A Way Back to Then (Robert Halliwell)
3.75 stars rounded up
Robbie DeCaro made his impression on me during his appearance on John Goode's Tales of Foster High series. Basically becoming a father figure to Kyle, snarky queen Robbie stole every scenes he was ever in, even before I knew his sad story regarding his first love, Riley. So I was pretty excited when I knew that he would have his own book. ALTHOUGH, at the beginning I was pretty confused since the author's name was not John Goode. I thought Robert Halliwell was a pen name of John, until John said that Robert was the guy that John based Robbie from.
All right then.
Well, all I could say that this was indeed Robbie's book. Yes, there were other secondary characters: his colorful family (Mom, Uncle, Sister), and a new love interest (Sebastian) ... but this was mainly Robbie's story. No one else. And it was captivating all the same.
It was good to see things from Robbie's perspective. Yes, he could still be snarky and bitchy, but by having Robbie in the driver's seat, we also learned about his vulnerabilities, his anxiety issues, his fears, and his dreams. In a sense, this book makes Robbie more well-rounded as a character.
I thought the 'new' love relationship with Sebastian was pretty unique, if not refreshing. It would be easy to make Sebastian the 'perfect' guy, who would be so patient handling Robbie, who would be so charming ... who would be, well, the second Riley.
But Sebastian wasn't...
The flaws that started Robbie and Sebastian's relationship, the arguments, the fact that they both stumbled and fall, that it wasn't perfect, was what made this book wonderful it its own way. I just wish I read more of them before that EVIL epilogue.
Halliwell's writing was easy, and fits the tone of the whole series nicely. The steamy level was very low -- sex scenes happened off page. I didn't mind it, but I am sure some readers will find it a problem :).
And yes, that ending is evil. At least I already get the next book.
Robbie DeCaro made his impression on me during his appearance on John Goode's Tales of Foster High series. Basically becoming a father figure to Kyle, snarky queen Robbie stole every scenes he was ever in, even before I knew his sad story regarding his first love, Riley. So I was pretty excited when I knew that he would have his own book. ALTHOUGH, at the beginning I was pretty confused since the author's name was not John Goode. I thought Robert Halliwell was a pen name of John, until John said that Robert was the guy that John based Robbie from.
All right then.
Well, all I could say that this was indeed Robbie's book. Yes, there were other secondary characters: his colorful family (Mom, Uncle, Sister), and a new love interest (Sebastian) ... but this was mainly Robbie's story. No one else. And it was captivating all the same.
It was good to see things from Robbie's perspective. Yes, he could still be snarky and bitchy, but by having Robbie in the driver's seat, we also learned about his vulnerabilities, his anxiety issues, his fears, and his dreams. In a sense, this book makes Robbie more well-rounded as a character.
I thought the 'new' love relationship with Sebastian was pretty unique, if not refreshing. It would be easy to make Sebastian the 'perfect' guy, who would be so patient handling Robbie, who would be so charming ... who would be, well, the second Riley.
But Sebastian wasn't...
The flaws that started Robbie and Sebastian's relationship, the arguments, the fact that they both stumbled and fall, that it wasn't perfect, was what made this book wonderful it its own way. I just wish I read more of them before that EVIL epilogue.
Halliwell's writing was easy, and fits the tone of the whole series nicely. The steamy level was very low -- sex scenes happened off page. I didn't mind it, but I am sure some readers will find it a problem :).
And yes, that ending is evil. At least I already get the next book.
4