Talking about If Only
I had no idea this existed, but we've got this whole online author group where we can ask questions (even stupid rookie questions), cheer each other on, and share our stories.
Recently, through this group, I was lucky to get in touch with A. J. Pine, Entangled Embrace author of IF ONLY, which releases March 24, 2014 (that's like 4 days away, people!!). Click anywhere it says IF ONLY to buy your copy.
She was kind and offered me an advance reader copy (cuz I'm hella advanced--just kidding, ARCs are copies for those of us who can't wait to get our hands on a story and LOVE to tell everyone all about all the things we read).
I devoured it in about 24 hours.
It's been two years since twenty-year-old Jordan had a boyfriend--which means it's been forever since she, well, you know. But now she's off to spend her junior year in Aberdeen, Scotland, the perfect place to stop waiting for Mr. Right and just enjoy Mr. Right Now.
Sexy, sweet (and possible player) Griffin may be her perfect, no-strings-attached match. He's fun, gorgeous, and makes her laugh. So why can't she stop thinking about Noah who, minutes after being trapped together outside the train's loo, kisses Jordan like she's never been kissed before? Never mind his impossible blue eyes, his weathered, annotated copy of The Great Gatsby (total English-major porn)…, oh, and his girlfriend.
Jordan knows everything this year has an expiration date. Aberdeen is supposed to be about fun rather than waiting for life to happen. But E. M. Forster, Shakespeare, and mistletoe on Valentine's Day make her reconsider what love is and how far she's willing to go for the right guy.
This was one of those books that as soon as I'd finished, I had to email A. J. to thank her for all the fun I'd had reading it--even if I did want to strangle the main characters on more than one occasion, but only because A. J. made me fall in love with them. Curse her and her good writing!
IF ONLY is a new adult book. New adult is a relatively new genre. To me, it feels like a stepping stone from young adult books to adult (although, admittedly, I crossed those stones and then realized I'd prefer to be back on the other side).
There's currently some debate about what the genre is supposed to be and do and what it isn't. I think Rainbow Rowell said it best (on Rainbow Day, which I will totally gush more about at a later time) when talking about FANGIRL. She sees Cath's struggles as being focused around deciding what parts of childhood, which relationships and versions of our own selves, we want to take with us into adulthood, and which pieces should be left behind. This struggle defines the new adult genre for me.
IF ONLY is the story of Jordan figuring out what choices she needs to make now that will earn her the most happiness and success in her adult future. She's struggling with coming to terms not only with what she wants to do "when she grows up," but also, what kind of a person she is comfortable being.
I certainly identify with Jordan's struggle. High school was tough for me, but college was a flipping nightmare. When I look back on those days, days when I thought I really had myself all figured out, I cringe. Then I laugh. I laugh myself silly at how completely stupid I was.
I realized Jordan was my soul sister when she admitted, "I, for one, do not enjoy my equilibrium being thrown. In fact, I'd prefer it not even be gently tossed." Amen, sister-friend! Let me just say, Jordan, I was totally behind the Captain Planner decision. In fact, I was ready to be your sidekick.
But Jordan's wasn't the only perfectly painted character for me. Her roommate Elaina is a wonderful counterpoint, bold where Jordan falters and yet soft when Jordan is too set in her stony ways. I appreciated the depth A. J. gave Griffin the man-whore. And Duncan always made me laugh.
And Noah. Oh. You. Poor. Dear. You had me the moment you walked in wearing your sleep clothes.
Not to mention some of my favorite movies, books, and plays are used throughout the story. I'm a sucker for well-timed Shakespearean quote.
Like I said, the moment I was done reading, I needed to thank the author for sharing such wonderful people with me. I think that speaks volumes for A. J. Pine's storytelling abilities. Because reading and writing are not necessarily the solitary acts we think they are. They are stepping stones themselves, between people, lives, and experiences. I'm so happy to get to share so many wonderful lives with so many great people.
And now I'm sharing with you.
So, thanks again, A. J. for IF ONLY.
Sounds like a great read. Thanks for bringing this book to my attention.
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