You know how sometimes you start a book and then absolutely cannot get it off your mind? That's what happened to me with I'll Be Yours. I downloaded the Kindle sample several months ago and loved it, but I had so many other books that I "had" to read that I didn't let myself buy it ... because I knew the instant I did, I would set aside everything else in order to read it.
A few weeks ago, when I was packing for a work trip, I thought, "This is the time." So I went to Amazon and paid full price for the novel. (I never pay full price for Kindle books. Ever.) I ended up being really busy on the trip, and I was already reading another book (Serena Chase's excellent Intermission), so I didn't get to I'll Be Yours until I was almost home. I was right—once I started reading, I really couldn't stop! I stayed up way too late finishing it, and I don't regret a thing!
The day Andrew Levin arrives at Washington High, Harper O’Malley knows he’ll make the perfect starter boyfriend. The school’s newest band geek is totally in Harper’s league, yet completely out of this late-bloomer’s reach. Between fitting in with a new family, scoring the first chair in band, and rescuing dogs for the local animal shelter, Harper’s never had the opportunity to hone her dating skills. But even though Harper’s love life is far from perfect, she’s got the perfect plan.
Harper knows she’s insane to agree to tutor Ridley Estes, a notorious heartbreaker and the star of her high school’s football team—but in exchange, he’s offered to school her in the game of love. Just when she sees promise with her crush, a football scandal rocks her family, her town, and Ridley’s entire future. Harper suddenly has everything to lose—her family, friends, and even her heart. When the dust of the scandal settles, nothing will be the same. Including the girl who asked the most popular jock to teach her about love.
I'll Be Yours has a familiar premise: smart girl and star athlete swap tutoring—she helps him with school while he helps her with boys. Of course (of course!) they fall for each other. But the way in which it all happens is so, so enjoyable.
Harper is an incredibly likable main character. Rescued from a horrible life with her addict mother by the O'Malleys, her now-stable life implodes when her football coach adopted father is caught in a scandal. I could understand her fixation on seemingly perfect Andrew because he was "safe" ... even though it was obvious from the very beginning that she belonged with bad boy Ridley. And Ridley ... oh, my. Talk about swoon worthy! Ridley is not what he at first appears, and I really enjoyed learning all about him.
I've enjoyed Jenny B. Jones's books before, but I think I'll Be Yours is my new favorite. Full of romance, angst, humor, and heartache, it may be a young adult novel, but it's really for anyone who enjoys a good love story. 5 stars.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Jones's Save the Date (5 stars), There You'll Find Me (4-1/2 stars), and Wild Heart Summer (3 stars).
Four-time Carol Award winner Jenny B. Jones writes contemporary romance with wit, sass, and Southern charm. Since writing for both women and teens leaves her with very little free time, she believes in spending her spare hours in meaningful, intellectual pursuits, such as watching E!, going to the movies and inhaling large buckets of popcorn, and writing her name in the dust on her furniture. www.jennybjones.com
Disclosure of Material Connection: I purchased this book myself and reviewed it of my own free will. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
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