Book Nerds Across America

In this grippingly emotional New Adult novel from the author of Caged in Winter, what you want isn’t always what you need…

I've had the opportunity to go to numerous bookish events over the years, but I have never been to any ALA (American Library Association) ones. Over the years I have heard many good things, so I decided 2015 was my year! So much of the fun of this conference was in the planning. I am a Florida girl, as you may know. ALA Midwinter 2015 took place in Chicago. In January. You have no idea how many times I heard, "You're to Chicago? in January??" But I pulled out my biggest coat and all my winter gear, and I hopped on the plane Friday evening.

I was lucky enough to be sharing the experience with some amazing bloggers -- Ana from Owl Always Be Reading, Leydy from Once Upon a Twilight, and Danielle from Love at First Page.

My beautiful partners in book obsession.

Book Summary
Aspiring chef Cade Maxwell is immediately, viscerally attracted to Winter Jacobson. But it’s not her mouthwatering curves he’s drawn to—it’s the strange emptiness in her eyes. When Cade saves her from a drunken customer with grabby hands, he’s shocked at her response…... 
Winter doesn’t need Cade’s help. After a lifetime of getting by on her own, she’s happy to rely on herself. She’s exactly seventy-six days away from graduating college, and if she can hold it together that long, she’ll finally be able to rise above the crappy hand she was dealt. 
But now, every time she turns around, Cade is there, ready to push her, smile at her, distract her from her plans. Winter knows she can’t afford to open up—especially to a man she’s terrified to actually want….

Flo's Review
I've had a copy of Caged in Winter for awhile now, but hadn't gotten the chance to read it. However, when I learned that Brighton would be at the ALA Midwinter Conference in Chicago, I took the book as my read for the plane in hopes that I could get her to sign it at the show. And Brighton's the sweetest, y'all! But let's talk about this book--

I really enjoyed reading about Cade and Winter. Cade is one of those characters who is not what he appears to be. He has tattoos and piercings and a strong physical presence, but at heart he is loving and self-sacrificing to a fault. Winter goes on the biggest emotional journey in the book, but Cade has one as well. It was nice to see him listen to his friends, family, and Winter and take a look at the life he's been living from another perspective. His sister Tessa and Winter both make him re-evaluate his staunch position. Everything he has done and continues to do is out of love, but the giving needs to wrap back around to himself as well.

Watching Cade break down Winter's barriers was a beautiful thing. I love that it started with a simple walk to the bus stop after work and then grew from there. That's the type of story you tell the grandkids, you know?!? "I walked her from work to the bus stop day after day until she gave me the time of day." Winter was able to put on a front at work, but Cade saw right through that and saw her underneath. *swoons* At times I was like, "C'mon Winter!!!" with her stubbornness and her refusal to let him in, but her hesitation made sense. But when she is finally able to look at her life and her choices in another way, thanks to Cade and Annette, it heartening to see things with her through new eyes.

I need the next book, Tessa Ever After, in my life immediately.