Review of Happiness in Jersey by Jacinta Howard

Synopsis:
The only thing in Jersey Kincaid’s world that she has time for are keeping her grades up so that she doesn’t lose her scholarship to South Texas University, playing the bass in her band, The Prototype, and satisfying her coffee addiction. Oh, and the occasional random hook-up she indulges in to pass the time.

Love? Eh, not so much. Save that crap for a Katherine Heigl or Natalie Portman movie.

Jersey’s seen enough in life (courtesy of her Pops) to realize that undying romance is nothing more than a myth used to sell books and movie tickets. As she knows too well, the only thing inevitable in life is death— love is definitely not promised.

That’s why when Jersey meets Isaiah “Zay” Broussard with his soulful gray eyes, quick wit and easy charm, she’s determined to remain aloof. She doesn't have time to get sidetracked by fleeting fantasies, even if she does feel an unexplainable connection to Zay she’s never experienced before.

But when his interest in her only seems to intensify, despite her attempts to brush him off, she gets to see a side of him and herself she didn’t expect…


My Review: (5 Stars)
This story touched me in so many ways that I can barely put them into words. Jacinta Howard does a wonderful job of creating realistic characters and situations. I was saying "Yep - been there" or "Uhm hmm - my friend does that" during the entire time I was reading. Ms. Howard, did you really have to make me laugh and cry through the entire book? I could relate to the depth of the pain, uncertainty, and fear in a way that pulled memories of my own life-changing events. I totally understood pushing away something that you want because you're afraid that having it will only lead to pain later; Jersey was incredibly real in that regard. At the same time, those lighthearted moments and sarcastic comments kept this from being too heavy. It was a wonderful balance of everything that makes a great book from an obviously excellent writer. I will definitely move her other books higher in my to-be-read pile. Thank you so much for writing a book with so much feeling.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MV7DMZ0