Not Yet
Laura Ward
Genre: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Purchase Links: Amazon   Barnes&Noble

Emma Harris is learning that life is just a series of lessons.

Lesson #1: Nothing goes the way you plan.
Lesson #2: You can’t trust men. Especially not the pretty ones.
Lesson #3: Turns out, appearances are almost always deceiving.

Emma thinks she has life all figured out, and what she knows isn’t good. For years, she’s put her big sister, who was born with Down syndrome, first. Now Emma’s ready to start her own life, but fate has other plans. To do the right thing for the sister she loves, Emma’s dreams will just have to wait.

She doesn’t plan on meeting Landon — a rich, flirtatious jock, who never has to wait for anything. Not for attention, not for money, and certainly not for girls. Meeting Emma marks the first time in his life that he’s had to fight for something. And Landon doesn’t know how to lose.

Emma has no interest in wasting her summer with a superficial guy like Landon. But very soon she realizes she is wrong about him. The question is, can she trust him? Or will he let her down like every other guy in her life? But most importantly, can Emma trust herself enough to live the life she’s always dreamed of?

Life has a way of sneaking in the most important lessons when you aren’t looking. And once the heart gets involved, that’s when the real learning begins.

*** This book is intended for mature audiences. 18 and over!

Not Yet is a sweet love story that took me by surprise. When I started on page one I thought I could predict what was going to happen but alas, I was wrong when the inevitable plot twist occurred, and so much happier for my misguided assumptions. Not Yet begins by following the character of Emma Harris, a new college graduate, who has graduated early in order to come home and help her single mother care for her older sister with Downs Syndrome. She was given a position of managing the country club’s pool and lifeguards during the summer while she looks for more permanent employment. It is at the club that she meets her match, Landon Washington, the sexy, confident lifeguard that will melt her heart. When they meet, the attraction is there but the action is not immediate. Emma is hesitant at first but as they get to know each other, sparks fly and a summer romance blooms. When Landon goes away to football camp and Emma lands a job as a high school teacher, they are both in for quite a shocking surprise. One Emma’s first day of class, she is met face to face with her worst nightmare, a student sitting in the back of her senior Econ class, Landon Washington.

I was a little hesitant when I reached this point in the book. I have not read very many student teacher romance stories since I had seen this type of affair during my high school days and it was not pretty. So naturally these storylines make me a bit wary. I admired the lines that were drawn and not crossed. It was refreshing to see two people stand by their convictions and not allow their emotions to dictate their actions. It was an emotional struggle but it allowed for the reader to applaud the standards and cheer the couple on to the finish line.

There were several themes that I appreciated within this story. First was the theme of family. We see strong family ties and broken ones. Emma’s family is knit tightly together, a constant bearing of burdens and celebrating of victories. They envelop Landon into the fold. We also see Landon as a part of his teammate and friend Dean’s family, a place where he felt at home and loved. Landon’s home life is anything but loving and welcoming. His parents ignore him and he must conform to their expectations for any semblance of love and affection. I loved seeing these different scenarios played out.

Another theme I loved was the awareness of people with disabilities. I appreciated the time that Laura took to address the unfounded fear and uncertainty that people have around them. It was a beautiful theme watching Emma dive into her element with people she met at the pool and school. It was also so endearing and sweet watching Landon learn from Emma and befriend those who are rejected and made fun of. Evie, Emma’s sister, was precious and her budding romance with Garrett was so sweet. I loved Amy and Trevor, seeing their breakthrough and smiling at their accomplishments that were possible only through time and affection from Emma and Landon.

Overall this book hit all the check marks of a good story! It was sweet, with a little bit of sexy thrown in. It was emotional. It was a sweet love story with a practiced patience. There was integrity, kindness, love, and perseverance. Laura Ward has written a sweet and lovely debut novel that is sure to be the perfect stepping stone to more great books to come!

 

I was provided a copy for an honest review from