A snobby rich girl meets a rough around the edges artist. Can two people from completely different worlds come together? Alexa Covington was a snobby rich girl from a wealthy community in Malibu, California. She liked pretty boys, shopping, and trips to the spa with her posse of mean girls—in that order. Dylan West wanted to be an artist, but he felt confined to a life painting houses instead. … confined to a life painting houses instead. Despite the fact that he longed for something more, he was determined to follow the path his father set out for him.
Back in high school, Dylan had a crush on Alexa, but he moved on. When their paths crossed years later, she barely remembered him.
One night, after volunteering at a teen center, Alexa walked to her car alone and was nearly assaulted. Dylan came to her rescue, and the two were forced to spend time together in urgent care.
An unlikely friendship ensued and feelings grew despite their differences.
Even if they wanted to, they couldn’t walk away from each other.
Dylan made Alexa rethink everything about her life of privilege.
But when her mother threatened to cut her off if she didn’t leave Dylan, Alexa was forced to make a choice. Continue living the entitled existence she’d always known or choose another path, one that would change her world forever.
Maybe, just maybe, love would find a way.
This is a contemporary Christian story of redemption that takes the characters on a journey as they count the cost of the Christian life and learn to treasure Christ most of all.
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I was just trying to remember the last time I’d read a book where the woman was the character with all the money and voila! Along came this story.
This is a great story about have’s/nots, redefining ourselves (for both characters), and being/becoming a Christian in today’s twisted world.
Each chapter is titled with the name of the character it’s about, but even when I forgot to check that, I was never confused.
To Be opposites, They Sure Have a Lot in Common
Ahhhh, Alexa and Dylan. They both have a lot to learn. Alexa needs to learn how to ‘drop down’ a little from her high flying society world while Dylan needs to elevate his goals and not ‘settle’. Do dreams come true? Yes and No. They can with a little bit of work and a whole lot of faith thrown into the mix.
Alexa never wanted for anything money could buy …. problem is, money couldn’t buy her what she wanted.
Dylan? Well, he learned early in life to not want…. period. Didn’t matter if money could buy it or not…. he knew he couldn’t have it. He either couldn’t afford it or wouldn’t be allowed to have it if he could. He went to the best school in town… a private academy where only the rich could attend. He was anything but rich… well not rich with money, but he sure was rich in IQ and in dreams. He was awarded a scholarship to this very prestigious school but always was looked down upon by the other students as ‘that poor kid’.
To young Alexa, Dylan was invisible. To young Dylan, Alexa was beyond his reach, but he would admire her from afar. However, things changed after those impetuous high school academy days. Dylan, now a college student, and Alexa now a college dropout, have learned a thing or two in this journey called life. How quickly the tables can turn and misunderstandings can change perspectives. No longer is Dylan invisible to Alexa, he’s now the one who is out of reach. He does his best to steer clear of her. But Alexa isn’t settling for being invisible. She wants to know why Dylan is avoiding her.
They both have family issues… both lost parents at a young age, and both have to live with parents who are overbearing and controlling. But, the one BIG thing they have going for them is G_d. They both are believers… still feasting on the ‘milk and honey’ kind of faith while slowly being weaned to ‘meat’. Watching them learn the difference between talking the talk vs walking the walk will keep a reader turning the pages. And who knows, even the overbearing and controlling parents may just learn a thing or two traveling along this obstacle course of life.
KNOCKING IT DOWN A NOTCH!!!
Ok guys, are you ready? Nah, I don’t think you are, but you’re stuck with me. Leave it up to Evangeline to put a refeshing spin on an old topic. She has such an incredible talent for drawing us into the world she’s created just for our enjoyment. Her characters are always fresh with such individual qualities and traits that is like 3D up close and personal. The characters are intriguing and complex with such varying views with just enough flaws that make them believable and relatable as their personalities grow and tranform into the roles they were ment to play. The scenes are vividly detailed and graphic that its like walking along their journey with them. You feel everything they feel. A few twists and turns with unexpected surprises that it throws you into the reality of this current page turner and keeps you immersed until the very last word. Evangelines style always seems to flow smoothly throughout the entire read. Evangeline did a remarkable job bringing this read to life flawlessly. Great job Evangeline, thanks for sharing this awesome read with us.
Collison of Wills is a good story that focuses on people’s ability to continually grow and change. It is also a story of opposites attract with a HEA.
What a wonderful book! I normally don’t like contemporary but I know every time I pick up a book by Evangeline Kelly I’m going to love it. The characters in this book were ones you love to dislike and those you love. The story taught that without God you can never truly be happy. The story was very well written, It draws you in from page one. I couldn’t put it down until I was on the last page. This story sticks with you for days!
I love this new story from Evangeline Kelly. Sometimes a life of privilege has too high a price to be paid. Many characters in this book, not just the main ones, have a lot of growing to do. The characters are well developed. The story kept me up quite late. I should know that I cannot quit reading in the middle of one of this author’s stories! I highly recommend this sweet Christian romance.
Excellent contemporary christian romance story. This couple appears to be completely opposite in a lot of areas in their life except for the only one that counts the most, their faith. Very heart warming journey for them as they learn to not rely on knowing a person based on an attraction (outward appearance) but more wisely their character which will always show the true heart of a person. Their realistic trials, test, grows and strengthens their faith.
I liked both Alexa and Dylan. It was good to get both of their points of view. I enjoyed going along Alexa’s path of spiritual and personal growth. The relationship between Terra and Alexa add depth to the book as well as Alexa’s character. The pacing of the story was good; it never dragged.
“Opposites may attract, but I wouldn’t put my money on a relationship of financial opposites.” –Suze Orman
Rating: trigger warning: attack attempt…though not successful: clean, faith-based story with references to God and Jesus Christ, scriptures read and quoted, prayers for self and others will be mentioned and a stream of conscience dialogue between a character and God. Exchange of stories between characters on their conversion experience.
The girls: the classic story that centered around 20-something-college-aged characters. We have a trio of rich mean girls [Alexa, Calista and Lynette] who grew up together privileged and entitled and attended the same private school together. Their days centered around shopping, spa treatments, shopping, expensive clothes, shopping, shoes, shopping and self-indulgence that seemed to be the only driving force in their lives. That is, until Alexa found a new meaning to her life in accepting Christ as her Lord and Savior. This new perspective gave her an opportunity to examine her life style and discover who she was as a person of Christ and what she wanted with her new life. She soon pulled away from the influence of the other two so called friends. There would be conflict as they didn’t understand her new perspective.
The inside of the cover stated that this was “An Opposites attract Romance,” and “The California Elite Series.”
Daughter vs Mother: cliché rich snobbish mother wanting her daughter to marry a rich husband no matter his character. She herself was a trophy wife and that was good enough for her daughter. She refused to listen when her daughter tried to explain that she didn’t love Armstrong and he certainly didn’t love her. She saw the world through her own colored lens and made excuses for his bad behavior and tried to explain… that was the way things were in their circle.
Rich guy vs poor guy: Lucas Armstrong, the rich snobbish and entitled young man that wanted to marry her… his reason… in order to get his inheritance, he had to marry. Dylan West, scholarship kid who attended the same private school with the others, was a talented artist who had loved Alexa since high school. He wanted to see the best in her regardless of her friends’ influence.
Father vs father: Armstrong… a maniacal, controlling billionaire who had married his own trophy wife, saw nothing wrong with whatever his son wanted. West… a man with many secrets, was determined that his son would have a career that could support him and or a family… did not approve of his son dabbling in the arts. This was the greatest conflict between father and son.
What I didn’t like: early in the story, I think the author went too far in the negative descriptions of the West father character. When the reveal happened at the end… which was a total surprise and I loved it… however, I had so pictured him a different negative way… as this horrid person… that my dislike of him was so negative and ingrained that when the surprise happened in the pairing… I just couldn’t accept it due to my negative picture of him. This cognitive dissonance was a terrible jolt to me. I saw him one way and the author really wanted him another way. I think that bridge could have been shored up a bit and made the transition better for the reveal. Other than that, I liked the story.
Religious references: Although this was a faith-based story… it was not preachy. Characters would have a normal conversation about their religious experience and preferences and was not intended to proselytize. Not all of the characters were people of faith and there would be conflicts between believers and non-believers. There were references to scriptures, a pastor giving counsel to a troubled church member, silent prayer for guidance and a faith-based life decision.
I volunteered to read an ARC [Advanced Reader Copy] prior to the July publication date. This is an honest review [3.5-stars round to 4-stars].
This opposites attract book shows that differences are good as long as the one common denominator is God. I love to see how the characters make things work. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing.
The Caterpillar Becomes The Butterfly
What a wonderful, modern, clean, faith-filled romance! This is the kind of story I can really sink my teeth into. The length lets the reader obtain the richness of detail that makes the story come alive. The plot is deep and well executed. The characters are all multi-layered with complex motives. The moral of the story? Let go and let God. I enjoy this author’s work and will continue to read her work. I received this ARC book for free and this is my honest review.
I really enjoyed this book about changing your purpose of life, goals in life and your opinions of others. Dylan and Alexia can make it work after their false start but it takes some work and faith.
Sometimes you have to let things go and find another purpose to become a better person.
And when you try to be a better person it can have an impact on others.
KNOCKING IT DOWN A NOTCH!!!
Ok guys, are you ready? Nah, I don’t think you are, but you’re stuck with me. Leave it up to Evangeline to put a refeshing spin on an old topic. She has such an incredible talent for drawing us into the world she’s created just for our enjoyment. Her characters are always fresh with such individual qualities and traits that is like 3D up close and personal. The characters are intriguing and complex with such varying views with just enough flaws that make them believable and relatable as their personalities grow and tranform into the roles they were ment to play. The scenes are vividly detailed and graphic that its like walking along their journey with them. You feel everything they feel. A few twists and turns with unexpected surprises that it throws you into the reality of this current page turner and keeps you immersed until the very last word. Evangelines style always seems to flow smoothly throughout the entire read. Evangeline did a remarkable job bringing this read to life flawlessly. Great job Evangeline, thanks for sharing this awesome read with us.