Description:
They fell in love in high school and found their way back to one another despite the odds. But can first loves really be forever? For Reed Johnson, the dream was always football. But then Nolan Lennox took over his heart. Is he willing to give up his first love just to keep his true love? Or will he be too late?
Reed and Nolan’s story continues in "Going Long," sequel to "Waiting on the Sidelines."
Review:
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Just as WAITING ON THE SIDELINES followed Nolan and Reed through 4 years of high school, GOING LONG spans over their college years in a love story that is honest, steadfast, and stands the test of time. While high school proved how loyal Nolan was to her one true love, college years tested Reed in much the same way.
Reed is every bit the football star everyone thought he would be and is expected to earn a coveted first round-draft pick following his junior year of college. He immediately starts thinking of what that will mean for Nolan and hopes she’ll be willing to move with him wherever he ends up. He is even prepared to pay for her senior year of college once he gets his football salary. But Nolan’s biggest fear is following Reed, giving up her scholarship, and then for Reed to get caught up in the glitz and glamour of being a professional football player and leave her in the dust. Add to that some very serious issues happening in Nolan’s personal life and some misunderstandings regarding Reed’s relationship with his agent and suddenly Nolan is keeping secrets and withdrawing from Reed right when she needs him the most.
Reed has to figure out where Nolan’s heart lies and if he’s willing to risk his own in order to get her back. I thought the storyline was perfect for Nolan and Reed’s college experience and I loved getting to be a part of the ups and downs of their relationship. I did question a few things, like why Reed and Nolan never seemed to have the big heart-to-heart I was expecting and needing once they both realized their mistakes and misunderstandings. I thought for a relationship that was so solid, they were remarkably tight-lipped and I wondered if they would really be able to stay together if they never learned to communicate more openly. Also, and this was REALLY minor, but I questioned some of the people in Buck’s wedding party – they seemed a bit random – but I guess I’d have to ask Buck about that.
I
loved getting to experience more Nolan and Reed and follow them through their
college years. I especially appreciated hearing Reed’s perspective in
addition to Nolan's—it transitioned seamlessly and I looked forward to the
alternating perspective as the story progressed. Reed may be a bit sappy
when it comes to Nolan (certainly more than the football players I imagine) but
it was nice to be inside his head—especially when my own head is much more
insecure like Nolan’s. I think I needed to hear his side so I didn’t have my own
doubts along the way! I also thought Ginger Scott did a great job
transferring the setting from high school to college without alienating any of her
potentially younger readers. I’m not sure whether this would be
considered young adult or new adult considering they are now firmly in college,
but I thought it hugged the line between the two really well. GOING LONG really focused on the heart of the
matter and for that I rated this college romance sequel 4.5 stars.
**Copy provided by the author/publisher for an honest review.
Character Interview:
Five Questions with Reed Johnson (as asked by Nolan Lennox)
WARNING: Spoilers for those who have not yet read ‘Waiting on the Sidelines’
Enter to Win!
Five Questions with Reed Johnson (as asked by Nolan Lennox)
WARNING: Spoilers for those who have not yet read ‘Waiting on the Sidelines’
In honor of Going
Long’s release, Nolan decided to turn the tables on Reed and find out a few
things she always wanted to know. Their exclusive interview with one another is
below:
Nolan: So, Mr. hotshot quarterback. You’re always so cool;
nothing rattles you. Did I ever make you nervous?
Reed: Oh god, yeah. The first time you came to my house, I
spent the entire afternoon cleaning, which is hilarious, because I never clean. I was glad my dad wasn’t
home, because he would’ve given me a lot of shit for how I was acting.
Nolan: But we barely knew each other. Why were you nervous
then?
Reed: I don’t know; I think I just knew that somehow you were important—I wanted you to think
better of me…you know? Better than all that crap that had been out there. And I
was so scared you heard me…when I said those things about you. I didn’t want to
seem like a dick.
Nolan: Okay, I get that. But did I ever make your palms
sweat?
Reed: Oh, you’re really trying to make me talk, aren’t you?
Ha, well…yeah, there have been lots of times. But the first? I would have to
say the time I came to pick you up when your car broke down. I knew things were
different, and I was ready to make my move. But my god, woman—you scared the
crap out of me. I kept trying to find my in,
pick up some sign. But I kept imagining you slapping me, or me kissing you and
you hating it.
Nolan: That first kiss? It was pretty much the best kiss of
my entire life.
Reed: Best kiss, huh? I’m gonna have to top that.
Nolan: Please do. Speaking of kissing…when was the first
time you wanted to kiss me?
Reed: Ah, now that’s a tricky question. The first time I saw
you kiss Sean, outside the bus window? Yeah, I hated that—I mean, like really hated that. And all I could think
about was how your lips felt, and how mine should have been the ones kissing
them instead of Sean. And that sucked, because Sean’s my best friend. But the
first time I almost kissed you? I
never told you this, but it was right after I opened my birthday present—the
state championship patch. Something really clicked the second I opened that. I
realized how much you cared about me, and it just blew me away. I kissed your
head, do you remember?
Nolan: Yeah, I remember. I think about that…a lot.
Reed: Me, too. Sometimes, I wonder what would have happened
if I kissed you like I wanted to then. I guess things work out how they’re
supposed to, but I kind of feel like I missed out on a lot of make-out time.
Nolan: Well, by all means, please feel free to make up for
it.
Reed: Oh, I intend to. When is this interview over?
Nolan: Behave, Wildcat. Okay, just two more questions.
Reed: Okay, get to it—I have this girl that I’m going to
undress.
Nolan: Reed!
Reed: Clock is ticking, princess.
Nolan: Okay, okay. First, what was going through your head
the first time we had sex?
Reed: Oh, that’s dangerous. I’m not so sure I should answer
that…you know…here? Hmmmm, let’s just
say I felt like I had won the lottery. I mean, I had an idea of what it might be like, what your body looked
like. I’ll admit, I’d thought about that—alone—a lot.
Nolan: Reed!
Reed: Hey, I warned you. Okay, for the sake of not
embarrassing you too much…when I realized what we were finally going to do…I
was afraid. I had built it up in my head, and I didn’t want to hurt you, or
disappoint you. I know, I know—that sounds stupid. But, before you, it was
always just sex. I knew what we were
about to do, though…well…that was different. Uhg, I sound like such a pussy.
Can we move on to the last question now?
Nolan: Awe. You and I are going to have to come back to this
sometime...when we’re alone.
Reed: Oh, we’ll talk about that, alright…
Nolan: Down, boy. Last question: What were you thinking on
that drive to my dorm, before we got back together?
Reed: This one’s easy. I was thinking about winning.
Nolan: Sorry, huh?
Reed: Yeah, that didn’t come out right. I don’t mean it like
football. But, I just sort of have this ability to really focus—you know, when
there’s something I really want? Well, it was actually something I really
needed this time. I wasn’t going to leave your room without you, no question
about it. I wasn’t going to lose. I was prepared to beg, bang on your door all
hours of the night. Hell, I was ready to ask Sarah for help, so you know how
desperate I was.
Nolan: Reed, you had me the second I saw you.
Reed: Yeah, I did.
Nolan: Hmmmm, you just lost me.
Reed: No, I’m never losing you again. No jokes allowed.
Deal?
Nolan: Deal.
Reed: Interview over now?
Nolan: That depends, are you going to kiss me now?
Reed: Yeah, I am.
Nolan: Okay, interview over.
Enter to Win!
- 5 Winners will receive an e-copy of Going Long
About the Author:
Ginger Scott is a writer and journalist from Peoria, Arizona. Her debut novel, "Waiting on the Sidelines," is a coming-of-age love story that explores the real heartbreak we all feel as we become adults throughout our high school years. The story follows two characters, Nolan (a Tomboy with a baseball player's name) and Reed (the quarterback she wishes would notice her) as they struggle with peer-pressure, underage drinking, bullying and finding a balance between what your heart wants and what society says you should want -- even if you aren't ready. You can read her book now in Amazon's kindle store.
The sequel, "Going Long," will be available October 1, 2013.
Scott has been writing and editing for newspapers, magazines and blogs for more than 15 years. She has told the stories of Olympians, politicians, actors, scientists, cowboys, criminals and towns. For more on her and her work, visit her website at http://www.littlemisswrite.com.
Goodreads ● Website ● Twitter ● Facebook ● Amazon
No comments:
Post a Comment