Easy by Tammara Webber
Release Date: May 25, 2012
Publisher: Self-published
Source: Purchased
Rating: 
Buy It: Amazon | Book Depository
When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup two months into sophomore year. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she’s single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle of friends, and failing a class for the first time in her life.
Leaving a party alone, Jacqueline is assaulted by her ex’s frat brother. Rescued by a stranger who seems to be in the right place at the right time, she wants nothing more than to forget the attack and that night–but her savior, Lucas, sits on the back row of her econ class, sketching in a notebook and staring at her. Her friends nominate him to be the perfect rebound.
When her attacker turns stalker, Jacqueline has a choice: crumple in defeat or learn to fight back. Lucas remains protective, but he’s hiding secrets of his own. Suddenly appearances are everything, and knowing who to trust is anything but easy. – Goodreads
Review:
I was hesitant to read Tammara Webber’s Easy because 1) as I’ve said before, I can be pretty picky when it comes to YA contemps and 2) the first chapter was heavy with a serious subject — attempted rape — and I was more than a little worried that the scene was there for the shock factor and wouldn’t have an impact on the characters or story. I was glad to be proven wrong! Here are some pros and cons for this review.
Pros:
• Older characters! Guys, it was so refreshing not to read about fifteen year olds. I may be older than these characters, too, but it’s been some time since I’ve been in high school so it was definitely easier to slip back into the college setting.
• Jacqueline’s friendship with her best friend, Erin. I love a good romance as much as the next person, but it’s always such a highlight when a book includes a strong friendship, too — this had that! I really enjoyed their dynamic and how their friendship only got stronger as events unfolded.
• I expected the worst when it came to dealing with Jacqueline’s sexual assault so I am so thankful that Tammara Webber didn’t have it there for the shock factor or for it to be swept aside. She handled the subject very well, captured how it affected Jacqueline, and the situation played a role throughout the course of the novel
• Hello there, steamy scenes! Lucas and Jacqueline had such great chemistry and I love that Tammara Webber went beyond a “PG” rating.
Cons:
• The Lucas and Landon thing. I thought it was pointless.
• Shallowness ahead! Despite the chemistry between Lucas and Jacqueline, Lucas just didn’t sound too appealing to me with his piercing, tattoos, and whatnot. He did have a great attitude, though, and I’m sure plenty of other readers will enjoy his physical description.
• At times situations were too melodramatic and I thought they needed to be toned down.
Overall, two thumbs up for Tammara Webber’s Easy! I read her previous book, Between the Lines, immediately following this one and I found it a little juvenile. However, I’m glad I read it because it showed how much Tammara Webber has grown as writer and I’m sure she will only get better from here. I really hope she continues to write more mature YA books!
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About Stephanie
I am so glad I could convince you to read this! I liked Between the Lines okay, but I thought this was a lot better.
Yes, definitely! I liked the idea of BtL, but found the execution a little lacking for me.
Like the new darker theme!
Mmm.. piercings? Not totally sure about that, but I am loving this New Adult genre, so we’ll see :)
Thanks! :D
I really hope to get my hands on more books in this part of the genre. It’s a nice change!
Fantastic review! Like yourself, I tend to be quite picky with YA books and serious subject matters can make me a little hesitant too. This sounds fantastic though, even more so that it has slightly older characters than usual for a YA book. Great review! :)
I hope you give it a shot in the future! I found the first chapter a little alarming, simply because I’m so used to books handling these serious subjects in a way that make me want to tear my hair out, but Tammara Webber handled the entire situation so well AND the rest of the book was pretty great, too.
I’ve been seeing a lot of good things about this one I really want to read it! I love that the characters are older and seem to be very well developed. Great review!!
I really enjoyed Easy! I read it in one sitting because I was so drawn into the story. I think the chemistry between our characters was fantastic, but I love that the story is NOT just about the romance.
Great review. I also like it when the characters become riends 1st. I have this on my TBR list.
Have a great week
Fallen Angels YA Book Blog
BUT BUT BUT… PIERCINGS AND TATOOS? Oh goodness, that sounds appealing to me >:D
MOVING ON FROM THE SHALLOWNESS. THIS SOUNDS EPIC. I mean, you’ve sold me by mentioning the older characters–this sounds amazing–and the non-PG rating… but it’s how you’ve spoken about how well Webber handle the assault. That something as horrific as rape could even just be used a device to create drama is repugnant… when it’s really examined as something as serious as it is… MAJOR props. I’m going to go see if I can get the ebook in AU. STEPH. YOU’RE BAD FOR MY BUDGET O___O
Mmmmm… piercings and tattoos. i was totally going to write an intelligent comment, but then you mentioned piercings and tattoos and the fact that the scenes were steamy. :)