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Release Date: January 15, 2014
Friend is a Four Letter Word
by Steph Campbell
3 stars
I really loved the idea of this story. The beginning was actually great for me, and I was excited because it almost had an Edge of Never vibe. The heroine, Shayna, is a the point in her young life wherein she didn't feel at home in her own household. She felt restless, and after trying her best to become the ideal minister's daughter, she'd had enough. She packed a duffel bag, told her parents she needed to leave, and thankfully they let her go.
During that last year that she stayed at her parents' house, behaving like the perfect daughter she thought they wanted and deserved, Shayna maintained contact with her friends's brother, Carter. It has been around a year since the siblings moved to the opposite side of the country, and all that time, Carter and Shayna had become textmates. You know how people tend to become more open and candid when there's distance between them? There's some security too in non-voice messaging, that's why people tend to be more straightforward through text. That's what happened to these two, although it is merely implied except for two or three sample text messages.
So, there is an existing connection between the two characters, and that should have laid out the foundations for a moving buildup to their romance and relationship. Unfortunately, I didn't see that here. :( I was rather sad that it didn't quite live up to my standards. The thing is, there is an idea of a great story here. It's just that the book didn't make me love the characters. Once in a while though, there will be a line or dialogue that will make me sit up and be very happy because I thought it was wonderful. I only wish that the excitement I felt for those several lines and quotes prevailed all throughout the book.
I like the way Steph Campbell writes. I guess it's just the way everything was put together that felt a bit.. off to me. There were scenes that felt disjointed, like the transitions could have benefited from one or more additional pages. Some plot points were simply left hanging too. What happened to Nolan? Sure, Carter and Shayna are already settled about him, but what about from his end? What happened to Carter's issue at work? Just because his work contact rented him a party space, I don't think that means his bosses are suddenly very pleased with him already, right? I mean, it's only been two weeks since his disappointing audit... It's loose ends like these made the story weak, in my opinion. As the reader I never really felt closure, that's why when I found out I reached the last page I went, "That's it...?"
Friend is a Four Letter Word, for me, is a story that had great potential. It started out from a high point, and as I progressed with the story, my excitement and momentum went down. I am sorry that I can't rate this book any higher...! I so wanted to love this...
Buy Links: Amazon US
| Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
| Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Synopsis:
Shayna Gillan is on a mission: start fresh in a new state without the small town gossip that has haunted her since her bad girl days of high school.
Carter MacPherson has long been the most together member of his crazy family--until now. With a secret threatening to crumble everything he's worked for, he wishes he could forget the recent past, too.
The last thing Shayna and Carter are looking for is a relationship. It's best to be alone while they sort out their issues.
Friends. That's all they can ever be.
But even the best laid plans always have a flaw, and once Shayna and Carter cross the line between friendship and more, there's no turning back...
The only question left is--whose past will catch up to them first?
Excerpt:
I cringe at the mention of another guy with her even if it’s not my right to. She’s mentioned over the last few months going out and I never pry—it’s not my business, I have nothing to offer her, but damn it gets under my skin. I can’t count the number of nights I’ve laid awake at night wondering what she’s doing—if she’s with another man.
I guess I know a thing or two about keeping secrets.
“How many dates are we talking about?” I ask. I try to make it come off as a joke, but I don’t know if even the thick layer of sarcasm can hide the jealousy.
Shayna perks up a little and grins. “So many. Dull. Boring. Dates.”
She leans in closer again. I can feel her sweet breath on my face. All I can do is focus on that mouth.
“What are you doing?” I whisper, my words tangled in my throat.
“Does the just friend’s thing still apply?” she asks.
It’s still not the right time. I forced her to open up. Made her get emotional. I shouldn’t give in but dammit she’s so close. I can feel the heat radiating off of her warm skin.
“Shayna, are you sure you want to start something?”
She answers by running her tongue along my bottom lip. Teasing me. Torturing me. She parts her lips and I grip her sides and pull her onto my lap, crushing my mouth onto hers. Finally. I kiss her hard until I swear I’m tasting blood. She slides her tongue lightly on the roof of my mouth and I lose it.
Giveaway!
Prizes up for grabs are a dandelion wish necklace and a $20 Amazon GC!
About the Author:
Steph's works include Delicate, Grounding Quinn and Beautiful Things Never Last; My Heart for Yours and My Fate for Yours (with Jolene Perry); A Toast to the Good Times (with Liz Reinhardt) and the bestselling new adult LENGTHS series with Liz Reinhardt.
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