Synopsis.
Autumn Dorey had no problem leaving her hometown of Newpine and the friends there who’d betrayed her. Everyone thought they knew what happened the spring night Autumn’s world fell apart. Vicious rumors about the incident circulated, and she had to be homeschooled the last year of high school to escape her tormentors. All she wants now is to get away from it all and start over at Cook University. She leaves everything but the memory behind—something she swore she’d never forget—and sets off to rebuild what was broken.
Blake Preston is precisely the type of guy Autumn wants to avoid. He’s gorgeous, arrogant and the college’s beloved football star. As much as she believes he’s someone she should steer clear of, avoiding him proves to be impossible. He shows up everywhere around campus, offering her a no-strings attached friendship.
Autumn can’t deny Blake stirs up emotions she thought fled years ago. But things he’s been hiding begin to emerge and collide with her past, leaving her heart ravaged in their wake.
SJ's Review.
This was a 5 star story for me it had lots of heart in the story. You had two very different people from very different background but both were harbouring secrets that were killing them deep down but only one of them had the power to destroy the other.
Autumn was a broke shell of the person she used to be, the girl looking for a new story and the girl that captured Blake's heart. Autumn is broken, she slowly trying to put back the pieces bit there will always be pieces missing that she can never get back. Autumn had some great friends in highschool but none as great as the friends she had made at college. College has been a great growing point for Autumn and day by day she gets stronger and that all because of her friends and Blake.
Blake was the best player on the football team, the hottest guy on campus and the guy who caught autumns eye. Blake has no father and his mother is so overpowering it kind of makes you feel sick but he does have a sister he loves and adores no matter how bratty she is. Blake is the popular guy on campus and is never short of attention but its only the attention of one girl he is interested in. Is that wrong? Yes maybe but the heart wants what the hearts wants.
When autumn's friends caught Blake looking at her at the opening party of the year Autumn had never heard of Blake much to her friends shock but she couldn't quite believe why the best football player on campus was looking at her... Boring autumn... But it wasn't a look of lush or attraction it was a look of what? disgust? Hate? Question?
Let's say the first meeting between these two was a little more than just awkward it was confusing... Autumn didn't want the attention of the school jock... she had been there done that and it hadn't turnt out to good for her. Autumn has changed a lot since highschool and she doesn't want to go back to being that person again. Believe it or not Autumn was the proper cheerleader with the hot football star as her arm candy. That was until one fateful night that changed Autumns high school life for the worse.
When these guys start hanging out emotions get involved and the chemistry amounts quickly but it's just friendship.. That's what Blake keep saying, but why is he keeping Autumn at arms length?
You can see from the off that these guys aren't going to be able to keep eachother at arms length as just friends. Is it just me or is that worse thing ever? Being friend zone... Its one thing to not be attracted to someone but to keep reminding them they are 'friends' must god damn awful.
The connection between these two is so strong but there is something there stopping them from committing completely. For autumn it's her past but what has Blake got to be afraid of? Has he been hurt? Is he not actually attracted to Autumn? Or is he thinking about his future?
This book was an overall great story! I read it in one day while sitting in the garden.... Yes I'm now totally sunburnt from being preoccupied from by the book. The story had flow, it didn't drag at all, you got autumns past in flash back dream like state and that have you her background which gave me goose bumps but the moment she found out what it was Blake was hiding broke my heart. I never saw this coming AT ALL!! It didn't click with me what it was he was hiding at all. I was shocked to say the least!!! A fabulous 5 stay read!!
About the Author.
Heather Topham Wood’s obsession with novels began in childhood while growing up in a shore town in New Jersey. Writing since her teens, she recently returned to penning novels after a successful career as a freelance writer. She’s the author of the paranormal romance Second Sight series and the New Adult standalone novels The Disappearing Girl and Falling for Autumn.
Heather graduated from the College of New Jersey in 2005 and holds a bachelor's degree in English. Her freelance work has appeared in publications such as USA Today, Livestrong.com, Outlook by the Bay and Step in Style magazine. She resides in Trenton, New Jersey with her husband and two sons. Besides writing, Heather is a pop culture fanatic and has an obsession with supernatural novels and TV shows.
Heather Topham Wood Stalker Links
Excerpt
My chest felt tight as he stepped forward and completely closed the space between us. His fingers caressed my cheek before he ran his thumb across my lips. “Can I kiss you, Autumn Dorey?”
He didn’t know how perfect he was making the moment for me. We were in a rundown frat house and he had turned our first kiss into something amazing I would remember forever. Because he was asking. Blake wasn’t plundering my lips as if it was his right; he was giving the choice to me.
“Yes,” I breathed and lifted up onto my toes. I closed my eyes and seconds later Blake’s lips were on mine. I had been kissed before, but kissing Blake was incomparable. Although his lips remained on my mouth, I felt his kiss everywhere. He ignited my body and I never wanted him to pull away. His lips were soft and the kiss sweet. With Blake’s reputation, I expected more tongue and more aggression. I had made so many wrong assumptions about this guy—because he knew exactly the way to kiss me that would leave me weak in the knees.
I didn’t know who pulled away first. I leaned into him and set my ear against his chest. His arms wrapped around my back and he rested his chin on top of my forehead. He felt solid against my body and it felt like I finally found someone who would get me. I had been ostracized, and living on my own felt like the only way I could be safe. But the amazing thing was being in Blake’s arms didn’t steal away my security blanket. Being with him gave me the sense I’d been wrong to shut away my heart. It erased the last lingering doubts I had about Blake being good for me.