Book Blurb:
The Last First Game by Gina Azzi (The Senior Semester Series, #1)
When Lila Avers accepts a medical internship through Astor University in California for the fall semester of her senior year, she doesn’t expect much. In fact, she’d rather work on her tan and meet a surfer instead of logging long hours at the hospital and studying. But before she even boards her flight to LA, she meets Astor University wide receiver, Cade Wilkins. A football player. When Cade turns out to be so much more than just muscle, Lila is smitten. Maybe a semester away from her friends won’t be so bad after all.
Cade Wilkins is beyond ready for his last season at Astor. Already being scouted and projected as a NFL draft pick, he’s riding a natural high and all set to breeze through his senior year. To sweeten the start of the fall semester, he meets his dream girl at the airport on his way back to LA. Lila Avers, a blonde, blue-eyed angel. Could life get any better?
When Cade is sidelined by an unexpected injury, he’s devastated to learn of more serious health concerns. As his world implodes, Lila holds him together. But is she strong enough to see him through his recovery?
As their own insecurities and doubts emerge, their new, fragile relationship is tested. Can Cade and Lila handle the ugly truths of falling in love when tensions flare, boundaries are violated, and uncertainty looms over the future of their relationship?
Publication date: November 2015
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
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My review:
4 Out Of 5 Hearts
Lila is just about to start her senior year of college, but instead of her regular college on the east coast, she will be in Southern California for a semester as an intern for the medical program. She should be enthused about getting the internship, but really she has no interest in becoming a doctor and is just following through on what her parents want. Kade is heading back to campus for his senior year after attending a the year anniversary of his brother's death. Kade and Lila have a chance meeting at the airport taking them to the same destination, and setting them on a course for the rest of their lives.
I picked this book expecting it to be a sweet new adult book, but what I got was an angsty story filled with some harsh life lessons and the importance of love. But wait, there is more! The book has a serious disease! Oh how I love books where the main character has a disease that they may not overcome. Maybe there is something wrong with me to love a well written depressing book with medical complications, but if it's wrong I don't want to be right. Anywhoo, the heart of the book is a romance, but there are other issues the book addresses such as realizing who you are as a person, the importance of friends and family, speaking up against assault and how to recover from being a victim. There was a whole heck of a lot thrown in here, but in a good way and I really enjoyed the book.
Lila had a lot of baggage starting out the book, such as being forced into a career she was not even sure she wants. She goes through the actions of having a life when in actuality the only time she is herself is when she is with her friends. I absolutely loved all the friends in the book, be it old and new for both Lila and Cade, they were such a strong support system and made me appreciate the good friends I have in my life. Cade was such a sweet heart. He was upfront about everything and was a true gentleman, wanting to help Lila overcome every obstacle. I loved the two of them together as a couple and the support that they share. I want them to live happily ever after because they make my heart happy.
Overall I really liked the book, I just had some probably completely unnecessary questions like what will Kade do now with his life, how will the long distance relationship work out, where will Lila go to school in the spring, who will take care of Cade in the spring? They are not pertinent to the story but my mental wheels turn over such issues. I look forward to Lila's friends and the stories of how their semesters go, and I really hope to get a glimpse into Lila and Cade in the future as well as the good friends that Lila made in Cali too. I can't wait for more from this author.
I received this title from the author and Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.
Author Bio:
Gina Azzi loved every moment of college – especially her study abroad experiences, internships, and travel adventures! She drew on her college experiences to create the storylines for The Senior Semester Series.
Gina is a passionate reader, frequent globetrotter, and coffee enthusiast. She currently resides in Dubai with her husband Tony.
Gina loves meeting new people and would love to hear from you!
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You can also contact her at her email ginaazziauthor@gmail.com
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Great review, Katherine! This sounds like an emotional read, and I also find books that involve diseases very interesting and often uplifting, too, oddly enough! Glad you liked it! :)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read this! Thank you!
ReplyDelete