Make Me Believe by Karen Ferry Pages: 337
Published by Createspace Independent Pub on July 6, 2015
Series: Believe #1
Genres: contemporary, Romance, New Adult
Source: eARC from Author
Sometimes, a chance meeting is just the push you need in order to break free from the darkness within…
My name is Emma, I’m 23, and I’ve never been kissed. I’m no virgin…But kissing is too intimate, too intense, and I don’t want that – not ever. I like sex, though, and most of my hook-ups don’t seem to mind the no-kissing part.
But then I meet Daniel, who’s such a geek, and definitely not the kind of guy I’d normally take an interest to. He’s the shy, quiet type, but with such a charming smile, and he makes my heart race – something I’ve never experienced before.
Daniel has his own issues to work through, and I know my hardened heart shouldn’t melt when he looks at me. I really shouldn’t be falling for him, either, but somehow, he manages to tear down my walls, and I’m scared…because once he learns my secrets, he’ll want nothing to do with me.
All I know is that Daniel makes me feel things that I have never felt before – but do I dare let down my walls and confide in him?
Will I let him be my first kiss?
This is my story, and I’ll reveal everything in my own sweet time…
Just don’t expect all the hearts-and-flowers stuff.
Life is messy, and mine is no different…
INSPIRED BY TRUE EVENTS
Make Me Believe is the first in a new adult contemporary romance series, called the Believe series. This is Karen Ferry’s first book and it is inspired by true events. I love that she shares a note with readers about this at the start of the story. It made me wonder the whole time I was reading which parts were true and which were fictionalized. I thought her sharing that with us made this book a little more special in my eyes. That being said, I liked Make Me Believe, but I didn’t over the moon love it. It was a decent enough read for me, but left me feeling kind of blah for the whole book.
I liked Daniel and I liked Emma, so it wasn’t really a character issue. I thought they were each charming and had great chemistry together. I’m not really sure what it was. I think the book just felt kind of choppy to me. But enough about that, lets talk about what I liked about Make me Believe. I love the concept of the story. Emma is from England and she moves to Copenhagen for university, where she meets Daniel in the bookstore she works in.
Daniel is dyslexic and wants Emma to help tutor him so he will be ready for university. I thought it was really endearing how awkward and nervous Daniel was. He was starting university at age 24 and he was embarrassed about that as well as about his dyslexia. I liked that aspect of the story, and I thought it was handled really well. I couldn’t get a good mental image of Daniel though because at first he was described as geeky and gangly with pretty eyes, and then very shortly thereafter he was described as gorgeous by the same character. But putting that aside, I loved Daniel. He was hands down my favorite character in Make Me Believe.
There are some other plots running along side the school tutoring plot, and I thought Karen Ferry did a great job juggling the plotlines and making them work together. I think a lot of people will really enjoy Make Me Believe as it is a very nice romance. I liked it, and I love the cover. The colors and overall look of it are beautiful. Make me Believe was a decent read for me, but lacked something that was hard to pin down, which prevented me from really loving the story. I’ll always have a soft spot for Daniel though.
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Note: this book satuisfies COYER scavenger hunt #45-Read a book based on true events.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
kindlemom1
I love that this was in part based on true events. Too bad this didn’t have a bit more umph to it though, it sounds like it could really have been more of a stand out book than it was, even if it was still an okay read.
Wonderful honest review Michelle, I love that I can always count on you to be so honest about what you read!!
jazmen
It really sounds like a great book but I’m concerned I won’t love it. Hmm, I’ll have to think about this.. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
I admit to being curious about the parts based on reality. Glad the characters worked despite the choppy story
Braine
I love these little oddball nuggets thrown in books like this sometimes. Dyslexia? Yeah, not a common characteristic in the leads, very interesting element to add in.
Tiffany (About to Read)
I’m surprised this is an indie because the cover is so freaking beautiful. Sorry to hear it was just ok though.