Blog Tour: Catching Liam Good Girls Don't #1) by Sophia Bleu

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Catching Liam

(Good Girls Don't #1)
By:  Sophia Bleu
Published:  July 8, 2013
Source:  Author

GR's Summary:

Twenty-one year-old Jillian Nichols only has one rule when it comes to boys: catch and release. Boy-catching isn't just a game for Jillian and her friends, it's a lifestyle. After all, boys might be good for a dance or a drink and certainly a little under-cover action of the scandalous variety, but expect much else and you're bound for heart ache.

So when her best friends and fellow boy catchers start dropping like flies junior year, Jillian is determined to keep boys in her bedroom and out of her heart. Until she meets Liam McAvoy, the kind of guy that sticks around to make waffles and who can't—or perhaps won't—take a hint. 

Study abroad student Liam doesn't want to be another notch on Jillian's bedpost. Actually he has much more interesting ideas for Jillian and her bedposts, but his student visa's set expiration date means he can't promise her forever. That doesn't mean he's going to walk away from the challenge of discovering why Jillian is hell-bent at keeping people at a distance. 

Before long, neither is sure who is catching who—or if they're playing for keeps. Jillian knows one thing though: falling in love will not only break the only rule of boy-catching, it could also break her heart.

My Thoughts:

Catching Liam was an easy, fast-paced, fun read.  It was told soley from the main character, Jillian's, perspective.  Jillian moved away from home, (California) to Washington to go to Olympic State College, become independent, and get away from her controlling mother, Tara.  While at school, she became best friends with Jess, and Cassie.  Jillian developed a "Catch and Release" philosophy toward guys.  The rules were simple, never sleep with a guy more than once, do not let them spend the night, and whatever you do, don't get attached.  Two years later, Jess and Cass each have steady boyfriends, and Jillian is the only one still following the rules of "Catch and Release."  Then Jillian meets Liam, a good looking, Scottish, American Exchange Student, with a sexy accent and swoon-worthy personality. She sleeps with him and learns that he's not so easy to get rid of.  He really likes Jillian, and wants to date her.

There were so many amazing themes in Catching Liam!  Jillian was lucky to have the strong friendships that she had with Jess and Cassie.  They had girls night once a week, Jess was Jillian's room mate, and all three girls were there for each other, and wanted what was best for one another.  Jillian was sick, and Jess was overprotective, loyal, and nurturing with Jillian.  The story also focused on the mother-daughter relationship.  Jillian ignored her mother's phone calls repeatedly.  Even when they spoke, all they did was argue.  Jillian's mother, Tara, was extremely controlling, didn't want her daughter attending college out of state, didn't want her daughter to get involved with any guys, and wanted to keep an eye on her every minute.  Plus, she came off as cold, snobby, and rude.  Jillian had to learn how to assert her independence, take charge of her life, get her mother to stay out of her business, and try to get along.  Liam was a catalyst to Jillian's growth.  His perseverance, positive attitude, caring and compassion,  got Jillian to see that she should not let fear control her life.  She needed to take chances, do what made her happy, and let love into her life.

I really connected with the main character.  Yes, she pushed Liam away repeatedly. She was rude to him, and I can understand how many people will dislike her, because Liam was so amazing!  He was sweet, compassionate, considerate, sensitive, selfless, and downright swoon-worthy.  Jillian continued to hurt him, and push him away.  However, what I kept in mind as I read this story was the fact that Jillian had a devastating illness.  She was scared, (rightfully so), didn't want to be anyones' burden, and thought she did what was best for Liam, saving him from her.  If you haven't had a serious illness, it could be difficult to understand Jillian's actions.  However, I speak from experience, when I say, it is difficult when you have a series illness.  You feel helpless, and don't want to burden others, especially those you love the most.  You don't want the person to feel "stuck" with you, or sorry for you.  So, even though Jillian didn't treat Liam how he deserved to be treated, I do understand her state of mind.  Also, she had a mother that was constantly telling her no man would want to be with her because of her condition, and if she did have a relationship, it would't last, because the guy would eventually leave.  Jillian had experience with her first serious boyfriend in college, leaving her when he found out about her illness.  If your own mother thinks no one will want you, that has to add to your own insecurities.

I really enjoyed Catching Liam.  It was great to see the huge amount of character growth that Jillian made from the beginning to the end of the story.  She went from insecure, fearful, closed-off, and avoiding or arguing with her mother constantly, to secure, open, living her life, taking chances, letting love in, and coming to an understanding with her mother.  Jillian became more likable as the story went on.  It was great to see her taking charge of her life and not letting fear rule her.  Liam taught her to truly live.  He set her free, gave her unconditional love, and hope for the future.

My Rating:

I give Catching Liam, by Sophia Bleu, 4 Fascinating, Freeing, Friendship-Filled Stars!  This was a light, fast-paced read!  It was fun, and focused on living in the present without letting fear hold you back from grasping the things that make you happy.  It focused on the strong friendship between Jillian, Jess, and Cassie, and this made me think of my best friends, and how they've been there for me through thick and thin.  It also focused on Jillian's mother- daughter relationship, and how she was trying to break away, be independent, and take charge of her own life, while her mother tried to control everything.  Read Catching Liam for a good, Non-Angsty, New Adult Contemporary Romance!

My Favorite Quotes:

"I knew then that I was willing to do whatever it took to make it work with him.  Not because of this--not because of sex--because of everything else.  Everything came naturally with Liam.  For the first time, I had met a man who fit into my life as effortlessly as my best friends."  (Earc, Loc. 1900)

~Jill

"His voice dropped and he moved closer to me, his body inches from mine.  Because I want all of you.  The sexy part and the funny part and especially the fu**ed up part."  (eARC, Loc. 2289)

~Liam

"You forgot that hospitals are where people come to be born, chicken.  It's where people come to be healed.  I know you have a different perspective on them than I do, but hospitals are all about life.  You can't only see the scary parts.  If you do, you miss all the awesome."  (eARC, Loc. 2512)

~Liam

"We collapsed together in a heap of slick skin and tangled limbs, but neither of us pulled away.  We laid there, entwined with each other.  In this moment, I lived a lifetime."  (eARC, Loc. 2723)

~Jill

"I didn't need to be certain of anything more than I was of this.  Of him and I.  Of us.  Love, as it turned out, was liberating.  The one thing I ran from turned out to be what finally set me free."  (eARC, Loc. 2737)

~Jill

Purchase At:

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About the Author:

Sophia Bleu is a secret identity where I can write about fantasies and falling in love and all the smexiness in between.  In real life, I'm likely catching a plane, chasing kids, or making out with the love of my life—all 6 ft 3 inches of hotness that he is.  Life is pretty good.

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Grand Prize Giveaway:

A Kilt Checker tote bag filled with Catching Liam swag and a $25 amazon gift card.

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