Author: Lisa Burstein
Publisher: Ever After/Entangled Publishing
About the book: One night in college can change everything…
Away at college, Amy just wants one night alone without her high school sweetheart, Joe. So when he invites her to go to the library, she heads off on her own instead. How she ended up at a house party with the mysterious bad-boy Trevor is another story…
Joe so isn’t going to the library. He needs space from Amy, too, so he’s decided to rush a fraternity, to get back the swagger he had in high school. But it doesn’t take long for the brothers to invite him to the real rush—where the beer is flowing and one particular girl has set her eyes on Joe.
Over the course of one wild night, both Amy and Joe will have to decide if their futures belong with two new people, or whether the next forever will have their first loves in it.
PURCHASE LINKS:
My thoughts: This is a cute little love story about discovering who you are and learning to make the right decisions for your own reasons. Amy reminded me a lot of the struggles that my own teenage girls go through. Making decisions because it is what people expect of you versus making decisions because it is what you want to do. Amy had gotten into trouble in high school by doing what her friends expected - and then Joe had saved her. Joe, the boy who had loved her in silence since she was ten, who had lived across the street from her forever, but who had only recently became so much more.
Amy has a little bit of a destructive streak and is having a hard time figuring out why. She begins to learn a little more about herself one night while attending a party with Trevor - a bad boy who lives in her dorm. She has been watching him since college started, but she is usually shadowed by her boyfriend Joe. Trevor knows just which questions to ask to make her second guess herself.
Joe, knowing how Amy feels about fraternities, tells her he is going to study at the library - but instead attends a frat party - one that he is considering rushing. He soon finds himself with a half-naked girl, who is one of many girls there, whose soul purpose at the party seems to be for hooking up with the frat boys and their guests.
Their decisions that night will either make or break their relationship - but you will have to read it to find out!
It was a quick read at only 97 pages - but it is one that I am going to recommend to my daughters - to let them know that the way they are feeling is normal and all a part of growing up!
Read an excerpt from The Next Forever.
~I received a complimentary ecopy of The Next Forever from Entangled Publishing in exchange for my unbiased review.~
Read an excerpt from The Next Forever.
Please take a moment to learn a little more about Lisa by reading her interview below:
I have an idea of what the story will be, but I don't outline. I think it makes my work feel more real and organic to the characters. At least that's what I've heard ;)
2. Is there anything that has surprised you about writing, publishing or touring with your books?
I think how people respond to my writing. It is surprising that people find my work so honest and raw because it really isn't something I try to do, or even think about when I'm writing, but that has been really surprising, that readers feel like my work speaks to them in that way.
3. Was there anything (or anyone) while growing up which helped you decide you wanted to be a writer?
All of my teachers were really supportive of my writing. I think maybe because they could see I loved it so much.
4. If you could meet one person who has died, who would that be?
Jim Morrison
5. What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
I am afraid of needles, like so afraid I fainted each time I got my ears pierced and I've had them pierced 3 times.
6. What do you do in your spare time?
HA! I work full time and write, I don't have much spare time. Usually I'm writing, reading or wishing I could be writing or reading.
7. What time of day do you like to write?
In the afternoon, right after work. I think I've taught my brain to be creative during that time.
8. What themes do you love to read or write about?
Definitely the hard stuff. I like to explore human emotion at it's breaking point. For example in The Next Forever the two main characters at a decision point in their relationship. Stay together, or move on with their lives.
Silly questions –
1. If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
To fly
2. Night owl or early bird?
Early bird
3. Favorite season?
Fall
4. Cat or dog?
Both
5. Guilty pleasure tv show?
Dance Moms
6. Sweet or salty snacks?
Sweet, I love candy!
Lisa Burstein
PRETTY AMY May 2012 Entangled Publishing
THE NEXT FOREVER January 2013 Entangled Publishing
DEAR CASSIE March 2013 Entangled Publishing
www.lisaburstein.com
