He has all the girls fighting for his attention, but he can’t take his eyes off me. EvangelineI may be good at art, but I fail big time when it comes to driving or dating. I’ve avoided both ever since my ex dumped me while I was recovering from a car accident. My ego and heart can only take so much bruising. But when my cousin dares me to face my fears, I decide to take on the challenge. Trading … fears, I decide to take on the challenge. Trading driving lessons in exchange for tutoring sessions sounds like the perfect plan.
Except now I have to spend all my free time with the one guy I try to avoid—the school flirt.
Max
After my parents’ sudden divorce, playing the field seems like a safer bet than commitment. The idea of spending time with one girl never crosses my mind … until I meet Evangeline Evans. Not only because I need her help to pass precal, but also because I like who I am around her. She’s way smarter than me and more interesting than she gives herself credit for.
It’s my job to help her feel comfortable behind the wheel, but I really want her to feel safe in my arms.
Two dares. One bad reputation. And the perfect opportunity to fall in love.
Welcome to Edenvale Arts Academy, where the performing arts are celebrated, friendships last forever, and romance takes center stage.
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A sweet Young Adult novel. This is the first book by this author that I have read and I though it was really sweet. I liked how she brought us back to High School and helped us remember what it was like. I liked how the shy girl got the popular boy and I loved how they were able to show their real sides to each other. This was a really emotional book as well since you were reminded of how it felt to be in high school and to be so vulnerable and trying to find your place in the world. I did like this book and I would like to read the other books in this series.
I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.
Another fun story in this series. Angel is such a sweet shy girl, but with a backbone. I was really impressed with her. Max is quite the flirt and definitely the type I would steer clear from. Luckily we get to see a different side of him. It was fun to read Angel and Max’s story and see the growth and change that came over them. They really are a cute couple. This book can be read as a stand alone, but I suggest starting the series at the beginning and if you really want a back story, read the Spark brothers series as well.
This is my favorite book in the series so far! It felt a lot deeper than the first two (which were good, but this is even better). Ho does a great job illustrating why people may act shy or be the life of the party, depending on things that have happened in his/her past. I liked the interactions between the two main characters. I’m looking forward to the next one!
Beautiful and touching story.
I really enjoyed this book. Both of the main characters personalities had such depth. I loved that Evangeline had no idea how beautiful she truly is. Max sees her completely different from how she perceives herself. She believes that there is no way Max can like her.
Max is the most popular and the biggest flirt at school. He has all the girls attention, all except the one he wants. With all of his flirting and sweet taking he does to the girls he has never had a romantic relationship. His fear of commitment runs deep from experiences in his life.
This story and characters touched my heart. Maybe their vulnerability spoke to me.
Once again this series delivers…. a good standalone book that doesn’t shy away from real life issues. There’s the pain children suffer when parents divorce. The insecurities it produces and how those insecurities form scars that turn into walls of protection.
Here we have Max, a guy who plays the field. A steady relationship is not in his vocabulary. His parents’ divorce made sure of that. His player mentality is his way of hiding from fears of abandonment, of being left alone in life. . He saw the agony, the hurt, the pain, his dad suffered when his mom left. Max is determined that won’t happen to him. Max is two different people, he’s hard on the outside but soft on the inside. His outside flirtations are there for his protection. They are a shield for his insecurities.
Angel also has been hurt, both physically and mentally. She almost died in a car wreck. It took her a long time to heal. During that time her friends forgot all about her, and, the only boyfriend she ever had dumped her while she was in rehab. He didn’t like the scars left behind…. the scars on her body … scars that eventually healed. At least those on the outside healed, but not the ones on the inside. She became reclusive, almost invisible and shied away from any type of social gathering. Her best friend was Netflix.
It’s interesting to watch how Max and Angel help each other heal and to become whole again. It doesn’t happen overnight, it’s a journey to truths and revelations.
LIKES and WISHES:
Love the talk Max and his dad had about letting go and embracing life.
Sharing his thoughts on love was perfect advice for Max but also for readers, young and old alike.
Would like to see how Angel’s ex deals with what he did. Teens do mean and questionable things, but they have to grow up eventually. Did he ever think about Angel? Did he ever see the devastation caused by his callous cruelty? Now that Angel is healed, in all ways … physical, mental and emotional, does he ever pass her on the street and have regrets? Modern day verbiage will call it Karma, but that’s just code for Reaping What You Sow.
I LOVED this book! I, along with Angel, was pretty skeptical of Max, Big ego, player, huge flirt, yuck. But I really enjoyed getting to know him! I especially loved how Max was drawn to Angel in a way he’d never been with any other girl. I loved watching their sweet love story unfold, while watching the growth and development of each. Love, love, loved it! I’m so excited for this series to continue!
Rating:
Steam:
Romance:
Writing:
This story follows Max and Angel. Max is the school flirt, no way ready to settle down with any one girl. Angel is the smart, shy student who is not going to settle down with the school flirt. After meeting in Angel’s art class, Max realizes she isn’t the kind of girl who falls for his charms and gets intrigued. Angel is equally intrigued by the fact that he is taking notice of her. Angel’s friend dares her to either learn how to drive in a week or go to the Winter Formal and kiss Max. Angel doesn’t want to drive because she was in an accident that really damaged her in a way that she might not have been able to walk ever again. Max’s friend dares him to ask Angel to the Winter Formal. He can’t say no as it is a tradition to complete any dare given by the other.
I have no idea how Ms. Liwen does it. Her books are cute, trendy, and inspirational. Both Max and Angel grew through the novel and learned a lot. They made mistakes but also made up for them and finally ended up together. The story is devoid of mature scenes and language. The characters have a complete background with no loose ends. The book is super intriguing and captivated me in on the first page. Excited to read the next one!
I wrote this voluntary review in exchange for an ARC copy.
A sweet romance between Max, the likeable school flirt and shy Angel, who prefers to fly under the radar. Both fighting their own insecurities, this was a fun read seeing these two come together.