Latest Read: Thoughtless

Here are the basics ...
Thoughtless (Thoughtless #1) by S.C. Stephens
Author: S. C. Stephens
Publication date: Aug 12, 2009 (original) / Nov 12, 2012 (paperback)
Publisher: self-published originally; reprinted by Simon & Schuster
Category: Romance ("New Adult")
Source: Netgalley

Summary: For almost two years now, Kiera's boyfriend, Denny, has been everything she's ever wanted: loving, tender and endlessly devoted to her. When they head off to a new city to start their lives together, Denny at his dream job and Kiera at a top-notch university, everything seems perfect. Then an unforeseen obligation forces the happy couple apart. Feeling lonely, confused, and in need of comfort, Kiera turns to an unexpected source—a local rock star named Kellan Kyle. At first, he's purely a friend that she can lean on, but as her loneliness grows, so does their relationship. And then one night everything changes...and none of them will ever be the same. (Adapted goodreads.com) 

My thoughts…

There are about a dozen things that rubbed me the wrong way about this book. The main character Keira is insecure, needy, naive and indecisive. Like Joey Potter second half of season 3 indecisive except worse. There's cheating of the worst kind. Her boyfriend Denny is unrealistically perfect (his one "flaw" is putting his career first). The other guy who makes up the inevitable love triangle is this absolutely gorgeous rock star (I know this because a lot of time is spent describing his looks) named Kellan. The book itself is probably 100+ pages longer than it needs to be. And you know what?

I still got wrapped up in the romance.

Maybe it was just the timing. I was in the mood for an angsty, steamy romance and this certainly provided that. The situation is just so, so, SO wrong and if that book were real life, I would probably have some very judgmental thoughts about Keira and Kellan right about now. But instead, I enjoyed the connection they formed as they spent more and more time together. All the flirting, the tension and did I mention the romance? It got pretty hot. And I don't know, despite everything I found myself rooting for them to be together. I know I spent the first few sentences describing their more annoying traits but I kept hoping that Keira would gain more confidence and independence. To go for what she wanted without fear and just make a freaking choice already (this part got harder to read about as the book dragged on). That we'd learn all the complexities of Kellan and he'd change. That Denny would open his eyes. There are aspects of the book to be enjoyed but definitely keep in mind that it will get frustrating. For me, I liked the quiet, romantic moments between Keira and Kellan best and chose to focus more on that. The rest of it.. I think should have been approached differently. Overall, the book just seemed to follow a lot of typical "new adult" trends.

Sidenote: I wasn't sure if I was going to add this part but I think I might as well. The day after, I read the second book in the series, Effortless. It was more out of curiosity because I didn't feel like a sequel was necessary. And now that I've read it, I still don't think it was. Even though it raised some interesting situations, it was overly angsty and had way too many declarations of just how much they loved each other. I didn't really enjoy it.

Do I recommend?: Again, I only recommend it if you're in the mood to read about a passionate romance that often felt like a ticking time bomb. So if you are, give the first book a shot. But if there are other books you are dying to read, this one can wait.

Happy reading!