When it comes to love there’s no such thing as conventional.Everyone thinks Colton Neely is special.Lilly Evans just thinks he’s fascinating.Once friends when they were younger, their bond is cut short due to her accident prone nature and they go their separate ways. Years later, they meet again and Lilly learns that there is something special about the boy she once knew, but she has no idea what … knew, but she has no idea what it all means. And she’s not sure if she’s ready to find out.
When he walks through the corridor of her school the first day of her senior year, she knows that it’s time to get to know the real Colton Neely. The more she learns, the deeper she falls.
Their friendship grows into love, even as Colton does not express it in words. But one decision threatens to break down the world that Lilly has tried so hard to integrate into and she must figure out if the relationship can survive if they are apart.
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Colton and Lilly’s story is extraordinarily beautiful and moving beyond words. This must read is spot on it’s timely subject matter, and left me with a wealth of hope and gratitude as an Autism Mom. Five stars for this inspiring and unforgettable journey!
It begins with a boy. It begins with a boy and it ends with a boy, but what story doesn’t?
When you read Puddle Jumping, you will feel like you are best friends with our protagonist, Lilly Evans. Lilly is so personable that it made me feel like I was her confidant instead of her audience. I felt her despair and loyalty from the very first page. She warns the reader that she is about to tell us an endearing story about the great love of her life that may turn into the great heartbreak of her life.
I’m Lilly Grace Evans and this is the true account of how I ended up falling for a boy who made me believe love is anything but conventional.
Seeing Colton Neely through Lilly’s eyes was delightful. She explains to us that she recognizes that Cotlon is different. She noticed it when they were kids, and once again when they were reunited as teens. However, it didn’t stop the attraction and connection that they both shared. When she learns that he has Asperger’s, she realizes that she had been in denial about how different Colton really is.
With a small sigh he squeezed my hand tighter. “I wish you were like me.”
From that moment on, Lilly tells us the struggles she and Colton go through just trying to have a relationship. Colton lacks social skills and he doesn’t have the ability to read people. She tries to bring him out of his shell and be more direct with him – even if it means setting herself up for heartache.
“Am I your girlfriend?”
“Of course.” Like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Sometimes her efforts are not enough and she finds herself hurt and distraught while Colton is blissfully oblivious. This eventually leads the reader back to the present tense where we learn why Lilly is upset and worried that their relationship is going to fail. Does it? Well, you’ll have to read it to find out.
I don’t believe there’s such a thing as conventional love. Love is bending. Love is breaking. Love is constantly learning about the other person until you go crazy because it will never be perfect, but there’s no fault in trying. I’ve loved a boy who was extraordinary beyond words, in my eyes.
I am still trying to wrap my ahead around the fact that this book is a flippin’ novella! Amber L. Johnson was able to educate me, break me, and astonish me in 122 pages! WOW! This book earned a spot on my favorites shelf, and don’t be surprised if you see me reading it again a few months from now. I highly recommend it! Supposedly there is going to be another book released about Lilly and Colton. Let’s keep our fingers crossed that it will be released in 2018, because I really need more on this terrific couple and family. You hear me ALJ! I need it!
5 stars!
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There were so many amazing aspects of this book, I had to limit myself from the review. This is in Lilly’s POV and really gives you a connection. That’s what makes this book amazing, the fact that you could connect to the characters and understand without experience. I really cried on some parts and it was an extremely good call reading this. I really recommend reading this book if you’re into romance that keeps it real and all a fantasy at the same time. Amber L. Johnson did amazing with the details as I was able to paint clear images of what was happening.
“He trusted me implicitly to be his friend, and I was doing my best. But I was falling for him, and falling for him fast.”
I will keep this short and say that I really enjoyed it. There is just something about imperfectly perfect characters that own a piece of my heart. Colton is amazing, he is different but that just makes him more perfect to me. I also loved Lilly because she knew what she wanted and went for it. Nobody or anything could stop her. I especially loved the scenes when Lilly and Colton first met. It was super cute and I couldn’t get enough. I am happy there will be a sequel to this book and can’t wait for it to release!
“You’re my Lilly. You’ve always been my Lilly.”