Just for Now by Abbi Glines

For Review: Simon & Schuster
Published: 25 April 2015

From Goodreads: The day Preston Drake figured out that wealthy women paid well for a set of tight abs and a pretty face his life turned around.

The run down rat-infested trailer he had shared with his alcoholic mother and three younger siblings was now only a place he visited to pay the bills and stock the pantry with food.

He no longer worried about his family starving or living without electricity. The money he made entertaining rich older women more than covered his family’s needs and his own. He had it all figured out. Except…

There was this girl.

She was as innocent as he was tainted.

Amanda Hardy wished her knees didn’t get weak when Preston walked into a room. She hated the fact her heart raced when he flashed his smile in her direction. He had a different girl in his bed every night. He was the kind of boy a smart girl ran from. So, why was she coming up with ways to get close to him? Even when it was obvious he wanted to keep her at a distance.

Maybe her heart knew something the world didn’t. Maybe Preston Drake was more than just a pretty face.

I have to admit that Preston wasn't really a character that stood out for me in the previous books - but I did really like Amanda so was keen to read her story. And I found myself really liking Preston.

This time the connection between the two characters felt less like insta-love - having been in the same circle of friends for a while and the fact she'd had a crush on him for ages - so that was nice. Also, I really enjoyed Preston's back story - his brothers and sister and how much he cares about them. Of course, his secret is not good but you are given a good explanation for why he chooses to do it.

Again we get both points of view (brilliant!) and all the previous characters make appearances (also brilliant!) - so all in all I have to say I am really enjoying this series.

Roll on book 5!

While it Lasts by Abbi Glines

For Review: Simon & Schuster
Published: 25 April 2013

From Goodreads: Set in the steamy coastal Alabama town of Sea Breeze, an interconnected group of older teens hook up, break up ...and much, much more. Cage York has a free ride to college for baseball - or he did, until he got in trouble for drink-driving. Now he has to give in to his coach's demands and spend his summer baling hay. No hot babes in bikinis waiting to meet a Southern boy to make her vacation complete. Just him and the damned cows. Oh and an uptight, snarky brunette with the biggest blue eyes he's ever seen. Eva Brooks planned out her life step by step when she was eight years old. Not once over the years had she lost sight of her goals. Josh Beasley, her next door neighbour, had been the centre of those goals. He'd been her first boyfriend at seven, her first kiss at ten, her first date at fifteen and her first tragedy at eighteen. The moment she'd received the phone call from Josh's mother saying he'd been killed along with four other soldiers just north of Baghdad, Eva's carefully planned life imploded in the worst way possible. Now she has to deal with the arrogant Cage York and his irritating smile. But as the summer bailing hay rolls by, Cage and Eva learn that what they want (and need) may be something they never saw coming.

So I think it is an understatement to say I was looking forward to reading Cage's story! Having loved him so much in Because of Low (where he possibly stole every scene he was in) - I was really looking forward to a whole book filled with Cage-y-goodness! And yes, I loved it!

So Cage messes up and is sent to a farm to work, where he meets Eva, the farmer's daughter. Straight away there is an intense connection between the two (but I'm not sure if I'd say it is attraction or hatred lol) - but Eva is still coming to terms with the death of her fiancé - so is there room for Cage in her life? And does he want there to be?

I liked Eva. She was different then I thought she'd be - more uptight (but I actually found I liked this - it made her more relatable!) - and it goes without saying that I loved Cage. I was pleased to see Low pop up in this - I really do like the way the stories connect and continue - and there is an obvious set up for the next book in a scene with Preston and Amanda.

Again - this is fun to read, with lots of romance. Yes it is insta-love - but I also find that the characters do find a way to connect properly too (in this case Cage's reaction to hearing about the death of her fiancé and how he treats her after he finds out). I also loved how this one is resolved. And the setting!

So yes, sign me up for Just For Now!

Because of Low by Abbi Glines

For Review: Simon & Schuster
Published: 25 April 2013

From Goodreads: Set in the steamy coastal Alabama town of Sea Breeze, an interconnected group of older teens hook up, break up ...and much, much more. Marcus Hardy had hoped to enjoy a year away at college while he put the summer he'd rather forget behind him. But instead, he's jerked right back his home town of Sea Breeze due to a family crisis. The only bright spot to returning is the hot redhead who sleeps over at his place several times a week. There's just one thing though - she's sleeping in bed with his new roommate, Cage York. Willow "Low" Foster needs a place to live. Running to her best friend Cage's apartment every time her sister kicks her out isn't exactly a long term solution. But Cage has a new roommate and suddenly sleeping over at his apartment isn't such a bad thing. Not when she gets to see those sexy green eyes of Marcus's twinkle when he smiles at her like he wants her there. There's one problem though, Cage is under the disillusion that when he's through sowing his wild oats, he's going to marry Low - an assumption Marcus intends to change. But when his carefully laid plans come crashing down with a revelation he never expected, Marcus will have to choose between Low or his family. Because once the truth comes out ...there's no other choice.

Having already read and loved The Vincent Boys I was very keen to get stuck into her Sea Breeze series - and I loved it! Really easy to read with loads of romance - just my kind of book.

I love the fact that these books are all set in the same place, with the same characters. As this is the second book in the series (after Breathe - which is publishing later in the year) I was concerned I might be starting off in the wrong place - but I shouldn't have worried. The books can easily be read as standalone stories (yes the characters continue but I don't think it ruins anything).

In this story Marcus meets Low - his roommate's friend - and they instantly have a connection. But with Cage thinking he's going to marry Low (eventually!) it causes a little bit of a problem... But that's not the only problem...

I really loved Cage. That was my first thought. Of course, I loved Marcus too - and think he was a better match for Low. I also like the way the story is told from both Marcus and Low's point of view. There is a good twist in the tale too - although I think readers will see it coming - but it's fun waiting for Marcus and Low to catch up.

Really great fun - I read the next two straight after this one I enjoyed it so much (and them too!) Yes, I think they are a bit predictable (but I mean this in a good way!) There is a certain formula that they follow - but I enjoyed that - knowing what I'm going to get going in. Don't change something that works is what I say!

Can't wait for Breathe (I really want to read Sadie and Jax's story!) - and I'm looking forward to reading more of Abbi Glines books in the future.