180 Seconds by Jessica Park
We are engaged in a form of intimacy that scares the hell out of me.
Is it possible to fall in love in 180 seconds if you stare into each other’s eyes? I don’t believe in insta-love, but this story caught my eye and I started cautiously only to be swept into a beautiful character-driven, contemporary story that blew any misconceptions away. It’s been a long time since I was this emotional over a book.
Sometimes, the unexpected happens…
This is a couple it would be hard not to route for. They both have issues and it’s messy. But it’s also electrifying and I couldn’t put the book down.
It’s as if there is a weight on my chest that I want to shove off, and have never been this terrified before.
P.S. He may have only become her adoptive father when she was sixteen, pulling her out of the foster care system, but Simon is my new favourite bookish father.
He, like me, is fighting something.
Although the characters are in university, the book reads more like YA (young adult)
I want to run. I want to stay. I want to do both.
Together we battle.
Title: 180 Seconds
Author: Jessica Park
Publication Date: 25 April 2017
Publisher: Skyscape
Source: Review copy
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After a life spent bouncing from one foster home to the next, Allison is determined to keep others at arm’s length. Adopted at sixteen, she knows better than to believe in the permanence of anything. But as she begins her third year in college, she finds it increasingly difficult to disappear into the white noise pouring from her earbuds.
One unsuspecting afternoon, Allison is roped into a social experiment just off campus. Suddenly, she finds herself in front of a crowd, forced to interact with a complete stranger for 180 seconds. Neither she, nor Esben Baylor, the dreamy social media star seated opposite her, is prepared for the outcome.
When time is called, the intensity of the experience overwhelms Allison and Esben in a way that unnerves and electrifies them both. With a push from her oldest friend, Allison embarks on a journey to find out if what she and Esben shared is the real thing—and if she can finally trust in herself, in others, and in love. — Abstract from Goodreads.com
The fact that I received a free advanced copy of this book does not influence my policy to write an honest review.
Disclaimer: The quotes appear in my advanced review copy and may not appear in the final version.
Megan
I was intially attracted to this book because of the gorgeous cover, but after reading your review that plot sounds great too – I really need to read it!
Megan @ https://wanderingsofabookbird.blogspot.co.uk/
Sue @ Crushingcinders
It is gorgeous. Hope you like it too!
Olivia @ The Candid Cover
I have seen this book around and never took the time to read the synopsis. The whole concept is so unique and different! I am going to have to check it out since you enjoyed it so much. I love a great contemporary. 🙂