Going Too Far

By Jennifer Echols

High school senior Meg revels in being a rebel; cutting class whenever possible and hanging out anywhere she's not supposed to be. Like on a railroad-tracks-covered bridge that's off-limits to trespassers. When she and her friends are busted for trespassing and underage drinking, she's sentenced to spend her spring break riding along with a rookie police officer on his nightshift patrol. To make things worse the cop, John After, is only two years older than Meg, and is sure that he knows all he needs to about her. John has nothing but contempt for her childish rebellion, but that's fine, because the feelings mutual - his straight-laced, by-the-book attitude is everything that Meg hates.

But they're about to discover that they have a lot more in common than either one of them could have dreamed and, as they're forced to spend time together, sparks fly and a hot attraction between them becomes undeniable…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
• Release date: Dec 13, 2012
• ISBN: 9781471118029

Jennifer Echols

Jennifer Echols was born in Atlanta and grew up in a small town on a beautiful lake in Alabama—a setting that has inspired many of her books. Her nine romantic novels for young adults have been published in seven languages and have won the National Readers’ Choice Award, the Aspen Gold Readers’ Choice Award, the Write Touch Readers’ Award, the Beacon, and the Booksellers’ Best Award. Her novel Going Too Far was a finalist in the RITA and was nominated by the American Library Association as a Best Book for Young Adults. She lives in Birmingham with her husband and her son. Visit her at Jennifer-Echols.com.

Reviews for Going Too Far

[manthalockett · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Hmm. Some books you get, others you just don't. Going Too Far falls into the latter category for me. Although the central premise - bad girl gets stuck in a ride along with a broody, sexy cop for a week - is a good one, I was never more than superficially interested in the outcome. The writing is generally snappy and believable and Johnafter has moments of swoonage. But, and this is a big cliched/nostalgic Bridget Jones sized butt, the reveal about Meg came and I... groaned, the story lost me. I no longer cared that Meg has blue hair (blue hair, you know!) or John's history with the bridge, or Meg's underwritten, absent parents. I think this is a failing on my part rather than the author's. I just didn't get it.

[runa_17 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Nothing spectacular. There's one amazing plot twist involving Meg that you'll never see coming, and there's a less amazing, super predictable plot twist about John that's pretty obvious from the get-go. Beyond that, it feels like this book is trying to purposefully be edgier than it actually is, which is always annoying to read. But if you're looking for a quick YA filler, might as well check it out, Echols' name is out there as one of the bigger YA authors if you want to read the book just to sample her work

[heatherlinc · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This was a typical teenage romance. Both characters had serious issues, but of course they helped each other overcome their insecurities. Meg, the female protagonist, annoyed me most of the time, not because she was a wild child, but because of her constant thoughts and trivial views about sex. John, on the other hand was a sweetie but was far too serious for a nineteen-year-old. Overall, ho-hum!

[Zena · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love how broken they both are and how awesome they are combined

[saschad-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I wasn't going to review this book because I read it this afternoon, yup, in one sitting. It engaged me initially. I liked the character. I didn't know what her problem was, why she decided that she need to dye her hair blue. I know kids who dye their hair blue and it isn't an issue.

I didn't wonder why her folks were pissed. She was obviously a rebel.

I didn't wonder why she was trying to find love through sex, or maybe just trying to find feeling through sex. Despite what some people might think, this again is not new.

However, everything together, all of it, swept me in. I wanted to know what was going to happen.

Meg isn't average. She's obviously smart. She runs. Why does she do that? She is introspective and observant. It quickly becomes obvious that she has been doing herself a huge disservice.

There is more, lots more. I think that this is the gift that Jennifer Echols is giving. The story is not obvious. The characters are not obvious. They are well-written and they grow; all of them grow. Nothing is static.

Kudos.

[texasbooklover7 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This was nothing like I expected. Nice quick read but I wanted more out of it.

[maureene87 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I’m not sure why I like Jennifer Echols so much, when I’m not necessarily a huge fan of the genre she writes in (contemporary teen romance). But I think it’s her characters, who are complex and interesting from page one. Going Too Far is probably my second favorite, right behind Such a Rush.

[les121 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

After devouring Kody Keplinger’s The DUFF, I felt like binge-reading teen romance, and Going Too Far fit the bill. It’s a touching, sexy love story about two rather broken individuals. It’s not perfect, but I definitely enjoyed it. I had difficulty putting it down. If this book sounds like your kind of thing, I recommend giving it a try.

[cynditefft · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book took a little while to get into, especially since Echols had me envisioning an older cop with fourteen kids and then flips it around to someone who is nineteen years old. That was a difficult shift for me to make, particularly since once I mentally lock on to what I think a character looks like, it's hard for me to change that image later on.

That being said, once I did make the mental shift to seeing John as a mature-for-his-age teenager, I really enjoyed the story. Both main characters have some serious baggage and there is one point where Meg says "What have we done to each other?" that is particularly poignant. There was a tremendous amount of tension, like the two of them were reaching toward one another while running on logs in a lake, only to slip and fall and have to start over again. At times, it felt like they would never cross the divide that separated them without killing each other, but the book has a very satisfying ending.

From a writing perspective, I thought Echols' prose was clear, realistic, and easy to read with the exception of one phrase that she used a few times throughout the book: "I am full of fear." I can't say I've ever heard anyone say that (it sounds very stuffy and insincere, especially if you ARE full of fear). Terms like "afraid" and "scared" are much more natural, so I'm not sure why she chose the "full of fear" phrase. It tripped me each time she used it. That, and the eye-rolling, groan-inducing, you-just-had-to-go-there time when she said "happily ever After" referring to John's odd last name.

So beside those few pet peeves, the book was great. I'd definitely recommend it for those who like more mature YA novels.

[creativejunkie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4.5 stars

This was my first foray into Echols' writing, and I think it was a great one to start with.

The premise was unique, although it was a little strange to be reading about a 19 year old cop (I'm glad she briefly touched on that in the story). I really loved almost everything about this book. John was...*sigh* so perfect. I can't think of a better way to describe him. His personality traits were balanced beautifully with each other to give us a well-rounded, if flawed, hero.

Meg, on the other hand, was why I rounded down from my 4.5 to a 4 rather than rounding up. I found myself getting mad at her for a lot of the book. Yes, she was only 17 so some of her behavior is to be expected, but I found her attitude immature and downright cruel at times.

Also, there were parts of the book that I was TOTALLY lost in. I still haven't figured some of them out, so I guess I'mma hafta have someone smarter than me explain them to me. ;)

Overall, this was a great read that I thoroughly enjoyed. And I've now added every single Echols' book to my TBR list. :)

[capnrandm · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

While my credulity snagged a bit on the device of "not noticing" how young and cute our hero is for most of the book, the characters were so sweet and wonderfully portrayed I let it go. The flaws were interesting, the resolution uplifting, and I know I will come back to read this book again when I need some passion and a smile.

Re-read #1: Love, love, love (swoon). I cried, I didn't skim a word, still love Meg and John.

Re-read #2: Not two days at the beach and back to Meg and John, love the catharsis of both their characters.

[melanie_mccullough_4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'm feeling pretty foolish as I type this. The entire time I was reading Going Too Far one thought kept repeating in my head: how have I never read a Jennifer Echols novel before? That and 'damn, I wish I could make out with Officer After'. The cover of the book doesn't help. Look at his mouth. Totally kissable. Oh, there I go, thinking about it AGAIN. Moving on, Meg is troubled. She drinks, she engages in casual sex, she decides to engage in said casual sex on a bridge where two kids were hit & killed by an oncoming train. John (Officer After) is the by-the-book police officer that arrests her. Match made in heaven, no?In her mind, Meg thinks she's living, experiencing all life has to offer by being reckless. And in John's mind he's making the world a safer place by enforcing the rules. In a way, they are, but in a way, they're each going too far. Neither one is really living. They're merely ghosts of the people they would have been but for a tragedy they each suffered in their past. And when their lives converge they find an attraction they can't deny. So they bicker, push, and love in a way that brings out the worst and ultimately the best in each other. This is one of those books that was a quick read for me, meaning I was unable to put it down until I finished. This may have been because I developed an undying affection for Officer After. More likely it's because I developed an undying affection for Jennifer Echols writing style. She's like my author soulmate, writing in a way that is perfectly suited to my tastes. I tore through the pages and when I closed the back cover, I had a huge smile on my face. There's really nothing negative to say about it at all. I mean it may have been a tad predictable but that's only a problem for me when the characters lack depth and honestly that's not an issue here. Meg and John are fully formed, compelling characters. Their story is one full of tension, and heartbreak, and romance. If you're like me and you haven't read Going Too Far yet, pick it up. You'll fall in love with these characters.

[yabotd · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Jennifer Echols has become a Go-To author when I need a sexy romance. I love her books because she always has a fabulous plot, complex characters, and a definitely sexy and romantic relationship. Her writing is smooth and fluid, the relationships are realistic and mature, and there's always just a little something extra. It's hard to describe, but Echols is able to give me the romance I crave, but there's so much more going on than the romance.Going Too Far definitely captures all the aspects of Echols' writing that I love. In this story, we're introduced to Meg and John, two teens who seem to be on completely different ends of the teenage spectrum. Meg's a little bit of a trouble-maker. She takes risks and isn't afraid of the consequences. John is all about rules, which makes perfect sense considering he's a cop. Instead of rushing out of town to go to college when he graduated, he stayed behind to fulfill a duty he feels strongly for. One we don't completely understand until quite a way through the book. But John's not the only one hiding secrets. There's more to Meg's I don't care, live-in-the-moment attitude than she readily reveals. Part of the fun of this story is learning about these secrets.For me, a good romance has full, realistic characters, a lot of chemistry, and a healthy back-and-forth between the characters. As nice as it is to have that instant, love-at-first-sight thing, I really enjoy reading banter. Echols creates natural friction between John and Meg that transforms into passion at a steady and believable pace. Lovely!If you like reading romance, pick up a copy of Going Too Far. It's totally worth it. :DFinal thoughts: Buy if you like romance. If not, borrow.

[hobbitsies · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I FINALLY read a Jennifer Echols book and it’s all due to Just Contemporary month hosted by Chick Loves Lit and Basically Amazing Books. And I do not regret it.Going Too Far was freaking AMAZING. I was in love with the protagonist, Meg. She was such a freaking badass and I loved her attitude towards life and her ability to engage in seriously witty banter. Seriously, she was freaking awesome.I loved John, too. I was a bit worried at first, when Meg originally thinks he’s like 40 years old married with kids, because I thought Going Too Far might, pun intended, go a bit too far. Luckily she’s just sort of overdramatic, hah!My only qualm with the characters was how quickly they ended up forgiving each other after all their fights. I wanted some drawn out arguing and fighting but it didn’t really go that way. Of course, I could be the crazy girl who wants the fights along with the kissing.Surprisingly enough, I really enjoyed the storyline too! I’m not big on books that focus solely on romance and relationship stuff, but I thought Going Too Far had a lot of great character growth that really balanced everything out.Basically, I loved Going Too Far a lot. If you haven’t read a Jennifer Echols book yet, I recommend staring with Going Too Far. Seriously awesome writing style with very vibrant and memorable characters, not to mention steamy romance!

[eheinlen_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely LOVED this book and I have no idea why. The story is highly unbelievable and I didn't really find any of the characters truly likeable, but for some reason, I just couldn't put this done. Definitely a recommended read, especially good for the beach or a long trip.

[jacindahinten · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Jennifer Echols writes stories, in their own right, that are special and amazing. Jennifer’s writing just draws me in. I love the characters she creates even though some of them I don’t necessarily like. Her characters are memorable which is important to me if I’ll be able to remember them past a week. Jennifer Echols writes witty and interesting dialogue. Even in serious situations, she had me laughing. You can see how open Meg seems to everyone in Going Too Far with the “I don’t have a care in the world” attitude, but really she’s closed off and doesn’t let people get close to her. Many things she does start to show how unsure of herself she actually is. Of course the things she has went through have also brought her to this point. Jennifer Echols again wrote a heart-throb of a male character in John. The name John isn’t too sexy, but he’s described as being stunning. Another plus for John is he’s caring, sweet, and has a personality to boot. I read Forget You by Jennifer Echols and I immediately had to start reading Going Too Far. I loved Forget You, don’t get me wrong, but I loved Going Too Far even more! I’m a Jennifer Echols addict! I already pre-ordered her next book Love Story…June is too far away!

[allureofbooks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I've read this book twice now, and absolutely loved it both times! It is so easy to get swept away by the drama constantly surrounding Meg. I love the book cover, but at the same time it really cracks me up because it doesn't seem to fit the story. It seems like it should be much darker and more dramatic.At first, the way Meg rebels doesn't seem to fit her personality. But, as the story progresses the puzzle pieces are filled in. Both the reader and John find out everything that she has been through and how that molded her personality. Meg certainly needed John to come into her life, and it is eventually discovered how much John also needed someone like Meg. I love their chemistry and the way their personalities go from clashing to meshing. They make a really fantastic story.I just read Forget You, Echol's new book, and I still definitely consider this my favorite of the two. It is so real and honest: I definitely recommend reading it as soon as you get a chance!

[krissy724 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

When I picked up Going Too Far in the bookstore I read the synopsis and I didn’t think I was going to enjoy it. I only decided to read it because I really enjoyed Forget You. I am so happy that I gave Going Too Far a chance!Meg is 17 years old and about to graduate from high school. She doesn’t get close to people, doesn’t make plans, and uses sex as a defense mechanism. One night she gets arrested by Officer After, and as punishment, she is forced to ride along with him during his shift for a week. Officer John After is 19 years old, hot, and a great cop! He stays in the small town he grew up in to protect the people, especially the teenagers in his town from hurting themselves and others. John was a great character. There was a lot too him, and I think by the end of the story, we really got a sense of who he is! Meg is also a character who is not who she appears to be. Both John and Meg have had things in their past that had made them who they are today. They had excellent chemistry and such a complex relationship and I enjoyed watching them heal together!Going Too Far is not your average fluffy and sweet teen love story. There is a lot more to it. At some points, John and Meg pissed each other off so much, I didn’t think they would ever be friends again.Jennifer Echols’ writing is addicting and I can’t wait to get my hands on her other books!

[sdbookhound · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book was very different and so much more than I thought it would be. I was impressed.

[irisheyz77 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Last night I stayed up late in order to finish Going Too Far by Jennifer Echols but I didn't stay up because this book was OMG good. No, instead I stayed up to finish it because I wanted it done.Last year, I read and really enjoyed Echols's Forget You and so many reviewers/friends that I trust kept saying that Going Too Far was even better. The characters more raw, the story so moving and love interest more swoony. Sadly, for me, that wasn't the case at all. I did not like Meg (the main character). I thought she was a bit off-putting- she'd always hide behind this wall of sarcasm and barbs meant to push people away and her internal monologue was very self-depreciating. Meg is a girl who is a bit of a wild child she likes to break the rules and test the limits of those around her. Part of this rule breaking comes in dying her hair blue. But instead of wearing such a bold choice proudly she'd always talk down about it and how others must think of her. Like she couldn't possibly snare a guy as hot as John After because she had blue hair. Blue haired girls where all freaks and losers and not worthy of anything. Blah blah blah. Really?? If she hated it so very much then why do it at all? And was it really Meg's thoughts or was Echols's putting in her own beliefs there. So her hair was blue...big deal. Look at Stephanie Perkins:From the official site of Stephanie PerkinsShe has blue hair and she is doing quite well for herself, book deals, lots of on-line stalkers fans, etc. But to hear Echols's talk through the voice of Meg you would think that having such a bold color for hair is THE worst choice that a person could ever possibly make. Well, I am sure that Stephanie Perkins and many other friends of mine (who've rocked the locks in shades of green, pink, purple, etc) would disagree.Hair color aside though...for all her tough talk Meg would put herself down. A lot. It became a serious annoyance. Here is this girl who has survived a horrible disease against the odds and all she seems to want to do is end her life as soon as possible with all her risky behavior. Talk about being a bit of a hypocrite. I know many who have died of cancer....good people who would never NEVER take their second chance for granted like Meg was doing. She kept talking about breaking free of the town and how she'd most likely be dead by 30 from things that she was doing....I was just like...wow....really? You are given this second chance and you are just gonna toss it without a care? I just couldn't wrap my head around that. Such a waste! Then there was John After, the supposedly swoon worthy male lead that everyone wishes were real. Yeah, not this girl. What a pompous ASS. His holy than though attitude....his over the top cop speak and mannerisms....his obsession with a bridge. He is someone I'd much rather slap than kiss and then I'd get arrested because I touched him in uniform. *rolls eyes* This character is 18 but he acts like he's 40....infact Meg initially thinks that he is 40....despite the fact that they were in the same Spanish class last year in school. Um yeah...while I may not remember all the people I went to high school with in the 15 years since I've graduated....I would recognize the faces of all my classmates if I was still in school and shared a class with them. Because like Meg, I grew up in a small town...small towns have small class sizes...and when you go to school with the same kids for a good 12 years or so. You learn who they are. With the characters bugging me so much I haven't talked a whole lot about plot...but there really wasn't one. Meg gets caught trespassing on a train bridge with friends and they are all sentenced to ride a long for a week with the 3 departments that were called out when they were noticed. This was all to teach them some valuable life lessons and scare them straight. So Meg spends a week riding along in John After's car and in 5 short days she falls madly in love with him and decides to turn her entire life around. Seriously. There was much eye rolling and disbelief when reading the last chapter of the book. It was just so unrealistic! I also never felt any real chemistry between John and Meg. So all in all this whole book fell flat for me and I think I might go re-read Forget You so I can wipe the bitter aftertaste that Going Too Far has left in my mouth.

[theepicrat · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The best way to describe going too far is likening it to that secret stash of chocolate you have tucked inside your nightstand. The writing is superb, the emotions intense, the characters both flawed yet endearing - all ingredients that made this an amazing read that tugged at my heartstrings and left me sighing happily.Meg was such a lovable main character with brilliant blue hair, priceless supply of sarcasm, and a tough-on-the-outside-but-marshmallow-on-the-inside personality. Not to mention that John played off her so well as the newly-instated officer, too serious for his age, and adorably sweet when he tries. I loved how they pushed each other's buttons, daring the other to flip out and walk away. The tension between them was electric - like Perfect Chemistry electric, but perhaps even more so.

[4sarad_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Ugh. There were some good things about this book, but also lots of little things that bothered me. First of all, the characters weren't bad. I liked them. The surprise also actually surprised me. But... how can they live in a small suburb but the girl didn't recognize the guy from Spanish class. How does she not know EVERYONE at her school? Also, how can he look 40 with 14 kids one minute and then hot and a teenager the next? Why does the main character keep hearing a low humming sound and get completely freaked out by it? All pretty dumb. The steamy scenes (were there even enough to make that word plural?) were short and disappointing. Definitely not up there with my favorite romance novels.

[bookfaredelights_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book. I thought Meg and John had great chemistry. The only thing that bothered me about this book was that John was all about following rules and not doing anything illegal, yet he is 19 and Meg is 17 and they have sex. Technically....that's statuatroy rape. Even though it says in the book they're only a year and a half a part, John makes such a big deal that 19 is WAY different than 17. So it really irked me that after him making a Big Deal about being NINETEEN and being Mr. Law Abiding Citizen, that he would be sleeping with Meg before she was 18. That was the only thing that bothered me. It just didn't seem to jive with everything we know about John. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I picked it up and didn't put it down until I'd finished it.Edit: As a librarian I should have done some research. The consensual sex age laws in Alabama (where the book is set) are 16 and she's 17 so it's legit.

[angelgirl122193 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I can't believe it took me this long to pick up a Jennifer Echols book! Seriously, where was this book hiding on my many trips to the bookstore??? I absolutely am in love with this book!In this book, Meg has a lot of problems. Drinking, picking the wrong guys, not being able to be committed to plans, friends, or a boyfriend. She just wants to live, no matter the consequences. John also has a few problems. He is obsessed with the bridge in town and has given up his whole life just to stay with the bridge. Together, Meg and John uncover what caused each other problems and in doing so, heal each other.There is so much chemistry going on between Meg and John! From the first time they meet, until the very end of the book, it sizzles between them! Their banter with each other makes for a good time and brings them even closer. I found John to be one of my favorite heros in YA. There are so many layers to him! He can be serious, funny, hot and sexy. Also, did I mention that he has a bit of a temper? I think i'm now in love with John after this book!Jennifer Echols is an amazing writer and if you don't have this book, run out and get it now! You won't regret it!

[peeptastic · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The title is misleading and so is the blurb!I didn't like Meg for the most part. At first, I kind of Liked her. I looked past her Annoying Behavior and laughed. out. loud. once or twice during the book. But halfway through I just could not take it anymore. She was just way too self centered and annoying for me. And seriously, I did not like her allegedly Emotional Scene. It wasn't believable to me (the actual thing, not her reaction (well that was believable but that annoyed me, too)). I did think John's reaction to it was pretty funny. I did laugh. out. loud. at that one. I thought the ending was kind of rushed. I'm not sure how it came to be Rushed and Drowned out at the same time, but it did. I didn't believe Megs changes were genuine. I also didn't believe John's behavior, it didn't seem to flow with how they were throughout the rest of the book. Now that I think about it, I didn't really find their relationship believable. If they stay or end up together (no spoilers, I promise) I don't see it lasting long enough for a sequel. Does anyone know how one "sighs through his nose"? Wouldn't it be breathed through his nose? That phrasing reminded me too much of "tightened eyes".Ugh, ok just one Last Complaint and an Observation, I promise! Johnafter doesn't flow and I did not get the whole yearbook/Johnafter thing. Was it supposed to be funny? A lot of times during the book Meg and John would laugh, laugh, laugh at a joke and I was stuck thinking "I guess I had to be there" or "must be an inside joke" because it was not funny to me.And if that town was as small as they said it was I don't. Know. How so many things could have been kept secret. Ok, I'm done with the not so subtle bashing, I promise. Once again, everyone else loved this book except for me. I did give it Two Stars because I wanted to see what happened, I could see why others might love this story, and not once while reading it did I consider Not Finishing it.

[literarycravings · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've been hearing a lot of good things about this book for a while, so I knew had to read it when I got the chance. I’m a real sucker for a good romance and this story gave me my fill. We met two young kids Meg and John who are on different paths in their lives. Meg can’t wait to get out of their small town and beginning her life in college while John has his roots firmly stuck in staying in town and serving as a police officer. After their first meeting where John ended up arresting Meg and her friends and John decided to teach her and her friends a lesson the tension between John and Meg had me flipping the pages to find out what was going to happen next. Since I knew going into this book that this was a romance I couldn’t wait for them to get together. Echols took me on an amazing ride with these two people who couldn’t have been more wrong for each other Meg, the free spirit who didn’t care about anyone or anything and John uptight, play by the rules citizen who always cared about others. She weaved a tale of how they found their love for each other and worked on the horrors of their past, finding who they really wore and how the love they found was so much more than the fling they thought it was. The characters where so real and relatable and I really enjoyed how Echols didn’t shy away from the uncomfortable situations that teens go through in life like sex, drugs and drinking which made it all the more real and enjoyable. I started out thinking that this was going to be a light romantic read but was happily surprised with how much depth it had. Of course the romance was that much hotter for it. I would defiantly be looking out for more of Jennifer Echols books. The cover really embodied the story, up close and in your face intimacy that draws you in.

[saltypepper_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the second book by Echols I've read. The other was Major Crush. Both books were of the sort that, looking at a short description, my first thought was, "Eh, not interested." I was so wrong. Both times the books have been highly recommended by a friend who has yet to steer me wrong. I didn't even realize they were by the same author until part way through the second book!Anyway, I think what makes Echols books so good is that she is first and foremost a good storyteller. She knows how to make even simple things interesting so that you keep wondering what comes next until the end of the story. Also, she knows how to write about teenagers, especially teenaged girls, from the inside, in a way that feels realistic, and yet is still interesting even to those of us who haven't been teenagers in a very long time. I think the word I'm looking for is "compelling." I believe her books. Try it, I think you'll like it.

[heffalump1234 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a great story, and I loved that it was more than a cute love story. The character development was perfect. You start off with two characters who couldn't seem more different, and through the process of the story they really come together. I absolutely wanted to keep reading even after the last page! I will say that I had a hard time believing the age confusion in the beginning... I mean, how could she not know?

[book_worm127 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was fanstastic. It completely blew me away. I was not expecting such a powerful story out of such a small book-by my standards anyway. Meg and John shouldn't work, but somehow they do, and it completely defies all logic. She's a juvinile delinquent who just wants to get out of her town, he's a cop who just wants to stay there. But somehow they are just so right for each other. The best parts of the book were when they were alone talking to each other. Well, most of the time they argued and pushed each others buttons, but it's still considered talking. The chemistry was palpable throughout the book, and it was so hot! The whole time I was wondering when they would finally take that next step, and then the next one, and then the next one. This was a great book, and I'm really happy that I read it. It might sound like it would be boring, but it's definitely not. It's one of the best books I've read it a while, and I'm going to lend it to all of my friends.

[ericajsc · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Meg and John are probably two of the finest-written protagonists I’ve seen in this genre of writing. I have to admit that, coming into the book, I agreed with John’s contempt toward Meg. In the beginning she came across as childish and whiny and I just didn’t get her. I’ll acknowledge that it’s probably because I’ve always been a good girl, someone who is generally willing to play by the rules. But I came to love her as more and more of her character was revealed. I think what really won me over about Meg is how she describes the sting she feels when she believes her crush can never really be more than that:“His dark eyes challenged me. They were weapons that could hurt me. Here was the worst thing about them: I could tell that if [John] loved you, his dark eyes would be beautiful and friendly and warm. So every time he cut me down with a look that was cold and unfriendly and ugly, it was a double insult, a reminder of what I could never have. I found myself avoiding his dark eyes when I could.”And John, well, he was enigmatic and powerful and stunningly vulnerable – or in a word, uh, perfect. (It’s possible I have a wee bit of a crush on him.)This story unfolds so beautifully due to the impeccable pacing. The relationship between Meg and John speeds forward then pulls back at the most frustrating yet appropriate times so that nothing is rushed or trite. There’s a very authentic progression in the connection they build, seen not only through moments of deep revelation but also through the seemingly ordinary chats they have as they spend time together through the course of a work week (my personal favorite was the conversation about his ex-girlfriend’s college major, one of many conversations that had me literally laughing out loud). There is a je ne sais quoi to the way Echols writes that brings freshness to a tale of opposites attracting. I can’t fully explain why this story is so appealing – it just is. It has all the marks of a great romantic drama: Chemistry! Sexual tension! Misunderstandings! Kissing! (Oh, the kissing…) But it never feels clichéd. Part of this is because of the supporting characters. John’s friends are the epitome of nineteen-year-old guys, and they crack me up pretty much any time they make an appearance. Meg’s evolving friendship with smart and innocent Tiffany is also an important part of what makes Meg more likeable in the end.I am so glad that I bought this book. Since I’ve finished it I’ve picked it up about four times trying to write my review for it and I’ve gotten sucked into re-reading entire chunks of it. And I’m fairly certain that this will be happening again and again in the future.