Second Chances

I read this book cover to cover in one sitting and when I got to the end I was frankly, in awe. I would have immediately written a review, but the way I felt about the book seemed too good to be true. There was something addicting about this story and its characters. I couldn't read the pages fast enough and when I got to the end I wanted a second chance too, so I read it again, over the course of three days, at a much slower pace. (In fact I read it over my girlfriends shoulder as she read it and I marveled at all the awesome sections I had highlighted. Some were full pages!) Anyways, it's amazing when you read a book twice what you see and how you feel.After first read through (I genuinely could find no fault):The author found a way to make me fall in love with Alison the "bully." I was dead set against liking her as long as possible, but Allison quickly won me over. However, as the story progressed I did develop a bit of a love-hate relationship with her, but I was still secretly rooting for her to get the girl. I was so happy by the end that she had done a lot of the growing up she needed to do. As for her lovely counterpart Reagan, I adored her immediately and not just because she was the "victim." She was written to be not only sweet and endearing, but sassy and aggressive when need be. I love a good combination like that in a character because then you never know which Reagan you're going to get from scene to scene. As for the story itself, I really loved how it was character driven and not centered on some intricate plot. I am such a sucker for books that are centered on character growth instead of big plot twists. Allison and Reagan grew up and grew to love each other.After my second read through (I could see what I let slide before):My biggest complaint is that Allison got way more than a second chance and I think Reagan let her off the hook a little too easy every time. I would have loved to "see" the author put Allison through the ringer a bit more and make Allison really earn her place in Regan's life and her heart. I also would have liked to have gotten some sort of real explanation for why Allison bullied Reagan. Oh and there were a few scene skips that I wish wouldn't have been left to my imagination. (Like a date with a certain someone from the past.) Now as for the little stuff that I am always willing to overlook for a good story and riveting characters. There is a definite over use of certain words, especially the word frown. I remember in one particular small paragraph frown was used in different variations in three consecutive sentences. The word frown was the biggest offender, but there were other words and possibly phrases that seemed to be a bit over used. Mainly when describing the characters. There were also a few errors here and there with a wrong word used or missing altogether, but man I will forgive all the little polishing details because the bottom line is the story is great and I am excited to read more by this author. As an author myself I hope to learn a lot from the author because I find her work very admirable thus far. I think she is an excellent example of the kind of story teller I want to be.P.S. I would love to see a book from this author centered on Reagan's friend Ashley!XXX Candie Kisses XXX

Uggghhhh, I CAN'T belieeeve why anyone give this book a negative review!!! But of course, no two people are alike and everyone has their own opinion. So here's mine: this book...this book...Dear God, where should I begin?!? I loved every minute of it. I haven't been this caught up in a love story since I read "The Double Life" by Shea Word (which by the way is an awesome book and if you haven't read it, please do!) Yes, Allison did some crappy things to Reagan, ESPECIALLY what she did when they went back home to Michigan (don't want to spoil it for anyone) I wanted BADLY to dispise Allison, hate her spineless guts, curse her name to the wind, but I just couldn't. I couldn't hate her not one bit, knowing how much she really did love Reagan. Yes, she was crappy, cruel even some might say, but haven't we all done crappy, stupid things when we're afraid of the reality of being desperately in love?? This story made me laugh, cry and feel a tingling between my thighs that made me blush oh so good. My heart ached for Reagan and I was desperate for her to finally have what she wanted. I'm so glad I gave it a chance, I was second guessing my decision to downloading it to my kindle, seeing as I wasn't crazy about "Date Night", wasn't bad, but it didn't captivate me like this one did. The dialect in this book, the way it's constructed thru out the chapters, it was fantastic. I'm so sad I'm already done with it!! I highly doubt I will find another like this one :( oh and by the way, Ashley was THE scene stealer from start to finish, thank you Eliza for that slice of heaven that kept a smile on my face. I would love if somehow there can be a sequel, the world needs more Allison and Reagan! I highly recommend this book to anyone. I'm trying to brainwash my girlfriend into reading it too. Loooove it!!!!!

Do Mean Girls deserve second chances? Allison was the queen of Mean Girls at her high school in Michigan and her favorite target was Reagan. Flash forward three years later and Reagan has to decide if she wants to give a pleading Allison a second chance at friendship after the two bump into each at a Broadway show in New York. I'll be honest, Allison is a total bitch and her more mature version is barely an improvement over the Mean Girl version. But hold on, these girls are barely drinking age and still stumbling over their attraction and sexuality. Yeah, I was a mess at that age too, and both are accurately portrayed as awkward young adults just trying to figure it out and screwing up like the rest of us did. I've read this book multiple times since it's release and I find new layers and discovery each time. For instance, I don't despise Allison as much as the first read because despite her atrocious behavior she is weakly human like the rest of us and also worthy of love because she really does want to be a better person. Conversely, I don't see Reagan so much as a doormat either, but as a strong woman who is willing to put forth the effort to show Allison she is worthy of her love. This is one of the early novels in EL's library and while the message is strong her writing seems almost timid compared to her more current works. Still an excellent novel of two young women finding the courage to make the seemingly impossible happen.

On the whole I enjoyed reading the story of Allison and Reagan, but there was part of the book that just didn't sit right with me. Although their reconnection and rebuilding of their friendship was bumpy and there were many missteps, I found that the author did not properly explore how and why Allison treated Reagan as she did. Bullying can have such devastating and lifelong consequences and I feel this was a missed opportunity to illustrate this. Reagan forgave far too easily in my opinion, and I genuinely could not understand how easily she forgave despite multiple rejections. A mixed bag.

I thought this was a great read, pleasantly nostalgic and hypnotic in its portrayal of two young women reconnecting. Enough intensity and turmoil to keep you turning the pages at haste. I enjoyed the intimacy and the bond that was so intense and real. Again took me back and this is probably why it resonated. The odd spell error interrupts the flow. I would definitely read other books by the author.Recommend to get you through a travel journey but remember you may get a little flustered at points if in public but all very enjoyable and believable.

This story was so addictive I ended up a few stop further down the line on the train than planned. it was so amazingly beautiful. I loved Allison's journey of self discovery and how supportive Reagan was to her. I teared up a bit when she sent her on her way to see Daria. They were just so lovely together and sweet and caring I was really rooting for them. That epilogue was the icing on the cake.

Excellent! One of the best books i've ever read. Eliza Lentzski's characters Reagan and Allison are so human and real. I have to admit my stomach flipped a few times during this book, i can't put into words how much i loved reading it. So sweet at times, but also funny and hot, great balance of everything.

Eliza lentzski has now become one of my favourite authors. This was the first book I had read by her and it spurred me on to read others. The characters are easy to fall in love with and relatable. If you like romance books, give Eliza lentzski books a chance, also if you liked this read date night by her too. Oh and winter jacket!!