Raine by J.C.Valentine-Review and Blog Tour
Raine
by J.C. Valentine
Genre: new adult, contemporary
Release Date: October 7, 2014
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 7, 2014
Shy.
Intelligent.
Naive.
Statistic.
Raine Forester was an average girl leading an average life. She slipped beneath everyone’s radar, until Camron Moss, the most popular guy in school, took interest in her and changed everything.
Some acts are unforgivable.
Raine thought she’d been accepted. She thought she was one of them. She thought she was in love… until one moment made her realize she’d trusted the wrong person. Lies are told, hearts get broken, secrets are revealed, and sometimes, true love is found in the least likely places.
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REVIEW: RAINE is a stand alone, contemporary, new adult storyline from author J.C. Valentine. The premise focuses on a year in the life of high school senior Raine Forester and the actions of a boy that almost destroyed that life.
The storyline follows Raine in the aftermath of an assault that not only destroyed her reputation but destroyed her family as well. Shy, introverted and unpopular Raine is as much surprised as anyone else when the most popular and rich boy at school, Camron Moss, asks her out. For two months, Raine’s life is sunshine and happiness until the night of their senior prom where not only will the truth be revealed but her life will be ruined in the process. Enter Jarret Moss, Camron’s older brother and the only person who will stand up for Raine when the going gets rough.
The relationship between Jarret and Raine is one born out of necessity. With no place to go, Jarret offers Raine a place to stay but accepting the invitation places Raine in direct contact with her ex-boyfriend’s family and friends. As the storyline builds, so too does the relationship between Jarret and Raine-one that could end disastrously if Jarret’s family has anything to say.
The premise outline and secondary characters are similar in context to many young adult (YA) storylines including the mean girl, the jealousy, the set up, the revenge, and the ever present vindictive parents and manipulating ex yet the storyline has been labeled new adult. This is a story about a young eighteen year old girl who is targeted by the school bullies and snobs, and in doing so, will destroy a young woman’s reputation before she has had a chance to blossom and grow. Raine must grow up rather quickly when life as she knows it changes in the blink of an eye. Jarret and Raine are likeable characters, if not heartbreakingly so, given the context of each of their lives. We never do learn why it is Raine is targeted by the school snobs-why she will become the pawn in a dare-and in this I was left wondering where it all began.
Overall, the story was an easy read with a familiar and interesting premise but there were moments where the storyline was choppy as though pieces of information were missing. I would have liked some more background information about both of the leading characters but the storyline focused on ‘one year in the life’ more than their history or what led up to the pivotal storyline moment. My major concern is the lack of development with the leading characters considering everything that happened in the story and the lack of resolution in some of the pivotal plot points (ie Jarret’s paintings and their significance to the overall story); weeks and months pass without a glimpse into Raine and Jarret’s growing relationship, or knowing what has happened to some of the other game players in the ensuing time.
RAINE is a heartbreaking tale of betrayal and hurt that will be all too familiar for some readers but it is a storyline with a happily ever after and in the end, it is the happily ever after that everyone wants.
Copy supplied by the tour promoter.
Reviewed by Sandy
The man was built.
She knew Jarret must take good care of himself just by the perfect way in which his clothes hugged his body, as if they wanted to get closer and never let him go. Pretty much what she suspected most girls felt like when they set eyes on him.
Then he’d come down the stairs soaking wet from his shower and wrapped only in a towel, and he’d blown whatever lame ass fantasy she might have had about him right out the window.
Jarret was absolute perfection. He was all honed muscle that a man his age shouldn’t be able to have, and that only came with years of hard work and dedication.
Not that she was an expert in bodybuilding, but she’d seen the kind of constant, strenuous activity Camron and his teammates performed in order to get and stay in shape for the season.
Having her hands wrapped around all that muscle made her stomach flutter, and when Jarret tilted her head to the side and deepened the kiss, her legs threatened to give out. It was a good thing she was already sitting down.
Snaking one arm around her, Jarret crushed Raine against his chest. His other hand still cupping her face moved to the back of her head, closing in a fist around her hair, and held her tight as he plunged his tongue inside her mouth.
Holy crap, the man could kiss, too.
Raine wasn’t new to kissing. Camron had taught her much, but Jarret’s mouth felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Good Lord, she hoped it wasn’t.
His lips were a contradiction—soft but firm, hard but forgiving, demanding but cautious. The longer it went on, the more her body craved. Raine let out a whimper as he nipped her bottom lip with his teeth, and gripped him tighter, wanting more, wanting everything.
He’d turned something on inside of her, like a switch. Something she didn’t know she wanted, but now had to have. Desperately.
Instead of giving her body what it craved, Jarret pulled away. Her head still spinning from the amazing kiss, Raine fell forward. Grabbing her shoulders, Jarret steadied her.
His lips glistened from her kiss, and Raine couldn’t seem to take her eyes off them. Never taking his eyes from hers, Jarret wiped his lips dry with his fingertips. Taking a deep breath, he motioned to the living room.
“I’m going to get dressed then order a movie.”
USA Today Bestselling author J.C. Valentine is the alter-ego of Brandi Salazar, whose enjoyment of tales of romance spurred her to branch out and create her own.
She lives in the Northwest with her husband, their wild children, and far too many pets. As a university student, she studies literature, which goes well with her dream of becoming an editor. Brandi entertains a number of hobbies including reading and photography, but her first love is writing fiction-in all its forms.
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