Waking Olivia by Elizabeth O’Roark

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Title: Waking Olivia
Author: Elizabeth O'Roark
Published by: Indie
Release Date: March 12, 2016
Pages: 330
Genres: Sports Romance, Contemporary
Reading Challenges: CC's Goodreads Reading Challenge
Find it: Goodreads ✩ Amazon
My rating:

Blurb:

"That girl isn't just trouble of the not-a-team-player, not-a-reliable-runner variety. She's trouble of the devious, manipulative, too-f***ing-hot-for-her-own good variety. She's the kind of girl who causes trouble merely by existing, and then makes sure to cause more. And the last thing I need right now is more trouble."

A failing farm.His father’s debt.And a struggling college track team. Will Langstrom has too many responsibilities, and the last thing he needs is Olivia Finnegan, a beautiful but troubled new transfer student.

A smart mouth. A strong right hook.And a secret that could destroy her. Olivia is her own worst enemy, with a past she can’t seem to escape, and the last person she wants help from is a cocky track coach she can never seem to please.Refusing to be pushed away, Will is determined to save her. And determined to resist an attraction that could destroy them both.

My Review:

OMG I loved this book!  It was so intense and had such great depth in both of the main characters!  It was dark and sexy and had all the elements of a perfect storm.  One I was loving to ride out.

Both Olivia and Will were fleshed out excellently.  I  loved how they each had smart mouths but knew when to reel themselves in.  It showed a strength and self awareness lots of characters lack in this genre.  They were secretive, self-deprecating and most of all, undercover good people.  They were flawed, in the best possible way.  Their jagged edges cut others up.  But when they were around each other, it was as if they smoothed out.

The trope of teacher/student love interest is written out in such a slow almost agonizing detail that it almost feels non-existent. I didint think of them as a coach and student flirting the line between close and inappropriate.  They were just two lost souls simply existing until they found each other.

Olivia…this chics got problems.  Her…issue sounded far fetched and quite ridiculous when I first learned of it.  But the author did a great job of making it serious and real.  You could feel how bad she wanted to compete, she was a fantastic runner, but there were things literally outside of her control that kept her from showing off her skills.  It was quite a helpless feeling.  I mean, I felt her despair, her pride in not wanting to reveal her issue and her anger at losing.   She had a lot to lose if she failed and that’s just her education.  I can’t even begin to go into her past trauma!

Will started out as an asshole.  These characters had so much development and evolution it would be impossible to talk about it all.  But he treats everyone the same. He had an uncanny skill of picking out talent and also knowing when someone was trouble.  He knew Olivia was trouble but just what kind he wasn’t sure of.  I liked that he cared enough about the team to get involved in their lives outside of track.  When he found out about Olivia’s issues, it was like a turning point for him.  Either ignore it and allow her to fail, or try to help and see what happens.  This is a testament to a good teacher.  The ones that choose the harder road and stick it out are what make them great.  And to his credit he wasn’t inappropriate with her while he was her coach.  I found that to be one of the best aspects of this story.  It skirted the edge of inappropriateness but didn’t cross it.  And even though he had his own issues with his brother and family farm, he still made time to help.  It was just awesome to see him transition from asshole teacher to close friend.  I will defenitely be reading more from this author!