Because of Low Review

Because of Low by Abbi Glines
The story of Marcus Hardy of Abbi's novel, Breathe
★★★★★
Release Date: February 2012
Age: Mature Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Realistic Fiction
Format: e-book
Source: bought
Buy it: Amazon

Marcus Hardy had hoped to enjoy a year away at college while he put the summer he’d rather forget behind him. But instead, he’s jerked right back to the coastal town of Sea Breeze, Alabama due to a family crisis. His dear ol' dad found himself a girlfriend only a few years older than Marcus. So now his sister needs help dealing with their mother who is mentally falling apart. The only bright spot to returning is the fascinating red head who sleeps over several times a week. The problem is she's sleeping in bed with his new roommate, Cage Watson. Willow “Low” Foster needs a place to live. Running to Cage’s apartment every time her sister kicks her out isn’t exactly a long term solution. Juggling her courses at the local community college and a part time job doesn’t produce excess income. But Cage has a new roommate and suddenly sleeping over at her best friend’s apartment isn’t such a bad thing. Not when she gets to see those sexy green eyes of Marcus Hardy’s twinkle when he smiles at her like he wants her there. Even though Cage seems a little territorial where Low is concerned, Marcus finds time to spend with Low without upsetting his roommate. Cage may use his small college baseball star persona to sleep with every hot female in his path but he’s still under the disillusion that when he’s through sowing his wild oats, he’s going to marry Low. Marcus intends to change that assumption for both Cage and Low. Until his carefully laid plans come crashing down with a revelation he never expected. He’ll have to choose between Low or his family. Because once the truth comes out.... there’s no other choice.

Despite what my husband believes, I had to buy this book! He sees my massive review and TBR piles and thinks I have enough books to last me a lifetime, but we all know that's not true. Abbi Glines has quickly become one of my favorite authors and I look forward to reading her real and simply astounding novels.

Having family in Alabama (Gurley, Huntsville, and Paint Rock Valley) I can picture the setting of Abbi's books perfectly. What's great about her stories though is that really they could take place anywhere. She creates  some of the most emotional characters to fall in love with and relate to, in what I would call "Any-Town America". This book still has me grinning. I purchased it last night, stayed up late to finish it. Tweeted about how much I loved it and went to bed thinking about the magnificent love story and personal journeys these characters underwent. Just like in her other books: The Vincent Boys and Breathe, Abbi Glines creates a book to read over and over again and love more each time!

Marcus Hardy definitely caught my attention when I read Breathe, I even rooted for him a little. And, Because of Low gave me more reason to gawk at such a well developed and fun character. I would recommend reading Breathe before reading this one, just so that you can meet Marcus and get to know him a little before taking this plunge into his life, the background nice guy in Breathe is still a very nice and very sexy guy in Because of Low, I'd say heartbreak did him good.

Abbi Glines is an awe inducing writer, throughout the book she had my emotions all over the place. And, I absolutely loved the little bits of Sadie and Jax that she threw in there. It kind of reminds me of Sarah Dessen's books, how they are all related in little ways (same town, characters make appearances). I would love to read more about this group of friends, maybe learn more of Preston's story or follow Marcus' sister Amanda for a book or 2.

Willow and Cage have this amazing friendship, and he swears he's going to marry her one day. In my opinion, and probably the opinion of anyone who reads this, she is way better than him no matter how close they've been for however long. Cage is a self absorbed wreck and his only weakness seems to be Willow, when she calls he drops everything to come to her side. Which, for a girl like Willow, is all she thinks she'll ever need.

My favorite character was Larissa, Wilow's one year old niece. She had the boys eating out of the palm of her hand. And, I don't think anything is cuter than watching guys with babies!

When we meet Willow, or Low as her friends call her, she's a mess. She had no place to really live and alternates her time between her sister's couch and Marcus' new roommate Cage's bed (but nothing happens of course). She was weak, anxiety ridden, and very codependent of Cage. Understandably when her past is learned. By the end of Because of Low she is her own girl, she's still a little broken (but life is hard) yet standing much taller. I really enjoyed her story and Marcus'. I love the way Abbi alternates points of view between Low and Marcus, knowing what both of them are thinking is so much more filling and completing, if that makes sense.

The drama in Marcus' life is countered with this light that is Willow Foster, and as much as this relationship saves her, it helps him as well.

So, this is what you do. Go to Amazon, buy Breathe and read it. Then buy Because of Low and read it. Then buy The Vincent Boys and read it. And if you're interested in Paranormal as well (we all know I am) then buy Existence and read it as well (it's my next "free time" book).

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