Connected by the Sea by E. L. Todd
Connected by the Sea (Hawaiian Crush #1)
Synopsis:
Sydney is attending University of Hawaii on Oahu where she's majoring in Marine Biology. She loves her friends, her job, and her school. Since her ex-boyfriend cheated on her six months ago, she hasn't moves onto anybody new yet. When Coen catches her eye, she's immediately attracted to him in a very carnal way. She refused to let herself feel that way because he's a heartbreaker just like her ex was. But when she's called to her professor's office because she's asked to tutor someone, she doesn't realize it's Coen. Will he convince her that he really is boyfriend material or will he turn out just as she suspects?
Review:
Connected by the Sea wasn't the best written book I have ever read, but even so I really enjoyed it. It was just a quick easy read, and I did get annoyed at one point, which is near the end so some spoilers will be coming up, but overall it was fun.
The story starts off with Sydney working in the aquarium and going to school in Hawaii. She has two bff's, Nancy and Henry. Henry is in love with Sydney but she doesn't realize it. Her last boyfriend cheated on her so she is a little iffy on guys in general. She is attracted to Coen, who is in one of her classes, but she is pretty sure he is a cheating jerk just like her last boyfriend. Plus he has a girlfriend.
So Coen fails a test and his family makes him get a tutor for the class that he has with Sydney. Since Sydney is the top student she is asked to tutor him, and she agrees. It was kind of odd how Coen doesn't really need a tutor, he just messed up that one test. Plus he is a personal trainer at the gym and Sydney's new trainer! She is learning street fighting and martial arts and stuff so she can defend herself if need be. There are hints throughout the book as to who hurt her before and whatnot, but this book never really gets into it. There is one flashback, and definite tension, but it is not explored.
From that first day, or really the second day of tutoring, Coen wants to date Sydney. She wants him too, but doesn't want to get hurt again. Luckily whenever she is around Coen she doesn't think too much about it and just ends up going with it. The only issue then is Henry, who once she is with Coen she realizes that yes he does indeed like her. So she tells Henry nothing will ever happen with them, but doesn't tell him about Coen. She thinks that will hurt him more so she asks Coen to keep things secret between them for a little bit. He agrees, but only for a short period of time.
So Coen and Sydney grow closer, but Coen gets frustrated that she hasn't told Henry about them yet. It finally comes to the point where he tells her she has to choose, Henry or him. Even though she loves Coen she is stupid and just like I can't do that to Henry...so she spends some time miserable without Coen. Henry is really worried about her and keeps bugging her, asking her what is wrong. She doesn't eat or sleep or care about classes and is just not good. Finally, after Henry tries kissing her, Sydney breaks down and tells him that she is in love with Coen. Henry is super angry she kept that from him, as that could have helped him move on. Henry being the great guy that he is also fixed the situation and went and told Coen what had happened. The whole I cannot be with Coen because Henry is like a brother to me and I cannot hurt him just made me want to bang my head against the wall. It was like okay, Henry wouldn't want you to be miserable. Sure he might be upset at first, but he will get over it and be happy for you. Just...it was just a little annoying.
So overall the story was good, even though it didn't really get into a lot of the nitty gritty pasts. The main issue with the book? The writing. It felt really forced and a little choppy. The conversations just didn't flow like normal conversations would. There was always something a little off about them. It was odd, but it didn't keep me from enjoying the book. It just could have been better and then I would have enjoyed it even more. I did read the synopsis for the next book and it says something like Sydney reveals her past, will Coen stand by her and help her through it, or will he turn his back on her? I just thought really? Of course he will stand by her unless he turns into a completely different character in the next book. There is no even question that he won't stand by her and help her however he can. That is just the way he was written. I will probably still read the next book, but I don't think there will be a big deal with the two of them.
Rating: 3/5
The story starts off with Sydney working in the aquarium and going to school in Hawaii. She has two bff's, Nancy and Henry. Henry is in love with Sydney but she doesn't realize it. Her last boyfriend cheated on her so she is a little iffy on guys in general. She is attracted to Coen, who is in one of her classes, but she is pretty sure he is a cheating jerk just like her last boyfriend. Plus he has a girlfriend.
So Coen fails a test and his family makes him get a tutor for the class that he has with Sydney. Since Sydney is the top student she is asked to tutor him, and she agrees. It was kind of odd how Coen doesn't really need a tutor, he just messed up that one test. Plus he is a personal trainer at the gym and Sydney's new trainer! She is learning street fighting and martial arts and stuff so she can defend herself if need be. There are hints throughout the book as to who hurt her before and whatnot, but this book never really gets into it. There is one flashback, and definite tension, but it is not explored.
From that first day, or really the second day of tutoring, Coen wants to date Sydney. She wants him too, but doesn't want to get hurt again. Luckily whenever she is around Coen she doesn't think too much about it and just ends up going with it. The only issue then is Henry, who once she is with Coen she realizes that yes he does indeed like her. So she tells Henry nothing will ever happen with them, but doesn't tell him about Coen. She thinks that will hurt him more so she asks Coen to keep things secret between them for a little bit. He agrees, but only for a short period of time.
So Coen and Sydney grow closer, but Coen gets frustrated that she hasn't told Henry about them yet. It finally comes to the point where he tells her she has to choose, Henry or him. Even though she loves Coen she is stupid and just like I can't do that to Henry...so she spends some time miserable without Coen. Henry is really worried about her and keeps bugging her, asking her what is wrong. She doesn't eat or sleep or care about classes and is just not good. Finally, after Henry tries kissing her, Sydney breaks down and tells him that she is in love with Coen. Henry is super angry she kept that from him, as that could have helped him move on. Henry being the great guy that he is also fixed the situation and went and told Coen what had happened. The whole I cannot be with Coen because Henry is like a brother to me and I cannot hurt him just made me want to bang my head against the wall. It was like okay, Henry wouldn't want you to be miserable. Sure he might be upset at first, but he will get over it and be happy for you. Just...it was just a little annoying.
So overall the story was good, even though it didn't really get into a lot of the nitty gritty pasts. The main issue with the book? The writing. It felt really forced and a little choppy. The conversations just didn't flow like normal conversations would. There was always something a little off about them. It was odd, but it didn't keep me from enjoying the book. It just could have been better and then I would have enjoyed it even more. I did read the synopsis for the next book and it says something like Sydney reveals her past, will Coen stand by her and help her through it, or will he turn his back on her? I just thought really? Of course he will stand by her unless he turns into a completely different character in the next book. There is no even question that he won't stand by her and help her however he can. That is just the way he was written. I will probably still read the next book, but I don't think there will be a big deal with the two of them.
Rating: 3/5
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