Taking Chances By: Molly McAdams

Her first year away is turning out to be nearly perfect, but one weekend of giving in to heated passion will change everything.

Eighteen-year-old Harper has grown up under the thumb of her career marine father. Ready to live life her own way and to experience things she's only ever heard of from the jarheads in her father's unit, she's on her way to college at San Diego State University.

Thanks to her new roommate, Harper is introduced to a world of parties, gorgeous guys, family, and emotions. She finds herself being torn in two as she quickly falls in love with both her new boyfriend, Brandon, and her roommate's brother, Chase. Despite their dangerous looks and histories, both men adore Harper and would do anything for her, including taking a step back if it would mean she'd be happy.

Goodreads Summary

I’m definitely not young adult enough for this story.  It reminded me of the soap opera dramas that the teens in my home watch sometimes.  It reminds me of the soap operas my grandma liked to watch.  The characters and situations are over-the-top unbelievable.  Harper is “pure” and so irresistible that every gorgeous guy, especially those over 6’1” with huge muscles can’t stop trying to grab her – they all carry her around, literally.  Maybe this is a tall woman rant, but why is Harper constantly being carried around by some guy?  If she is so “pure”, is it likely that she would immediately spend the night in bed with a guy she says she can’t stand?  Many nights in 2 different beds follow that first night – yet she remains “pure”.  Not going to happen with guys like these…or any guys.  Why does she immediately start barely wearing clothes and getting piercings and then a tattoo?  Maybe that happens with a girl who was raised so strictly, but it’s doubtful.  Why are Chase and Brandon so tough on the outside – tons of girls, fighting, and tatted – but so sensitive on the inside?...and of course, their sensitive, true-love-forever side only emerges around Harper.  And next, no college freshman girl I know immediately “loved” her new roommate, but Bree loves Harper like a sister.  Bree’s parents love Harper.  Everybody loves Harper – except (it seems) her own father.  Sort of sickening.

However, a young adult or teen girl might love this novel.  The TV dramas are super popular…so it’s possible.  Trying to re-connect with the “me” of prior years, I would be drawn to the guy characters in the book.  As unbelievable as they seem, they are more likeable, more real than Harper.  Maybe I’m stupid, but I really didn’t anticipate the 2 major events in the story.  Readers who are really into one side of the love triangle will probably want to send the author some hate mail.  After that, the story just seems to go a little downhill in terms of reader interest because the tension is gone.  Brandon, at least, is unbelievable in a thoughtful, loyal, honorable way – so it’s worth reading just to hear more about that wow! – but impossible – character.

Three Stars

*Reviewed by Colleen*

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