Monday, February 27, 2017

REVIEW: "Undeclared" by Julianna Keyes (New Adult, Romance)

UNDECLARED
by Julianna Keyes

Publisher: Julianna Keyes
Genre: New Adult, Romance
Publication Date: February 27th 2017


Series: Burnham College, #2
Standalone: Yes



Categories:
Reformed Player, Childhood friends, Friends with Benefits, Best Friends to Lovers, Second Chance Romance
Other Books by Julianna Keyes

#1 Goodreads

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Description from Publisher:
Kellan McVey is Burnham College’s most prolific athlete, partier, and ladies’ man—and that’s just how he likes it. Returning to reign for his third year, he wants nothing to change. Then Andrea Walsh shows up.

It wasn’t too long ago that Andi and Kellan were lifelong friends, mortal enemies, and, for one hot summer, more. Then Kellan left and Andi stayed behind.

Kellan thought he’d moved past that last summer’s heartbreak, but with Andi sitting next to him in class, befriending his friends, and battling for the same once-in-a-lifetime job opportunity, he’s starting to remember why he hated her…and why he loved her.

Kellan has a long list of reasons that falling for Andi again is a terrible idea, though every new moment together challenges that theory. But Andi’s all too familiar with Kellan’s love ’em and leave ’em approach—and she’s found someone else to get serious about.

Burnham’s campus king has never had to fight for a girl, but if he wants Andi to give him another chance, he’ll have to do the one thing he’s never had the nerve to do: admit it.
My Rating:
Heat Rating:

My Musings:
This was such a sweet and real romance! I loved every minute and just how rich everything was. It's a more realistic romance than many in the genre - in an oh-so-good way.

I really liked and enjoyed Andi's character. She was stubborn and very relatable, especially for someone like me who isn't especially "girly."

Kellan was a pleasure and I liked getting inside his head. He is a bit thick but loveable anyway. The way that this was all from his perspective worked really well with the story, and I feel like Keyes did an excellent job of capturing the tone of a male voice without being crude or juvenile.

I also liked how well-rounded this was, overall. Kellan doesn't just go to class - his class subjects blend into the story like they would in real life, inspiring new ways of looking at things going on in his life. His friends aren't just friends, supporting him - they are multi-dimensional people with their own lives going on, but not in a distracting way. For those of us who read the first book, Undecided, we get little updates on what Crosbie and Nora are up to in subtle and occasional mentions.

The "second-chance" aspect, as well as the "chilhood friends reunited" aspect, are really well done. I really liked the way Kellan and Andi's history is shared with us and the way he is trying to figure out how and why he feels the way he does, and how to talk to her. It felt very genuine and there was the perfect amount of showing without too much "telling."

Overall, I really, really liked this! I know there may not be anymore in this series, but I wouldn't mind getting a Dane or Choo story eventually!


My Source: I received a digital ARC from the publisher to voluntarily review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is unbiased and my 100% own.

About the Author: Julianna Keyes
Julianna Keyes is a Canadian writer who has lived on both coasts and several places in between. She's been skydiving, bungee jumping and white water rafting, but nothing thrills - or terrifies - her as much as the blank page. She loves Chinese food, foreign languages, baseball and television, not necessarily in that order, and will go to her grave swearing that 'ain't' is not a word. She has volunteered in Zambia, taught English in China, and dreams of seeing pink dolphins in the Amazon. It'll happen.
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