ARC Review: Finding It by Cora Cormack

Title: Finding It

Series: Losing It #3

Author: Cora Cormack

Published: 15th Oct 2013

Age Group: New Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Source: eARC provided by author for honest review

Rating: 5/5

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BLURB:

Sometimes you have to lose yourself to find where you truly belong...

Most girls would kill to spend months traveling around Europe after college graduation with no responsibility, no parents, and no-limit credit cards. Kelsey Summers is no exception. She's having the time of her life . . . or that's what she keeps telling herself.

It's a lonely business trying to find out who you are, especially when you're afraid you won't like what you discover. No amount of drinking or dancing can chase away Kelsey's loneliness, but maybe Jackson Hunt can. After a few chance meetings, he convinces her to take a journey of adventure instead of alcohol. With each new city and experience, Kelsey's mind becomes a little clearer and her heart a little less hers. Jackson helps her unravel her own dreams and desires. But the more she learns about herself, the more Kelsey realizes how little she knows about Jackson.

REVIEW:

The story:

We first meet a carefree Kelsey as she's partying the night away with some new travel buddies. She can't remember the name on this one guy and he can't really speak English, but doesn't stop Kelsey from hooking up with him. The only problem is, he's possibly the worst kisser of all time. And to her horror, Unknown-Hot-Soldier-Boy aka Jackson is watching on and having a good laugh at her expense. Soon Jackson is starts appearing in all the same places she is, and an unlikely friendship is born. However both are keeping secrets from the other that is preventing their relationship from progressing further.

They travel all over Europe on a massive adventure of self discovery. Both of them dealing with their own issues and trying to become better people. As they grow closer the connection between the becomes stronger and yet Jackson continues to hold back from a romantic relationship - the question is why?

Now I have to admit, I guessed what the big twist was from very early on - I'm not sure if it was because it's very obvious or if I just read waaay to much chick lit! But seeing it coming certainly didn't detract from the story - I enjoyed watching everything leading up to it, and when it was revealed I was still caught up in all the drama! And oh was there drama!

The characters:

At first I didn't think I was going to like Kelsey. In the opening scene in the bar/nightclub, she came across as and selfish and quite shallow. However over the next couple of scenes, I started to see a different side to her and really started to like her. She may put up a very confident carefree image, but she's so lost and insecure about her entire life that it was hard to to feel for her. She also grows a great deal over the course of the book, as she travels around Europe she discovers the person that she wants to be and I really admired her for the changes she makes in her life.

Jackson Hunt, the hunky US Marine had me from the very beginning. He seemed very genuine from the start and although it's obvious he's hiding some big secret I felt that he was always being himself (personality wise). He's struggled with his own issues in the past and see's Kelsey going down the same destructive path - he wants to help her and protect her. He may be a tough Marine, but he certainly had a sweet romantic side too!

The romance:

Phew the sexual tension between these two was off the freakin charts! There were so many times I was screaming 'JUST KISS HER ALREADY YOU FOOL!!!!" From their first meeting the chemistry was obvious, but Jackson just wants to be friends and travel buddies. Kelsey sees things differently and proceeds to seduce Jackson. There were so many hot scenes between these two, but also some really sweet and tender ones. I loved how much Jackson cared about Kelsey, even when she didn't care about herself. Some of the things he does are so sweet - and what he does for Kelsey towards the end was totally swoon-worthy!

The Writing:

One of the best things about this book was the incredible scenery. Every place they went to was described so beautifully that it felt like I was actually there.

"It was a panoramic vista of Prague, and it was unbelievable. The city was a sea of orange roofs outlined by a winding river and dotted with cathedral spires"

"The castle was gorgeous with grand architecture and even grander ruins. Vines and moss few over the steps and up the stone wall and it was like a fairy tale."

"The air smelled fresh and salty, and the wind curled up from the ocean, tossing my hair. At the edge of the train platform was a wall, and beyond that the turquoise blue sea"

FINAL WORD:

Don't let the first few pages fool you into thinking this is a shallow read, because it's anything but. The locations and travel scenes where amazing and really set this book apart from others. This passionate romance spanning across Europe and makes for one epic adventure!

CONTENT:

Sexuality: medium/strong / sex scene

Violence: mild / mild flashbacks of assault

Language: medium / several f words

Drugs & alcohol: strong / heavy drinking, drink spiking