Book Review – What If

What If by Rebecca Donovan
Published by Grand Central Publishing on September 16th 2014
Genres: Coming of Age, Contemporary, Contemporary Women, Fiction, Romance
Pages: 384
Goodreads

A new novel by the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Breathing Series . . . What if you had a second chance to meet someone for the first time? Cal Logan is shocked to see Nicole Bentley sitting across from him at a coffee shop thousands of miles from their hometown. After all, no one has seen or heard from her since they graduated over a year ago. Except this girl isn't Nicole.She looks exactly like Cal's shy childhood crush, but her name is Nyelle Preston and she has no idea who he is. This girl is impulsive and daring, her passion for life infectious. The complete opposite of Nicole. Cal finds himself utterly fascinated-and falling hard. But Nyelle is also extremely secretive. And the closer he comes to finding out what she's hiding, the less he wants to know.When the secrets from the past and present collide, one thing becomes clear: Nothing is what it seems. 

 

Lynn’s Review:

Cal, Rae, Richelle, and Nicole were the best of friends as kids. But then Richelle moved away. And Nicole stopped being friends with Cal and Rae. Cal meets Nyelle in college. She looks just like Nicole. But also, not like Nicole. Cal is even more confused when Nyelle doesn’t recognize or remember him. Thus begins What If by Rebecca Donovan.

This book is told from different points of view, as well as different points of time along the friendship of the four main characters. Cal is the main narrator of the present story. The flash-backs are told from Cal’s, Richelle’s, and Nicole’s point of views. I liked getting to know all of the different characters through their narration.

I found the plot predictable. And somewhat irritating. Cal spends most of the book wanting to know what is going on with Nyelle. But not wanting to ask her anything. Nyelle is mysterious, not wanting to tell Cal where she is going, what she is doing. I think I spent 2/3 of their scenes wanting to yell at Cal for not asking Nyelle what is going on. And wanting to yell at Nyelle for not being forthright. Though, I will say that I loved Nyelle’s free spirit. She goes sledding in a wedding dress. And boating on a frozen lake. I wish I was more carefree like she is. Maybe I need a list of amazing goals to live my life more fully.

This book was well-written, much like Ms. Donovan’s other books. Though, be warned, all of the sexy-time scenes are fade to black.  Otherwise, it’s an ok NA book. 

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