Thursday, October 18, 2012

SUNNY: BOOK REVIEW "Rev It Up" by Julie Ann Walker

CHARACTERS:
Jake Sommers
Michelle Carter

SUMMARY from Goodreads:
He Never Misses a Target

Jake "the Snake" Sommers earned his SEAL codename by striking quickly and quietly - and with lethal force. That's how he broke Michelle Carter's heart. It was the only way to keep her safe - from himself. Four long years later, Jake is determined to get a second chance. But to steal back into Michelle's loving arms, Jake is going to have to prove he can take things slow. Real slow...


She Aims to Make Him Beg


Michelle Carter has never forgiven Jake for being so cliché as to "love her and leave her." But when her brother, head of the Black Knights elite ops agency, ticks off the wrong mobster, she must do the unimaginable: place her life in Jake's hands. No matter what they call him, this man is far from cold-blooded. And once he's wrapped around her heart, he'll never let her go...


REVIEW:
Reading this book is part of my compulsion to read books in a series, even if the first book is good, not great. It is a bit of a conundrum.  My recent experience with first books has bit a little disappointing, but as long as the first book was decent, I forged on and often with positive results.  I read the first book, Hell On Wheels, felt that it had some problems, and was not inclined to read any more. Even so, I thought this book would be a fine IBB (In Between Book). I'm sorry to say that although, the story is stronger than the debut, this book has the same execution problems as the first.

My biggest critique is the writing.  It feels contrived, like the author is trying too hard to be "real" only to come across as crass. The author employs the use of inner dialogue via the use of italics.  Unfortunately, the inner dialogue doesn't sound too much like the what the characters say out loud.  There is definitely a disconnect for me.

The upshot is that this book is definitely better than the first.  The story is stronger and the characters are more likable.  So if this trend continues, maybe I'll back for the next installment.

IN A NUTSHELL:
It's an improvement, but I won't be running to buy the next book.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC. 

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