Easy by Tammara Webber

Easy by Tammara Webber
Published: May 25, 2012
Received: Purchased e-book copy

When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she’s single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle of friends, stalked by her ex’s frat brother, and failing a class for the first time in her life.

Her econ professor gives her an email address for Landon, the class tutor, who shows her that she’s still the same intelligent girl she’s always been. As Jacqueline becomes interested in more from her tutor than a better grade, his teasing responses make the feeling seem mutual. There’s just one problem—their only interactions are through email.

Meanwhile, a guy in her econ class proves his worth the first night she meets him. Nothing like her popular ex or her brainy tutor, Lucas sits on the back row, sketching in a notebook and staring at her. At a downtown club, he disappears after several dances that leave her on fire. When he asks if he can sketch her, alone in her room, she agrees—hoping for more.

Then Jacqueline discovers a withheld connection between her supportive tutor and her seductive classmate, her ex comes back into the picture, and her stalker escalates his attention by spreading rumors that they’ve hooked up. Suddenly appearances are everything, and knowing who to trust is anything but easy. [goodreads]

Not too long ago I asked a simple question on twitter: What has been your favorite read so far this year?  I was curious to know which books stood out the most around the blogosphere.  A little known title kept popping up in my twitter feed.  I thought, what is this book called Easy?  It must be good since numerous people are telling me it's their favorite.  So I hopped over to Barnes & Noble, saw that it was pretty cheap, and quickly downloaded it to my nook.  Yup, it was that easy.  I settled in one evening to begin reading this book, and by total surprise I found myself devouring the WHOLE THING in one sitting.  I can definitely see why this is a favorite for most right now.

Jacqueline is a college student who is attempting to recover from a devastating break up.  The beginning of this story took my breath away, literally hooking me in the first chapter when something tragic happens to Jacqueline.  Just when her life could not get any worse, she's given an opportunity to turn it around.  The first opportunity is in the form of a tutor for one of her classes that she's unexpectedly failing: Landon.  Immediately she is drawn to his intelligence and need to help her succeed.  The only problem is, their correspondence has been strictly through email.  The other opportunity presents itself in the form of a hero, who is disguised by his tattoos and mysterious behavior: Lucas.  She attempts to find her footing again with the help of both Landon and Lucas, but it all suddenly comes to a head when secrets are revealed.

I was intensely intrigued by the mystery that surrounded Lucas.  Whenever his character popped up on the page, I immediately lost track of time and submerged myself within the story.  The tension between Jacqueline and Lucas was unreal.  From that first passionate kissing scene, to the physical levels they encountered later in the story, I was constantly fanning myself.  Though I was rooting for Lucas in Jacqueline's life, I still held on to Landon.  His presence brought a sense of calm to Jacqueline's life that she so badly needed.

I am a new fan to Tammara Webber's writing, and this book has solidified my want to continue with more of her stories.  She has the ability to connect the reader with her characters, pulling them in and losing all sense of reality.  I went to bed that night (or early morning I should say) reliving the delicious moments from this book.  I was almost tempted to pick it back up and read it for a second time immediately after it's conclusion.  I love this type of story-telling.  It's raw and addicting.  I have discovered a new favorite amongst my contemporary novels: New Adult.  Easy is at the top of my list, but I am certain there are other gems out there just waiting to be discovered.