{YA Review} Almost by Anne Eliot

{YA Review} Almost by Anne Eliot

At a freshman party she doesn't remember, Jess Jordan was almost raped.

...Almost. Very nearly. Not quite. Three years later, Jess has managed to make everyone believe she's better. Over it. Because she is.

...Almost. Very nearly. Not quite.

Unfortunately, until Jess proves she's back to normal activities, her parents won't discuss college. So, she lands a summer internship and strikes a deal with hockey jock, Gray Porter: He gets $8,000. She gets a fake boyfriend and a social life.

Jess has no idea Gray signed on for reasons other than money. She also never expects to fall in love. But Gray’s amazingly hot, holds her hand all the time, and makes her forget that he’s simply doing his job. It’s like having a real boyfriend.

...Almost. Very nearly. Not quite.

Gray Porter is hiding secrets of his own. About Jess Jordan. About why he’s driven to protect her, why he won't cash her checks, or deny her anything she asks. (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} Kindle Edition, 366 pages, Published by Butterfly Books, (first published February 1st 2012) Source: Kindle lending library

{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it!

{Review}

"The third Red Bull was a mistake." (page 1, line 1)

Gray. It is impossible NOT to be smitten with him. He's sweet, he's quirky - he mutters to himself - he quotes Mr. Darcy (even if it is the Keira Knightley version). I loved the way he was with Jess, kind, respectful, refusing to be off-put by the attitude she uses to push everyone else away. He's guilty and conflicted, trying to do the right thing - and that right thing is sometimes the wrong thing.

Jess is a complicated character. She's an expert at keeping everyone at a distance. She's an expert at pretending. She's goal oriented, determined, she's got mad, er bad, text messaging skills. It's heartwrenching watching Jess struggle, struggle with her assault, with not being okay, with letting people in, with having feelings for a boy - a boy she paid to date her.

The pacing was great as Eliot showed the growing relationship between Jess and Gray and the slow reveal of the night she was almost raped. It's not all so dark and heavy, there are moments of levity and joy and there's a swoon worthy first kiss. Eliot is big on first kisses, see Unmaking Hunter Kennedy, another of Anne Eliot's books and another note worthy first kiss.