Love Story by Jennifer Echols

Love Story by Jennifer EcholsLove Story by Jennifer Echols
Published by Simon and Schuster on July 19th 2011
Genres: Fiction, Family Life, Contemporary Women, Coming of Age, Romance, General, Young Adult, Love & Romance, Girls & Women
Pages: 256
Format: eBook
Goodreads
three-stars
Also by this author: Such a Rush, Biggest Flirts, Perfect Couple, Most Likely to Succeed

SHE’S WRITING ABOUT HIM. HE’S WRITING ABOUT HER. AND EVERYBODY IS READING BETWEEN THE LINES. For Erin Blackwell, majoring in creative writing at the New York City college of her dreams is more than a chance to fulfill her ambitions—it’s her ticket away from the tragic memories that shadow her family’s racehorse farm in Kentucky. But when she refuses to major in business and take over the farm herself someday, her grandmother gives Erin’s college tuition and promised inheritance to their maddeningly handsome stable boy, Hunter Allen. Now Erin has to win an internship and work late nights at a local coffee shop to make her own dreams a reality. She should despise Hunter . . . so why does he sneak into her thoughts as the hero of her latest writing assignment? Then, on the day she’s sharing that assignment with her class, Hunter walks in. He’s joining her class. And after he reads about himself in her story, her private fantasies about him must be painfully clear. She only hopes to persuade him not to reveal her secret to everyone else. But Hunter devises his own creative revenge, writing sexy stories that drive the whole class wild with curiosity and fill Erin’s heart with longing. Now she’s not just imagining what might have been. She’s writing a whole new ending for her romance with Hunter . . . except this story could come true.

Love Story is the first book I have read by Jennifer Echols, who is known for the contemporary romance’s Going Too Far and Forget You. I’m just getting my feet wet reading contemporary romance and this book caught my eye. Love Story is a sweet romance that is a perfect summer read. With the fast pace and fresh, interesting story device and characters, summer readers will finish this book before the sun goes down.

Erin grew up in Kentucky with her grandmother and their racehorse farm. She has big dreams to become a writer in New York, much to her grandmother’s dismay. When Erin leaves to go to school in New York as a Creative Writing major, her grandmother cuts her off financially in favor of the stable boy, Hunter, who has agreed to take over the farm business. Then, surprise, Hunter shows up at the same college and creative writing class as Erin. Hunter picks the most inopportune moment to walk into class, just as Erin is reading the class a steamy romantic story starring the “stable boy.” Hunter follows up with his own steamy story to counter Erin’s, and soon they have the class eating out of their hands.

Erin and Hunter have plenty of family history and bad blood between them to overcome. They become reacquainted through their stories as well as outside of class. Now the tables have turned and Hunter is the one with the free ride while Erin struggles to make ends meet as she dines on peanut butter crackers.

My favorite part of the book is the creative writing class. I loved the stories that Hunter and Erin wrote and the creative way they told their shared history. Each of the characters gets to share a story with the class on alternating weeks and it is read and critiqued by peers. Erin and Hunter use this opportunity to send a message to the other through their romantic, funny, or tragic story. The peer critiques and responses are very interesting too, especially as they debate the merits of romantic stories for a creative writing class.

Erin and Hunter are interesting characters, and they have the perfect amount of tension and chemistry between them. Hunter is a charismatic love interest, and Erin is hard working and focused on her goals. They both are coming to terms with their self-identity. The issues they face are ones many readers can relate to such as family relationships, career hopes and fears, and first love. The many layers of the story kept my interest level high.

I didn’t love the ending of the book and felt it was a bit rushed. But, overall I found the story and the characters engaging. Recommended for fans of Jennifer Echols and contemporary romance, Love Story is a good choice for your summer reading. Looking forward to catching up on the author’s previous books.

What are your favorite contemporary romances?

Find out more, buy the book, or read more reviews here:

Jennifer Echols’ website| Amazon | Goodreads

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8 thoughts on “Love Story by Jennifer Echols

  1. Ashley says:

    I totally agree that the ending was rushed. That sort of ruined the book for me in a way. Not completely ruined, I suppose, but it made it all seem a bit more unrealistic. I don’t think the characters actually had proper time to fall in love, because mostly they just treated each other badly. Loved the fact that it took place in college, though, and the stories added into the book made it quite interesting.

    1. Yes, Ashley I think that the ending could have been extended and made a huge difference. I don’t mind sometimes if the ending leaves some loose ends to leave it up to the reader, but it didn’t work for me here.

      The college setting was refreshing, I agree!

  2. Lydia K says:

    I keep encountering rushed endings in books lately. I wonder why. The rest of the story sounded good. Thanks for the review!

  3. I don’t know why either, Lydia. I have noticed rushed endings recently too. The book isn’t too long as is, so I think there would be room to add more to the story.
    The rest of the book was strong though and worth a read!

  4. Haven’t read anything by her. Sounds like one I need to get.

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