IGNITE
by Lily Paradis
Publisher: Empire Books
Publication Date: 26th August 2014
ISBN: 9780990716006
Received from: Empire Books
ISBN: 9780990716006
Received from: Empire Books
Summary
After her father’s untimely demise in a mining accident and her mother’s abandonment, Lauren Lindsay is no stranger to loss. She’s used to living life for one person: herself. That is, until another family tragedy thrusts three children into her care and uproots her life in ways she could never imagine. Lauren's first instinct is to run, until she meets their striking, mysterious neighbor Dean Powell. Their immediate chemistry and his connection with her late father just might be enough to keep her in town long enough to uncover pieces of her past that she never had answers to. Dean’s shady past and her reluctance to trust him could cost her the life she's always been searching for, but will she run back to her old life? Or will she choose to stay and live the life her father always imagined for her?
I had a little chat with the lovely Lily back in August, check it out HERE.
Review
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| I get to spend a whole post talking about IGNITE? YAY!!!! |
I. LOVE. THIS.
BOOK. It's exactly the kind of book I adore reading! It's a mix of YA themes
and story telling with NA characters that are damn near perfect I can’t even
cope. Okay, there are one or two little blips but I honestly don't care. I got
completely wrapped up in this book and I didn't want it to end.
This book follows a
young lady as she gets thrown into a life she never expected to be living. Now
the sole guardian of her three step siblings (after her step-mothers unexpected
death) Lauren has to find a way to look after these children as well as live
her own life. What will happen with her degree? Where will she find the money
to care for them? And how will she be able to focus on all of this with the
rather dashing Dean Powell throwing her mix signals left right and centre? This
is a story of family, trust and learning to embrace the unexpected.
The most
interesting thing about this book was Lauren. At least it was for me, and I
think that has something to do with the fact that I'm the same age as her. I
honestly couldn’t imaging being in a situation where I found myself with three
children I barely know suddenly being thrusted into my care and it's the way in
which Lauren deals with this that was so completely captivating for me. I
admired her strength and the way she adapted to her new life. In so many books
the main protagonist can come across as winey and melodramatic, but Lauren
didn't. Sure she made mistakes, but what 21 year-old doesn't? She’s smart, kind
and everything you want in a leading lady.
Now onto Dean...
That's really all I got. You need to read this
book to find out just how complex and amazing this character is. He's the
perfect book boyfriend that makes me swoon every time his name pops up on the
page. One reason to read IGNITE? Dean freaking Powell!!! And not to challenge
the author or anything (because Lily I do love you) but as much as I like the idea of Nick Bateman, I
totally see Ed Westwick as Dean...
Moving onto the scene-stealer
that is Emma. She is just the cutest thing ever! I'm completely in love with
this kid and her adorableness and I kind of just want to adopt her!!! The
relationship between Lauren and Dean had a tendency to be a little hot and cold
but with Emma perfectly situated in the middle they were always connected. Emma
would not be pleased if she never got to see her Dean. Also, Emma plays such an
important part in the story. She the character that everyone loves, that
everyone feels some kind of connection to and no matter what's happening no one
would ever leave this like blond cutie-pies side.
@LilyParadis well you can't separate them? Emma would not be impressed!!!
— Mily (@TheYANightstand) August 30, 2014
Okay so there were a couple of issues, although
that's really to be expected from a debut novel. I think that some of the clues
had been dropped a little too soon or where a smidgen too obvious and that made
certain Dean related aspects of the story line a little predictable at times.
Then there was the way in which the whole 'fate' plot line was a little over
the top. However, at the same time I fell in love with that too. The way
everything was meant to be and the strong connections between everything was
really heart warming and I found that I adored that part of the story.
Although, I can also see how it could be seen as a little copious at
times.
Overall this book was great! I'm stoked that
there is going to be a companion novel told from the prospective of the
illustrious Dean and I can't wait to get sucked into this story all over again.
Yes, it's a tad cliché at times but the characters are so sweet and likeable
that it doesn't really matter. I really hope you lot give this one a shot as I
truly think it deserves it.
P.S. I was lucky enough to have a little chit-chat
with the lovely Lily a couple of weeks back and she said that this song
inspired IGNITE. I hadn't yet read the book at the time but now I have I can
totally see it!!
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