Right of First Refusal

Loved seeing Cait's growth towards recognizing what was best for her and prioritizing that, even when people in her family didn't understand; loved her chemistry with Mase; and more than anything else, love Cait's lady BFFs.

Enjoyed RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL just as much as I enjoyed the first book in the Radleigh University series, even if it did take me longer to read. One of my favorite things about this story, as weird as this sounds, was that the sex scenes and romantic arc weren't always front and center. (Although the sex scenes that did show up were scorching.) Don't get me wrong--I loved watching Cait reconnect with Mase and discover that she still had major feelings for him, but I really appreciated that the rest of her problems weren't shunted aside or under-developed in favor of romance. She still had to handle her dad's impending re-marriage, as well as her own complicated feelings for the woman who was going to be her new stepmother. She still had to balance being a star athlete and being a good student, which is an issue I'd love to see more NA books address. And on a personal level, she had to weigh her own history with Mase against his current relationship, and decide whether it was worth threatening that relationship to try and fight for him herself. There are no easy answers or simple solutions here. Cait makes plenty of choices that she comes to regret, and she still has to live with those choices at the end of the story. At the same time, she's also shaping her future and making decisions based on what's best for her, and not what the other characters want her to do, which is so freaking important. Personally, I've always thought that one of the hardest things about being in your twenties is learning to take control of your own life, regardless of what other people say or think. Props to Dahlia Adler for writing openly and honestly about a character who learns to do the same.

Dahlia Adler is officially one of my favorite authors of all time. I have read all her books so far, except for Last Will and Testament, which I will be sure to read soon. I loved three of the four and very much liked the other. I just want to keep reading more Dahlia Adler books, because they are seriously so good. Everything about this book was just so good. The characters were fully developed, the voice was strong, and the pace was great, making it easy for me to speed through this book. My favorite thing about this book was, without a doubt, the Cait Lizzie Frankie friendship trio. They were supportive of each other, and I loved how it was clear that they really knew each other, including random details about the other's lives from before they knew each other. Also, I loved Lizzie and Frankie both so much in this book, so I now definitely need to read their books. The interactions among the group were often hilarious. This book also dealt with some family issues. Cait's dad is marrying his receptionist who he got pregnant. He also scheduled the wedding for the day of the lacrosse championships against Cait's wishes. Cait isn't happy with him for this. He also is moving all the way across the country and wants Cait to transfer to a school in California, which isn't what she wants. The book shows the contrast between Cait's relationship with her dad and her sister, Cammie's, relationship with him. Cammie doesn't care if she ruins her relationship with him because that already happened a while ago. She has been against their dad for a while. Cait, on the other hand, had a good relationship with him, but it is becoming messed up by the choices that he makes in this book. The romance was good, but it wasn't my favorite thing about this book. Mase was a good guy though, and I did like seeing the development of his romance with Cait occurring for the second time. The situation was awkward at first, due to him dating her new roommate. I thought this was dealt with realistically in showing his relationship with Andi vs. his relationship with Cait and the differences. I also thought the problems between Andi and Cait due to this were dealt with well and made sense. I also really enjoyed the plot with Jake. He was Cait's friend and a really nice guy. I really liked him and their friendship. There was a period of time that they pretended to date to hide that he was gay. They were really good as friends and supportive to each other and to their relationships. If you like NA, or even if you don't like the usual NA, read this book.

This is the perfect book to read in a hammock on a beautiful spring day. Right of First Refusal is a fun, laid back New Adult novel with engaging and diverse characters, and well executed dialogue. In the second installment of the Radleigh University series, Caitlin devotes all her time and energy to her lacrosse team. She's set her eyes on being named captain but of course life gets in the way. Her new roommates arrives for the new semester with Cait's ex-boyfriend, Lawrence Mason, in tow. Her father wants to marry his young, pregnant fiance the same day as the lacrosse playoff championship game. Cait finds herself torn between family obligations and her attraction to Mase, even though he's taken. I read this book in one day and loved every second of it. It is definitely one of my favorite reads by this author! Can't wait for the third installment Out On Good Behavior to come out in June!