Inbetween (Kissed by Death, #1) by Tara Fuller

Inbetween (Kissed by Death, #1) by Tara Fuller
Published: August 28, 2012 by Entangled Teen
Received: Review copy from publisher

Since the car crash that took her father’s life two years ago, Emma’s life has been a freaky—and unending—lesson in caution. Surviving “accidents” has taken priority over being a normal seventeen-year-old, so Emma spends her days taking pictures of life instead of living it. Falling in love with a boy was never part of the plan. Falling for a reaper who makes her chest ache and her head spin? Not an option.

It’s not easy being dead, especially for a reaper in love with a girl fate has put on his list not once, but twice. Finn’s fellow reapers give him hell about spending time with Emma, but Finn couldn’t let her die before, and he’s not about to let her die now. He will protect the girl he loves from the evil he accidentally unleashed, even if it means sacrificing the only thing he has left...his soul. [goodreads]

This book gripped me from the first chapter!  I must admit, I am picky about my paranormals.  I tend to gravitate more towards paranormal stories that have a heavy influence of contemporary mixed in.  Inbetween by Tara Fuller has done just that.  I somehow forgot that I was reading about the living and the dead, and the reapers who breach that gap.  It became a story about a girl and a boy and their forbidden love that was being tested time and time again.

Emma is the type of character that you immediately feel for.  She just endured a horrific car accident, losing someone very close to her.  She feels isolated from the world, attempting to keep a far distance in hopes of avoiding any more "accidents".  What she doesn't realize is that fate is out of her control.  It was once planned, but then Finn stepped in and changed fate's plans.

Oh Finn.  I was mesmerized by his classic touch.  His character felt very authentic, with a hint of vulnerability.  I longed for him to be a part of Emma's world and undo the mistakes he made.  However, life (or is it death?) is never that easy.  Watching these two characters interact on such an ethereal level floated above and beyond any average day teenage romance.  As the pages turned, the tension built higher and higher.

I love when you begin a novel, thinking you know the outcome, but you're pleasantly surprised by the twists that occur.  If you're a fan of stories that give a complete ending, but open doors for more possibilities; then I highly recommend beginning this series.  I am anxious to see where Tara Fuller takes Emma and Finn's story.