♥ Here’s a few thoughts on Drake and Emery from Lisa DeJong ♥

Lisa’a take on the leading man:

Anyone who knows me will tell you I’m just as obsessed about football as I am about books. I’ve always wanted to write a book around football because I think I know my stuff. Anyway, Drake had to be the quarterback, because for me, that’s the most exciting position. I mean, everyone’s heard of Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, right? I actually envisioned Drake as a young Tom Brady. Did I mention I’m a bit obsessed with him?

Like Emery, Drake has some stuff in his past. The only difference is, he hasn’t let it go. He carries it around on his shoulder because of the repercussions it had on his family … still has on his family. He’d do anything for the people he loves, but he hasn’t let himself love many. He’s stubborn and a little arrogant. He fights with himself more than anyone else so when he develops feelings for Emery, he doesn’t give in.

I absolutely love this guy – his vulnerability, his internal war. He even fought with me a few times, but I think I won. J

Lisa’s take on the leading lady:

It was funny because I found my Emery on my photographer’s page one day. Her name is Jenessa Andrea (https://www.facebook.com/jenessaCEandrea), and the second I saw her, I knew she was my Emery.

Out of all the female characters I’ve written about, Emery is the most like me. I was – okay, maybe I still am – a do-gooder. The thing about Emery is no matter what she does, she’s going to give her best effort. She doesn’t like when obstacles stand in her way, but when they do she finds a way around them.

She felt like she lost out on a lot during her childhood, which fuels her to want to be the best. It’s what she can control. She’s not immune to a hot guy who can match her jab for jab, though. She might fight it for a little while, tell herself he’s just another pig-headed athlete, but her walls aren’t that hard to tear down.

Emery doesn’t attach herself to many people, and when she does, it’s with super glue. It’s not necessarily a bad thing but when it all goes downhill, things get really bad.

First of all I need to state what a HUGE Lisa DeJong fan I am. I have followed her since her blogging days and immediately purchase whatever she writes.  I loved Plastic Hearts and Glass Hearts BUT I became obsessed with When it Rains.  That book made me ugly cry so bad that I physically could not read anymore at spots.  My glasses were fogged and I was a snotty mess.  With that being said, when the opportunity arose to review Changing Forever, I couldn’t jump fast enough.  I love it when a series focuses on different main characters while still giving you glimpses into the other characters you have fallen in love with.  While this is Drake and Emery’s story we still get to see Kate and Beau.  Drake and Emery have a beautiful story and the book was so well written and told in my favorite dual POV.  Lisa has a way of transporting you into the book and feel everything the characters are feeling.  I laughed, I cried (not ugly cry, but cry still the same) and I was totally gutted and the lifted up all in the same book.  The witty banter between Drake and Emery had me rolling at times but then the bull headed stubbornness had me wanting to reach in my kindle and throttle the both of them.  I loved the angsty roller coaster that I was on.  All in all this was a fantastic book and I cant wait until the next one.  I have a feeling that I may be up for an ugly cry all over again.

5 Star

♥ Sophie