Double Clutch by Liz Reinhardt Review

Double Clutch by Liz Reinhardt
★★★★★
Release Date: September 6, 2011
Age: Older Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: e-book
Source: Author
Buy it: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Smashwords

What happens when you fall for the perfect guy...twice...in one day? Brenna Blixen spent her freshman year homeschooling in Denmark; now that she's back in the States, she's determined to make her sophomore year unforgettable. And by unforgettable, she imagined awesome classes, fun friendships, and maybe a little romance. What she got was a whole lot of romance, and all at once. The same day that dark, brooding Saxon Maclean charmed her with his killer good looks and whip-smart wit, Jake Kelly stole her breath away with his heart-wrenching smile and intelligent, thoughtful focus. But Saxon is a proud player who makes it clear that he doesn't know why he can't get Brenna off of his mind and out of his system, and Jake's sweet and humble attitude hides a secret past life that might be darker and more complex than Brenna is willing to deal with. Complicating the matter is the fact that Saxon and Jake were once best friends and are now arch-enemies...and the more Brenna finds out about their connection to each other, the more intrigued and worried she becomes. Between keeping the peace with her lovingly over-protective parents, designing t-shirts for her high school's rising punk band, keeping up her grades in classes split between academic and technical high school, and running the track like a maniac, Brenna has enough to worry about with out juggling two guys who make her heart thud and drive her crazy all at once. She has to make a choice, but how is she supposed to do that when giving her heart to one of them might mean breaking the other's?

Did you ever pull petals off a flower while saying "He loves me, he loves me not." Yeah... Me either... But if Brenna had, I think she would say something like; "Jake. Saxon. Jake. Saxon." One word that pops into my head when thinking about Double Clutch, juicy. After putting this book down my first thought was, how am I going to get ahold of book 2?

Throughout this book I did one thing consistently, grin. It's a remarkable story that so many of us can relate to, being young and in love. It really brought me back to high school with the drama and growing up we all go through and, it especially reminded me of the hormones and emotions we deal with. Oh to be a teenager again, I don't know that I would willingly go back if given the opportunity, but I enjoy reading great books like this one that make me recall the "good old days".

Brenna is an incredibly fun character to follow. She's one of those beautiful girls who don't flaunt it and is very down to earth. I love the details about her that set her apart; from her graphic design nature and artistic flair, to her ability to stand up for herself. She's a good girl, but is also a lot of fun to be around.

I love contemporary romances because they can happen, and Double Clutch is no exception. There's no element to this book that is out stretched, it's a true realistic fiction. Double Clutch is a very real and emotional book, once I got into this story there was no putting it down! I cannot wait to read book 2 (have I mentioned that?), I'm hooked!

Jake and Saxon, two very different boys that I love equally (for the most part). Liz Reinhardt has successfully created the best love triangle EVER! If you're not a fan of love triangles, this probably isn't the book for you. The story centers around Brenna and her relationships with the pain Saxon and the sweet Jake. While I am team Jake all the way, I understand Saxon's appeal. What I loved most about these two characters is how damaged they both are. Neither is perfect, both have baggage and it makes them raw and truly human. It's not a clear choice for Brenna, as she clearly has feelings for both boys.

Liz Reinhardt's writing will make your heart race, she writes the most blood pumping kissing scenes imaginable. Double Clutch is a fun read, that will make you reminisce about those high school days and relive your first relationship and all of those relationships you wished you'd had the guts to initiate. Life is never easy, and Liz does a phenomenal job highlighting that in this great YA contemporary romance!

A Little About Liz

Liz Reinhardt was born and raised in the idyllic beauty of northwest NJ. A move to the subtropics of coastal Georgia with her daughter and husband left her with a newly realized taste for the beach and a bloated sunscreen budget. Right alongside these new loves is her old, steadfast affection and longing for bagels and the fast-talking foul mouths of her youth. She loves Raisinettes, even if they aren't really candy, the Oxford comma, movies that are hilarious or feature zombies, any and all books, but especially romance (the smarter and hotter, the better), the sound of her daughter's incessantly wise and entertaining chatter, and watching her husband work on cars in the driveway. You can read her blog at www.elizabethreinhardt.blogspot.com

I also got to ask the very talented Liz a few questions about her book and herself!

1. Why Denmark? Is it somewhere you've been or would like to go?
My father was born in Denmark. He was actually born there during the Nazi occupation. As a little boy, he helped his family hide a Jewish friend and his mother by pretending they were family. He also met King Christian X when the king rode through the streets of Copenhagen wearing a Star of David to show his support for Danish Jews. My dad became a US citizen, but we've always loved Denmark! When I was 12 my parents got a Danish exchange student, and when I was 14 I spent my whole summer in Denmark with him and his family. It was amazing! I can't wait to take my husband and daughter there!

2. Art is something found all over the pages of Double Clutch. Brenna has a knack for graphic design, her mother's love for art history, Kelsie's jewelry making, is art a passion of yours? Do have any artistic hobbies? Besides writing of course. I am actually an art history major! I had a dual major in art history and women's studies. I am a huge admirer of art, but have absolutely not visually artistic bends! But I must attract artsy people. Kelsie's love of art is based on my best friend from high school, Jessie, who actually creates her own fabulous jewelry in Vermont. My husband is also certified in graphic design from our county's vocational school. Sadly, I'm a mess at art! My daughter made a picture when she was four, I took a picture and put it on Facebook, and some of my friends said I'd done a great job! Hahaha! So, my art level is right around a four-year-old's!

3. I love the name Folly for the band. What kind of music do you listen to? Any favorite artists or bands? Folly was actually a real Sussex County, NJ band! My apologies to the guys of Folly if they are still together. I never really listened to them, but my sister dated every one of their drummers ;)! I am a big, big indie listener! I love new, crazy bands as well as the grunge and alternative of my teen years! Right now, I'm obsessed with Mumford and Sons, Joanna Newsom, the Avett Brothers, Iron and Wine, and Lenka. It drives my husband nuts! I'm thinking of getting the music that inspired my books together and burning CDs for any fans, maybe in a contest or something. My husband said I'll drive away anyone who likes my books with my weird music tastes! Haha!
Thank you so much for your awesome questions! I really enjoyed being on your blog!!

Thank you Liz! I hope everyone takes a peak at this amazing book and series!