#Review: Easy by @TammaraWebber

Book Title:  Easy ( Contours of the Heart 1)
Author: Tammara Webber  |Website| Twitter| Facebook|

Publisher: Penguin Berkley
Genre: New Adult Romance
Series/Standalone: Series Book 1
Format: paperback

Cost: $14.00

Pages: 336

How I got it: Borrowed From The Library

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Publisher
Publication Date: 11/6/2012
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Synopsis:

Rescued by a stranger. Haunted by a secret Sometimes, love isn’t easy… He watched her, but never knew her. Until thanks to a chance encounter, he became her savior… The attraction between them was undeniable. Yet the past he’d worked so hard to overcome, and the future she’d put so much faith in, threatened to tear them apart. Only together could they fight the pain and guilt, face the truth—and find the unexpected power of love. A groundbreaking novel in the New Adult genre, Easy faces one girl's struggle to regain the trust she's lost, find the inner strength to fight back against an attacker, and accept the peace she finds in the arms of a secretive boy.

To begin, I must issue a trigger warning, as this book discusses rape and rape scenarios.

I seriously didn't know what to expect when going into this book, I went in without reading the synopsis (Like I really try to do) but I knew EVERYBODY and their mama loved this new adult book so I went ahead and snagged it from the library (just in case).  I'm so glad I did get it because it's amazing!!  I'm going to order myself a copy for my shelves just because I want to be able to read it again and again!!

Reasons I loved it:

• Character development, The book really focused on Jacqueline's journey back to herself, after a three year relationship ends and she begins to realize just how much of herself she had given up to remain his Jackie.
• Character development: We don't learn Lucas's reasons for doing all he does until the end, which showcases all of who he is throughout the book, we learn and understand why Jacqueline should trust him the same way she does and it made him so amazing to read.
• Friendship was the biggest savior of this book, it really wasn't so much about the relationships with men as it was about Jacqueline, Erin & Maggie. And how when necessary their friendship was literally all that kept her going.
• Extremely descriptive and written in a way that draws you in, I found myself reacting right along with Jacqueline when events unfolded.
• The surprise moves by a few characters and the ways in which they both came to the rescue and made life harder for J.

Reasons I wanted to slap Jacqueline:

• You're worried about breaking up a party after your life was almost altered irreversible?? Bitch I Need You To Get It Together!!! Wrong priorities in this situation.
• Not telling someone close to you, I can get it if you don't report it, if you tell a trusted person, but keeping that in, and not sharing is a burden you don't need SHARE!!!
• Not reporting the crime.  Sigh if I had a dollar for every time a girl came into the health center and didn't want to report it because of *enter reason here* I would be pretty well off.  Not reporting it makes you vulnerable, it doesn't make them go away, no sweetheart it gives them a pass. And most importantly?? It makes it harder for you to heal, because your always going to wonder if maybe if you had said something, gone a different way, not worn something, telling puts the blame where it needs to go on the attacker.

I know everyone believes they have a valid reason for not reporting, however reading J's reason made me want to slap her, she was worried about appearances instead of her life and that isn't healthy.  Even if you don't know your attacker having the case on file MATTERS!! Only 1 in every 4 rapes are reported and most rapists have a far larger list of victims than the ones who do come forward. (RAINN) 

While there are no perfect ways to live, having self awareness is extremely important.  I'm glad this was pointed out to her several times throughout the novel. 

• That scene in the beginning reminds me why I never ever go to my car without my keys in my hand and cellphone in the other.
• Make sure the light in your car always comes on when you open the door so you can make sure it's empty.
• Get into a crowded area as fast as possible, if you're being followed. 
• Don't stop fighting and whatever you do don't let them take you somewhere else!!
• IF all else fails. SURVIVE, everything else is secondary, simply SURVIVE then you can worry about everything else.  

An excellent portrayal of life on campus and the sometimes non discussed hidden dangers.  I loved this book immensely and highly recommend it.  I really picked it up because of the Teen Library Toolbox recommendation as a book to use to discuss consent.

 ★★★★★

I'm looking forward to reading the second book:

Breakable due out May 6, 2014

He was lost and alone. Then he found her. And the future seemed more fragile than ever. As a child, Landon Lucas Maxfield believed his life was perfect and looked forward to a future filled with promise - until tragedy tore his family apart and made him doubt everything he ever believed. All he wanted was to leave the past behind. When he met Jacqueline Wallace, his desire to be everything she needed came so easy... As easy as it could be for a man who learned that the soul is breakable and that everything you hope for could be ripped away in a heartbeat. [Breakable is Lucas's story - a companion novel to Easy, both prequel + the story of Easy from his perspective. Breakable is NOT a sequel, but I strongly recommend reading Easy (which can be read as a stand-alone, if you wish) first.]