Monday, September 20, 2010

REVIEW: Major Crush and The Ex Games by Jennifer Echols

Let me start by saying how much of a Jennifer Echols fangirl I am. I love her. I was super excited when these books arrived into my home. I may have done my happy dance.



Marching to the beat of a different drum...

Tired of the beauty-pagean circuit, Virginia Sauter tosses her tiara, pierces her nose, and auditions for the most unlikely of roles -- drum major of the high school marching band.

Virginia wins, but is forced to share the title with Drew, whose family has held the position for generations. Sure, Drew is hot, but because of his superior attitude, he and Virginia are constantly arguing. That is, until they share more than just their half-time salute...

But as the drum major's heated competition turns to sizzling romance, explosive rumors threaten everything -- including the band's success. Love seemed to be a sure hit, but Virginia and Drew may be marching straight into disaster.

Honestly, somewhere inside, my inner-nerd rejoiced at such a book. How much more do I love Jennifer Echols for placing these characters within a marching band. Embarassing confession? I always wanted to be in band. It seemed like such fun. Playing music, as a group... Never have I wanted that more since reading Major Crush. Drew and Virginia are utterly adorable and as the story progresses things really start to hot up between the two of them. There's a scene in the back of the bus that reminds me of a similar scene in Forget You. School buses, eh?

So, Major Crush begins with Virginia dropping out of the beauty pageant circuit and joining the marching band. She doesn't have many friends, but she still ties for drum major with hottie Drew. Drew and Virginia don't exactly get along and seem to have a little bit of shared history? Virginia seems to be keeping a few secrets of her own, like why she dropped out of pageantry. And Drew is under a lot of pressure to hold up the family traditions.

As always, there's something more going on besides the petty dramas of marching band and I did love all the side stories, with Virginia's best friend, her relationship with her family. I didn't quite get the pressure Drew was going through, with his whole family being drum majors before? Only because I've never heard of such a familal tradition! But still! Two thumbs up.

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Brace yourself for the battle of the exes....

Hayden and Nick used to be a hot item, but their brief affair ended with a highly publicized breakup. Now the two are "just friends," excluding the occasional flirtation.

When Hayden wins the girls' division of a local snowboarding competition, Nick is unimpressed, claiming that Hayden wouldn't have a chance against a guy. Hayden calls Nick's bluff and challenges him to a head-to-head boarding contest. Their mutual friends quickly take sides, the girls on Hayden's and the boys on Nick's, making for an all-out battle of the sexes. This friendly competition is bound to get heated -- and they might end up igniting some old flames.

I think an area that Jennifer Echols really excels at is the tension that she creates between two characters. Hayden and Nick are still into each other but there's so many misunderstandings and minor little jealousies that get in the way. Plus a huge dose of pride and injured feelings.

This is the story of Hayden and Nick. They used to date ages ago until they broke up in a really public way. Now they just flirt like crazy, but they're just friends, right? When Hayden wins a snowboarding competition, Nick manages to burst her bubble by saying that a girl couldn't compete against boy snowboarders and win. So a battle of the sexes begin!

I'm not big into snow-boarding, I don't think I'd ever take part or anything. But it just all sounds very cool. Especially with sponsorship deals and winning competitions and everything. That combined with the charming characters, I was kind of awed by this book. I stayed up way too late reading it and by the end my heart was hurting. I can sympathise with Hayden's fear of heights and Nick's over-bearing dad. Everything just seemed real and believable. But also a bit like a winter fairyland with all the snow...

I heart Jennifer Echols and this sweet, fun love story of two people who obviously want to be with each other!

10 comments:

  1. I really have to read this :D I loved Forget You and Going Too Far.

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  2. Well these are really good as well :) I heart Jennifer Echols so hard!!

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  3. I've only read one of Jennifer Echols' books, but now I really want to read both of these! I'm intrigued about the school bus!

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  4. I've also only read one Jennifer Echols book but can't wait to read more. These both sound fab!

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  5. Rhiana - You really should try to find her others. They're not available in most bookstores though :( What a shame.

    Sophie - The school bus scene in both the books was really hot! :)

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  6. I've not read any Jennifer Echols books but these sound fab and I love the covers!

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  7. onemorepage - EEEP! You must go out now and read Going Too Far! It's my favourite of hers :)

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  8. I think I must be the only human being on this planet who has yet to read any of her books. After reading your reviews, I will now be correcting this grievous error as soon as humanly possible.

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  9. thebookfairyhaven - It could be better that way, just think you have so many wonderful books to look forward to now :)

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  10. I honestly loved BOTH of these books! maybe i liked the ex games more, but i srsly think they are such a FUN read! ahaaha and i agree, snowboarding DOES sound pretty cool! Thanks for the review!

    Farah @ Maji Bookshelf

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