~ Book Review : How to Love ~

Book Twenty One - How to Love by Katie Cotugno

"I can't," I shoot back, but even as the words come out I can hear my voice to start to break. I don't want to cry-crying now is going to make me look crazy, is going to undermine everything I'm trying to say - but I can't help it. I'm so hugely tired of carrying all of this inside of me, all my guilt and anger and loneliness. I can't do it anymore. It's too much. 

Before: Reena Montero has loved Sawyer LeGrande for as long as she can remember: as natural as breathing, as endless as time. But he's never seemed to notice that Reena even exists until one day, impossibly, he does. Reena and Sawyer fall in messy, complicated love. But then Sawyer disappears from their humid Florida town without a word, leaving a devastated-and pregnant-Reena behind. 

After: Almost three years have passed, and there's a new love in Reena's life: her daughter, Hannah. Reena's gotten used to being without Sawyer, and she's finally getting the hang of this strange, unexpected life. But just as swiftly and suddenly as he disappeared, Sawyer turns up again. Reena doesn't want anything to do with him, though she'd be lying if she said Sawyer's being back wasn't stirring something in her. After everything that's happened, can Reena really let herself love Sawyer LeGrande again?

My Thoughts : When I read the story line, I was so intrigued. I loved that Reena (the main character) had two stories happening at the same time. It was interesting to read about Reena's life leading up to finding out she was pregnant, while at the same time, reading about how she is dealing with life almost three years later.

There were a couple twists and turns with this book, but overall, I found them more frustrating then anything. Twice in this book Reena stood up for herself then BAM! It was followed by something bad. I felt like telling the author to give this girl a break or she will never stand up for herself again. 

Reena is such an amazing and well written character. All her dreams were put on hold when she found out she was pregnant, yet, I think she dealt with it really well. This was a girl that was so in love with a guy who disappeared the day she found out (he didn't know she was pregnant.) I could see her maturity while reading this book, yet at the same time, I could see her innocence as well. I was so happy when she finally found her voice. I was, however, super frustrated with one decisions she made regarding a certain boy.

The problem, I had, with this book was Sawyer. You either love him or you hate him. Unfortunately, I did not like him. He was such a jerk. He was selfish and extremely annoying. I fully believe Sawyer will make or break this book for you.

Overall, this book does deal with a very real issue that I haven't read about in other books - teen pregnancy. I did enjoy the book but wasn't wowed by it.
I think if you enjoy a contemporary with a bit more depth and drama, then this is a good book for you.

image from goodreads