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My Review:Title: Show Me
Author: Abigail Strom
Series: Me #2
Published by: Montlake Romance
Release Date: January 2nd 2018
Format: Kindle Book
Pages: 253
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Source: NetGalley
Reading Challenges: Lenoreo's 2018 AtoZ Reading Challenge, Lenoreo's 2018 Netgalley and Edelweiss Challenge, Lenoreo's 2018 New Adult Challenge, Lenoreo's 2018 New Release Challenge, Lenoreo's 2018 Platypire Diversity Challenge, Lenoreo's COYER Winter Switch 2017/18
Find it: Goodreads ✩ Amazon ✩ B&N ✩ IndieBound
My rating:
Blurb:“Houston, we have a major attraction.”
After years of dealing with a heart condition and an overprotective mother, Airin Delaney is finally having her first taste of freedom in Waikiki—and it’s intoxicating. But it’s nothing compared to the out-of-this-world attraction between her and astronaut Hunter Bryce. Airin is determined to shoot for the stars and experience her first real kiss.
All Hunter has ever wanted is to explore the universe. That is, until a certain black-haired, wide-eyed beauty shakes him to the core. Hunter knows almost nothing about Airin, not even her last name. All he knows is that she’s the kind of girl he could fall over-the-moon in love with. Unfortunately, the timing couldn’t be worse. While Airin is celebrating her first night of freedom, Hunter is celebrating his last—before embarking on an eight-month mission.
It was only supposed to be one night. But sometimes that’s all fate needs to change two lives forever.
I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.
4 stars — While this story did NOT go in the direction I assumed it was going from the blurb (honestly, I thought she was going to get pregnant and there would be a secret baby that he wouldn’t find out about until after he finished his 8 month mission…WRONG), I still very much enjoyed this one! It was the perfect read to followup a WWII historical, as it was quick, fairly light, and with a solid romance!
I was sucked into this one basically from the first page. The characters were fun, I felt their initial chemistry and attraction, and the story went in some interesting directions. I wish I hadn’t had the false assumption, because I did keep waiting for something that wasn’t going to happen. But once we got to a certain turning point I was able to just enjoy the story I had (instead of the one I thought I was going to have…hahaha, if you read the book, you’d understand this is a bit of a meta comment). I was a bit concerned with the glaring secret that you could tell from the moment it was introduced was going to blow up and likely provide the conflict/climax. I’m not a fan of intentional lack of communication/hiding something, but in the end it wasn’t dragged out like I expected, so I was OK with it (even if it was entirely predictable).
Airin was kind of a hoot. I loved that the fact she was so sheltered resulted in her just speaking whatever was on her mind…she felt very innocent, but not necessarily in a bad way…just untainted by the societal expectations that many other women would have. It was kind of refreshing. But at the same time, she wasn’t a pushover…she was actually very strong and smart. I loved that she was so accomplished even as she was sheltered, and she wasn’t afraid to go investigate world when it was opened up to her. And while she did get some guidance (a lot of which came from Hunter), so pondered things on her own and used it as just that…guidance to help her make her own choices. I also appreciated that not only was she biracial (which helped my diversity challenge), but being half Iranian (Kurdish?) in particular provided a few unique challenges/history. It didn’t come into play very strongly, but it wasn’t just a passing mention either.
And Hunter was both frustrating and super sweet…it was kind of unexpected. I expected this typical alpha male, and while he had a lot of those qualities, I absolutely loved seeing him just so taken with Airin. Honestly, he didn’t see her coming. He was so happy in his world with his own view on how it should be, and she just kind of shook him up and made him consider things in a different light. I loved that. I loved seeing his struggle with his feelings. I loved seeing him open himself up. And while yes, he did make some bad choices, being in his head, I understood how he came to certain decisions…don’t agree with them, but it wasn’t as bad as I’d anticipated. It’s not everyday that an author can make me tolerate willful secret keeping, and the inevitable blow up when the secret is out.
And they really were super cute together. I LOVED their parabolic flight, and I was so satisfied with how their relationship inevitably developed. I expected not to be, but I was.
I was not impressed with Airin’s mother…that surprised me a bit, I didn’t expect to be so mad at her. But at the same time, while she wasn’t completely redeemed, I liked that by the end I understood her more. Even if she made a huge mistake. And I appreciated how Airin stuck to her guns.
One thing that I wasn’t expecting was how much discussion there would be about astronauts, and all the things required to become an astronaut, and the whole mission to Mars stuff. I don’t know how accurate any of it was, but it felt believable, you know? And it made me think about it. I liked that too.
So yeah, solid first read for the year. I love it when I start the year off right, you know?
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