Blog Tour: What If by Rebecca Donovan

What If
By: Rebecca Donovan
Published: 09/16/14
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Source: Publisher
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GR's Summary:

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.

My Thoughts:

I have heard great things about New Adult Author, Rebecca Donovan, and have been really curious about her writing.  When I got the opportunity to read, What If, I was elated!  I love the book cover.  I think it's stunning, and the synopsis stoked my curiosity!

The story goes back and forth between the present and the past.  The present is told from Cal's point of view, and the past alternates between Nicole and Richelle's point of view.  Nicole moves to a new neighborhood in elementary school, and quickly befriends her next door neighbor Richelle, who is everything that Nicole is not; outgoing, adventurous, and carefree.  Richelle introduces Nicole to her other good friends on the block Cal, and Rae.  The four kids become very close and do everything together.  The other three kids quickly realize that Nicole doesn't come from a typical, warm and loving household.  She is expected to wear a dress and dressy shoes daily, not get dirty, get the highest scores possible in all of her coursework, and be the best at everything that she does.

Richelle ends up moving away, and Nicole stops hanging out with Cal and Rae, but Cal never stops liking her.  Rae becomes angry when Nicole begins ignoring them for the popular kids in school.  After high school graduation, nobody ever hears from Nicole again.  It's as if she has disappeared forever.  Then, one day at the local campus coffee shop, Cal runs in to a girl that looks exactly like Nicole.  However, when he begins to talk to her she doesn't show an ounce of recognition.  She says her name is Nyelle.  As Cal begins to spend more time with Nyelle, he sees that she acts nothing like Nicole.  Yet, the resemblance is eerie...

What If kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end!  The mystery and suspense just about killed me!!!  I flipped pages as quickly as I possible could because I was dying to unravel the mystery.  Cal and Nyelle were fully developed and interesting characters.  I loved Cal's best friend, Rae, as well.  She was hilarious!!!  The plot was unique and very refreshing because it wasn't what I typically read in New Adult books.  I loved the slow build of friendship, trust, and eventually romance between Cal and Nyelle's characters.  Wow!  Ms. Donovan can write!  I can't wait to read more of her stories!!!

My Rating:

I give, What If, by Rebecca Donovan, 4 interesting, mysterious, and addicting stars!  If you are a fan of Rebecca Donovan read this story.  If you haven't read anything by Ms. Donovan, read, What If, and you will be sure to become an instant fan, like I have become!

My Favorite Quotes:

"I love looking at the stars." Her voice is quiet and distant, like a memory. 'They can take away your pain if you let them.  And when the sun comes up, all that sorrow disappears.' "  (eARC, Loc. 988)

~Nyelle

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About Rebecca Donovan:

Rebecca Donovan is the USA Today bestselling author of the highly-acclaimed New Adult trilogy, The Breathing Series. Her novels include: Reason to Breathe, Barely Breathing, and Out of Breath. When not writing, Rebecca can be found online at www.rebeccadonovan.com and www.facebook.com/rebeccadonovan. She lives in Massachusetts with her son.

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Giveaway:

A Copy of What If Via NetGalley

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