Series: Standalone
Published: July 21st, 2015
Publisher: Self-published
Genre: Contemporary New Adult
Disclaimer: Lilly Avalon is one of my critique partners, so I read bits and pieces of Unexpected as she wrote, as well as the final draft, then bought a copy
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Ever had one of those days? Alina Lyons is having one. Everything keeps falling apart and going wrong. Just when she thinks it couldn't get worse, it does. After a case of mistaken identity and a broken heart, she finds herself questioning the things she thought she knew. She wonders who she can turn to or trust anymore.
An unlikely bond with her former best friend's ex, Ryan Wilcox, sends her life in a new direction. He offers her a place to stay while she gets her life back on track. His friendship is exactly what she's been missing—what she's been needing. Alina's never felt this alive. As time goes by, the dynamic of their relationship becomes more than either of them expected. A few innocent kisses could lead them in a new direction, but are they prepared for what's on the other side?
Only one way to find out.
Alina and Ryan find themselves in similar situations. They seem like unlikely allies, but their shared bad experience leads to them becoming friends. I really enjoyed watching Alina and Ryan form a bond. They actually get to know each other and spend time together before developing feelings, which is one of my favourite things to read in books. With so much instalove and insta-relationship stories, I love seeing characters really getting to know each other, learn each other’s quirks and ticks and personalities. They both needed someone to count on, and they became that for each other, which was really beautiful to see. And despite them having reservations about taking their relationship further, the story wasn’t heavy and angst-riddled like many of the other books I’ve read recently. Very refreshing!
I enjoyed getting to see things from both Alina’s and Ryan’s perspective. Avalon did a great job of giving the characters distinct voices and personalities, and there was no overlap of the story, which I appreciated. Getting to see things from both characters’ perspective added extra depth to the story, and really made this couple one to root for.
A perfect blend of sweet and sexy, Unexpected is a must read for fans of contemporary NA.
Lilly shared 6 fun facts about Unexpected, plus an exclusive giveaway for readers of Ramblings of a Daydreamer. There's also a giveaway for a $10 gift card as part of her book blast!
Have
you read Unexpected? What did you think? If you haven't read
it, do you plan to? What are some of your favourite friends-to-more romances? Let's
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I'm so sick of instalove. Glad to hear this one has a slow build. We totally need more of that!
ReplyDeleteAgreed! I like actually SEEING characters fall for each other. When it's like BAM, they're in love, I always think 'but why? How? You don't even KNOW each other!' Instant like, instant connection, instant lust, yes, but instalove not so much (although I have read a few cases where it was done well, but it's not the norm for sure).
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