{Review} Significance by Shelly Crane

Significance
by Shelly Crane
Series:  Significance (#1)
Publisher:  Shelly Crane
Pages:  374 (ebook)
Source:  Self Purchased
Available as of June 12, 2011

Maggie is a seventeen year old girl who's had a bad year. She was smart and on track but then her mom left, her dad is depressed, she's graduating, barely, and her boyfriend of almost three years dumped her for a college football schalorship. Lately she thinks life is all about hanging on by a thread and is gripping tight with everything she has. Then she meets Caleb. She saves his life and instantly knows there's something about him that's intriguing but she is supposed to be on her way to a date with his cousin. But things change when they touch, sparks ignite. Literally. They imprint with each other and she sees their future life together flash before her eyes. She learns that not only is she his soul mate, and can feel his heartbeat in her chest, but there is a whole other world of people with gifts and abilities that she never knew existed. She herself is experiencing supernatural changes unlike anything she's ever felt before and she needs the touch of his skin to survive. Now, not only has her dad come out of his depression to be a father again, and a pain as well, but Caleb's enemies know he's imprinted and are after Maggie to stop them both from gaining their abilities and take her from him. Can Caleb save her or will they be forced to live without each other after just finding one another?

Rating:

My Review:

I originally read Significance this past December and fell in love with the story line. Shelly Crane provides the reader with a new, unique take on the paranormal world that has me wanting more.

Let's start with the main characters. Maggie isn't your average seventeen year old girl. She graduated high school early after the worst year of her life; her mother left and her dad has abandoned all responsibility since. She is smart, caring, responsible, and a little naive. It's only by chance that she meets Caleb at a stoplight where he almost gets killed. Caleb is gorgeous, charming, and sweet. He is one of only two guys Maggie has ever been attracted to and no longer does she want to go on her date with his cousin Kyle, especially after the sparks.  

I think this is one of only a few books where the insta-love concept works. Caleb is a supernatural being called an Ace. Being an Ace means that there is only one person out there for him, his soul mate.  When Caleb and Maggie finally touch, sparks fly. They are the perfect match for each other. A number of young adult books I've read these days try to carry out this concept and I almost always find a flaw in each of the relationships. With Significance, we learn early on that there is a reason for them being head over heels for each other so quickly, it is expected. 

The thing I like most about this book is that it is original. I've never read a paranormal book that has this idea of soul mates. Granted Twilight has imprints, but this is nothing like the idea behind Stephenie Meyer's werewolves. It is more like a recognition of the other person. I also like that Maggie isn't whiny. She doesn't sulk over her mom leaving, shes mad at her mom, but not whining about it. She made the best of her situation. 

I really enjoyed this book and I don't have much bad to say about it. There are times when Maggie is just explaining things that gets a little old, but it isn't overwhelming to the point it is an annoying quality to the book.  

Overall, this is a great addition to any paranormal lovers library. I look forward to reading and reviewing Accordance and Defiance.