Flat-Out Love

Sparkling Characters and Dialogue!

Oh man, I had to fight with myself to not try to read this book too quickly. I didn't want it to end (the mark of a really good book). Julie moves into her mom's old college roommate's house with her and her family. Off the bat, Julie notices something is wrong with the family. They all seem to be living different lives under the same roof. There's a mystery here but Julie doesn't know if she'll figure out what's going on.

I kind of figured out what was going on pretty early in the book but the secret is so strange and interesting, I couldn't help but keep reading to figure out what was really going on and how everything was going to come together. Park does a great job of giving hints little by little. I kind of want to go back and read the book again to see if there were any hints that I missed.

I really, really liked how the dialogue was written. I thought Park did a great job capturing the different voices of all the characters. I also really liked how Park was able to incorporate using Julie, Finn and Matt's Facebook statuses to set the scene of each chapter.

This is a great book for YA lovers. I think you're in for a real treat.

Bottom line: This is a fun read with sparkling dialogue and characters that you will really fall in love with.

8 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

It's not often that I'm sucked into a book as bad as I was with

It's not often that I'm sucked into a book as bad as I was with this one. Maybe it's just me trying to re-live my college days (just turned 30) or maybe I'm just a sucker for reading about the young love I never experienced, but this book was great! I thought something hokey was going on and I did figure out what really happened about half way through, but that didn't change anything. I shed some tears towards the end and snickered quite a few times. The storyline wasn't far out there, it was something that could actually (or maybe already did) happen to someone/some family. I thought the dialogue between Julie and her professor was well placed and provided insight into what was really going on in the family.

Good, easy and fast read. :)

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Beautifully Compelling Story- Must Read!

Let me just get this out there, I LOVED this book. This is one of those books that captures your attention and pulls you through the book at an alarming speed. I didn't want to put the book down; I stayed up to obscene hours of the night reading just because it was that good.
Julie Seagle has always tried to fit in but hasn't really found her place in the world. She believes that college is the new start for her, so she embarks on this journey in Boston miles away from everyone she knows. She finds herself a victim of a craigslist scam and with no home or money; she does the only thing an eighteen year can she calls home. Out of pure desperation she finds herself staying a couple of days with her mom's college friend. This is where the journey begins for Julie.
This story was about finding yourself and helping others in the process. You also get a look into the lives of a very dysfunctional family. Julie finds herself tangled in the mix of what makes this family run and how they deal with some of the issues that they are faced. The romance in the story wasn't rushed but perfectly paced and the timing of the events was on point. I didn't' feel like I was being rushed through the story at all. Usually when you read a book you connect with the main character and don't always connect with the secondary characters, this isn't the case in this book. I connected with all of the characters, Julie, Celeste, Matt, Finn and Erin they each brought something to the story with their unique traits. The story was intricately woven to pull you through this emotional rollercoaster ride with Julie.
There were moments in the book when I laughed out loud, found myself smiling, and then there were times when I cried.
I loved the Facebook updates in the beginning of each chapter, I thought they were genius. There was also a sky diving scene that I loved, the description has me mesmerized and ready to jump out of a plane.
This is one of the few books that actually stole my heart and I was sad to see it end. This book had me enchanted well after I turned the last page.
I am not a very big fan of YA contemporary but this story was the exception. If you haven't read it, you definitely need to. You would be so glad you did.
I give this book 5 stars!

5 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

Romance and Laughs ~ Absolutely Delicious!!

I found myself chuckling out loud at many places in this story, Julie finds herself stuck with no apartment when she moves to Boston as a college freshman, and her mom calls her old college roomie who welcomes Julie into their home. It turns out to be a house filled with lots of mysteries, absentee parents, two brothers, Finn, the traveling older hottie brother, and Matt, the cute geek brother, and Celeste, the very mixed up younger sister. Even as the romance between Julie and Finn heats up on Facebook, could Matt be falling for her too? So much sexual tension in one house makes for a GREAT BOOK!! As a side-note, I loved how every chapter begins with each main characters' Facebook statuses. Readers from 16-50 will enjoy this. The humor reminded me of Bridget Jones.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND-A WONDERFUL WONDERFUL STORY

If you love to laugh and cry...read this book. It was so touching and wonderful. I keep re-reading my favorite parts. Jessica has really created wonderful characters, each with their own story. It's about sadness, family life, love....everything that we have experienced. Jessica has included social networking and writes with passion and zeal. I am going to buy a paper copy and give it to my library. This is a must read. Thank goodness...NO VAMPIRES or anything squishy!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Flat-Out Amazing!

I loved this book! I loved it so much that I had to tweet about it after finishing it. I loved it so much that I'm already considering how long I should wait before re-reading it. Yes, I loved it that much. There was just a really special feel about this book. It totally gripped me in this really interesting way, and I hope that my descriptions can do it justice.

What I really loved about this book is that it is the perfect mix of family issues and love and romance. It is filled with impecible characterizations: even the smallest characters had personality. No one felt like they were just a filler name and face. Julie, our main character, is lovely. I felt like I knew her. In fact, all of the main characters felt real to me. It was a true family unit, and I cared about their situation.

Contemporary romance is one of my favourites, and the romance in this one is amazing because it's a slow building, feel it in your stomach kind of love. I also love love when it's not the only story being told, because that's what real life is. Life is messy, with all kinds of issues getting in the way, and 'Flat-Out Love' doesn't shy away from that. Like I said, this is also a story about a family and their issues. That drama spearheads the book and has the spotlight just as much as the romance does. My one minor qualm is that I wish there had been more about Julie's first year in college, since that was what the book started off being about. However, I can understand why other things were focused on, and it didn't minimize my enjoyment of the book.

Basically, this book just grabbed me and drew me in. The romance was quiet but lovely, and the family drama was always there, whether it be in the foreground or background. At times this story is intense with emotion, and other times it's just funny, or sentimental, or silly. It has a delightful quirkiness to it (a whole character that is a lifesized cut-out of the absent brother? what?), yet you can tell throughout the story that there's some deeper, possibly sinister, reality to it all. Unravelling the whole plot was fascinating, even when I made some correct guesses before Julie did herself. I don't often say that I highly recommend a book, but in this case: I highly recommend this book! Please check it out and support this awesome self-published author who has a ton of talent.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Really good

Liked this book a lot. Good, interesting story. I did figure out the secret, but still liked it. Great storyline. (On a separate note I was a bit turned off by the author's 'lecture' at the front of the book about not using illegal file sharing sites. I personally did not appreciate this especially after paying for the book. Not everyone is accessing books illegally. There was probably a nicer way to get her point across).

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

<3333

I really loved this book. Started off slow in the beginning but overall AMAZING. Gave me stomach flips from the romance. (Reminds me of perfect chemistry) :)

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Kritters Ramblings

A wonderful mix of quirky and smart humor. At the center we have a freshmen headed to school left without housing and must call on a distant family friend for temporary housing. This housing becomes anything but temporary and I am not sure even after finishing if she affected the family more or if the family she stayed with affected her more - up for debate. A few twists and turns, some I predicted, some came out of nowhere, but all fit great into the story.

The one issue that affects the entire family - I was able to predict from pretty early on. But you know what, it didn't ruin the reading for me. I actually enjoyed it because I was able to spend the book waiting for the main character to find out what I already knew and how she found out and when she would find out.

I don't often compare books to other books and things, but each time I cracked this book open it took me back to the days of watching Gilmore Girls. Have you ever read something and known that the conversation was just bouncing back and forth, well this book's quick conversations kept me going - I loved it.

A book worth picking up on your next trip to the bookstore.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

AHG!!!!!!

WHAT WAS THE SECRET!!!!!!!! STOP GIVING TEASERS!!!!!!

1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Very Predictable but Cute

Took only a short read to figure out what was to happen in this story. But it is cute and rather stupid. A pleasant enough journey, though I was waiting for it to end too early in the book. The characters are somewhat flat as is the overall love affair which is the basis on which the book is built. But take it for a day and that is enough.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

AMAZING!

This book was one of the BEST books i have ever read on my nook. It keeps you interested and intrigued. It also gives you a surprise twist ending. Once you start reading this, you'll be hooked. I wouldnt recommend you a crappy book. If you like a good, page turning, stay up way too late, cry afew tears, and laugh out loud kinda of book....get this one! Its a very good read. Inspiring actually. Hats off to the author! Superb job and thanks for writing such a amazing book....and if you are thinking about buying it....do it! I promise its worth it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I Flat Out Loved This Book

I will start with a confession about myself. While growing up and looking forward to summer break, I was not like most of my friends. They were excited about lazy days of playing, family vacations to the beach, and sleeping in. My biggest thrill was going to the library and devouring as many books as I could get my hands on. I was raised by my Aunt and Uncle who both worked full time jobs, it would be it's own novel to explain my upbringing and family dynamics. My escape was reading. I could travel, make new friends, learn new things all from the magic that is books. Even now I have carried that love of the written word into my summers. I ran across this book while browsing about Young Adult Writers. My interest came from reading the Hunger Game Series. This book caught my attention after reading so many positive reviews. I am so glad it happened. It is a wonderful story, and i finished it in record time. If you are a Facebook member then the way this book incorporates it into the story will entertain you. I recommend it to anyone from a young teen and up. It is witty, sad, romantic, and best of all has a happy ending. You will fall in love with the characters and if your like me, miss them once the book ends. I give it a full five stars!

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Read this book

Loved loved loved this book. I finished it yesterday and still retain feelings about it! Amazing book!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Flat-Out Love this book!

In some ways, this was a modern tale of Mary Poppins, only this family is a bit more tragic. While Julie is seeking independence from home and moves away to attend college, she moves in with a family friend. Witnessing firsthand how far independence can push away people, how pain and time do stand still when not dealt with, and that people only see what they want, Julie faces some hard truths and realizes that nothing is ever at it seems.

I FLAT-OUT LOVE this book, love the characters, and thought the book dealt with issues everyone can resonate with. I cried, I laughed, and overall enjoyed this book!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

SHEER AWESOMENESS!!

I flat out loved Flat Out Love.
This story is so well written it pulled me right into it. I started thinking about it being one of my daughters going off to school and how they would react if their housing fell through and they were hundreds of miles away. I felt an immediate personal attachment to Julie. Thankfully she was a very mature college freshman because she was dropped into a very extraordinary situation.

This is a true contemporary romance complete with the snippets of social media, a good bit of humor and mystery too. I have to say I ran the whole gambit of emotions while reading this wonderful story. The characters are eccentric, off beat and you may even use the word peculiar, but they are written so true that you can't help to fall for each and every one. You will also be surprised, shocked, mad, sad, heartbroken, happy and joyful all in the span of less than 400 pages. You will be laughing out loud one minute and ready to reach into the pages and slap a character the next. Plus the love story is amazing.

This book hit me in a whole different way that any book I have read in a long time. Yes, I loved it as I have others, but this book was FUN!!! It was like a day out with a good friend, a day you didn't want to end. I found it to be inspiring. I immediately handed it to my 20 year old daughter and said "you have to read this!"

There are very few books that I would call awesome, this is an AWESOME book. This book has earned a place on my keeper shelf because I know I am going to want to take this journey again and again. Five stars does not cover it, this book is off the charts.

Have your ordered your copy yet? I am telling you this is a must read, A MUST READ!!! Then please come back and share your thoughts with me. I want to talk to everyone I know about this book!!!

Jessica Park you have hit this one out of the park!!!!!!! I can't wait to read whatever you are working on next!!!!




Disclosure of Material Connection: This book is from my private collection I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

BookWhisperer Review: Flat-Out Love

Flat-Out Love is a heart stopping love story that took my breath away. This young girl that finds herself about to begin college, and homeless after being scammed through the internet. Luckily, a family that happens to be her mother college buddy takes her in. Julie seems to make a sudden acclimation into this family. I was impressed by the author's ability to keep this from seeming unrealistic. It was entertaining to see the seeming sibling banter between Julie and Matt, and the older sister role that Julie embraces with Celeste. As the story begins to unravel the courage is evident in Julie to embrace the situation; rather than move on. She becomes determined to find a way to help Celeste and the rest of her family. She is aware that everything happening with Celeste is not only a danger to her, but Matt as well in that he no longer has a life of his own. Knowing full well that this was a romance novel; the author was creative in establishing relations with various characters. Readers will question "Is this it?" throughout the story. Although, I must say that once you have begun the romance it clear and concise. With a twist it this relationship it will transform, but it still breath taking throughout. This is by far one of the best romances I have read in my book blogging journey. This will definitely be a story that I will read many times over. I found myself up way into the morning hours just to finish this truly lovable story. The wit and charm of the novel with carry readers way. With just the right mixture of love, loss, and tragedy Flat-Out Love promises for a memorable spectacular read.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A Must Read

Humorous, thoughtful, clever, and at times heartbreaking, FLAT-OUT LOVE is about love, loss, and the great lengths a family will go to protect one of their own. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll root for that seemingly elusive happily ever after. No doubt about it, FLAT-OUT LOVE is flat-out fabulous.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great NA novel.

I bought this book for an easy read for an 8 hour plane ride to and from Germany, and I'm so happy I did. I was just getting ready to enter my freshman year of college, so it was wonderful having a book that I could really connect to. Jessica Park wrote this book beautifully and I was a bit sad when I finished it because I didn't want it to be over. If you're looking for a good New Adult fiction book (especially if you're just getting ready to start college), I highly recommend this. So wonderful.

wheres the ebook????

wheres the ebook????