Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
Lexi is a college student who is recovering from being raped. She has an overprotective older brother (Reed) who, really does treat her like a child in his attempt to protect her. Reed is engaged to Caroline, who is now like a sister to Lexi. There are two stories going on throughout the book. Lexi trying to get back to some kind of normalcy with human intimacy after the rape, and something that is going on with Reed that is tearing him and Caroline apart. Lexi is trying to get to the bottom of that as well because she wants Reed and Caroline to be happy.
Ben is a college student with one semester left who was accused and arrested for a horrible crime that he didn’t commit. That situation leaves him without his scholarship, working three jobs, and barely surviving so that he can make it through this little bit of college he has left. He isn’t your typical cocky player type of college guy that we see in a lot of NA books. He is mature, responsible, and the type of guy who buckles down and gets done what needs to be done.
Ben and Lexi meet at a bar that he works at, she has on the black wig, and so the story flows.
I really enjoyed Business As Usual. It had just the right amount of romance, drama, and heat. It also had it’s completely crazy character that I didn’t quite understand (Tina), I think we need Tina’s book to figure out why she is such a – freak (not in a good way), why she forced Lexi to do what she forced Lexi to do, which was messed up. I’m wondering if I read the first two books in this series if I would understand Tina’s self destructive behavior or if that doesn’t come into play until a later book in the series?
I cannot believe this is the first book that I have read by Denise Grover Swank. I actually had to go back through my reviews and double check, yep, first one. I will definitely be picking up more books from her, especially the ones that are in the Off The Subject series.
Ben is a college student with one semester left who was accused and arrested for a horrible crime that he didn’t commit. That situation leaves him without his scholarship, working three jobs, and barely surviving so that he can make it through this little bit of college he has left. He isn’t your typical cocky player type of college guy that we see in a lot of NA books. He is mature, responsible, and the type of guy who buckles down and gets done what needs to be done.
Ben and Lexi meet at a bar that he works at, she has on the black wig, and so the story flows.
I really enjoyed Business As Usual. It had just the right amount of romance, drama, and heat. It also had it’s completely crazy character that I didn’t quite understand (Tina), I think we need Tina’s book to figure out why she is such a – freak (not in a good way), why she forced Lexi to do what she forced Lexi to do, which was messed up. I’m wondering if I read the first two books in this series if I would understand Tina’s self destructive behavior or if that doesn’t come into play until a later book in the series?
I cannot believe this is the first book that I have read by Denise Grover Swank. I actually had to go back through my reviews and double check, yep, first one. I will definitely be picking up more books from her, especially the ones that are in the Off The Subject series.
Oh man. What is it with me and NA nowadays, I feel like I've been cursed or something
DNF because everyone is making wrong and stupid decisions and it's pissing me off, geez
This was an interesting twist on some of the most common NA/YA angst tropes. There is quite a bit of pre-story. Lexi was raped by her so-called boyfriend. When she tried to accuse him, he vilified her and then his parents/lawyers struck a deal with her parents which bound her never to speak of the 'incident'. Unfortunately, it didn't impose the same restrictions on him and he made life so awful for her that she and her brother moved away and changed their names. Ben, on the other hand, was riding high at college on a scholarship until his ex-girlfriend accused him of rape. Despite the charges being dropped, he lost his scholarship and many friends.
There is lots going on in this book. Lexi's brother Reed is behaving strangely and alienating his girlfriend Caroline. Understandably, Lexi has some issues with intimacy, especially since the rape is somewhat of a taboo subject. Caroline's ex-roommate Tina is behaving very oddly - are we going to see her book next? Lexi is trying to create an ambitious summer school activity program for middle school children and Ben is trying to work three jobs to keep himself in school.
Generally I liked this book, it was well-written, the plot moved along pretty well, neither Lexi nor Ben were the sort of h/h that made me want to punch them in the face etc. However, there were two things I didn't like. Well maybe one I didn't like and one I didn't understand.
1. There seemed an unhealthy obsession by Lexi's friends (and not-friends) with her getting drunk. I know they were unaware of the rape but even so, suggesting that she get drunk, or insisting that she get drunk, seems dangerous.
2. Why does Tina behave the way she does? Honestly are there really girls out there who would do that to another girl? I would love to know her story but I can't see how that would ever be forgiveable.
There is lots going on in this book. Lexi's brother Reed is behaving strangely and alienating his girlfriend Caroline. Understandably, Lexi has some issues with intimacy, especially since the rape is somewhat of a taboo subject. Caroline's ex-roommate Tina is behaving very oddly - are we going to see her book next? Lexi is trying to create an ambitious summer school activity program for middle school children and Ben is trying to work three jobs to keep himself in school.
Generally I liked this book, it was well-written, the plot moved along pretty well, neither Lexi nor Ben were the sort of h/h that made me want to punch them in the face etc. However, there were two things I didn't like. Well maybe one I didn't like and one I didn't understand.
1. There seemed an unhealthy obsession by Lexi's friends (and not-friends) with her getting drunk. I know they were unaware of the rape but even so, suggesting that she get drunk, or insisting that she get drunk, seems dangerous.
2. Why does Tina behave the way she does? Honestly are there really girls out there who would do that to another girl? I would love to know her story but I can't see how that would ever be forgiveable.
4.5 stars -- and really having a hard time deciding to round up or down. This book was so different from what I was expecting...not necessarily in a bad way, but it just threw me off guard when it took so long for Ben and Lexi to really meet....it was like only half a love story. But the love story we eventually got was AWESOME. Lexi and Ben together had all the chemistry, all the feels, and all the fun flirty banter that I love.
And while I was prepared for the Reed plot point, I guess I was saddened that Reed really hadn't learned his lesson, and so it was like I didn't get the closure from Reed and Caroline's story that I was wanting.... But isn't that kind of like real life too? Who learns those lessons right away and doesn't f up again? So I'm torn.... But that's probably contributing to the round down anyways.
Thoroughly enjoyed this whole series, and loved seeing sweet Lexi find her HEA!
And while I was prepared for the Reed plot point, I guess I was saddened that Reed really hadn't learned his lesson, and so it was like I didn't get the closure from Reed and Caroline's story that I was wanting.... But isn't that kind of like real life too? Who learns those lessons right away and doesn't f up again? So I'm torn.... But that's probably contributing to the round down anyways.
Spoiler
All in all this book was kind of morbidly fascinating -- who puts together a rape victim who didn't get justice with a guy falsely accused of rape?? I mean, it all played out rather well in the end, but seriously Ms. Swank...you go for the jugular!Thoroughly enjoyed this whole series, and loved seeing sweet Lexi find her HEA!