by Tammara Webber
Published by Berkley Trade
on November 6, 2012
Source: e-ARC via Edelweiss
My summary: College student Jacqueline is still reeling from being dumped by her boyfriend when she's attacked and nearly raped as she's leaving a party. She only escapes because a stranger comes along and helps. In the aftermath of the attack, she struggles to find ways to feel safe. She's drawn not only to Lucas, her rescuer, but also to Landon, the dry-witted Econ tutor she's been emailing so she can get caught up with her coursework. As Jacqueline fights to get her confidence back, will she also have the confidence to hang onto true love?
My take: First off, I should emphasize that this book is Mature YA-slash-New Adult, meaning that it has more explicit language, violence, and love scenes than the typical YA. I don't usually review New Adult, but I'd read many glowing reviews of Easy, and decided to request it and see what I thought.
What did I think? Like any book, Easy is not going to be for everyone, but I really enjoyed it. Easy tackles the serious subject of sexual assault and -- though I'm no means an expert -- seemed to do so in an engaging yet responsible way. For a variety of reasons, Jacqueline decides not to report her attack, a choice that had me grinding my teeth. But the book does show the repercussions -- both legal and emotional -- of thinking you can just "get over" an assault without the support of mental health professionals, friends and family and/or the police.
Easy is also a romance. As a result of Jacqueline's trauma, her new relationship moves very, very slowly. Yes, Jacqueline is a bit of an everygirl heroine and the guy that she ends up with is definitely in the TGTBT (too good to be true) category of male love interests, but sometimes there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Easy also taught me a lot about self-defense tactics -- stuff that will really stick with me.
Maybe it was just me, but I also felt that Easy had a Legally Blonde vibe at times. While Legally Blonde is obviously a much more lighthearted story, it also features a blonde protagonist who is dumped by her attractive but clueless aspiring politician boyfriend and becomes enamored of an attractive teaching assistant. Since Legally Blonde is one of my favorite guilty pleasures movies, I enjoyed the parallels. And Easy does have some lighthearted moments. Jacqueline's ex comes from an odd, politically confused family who named their children Kennedy, Reagan and Carter. Reading the scene that had all three siblings in it was like attending some wacky presidential summit-slash-séance.
Will you like Easy? I'd definitely give it a try if you've read and enjoyed emotionally wrenching, edgy YA books like these:
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Have you read Easy? Want to? Let me know what you think in comments!
I don't really want to read this because I think it would be a bit heavy for me (like I thought Pushing the Limits was) but I am dying thinking about the scene with the three political siblings-it sounds absolutely hilarious!
ReplyDeleteHa ha -- that scene took a minute to register but then I was laughing. Love an author with a wacky sense of humor!
DeleteI LOVED Easy! Among my favorite contemporaries ever. Like you, I thought the politics was pretty hilarious and not serious the way politics normally are. So glad you enjoyed it, Jen!
ReplyDeleteIt was a nice touch in an otherwise very intense book!
DeleteOh, my gosh! I never put the Legally Blonde connection together in my mind but yes, I definitely see it now! I know, wasn't the whole Kennedy/ Jackie thing utter nonsense? That should've been Jacqueline's first clue about him!:)
ReplyDeleteI loved this book, I found it to be super addictive and a nice diversion from all the paranormal and dystopian storylines that I read so much of. And yes, I loved the self defense tips the book offers! I also really liked J's BF/ roommate, Erin. I loved how she stuck by J when she needed a trustworthy friend.
That whole "you're my Jackie" thing was what made me think of Legally Blonde. I think I have seen that movie waaaaay too many times.
DeleteAnd you know I love a good contemporary!
I have been wanting to read this book forever!! It sounds really awesome. I just recently won a signed copy of it so hopefully it will come in soon. Great review!!
ReplyDeleteKnowing what kind of books you like, I think you'll love it!
DeleteI LOVED this book! Lucas was amazing! Don't have more to say than that which is why I haven't reviewed it yet lol
ReplyDeleteHaha I love your response!
DeleteJen makes me laugh every day :)
DeleteLoved this book! One of my favorite reads this year and it's on my Goodreads list of "favorite Mature YA/New adult reads". I read it when it was a self-pub and I was so happy for her when it was picked up by a publisher! :-)
ReplyDeleteI am always excited when a talented indie author gets recognition!
DeleteI absolutely love Easy. So much that I bought the new paperback copy. My favorite thing about Easy is how real the story is and dealing with sexual assault was a great bonus. Not that its an easy, light subject but it was definitely written extremely well. Easy is a book that should be read, especially now that it has been republished in a physical copy.
ReplyDeleteTGTBT guy! Oh you've got me in stitches! I'm gonna use it for now on, but really he is. I loved this story too, cause was so emotional and that's so me. I'm glad you enjoyed! :)
ReplyDeleteGlad to make you laugh. Love those dreamy guys!!
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed Easy! I loved it! I didn't pick up on the Legally Blonde parallels until you said something, but now I can't stop seeing them!
ReplyDeleteJesse @ Pretty in Fiction
I kept picturing her ex as Werner!!
DeleteI don't really want to read this book, despite the raving reviews. I'm not buying the whole New Adult category - it's just not my thing. I'm glad that you liked it and the fact that this book tackles a difficult subject is great.
ReplyDeleteMel@thedailyprophecy.
I also have my doubts about the category. I'm thinking of doing a blog post and explaining why. But I did enjoy this book!
DeleteI really enjoyed Easy!! It really got me wanting to read some more Tammara Webber books. Though, I'm still not totally buying into the "new adult" genre.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Jen!
I agree about the new adult category. I'm wondering if the category is necessary.
DeleteI didn't notice the Legally Blonde similarities until you pointed them out, but you are so right! I also really enjoyed this book and will be checking out more books by this author.
ReplyDeleteMe too -- I know she has some other books and I'm definitely checking them out!
DeleteI have not read EASY.
ReplyDeleteThe guys hair on the cover bugs me. (Not the reason I haven't read it by the way.)
That is not how I picture the character. The guy on the cover looks a little .... blow-dried to me. But don't let that stop you!
DeleteI read this book in one sitting. I agree with you about Legally Blond vibe.
ReplyDeleteI read it in practically one sitting. I remember feeling very annoyed with my family whenever they interrupted me.
DeleteI haven't read this one yet but it does sound like something I might enjoy. I love emotional reads, for the most part. I'm glad to hear the romance moves slowly, due to what this one is about. I look forward to giving it a try. :)
ReplyDeleteBet you love it!
DeleteThis is on my wishlist. Since I read both Adult and YA..but find YA contemporary and straight romances to be too, well YA..I am anxious to try this.
ReplyDeleteI loved this book sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much! I'm gald that I read it and love it :)
ReplyDeleteThis "Mature YA/New Adult" genre has been recently discussed by some of the librarians at my work and whether or not it is the Hot New Thing. I would like to read more books involving characters in this age group, with maybe grittier story lines or more mature subject matter so I probably will like this book. I already am bracing myself for the upcoming frustration of how the main character deals with her sexual assault, as this is similar to another book I recently read and I wished the situation worked through differently.
ReplyDeleteI have this book. I've had it for awhile, in fact. And yet I still haven't read it. I've been waiting for a lull so I can fit it in. I think I'll add it to the "I'm finally finished with review books till the end of the year" pile. :) Great review...I want to read it more than ever now.
ReplyDeleteI've been seeing this one around a lot and it sounds good. Sometimes TGTBT is exactly what you need to read at the moment.
ReplyDelete