4.5 “Five Fingers” “Laying down roots” Kisses
So…I’m not going to lie I was going through a serious book hangover when I started this book and I was nervous it might affect me while I was reading. Ha! Thank God I read this book because it seriously kicked my book hangover’s ass and I was so grateful! I could not put this one down…it grabbed me from page one and I loved everything about it…what and how it made me feel, the characters, the writing…it all blended together to make this magical symphony of awesome!
Avery Michaels…feisty little messed up Avery…I really liked her based on her personality alone. She is a very strong girl and it was easy for me to latch on to that…I respected her, even if some might not agree with how she lives her life…I got her reasoning and for me…it was logical. She’s been raised without her father…her mother is, well…a hot mess…the one strong female presence in her life, her grandmother, passed away when she was 12 and she’s basically been on her own ever since. It never stopped her from being a happy person but I think it definitely instilled the independence she has and that I love so much. By the time she is 16, her view of love and relationships is basically destroyed because she has watched her mom completely let men and love destroy what self-worth she might have left…plus (of course) there’s more to that, but I don’t want to spoil anything. So here she is 21 and living her life with no strings attached…she’s focusing on her career and the only other important thing in her life, her younger brother.
‘Phone calls with Mom were a sobering reminder of why I didn’t get involved with guys. If you remained in charge of your life, they couldn’t mess with your head or put their hands on your without your permission. Not anymore. Love was only a ridiculous fairy tale that was never satisfying, warm or safe.’
Bennett Reynolds…where do I start with Bennett…I freaking love him SO much. He’s like…this sexy little contradiction. He’s a extremely talented tattoo artist with no visible tattoo’s…and don’t ask my why…but I love that…it’s like…they’re this awesome secret and the meaning behind his tattoo’s – GAH! Love those even more! He’s beautiful…but with an alternative edge…but then he has this rather sophisticated side that loves art and poetry (he's an art major...go figure!). He’s grown up being the man of the house with 3 youngers sisters and his mom, he’s used to being reliable and dependable. He’s very mature for his age…he’s deep, thoughtful and kind. The fact that he is *drum roll please* a virgin is a little bit of a shock, but once I learned his reasons and logic behind it…I totally got it and I loved him even more. Bennett is special…unique…and a breath of fresh air from a lot of the BBF’s that I’ve been used to.
‘“Avery?” Bennett stroke my lips with his fingers, and the heat from his touch shot straight through my stomach and whispered a trail along my thighs.
I panted out a breath. “Yeah?”
“I don’ tknow what this is or what the hell we’re doing,” he said. “But if I don’t kiss you right now, I might explode.”
His fingers curled over the nape of my neck and into my hair, tugging me nearer.
“God, Bennett.” My voice was breath and my head rolled back against his fingers.’
I think what this book gave me that I had maybe been unconsciously missing/lacking lately was that magical build up of sexual angst…that tension that just has this palpable crescendo and I feel like I’m going to burst any moment if the couple doesn’t get together. And with Bennett and Avery it got to the point where I just had this intense longing and desire for them to be together, even if it’s not sexually...just them being with one another brings joy and happiness to my heart. The build with Avery and Bennett was so cute…the whole five fingers game…the movie nights and take out…the fact that they can sleep in the same bed and not have sex…all of these little moments really connected them and embedded them in my heart. While they were falling, I was falling. And watching Avery finally open up and let someone in was just…amazing. She’s so closed off that she doesn’t even realize she has shut down on the people her loves like her best friend Ella and her brother Adam.
‘His voice became low and gravelly. “What made you notice me at the party?”
I gulped down my surprise. Were we really going there?
I kept my gaze turned to the window and said the most honest thing I could think of. “Sexy…magical smile…soulful eyes.”
Gorgeous. Amazing. Special.
His breath hitched but he remained silent. I noticed how his hands gripped the steering wheel. It was the same way that I now grasped at the door handle.
I adjust myself in my seat, but refused to meet his eyes.
“What made you want to kiss me?” I whispered. I wasn’t even sure if he heard me, until he finally spoke.
“Explosive chemistry…powerful conversations…beautiful.”’
Well and I have to state the obvious, Bennett is a huge change from the way Avery has handled her past relationships…she’s all about friends with benefits and he’s all about commitment. She hasn’t had a relationship since she lost her virginity and Bennett is searching for love….while Avery isn’t sure she really believes in love. Hello! Totally not the norm…but I liked the flip…it was a welcomed change! Now…just because Bennett’s a virgin and Avery doesn’t do relationships, that does not mean the hot-n-steamy action was left out. Far from it. But once again it’s all about the build! ;-) Let me just tell you…Bennett could seduce me with a kiss. Good Lord…even if that was all this book had, it was enough to make my knee’s weak – I can’t even tell you the kind of passion and intensity that was put into just a make out session but…have mercy, I loved it.
‘“Hey,” he said, his hands reaching for my shoulders. “Why are you crying?”
“Because you created exactly what I wanted. It’s beautiful.” I sniffled, leaning my forehead against his shoulder. “And even if you decide you…you don’t want me, I’ll always have this…this masterpiece you created for me.”
“Avery, look at me.” He pushed his fingers though my hair. “I was hurt. I don’t ever want to be some joke. I want to be real. For this to be real. For both of us.”
“It’s more real than anything’s been in my whole life.”
“That’s all I needed to hear.” His fingers traced my jawline, and his kiss was soft and fluttery against my lips.
I closed my eyes and reveled in it.’
The other thing I loved about All of You…the characters…and not just Avery and Bennett, at this point it’s a given that I love them to bits, but the remaining characters were all fabulous. I loved Avery’s relationship with her BFF…she and Ella have this great banter and connection that was so fun to read…and their other friend Rachel, oh boy…that girl is a handful. As tough as some of the scene’s were to read about Bennett and Avery’s respective mothers, it was really important for me to see that…plus seeing them interact with their siblings and showing the relationships that they have with them…I just felt like I got a complete understanding why they are the way they are.
‘His eyes pressed into mine with a silent question.
He was asking my permission – making sure I wanted this, too.
“Yes, please,” I moaned. “All of you. Only you.”
Best thing ever – this is the beginning of a series and SQUEEEE!!!! I am totally on board the Between Breaths series…I’m hooked on Christina's writing, she has a very easily addictive style (clearly, I finished All of You in less than a day). I can’t wait to dive head first into Before You Break , Ella’s book, and I seriously can’t wait for Whisper to Me, Rachel’s book!
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Top reviews from the United States
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Avery is amazing...Bennett is beyond words - from beginning to end I loved every piece of their story!
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 4, 2014
Top reviews from other countries
M
A rising star in YA romance fiction!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on June 24, 2014Kittylover
Very enjoyable book.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 3, 2013
Susan Staples
Excellent holiday book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 13, 2013
