Ari When you’re young you think you know it all. I was fortunate enough to live in a world where poverty was just something I’d heard of, but never experienced. Until, I took a chance on the boy from the wrong side of the tracks. The chemistry undeniable. Our worlds collided and I fell hard, we both did. I needed him to stay and when he didn’t, it broke my heart. So I grew up and moved on. I … I didn’t know who I was back then, or what I was up against. But I do now. I won’t make the same mistakes.
Torren
I made mistakes, I thought I knew what I was doing. Turns out sometimes loyalty and stupidity go hand in hand. I took the one thing I needed most and I pushed her away with my actions. Sent her running in the opposite direction is more like it. When fate brings us together again, I desperately want to make things right, prove to her that I’m not that guy anymore. Time has done nothing to put out the fire between us, but she has no plans to let me be a part of her future. I’m about to change that.
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Ari and Torren fell for each other at a young age. Though their backgrounds couldn’t be any more different, that didn’t stop them from falling in love. Then one night changes everything, forcing the couple to move on from each other separately. Eight years later they meet again through her work. Torren is looking to find answers for so many questions, but Ari does not want to think about the past. After all, she has moved on and has a dependable boyfriend. With so much anger & frustration building up the more time they spend together, it’s only a matter of time until they need to confront the past for closure.
This was a good second chance read. The dual POV’s helps to know what they were each going through. I especially love how Ari wasn’t sitting around, pining for him. Even though she was hurting she moved on & dated. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
Loved this second chance romance
4 STARS
How Not To is a first love to second chance romance novel and is a must read.
I read this in one sitting as the storyline captured my attention. I sympathized with both Arianne and Torren because their story brought me back to when I found and lost my first love. The author did a great job of showing how the hold and pull that first love makes and how it impacts all future relationships is so strong especially when left unresolved. I was drawn to Torren’s loyal and considerate nature. Even 8 years later, he’s still trying to navigate and express his feelings for Ari.
“When you look at me you see a brief moment in time, a tragic history. It’s a shame, ‘cause when I look at you, I only ever saw eternity.”
Whereas, I felt that Ari despite the passage of time still held that immaturity from her youth and kept the focus on herself.
“The truth was, I know he sacrificed everything for me, even if it broke me and embarrassed me in the process.”
Overall, I would recommend this debut novel by Devin Sawyer. I look forward to reading more from this author. Thank you to the author for providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. How Not To by Devin Sawyer will join the ranks of BIBLIO-ELITE.
I loved this one. I was hooked right from the beginning. I was so hooked I forget to make supper but I did finish in one sitting. Ari is a good girl who is focused. Torren is a guy from the wrong side of the tracks. I though he was nice and sweet. I thought theses two were good together. I didn’t read the blurb so when something happen that pulled them apart I was shocked. They had a sweet young love that ended in a rough way. Eight years later their paths cross. They have both changed but still there is a spark between them. I was so rooting for these two. They have ups and downs and sometimes I thought that would be it for them. I totally loved this one and it’s definitely one you should pick up.