Wednesday, May 7, 2014

ARC Review: Rush Too Far by Abbi Glines

Title: Rush Too Far (Too Far #1.1; Rosemary Beach #1.1)
Author: Abbi Glines
Publisher: Atria Books
Publication date: May 6th 2014
Source: Received ARC from the author (Thanks sooo much, Abbi and Atria! <3)
Buy the book: Amazon / Barnes and Noble


Fallen Too Far was Blaire's story. Now it's time for Rush to share his side.

Everyone in Rosemary Beach thinks they know how Rush Finlay and Blaire Wynn fell in love. But Rush is back to tell his side of the story...

Rush has earned every bit of his bad-boy reputation. The three-story beach house, luxury car, and line of girls begging for time between his sheets are the envy of every guy in Rosemary Beach, and Rush handles it all with the laid-back cool of a rock star’s son. All he needs are his best friend, Grant, and his sister, Nan.

Until Blaire Wynn drives into town in her beat-up pickup truck with a pistol under her seat. The Alabama farm girl instantly captures Rush’s attention once he discovers that the angelic beauty is his new stepsister, but he vows to keep his distance. Even if she needs his help. Even if he craves her.

Because Rush knows why Blaire is all alone in the world, forced to ask for help from the father who abandoned her three years ago. And he knows if he gets too close it will destroy Nan, who has a secret connection to Blaire.

He has every reason in the world to stay away from her. Find out why he doesn’t.

Review:

For those of you who have been waiting for this book ever since Abbi Glines posted the very first Rush scene on her site, trust me when I say that you will not be disappointed. I am not normally the type to read a book rewritten in the guy's point of view but when I heard that Rush Too Far was going to be published, I was ecstatic. I have always thought that Rush would be a far more interesting and complicated character than Blaire, especially when I read the Peanut Butter Scene back then. I knew there was something in Rush that we haven't seen yet and when I caught a glimpse of his inner musings, I was impressed and enthralled. I needed more and thank God, Abbi Glines decided to feed us and satisfy our cravings with Rush Too Far (Abbi's books are like gateway drugs, they never stop and are sooo addicting).

Reading Rush Too Far was in essence, an emotional rollercoaster. I know that it may sound cliche but it's completely true. You think Blaire's story was sad? She ain't got nothing on Rush. Sure, her problems run deeper and are more emotionally charged but the burden that Rush has to carry is far greater than hers but let me move on (this isn't a competition as to whose life sucks more)...

Right at the very beginning, Abbi Glines already sets off the mood of the story. You already know that it will be self-deprecating, harsh and very painful; but also has it's beautiful and happy moments. It was interesting seeing Blaire from Rush's point of view, how he was attracted to her but knew that he couldn't do anything about it and also resented her as well. It was a battle of wills went it came to Blaire for Rush because she was forbidden fruit to him, cannot be touched but oh so tempting. As the book goes on, Rush does start to accept Blaire and realizes that it's really not her fault but her father's and that she's just a victim. It was great to see Rush actually relax and allow himself to care for Blaire because for Rush, taking care of someone is a priority. Just like he cared for Nan, his evil sister.

I feel so bad for Rush to have a little sister like Nan, someone who constantly seeks attention like a five-year-old, who whines a lot and throws tantrums, is a hater but also has haters herself (#NanHater), who is also super shallow and lastly, has no regard or respect whatsoever towards other people (so self-centered). Nan is the epitome of evil and what is wrong with the world. I normally believe that evil characters deserve redemption and second chances but reading about Nan's scenes with Rush just pissed me off even more. Rush is so kind and allows thinks of Nan and her welfare but the way she responds to him, especially when he doesn't do what she asks is just so bratty. Ugh. I am getting a migraine. Point is, I am a Nan Hater all the wrong. (Sorry I'm not sorry.)

Everything felt so much more intense when you're reading Rush's POV compared to Blaire's. You will feel all his pain and how much he absolutely adores and worships Blaire. I legit felt my heart clench throughout most of the book because I felt so bad for him. The inner conflict going on in his mind: Whether to protect Nan or follow his heart. And how much he feels for Blaire is so extraordinary, you will seriously swoon at Rush's thoughtfulness. One thing is for sure: You will love Rush even more once you're through with Rush Too Far.

I couldn't have asked for a more perfect interpretation of Rush's mind, Abbi Glines absolutely nailed his story. His story didn't just start when he met Blaire, you get a full background story on his life and how that affected him growing up. You just get to know Rush even more and that's what really amazed me, learning so many new things from someone who I thought I already knew. The way Abbi Glines manages to connect you to Rush will leave you in awe. I understand Rush now, he isn't just some hot man candy that we all fantasize about, he's actually a kind and caring provider that puts others first. His tough facade is exactly that because deep inside, he's really a softie (but he was totally a hardcore player, pre-Blaire). I loved getting to know Rush even more and after reading Rush Too Far, I am so pumped for the rest of Abbi Glines's Rosemary Beach series! (PS: Rush Crushing all the way!! #RushCrush)

Rating:

4 comments:

  1. great review! can't wait to have/read this! I'm not a Rush fan but maybe reading this might change ;)

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    1. Dang girl, not a Rush fan? Well, you'll definitely love him after reading this one. ;) You'll get a more in depth look of his inner workings and trust me, you'll swoon. Rush is very conflicted but also very sweet. Thanks for reading, Pamela!

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  2. I loved Rush's POV for this book <3 Grant definitely had the best lines though, the one about Harry Potter was hilarious! I loved that we were able to read about Rush mentally panicking when in Blaire's POV she thought that he was being all chilled out haha Super happy that Abbi decided to write FTF in Rush's POV :)

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    1. I AGREE. Rush may be the sweet one but Grant definitely gets ALL the best lines, he is sooo funny and very quotable. HAHA It was fun reading from Rush's POV especially since there are a lot of scenes wherein we really wondered as to what he was thinking in Fallen Too Far, so it was great of Abbi Glines for allowing us a peek into his mind. :) Thanks for reading, Bea!

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