May 25, 2014

Wicked Review: Calling California by J.P Grider


Published: May 22, 2014
Publisher: Createspace
Acquired: Digital copy

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22010375-calling-california




Cali Parker is poor. She has a lot on her plate - her father is dying, she's working to help pay the rent, and she's two-years behind in college.

Griffin Brooks is rich. He has not a care in the world - he's acing his engineering courses, his hobby is restoring his fifty-thousand dollar classic car, and he has a different girl on his arm every week.

When Cali sees Griffin on her first day of class, she's immediately smitten and thinks she's found the perfect guy. When Griffin sees Cali at the bank, he immediately forgets the blonde he was with that morning. Then they meet, and their worlds collide.

Cali doesn't belong in Griffin’s world, and he doesn't understand hers. But just when Griffin convinces Cali that their two different worlds can blend, a secret is revealed that tears them apart.

Is their love strong enough to bring them back together, or will their worlds drift further apart?


Thank you to Giselle of Xpresso Book Tours for giving me a copy of Calling California in exchange for an honest review.~

There is so much to say about this book, I don't even know where to start. Cali is very proud. She works hard for her family and she refuses any help. I think this is a result of living a life where you can't have anything you want. That you must work hard for it. While that is very value to instill in your mind, sometimes it's good to take help from others. There were times where I wanted to shake Cali and tell her to just swallow her pride and just accept that not everyone who wants to help you out want something in return. My mother has taught me this. I grew up in a middle class family but I learned early on that if I want something, I need to save up for it. They instilled in me that hard work will bring me to success and that I should know how to stand up for my own with my head held high. This is probably why I can relate to Cali in a way.

Griffin is really down to earth and quite cheeky too. His point of view during the first parts of the book was certainly adorable. He was completely smitten with Cali and his beloved car. But more on Cali. When he learns about her financial background, he's suddenly lost. He has lived a privileged life. He has money and he can buy whatever he wants. He doesn't know what it feels not to have money. When he sees how Cali works so hard just to keep a roof above their heads, his heart melts and he wants to help her. Because he loves her and he wants her to be happy.

This book brought so many emotions. I didn't even realize that I finished this in one sitting. This book is very hard to put down. I'm a big fan of dual POVs because I believe there are two sides to every story. While that is a good thing, you can also feel what the character feels. When they are in pain, I feel like I'm in pain as well. I haven't had anyone close to me die. But I know it's really painful. I shed a tear for Cali when her father died and she wasn't there to completely spend time with him during his last few days. I'm very thankful that she wasn't alone and that Griffin was there for her.

Even if they came from different worlds, they managed beat out the odds set out in front of them. That's how love is supposed to work. You have to fight for it every step of the way. I highly recommend this book. This is a very endearing and heartfelt read.




J.P. Grider is a Young Adult and New Adult author. She is the author of six novels. Her young adult series The Honor Trilogy consists of A Touch of Honor, A Man of Honor, and A Heart of Honor, while her first two novels - Unplugged (A Portrait of a Rock Star) and Maybe This Life - are standalone adult contemporary novels. Her most recent release is the new adult romance Calling California, which is the first in her Hunter Hill University series. The next book in the series – Mending Mick – will be released in October, 2014. All the books in the Hunter Hill University series will be standalone books and can be read in any order.

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2 comments:

  1. This doesn't seem like my type of book but I'm glad that you enjoyed it nonetheless. Great review, ate Anette! :)

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  2. Thank you, Anette, for your review of Calling California. I'm glad you liked it!! Great review...very detailed. Thank you.

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