Book Review: Dearest Clementine by Lex Martin

Title: Dearest Clementine
Author: Lex Martin
Publisher: Lex Martin
Release Date:  April 18th 2014
Pages: 229
Format: eBook
Source: Bought
Age Group: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Twenty-year-old Clementine Avery doesn't mind being called bitchy and closed off. It's safe, and after being burned by her high school sweetheart and stalked by a professor her freshman year of college, safe sounds pretty damn good. Her number one rule for survival? No dating. That is until she accidentally signs up for a romance writing class and needs material for her latest assignment. Sexy RA Gavin Murphy is more than happy to play the part of book boyfriend to help Clem find some inspiration, even if that means making out...in the name of research, of course. As Gavin and Clem grow closer, they get entangled in the mystery surrounding a missing Boston University student, and Clem unwittingly becomes a possible target. Gavin tries to show Clem she can handle falling in love again, but she knows she has to be careful because her heart’s at stake…and maybe even her life. DEAREST CLEMENTINE is a stand-alone novel with two companion novels. This New Adult romance is recommended for readers 18+ due to mature content.

Dearest Clementine is probably one of my top favorite New Adult books. I seriously loved every moment. It definitely stands out in a way that makes it believable. NA is a hit or miss for me and this was a big ass HIT.

Clementine, oh my what a character. Girl was put through the ringer her senior year and everything went downhill from there. In high school her ex cheated . . . with her best friend. Then she lost a scholarship and her mother doesn't even talk to her.  And don't even get me started on her college years, Clem has a stalker(professor) who won't leave her alone even after she pressed charges on him.

It's logical that she would have her wall up around others and guys in general. I'm like Clem in a way, I trust a few and it takes awhile for me to really open up to new people so I connected with the main character in that aspect. But the people she had already let in were awesome especially Jenna who is hilarious. 

"We're going to play Out-Skank." 

Oh and I forgot the best part, Clem is an author. YES AN AUTHOR. She published a book her freshmen year of college and is having a trouble writing her second one. It was great seeing how an authors mind works through Clem. (Btw I want to read her book really bad) 

"I think I'm able to sell books, not because I'm creative or original, but because I've been honest about the crazy shit that's gone down in my life. Of course, I wrap it up in a thin veneer of fiction, but my best work always originated from my own experiences. I don't need make-believe when real life is more fucked up. Especially mine."

Enter Gavin Murphy , the guy who makes Clem reevaluate her guy situation. 

"He has the slightest Southern accent. Why am I even thinking about his accent . . . and his mouth . , , and those full lips? I shiver, wondering where my steely resolve to avoid good looking men has gone." 

As a reader I loved Gavin, he was just what Clem needed. He didn't stop trying to get to know her even when she was unsure of him. And they had this one part where he was helping her with a scene for her new book that involves a washer.

I'm sure a lot of girls have gone through or maybe even felt like Clem has; heartache, bitterness, confusion. Lex stayed true to the story, she didn't sugarcoat anything. She didn't have Clem easily believe what Gavin was saying about certain things:

"See, I'm not interested in after-the-fact explanations. Call me crazy but I tend to prefer the truth in the moment."

Dearest Clementine is mainly about taking chances and letting others in so you can enjoy all life has to offer. 

So rest assured I will be reading anything Lex writes in the future! Do yourself a favor and read Dearest Clementine.