by Jeanette Grey
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Author
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
She needs an escape…and he’s exactly what she had in mind. College senior Ellen Price spends every spare minute studying to get into medical school. Until spring break yawns before her, as empty as her wallet. With no money to hit the beach, she fills her empty to-do list with a plan: for just one week, she will become the kind of take-no-prisoners woman she secretly wishes to be, starting with the hot guy at the bar. It's a no-risk situation: at the end of break, he’ll head back to his campus, and she’ll go back to hers. No muss, no fuss. At first, Josh Markley isn’t sure what to think when the quiet, intense beauty from his pre-med classes approaches him for a night of casual sex. Even more mystifying, she doesn’t seem to return his recognition. But if she wants to play “strangers in a bar”, he’s game. Their passionate night is a welcome respite from life’s stress, but afterward, Josh realizes he wants more—from himself, from life, from Ellen. Except she still thinks he’s a one-off she’ll never see again. Confessing the truth now—before she figures it out on her own—could shatter the fragile beginnings of just what the doctor ordered. A forever love.
Recently I have been enjoying new adult contemporary romances and jumped at the chance to review Take What You Want by Jeanette Grey. She offered a delightful tale about anonymity. A chance to be the brave, confident person you have always dreamed you were and the result that happens. This was a fast paced, smexy read that I consumed on a cold Sunday afternoon and one I would recommend.
The tale begins when we meet Ellen Price a pre-med student in her senior year. All of her friends have gone off somewhere warm and tropical for spring break, but between her rent, waitress job and studies Ellie just cannot afford it. She instead decides to give herself a week to dress, and act the way she secretly wishes too. From clothes to picking up a hot guy at a bar she intends to do it all. At the end of the week she will go back to being plain old Ellen. She decides on a rugged, motorcycle hottie she spies sitting at the bar. Josh Markley can barely believe it when sweet Ellen from class walks up looking like a hot goddess and propositions him. He is mystified that she does not seem to recognize him but decides to play along. The tale that unfolds was sweet, funny, smexy and filled with promise.
The characters in this tale where nicely fleshed out and I loved the situations that arose from their role playing. It’s nice seeing two good, grounded and thoughtful people grow and develop feelings for one another. The author shares both of their backgrounds and problems with us and I developed a real sense of who they were. While the physical part of their relationship started out hot and heavy, the romantic aspect moved more slowly and felt genuine. Josh’s parents were present and I liked how they dealt with him.
As the two characters grow closer and the week is almost over they are faced with confessing who they really are, and the author revealed all of it in such a wonderful way. This is not only a love story; it offers direction and acceptance of who you are and what you want. While the tale itself was relatively short and predictable, it was well done and did not feel rushed.
Fans of romance and coming of age will enjoy Take What You Want. I will definitely be looking for more from this author.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
thegeekyblogger
Good luck to everyone! This does sound like another wonderful addition to the New Adult Genre!
kimbacaffeinate
agreed
kimbacaffeinate
I did like that it built slowly after the hot and heavy start.
kimbacaffeinate
good luck!
Nick
Never heard of this book before, but it’s New Adult, so I’m in.
I also like how it seems a little different from all the other NA. I’m glad to hear that their romance is slow and it seems realistic. Lovely review, Kim!
Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
Leslie Miner
This sounds really good! Thanks for a chance to win a copy!
kimbacaffeinate
hey…we have to have our HEA!
kindlemom1
Some how I have missed this one and it sounds really good! I love reads like this one when I need a quick fun (slightly emotional) read that I know will have a HEA.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Blodeuedd
This time around, nah, not the book for me. Nothing says yay
kimbacaffeinate
haha..there has to be some drama and usually its an outside source, but yes this one was sweet!
Heidi
I like that this one seems more on the fun and lighter side. A lot of the NA I am seeing is very angsty and full of drama and tragedy and I read to escape so I don’t like a lot of drama. Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
good luck!
Rose
This sounds like an interesting book. Thanks for having the giveaway.
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Heather and good luck!
Heather Bogucki
this sounds like a great book!
kimbacaffeinate
your welcome Erin..good luck!
kimbacaffeinate
It is enjoyable and I agree
Jennifer Bielman
Even though it was predictable I still like the sound of it. I really love New Adult right now too. It’s perfect for me. I often feel like YA is missing something and Adult can get a little too much sometimes. New Adult is almost perfect for what I usually look for in a book.
kimbacaffeinate
so agree Andrea!
Andrea
I loved this book! I thought Jodh and Ellen were really well-developed, too. Glad you liked it!
kimbacaffeinate
this is a fun one and sure to be a hit 🙂
Jenny Zemanek
Oooo this sounds like just what I need right now! Yes please to sweet and predictable. I’ve been stuck with dark and dramatic for a while now, so I’m very ready for this one! Thanks so much for the chance to win Kimba!
kimbacaffeinate
I agree Maja 🙂
Maja (The Nocturnal Library)
I haven’t read many New Adult books, but I think the genre has a lot to give. The characters in this one seem very well developed, and that’s the most important thing in a contemporary, I think.
Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
agreed, the author has a lovely writing style and the tale unfolded at a nice pace allowing me to escape reality, which is fun 🙂
Mary Preston
It’s always a good sign when you say you will be looking out for more works from an author.
kimbacaffeinate
welcome!
Sharon - Obsession with Books
Another one to add to my NA pile 🙂 I haven’t heard of this one before now but it sounds like something I’d quite enjoy despite it being predictable.
A great review Kimba & thankyou for the giveaway! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
this was sweet, and funny and cute..i think you would love it!
Candace's Book Blog
I remember seeing another review for this and it sounds pretty good. I like the whole concept of it all though. And it sounds like it’s maybe a bit more on the sweet side rather than angsty, which drives me nuts!
kimbacaffeinate
You will enjoy this Lisa it is hot and sweet 🙂
Arely Z.
Sounds like a good book! Thanks 🙂
Erin F
This sounds fantastic! Thanks for sharing 😉
Brooke Bumgardner
I’ve really started to enjoy the New Adult contemporary romance genre. Great review, I really want to read this!
Debbie Haupt
Thanks Kim sounds good, adult contemporary is on my definite like list