Book Tour: Undecided by Julianna Keyes
UNDECIDED
Julianna Keyes
Release Date: April 4th, 2016
Nora Kincaid has one goal for her second year of college: be invisible. Last year’s all-party-no-study strategy resulted in three failed classes and two criminal charges, and if she messes up again she’ll lose her scholarship. But there’s one problem with her plan for invisibility, and his name is Crosbie Lucas: infamous party king, general hellraiser…and her new roommate’s best friend.
Crosbie’s reckless reputation and well-known sexcapades aren’t part of Nora’s studious new strategy, but as she’s quickly learning, her new plan is also really boring. When Crosbie’s unexpected gestures of friendship pull her head out of her books long enough to see past his cocky veneer, she’s surprised to find a flawed and funny guy beneath it all. The muscles don’t hurt, either.
But as Nora starts to fall for Crosbie, the weight of one of last year’s bad decisions grows even heavier. Because three failing grades and two misdemeanors are nothing compared to the one big secret she’s hiding…
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REVIEW
Last year when I read Going The Distance by Julianna Keyes, for some reason it didn't work out.So, when I came across Undecided this time, though the premise sounded intriguing I didn't have much expectations.That made the reading experience even more unforgettable and I was completely blown away!The title and the blurb are somewhat misleading.This book does NOT have a love triangle!(Yay!).Further setting it apart from other NA books is the fact that the characters are somewhat more mature than the typical new adult ones.Oh!Don't get me wrong.There is a little angst and drama but the way its is handled is mature and smart.
The protagonist is Nora Kincaid who is now in the second year of college.She has now decided to completely focus on studies and work alone in order to keep her scholarship.After last year's mishaps where she failed many classes as she was partying and having fun all the time(and even got arrested) she has decided to concentrate on academics alone.She can't balance partying and studying.Hence,this decision.But, you know what they say-All work and no play makes Nora a dull girl. :P
She responds to an ad for a "studious responsible roommate" and her new roommate is now Kellan McVey-who doesn't remember her from last year(and is part of the secret mentioned in the blurb).Kellan's best friend is Crosbie Lucas-infamous partyboy and manwhore.The girls who hookups with him are called Crosbabes and they love being on that list.Kellan on the other hand is every girl's dream and they want to be his girlfriend.
Though Nora wants nothing to do with parties and sex, she can't help the attraction she feels for Crosbie.She tries her best to resist it, but Crosbie is able to slowly break down her walls.The way their relationship starts as a sweet,fragile friendship and moves from there is amazing.Crosbie is one of the best NA love-interests.He is carefree,lively and outgoing but he also has his own set of insecurities.He is tired of being used as just a hookup while all girls want a longterm relationship with Kellan.The things he does for Nora are amazing.
The growth in Nora's character from the start to the end was beautiful.Each character was well developed and had a role to play.And everyone in the novel grew through the pages.The secondary characters like Marcela and Nate also underwent development.I loved how Nora and Marcela were able to rebuild their friendship.The portrayal of college students is realistic.Usually everyone lets loose in the freshman year and they have lots of fun.By the second year they become more serious and focused.Even Crosbie acknowledges the fact that though he had lots of fun in the previous year he wasn't mature then.Nora and Crosbie communicate well and this saves a lot of drama that is usually present in other books.The ending was cute and satisfying.
I would recommend this book to all those who are looking for something different in the NA genre with sweet and flawed characters.I'll definitely be trying more of Julianna Keyes' books in the future.
EXCERPT
“Want to see a movie?” Crosbie asks as we drive closer.
I squint at the list of shows. It’s an enormous multiplex and the parking lot is packed. He inches past the front so we can see what’s playing.
“Kill Glory 3 is out? I thought it wasn’t coming until December.”
Crosbie laughs uncomfortably when I name the latest installment of the popular horror franchise. “What else is playing?”
I look at him. “You don’t like scary movies?”
He purses his lips. “I like them fine.”
He purses his lips. “I like them fine.”
My jaw drops. “You’re afraid.”
“Am not.”
“Maybe Toy Story 6 is playing.”
“The Toy Story franchise is classic.”
“Okay, fine.” I crane my neck to try to see some more names. “There’s Tanker Race 2, Soda Shoppe Gals, Operation—I think that’s based on the board game—and that documentary about seals. Anything you’re dying to see?”
He finds parking at the end of a row and unbuckles his seatbelt. “Lady’s choice.”
“Kill Glory 3.”
“Never mind, you can’t choose.”
“Have you seen the first two? They’re excellent. It’s about this death angel named Glory who keeps returning to earth to try to get revenge—”
“I saw five minutes of the first one, and that was enough.”
“So…Soda Shoppe Gals?”
He tips his head to peer out the windshield at the start times. We’ve got half an hour until the next showings. “We can see Kill Glory 3,” he says reluctantly, reaching over to tug me in by the collar. “But let’s make out for a bit first.”
“Make out?” I feign offense. “You haven’t even bought me popcorn.”
“Can I just give you the ten dollars?”
We’re laughing when our lips meet, teeth bumping until we get serious. Crosbie displays none of the urgency I’m feeling, kissing me leisurely, exploring, learning. Again, it’s a surprise. He’s got one hand curled against my neck while the other rests against the back of the seat. If I’d ever given any thought to making out in a car with Crosbie Lucas, I’d have pictured him sticking his hand up my shirt—or down my pants—in the first thirty seconds. But that doesn’t appear to be the plan for tonight, and I quash the tiny part of me that’s disappointed and tell myself to just enjoy the moment. I’ve actually never done this before. I had zero boyfriends in high school, and I don’t think any of the guys I kissed last year even had a car. At least, I never bothered to learn enough about them to find out if they did.
Teenagers walk by and holler “Get a room!” breaking us apart. We’re both breathing hard, the windows only starting to steam up, advertising our activities without actually obscuring them.
“Hi,” Crosbie says.
I can’t help but smile. “Hi.”
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Julianna Keyes is a Canadian writer who has lived on both coasts and several places in between. She’s been skydiving, bungee jumping and white water rafting, but nothing thrills—or terrifies—her as much as the blank page. She loves Chinese food, foreign languages, baseball and television, though not necessarily in that order, and writes sizzling stories with strong characters, plenty of conflict, and lots of making up.
In addition to Undecided, she is the author of four contemporary romances: Just Once, the story of a world weary socialite and a stubborn ranch foreman; Going the Distance, a love story set in China between a kindergarten ESL teacher and a former army interrogator; Time Served, the tale of an ambitious young lawyer whose perfect world is jeopardized when she reunites with her ex-con ex-boyfriend; and In Her Defense, in which a ruthless young lawyer realizes there’s more to life than being the best…right?
For more details on these and any upcoming books, visit her online at http://juliannakeyes.com, or sign up for her free newsletter at http://juliannakeyes.com/newsletter.html.
Lovely review. Thank you for hosting UNDECIDED today!
ReplyDeleteCrystal, Tasty Book Tours