It was a hot summer day when I met him on the construction site next to my parents’ house. Under the sweat and dirt, Manning Sutter was as handsome as the sun was bright. He was older, darker, experienced. I wore a smiley-face t-shirt and had never even been kissed. Yet we saw something in each other that would link us in ways that couldn’t be broken…no matter how hard we tried.I loved Manning … loved Manning before I knew the meaning of the word. I was too young, he said. I would wait. Through all the carefully-chosen words hiding what we knew to be true, through his struggle to keep me innocent, and through infinitely-starry nights—I would wait. But I’d learn that life isn’t always fair. That no matter how much you achieve, none of it matters if you suffer the heartbreak that comes with falling for someone you can never have. Because even though I saw Manning first, that didn’t matter. My older sister saw him next.
Book one in an epic, three-book saga of forbidden love.
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This series was my favorite series in 2017 and just wrapped with the last book releasing this month. It’s beautifully and achingly amazing. Angst and romance. I love this series so much.
Series starter! [Freebie alert.] This book is quite addictive. You’ll want to pick up the next book right away! Bring on the drama. I always say that I’m not a hug fan of love triangles, but I was immediately sucked in to this one. Also? This cover is #goals.
Gah! This book was NOTHING like what I expected it to be, in the best way. I’m a huge angst lover so I knew I would be in for a ride I would enjoy, but man, I had no idea the story would go the way it did. I was genuinely shocked at the end of it and had to immediately start book 2. I love the young, innocent teen falling for the older, more experienced guy. And Manning’s background surprised me. It added a level to him that I just fell for instantly. Add in Tiffany, Lake’s sister, and the plot is thick as butter. I HATED Tiffany at first, but I’m slowly beginning to understand her, which just messes with my head more! Lake is an amazing heroine and I love experiencing this first crush, first lust, first LOVE with her. I have so much more to say but really can sum it up in this: WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG TO READ THIS?! Ahhhh! Can’t wait to devour the other two books.
The best slow-burn romance I have ever read.
Jessica Hawkins weaves a tale of forbidden love in epic proportion. Something in the Way is brilliant and I’m craving more. Manning and Lake are the star-crossed lovers you’ll root for in 2017.
REVIEW: 5 ‘Remember When’ STARS
Some invisible tether existed between us. Nobody could see it, not even us, but I felt it.
I just want to SCREAM!!!! I am overly excited about the possibilities with this new series!! I am smiling like a loon after reading this first book and what it all means, but I seriously shook my head and said “WHAT” at the end of it. Walk on the wild side….slouch your socks, crimp your hair into a side pony, turn up your boombox and take a trip back to the 90’s. This first book in this brand new forbidden series is a must read!! I don’t want to chat so much about this book in my review and give anything away, but I want you to understand how amazing this book was. SO. FREAKING. GOOD. So many quotable lines and so many highlighted passages that I cannot wait to discuss with you. Seriously….SO GOOD. I am giddy with the possibilities, I tell ya! GIDDY!
“Through all the carefully-chosen words hiding what we knew to be true, through his struggle to keep me innocent, and through infinitely-starry nights-I would wait.”
Based on the synopsis, we get a good idea about the forbidden aspect of this book, but I want to point out that Jessica did an amazing job making us feel Lake’s frustration with everyone thinking she was too young, and actually making her actions prove she was very definitely too young. Lake was so determined and so innocent, her naïveté showed. It was so refreshing and angering, all wrapped in one. I loved being able to remember those feelings I had when I was her age back in the 90’s. The memories alone of being in love with someone older than you, this was definitely a trip down memory lane. I loved feeeeeling this one and remembering those emotions that I had when I was falling in love for the first time. YOU GUYS!! You have to read this one!!! YOU HAVE TO! Suffer the cliffie with me, pleeeease, and remember we will all be scrambling after the ending, but the place she left off leaves us with breathing room. It allows for reflection and discussion galore!
“I’ll promise you something better. Wherever I go, I won’t abandon you.”
I wonder how long it will take Manning to realize that all he is doing is lying to himself to avoid the inevitable. The theories and possibilities on this book are abundant. I cannot wait until May!!!! Make sure to add Someone Else’s Sky to your TBR!!! And when you finish this first book, come join us in the Something in the Way Discussion Room…..theories and questions are running rampant!
“I was better than her at hiding it, but my reaction to her was the same. Physical. Powerful. Painful.”
~BEE
Sensational! This book is absolutely sensational. Jessica Hawkins has created a story that is filled with so much emotion and angst. Just thinking about this book has my stomach in nots{In a good way}. This is by far one of the most angsty books I have ever read. Lake and Manning y’all I’m at a loss of words to describe how truly just incredible they are. You have got to experience this book for yourself. I loved it. The emotions this book brought out is wonderful. I am in awe of this book and of Jessica Hawkins! It is Absolutely incredible. The ending had me immediately picking up book two. Trust me when I say this is a series you need in your life. I will forever recommend this book and series.
Hawkins has created a tender story of forbidden love. Her complex characters lends depth to her storytelling that drew me in and didn’t let me go. Something in the Way is a beautiful beginning to an epic love story!
This book is an amazing beginning to a forbidden romance. Jessica Hawkins has written a book full of angst and emotion that kept me from doing anything else but read until I got to the last page! On to Somebody Else’s Sky…this is a MUST READ!
WOW,
It could be for YA but it was so well done I loved it. When a book is well written anyone can enjoy it. A couple of sisters, liking the same “man” and the emotional decisions they each have to make. Well done. Emotionally gripping. Starting book two now.
Beautiful Inspiring Enticing
I’ve been wanting to read this series for some time but I waited until book 3 would be releasing. Well, book 3 will be out soon and I couldn’t wait any longer to start the series.
This story captivated me from pg 1. It has met my expectations. I was right to look forward to reading it. I have soo many feelings, as I literally just finished reading it and I don’t know how to put them into words.
I really liked Lake and I felt bad for her but only because no one saw her as an independent smart young woman. Everyone wanted to shelter her. I was very proud of her in the end.
Manning – while I totally swooned for him and I can see myself falling for him I didn’t like some of his actions & decisions even though according to him he was being selfless. Hmmm IDK I think he wants his cake & eat it too
The sister – I don’t like her! but at times I felt sorry for her (I didn’t feel bad. Just sorry)
Lake is a young 16-year-old who has her life mapped out. All I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed…Do anything and everything possible to make your application to USC standout. The perfect daughter.
Till the day she meets Manning, the construction worker who is working on the house next door. She is 16 and he is 23 and he knows it’s wrong. But how can you change your feelings when the feelings are so strong.
Tiffany, is the older sister who has done nothing right their parents eyes. She is the party girl, didn’t get good grades and goes through boyfriends quicker than you can learn their name. She knows how to play the game of scoring a man…
This book is the first in a three book series. Just the beginning of a great storyline. Giving us the background of how Lake and Manning and Tiffany all work. What a great start to a series. A wonderful page turner that by the time I read the last page, I wanted to throw my kindle knowing I have to wait till May to get more!
As with all of Jessica Hawkins books, the writing is amazing and the attention to every detail there in the words. I will be counting down the days till we get book 2!!!
There are some authors you read regularly because they make you smile, or cry; some make you laugh or scare the crap out of you. Some make you ponder life’s mysteries and some make you dream of other worlds and different times. Jessica Hawkins has become an author to me that transports me into the bodies of her characters. Male, female, hero, villain; their role doesn’t matter. I feel like I become them, if only for the time I’m reading.
When I read a character written by Jessica Hawkins, the character is so well built and so well written that I’m seeing things and hearing things through that persons mind, body and soul. I’m trying to not wax philosophical here because it’s a review after all; but each time I read a new release by Jessica, my love for her writing grows exponentially.
I’m a product of the time in which this book is set in, so maybe everything hits home a little more to me. I’m also a younger sister, so maybe I identify with Lake because of that similarity. But ultimately I think its just the way the story is written that draws you in and pulls at every string you have, and doesn’t let go.
Manning is another male character by Jessica that moves to the top of my fave male characters list. Sometimes I want to scream and shout at him, and then I remember that he’s trying to be a good, deserving person. He’s constantly giving me butterflies and makes me feel like I’m losing my breath. I wanna go back to being 16 and meet my own Manning. Even if I have to wait to be with him.
This book is a slow burn, it’s a 3 part series….which I’ll be honest, kind of pisses me off. Only because I feel so invested and this urgency to know what happens. However, the burn is do excellently built and the fire so slowly stoked; that my mind is actually anticipating a little time torture until the next book is released!
This story is going to stick with me for a while, at least until May (please say early May) when we get to read part 2!! Then I’ll have more sigh and swoon moments. Right?! Well I better!
SLOW BURN + FORBIDDEN + LOVE TRIANGLE
I’m not sure I took a single breath the entire time I read this book!
Also, I don’t know if I hate them or love them! ALL OF THEM!!
My immediate wish is for love to prevail and the beautiful connection between these two souls survive ANYTHING that is thrown in its path.
Which for me, means Lake & Manning are END GAME!!! THEY MUST BE!!
But then I find myself reading moments between Manning & Tiffany….or all of them together and find myself feeling bad for Tiffany. She usually doesn’t allow me to feel that way for long though.
It’s just that both of these girls are lost, in such a different way than the other. And quite possibly the best thing that’s happened for both of them also just happens to be stuck right in between them!
The angst and pain of watching the person you love and not be able to have them…or worse to watch them have the little moments you wish for but only with someone else that you love greatly!
My heart just hurts for Manning, he’s experienced so much pain and heartbreak in his life and from the get go you can see he has good intentions. Even though I found myself wanting to throttle him for his choices I can also commend him at the same time.
THAT ENDING!!!! I already had the entire series downloaded and it took a lot of restraint to sit here and write my review even though my heart is dying to move onto book 2 pronto!
You should know this if you read the blurb and series information.
THIS IS A SERIES!!! Something In The Way is book 1 of a 4 book series.
Something in the Way is the first book by Jessica Hawkins that is have read and I can say that I am now a fan. This is a sweet story about young love, the obstacles that they face and the possibility that the connection that they have may not be enough. And just to keep it interesting, this story ends on a cliffhanger so get ready because Lake and Manning’s story is not over.
I also had the added benefit of listening to the audio version of this story and the narrators definitely added to my enjoyment of this book.
This is the first book in the Something in the Way Series. This is a beautifully written slow burn romance, and a great start to Manning and Lake’s story. The storyline is intriguing. Andi Arndt and Zachary Webber did a fantastic job with the narration. Looking forward to listen to the next book in the Series.
This book everything! I totally fell in love with Manning and Lake. These two characters were so amazing and I was rooting for them the entire time. And I absolutely love the narration!
Such a beautiful and epic love story.
4 Stars.
This is my very first read by Jessica Hawkins, I really do like her writing style.
This book is really slow at first. I mean it is 4 book series. I really like Lake and Manning. How they both feel for each other even though there is an age difference between the two of them. And how Manning protected Lake at the end. I can’t wait to read the rest in their series!!!
Lake, Manning, and Tiff have something strange. This was one heck of a love triangle. I felt for Lake but also was angry at Manning. HOWEVER, I did meet my husband when I was 16 and he was 24. So the age gap wasn’t too hard to believe. It’s just socially wrong and what not. I understand the struggle. Age is a number, it’s the maturity at that age that is what you should look at.