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Strangely Normal
A unique summer job lands eighteen-year-old Eden Saxon into a lifestyle completely different than her own. She becomes a companion for nineteen-year-old Finley King, the daughter of a rock legend. Finley suffers from severe anxiety, and her father fears her being alone. Eden leaves her loving, but wildly dysfunctional, parents and dreary apartment and enters a world where no luxury is overlooked. She instantly adores Finley and her charming, quirky personality. The whole situation has only one flaw– Finley’s older brother, Jude. Jude King is cocky, arrogant and irritating. Unfortunately, he’s also completely irresistible.
Eden realizes she’s underestimated the depth of Finley’s problems, and suddenly her dream job turns out to be a lot more than she’d expected. Eden soon finds herself in over her head . . . and her heart.
Eden realizes she’s underestimated the depth of Finley’s problems, and suddenly her dream job turns out to be a lot more than she’d expected. Eden soon finds herself in over her head . . . and her heart.
288 pages, Paperback
First published May 10, 2013
89 people are currently reading
1241 people want to read
About the author
Tess Oliver
124 books2,443 followersTess Oliver is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Custom Culture series and a large collection of other romances. She is well known for her relatable characters who "become your friends" as you journey with them and for intriguing stories that will have you "devouring her books in just one day". Tess has been featured on USA Today's 'Happy Ever After' site, and in publications including Glamour UK and Elle UK magazines.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
June 2, 2013
I’ll admit, I’m drawn to books where a character has an anxiety issue. It’s always interesting to see how the anxiety manifests as well as how the characters deal with the anxiety.
I enjoyed this book immensely. Eden hadn’t had the best life, but her parents were actually good parents, just immature, but it wasn’t an easy life. Eden and Finley had great chemistry as friends (Finley is a girl) and complimented each other well. Jude and Cole were great brothers to Finely. They were supportive of her and tried not to make things more difficult for her.
I really enjoyed the relationship and chemistry between Eden and Jude. Initially when the book started, I wasn’t sure which brother would end up being her love interest, but I was glad it was Jude. He had that bad boy artist vibe really working for him. They had some nice banter going and he didn’t care that she came from basically a different world.
This is my second book by Tess Oliver and she’s definitely gained a fan in me. I can’t wait to read more from her.
I enjoyed this book immensely. Eden hadn’t had the best life, but her parents were actually good parents, just immature, but it wasn’t an easy life. Eden and Finley had great chemistry as friends (Finley is a girl) and complimented each other well. Jude and Cole were great brothers to Finely. They were supportive of her and tried not to make things more difficult for her.
I really enjoyed the relationship and chemistry between Eden and Jude. Initially when the book started, I wasn’t sure which brother would end up being her love interest, but I was glad it was Jude. He had that bad boy artist vibe really working for him. They had some nice banter going and he didn’t care that she came from basically a different world.
This is my second book by Tess Oliver and she’s definitely gained a fan in me. I can’t wait to read more from her.
January 29, 2015
I am really, really and I mean really glad that I read Rhett and Finley’s book first as I really did not like Finley in this book. She is packed in cotton wool, coddled and a partially spoilt brat. But there were some things that I felt as if they could have left out and some could have been expanded on. 3-3.5 strangely normal stars.
Eden Saxon has a loving if not slightly dysfunctional family. They live in the Valley and Eden parents her Mum and Dad rather it being the other way around. Eden has worked hard to get scholarships after school but has been declined as she is a high risk for various reasons thanks to her parents. To move a bad day to off the charts shitty, her Mum dropped her joint on Eden’s backpack and the counselor Mrs. Vickers found it.
Due to school policy it has to be reported. Ms. Vickers pulls through and gets her a job person sitting for her niece Finley King. Finley King is the daughter of the rock god, Nicky King. She lives in Beverly Hills with her brothers Cole and Jude. Finley has a lot of quirks.
Jude well, I would have liked to have seen and experienced his point of view. He is moody and broody with amazing green eyes. A painter who is very talented but his father wants him to be a musician.
Jude is against the idea of Finley having a paid companion and is so ignorant and arrogant that he tells Eden that it is no walk in the park. Cole and Finley’s Dad are oblivious to Finley’s issues. Jude doesn’t not like Eden quite the opposite really. They make a wager, it’s a tie but Jude still paints Eden and realizes that he feels more than he should or even wants to.
“I thought I could handle it, and I was doing pretty well until I sat across from you and looked up at you from my canvas. It all fell to pieces then, and I knew I'd been fooling myself. To have you sit a few feet away and only touch you with my eyes was too much to bear.”
They cave and they discover that their background differences doesn’t change anything about the way that they feel.
“And speaking of passion," his breath floated over my lips, "I've found one that has nothing to do with paints and canvas." His lips grazed mine. "Eden.”
What I didn’t get though was although Eden left and that they did meet again why was there this Megan skank involved
Eden Saxon has a loving if not slightly dysfunctional family. They live in the Valley and Eden parents her Mum and Dad rather it being the other way around. Eden has worked hard to get scholarships after school but has been declined as she is a high risk for various reasons thanks to her parents. To move a bad day to off the charts shitty, her Mum dropped her joint on Eden’s backpack and the counselor Mrs. Vickers found it.
Due to school policy it has to be reported. Ms. Vickers pulls through and gets her a job person sitting for her niece Finley King. Finley King is the daughter of the rock god, Nicky King. She lives in Beverly Hills with her brothers Cole and Jude. Finley has a lot of quirks.
Jude well, I would have liked to have seen and experienced his point of view. He is moody and broody with amazing green eyes. A painter who is very talented but his father wants him to be a musician.
Jude is against the idea of Finley having a paid companion and is so ignorant and arrogant that he tells Eden that it is no walk in the park. Cole and Finley’s Dad are oblivious to Finley’s issues. Jude doesn’t not like Eden quite the opposite really. They make a wager, it’s a tie but Jude still paints Eden and realizes that he feels more than he should or even wants to.
“I thought I could handle it, and I was doing pretty well until I sat across from you and looked up at you from my canvas. It all fell to pieces then, and I knew I'd been fooling myself. To have you sit a few feet away and only touch you with my eyes was too much to bear.”
They cave and they discover that their background differences doesn’t change anything about the way that they feel.
“And speaking of passion," his breath floated over my lips, "I've found one that has nothing to do with paints and canvas." His lips grazed mine. "Eden.”
What I didn’t get though was although Eden left and that they did meet again why was there this Megan skank involved
January 5, 2014
I am sad that this wasn't a 5 star read as it was heading that way then just left so many things unresolved or rushed :(
Jude is definitely a swoon worthy hero who captured my interest and if it was down to him alone I would add a star (yes I am that fickle)
Eden is an extremely likeable heroine who holds her own even through the crap life has handed her. I did really like the way she didn't expect sympathy off everyone, but instead appreciated the positive things in her life.
The secondary characters are also great especially Jude's sister Finley and Cole his brother. This is what is so annoying for me grrrrrr! At 50% I started thinking there is no way all these great gritty plot line points are going to be dealt with in the way they deserve to be.
I would have loved this book to be a part of a series, as all the other characters have enough on their own to create more books but instead they got squashed into this one which left me unsatisfied :(
But I will certainly read more by this author as I loved her writing style and fell in love with the characters :)
Jude is definitely a swoon worthy hero who captured my interest and if it was down to him alone I would add a star (yes I am that fickle)
Eden is an extremely likeable heroine who holds her own even through the crap life has handed her. I did really like the way she didn't expect sympathy off everyone, but instead appreciated the positive things in her life.
The secondary characters are also great especially Jude's sister Finley and Cole his brother. This is what is so annoying for me grrrrrr! At 50% I started thinking there is no way all these great gritty plot line points are going to be dealt with in the way they deserve to be.
I would have loved this book to be a part of a series, as all the other characters have enough on their own to create more books but instead they got squashed into this one which left me unsatisfied :(
But I will certainly read more by this author as I loved her writing style and fell in love with the characters :)
May 16, 2013
Eden Saxon - 18yr old honor student comes from a poor, dysfunctional but loving family. After getting suspended from school her hopes of college have been ruined. When her teacher offers her a summer job, her worries fade with the promise of a $3000 wage. Eden is to live in a mansion for the summer and befriend the lonely 19yr old Finley King, daughter of rock legend Nicky King. Finley is a obsessive compulsive house bound anxiety sufferer. But what she didn't expect was that she would be living with Finley's older and very attractive moody brother, Jude.
I really enjoyed this YA book, it reminds me a little of Flat Out Love by Jessica Park. It's a little quirky, lovable and a pretty romance.
I really enjoyed this YA book, it reminds me a little of Flat Out Love by Jessica Park. It's a little quirky, lovable and a pretty romance.
June 3, 2015
I really wish I would have read this book before reading Rett, then I would have understood that book better. Oh well, at least I already knew Jude's family and Finley's problems. Another great read, I love Tess Oliver's Custom Culture series soooo much!!!
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March 13, 2014
03/12/2014 --
Overall Rating = 4 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 3 / 5 /5 = 4.5 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 3.5 Stars
Character Development = 4 Stars
Story Appreciation = 4 Stars
Worth the Chili = 5 Stars -- [$0.99 on an Amazon sale]
Smexy [HEAT] Rating = Mild
288 pages
It was cute and quirky .. the title gives this away. Perfect for this book.
This is what a solid 4 star read looks like. I really liked this one. I found it as an "Dear Author" daily deal. The blurb/synopsis appealed to me immediately.
How much did I like it? I liked this one enough to purchase a few others by this author. It was well worth the $1 I paid and even the current $3 price tag.
Happy Reading!
Note: I'd even consider this mild enough for the YA audience and really think they could enjoy it.
Overall Rating = 4 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 3 / 5 /5 = 4.5 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 3.5 Stars
Character Development = 4 Stars
Story Appreciation = 4 Stars
Worth the Chili = 5 Stars -- [$0.99 on an Amazon sale]
Smexy [HEAT] Rating = Mild
288 pages
It was cute and quirky .. the title gives this away. Perfect for this book.
This is what a solid 4 star read looks like. I really liked this one. I found it as an "Dear Author" daily deal. The blurb/synopsis appealed to me immediately.
How much did I like it? I liked this one enough to purchase a few others by this author. It was well worth the $1 I paid and even the current $3 price tag.
Happy Reading!
Note: I'd even consider this mild enough for the YA audience and really think they could enjoy it.
June 22, 2015
Another winner ..
July 10, 2016
Meh...
May 15, 2013
It is no secret that I am a great fan of Tess Oliver. "Strangely Normal" isn't just another wonderful read from her. It is so much more. This book touched me in a special way. It is a case study of how each of us sometimes allow our fears, insecurities etc. to make us feel abnormal or "strange." Even more telling is often it is a stranger, someone outside of our family unit, to bring back our sense of normalcy. Additionally, it was totally refreshing to finally read a YA story where the main character is not rich, sent off to an academy or whose parents are killed off. This story is about a normal girl from humble means who just wants to work hard to accomplish her goals in life.
Eden Saxon is about to graduate from high school. Her parents are extremely low income and struggle to take care of their family including Eden's younger two sisters. Often times, Eden serves in the role of adult in her family more than her parents do. Yet, she works hard at school, has a good sense of who she is and is just hoping that she will qualify for a few scholarships so that she can work towards her dream of becoming a doctor. Then one day, her counselor, Mrs. Vickers discovers a joint her mother lost in Eden's. Although they do not suspend her, they do not allow her to take part in the graduation ceremony, grad night activities and all of this comes on the day that Mrs. Vickers informs her she will not be receiving any scholarships due to her poor attendance.
Needless to say, Eden is devastated but she manages to find a way out of her funk especially when Mrs. Vickers tells her about a summer job working as a companion to Finley King, the teen daughter of the lead singers of the legendary rock group Black Thunder. Eden will receive $3,000 a month and free room and board. It doesn't hurt that lead singer, Nicky King, happens to be Eden's father's favorite singer. This just may be the break Eden needs to help finance a year at a junior college.
When Eden and Finley meet, they become instant friends. Yet, it is clear, Finley has some issues (agoraphobia) that she struggles with. What Eden didn't plan on was the attraction she feels towards Finley's older brooding brother, Jude. Jude is like a quiet storm simmering to explode at any moment and when he does, Eden doesn't hold back her disapproval. She stands her ground with the pride of a queen. Soon, Finley and her other brother, Cole recognize that something more may be percolating in Jude's emotions.
As Finley and Eden's friendship blossoms, Finley slowly begins taking steps towards moving beyond her former boundaries. But, when one of Jude's former flings tells a boy Finley adores about her condition, all hell breaks loose. Jude takes his anger out on Eden and Eden runs for the hills.
I do not want to say anymore because I do not want to spoil this read. However, I will say that I truly enjoyed this story. If I had a complaint, it would be that I wanted more. I enjoyed this book so much that I didn't want the story to end. I was emotionally invested. "Strangely Normal" would make a great series. I could easily see a second book that focuses on Finley. What do you say Ms. Oliver?
Eden Saxon is about to graduate from high school. Her parents are extremely low income and struggle to take care of their family including Eden's younger two sisters. Often times, Eden serves in the role of adult in her family more than her parents do. Yet, she works hard at school, has a good sense of who she is and is just hoping that she will qualify for a few scholarships so that she can work towards her dream of becoming a doctor. Then one day, her counselor, Mrs. Vickers discovers a joint her mother lost in Eden's. Although they do not suspend her, they do not allow her to take part in the graduation ceremony, grad night activities and all of this comes on the day that Mrs. Vickers informs her she will not be receiving any scholarships due to her poor attendance.
Needless to say, Eden is devastated but she manages to find a way out of her funk especially when Mrs. Vickers tells her about a summer job working as a companion to Finley King, the teen daughter of the lead singers of the legendary rock group Black Thunder. Eden will receive $3,000 a month and free room and board. It doesn't hurt that lead singer, Nicky King, happens to be Eden's father's favorite singer. This just may be the break Eden needs to help finance a year at a junior college.
When Eden and Finley meet, they become instant friends. Yet, it is clear, Finley has some issues (agoraphobia) that she struggles with. What Eden didn't plan on was the attraction she feels towards Finley's older brooding brother, Jude. Jude is like a quiet storm simmering to explode at any moment and when he does, Eden doesn't hold back her disapproval. She stands her ground with the pride of a queen. Soon, Finley and her other brother, Cole recognize that something more may be percolating in Jude's emotions.
As Finley and Eden's friendship blossoms, Finley slowly begins taking steps towards moving beyond her former boundaries. But, when one of Jude's former flings tells a boy Finley adores about her condition, all hell breaks loose. Jude takes his anger out on Eden and Eden runs for the hills.
I do not want to say anymore because I do not want to spoil this read. However, I will say that I truly enjoyed this story. If I had a complaint, it would be that I wanted more. I enjoyed this book so much that I didn't want the story to end. I was emotionally invested. "Strangely Normal" would make a great series. I could easily see a second book that focuses on Finley. What do you say Ms. Oliver?
March 29, 2014
How do NA books keep ending up on my kindle? I swore off the genre a while ago, but I was already 10% into this one before realizing what it was, so I kept going...
And all my old NA friends were there!
The magical fairy princess heroine who everyone of quality instantly loves and everyone else instantly hates? Check, in spades.
The dark and brooding hero with a lot of ex-girlfriends, a criminal history and violent tendencies, reformed by the heroine's mere presence? - Check, although at least he's not a damn MMA artist, and he's not as violent as some.
The mental-illness-as-convenient-prop? - Check, with bonus marks for having it conveniently 'cured' in time for the big finale.
Insta-love? - Check, of course!
The shallow presentation of poverty issues, using them mostly as an excuse for the heroine having to wear ugly clothes (in which she still manages to outshine all bitches, natch!) and for getting the parents out of town? - Check!
The slut shaming? - Check... but it's less direct than usual. In this book, all female characters who displayed any level of sexual agency (like, say, talking to boys they liked, or daring to flirt with them) were either idiots or evil. So... slut shame-y, maybe, more than full on shaming?
But, even with all this, I probably could have managed two stars for the story except... If I hadn't already been at the end of the book when that happened, I would have definitely DNFed. I mean, really!
As it is - two stars minus one star for that nonsense equals one star. And another blot on my NA-reading record.
And all my old NA friends were there!
The magical fairy princess heroine who everyone of quality instantly loves and everyone else instantly hates? Check, in spades.
The dark and brooding hero with a lot of ex-girlfriends, a criminal history and violent tendencies, reformed by the heroine's mere presence? - Check, although at least he's not a damn MMA artist, and he's not as violent as some.
The mental-illness-as-convenient-prop? - Check, with bonus marks for having it conveniently 'cured' in time for the big finale.
Insta-love? - Check, of course!
The shallow presentation of poverty issues, using them mostly as an excuse for the heroine having to wear ugly clothes (in which she still manages to outshine all bitches, natch!) and for getting the parents out of town? - Check!
The slut shaming? - Check... but it's less direct than usual. In this book, all female characters who displayed any level of sexual agency (like, say, talking to boys they liked, or daring to flirt with them) were either idiots or evil. So... slut shame-y, maybe, more than full on shaming?
But, even with all this, I probably could have managed two stars for the story except... If I hadn't already been at the end of the book when that happened, I would have definitely DNFed. I mean, really!
As it is - two stars minus one star for that nonsense equals one star. And another blot on my NA-reading record.
August 21, 2015
I read Rett (Finley's book) before this one, so I knew a few of the big things that were going to happen, but surprisingly that didn't ruin it for me. Tess Oliver's books have a kind of weird affect on me. There are noticeable flaws that I usually would be bothered by, but for some bizarre reason I don't feel dissatisfied with her novels. For example, this novel was pretty predictable and like some of her other books I found the climax to be a little weak and the ending to be quite abrupt. Even so, I still enjoyed it and would recommend it if you're a fan of her other works.
May 30, 2013
I wasn't expecting to love this book, I thought it would be sweet and cute and a good way to pass the time. It was definitely all those things but it was also exactly what I needed when I had no idea what I was looking for.
May 17, 2013
loved this book! it was my First Tess Oliver book and now I must have more. would love a sequel.
January 28, 2014
3.5 stars
December 3, 2016
I have always loved scrappy girls who have been down in luck but are strong. Fantastic book.
September 25, 2017
Es un libro sencillo y muy de chick-lit. Perfecto para una resaca literaria. ✨
June 13, 2019
This was pretty bad: corny dialogue, cliche archetypes, hypocrisy, narcissism, etc.
To lightly explain; the dialogue was unoriginal, the same you'd read in any young adult romance novel and the supposed 'love connection' was way too quick to be believable so that was basically a parody the entire book.
Next the archetypes, you know, the slutty mean girls that are a key sign an author is scraping the bottom of the barrel for conflict ideas that will make our heroine seem so much more noble and pure by comparison...when really the whole thing is just unimaginative, we didn't even get much of a description for these girls so most of it felt like a random label tossed into the air with nothing substantial to it. I have no doubt that those type of women exist- who are just mean to be mean- but they're cliches too and it still does not provide me with an incentive to read about them. And no, I'm not the anti-slut shaming type, I call a spade and spade, and a slut a slut, whether man or woman when I see one.
This segways into my next issue...the hypocrisy of the way our heroine portrays the other women when she readily admits that she's been 'with a few guys' so she knew what was up....like really? So you, who act as if you're so virtuous, while the other girls are sluts, when you have no knowledge of their body count or if it even differs from yours; what is this arbitrary line you've drawn in your head in regards to sex that separates you from them?
Then the blatant narcissism, when our righteous heroine finds out her BFF tried to off herself, and Jude, her greatest love, is understandably emotional and upset since that's his little sister on death's door, and lashes out at Eden (which I'd argue wasn't an entirely unreasonable action given she was supposed to be on watch since they all knew Fin was manically depressed and unstable, but went out for burgers), but what really blew my mind was that upon receiving the emotional outburst from Jude, instead of taking it and staying focused on her possibly dead BFF, she immediately focuses on how hurt she is by Jude and proceeds to give him the cold shoulder and retreat into herself while Fin is getting her stomach pumped..... I cannot stand that amount of self-centered thinking, no one gives a flying f*ck about your love life, Fin just attempted suicide. She even goes so far as to dip out the second she hears Fin will live and cuts them all off including her BFF (who just survived something major and needs support more than ever) and even after Jude returns and apologizes for his outburst, she still remains in this 'You were mean and hurt my feelings so I'm not speaking to you ever again' childish mindset. She just became intolerable after that for me.
To lightly explain; the dialogue was unoriginal, the same you'd read in any young adult romance novel and the supposed 'love connection' was way too quick to be believable so that was basically a parody the entire book.
Next the archetypes, you know, the slutty mean girls that are a key sign an author is scraping the bottom of the barrel for conflict ideas that will make our heroine seem so much more noble and pure by comparison...when really the whole thing is just unimaginative, we didn't even get much of a description for these girls so most of it felt like a random label tossed into the air with nothing substantial to it. I have no doubt that those type of women exist- who are just mean to be mean- but they're cliches too and it still does not provide me with an incentive to read about them. And no, I'm not the anti-slut shaming type, I call a spade and spade, and a slut a slut, whether man or woman when I see one.
This segways into my next issue...the hypocrisy of the way our heroine portrays the other women when she readily admits that she's been 'with a few guys' so she knew what was up....like really? So you, who act as if you're so virtuous, while the other girls are sluts, when you have no knowledge of their body count or if it even differs from yours; what is this arbitrary line you've drawn in your head in regards to sex that separates you from them?
Then the blatant narcissism, when our righteous heroine finds out her BFF tried to off herself, and Jude, her greatest love, is understandably emotional and upset since that's his little sister on death's door, and lashes out at Eden (which I'd argue wasn't an entirely unreasonable action given she was supposed to be on watch since they all knew Fin was manically depressed and unstable, but went out for burgers), but what really blew my mind was that upon receiving the emotional outburst from Jude, instead of taking it and staying focused on her possibly dead BFF, she immediately focuses on how hurt she is by Jude and proceeds to give him the cold shoulder and retreat into herself while Fin is getting her stomach pumped..... I cannot stand that amount of self-centered thinking, no one gives a flying f*ck about your love life, Fin just attempted suicide. She even goes so far as to dip out the second she hears Fin will live and cuts them all off including her BFF (who just survived something major and needs support more than ever) and even after Jude returns and apologizes for his outburst, she still remains in this 'You were mean and hurt my feelings so I'm not speaking to you ever again' childish mindset. She just became intolerable after that for me.
August 19, 2018
I first read this story a few years ago. I have read it three times since but for some reason I didn’t write a review for it. As I have just re read this book, I have decided to write a review for it.
I really like this story. Every time I read it, it’s like the first time. I get hooked from start to finish and I’m left wanting more. I love Eden. I like that although her life isn’t easy or close to being easy, she never complains. She got kicked out of school because of her moms carelessness with a joint yet she was the one that comforted her upset mother. Her love for her parents and little sisters is clear to see. When Eden gets offered a job being a companion for an anxiety-ridden rock star’s daughter, she takes it. The friendship between Eden and Finely is instant and it isn’t long until they’re the best of friends. Along the way, Eden falls in love with Finley’s older brother, Jude. Jude fights his attraction to Eden by being arrogant and trying and failing to avoid her. As everything settles between Eden and Finley’s friendship and Jude and Eden’s relationship, it goes a little wrong. But will Jude and Finley be able to get Eden to return. Because their lives don’t feel the same without her in it.
The chemistry between Jude and Eden is clear to see and I love seeing their attraction and relationship progress. I loved that Eden helped Finely try and break some of the barriers holding her back. I have to ad it, I did get a little irritated with Finley. She was good to Eden and I understood her issues but she was selfish and childish at times.
The storyline for this book is easy to follow and it is an enjoyable read. I was going to say that I hoped Finley and Cole both get a story but whilst writing this review, I saw that Finley does in fact have a story – I cannot wait to read it.
I really like this story. Every time I read it, it’s like the first time. I get hooked from start to finish and I’m left wanting more. I love Eden. I like that although her life isn’t easy or close to being easy, she never complains. She got kicked out of school because of her moms carelessness with a joint yet she was the one that comforted her upset mother. Her love for her parents and little sisters is clear to see. When Eden gets offered a job being a companion for an anxiety-ridden rock star’s daughter, she takes it. The friendship between Eden and Finely is instant and it isn’t long until they’re the best of friends. Along the way, Eden falls in love with Finley’s older brother, Jude. Jude fights his attraction to Eden by being arrogant and trying and failing to avoid her. As everything settles between Eden and Finley’s friendship and Jude and Eden’s relationship, it goes a little wrong. But will Jude and Finley be able to get Eden to return. Because their lives don’t feel the same without her in it.
The chemistry between Jude and Eden is clear to see and I love seeing their attraction and relationship progress. I loved that Eden helped Finely try and break some of the barriers holding her back. I have to ad it, I did get a little irritated with Finley. She was good to Eden and I understood her issues but she was selfish and childish at times.
The storyline for this book is easy to follow and it is an enjoyable read. I was going to say that I hoped Finley and Cole both get a story but whilst writing this review, I saw that Finley does in fact have a story – I cannot wait to read it.
May 20, 2018
Grade B+. I liked the premise of this story about a super poor girl (from a happy family for a change) who gets the opportunity to be the companion to a rock star's daughter. The daughter (Finley) suffers from depression and agoraphobia. These aren't things that can be fixed with a little friend support and Eden quickly realizes this when things go wrong for Finely. Also in the mix is the older brother Jude who is home on house arrest complete with ankle monitor. This being romance land means he didn't do whatever he's on house arrest for of course. He's the typical misunderstood artist who only wants to paint rather than be a musician or construction company boss. Huh? This didn't particularly ring true since Jude's father was an artist from a famous band and should have understood totally about that aspect. Despite some awkward set ups the story was well done. The world of the rich but down to earth family with a larger than life patriarch was great. I liked how they struggled like anyone else would with acknowledging mental illness in the family. I especially liked reading about Eden and her poorer circumstances. It was a nice change seeing that poor didn't always mean unhappy. I did think Eden overreacted to a single sentence stated under duress by Jude at the end of the story but I suppose there needed to be something to drive her away so there could be a happy reunion. Nice story.
June 13, 2013
i actually really liked it and would totally give it another star except my copy had some errors and there were a few things that i took issue too that kind of made me go 'hmm'. although i have more cons than pro's i actually really liked it.
Pros:
-the plot was original. i have never read a book that dealt with mental issues outside of the main character, nor have i read a book about love blossoming between the rock gods son, typically you find a story about falling for rock god himself.
- although the main character wasn't refreshing, it was nice to have one that didn't buckle under the pressures of everything being thrown at her.
- you could sense the love through both families. Eden's family didn't have much and they were constant failures at alot of stuff during childhood but they still wildly loved each other, the king family as well.
- i liked finleys character alot. although she had mental issues she went about her day like she didn't have a care in the world.
*SPOILER ALERT*
cons:
-the first chapter starts with Eden as the care taker of the family. thats all nice and dandy cause it sets up the story to explain how strong this girl is. but all it did for me was make me resent the parents even more which made me not believe all of the love that was given to Eden. and although she has grown up and is used to it, i would expect a teenager to be resentful of her parents as well. i also cant comprehend how child protective services wasn't ever called on them by the way she was explaining how they lived.
-and then when she gets to school she meets with her guidance counselor and is informed that she wouldn't be receiving those scholarships like she had planned. i would of broke down crying right then and there but nope Eden held her own and accepted her fate the hand of her failure parents bestowed her.
ok, so what you didnt get the scholarship. has she never heard of fafsa?? student loans??? i know their a ***** to pay off but she could of taken out student loans for the year and then stopped when she found other scholarships to apply for.
-AND THAN she is caught with a joint that was caught on her back back that her mom was smoking on the way to work. and since it was too close to the end of the school year it would be pointless to suspend her so they just forbid her from going to school for the rest of the few days she had left and forbid her from walking during graduation or to the graduation parties being held. does anyone else smell the crock of bullshit that just came from that?
i admit i am naive when it comes to drugs and such, never saw the need for it. i'm assuming that Eden had grown up with joints all around and was used to it, but i'm sure the distinctive smell would have made its way to her nose if it was attached on her somewhere. which leads me to say again that i would resent the hell out of my parents for putting me in that kind of situation to begin with. not only have they taken away the dream of her future, but they ruin the only happiness that comes with completing 4 years of high school.
- at the beginning of the book Eden was a strong character, but when she got the job and Jude started hanging around her resolve started to disappear. she said several times that she would never go crazy/nuts for a guy. but not even a few days after they kissed she was on the crazy train. and they didn't even make it official.
- i also didn't like how at the beginning of the book she was breaking up for good with her on and off again boyfriend because he was rich and didn't want to be seen with the 'poor' girl so their relationship was for hiding. BUT THAT IS ALL HER AND JUDES RELATIONSHIP WAS!!!! he was always pulling her to corners or pulling her away to kiss her never did he actually EVER kiss her in public. hell in fact the only time he ever showed any kind of affection towards her in public was when he came home tired from work and his brother Cole was throwing a party. Even then it was only because they were all sitting together in the kitchen and she was sitting in his arms, he pulled her away for the kissing.
-Once hell broke loose and Jude yelled at her, she ran away which is not something that i would think someone of her character would do.
-When she got the job at the diner and we were told that construction was next door i KNEW exactly that Jude would show up because that's where he worked. i wasn't expecting the big fight to break out and Eden sure was stupid to go and try to intervene while they were rough handling someone that was a complete ***** to her especially when she hadn't called the cops yet.
- of course Jude shows up and starts fighting the guys and then its daddy to the rescue and of course these thug biker dudes just all of a sudden not want to fight and are enamored by the essence that is Nicki King and willingly put themselves in situation where they were going to be arrested. and just like that all is forgiven and Eden goes home with the rock family, never mind that she has a job to do with a elderly man who was counting on her.
the best part of the whole story was when Finley showed up in the back of limo even though she has agoraphobia and the girls shared an emotional hug. At the end when the Saxon family and the King family all gathered, all seemed right in the world and Edens dad finally got to meet his 'god'. and of course Jude pulls her away from prying eyes to get a taste of his 'Eden'.
all in all i recommend this book, those were just issues that came up in my mind but i totally ignored them and finished the book in one whole sitting.
Pros:
-the plot was original. i have never read a book that dealt with mental issues outside of the main character, nor have i read a book about love blossoming between the rock gods son, typically you find a story about falling for rock god himself.
- although the main character wasn't refreshing, it was nice to have one that didn't buckle under the pressures of everything being thrown at her.
- you could sense the love through both families. Eden's family didn't have much and they were constant failures at alot of stuff during childhood but they still wildly loved each other, the king family as well.
- i liked finleys character alot. although she had mental issues she went about her day like she didn't have a care in the world.
*SPOILER ALERT*
cons:
-the first chapter starts with Eden as the care taker of the family. thats all nice and dandy cause it sets up the story to explain how strong this girl is. but all it did for me was make me resent the parents even more which made me not believe all of the love that was given to Eden. and although she has grown up and is used to it, i would expect a teenager to be resentful of her parents as well. i also cant comprehend how child protective services wasn't ever called on them by the way she was explaining how they lived.
-and then when she gets to school she meets with her guidance counselor and is informed that she wouldn't be receiving those scholarships like she had planned. i would of broke down crying right then and there but nope Eden held her own and accepted her fate the hand of her failure parents bestowed her.
ok, so what you didnt get the scholarship. has she never heard of fafsa?? student loans??? i know their a ***** to pay off but she could of taken out student loans for the year and then stopped when she found other scholarships to apply for.
-AND THAN she is caught with a joint that was caught on her back back that her mom was smoking on the way to work. and since it was too close to the end of the school year it would be pointless to suspend her so they just forbid her from going to school for the rest of the few days she had left and forbid her from walking during graduation or to the graduation parties being held. does anyone else smell the crock of bullshit that just came from that?
i admit i am naive when it comes to drugs and such, never saw the need for it. i'm assuming that Eden had grown up with joints all around and was used to it, but i'm sure the distinctive smell would have made its way to her nose if it was attached on her somewhere. which leads me to say again that i would resent the hell out of my parents for putting me in that kind of situation to begin with. not only have they taken away the dream of her future, but they ruin the only happiness that comes with completing 4 years of high school.
- at the beginning of the book Eden was a strong character, but when she got the job and Jude started hanging around her resolve started to disappear. she said several times that she would never go crazy/nuts for a guy. but not even a few days after they kissed she was on the crazy train. and they didn't even make it official.
- i also didn't like how at the beginning of the book she was breaking up for good with her on and off again boyfriend because he was rich and didn't want to be seen with the 'poor' girl so their relationship was for hiding. BUT THAT IS ALL HER AND JUDES RELATIONSHIP WAS!!!! he was always pulling her to corners or pulling her away to kiss her never did he actually EVER kiss her in public. hell in fact the only time he ever showed any kind of affection towards her in public was when he came home tired from work and his brother Cole was throwing a party. Even then it was only because they were all sitting together in the kitchen and she was sitting in his arms, he pulled her away for the kissing.
-Once hell broke loose and Jude yelled at her, she ran away which is not something that i would think someone of her character would do.
-When she got the job at the diner and we were told that construction was next door i KNEW exactly that Jude would show up because that's where he worked. i wasn't expecting the big fight to break out and Eden sure was stupid to go and try to intervene while they were rough handling someone that was a complete ***** to her especially when she hadn't called the cops yet.
- of course Jude shows up and starts fighting the guys and then its daddy to the rescue and of course these thug biker dudes just all of a sudden not want to fight and are enamored by the essence that is Nicki King and willingly put themselves in situation where they were going to be arrested. and just like that all is forgiven and Eden goes home with the rock family, never mind that she has a job to do with a elderly man who was counting on her.
the best part of the whole story was when Finley showed up in the back of limo even though she has agoraphobia and the girls shared an emotional hug. At the end when the Saxon family and the King family all gathered, all seemed right in the world and Edens dad finally got to meet his 'god'. and of course Jude pulls her away from prying eyes to get a taste of his 'Eden'.
all in all i recommend this book, those were just issues that came up in my mind but i totally ignored them and finished the book in one whole sitting.
May 30, 2018
Cuando lo inicie no me convencía mucho, sobre todo con el accidente de la marihuana, pero los papas de Eden son de hecho muy amables, aunque sean tan despistados. Sophie y Janie son pura ternura.
Lo que me no me cuadró es que Eden se queja de que Chandler, el ex novio rico que tuvo en la escuela no le hacía caso mientras estaba con sus amigos, pero eso no es exactamente lo que hacia Jude? Él solo la besa mientras nadie los ve.
Es un buen libro si buscas una historia sencilla o si esta saliendo de una resaca literaria.
Lo que me no me cuadró es que Eden se queja de que Chandler, el ex novio rico que tuvo en la escuela no le hacía caso mientras estaba con sus amigos, pero eso no es exactamente lo que hacia Jude? Él solo la besa mientras nadie los ve.
Es un buen libro si buscas una historia sencilla o si esta saliendo de una resaca literaria.
February 27, 2019
I read this out of order, so I am going with the rating that it would have been for me had I read it in the right order ;) I didn't like Finley in this book, but LOVED her in "Rett", so that's something I can get past :) LOVED Jude and Eden! Wonderful oddball pairing <3
Read my full review here: https://kalisbookreviews.com/custom-c...
WARNING: Some spoilers ahead ;)
Read my full review here: https://kalisbookreviews.com/custom-c...
WARNING: Some spoilers ahead ;)
February 1, 2020
Full length stand-alone prequel in the Custom Culture series. Should be read before the Custom Culture series, or at least Rett, the fourth book in the Custom Culture Series. Eden and Jude had very different upbringings. I loved everything about Eden, she was strong and independent. I would have liked more of them together in the future making their relationship work. It seemed to end too soon without an epilogue far enough in the future for my satisfaction. I would recommend this book and the Custom Culture series!
May 28, 2025
I read this years ago and loved it. I picked up the audiobook and remembered why. The characters are easy to like and the storyline is engaging. I was completely invested. It did end in a HFN kind of way. I'd love to have more of these two. The narrator was great! She did an excellent job with both male and female characters. I am impressed with her performance.
June 7, 2017
Two pages in I realized I had already read this book. I continued reading it because I remembered the outline but not specifics ( I must have read it quite a while ago. ) I'm glad I did because it was just as good the second time around.
August 11, 2017
Standalone Awesomeness
In this book there are so many different struggles, anxieties, and insecurities, yet in all the bad, there are two families that love above all else. It was a fantastic read!
In this book there are so many different struggles, anxieties, and insecurities, yet in all the bad, there are two families that love above all else. It was a fantastic read!
March 4, 2018
Es el primer libro que leo de Tess, me encanta la frescura con que relata la historia, mi única queja es que me la leí apresuradamente, la historia avanza rápido pero es entretenida.
Si quieres leer algo rápido y divertido, este es tu libro.
Si quieres leer algo rápido y divertido, este es tu libro.
November 29, 2020
JUDE AND EDEN
This story moved slower than the Custom Culture series and no character really had an ending. There was more to their stories that I would have liked to know about. Maybe it will appear in #4 of Custom Culture, Getting.
This story moved slower than the Custom Culture series and no character really had an ending. There was more to their stories that I would have liked to know about. Maybe it will appear in #4 of Custom Culture, Getting.
July 19, 2013
Excellent New Adult contemporary romance
Eighteen-year-old Eden Saxon is the eldest daughter of two hippie parents who conceived her as an unplanned pregnancy in their teens. Her parents are very supportive of Eden, and during their long, happy marriage they also gave birth to two much younger siblings. Unfortunately, as loving as they are, Eden's parents are completely unwilling to hold down steady jobs in the mainstream world because her dad is a rock musician. He never managed to make much money at it, but surrendering his makeshift musical career in order to adequately support his family is not a sacrifice he's ever been willing to make. As a result, his family has been forced to move frequently, wear thrift-shop clothes, and live in dilapidated housing in crime-ridden neighborhoods.
Eden loves her adorably immature parents very much, and bears no resentment toward them for their obvious flaws, but she wants far more out of life than the grinding poverty they've subjected her family to. She has kept up her grades and hopes to get a scholarship to college. When the counselor at her high school offers Eden a great opportunity for a summer job which pays a huge amount of money, as well as room and board, in what seems on the surface to have an amazingly easy set of tasks to perform, she jumps at the chance. The counselor is related to rock legend, Nicky King, and she has recommended Eden to serve as a companion to his nineteen-year-old daughter, Finley, in his enormous mansion. Eden's father is awestruck that his own daughter will have the opportunity of a lifetime to associate with his all-time hero, and she has no trouble getting both her parents' blessing to take this job. Though her mother is sad that Eden will not be able to move with them hundreds of miles away for a temporary job situation her parents have taken.
Eden is blown away by the luxury that abounds in Finley's mansion, but Finley herself is extremely welcoming to Eden, and the two of them immediately form a close friendship. Two of Finley's older brothers are also living in their father's home, each of them products of different marriages of their father. The King siblings are clearly close to each other, and both young men are very protective of the emotionally fragile Finley.
Eden has no problem evading the casually flirtatious overtures of the younger King brother, but the older one, Jude, makes it plain that he is suspicious of her by his arrogantly confrontational remarks. Eden resents his rudeness, but unfortunately for her, she can't simply ignore him because he is irresistibly gorgeous and he constantly pins her with a burning gaze filled with sensual heat.
I really liked Eden. She is capable, intelligent, and I admired her self-disciplined focus on her goal to get a college education. Her parents are more like Eden's children than the adults of the family, and I felt rather sorry for her that they were so irresponsible. On the other hand, it was hard not to forgive them their sins of omission when they are so obviously attached to their children.
I liked everything about Jude except for the fact that he smokes. The adult romance genre has not offered protagonists who smoke since the 1980's in support of anti-smoking health goals in this country. Only in rare instances have I seen a smoking hero, and in those cases the heroine states that she would never kiss a smoker, and the guy instantly throws away his cigarettes for good. That did not happen here. Instead, the author glosses over the fact that Jude's smoking would inevitably leave him smelling and tasting like an ashtray--which is anything but sexy. I also found myself wishing that Jude knew self-defense (something that the son of a world-famous rock star could easily have learned) and had shared his knowledge with Eden. It would have led to a much more empowering outcome for the two of them in the climax of the story.
I was impressed with how authentically the author portrays Finley's agoraphobia. Eden's attempts to desensitize Finley to her fear of stepping beyond the boundaries of her safe space on her father's estate is very much in keeping with how agoraphobia is treated.
Finally, I was delighted to discover one of the very few Young Adult/New Adult contemporary romance which actually is a romance, that is, Eden and Jude are on stage together over 50% of the book. I am also happy to report that there is no romantic triangle, and there is an upbeat ending to the romance.
As a New Adult romance, this book is geared toward an audience 17 and above due to the mature subject content of swearing, drinking, drugs, and violence. There is also sex in this story, but unlike the semi-pornographic sex in most New Adult novels these days, the sexual encounters in this novel are romantic in nature rather than lewd, and they are tastefully presented, with no graphic descriptions.
I rate this book as follows:
Heroine: 5 stars
Hero: 4 stars
Subcharacters: 5 stars
Romance Plot: 5 stars
Family Drama Plot: 3 stars
Writing: 5 stars
Overall: 4.5 stars rounded to 5 stars
Eighteen-year-old Eden Saxon is the eldest daughter of two hippie parents who conceived her as an unplanned pregnancy in their teens. Her parents are very supportive of Eden, and during their long, happy marriage they also gave birth to two much younger siblings. Unfortunately, as loving as they are, Eden's parents are completely unwilling to hold down steady jobs in the mainstream world because her dad is a rock musician. He never managed to make much money at it, but surrendering his makeshift musical career in order to adequately support his family is not a sacrifice he's ever been willing to make. As a result, his family has been forced to move frequently, wear thrift-shop clothes, and live in dilapidated housing in crime-ridden neighborhoods.
Eden loves her adorably immature parents very much, and bears no resentment toward them for their obvious flaws, but she wants far more out of life than the grinding poverty they've subjected her family to. She has kept up her grades and hopes to get a scholarship to college. When the counselor at her high school offers Eden a great opportunity for a summer job which pays a huge amount of money, as well as room and board, in what seems on the surface to have an amazingly easy set of tasks to perform, she jumps at the chance. The counselor is related to rock legend, Nicky King, and she has recommended Eden to serve as a companion to his nineteen-year-old daughter, Finley, in his enormous mansion. Eden's father is awestruck that his own daughter will have the opportunity of a lifetime to associate with his all-time hero, and she has no trouble getting both her parents' blessing to take this job. Though her mother is sad that Eden will not be able to move with them hundreds of miles away for a temporary job situation her parents have taken.
Eden is blown away by the luxury that abounds in Finley's mansion, but Finley herself is extremely welcoming to Eden, and the two of them immediately form a close friendship. Two of Finley's older brothers are also living in their father's home, each of them products of different marriages of their father. The King siblings are clearly close to each other, and both young men are very protective of the emotionally fragile Finley.
Eden has no problem evading the casually flirtatious overtures of the younger King brother, but the older one, Jude, makes it plain that he is suspicious of her by his arrogantly confrontational remarks. Eden resents his rudeness, but unfortunately for her, she can't simply ignore him because he is irresistibly gorgeous and he constantly pins her with a burning gaze filled with sensual heat.
I really liked Eden. She is capable, intelligent, and I admired her self-disciplined focus on her goal to get a college education. Her parents are more like Eden's children than the adults of the family, and I felt rather sorry for her that they were so irresponsible. On the other hand, it was hard not to forgive them their sins of omission when they are so obviously attached to their children.
I liked everything about Jude except for the fact that he smokes. The adult romance genre has not offered protagonists who smoke since the 1980's in support of anti-smoking health goals in this country. Only in rare instances have I seen a smoking hero, and in those cases the heroine states that she would never kiss a smoker, and the guy instantly throws away his cigarettes for good. That did not happen here. Instead, the author glosses over the fact that Jude's smoking would inevitably leave him smelling and tasting like an ashtray--which is anything but sexy. I also found myself wishing that Jude knew self-defense (something that the son of a world-famous rock star could easily have learned) and had shared his knowledge with Eden. It would have led to a much more empowering outcome for the two of them in the climax of the story.
I was impressed with how authentically the author portrays Finley's agoraphobia. Eden's attempts to desensitize Finley to her fear of stepping beyond the boundaries of her safe space on her father's estate is very much in keeping with how agoraphobia is treated.
Finally, I was delighted to discover one of the very few Young Adult/New Adult contemporary romance which actually is a romance, that is, Eden and Jude are on stage together over 50% of the book. I am also happy to report that there is no romantic triangle, and there is an upbeat ending to the romance.
As a New Adult romance, this book is geared toward an audience 17 and above due to the mature subject content of swearing, drinking, drugs, and violence. There is also sex in this story, but unlike the semi-pornographic sex in most New Adult novels these days, the sexual encounters in this novel are romantic in nature rather than lewd, and they are tastefully presented, with no graphic descriptions.
I rate this book as follows:
Heroine: 5 stars
Hero: 4 stars
Subcharacters: 5 stars
Romance Plot: 5 stars
Family Drama Plot: 3 stars
Writing: 5 stars
Overall: 4.5 stars rounded to 5 stars
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