Some people live their entire lives without changing their perspective. For Allison Dennis, all it takes is 180 seconds… increasingly difficult to disappear into the white noise pouring from her earbuds.
One unsuspecting afternoon, Allison is roped into a social experiment just off campus. Suddenly, she finds herself in front of a crowd, forced to interact with a complete stranger for 180 seconds. Neither she, nor Esben Baylor, the dreamy social media star seated opposite her, is prepared for the outcome.
When time is called, the intensity of the experience overwhelms Allison and Esben in a way that unnerves and electrifies them both. With a push from her oldest friend, Allison embarks on a journey to find out if what she and Esben shared is the real thing—and if she can finally trust in herself, in others, and in love.
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What a great read . Esben is book boyfriend material for sure! Such a lovely story. Thank you, Jessica Park.
*4.5 stars
There is a place where true innocence and raw reality collide to create an experience which is cathartic, gut-wrenching, and soul-cleansing. That place is Jessica Park’s 180 Seconds.
There is a simple beauty in the magnificent chacracters of Ebsen and Allison that touched so many places in my heart. They are both so honest and so very opposite in personality. Their interaction is as unexpected as it is incredible to behold. The magic created by a three-minute social experiment is unforgettable.
The way in which Jessica Park cuts to the essence of what makes us flawed and human is quite amazing. However. the way in which she finds the heart of what makes us brave and immortal is truly humbling.
180 Seconds opens the eyes to all things beautiful and bad that a lifetime can offer us. It also offers an unfailing promise that no matter the depths in which life plunges us, there is always a chance for redemption if we are only brave enough to fight for it.
Amazing!!!
Fun YA read! Fairly straightforward love story with lots of social media, and a few minor twists and heartbreaks. I’m glad the main character got more likable as the book went on, as she started out walled-off, complaining, and grouchy. The story was worth waiting for her personality to improve, so hang in there.
Loved this inspiring story of a young woman who learned to relate to others and found love when she took part in an experiment. Totally love rereading this one, even though I know how it will end. Do yourself a favour and read this book!
This story is for you if you believe there is a true love just for you
One of the best stories I’ve read. Had to read it twice it was so good.
3.5 stars
This started off great. The first few chapter dragged me in (especially the whole 180 seconds task), but then I felt as though Allison’s character was rushed along. It’s her 3rd year of college in which she has never made friends and always kept to herself, and then within a couple of weeks she went from being someone who didn’t socialize with anyone and showing no feelings or emotions, to out right social butterfly. It was like a switch was flipped and it made me question if she truly ever was devoid of emotion.
However I did like the whole plethora of the story. I liked what Esben was about with the whole social media thing. I liked that it showed that good things can come from it instead of a lot of the negativity you usually see.
Simon was just a great, great man with so much patience and love and I was glad to see him and Allison finally have a loving father-daughter relationship.
The traveling part towards the end I felt was a bit over the top. But that ending was fantastic!
Loved it!!! This was our book club read for this month. Someone else recommended it to us and I am glad that they did! There aren’t many stories that can make the reader run the gamut of emotions. I laughed, I cried, I cheered, etc. a well-crafted YA/New Adult book that delivers good messages. I loved the concept of the 180 seconds social experiment and how perceptions change/evolve. Esben, the main male character, has made it his mission to do a lot of social experiments and also to be a “good guy” and lead by example. Allison, the female lead, is an introvert that rarely enjoys any company except her own. Allison doesn’t trust people, use any social media, or make friends easily; she thinks she’s happiest when she’s left to her own devices. Then the unthinkable happens … she’s thrust into a gathering with many, many people…. she doesn’t think she’ll survive.
The story was well written and flowed seamlessly; it was a quick read.
180 Seconds by Jessica Park
Imagine being a girl that has been in the foster system going home to home for 16 years. When that happens to you, I’m sure you would be a little beat up and scared to get attached to people. Allison Dennis is the main character of the novel. She meets a boy of her first day of college and he will change her life forever. Her novel will let you how someone so damaged change to love someone and trust herself.
One of the things I enjoyed about this novel is how it related to my family and life. Park has foster kids in the story and I have three cousins that were in the foster system until my Aunt and Uncle adopted them. The whole book I imaged if my cousins would’ve stayed in the system longer if they would’ve been that scared to love or get close to someone. It created a new view for me of what those kids really go through in some of the homes they stay in.
The second thing I really liked about this novel is how well it was written. Park went through ups and downs with the characters emotions, really explaining why they felt that way and what was going on. For example, when Allison is talking with her best friend Steffi they talk about how many home they have been in and how Allison doesn’t want to be social with anyone. It was just a really good story line written in a great way.
180 Seconds was definitely one of my favorite books I have ever read. I read it every class when I had free time and everynight before I went to bed. When the book ended i just wanted there to be more, I couldn’t put the book down. Overall, this book is about how to overcome your past and to become stronger. I would definitely recommend 180 Seconds to other book lovers that like young adult stories.
Allison spent most of her life in foster care until she was adopted at 16. She’s closed off to the world and has walls so thick and so high it’s going to take something or someone really special to break them down. Dragged into a social experiment by Esben and his sister, she is tasked with looking at Esben for 180 seconds. Through those long 180 seconds, each of their eyes, their faces, tell a complete story, a story that just might break down her walls.
As Allison puts it “I don’t want to be so scared all the time; I don’t want to be terrified that the earth could splinter apart under my feet at any given second. I want to be happy, really happy.” So this social experiment while crazy scary, is exactly what she needs, even if she didn’t realize she needed something until now.
Esben is the complete opposite of Allison, he’s outgoing, he’s on social media, and has a huge following. But he’s nothing like Allison imagines when she storms into his dorm room after her best friend Steffi eggs her on to give him a piece of her mind. Esben is pretty amazing and if I wasn’t almost twice his age I would declare him my new book boyfriend. I love the connections he creates with strangers, his endless patience with Allison, his unending compassion, he’s really is the whole package.
There are some amazing characters in 180 seconds outside of our main duo. Allison’s best friend Steffi is wonderful, she’s outgoing, a fierce mother hen, and the perfect compliment to Allison. Her foster father Simon who knows exactly what Allison needs in a foster father. He lets her have her walls all the while loving her with his entire heart. Esben’s sister Kerri is pretty great, she’s been through a few things in her life and it makes her that much more a loving and caring person.
The storyline is wonderful, I wasn’t exactly sure what I would be getting because I purposely didn’t read any reviews before reading this because I didn’t want anything tainted. I heard many people saying it was a must read, and I left it at that. There is so much goodness in 180 seconds, it represents love and hope, and real happiness (some real sadness too, but Park makes sure to nurse us back to a good place before shredding us back to bits each and every time).
I love a book that can give you a good cry, and 180 seconds is going to give you a ton, I can’t even keep track of how many times I cried. I started reading a few reviews as I was writing this and am a bit surprised that a few people didn’t even finish this. But, I grabbed the e-book, loved it hard, and then immediately ordered it in paperback for mini-me. By far, the best book I’ve read this year, and I know the year is still early, but it’s going to take quite the book to compete with how much I love this book.
Intrigued by the title and description, but didn’t expect to get drawn into the story as quickly. Easy to read, easy to appreciate the characters. Smiles and tears, hurts and smiles. I will look for other offerings from this author.
This book surprised me in so many ways.
I actually chose to read this because I wanted something fluffy. What I got was something totally different.
If you’re planning on reading this book, you absolutely need one thing: tissues.
No kidding.
Remember those viral videos on Facebook that make you cry? This book is like those videos but in written form. And only the hardest of hearts will be able to hold back their tears.
I was torn while reading this book. My pessimistic and practical self told me there’s no way a lot of people are this good. But the hopeful part — the bigger part — wanted to believe that it’s true. Because this book is about kindness, about how there are people — even strangers — who are willing to help you without hoping for anything in return. It will make you believe that no matter how cruel this world could be, there’s still goodness left. That this goodness is the bigger part of it.
Full review: https://kookbookery.wordpress.com/2018/11/13/review-180-seconds-by-jessica-park/
Holy emotional Batman! Gah, why did I wait so long to read this? I got this book in my Bookworm box back in May. In May! Oy I should’ve read it back then. Man my black heart is just full of these crazy things called emotions. What a fantastic story. My cheeks are hurting from smiling at the end. Esben, best book boyfriend ever. Simon, best adopted dad ever. Omg I could go on and on. Seriously, I loved this story so much!
“You can’t reach what’s in front of you until you let go of what’s behind you.”
Oh wow! This story is amazing! What an incredible storyline. From the social media experiments, to the breaking of walls and moving on from the past, to the many beautiful friendships and bonds, this story captures your heart from the start and doesn’t let go until the very end.
Allison and Esben are beautiful. I love the way he helps her come at ease with herself. He’s so patient and kind and loving. And it’s wonderful that she can do the same for him as well. And the supporting characters, just wow! This story is a family. There were so many milestones in this journey. It’s inspirational, it’s heartwarming, and my heart is bursting with love for this beautifully written story.
The writing is intoxicating and completely engulfs you. I could feel everything, the apprehension, the curiosity, the slow breakdown of Allison’s walls, the trepidation, the friendships and support. And those 180 seconds! Oh my! I was in every second. I was consumed by this story. It’s breathtaking and a must-read!
“It only takes 180 seconds.”
Moving, entertaining, engaging. One of my faves
This was one of my favorite stories of 2017. The hope it inspires that we can use SM for good…… I live on that hope these days.
So this is my first foray into the writings of Jessica Park….. and I am hooked!
This book was recommended to me by an author friend, who to date has not recommended me a dud! So I was fairly confident going in that I would enjoy it.
I was loving this book too much, that I was terrified it was too good to be true. I was waiting for the gut wrenching kick to my heart…
Allison is an amazing character. She is so strong and so broken. There were definite parts of her that I could easily relate to. I love books where the female lead is such a hero to follow. It is so empowering.
Esben is just downright dreamy. He is also nothing like I was anticipating him to be. Which was refreshing, to be honest.
This story is so much more than just a love story between a guy and a girl. There is far more depth to it and this helps to make it such a great read. I am a huge fan of romance/chick lit type books, but I am also a huge fan of books that feature empowerment (regardless of gender) and true love in other forms than the very obvious. “180 Seconds” has it all in spades!
I am so grateful to have read this book, and am really looking forward to delving into the other works of Jessica Park.
Have you ever read a book that you just couldn’t stop thinking about? One that you go back and reread, then thumb through to your favorite scenes, and even then can’t get past it enough to start a different book? Well, this is what happened to me with 180 Seconds by Jessica Park.
Esben. Esben, Esben, Esben! He’s one of my favorite book boyfriends EVER. He’s flawed and he makes no apologies for it, but he’s also so amazing and supportive and kind. And Allison… her growth in this book, emotionally, was so good to see. She’s a funny, kind, and loving girl who deserved so much more than she was letting herself have.
I laughed and I cried… goodness did I cry at that one part. It was intense and so, so good.
Those 180 Seconds changed their lives, but they also impacted mine. If you haven’t read it, do it. You’ll find a refreshingly unique storyline instead of the trending ones. It was exactly what I needed.
This book will tug on your heart strings!! Well written, relatable characters.