by Cora Carmack
Series: Losing It #3
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Sometimes you have to lose yourself to find where you truly belong... Most girls would kill to spend months traveling around Europe after college graduation with no responsibility, no parents, and no-limit credit cards. Kelsey Summers is no exception. She's having the time of her life . . . or that's what she keeps telling herself. It's a lonely business trying to find out who you are, especially when you're afraid you won't like what you discover. No amount of drinking or dancing can chase away Kelsey's loneliness, but maybe Jackson Hunt can. After a few chance meetings, he convinces her to take a journey of adventure instead of alcohol. With each new city and experience, Kelsey's mind becomes a little clearer and her heart a little less hers. Jackson helps her unravel her own dreams and desires. But the more she learns about herself, the more Kelsey realizes how little she knows about Jackson.
Finding It by Cora Carmack is the third book in the Losing It series and perhaps deals with the most serious issues. I enjoy Carmack’s tales and quickly consumed this. Mini review: Troubled characters, a secret and traveling abroad made this an intense, heartfelt ride.
Caffeinated Aspects:
• Kelsey Summers has finished college and is losing herself traveling through Europe and it’s all funded by Daddy. From the start, we know she has issues. She came off as spoiled and shallow, but then Carmack peeled back her layers revealing the damage. As she did, I began to understand her, and like watching her emerge and grow into a confident woman.
• Jackson Hunt is yummy,! He is ex-military and sees his former self in Kelsey. Despite his secrets and the air of mystery surrounding him and his past, I connected with and liked him. In the beginning, we are unsure of his motives, and to some he might appear like a stalker. Carmack reveals things that help us understand and admire him.
• Europe! Hello I loved all the little cities, the hidden beaches, the bars.
• Carmack touches on some dark subjects and she captured the emotions one would expect for the most part. (I will touch on one in Decaffeinated aspects)
• We see growth in the characters both independently and as a couple. The romance developed slowly out of friendship and attaction. It wasn’t all sexual and when it was…the pages curled. Carmack can write the most romantic and tender moments with or without the heat, and I enjoyed connecting and feeling the character’s emotions.
• I loved that Carmack allowed Kelsey to find herself, to pull back and grow rather than diving in head first.
• Despite the darker tones in Finding It, there was humor and snark that had me laughing aloud.
Decaffeinated Aspects:
• Kelsey is slipped a roofie and thankfully Hunt is there and gets her back to her hostel safely. The whole thing was kind of dismissed by Kelsey, and maybe it was her unstable mind but it upsets me. I mean I have girls, why didn’t they report it?
• While I understand that Hunt was mysterious and had a secret, I wanted to know more about him, from his thoughts to his feelings. I really would have liked a dual pov here.
• Kelsey’s parents were asshats. While I am glad Kelsey was given sound advice and told them how she felt, how they failed..I still think she needed help. I realize this is fiction, but would have liked the other characters to at least suggest she talk to someone. (her best friend, Hunt, parents)
While these characters didn’t completely wow me, I enjoyed Finding It and moments were powerful and moving. The tale was well paced, and I enjoyed the settings.
This Weeks Clean Sweep Arc Challenges
- Kimberly @ Kimberly Faye Reads
- Stephanie @Love. Life. Read
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
Ann M. Noser
I’m very interested in this author, but haven’t actually found the time to read any of her books yet. Poor excuse, I know. This summer, I “PLAN” to do a mad reading spree. But plans are…(insert your favorite quote about how plans never turn out as planned, etc.)
Cheers!
Red Iza
Nice review, I didn’t know this author. And I really like your caffeinated/decaffeinated aspects ! 😉
Lisa
I had quite a few issues with this one myself when I read it. I think my love for Faking It really set the bar high for this one… and for me, it was a letdown. 🙁 I’m glad to see you did find some redeeming qualities and overall seemed to enjoy it. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Faking It was my favorite of the series, and while this didn’t wow me, I enjoyed aspects of it. Thanks Lisa 🙂
Naomi
I enjoyed this book too, and I was a little annoyed about the whole spiked drink too. But Hunter… yummy! I have not read Seeking Her as yet, but I would like to see into Hunter’s head.
Jessica
See, I already loved Losing It, so it didn’t take much to get me on board with continuing the series–ex-military and Europe FTW 😉 Great review! I’m glad you still liked this even though the characters didn’t wow you, and the mishandling of the roofie situation . . . that would probably bother me too.
kimbacaffeinate
My favorite was book two Faking It, enjoy Jessica
Braine Talk Supe
Read the first book of this series, didn’t like it so I didn’t pursue the series. If I’m to read her book I think it would be the other one you just reviewed, that seems more up my alley
kimbacaffeinate
That one was sweet. I enjoy her books they are quick, easy and typically I get the feels for the characters:) thanks Braine
Lily B
yeah I think I would have wanted a little more out of the roofie scene. Especially since it’s in a book for the generation that can be vulnerable to it. Sends the wrong message.
kimbacaffeinate
Exactly. serious stuff 🙂
Michelle
Great review! I like it when you do these pros and cons in your review. I enjoyed reading one of this author’s work. Will continue with this series. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Michelle I enjoy her too and I am glad you like the caffeinated/decaffeinated aspects 🙂
aurian
The European journey sounds fun, but the rest, too much real life drama for me.
kimbacaffeinate
I would love to tour all of Europe 🙂
Christy
I’ve wanted to read Losing It since it was made the rounds but never got to it. Damn. I’m sure I will with the way I’m going in this genre right now.
kimbacaffeinate
You have been blowing through this genre..enjoy!
kindlemom1
I find more often than not in NA reads, I would love to have the males POV as well. It just adds so much more to the story.
Great honest review Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
I so agree Ali, it really helps me connect with the characters, especially if there is angst involved.
Livia
Definitely grabs my attention, I mean the magic words “troubled” and “dark” generally have me sold, lol 😀 I’m gonna read the series for sure, just haven’t gotten around to it sadly. Sigh.
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy when you do Livia 🙂
Lily
I havent read anything past book one in this series, i really liked Losing It but then didn’t hear all that many great things about the MC in this one but now you have me reconsidering! Hmm maybe i will give this one a try!
Lily
kimbacaffeinate
My favorite was book two Faking It 🙂
ShootingStarsMag
Hey, it might be fiction…but I still think certain aspects of a book should be realistic, especially if it’s dealing with some darker material.
I’d love to visit Europe though, so books that take place there are fun!
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed, I like things it be plausible 🙂
blodeuedd
*waves, super tired to say or spell*
Glass
This sound much better than the first book in the series. It was okay, but nothing memorable. That’s why I probably never continued reading it.
Great review, Kim.
kimbacaffeinate
My favorite is Faking It 🙂
Diana Leigh
I don’t know that I could handle Kelsey.
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, but you can understand her especially when you learn about her parents and past.
Melliane
It sounds like a nice one, I’m curious to discover Kesley and to see her change all aliong the novel, I think it can be interesting. And well I think I want even more to discover Jackson, mainly if he is yummy! thanks for the review!
kimbacaffeinate
Ah Jackson Hunt was yummy:)
Kelly
Great review. I’ve read the first two in the series and really enjoyed them, they’ve seem to have gradually gotten better each book. Kelsey sounds like a really complex character, but I love seeing their journey when their layers are stripped away and they begin to grow. I’m excited to pick this series up again.
kimbacaffeinate
My favorite to date is Faking It 🙂 thanks Kelly and enjoy
emaginette
I’m glad you like it but without the wow I’m not sure what to do. Wisest choice is to wait until the last book and read about the whole series. I’m so boring with the waiting, etc. *sigh*
Great Post as always. 🙂
http://1000wordessays.wordpress.com
kimbacaffeinate
I cannot read a series back to back, I need that break in-between 🙂
Sharlene Wegner
I haven’t read the series yet, but I have them all on my TBR. There is a novella called Seeking Her that has Jackson’s POV. Hope I can get to this soon. Cora’s new series is coming out soon!
kimbacaffeinate
That is my next read, I am anxious to learn more..but FYI that book was released after Finding It
Sharlene Wegner
I know. I was wondering if I should read them in reverse order!
Lupdilup
I’ve been curious about this series, I saw that this is book 3, so I just went over real quick over your review, I’ll be back tonight to look for your review of book one, go to run to work..yuk! LOL
Thanks Kimba!
kimbacaffeinate
Sounds like a plan 🙂
Debbie Haupt
Thanks Kimba for the review.
By the way, I’m making your dump cake today, substituting blueberry for cherry and omitting the nuts.
fingers crossed 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Sweet,enjoy. Later this summer I will share a cobbler recipe that is easy and allows you to choose from many fresh fruits like blueberries, raspberries, peaches, cherries and blackberries.
Tanja
I have heard such amazing things about this series and I really want to read it. I like the sound of this one and like you I do like mysterious guys but Hunt seems too mysterious for my taste. Great review, Kim 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Hunt was/is a really good guy and the mysterious was explained and validated but i wanted to get to know the man better:)
Jennifer Bielman
I am on the same page with you. It was a good read but the characters didn’t blow me away. I preferred the first two books.
kimbacaffeinate
Agreed, my favorite was book two 🙂
Jeann
YES I love books that focus on other countries and cultures, yay for Europe! And yes, Jackson does sound yummy lol. I like the ex-military angle. Thanks for the great review Kimba!
kimbacaffeinate
Ooo me too Jeann..I would love to travel the world.
Madiha
Oh, I absolutely adored Losing It and the novella that came after it. I guess I just wanted more on those two specific characters, and I don’t usually read sequels based on the side characters in the first book, but seeing your review, I definitely want to give the rest of the books a chance.
kimbacaffeinate
My favorite was book two Madiha 🙂
Sharon - Obsession with Books
I wasn’t a fan of Kelsey in this book at all but I did like smexy Hunt! a dual POV would have been wonderful – the setting was very appealing.
A fabulous review Kimba! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I truly would have loved a dual pov and yeah Kelsey had some major issues that were hard to deal with, I appreciated the growth in her, but this was my least fav of the series.
Dre
I really liked the first book from this series, but I haven’t read the next books. I am unsure if I will like Kelsey, but if the setting is Europe, why not?!
kimbacaffeinate
My favorite I think was book two. Thanks Dre 🙂
Imogen
I’m the same! I LOVED the frst book, but I found Kelsey particularly annoying. I haven’t read books 2 or 3, and really don’t know how I’d go with a whole book about Kelsey :/ But I’m willing to give it a shot! It IS set in Europe after all 🙂 This review has been really helpful, thanks Kimba!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Imogen, my favorite was Faking It 🙂