Blog Tour: ARC Review + Giveaway: Near & Far by Nicole Williams

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Title: Near & Far (Lost & Found #2)
Author: Nicole Williams
Pages: 350 pages
Format acquired: eARC (ePub)
Publication date: July 30th 2013
Source: Received from the author (Thanks, Nicole and AToMR Book Blog Tours!)
Buy the book: Amazon / Barnes and Noble

There’s optimistic. And there’s Jesse Walker.

If he wasn’t so charming, his sunny disposition and incessant grin would get old. Fast.

Falling in love with the girl who had at first seemed immune to it, was the best thing to happen to Jesse since the Walkers adopted him into their family when he was five. But loving the girl who has her fair share of secrets is about as easy as that same girl loving the boy who seems to have none.

As Jesse’s life continues at the ranch, and Rowen begins making her mark in the Seattle art community, they begin to wonder where the middle ground is. Or if there even is one.

As push comes to shove and choices aren’t only needing to be made, but forced to be made, Jesse and Rowen have to face what their lives might look like without the other.

Can two people with such tragic pasts and different presents, go on to expect a promising future? Whatever the answer, they’ll need a lot more than love to make it.

(Image and summary provided by AToMR Book Blog Tours.)

Review:

"You can't give up on the on you love so easily." I actually stole that line from a picture I recently saw and it really stuck to me, especially after I read this. I thought that it would be appropriate to add it in my review because of all the things that happened in this book. Lost & Found and Near & Far cannot be more different from each other, while the first had such a happy and light mood, the latter was much darker and tenser. This is where you will really see the growth (and digression) of all the characters and a lot of them will seriously shock you. Nicole Williams was able to set a certain mood in her first book that will really end up shocking everybody once they get into Near & Far because this book is cray-cray (in a really good way!)

It's not new how creepy I get when it comes to Nicole Williams and her books (I have legit read most of her books and I am currently reading her Great Exploitations series. I. Need. MORE.) Lost & Found was one of my absolute favorites of hers and being able to read Near & Far in advance and be a part of her blog tour was such an honor. I was satisfied with the way Lost & Found ended and when I found out that it would have a sequel, I was pretty confused. I didn't really see how there could be any more room for her characters to change or for a new storyline, but boy was I wrong...

Rowen has come a long way from being the girl who thought that she didn't deserve love to a girl who commutes monthly via bus to meet her true love, Jesse. It was great seeing her so happy and free... and not so depressed-like. She seemed to be doing well and that's always a good thing. As we all know, Rowen is an artist and she decided to attend the local community college instead of heading to her dream school and things are pretty bright for her at such an early stage of her college career. Especially when one of her TAs show a particular interest for her that could really help her art career, and this is where things get interesting. Rowen and Jesse have never been in a particularly possessive relationship, they trusted each other completely and the things that transpired in Near & Far really tested their love for each other. Rowen's love for Jesse was so genuine and firm that I seriously got the chills. Even though she isn't completely healed, she is now able to interact with others more. When I say with others, I mean her crazyass roommate that makes me laugh like a lunatic. Alex is one crazy gal. Rowen has really grown and while she may still be a bit insecure, she's getting better and more positive. It's a great development.

I think that the main person in this story is really Jesse. Near & Far is when he tackles his past and inner demons. My heart broke a hundred million times when I read about what happened to him. How could anyone so happy be so... broken? This man who puts others before himself went through such a difficult childhood and yet he still manages to smile genuinely. How? Jesse is such a strong character but seeing him reduced to a fearful child? It was freaking painful. I cried so much for him because he didn't deserve any of it, especially what's happening to him now. When he's found the love of his life, his soulmate and now this happens? It's like fate doesn't want him to be happy, ever. I can't really elaborate on what Jesse went through in the book but trust me, you'll need a box of tissue and possibly a tub of ice cream (flavor: your choice.)

It was like a role reversal in this book, Rowen was the one who guided Jesse into the place he belonged while he was struggling. Even though Rowen was having a difficult time, she still did what she could for Jesse because she loved him. Like I said, you never give up on the one you love so easily, especially when he's trying to push you away. You always have to push back and show them why you love them in the first place, it's all about sincerity. You have to be able to take life one step at a time and not rush the steps because they only people who will be waiting for us at the end are our loved ones.

It was pretty great reading about the appearances of Garth and Josie (I insanely dislike Jo, Josie's cousin. *sticks tongue out*) Garth has really grown as a character and his advice for Jesse usually leave me either laughing out loud or aww-ing with feels. He's a really deep character than people just need to get know and understand better. I loved the role he played in Near & Far and I cannot wait to read his story! Yes, more Garth!

I absolutely loved, loved, looooooved Near & Far. The story completely blew my mind. I still cannot believe that happened, and I mean the whole book. The entire novel consisted of hot scenes, teary scenes and funny scenes, which is always a good thing. Nicole Williams did a great job writing this sequel and I can NOT wait to read to read her upcoming books. *flails* Jesse + Rowen 4life!!

Rating:

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About the author:

I’m the New York Times and USATODAY bestselling author of the LOST & FOUND series, the CRASH series, and a handful of others. Basically, I get to do what I love. Every single day. I write romance because I’m a sucker for a good love story, and I write happy endings because there are too few of them in real life.

You can find her here:

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