Rating: 5+++Heart Stopping, Gut-Retching STARS!!!!!!

I spent the past 2+ days reading Taking Chances and I am speechless (not really) because this book was amazing, gut-retching, heart-stopping and you need at least one huge tissue box to read this book!  When I posted on my Facebook page that I was reading Taking Chances I was warned that I would need some tissues and I was not lied too (although at one point a scene I thought was the “tissue box” spot was read and done with I thought “What is everyone talking about? That wasn’t sad at all! But then it happened).  So I will warn you now get some tissues and maybe a glass of wine or a sedative (not coffee though it will just make you too anxious) sit back in a nice comfy chair and enjoy this fantastic emotional roller-coaster ride!!

We are introduced to Harper when she is about to leave for college at San Diego State University.  She grew up with her dad a career Marine and led a very sheltered life.  When she moves to the dorms of SDSU she meets Breanna–her soon to be BFF. Breanna introduces Harper to a life that she never knew existed in her home-schooled, no make-up, no girlie dresses life and Harper quickly adjusts and begins to experience a life she never knew could exist. It all starts at a party thrown by Breanna’s brother Chase. Harper is a bit overwhelmed by the party and all the antics going on at the party–she continues to run into one guy and is both attracted and irritated by him. Prior to the party Harper never met Chase and so she doesn’t know that Chase it the womanizing guy she runs into during the party.  Certain secrets are revealed at the party and Chase shows Harper a somewhat sweet side to him.

School begins and Harper and Breanna eat lunch with Chase and his friends–all the guys that live with him and who were at the party plus one new guy–Brandon.  She is instantly attracted to him and vice versa and Chase is instantly jealous.  Can you say love triangle??? Harper begins dating Brandon and falls quick and hard.  Both are “bad boys” and they very several heated arguments about Harper and a few come to blows.  Harper continues to be confused because she is dedicated to Brandon but there is something between Harper and Chase.

Harper is having a great first year at college and she is getting to experience many new things.  She is happy–blissfully so–and then BOOM…something happens that changes everything and her life becomes a twisty roller-coaster ride and the author took me on this ride right along with Harper. Then things seem to even out–sort of–and BOOM…something happens and I’m bawling–like not just crying…no, no…bawling, can’t breathe, puffy eyes, talking & pleading to my iPad screen–no, No, NO!!!! I was done after that…completely drained (but in a good way).  I picked my emotions up off the floor and I soldiered on and continued reading and I must tell you there are more booms and more tears but sooooo worth it.

Here are some of my favorite quotes and/or excerpts from the book (honestly there are so much more but I would spoil it for you so here are some of my favorite “generic” quotes that won’t ruin anything for you):

“I almost didn’t recognize you without a tramp attached to you.” Drew and the other guy snickered.  Leaning into my ear he harshly whispered, “Would you like to change that? I’m not up to my limit tonight yet.”

“No. I don’t deserve you either. You need someone who will cherish you, protect you and take care of you. Someone that realizes they’d never be able to find another you in the world, no matter how hard they looked.”

“I would do anything for you. I don’t know what to do to make you believe me, but I’ll spend the forever trying to show you.”

“You want to marry me?”

(by Molly McAdams)

In my opinion if you loved the book/movie The Notebook then you would love this–that was the last time I cried like a baby over a book/movie.  This book should be a movie.  You will not be disappointed with this read.  I was deeply affected by this book–especially with the minor background info of Brandon and the story of his dad.  While reading this book I chatted a lot with other fans and even got a bit of encouragement from the author. I also noticed on the author’s website she is writing from Chase’s POV–I don’t know if I can handle such a thing…I will try!!  Can’t wait and according to her website she is shooting for a March release date–so close yet so far away.

Here are links to Amazon and Barnes & Noble as well.  Visit me on Goodreads to check out my book lists.

Thanks for reading my review!!  🙂

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