Kate, a 'freshman' at college, is hiding the fact that
she's
really 29 and trying to do college again like she failed
to
before. Carter, her sexy RA, is hiding how attracted he is
to Kate, so he doesn't have to tell her about the shadows
in
his own freshman year past. Together, they navigate around
the truth as they get closer and closer, but the harder
they
fall, the more the truth needs to come out.
When I first started AGAIN, I was a little hesitant. I
love
college settings, but a main character posing as a ten
years
younger version of herself had me a bit skeptical.
However,
the more I got to know Kate and her story, the more I
couldn't help rooting for her to find her happiness. Lisa
Burstein does a wonderful job of challenging the reader to
examine what it means to want a second chance and what one
might do for that.
Through Kate, readers see a character who has experienced
a
lot of pain and is facing the toughest person to stand up
to: yourself. Alongside her, and bringing in seriously
delicious scenes, is Carter, whose own story is hard to
hear
but all the more realistic for it. I love how
they get to know each other in a way that doesn't feel
rushed but never leaves you bored and waiting for
something
swoony to happen.
As much as I love the story, I do wish some parts had been
expanded on, like Kate's journey up to this point and more
about the side characters, Veronica and Dawn. However,
that
does just make me hope that there might be more from
Burstein in the future with these characters.
Overall, if you're looking for a new adult with a little
different premise, AGAIN would be an excellent pick. From
hot study sessions to emotionally moving new love
connections, Lisa Burstein delivers a story you don't want
to miss.
How far would you go for a second chance? Eleven years after flunking out of college, Kate has finally hit rock-bottom. Losing her job and boyfriend in one drunken night, she's determined to fix her life by going back to the moment when she let partying and sex take over. And do things right this time. At twenty-nine, she heads back to freshman year of college, with a catch. Pretending she's nineteen with a new roommate and full class schedule is easy. When she meets her shy, sexy and seven-years-younger RA, Carter, following her self-imposed sobriety and celibacy rules is proving to be anything but. A senior enduring years of regret, Carter is more than ready to graduate. He's anxious to move on from the party his freshman year where he witnessed his frat brothers about to commit a sexual assault. Instead of doing the right thing and stepping in, he looked the other way and left. His guilt has made for a lonely four years. When he meets the new freshman on his floor, spunky and confident Kate, he wonders if his time as an outcast has finally come to an end. Kate and Carter's growing friendship and undeniable attraction make it harder to hide the demons from their respective pasts. But when their secrets are finally revealed, will their chance at starting over together still be there?