S.M. Koz
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads
A high-achieving teen who's determined to become a fighter jet pilot is matched up with an accused criminal at an elite military boarding school in this YA novel. Paige knows exactly what she wants—to graduate from Wallingford Academy and become a pilot in the US Air Force. She’s inherited her father’s no-nonsense attitude and whip-smart intelligence, all of which have made her the perfect Wallingford cadet.REVIEW
Logan has spent the last five years doing as little as possible. Once a star basketball player and one of the most popular boys at school, he now spends his days playing video games. When a friend borrows his car and commits a crime, Logan takes the fall and ends up at Wallingford as part of his court order.
When Paige is asked to mentor Logan, it’s the perfect opportunity to prove her leadership skills—but she doesn't account for the feelings that start to develop or the baggage from Logan's past which could threaten her future.
She followed the rules. He colored outside the lines. She was there by choice. He was there as a form of punishment. They seemed like oil and water, but you know what they say about opposites.....
This book was such a fantastic read for me! Once I started, I couldn't stop, because I was just loving being with Paige and Logan so much.
I found the premise fantastic. You have Paige, who was raised by her Navy Seal father, and longed for a military career. She lived strictly by the book, and saw things in black and white. Then, you had Logan. He was a video game playing slacker, who intentionally underperformed. He had no problem breaking a rule, here and there, for the right reasons, and was all about the grey areas.
I absolutely loved these two together! It was such a pleasure watching their hate turn to friendship and, then to more. I thought they had great chemistry, and I also believed they were really good for each other. Paige pushed Logan to use his potential, and also taught him to respect the rules, while Logan helped Paige blur the lines a little, and reach for the things she really wanted. Both these characters were fantastic. It was a pleasure getting to know them, and watching them get to know themselves better.
Can I say, I was a huge fan of the setting, too. Getting to be inside a military academy was quite an experience. I admired the work ethic the these cadets adhered to, and also loved the ceremony of it all. But, it was also about the camaraderie and bonds, that form between the cadets. There was this one scene towards the end of the book, that just earned such a GIANT emotional response from me. It was S T U P E N D O U S!
I believe that everyone within a mile radius heard me applauding that ending. It just left me with such a full heart and in a ridiculously elated state.
This was a fun and delightful story about love, friendship, forgiveness, being true to yourself, and also seeing things in a different light, which left me extremely happy, satisfied, and wanting to read more of Koz's books.
* ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
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Love the sound of this one! I really like the military aspect and the fact that they were there for such different reasons. And your mention of the big scene that got you emotional... yeah, you got me with that one. Now I'm super intrigued! :)
ReplyDeleteIt was such a great scene and a wonderful culmination of everything Logan had learned during his time at the academy. Loved it!
DeleteI've read one other book that had a military school setting, and I agree - it's fantastic and so unique.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to be brought into a different sort of school setting, and one where the students are so disciplined is quite a change of pace.
DeleteAhh--I need this book after reading your review! I already had it on my TBR and now I'm even more excited to get a copy.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to read it, because it was a fabulous read for me.
DeleteI haven't seen this one before, but it sounds really good!
ReplyDeleteI had read the author's previous book, and really enjoyed it. Though, I enjoyed this one more.
DeleteGreat review, Sam! This sounds like a really entertaining read and right up my alley, too! The military academy sounds really interesting, too! Glad you liked it! :)
ReplyDeleteIt had so many great elements that were combined really well. I'm a fan.
DeleteOh this sounds so wonderful!! And not like what I've recently been reading. Consider my interest piqued 100%--definitely looking into it!
ReplyDeleteLots of great things wrapped up in this story. I love a fun romance, but I also enjoyed Paige and Logan's individual story arcs.
DeleteI really like the sound of this one. The military setting is such a great perspective. There are so many young men and women who have grown up and experienced stories like this in the military, so it is great to see some representation!
ReplyDeleteIt's a school setting I do not often see in YA, though, as I read, I couldn't stop thinking of the movie Taps for some odd reason. There was none of that though.
DeleteI haven't read any military type romances before but absolutely love the sound of this one Sam! I always navigate towards those hate to love type romances, the banter is always great fun to watch characters suddenly realise they have feelings for one another. I can't wait to take a look inside the academy, brilliant review!
ReplyDeleteWe get this type of thing in adult romance, but I can honestly say, it's a first for me in YA. It was a lot of fun watching these two battle it out and slowly change. Koz did a nice job incorporating some issues without veering from the overall lightness of the story too.
DeleteWhat an enthusiastic review! This one sounds good!
ReplyDeleteI just know, I felt super happy at the end of this one, and I will always scream about the books that make me feel something.
Deleteoooh I love the military angle especially the description of the girl! She sounds so kickass and I love when these type of girls go soft and gooey in their own ways. ❤️
ReplyDeletePaige was amazing. Her dedication and drive was incredible, and it was cute watching this fierce young woman get all knotted up about a boy.
DeleteIt sounds like the setting for this one was very unique and interesting to immerse yourself in! And I really like the sound of the pairing as well. Such polar opposites will always be intriguing reflected against each other. The ending sounds promising :D
ReplyDeleteI am always on board for a boarding school, but a military boarding school took it up a notch. I was a fan, and really surprised by how much I loved this one.
DeleteSorry that I missed the giveaway. Sounds like a great book. I love you review. You know I must add this one!
ReplyDeleteMary
I expected this to be good, but I liked it a lot more than that. It was a nice surprise for me, and Koz is 2 for 2 with me.
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