Name: Easy
Author: Tammara Webber
Publisher: Penguin
Date published: 13rd Janurary 2013
Pages: 322, Paperback
Source: For review (from publisher)
Rating: 4.5 teacups
Easy was my first foray into the genre of NA and it made such an impression on me that it definitely won't be my last. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect but I had heard nothing but praise for it so I wasn't too worried.
What I loved most about Easy was the characters. Each of them had their own flaws, their own problems, their own secrets. And that made them all the more raw, real, human. I rooted for Jacqueline from the start and it was a pleasure to watch her flourish into a strong young woman who knows where she wants to go and how she's going to get there. And Lucas played a key role in shaping her development and I fell for him instantly. He was totally sweet and so gentle with Jacqueline. I thought he'd turn out to be a bad boy but underneath the exterior, he was a true gentleman and always had the best intentions at heart. Also, the emails exchanged with Landon were terribly swoon-worthy - he was such a charmer!
It seems natural for me to move on and talk about the romance. I initially had worries that Easy would all be about love and making out and having sex (that was my impression of NA). But I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was not. It was much more than that and it gave the book a lot more substance. Yes, there were some pretty hot scenes, but the way they truly cared for each other was evident. Also, as a reader who can't decide whether I like love triangles or not, it was pleasing to see that there wasn't much of one after all (although I did figure things out pretty early one!).
Finally, Tammara Webber doesn't shy from darker, grittier themes and I applaud her for addressing them full on with a touch of sensitivity. Subjects like rape and harassment are rarely incorporated but Webber did this with style and spread the message that you shouldn't keep quiet and hide away, instead you need to face the truth and take a stand for yourself.
Easy was a wonderful read and I would recommend it to anyone who hasn't discovered the world of NA yet or is already a big fan of the genre. It combines serious issues with characters you can't help but invest in and a romance that is very swoon-worthy indeed.
I took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly before turning around. It was Lucas who stood there. His gaze was penetrating, not wavering for a moment, and my pulse hammered under his silent scrutiny. I couldn't remember the last time I'd been so full of pure, unqualified desire.
Lucas is the stranger who saved Jacqueline from an attack by a fellow student - she'd never noticed him before then, and now he's everywhere. But can Jacqueline trust him - or will the secrets he's hiding come between them?
[summary taken from Goodreads]
My Review
Easy was my first foray into the genre of NA and it made such an impression on me that it definitely won't be my last. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect but I had heard nothing but praise for it so I wasn't too worried.
What I loved most about Easy was the characters. Each of them had their own flaws, their own problems, their own secrets. And that made them all the more raw, real, human. I rooted for Jacqueline from the start and it was a pleasure to watch her flourish into a strong young woman who knows where she wants to go and how she's going to get there. And Lucas played a key role in shaping her development and I fell for him instantly. He was totally sweet and so gentle with Jacqueline. I thought he'd turn out to be a bad boy but underneath the exterior, he was a true gentleman and always had the best intentions at heart. Also, the emails exchanged with Landon were terribly swoon-worthy - he was such a charmer!
It seems natural for me to move on and talk about the romance. I initially had worries that Easy would all be about love and making out and having sex (that was my impression of NA). But I was pleasantly surprised to see that it was not. It was much more than that and it gave the book a lot more substance. Yes, there were some pretty hot scenes, but the way they truly cared for each other was evident. Also, as a reader who can't decide whether I like love triangles or not, it was pleasing to see that there wasn't much of one after all (although I did figure things out pretty early one!).
Finally, Tammara Webber doesn't shy from darker, grittier themes and I applaud her for addressing them full on with a touch of sensitivity. Subjects like rape and harassment are rarely incorporated but Webber did this with style and spread the message that you shouldn't keep quiet and hide away, instead you need to face the truth and take a stand for yourself.
Easy was a wonderful read and I would recommend it to anyone who hasn't discovered the world of NA yet or is already a big fan of the genre. It combines serious issues with characters you can't help but invest in and a romance that is very swoon-worthy indeed.
 |
| 4.5 Teacups for Easy by Tammara Webber! |
*Thanks to Penguin for the review copy and apologies for the late review!*
Posts
Ugh, I used to really like New Adult, but then I got quite tired of the same old, same old. I surprisingly haven't read this one yet, but I so need to! Jacqueline seems like such a refreshing character and a strong one at that. EEK, Lucas! I want to meet this loving, caring, and hot boy. ;) I always applaud authors who are able to work in tough subjects seamlessly, and it looks like Webber did a fantastic job. Lovely review, Beverley! I'm glad your first NA was a success. :)
ReplyDeleteEasy is sitting on my shelf, but I haven't gotten around to reading it yet! Definitely moving it up on the to-read list after your lovely review.
ReplyDelete-Taylor @ Reading is the Thing
I'm glad you enjoyed this one, Bev! I loved the attention to women empowerment and rape that this book delved into and while the romance wasn't my favorite element of this novel, it was overall very solid. Great review - I hope you continue to find good NA! I've given up on the genre, sadly, but I hope you won't!(:
ReplyDeleteAh I so need to get around to reading this one! There has been so much hype for it and so many people, like you, this book is a foray into New Adult. I have read NO books in that genre yet. EEP!
ReplyDeleteThis one really does sound like it combines serious issues with romance very fluently. I need to get around to reading this one. Pronto!
Fantastic review Bev! <3 <3
Easy is one of the best NA books out there Bev! I'm not sure you'll enjoy others as much I'll be honest, it REALLY set the bar high. I compare so many NA books to Easy and they get rated down because WOAH did Webber do an amazing job <3
ReplyDeleteAwesome review, Landon and Lucas eh ;)))
I've only read a couple NA books and one of those was not a pleasant experience... However, I'm glad you loved this one! I love when authors weave in serious issues skilfully and delicately while still maintaining and developing the main characters.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds great! Thanks for the amazing review! :D
Easy was my first NA read too :) I was afraid that it the majority of the book but just be sex, but I was wrong. Even though the romance is a key part of the book, it is not overdone and is really quite beautiful. Like you, I love the characters :) Lucas <3 Webber did everything right with this book and I'll definitely pick up her other stuff in the future. Great review, Beverley! <3
ReplyDeleteWoo! A good NA! Something that I think is hard to come across. My experiences so far have been terrible which makes me very sad.
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely going to look out for this one now. Great review, Bev!
I'm glad to hear that this book has some real substance. Like you said, many new adult books do seem to be solely focused on the romance and the physical attraction, so it's great to know EASY goes a little deeper than that. I've heard nothing but great things about this book and I'm thrilled to see you enjoyed it too. :) I definitely hope I can pick it up one day. Lovely review!
ReplyDeleteLoved this review, Bev! I'm glad you first foray to NA was a good one. I understand how your first impression of NA was about making out and sex. This particular genre's pretty tricky, you have to be careful in choosing, really. Haha. Getting back to Easy, I loved how Webber handled the issue of rape with lots of sensitivity and understanding. And the message of women empowerment was really great. Jacqueline and Lucas are well rounded characters too. I'm glad you enjoyed this. Fantastic review! ;)
ReplyDeleteI have had Easy on my Wish list for absolutely ages now, and after reading this glowing review I want it even more!
ReplyDeleteI have read Webber's Between the Lines series (I think that is what it's called!) and really enjoyed it. I was also a fan of the writing style and how well developed her characters are. So I am positive that I would quickly fall in love with Easy. :)
It's very good to hear that this book wasn't just about sex. Almost all of the NA novels I have read have been packed full with it, and it gets on my nerves when some authors seem to think that the only way to classify their book as NA is by writing in a ton of sex scenes. It's really nice to hear that Easy had more substance and you could tell that they actually cared for one another.
Thanks so much for sharing this lovely review with us, Beverley. :D
I loved this one a lot more than I thought I would - it was really one of the first New Adult books I read, and it made me want to try MORE of them. Jacqueline and Lucas were so swoony and sweet, and I LOVED all the care and depth given to their relationship. And Landon. Heh. I have to say, I liked him too, even though like you, I figured out what was going on, and was so relieved there was no love triangle. Also the heavy subjects - I was glad they were dealt with, but sort of unhappy with how some of it played out - like that it took so long for J to DO anything about the problems and such. So it was more of a 4 star for me, but still a lovely, amazing book.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, chica!
Molli | Once Upon a Prologue
Substance isn't something I've been associating with NA, and it's good to come across the titles that have much more to offer. Lovely review.
ReplyDeleteI've been so hesitant to dip my toes into the NA genre, so I've basically avoided doing so, haha. But I do plan to try it out, and I think I will make my first foray into the genre with Easy! I love how the characters are so deep and flawed, I feel like that makes them all the more lovable. Also, it's reassuring that the romance isn't all just hot scenes and all that. The fact that there's not much of a love triangle is also very reassuring! I seriously dislike those. The grittier themes also have me really excited, since I love depth in my contemporary reads.
ReplyDeleteAwesome review, Bev!! <3 I will be picking this one up soon.
Great review! I also really enjoyed this one, definitely my favourite NA so far :)
ReplyDelete-Mari @ The Sirenic Codex
I want to read this so bad! I'm just not sure I have the emotional strength to deal with it. It seems like such an emotional read that will break my heart completely. From all the great reviews it seems like I will just have to grow some balls and read it!
ReplyDeleteI'm also a new follower to your blog :)
Cucie @ Cucie reads