Tough Critic Book Reviews: Take a Chance blog tour & GIVEAWAY

Take a Chance by Abbi Glines
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Abbi Glines comes the story of Grant, the sexy playboy who first captured readers hearts in Fallen Too Far.

When Harlow Manning's rocker father goes on tour, he sends her to Rosemary Beach, Florida, to live with her half-sister, Nan. The problem: Nan despises her. Harlow has to keep her head down if she wants to get through the next nine months, which seems easy enough. Until gorgeous Grant Carter walks out of Nan's room in nothing but his boxer briefs.

Grant made a huge mistake getting involved with a girl with venom in her veins. He'd known about Nan's reputation, but still he couldn't resist her. Nothing makes him regret the fling more than meeting Harlow, who sends his pulse racing. Yet Harlow wants nothing to do with a guy who could fall for her wicked half-sister—even if there are no strings between Grant and Nan. Grant is desperate to redeem himself in Harlow's eyes, but did he ruin his chances before he even met her?

Dear Abbi Glines,

Since all of my prior reviews of your books have included a direct correspondence, well except that one time when I was forced to disparage the name Dank, and then that other one time when I made a few minor ~~improvements~~ adjustments to the While it Lasts cover, this is no exception. The afore mentioned situations notwithstanding, I've decided to continue the trend (along with using some multi-syllable smart sounding college words, which I googled) and write you another review letter.

So I have obviously finished Take a Chance. Hence the letter. Otherwise…there'd be no letter. I have also spent days vacillating about how I feel. I'm torn really, irresolute. However, in my opinion, irresolution of a book is a direct positive reflection of the authors themselves. Irresolution is the product of emotion catalyzed by the fact that I liked the book enough to care. Care enough to be torn. You tore me. I think that's why I'm always drawn to your books. You always seem to leave me feeling conflicted, and your writing seems to be a variable I just can't figure out.

I've read some of the other reviews, and Grant's douchery seems to be the topic of much discussion. Such angry words laced with disappointment. I however, was not disappointed by Grant. I don't deny that his heartbreaking assery was the cause of much frustration, but those readers saying that this isn't the Grant they know, the Grant of preceding books, I have to throw the flag here and call foul. Did we ever really know Grant? No. We saw him through the eyes of other characters. This book is the first time that we actually get an intimate look at Grant, and I don't believe we're seeing anything that wasn't there all along. However, it's the first time that you aloud us to see it. I personally love the disappointment I felt towards Grant because it left an incredible amount of room for growth, and I can't wait to experience the evolution of his character. I know he's capable of so much more. I want to experience the more. I have no doubt that you'll deliver the more.

In previous letters, I have also mentioned the sharp edge of your writing and your ability to be deliciously naughty. In Take a Chance, I was killed dead, dying on the floor because of the naughty talk. The things that went directly from your head to the characters' mouth during the throes of well, ecstasy had my body overcome with embarrassed blushes and silent church giggles. That one line about that girl playing with that thing until that thing had to ~~come~~ go somewhere? Yeah, literally dead dying on the floor. You always seem to push the limits of dialogue during those scenes; not in a trashy way, but almost in a way that creates an entirely new genre. Is new adult erotica even a thing? It's your thing. Own it.

I know perhaps you're looking at my rating with some mild disappointment chased with a little bit of confusion, but please know that I enjoyed this book from the start. I was entertained, but honestly, really, without a doubt, didn't truly become involved with the actual story until the second halfish. I felt like there was something missing, something holding it back from surpassing being just entertainment. But if you remember, I was the same way with Fallen Too Far. I was entertained and intrigued with book one, but I didn't quite fall in love until Never Too Far, and if I remember correctly, I fell pretty damn hard. I think 4.5 stars hard! I think the problem here was that I just needed more time with the characters and their story, more time to become involved. <-----this is why I can't wait for the sequel.

So yes, maybe I was pulled in slowly, but the point is, I'm here now, and I have no intentions of leaving. I am very much looking forward to what's to come, and I have much faith that those things I felt were missing early on in this series are definitely coming. They're coming! I know this to be true. Even though I don't really know, I know, and I can't wait for the sequel. You addict me Abbi Glines.

Sincerely,

Your reader