5 STARS!!
Elle Kennedy keeps the hits coming with this second book in her Off Campus series. As I said in my review of The Deal she converted me when it comes to New Adult stories. The Mistake does nothing to diminish that sentiment! You can read my review here
This is Logan's story. We met Logan in The Deal He is introduced to us as Garret's best friend and a very talented hockey player who has every expectation of playing professionally.
In this story we learn that when it comes to Logan nothing is what it seems and that our seemingly happy go lucky, stud muffin is carrying some pretty heavy burdens on his strong shoulders.
This the publisher's summary:
He’s a player in more ways than one…
College junior John Logan can get any girl he wants. For this hockey star, life is a parade of parties and hook-ups, but behind his killer grins and easygoing charm, he hides growing despair about the dead-end road he’ll be forced to walk after graduation. A sexy encounter with freshman Grace Ivers is just the distraction he needs, but when a thoughtless mistake pushes her away, Logan plans to spend his final year proving to her that he’s worth a second chance.
Now he’s going to need to up his game…
After a less than stellar freshman year, Grace is back at Briar University, older, wiser, and so over the arrogant hockey player she nearly handed her V-card to. She’s not a charity case, and she’s not the quiet butterfly she was when they first hooked up. If Logan expects her to roll over and beg like all his other puck bunnies, he can think again. He wants her back? He’ll have to work for it. This time around, she’ll be the one in the driver’s seat…and she plans on driving him wild.
I loved every single second of this book. I love the dual point of view- it really helps give a complete picture of what motivates Grace and Logan. Everything is perfectly balanced and the characters are well developed and very likable. The summary focuses on the relationship between Logan and Grace, but there is a real story in this book, too.
Logan and Grace get off to a good start. We get to see that Logan is so much more than his reputation as a lady's man leads us to believe. He is chivalrous and kind. Grace's easy going demeanor, secure sense of self and sense of humor make him see her as much more than a pretty face. He manages to screw things up majorly when he makes a pretty careless statement (aka- The Mistake). He immediately sets about trying to fix things with Grace. At first she is not having it, but his persistence starts to wear her down and Logan pulls out all of the stops to win her back.
While all this is going on, Logan is dealing with a family situation that threatens to derail his professional hockey aspirations. I felt that his brother was pretty selfish and dismissive when it came to trying to resolve the issue. I don't know how he could ask Logan to give up his dream so blithely. I felt so much sympathy for Logan as he struggled to find a way to do what he felt he was required without turning his back on his talent and his passion for hockey.
The way Grace supported him was awesome and they both demonstrated a level of maturity that belied their age.
The sex scenes are extremely hot, John Logan's got skills! At the same time there was a lot of tenderness and intimacy between Grace and Logan and the combination made those moments AMAZING!
Ms. Kennedy is a great writer and the story moves at a great pace that leaves you feeling satisfied when you turn the last page. There is a great epilogue, too. It gives a really nice glimpse of where Logan and Grace (and Garrett and Hannah) end up a few years after the story ends.
The 3rd installment The Score is Dean and Allie's story is available for pre-order here.
