Catrina Murphy is 22-years-old, finishing out her last year of college, and an anomaly among her peers. She loves jazz music, operas, and Indiana Jones. She also has this secret, this aching need inside her, this desperate curiosity that she needs to satisfy.
One night, after a game of truth or dare, she receives an offer that seems almost too good to be true. One chance to sate her curiosity once and for all.
Catrina has watched Brody Galen for years. He's a close friend of the family, her cousin's best friend and so completely different from her in so many ways. But he loves her chocolate muffins, and he knows her favorite band.
But does she know him enough -- does he know her enough -- to turn her fantasy into a reality? Accepting Brody's offer might be the end of her. It might break her heart. But it might also be the best thing that's ever happened to them both.
Title: No Strings
Author: JC Hayden
Series: Strings Series
Pages: 188
Genre(s): Contemporary, New Adult Romance
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This book. Oh, this book. This book has cemented my new-found love for new adult romance, and given me a new love in the writing of J.C. Hayden right along side it.
The story in this book is actually fairly simple. Catrina is a 22 year old virgin who wishes she was anything but. After some mean girls make her realise how much she’s been holding herself back from taking chances, she enlists Brody - her cousin’s best friend and all-round hottie soccer star on campus - to take that pesky v-card away.
Cat is a fantastic character and one that I certainly related to (despite not being remotely her age!) and can imagine that most would, too. She was strong but had vulnerable qualities to her. She had this honesty about her feelings that in the hands of many would have made her come across as a moaning and unsympathetic character. However, Ms Hayden manages to make Cat a character that you root for, and one that managed to surprise me on occasion with her understanding of her feelings - and what she was going to do with them. And with that in mind - and not to get too mushy and overly dramatic - this book really does have positive vibes of self-worth, knowing what you will - and will not - accept in your life and taking your life by the horns and going after what you want. And for the right reasons.
We only really ever know Brody through Cat’s eyes - as it’s written solely from her point of view (except for the epilogue). While that means there's an element of us being as in the dark about Brody’s feelings for Cat as she herself is - in something I've rarely seen - the writing really gives us a glimpse into Brody’s mind in the way he looks at and treats Cat which Cat sees but doesn’t comprehend as we readers do. It’s bloomin’ adorable. I would normally say I want Brody for my very own (hot, sweet soccer goalie - yes please!) - but in this case, it’s so clear that Brody only has eyes for Cat. Seriously - those feels just keep on taking the hits! Sigh.
For all that Cat starts the book as a virgin - it’s not long before that ship sails. And boy does it sail. There’s a delicious heat to the book that’s all the better for the feelings that are between Cat and Brody. I was happy as I do so love my sexy shenanigans!
As I mentioned, the writing was excellent. So good, in fact, that you almost forget you’re reading and just get lost in the story. The pages flew by and I didn’t want to stop reading until I got to the very end. I also have to mention that there were a couple of laugh out loud moments in the book. I love a bit of humour, however small, to go along with my romance and angst! At 188 pages, it’s not especially long, but you’ll savour every page.
I’m so happy that I finally got around to reading this book - and this author. I’m keen to start the next book in the series - Roped In - which is Talia, Cat’s best friend’s book. I’m hoping we’ll also soon see Gabe’s book and maybe Callum’s, if I can forgive him for almost dating Cat in this story!
This is a fun, romantic book that will leave you feeling happy and possibly even a little inspired to make changes in your own life and go after what you want. The writing, characters and romance were all excellent and I would recommend this book if you like new adult romance along the lines of Maya Hughes and Ilsa Madden-Mills. 5 well-deserved stars.
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Strings Series:
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