Title: Easy (Contours of the Heart #1)
Author: Tammara Webber
Publisher: Penguin Berkeley
Publication Date: November 6, 2012
Genre: New Adult // Romance // Social Issues // Contemporary
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased (Audible)
When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup two months into sophomore year. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she's single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle of friends, and failing a class for the first time in her life.
Leaving a party alone, Jacqueline is assaulted by her ex's frat brother. Rescued by a stranger who seems to be in the right place at the right time, she wants nothing more than to forget the attack and that night - but her savior, Lucas, sits on the back row of her econ class, sketching in a notebook and staring at her. Her friends nominate him to be the perfect rebound.
When her attacker turns stalker, Jacqueline has a choice: crumple in defeat or learn to fight back. Lucas remains protective, but he's hiding secrets of his own. Suddenly appearances are everything, and knowing who to trust is anything but easy (goodreads).
This was an impulse buy during the Audible Black Friday sale and boy, Easy was so much more than I expected.
Plot: There are so many new adult novels that have the basic "new-girl-on-campus-and-just-had-her-heartbroken-by-a-cheating-douche," and while Easy seemed to take the route, it had a lot more heart and depth than some others on the market. I loved the fact that Easy talked about real issues that affect women. Not only were these issues discussed, but the women in Easy actually took action, which made me applaud.
Characters: Jacqueline's transformation is what I live for in new adult novels. She started off as the Jackie O to her then-boyfriend's Kennedy. She lived in his shadow and basically lived for him. Once they breakup, Jacqueline sees that people don't treat her the same. I loved that, after this breakup, Jacqueline took the time to find herself. Yes some of her actions were influenced by Lucas, but she started living for herself and reassessing what was good for her.
Oh and Lucas. I don't even like the tattooed and pierced bad boy look, but Lucas won my heart. I loved how her treated Jacqueline and how he had some depth as well.
World Building: Finally, a college-based New Adult novel in which the characters actually go to school. I don't know why it was so hard to find girls who cared about their academic career in NA, but it was.
Audiobook Performance: At first, I didn't like Tara Stands, but she grew on me. She captured the emotions of Easy well and I enjoyed her portrayal of all the characters - including the males.
Short N Sweet: Easy is a powerful novel filled with heart. I rooted for Jacqueline as she found her strength and I can't wait to see how Lucas' development in Breakable.
Labels: 4 stars, book review, Contours of the Heart, easy, penguin berkeley, review, Tammara Webber
