was sweet but a little quick and unrealistic. But it didn’t bother me too much because the actual romance between the two of them was not rushed at all. They were friends for most of the book and watching them connect on a friendship level was probably the sweetest part of the story for me.
It was hard to wrap my head around painting David as a bad guy. Because he wasn’t, not really. But he very clearly was the wrong guy for Ella. He never really saw her. I felt so bad that he constantly took her places where there would be nothing for her to eat, and he didn’t even seem to get it. Not to mention he would get mad at her when she mistakenly ordered something with wheat. But I could tell he wanted to be a good guy, he was just extremely selfish.
I loved how Melissa Pearl incorporated jazz music into the story. I can’t wait to see which music will be featured in the next Songbird novel. The second book is about Ella’s friend Morgan. I can’t wait to read her story, but I really hope we will see more of Cole and Ella. I want to see some of the gluten free foods they were talking about. I know that may be a weird thing to fixate on, but that conversation they had made me go a little head over heels for Cole myself. Fever is just as much a romance story as it is watching two college students come into their own and grow as individuals. It was a wonderful read.
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kindlemom1
Sounds like this is a very versatile author that I really need to try! Why have I not tried anything of her’s yet?
Giselle
This sounds like a great read and I love how realistic the characters seem! Ella sounds like someone I could easily understand – I tend to have a hard time saying no to people either and people have tried to take advantage before. Though this was more in high school I’ve gotten more stubborn since lol! I’m also no a fan of the “she’s the one” epiphany in many NA novels. But if other aspects of the romance is done well it’s usually not a big deal. Great review, Michelle!
Melissa Pearl
As always, I LOVE your thoughtful and honest reviews. Thank you so much. I’m so happy you enjoyed Fever and I can’t wait to share Bulletproof with you 😀
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This book has gotten my attention in the past, but now I REALLY want to read it! Great review!