Book Review » Dearest Clementine

4.5 ✪

Synopsis

Twenty-year-old Clementine Avery doesn't mind being called bitchy and closed off. It's safe, and after being burned by her high school sweetheart and stalked by a professor her freshman year of college, safe sounds pretty damn good.
Her number one rule for survival? No dating. That is until she accidentally signs up for a romance writing class and needs material for her latest assignment. Sexy RA Gavin Murphy is more than happy to play the part of book boyfriend to help Clem find some inspiration, even if that means making out...in the name of research, of course.
As Gavin and Clem grow closer, they get entangled in the mystery surrounding a missing Boston University student, and Clem unwittingly becomes a possible target. Gavin tries to show Clem she can handle falling in love again, but she knows she has to be careful because her heart’s at stake…and maybe even her life.

Review

This is the second time I've read this book, the first I didn't know Lex or even talk to her but this time I could totally picture her writing every single line.

Clementine likes to keep to herself, she doesn't date, her parents suck at parenting skills, her ex-boyfriend and ex-best friend cheated on her... I think it's safe to give the girl a little slack and let her be a bitch sometimes, everyone for at least one time have had trust issues, am I right?

She is an English-major, writes YA but got signed on a Romance Writing Class by mistake, shit just never ends.

I told her I had a sudden emergency and left out the fact that I nearly died when she said clitoris.

For this class she has to write a romance but has some inspirational problems, and that's where Gavin Murphy enters the stage. First he's just helping with possible scenarios and make-out sessions just for research, but things start to get serious. She doesn't want a boyfriend, though how can she resist a book boyfriend like Gavin?? She needs her next fix asap.

Gavin is a hot RA, has a megawatt grin and probably likable abs (Clem's words). They are like opposites, she is a bitch and he's the most lovable person in the world, funny, approachable. *swoon*

I don't know why, but I giggle. "No, I have one gear. It's bitch mode."
"I've never heard that before."
"That I'm a bitch?"
"No, your giggle. I like it."

On her freshman year of college Clementine had a stalking problem with a professor, now he is back to torment her. When she needs the most, Gavin is there for her, we can see how they build they relationship and how she starts to open up. 

It's so funny when they first meet, the interaction with the other characters in the book is amazing (Out-Skank Game was the best, between Clem and Jenna). It has a good plot it isn't just about a girl meets boy, it's much more intense than that, aside from their relationship other things are happening at the same time.

Just a little something to get you in the mood...

The laundry room is dark when we walk in, so he flips on the lights. A row of washers and dryers line both sides of the small room. He opens up a washer and dumps in his basket of clothes.
“Gavin, why are you washing clean laundry?” I can’t help the laugh that escapes.
He drops in a few quarters and starts the machine before he turns to me, grinning.
“I’m helping you get in the zone. Come here.” He wraps his hands around my waist, and I let out a surprised squeak when he lifts me up onto a washer. I can’t believe he just picked me up. Okay, that’s a stupid thought. He did carry me home two weeks ago.
His grip is firm on either side of me as he ducks down to look into my eyes. Even though I lean back, I can feel his minty breath on my face.
“Clementine, I want to warn you.” His voice is husky and deep. “I’m going to kiss you, and you’re going to like it. A lot. But I want to be clear that I’m not going to sleep with you, because I want you to respect me in the morning.” His mouth lifts up in a wry smile. “This is simply one friend helping out another. Okay?”

I just want to thank Lex for being such an approachable author, for always interacting with her readers and being an amazing person.

If you would like to buy any Dearest book here are the links:

(they can be read as a standalone but in my opinion you should start with Clementine's story)

Dearest Clementine (book 1) » http://goo.gl/Z3eKDK  FREE (today at least)

Finding Dandelion (book 2) » http://goo.gl/4l2IFO

Kissing Madeline (book 3) » http://goo.gl/jua1eo RELEASE TODAY