24 February 2015

Blog Tour Review - Stupid Boy (Stupid in Love #2) By: Cindy Miles

Title: Stupid Boy (Stupid in Love #2)
Author: Cindy Miles
Publisher: TKA Distribution, 332 Pages (February 17th, 2015)
From: the Author
Format: eARC
Add to: Goodreads
Order a copy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, The Book Depository, Amazon UK

Check out my review of: Stupid Girl (Stupid in Love #1)

NOTE: This is a "New Adult" novel. Due to mature content this title is recommended for ages 17+

Synopsis: From Cindy Miles, bestselling new adult author of STUPID GIRL, comes the next installment of her blockbuster Stupid in Love series – STUPID BOY.

Brax Jenkins and Olivia Beaumont are the most envied couple at Winston University—but the so-called “virginity dare,” orchestrated by Brax’s old fraternity, almost tore them apart. Now, a new dare is taking shape, and it’s sure to set emotions ablaze--more than ever before.

Winston’s “It Girl” Harper Belle isn’t just president of the Deltas--she’s also a master at keeping her ugly past a secret. So, when the Kappas’ dare hits closer to home for her more than anyone realizes, she devises a competition of her own as payback. Three sorority sisters will seek out a notorious womanizer on campus and--unbeknownst their “mark”--secretly train him to be the perfect boyfriend. Always up for a challenge, Harper targets the biggest player she can find: Brax’s wickedly handsome foster brother Kane McCarthy.

But, Harper discovers there’s much more to Kane than girls, games, and partying. His easy smile belies the quiet, old soul reflected in his deep brown eyes. All it takes is one night, one secret laid bare, and one kiss from Kane to shift Harper’s world on its axis. Suddenly, the girl who’s always walked a straight and narrow path can’t think of anything else except losing control.

Review: 4 Stars - Stupid Boy is the second book in author Cindy Miles Stupid in Love series. It’s the companion novel to Stupid Girl and each book can be read as a standalone. However since I loved BOTH books I’d not suggest skipping either one.

This time around we have a chance to get to know two characters that are both broken in their own ways and hide their secrets down buried deep from everyone. Harper Belle is president of the Delta sorority and all around good girl. She doesn’t let anyone get too close, wears her perfection like a second skin. She questions everyone and everything and every move she makes is in fear.

Kane McCarthy is a bad boy through in through. He’s the quiet brooding type but has no problem speaking up and his mind when needed. He sees something in Harper, something that reminds him of himself and wants nothing more than to figure her out. See what makes her tick.

The issues these two are dealing with from their pasts have bled through into their present and both feel they have no way of escaping other than doing the best they can with the cards they were dealt. They are just hiding so much, not dealing with anything yet looking for something or someone to save them.

Author – Miles – has written some wonderfully damaged souls. And the issues they’re dealing with are far from easy. You have no choice but to root for them from the beginning all the while your heart breaks again and again while we read flash back scenes as these two characters remember the past while trying to work through the present.

My emotions ran high while reading. I had some strong emotions of hate and sadness for what these two have gone through and those that have hurt them. You want them to see the good in people. You want them to see the good in themselves. You want them to heal and find something to fight for in themselves and in each other.

Another thing about this author is her writing is easy to read. The stories flow and rarely is there any type of lull to remove readers from her characters and their lives. I enjoy a good story with impressive characters to tell it and Miles gives readers both of those things and then some.

A highlight for me to was seeing and having a chance to check in with Brax and Olivia from the first book. It’s always nice when a companion novel checks in with characters from previous books and Miles made sure these two were present in this new journey.

In the end I loved this book. It’s not perfect but it’s pretty great. It has so much to give readers and fans of contemporary stories with damaged characters. Not to mention it’s in one of my favorite categories’ – “New Adult”. I highly recommend this book and the first for readers looking for something that’ll bring out strong emotions from beginning to end and leave you wanting more. I know I’m looking forward to seeing what this author brings us next and I am without a doubt hoping it’ll be more within this series and group of characters. Happy Reading!

About the Author:

Cindy Miles is the best-selling author of twelve novels, one anthology and three short stories. She also writes as Elle Jasper, and grew up on the salt marshes of the Vernon River in Savannah, Georgia.