Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
This follow-up to Tucker's Ten Tiny Breaths focuses on Kacey Cleary's younger sister, Livie, who goes off to Princeton while still grappling with the drunk driving accident that killed their parents and upended the Cleary girls' lives. Livie is the supposed "perfect" one, and Kacey is determined, with the help of weekly phone calls to Livie from psychiatrist Dr. Stayner, to break Livie out of her conservative, cautious bubble and allow her to live life to the fullest. To add spice to this superficial coming-of-age story, Livie has to choose between proper Connor, whom she meets on campus, and his roommate, Ashton, whom she meets at a drunken bash before classes start. Unsurprisingly, it's "naughty" Ashton who gets her heart racing, and the constant comparing of the two-she dates Connor but has passionate encounters with Ashton-gets tiresome. Also predictable: there's more to Ashton then meets the eye; his troubled past adds melodrama to Livie's already tragic personal situation. Meanwhile, Livie intends to follow her dream of becoming a pediatrician, volunteering at a children's hospital, but finally learning that she lacks the emotional fortitude for such a demanding profession. Unfortunately, too many elements don't work here-including an off-the-wall psychiatrist who does most of his therapy over the phone and gives bizarre advice (he recommends bungee jumping and drinking tequila) and a too-neat ending where everyone ends up living together happily ever after in Miami. Agent: Stacey Donaghy, Corvisiero Literary Agency. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Kirkus Book Review
After a toga party with far too many Jell-O shooters (gleefully procured by older sister Kasey, who turns out to be a terrible chaperone), perfectionist Livie has acquired her first kiss, first hangover and first tattoo, not to mention a lust compass aimed at Ashton Henley, the hunky captain of the crew team. Tucker (Ten Tiny Breaths, 2013, etc.) continues the Cleary sisters' saga, following younger sister Livie. Dr. Stayner again appears as the kind, eccentric therapist, helping Livie break through the protective barriers she's erected since her parents' deaths. Each Saturday at 10 a.m., he calls her, coaxing her to admit more and more of her own hang-ups and setting her an unconventional task--shoot tequila, go speed-dating, practice prolific swearing. Finally enrolled at Princeton, Livie is ready to fulfill the life plan she set at age 9: keep her promise to her daddy by becoming a mature, responsible doctor. A notorious cad, Ashton is most definitely not part of her plan. He may get Livie's hormones pumping, but his best friend, Connor, a sedate pre-law student, is a much better prospect. With his Dublin accent and charming manner, Connor is everything Livie's dreamed of. But it's Ashton who comforts her when her grades plummet, Ashton who drives her to New York to work with terminally ill children, and it's Ashton she can't ignore. Covered with tattoos masking disturbing scars, Ashton has his own secrets that keep him doubting whether he can be the man Livie truly deserves. More fairy godfather (or deus ex machina) than doctor, Stayner orchestrates several coincidences that help unite the star-crossed lovers. Likable characters, steamy liaisons and surprising plot twists add up to a satisfying romance. Readers will be eager for the next installment.]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
