ARC Review: Out of Line by Jen McLaughlin/Diane Alberts

Out of Line

Author: Jen McLaughlin/Diane Alberts

Publication Date: September 6, 2013

Genre: New Adult

~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.

~Review~

To be honest, I wavered back and forth throughout this book on how I felt about it. I liked the plot concept and felt like it was well written. However, I felt like the relationship moved too fast and I was split on the characters.

Carrie wasn’t an MC that I disliked but I didn’t love her. I felt like she was really immature and she definitely showed it at times. I understand she has been sheltered for most of her life and she if on her own for the first time but the way she acted sometimes still annoyed me. However, I did feel bad for her because her dad is such an overprotective control freak and all Carrie wants is to live a normal life and date and fall in love. I also liked that she was generous and selfless. Growing up rich and sheltered, she easily could have been a spoiled brat but instead she anonymously donated her expensive clothes and volunteered at soup kitchens and gave out McDonald’s gift cards to the needy. I really liked this about her.

I liked Finn a lot and thought he was a really good guy. He tries really hard to deny his connections and feelings for Carrie despite her efforts. He likes her and wants to be with her but he has a job to do and he doesn’t want to build anything with her on lies. I really respected that about him. Of course, he’s a guy so he only has so much resolve and his attraction to Carrie is too strong to deny. He is sweet and protective of her, and not just because it’s his job. He wants to take care of Carrie and keep her safe because he loves her.

Carrie has a conservative, over-protective father who has allowed her to go to college across the country seemingly by herself. However, Finn has been hired to blend in and keep an eye on her. When he meets Carrie, they are both instantly attracted to each other and begin spending time with one another. Finn is really good about trying to only be friends with Carrie but she doesn’t make it easy and she comes on a bit strong. I liked the chemistry and sexual tension between Carrie and Finn but I felt like everything moved a bit fast. I have read so much insta-love recently that my head is going to explode. I feel like people are throwing the “L” word around like it’s no big deal anymore. While this wasn’t necessary insta-love, it was definitely insta-let’s define our relationship after knowing each other for 20 minutes. Also, this is a new adult so you know things are going to implode and when they did, I didn’t like the way Carrie handled it. I felt like she acted really immature and bratty about it. I understand that she was hurt but she turned into someone that I really didn’t think she was and acted totally out of character towards Finn. I liked how Finn fought for her though and really worked to show her that his feelings were real. The ending? Holy cliffhanger!

Overall, I did enjoy reading Out of Line and I feel like my jadedness towards insta-love may have got in the way a little so I won’t hold that against this book. I felt like it was written really well and plot and character development was nicely done for a first book. There is still a lot to learn about Finn and Carrie and how things will affect their relationship so I am looking forward to book 2.

~IPOD Picks~

“The One that Got Away” by Boyce Avenue

“It Will Rain” by Bruno Mars

“I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz

*An e-ARC was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and unbiased.*