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| Last Will and Testament by Dahlia Adler Published: December 2014 Age: New Adult Series: Radleigh University #1 |
Lizzie Brandt was valedictorian of her high school class, but at Radleigh University, all she's acing are partying and hooking up with the wrong guys. But all that changes when her parents are killed in a tragic accident, making her guardian to her two younger brothers. To keep them out of foster care, she'll have to fix up her image, her life, and her GPA—fast. Too bad the only person on campus she can go to for help is her humorless, pedantic Byzantine History TA, Connor Lawson, who isn't exactly Lizzie's biggest fan.
But Connor surprises her. Not only is he a great tutor, but he’s also a pretty great babysitter. And chauffeur. And listener. And he understands exactly what it’s like to be on your own before you're ready. Before long, Lizzie realizes having a responsible-adult type around has its perks... and that she'd like to do some rather irresponsible (but considerably adult) things with him as well. Good thing he's not the kind of guy who'd ever reciprocate.
Until he does.
Until they turn into far more than teacher and student.
Until the relationship that helped put their lives back together threatens everything they both have left.
The first thing I thought after finishing this book was "That was a fast ending." - and - "I want more."
The story follows Lizzie Brandt after she is told her parents passed away in an accident. Lizzie then finds herself falling in love with her - hot - TA Connor. I liked how the story was romance based but still seemed to convey all the struggles of being a guardian to two young kids while still trying to balance everything else in her life. Although the story seemed short, it was an appropriate length. All loose-ends were finished up by the end of the story. The plot twist wasn't done as well as I would have liked. It made sense but there was little build up or foreshadow and seemed to be overshadowed by Lizzie's balancing act and her budding romance with Connor. I feel this story could have definitely been stretched into two books. Two books would provide more opportunity to develop all the story lines and not make them feel so abrupt. Again, the romance part was excellent - I felt Connor's dilemma and Lizzie's heartbreak but the other parts, her brother's feelings and the drama with Sophie and Trevor could definitely be further developed and be explained more. That being said, I respect the author's decision to contain it to one story. And there are two more stories in the Radleigh University series so there will be more Lizzie and Connor scenes!
MEH
