{Review & Giveaway} Going Under by Georgia Cates

Going Under
by Georgia Cates
Publisher:  Georgia Cates
Source:  e-book courtesy of Georgia Cates in exchange for a fair and honest review
Available as of March 10, 2012
Amazon | Smashwords

Jessie Boone is a self proclaimed bad boy and doesn’t march to the beat of anyone’s drum, but his own. Growing up in less than desirable circumstances has made him no stranger to the hard knock life and his determination to leave it behind is fierce. When he finds himself transferred to East Franklin High School, he sees his opportunity to use his athletic ability to snag a college football scholarship, but Forbes Henderson, the player Jessie means to replace isn’t giving up his spot willingly. In fact, Forbes is willing to go to extreme measures to retain his place as first string quarterback. When Forbes’ malicious plan to injure his replacement fails, Jessie is furious and determined to show him he messed with the wrong person; not only is he going to take the position of first string quarterback, he’s going to take his girl, too.

Claire Deveraux is perfection at it’s best. She is beautiful, intelligent and unaware she just became Jessie Boone’s conquest as revenge against her boyfriend, Forbes Henderson. Like her flawless performance as the perfect daughter and student, Claire’s production of being the perfect girlfriend has everyone fooled, except Jessie Boone, and she fears this tattooed bad boy will see her secret desire to explore his crude threats and promises to rock her perfect world. If she decides to give in to one uninhibited moment with Jessie, will she learn too late that it was all an act of vengeance or will Jessie learn the taste of first love is sweeter than that of revenge?

Rating:

My Review:

What to say?  I guess, where do I begin is the better question.  Georgia Cates blew me away with this story of heartfelt and believable love.  Going Under is a book I will continuously go to when I feel like giving up on love or life.

Jessie Boone is the boy who grew up with nothing, forced into dealing drugs for his mom until circumstances outside of his control land him living with his grandmother doing the same thing.  He shouldn't be alive, but he is.  He shouldn't be able to play football, but he does.  He tries out for quarterback at his new school and beats out the current one, Forbes.  As tension grows between the two boys, Claire becomes Jessie's way of getting under Forbes skin, but Jessie doesn't expect feelings for Claire to emerge.

Claire is perceived by everyone as being the "it" girl.  She is a cheerleader, dating the quarterback and bound to be valedictorian.  Then Jessie comes along.  She pays little attention to him until Forbes won't stop going on about the "trash" and "skank" that came to town.  It takes one kiss from Jessie for her to realize that she has never loved Forbes, she has been pleasing her parents.

I loved this book.  Jessie and Claire have this love hate relationship in the beginning and the tension between them is huge.  There were times when I died laughing or got really excited and times when I was really depressed or cried just a little bit.  It was an emotional roller coaster and it was a wonderful ride. What I liked most about this book was the change in point of view.  I love seeing stories from each of the main characters points of view.  It allows for a deeper understanding of everything going on and allows the reader to sit back and revel in knowing something that one character doesn't.  Claire was left in the dark about Jessie's past and I was reading and thinking, "Just tell her already!  She doesn't care where you came from, just that you're here!" 

I fell in love with both Claire and Jessie.  Claire is like a lot of teenage girls when they fall head over heels for a guy.  She couldn't get enough of him and was willing to go against anyone who got in her way.  Jessie came from a broken home but made the best of what he had and made something of himself.  

Overall, this book was fantastic and I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to read a great contemporary romance.  

Giveaway!

Georgia Cates has provided me with a smashwords code for one lucky winner.

This giveaway is open interenationally.

Giveaway Policy Applies

Ends 4/19 at Midnight EST.

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This book satisfies one of my 2012 Completely Contemp Challenge books and one of my 2012 YA Contemporary Challenge books.

FTC Disclosure:  I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.  I was not monetarily compensated for my opinion.