ARC Review: Something In The Way by Jessica Hawkins

Title: Something In The Way
Author: Jessica Hawkins
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: February 27th, 2017
My Rating: 4 Stars

Synopsis:

An epic, three-book saga of forbidden love coming 2017.

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 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.

I received an ARC of Something in the way by Jessica Hawkins to read and review. In no way does this affect or sway my opinion.

First off let me start with the cover. I am loving this cover, So beautiful and Innocent, The cover matches the story inside perfectly!

Something in the way is the first novel I have read by author Jessica Hawkins. To say i was completely involved with these characters would be an understatement. This novel literally tore my heart out of my chest and made me hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

Lake is a sixteen year old that has her life mapped out for her, thanks to her ass of a dad. Deep down you can sense a longing and desperation to be free. My heart breaks for her and the fact that she has never truly lived her teenage life. She’s never experienced anything a normal teenager would experience. Instead she spends her days with her head in her books or planning her future with her dad. But then Manning walks into her life. Manning is a twenty-three year old that has had a tragic past, he’s on his way towards a bright future with goals and dreams of being a police officer one day in his mind. He meets Lake after her older sister forgets to pick her up from school. The instant friendship between the two is really sweet. But then in walks her older sister. She sets her eyes on Manning and instantly claims him as hers.

One thing I love about this novel is the fact that Manning isn’t a manwhore, Throughout the novel you can see Lake and Manning’s friendship evolve into something more. But manning knows what he feels is wrong because Lake is only sixteen years old so instead of acting on his feelings he hides them. Another is the innocence in this story, If you’re looking for a romance that is clean and wholesome (meaning no graphic sexy time scenes) this would be the perfect novel for you!

What I didn’t like is the fact that Manning is using Tiffany (Lake’s older sister) to stay close to Lake, Not only is he hurting Tiffany in the long run but he is hurting Lake by forcing her to watch her first love and her sister connecting on a level deeper than she has with him.

This novel does end with a semi-cliffhanger….
THAT ENDING!!!! HOLY SHIT!!!! I NEED ANSWERS NOW!!

I can’t wait to read more from Jessica Hawkins in the future!!!