Review…Out Of Line by Jen McLaughlin

(pssst….make sure to scroll all the way down to see just how much I adored this book.)

Book links:

Amazon  ~  Barnes & Noble  ~  Goodreads 

Synopsis:

Desperate to break free…

I’ve spent my entire life under my father’s thumb, but now I’m finally free to make my own choices. When my roommate dragged me to my first college party, I met Finn Coram and my life turned inside out. He knows how to break the rules and is everything I never knew I wanted. A Marine by day and surfer by night, he pushes me away even as our attraction brings us closer. Now I am finally free to do whatever I want. I know what I want. I choose Finn.

Trying to play by the rules…

I always follow orders. My job, my life, depends on it. I thought this job would be easy, all the rules were made crystal clear, but when I met Carrie Wallington, everything got muddy. She’s a rule I know I shouldn’t break, but damn if I don’t inch closer to the breaking point each time I see her. I’m ready to step out of line. And even worse? I’m living a lie. They say the truth will set you free, but in my case…

The truth will cost me everything.

 

My review:

Out Of Line is a work from Jen McLaughlin….an author I also know (and love) by the name of Diane Alberts.  As it stands, I am a big fan of Diane and after reading Out of Line, I am now a HUGE fan.  This.  Book.  Was.  Incredible.

*I will warn you that this review may be slightly spoilery, but if you’ve read the first 25 pages that Jen has posted on her site, it won’t be*

As a politician’s child, Carrie Wallington is used to being in the spotlight.  As a daughter, Carrie Wallington is used to be overprotective.  As a college student, Carrie wants to shed all of it and just be. She’s tired of being watched by security and never being able to just live her life.  It’s understandable that her dad worries and wants her safe but it’s unreasonable to always have people watching her.  So, when she leaves for college and her father agrees to let her go sans security, she’s more than just a little shocked.  Now was her time to live.  She was never one to get carried away and always had a good head on her shoulders.  Studied, got good grades, was always aware of her surroundings and rarely drank and partied.  So when she meets the deliciously handsome surfer, Finn, while getting some air at one of the only parties she’s ever been to, she knows he’s exactly what she’s been missing out on.  And he’s exactly the kind of guy who can show her how to live. Now’s the chance to make up for lost time and Finn’s just what she needs.

Finn Coram is not sure what he’s gotten himself into on his latest assignment.  He’s a marine with an outstanding record that’s caught the eye of a politician with a daughter in need of protection.  It just so happens that he also looks the part of a college surfer boy, too.  So here he is, on a college campus, with strict orders to keep an eye on Carrie while looking the part of a college kid….while keeping it all a secret Great.  Unfortunately for Finn, and his exemplary record, all of the rules he knows he should be following completely go out the window when he sees Carrie on the beach at a frat party.  She’s much more than the file he had on her and the minute he starts talking to her, his brain and mouth completely ignore each other and he finds himself making plans to teach Carrie how to surf.  Finn knows this is trouble and he’s wondering how long he will be able to keep Carrie at arm’s length….and in the dark as to his true identity of her personal protector.

Carrie and Finn start on a journey of friendship that turns into so much more than that…and is constantly threatened by the truth.  Carrie would be devastated to know Finn is part of the security she is eager to be rid of.  Finn knows that every minute he spends with her, he is falling for her more and more….he also knows it’s completely forbidden.  With so much on the line, will they be able to keep what they’ve found?

A few times in my life, I’ve voraciously devoured a book and was just about to finish it and stopped.  Just stopped reading when I got to the last few chapters.  Why?  Why the hell would I do that?  Well, it’s because I cannot bear the thought of finishing the book and the experience it has brought me.  THIS was one of those books.  I got to 85% after reading it all day and I just couldn’t go on.  I put it down for the next whole day, and when I finally picked it back up and I savored every last word.  Finn and Carrie’s story was just so amazing.  I was hooked after chapter 3 and completely fell in love with Finn.  Yes, he’s got a body made for sin and is gorgeous but he’s also honorable and loyal and has such a way about him that I rank him as one of my all-time favorite characters.  He had me laughing out loud while reading his internal dialogue and the next minute had my chest physically aching with his growing love for Carrie and his denial that he would ever be good enough for her.  He knows it’s his duty to protect Carrie and he knows he can’t have a relationship with her.  But hey, they say the road to hell is paved with good intentions, right?  He killed me.  He’s just one of those guys any gal would love.  Carrie was just as amazing a character as Finn.  She’s smart and giving and stands up for the underdog in life.  She volunteers and helps those in need, but does it anonymously.  She’s a girl we would all be lucky to know.  She’s also innocent and that adds to her charm.  They balance each other out beautifully and I was cheering them on from the very start.  The emotional ups and down they weather are intense and real and so very believable.  This is a story that will stay with me and one I will be re-reading as soon as I can.  Maybe this time I will read it all the way through without stopping……eh, who the hell am I kidding?

Jen, thank you.  Thank you for giving us Carrie and Finn.  Thank you for giving me one of those books that I couldn’t bear to finish.  It may sound corny to some, but for me, that’s the sign of a kick ass book.  I cannot WAIT for more and will be chomping at the bit for book two in the series!

 

Tattoo Worthy Five Loves

 

Yep, it’s the real thing…..my patriotic surf board Finn tattoo!

 

 

About the author:

Jen McLaughlin is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She writes steamy New Adult books for the young and young at heart. Her first release, Out of Line, came out September 2013. She also writes bestselling Contemporary Romance under the pen name Diane Alberts.Since receiving her first contract offer under the pen name Diane Alberts, she has yet to stop writing. She is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.

Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, a cat, and a Senegal parrot. In the rare moments when she’s not writing, she can usually be found hunched over one knitting project or another. Her goal is to write so many well-crafted romance books that even a non-romance reader will know her name.

Website: http://dianealberts.com/

Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/DianeAlberts6

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DianeAlberts

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6921962.Jen_McLaughlin