Book Review March 10th
Preservation (#1)
by: Rachel Wade
★★★3 Stars
When she stumbles into Ryan Campbell’s creative writing class, he is only “Mr. Campbell” to her, until Ryan finds himself captivated by her writing and she is forced to face their mutual attraction. His cocky know-it-all syndrome is enough to send her running in the other direction, and his posse of female admirers and playboy reputation are enough to squander any odds in her favor.
But underneath Ryan’s abrasive facade is something to behold, and she can’t stay away for long. Ryan and Kate must decide who they’re willing to become and fight against their former selves if they want to make things work. That’s if academia, vicious vixens, old skeletons, and their own mastery at self-destruction don’t pummel their efforts first.
My rating for this book was all over the place pretty much until the end. We shared an intense love-hate relationship but thankfully my kindle did not suffer much damage.
This book made me feel like ...
So if you don't want to read all my ranting and raving. Save your time and read something better!!!
I had a hard time liking
this book from the beginning. Don't get me wrong it was an okay read, but it
was more frustrating than anything. The characters were not that likeable to me
and their personalities left much to be desired. The story line was frustrating
and almost demoralizing because they didn’t seem to care about anyone even
themselves (at least in Ryan's case).
Now for all my angry
ranting…
*Beware potential spoilers*
What I Really Didn't
Like
It was hard to like Ryan
when it was clear he didn't like himself. I have nothing against
teacher-student relationships in college but Ryan went above and beyond. He had
no shame about sleeping with students and having the entire school and faculty
know. I found there was no respect in this because it's one thing to be a
man-whore but another to flaunt it and risk your reputation and career over some
booty.
I thought the prologue
was unnecessary. It made sense to work within the story but because the entire
book was from Kate's POV I thought it was an unnecessary addition to warrant
pity for Ryan.
It seemed unrealistic
that Ryan could sleep with so many of his students and not get in trouble. Even
without a fraternization policy in effect, there comes a point where enough is
enough and from the way he makes it seem, there's not many girls (both faculty
and students) that he hasn’t slept with. Though, that's what the whole
Perception aspect is about I still think he is far too careless about his job.
Obviously, I hate Ryan's
reaction to his stupid ex cheating and screwing him over. Now he's almost as
bad as her with his sleazy ways. I would have preferred him to be stronger than
this. So many guys in books are sleeping with everyone only to get over pain
some past female caused and it's annoying that none of them care about what
they are doing or who they are doing it with.
"I won't screw you
over like the other female students I have in the past, if that's what you're
asking." -Ryan
He's so blasé about it
all. I just can't get over how little he cares.
Sometimes it's hard to
keep up with the two chicks he had on the side. They were like an annoying pest
that kept popping up.
I feel like Kate is a
little naive. She accepts that Ryan wants to change and okay, I get that, but I
couldn't get over how immediately she thought he was going to move on from his
past mistakes all of a sudden because of her.
OMG when he turns on her
and lies to the publisher causing her to lose the deal. That was the point of
no return for me. No matter what, Ryan never should have done that. It made him
as bad as his ex, who caused him to lose his deal as well.
We never get a chance to
see or hear about their writing. It's all vague and I wanted to know more. What
types of stories are they writing? Why? What are the personal connections?
Anything would have been fine other than simply knowing they were writing
fiction.
By the time Kate made it
to the West Indies I was too keyed up. Every little thing was being scrutinized
and seemed to go too smoothly for the characters. I doubt it would be so easy
to secure a job (even as a teacher) within a few days for a foreign
place.
Ryan's apology.
"I'm an idiot. I fucked up bad." That's it!!! That's all he says and
she just gives in no muss no fuss.
What I Liked (Well, it
was Okay)
He was a, "sad man
who'd lost something he loves. Only I used that as an excuse to get away with
selfish behavior, taking down anyone and everyone with me, any way I
could." - Ryan
Ryan owns up to
his mistakes even if he does sort of place the blame elsewhere. It was
commendable to see him bare his truths to her, knowing as a female how she
would react.
I loved their connection
between writing. Their passion was very strong and it clear it helps bring them
closer together.
I was okay with Kate running
away. Honestly, I figure it was safer for Ryan this way because I might have caused
him bodily harm at that point. And OMG imagining her hotel room was breathtaking,
so jealous. I mean who wouldn't want their own plunge pool, waterfall and epic
view from a hotel room in the West Indies.
The epilogue helped make
up for the idiocy of the characters. It helped make these 3 stars rather than 1
or two.
Overall
As for recommending this
book, I don't think I would. There are so many more interesting books out there
without characters I viciously want to maul. Perhaps if you enjoy man-whores
with no self-respect and protagonists who fall for anything the hot hunky guy
says even after he tries to ruin her life, then this book is for you. Maybe
it's better in Reservation when we
are able to see things from Ryan's POV but honestly, I'm putting that off cause
I am still too ticked with this one.
HAPPY READING!!
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