need to begin this review with a confession: I'm not really a fan of the New Adult genre.
But the thing is I really, REALLY want to be! I adore the idea of reading stories about older high schoolers, college students, and adults in their earlys however, I'm rarely able to find a novel that can execute such a story in a compelling way.
More often than not, NA books I read are an odd combination of YA and intense erotica, which leave me feeling confused and awkward.
But every once in awhile, I have the fortune of coming across a book exceeds my highest expectations and reminds me why NA is so popular.
Caged in Winter is,this book, From the first sentence to the very last word, this book has me riveted, The writing is
exceptional, the characters are genuine and sympathetic, and the plot is robust and wellpaced, I love every moment of Winter and Cade's story, and gladly give thisstars,
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Caged In Winter is the kind of book that reminds me of when the New Adult genre was very new.
I loved the books I read then and I loved Caged In Winter as well, This book was beautiful. Both Cade and Winter have scars from their past and because of that they have a clear plan for the future, and neither one of them was looking for a relationship, but one found them.
Winter is a tough cookie, Her past is rough and life has dealt her a shitty hand, but she has a plan and she is working toward it.
She is fiercely independent and prides herself on being able to take care of herself, so when this guy strolls in to help her with a handsy customer, she isnt thankful she is pissed he just cost her her tips.
And this is how Cade walks into her life,
Cade is great, He is this perfect blend of good guy, with a slight bad boy streak, and he is fiercely protective.
What I love thought is that he isnt protective in the overbearing controlling alpha male way, It is clear he is protective over those he cares about and wants to help, Winter may not see that, but the reader can, Cade is the kind of guy I love to read about, We all love our alpha males and bad boys, but I have always said that there is something incredibly special about a good man and Cade is exactly that.
He helps his sister and niece and is willing to do anything for them and that just melts your heart.
Plus he is a chef covered in tattoos, can we say yum!
Caged In Winter also delivers some great secondary characters.
Hayley is absolutely adorable and you have to love her, Tessa is another one I loved and I loved how strong her relationship was with her brother, Cade.
Then there is Jason, who is a bit of a jerk, but I kinda love him and I think there is more to him than meets the eye.
Aside from characters though, I think my favorite thing about the book is that both Cade and Winter had actual lives.
They had classes and jobs and commitments outside each other, They didnt and couldnt spend/together and it was realistic, It was a struggle for them to make time for one another and somehow find a balance and I loved how realistic that was.
I mean, how many books do we read where a couple gets together and all of a sudden just spend every waking hour together like they never had any commitments before that person came along.
I loved that the relationship aspect didnt just fall into place easily and that it required work, Winters insecurities were a big obstacle for their relationship but life may have been an even bigger one.
Caged In Winter was a great story about overcoming your past and not letting it define you.
The romance is gorgeous and the characters will work their way into your heart, More importantly though, this story shows that you can forge your own way in life and live out your dreams, you just have to be brave enough to try.
Last year I read two adult contemporary romances by Brighton Walsh and really enjoyed them, When I heard she was publishing with Penguin, I got excited, I dont read a ton of new adult, but her previous books were very smartly written so I thought Id give Caged in Winter a try.
Unfortunately, it didnt work for me,
Winter works at a bar that forces her to wear a very skimpy outfit she hates it, but she makes good tips.
With only two months to go until college graduation, she knows she can suck it up and just deal with it.
When a drunken guy grabs her ass one night, another man steps in and comes to her rescue except Winter doesnt want to get rescued.
Being rescued means the drunk guy and all his friends wont leave a tip, Furious, Winter lashes out at her savior,
This man is Cade, A culinary student, Cade cant stand the thought of someone disrespecting this gorgeous girl, He expected a thank you, but instead gets a tongue lashing, But this doesnt dissuade Cade, He starts making excuses and showing up at the bar between midnight and one am so he can make sure she gets home safe.
Winter hates to be coddled, and tries her best to ignore Cade when he shows up, But deep down she likes it, and these two start a friendship that turns into a romance,
That was the super brief setup, but really there isnt a ton that happens in this book.
WInter is an extremely prickly, defensive heroine who I never warmed up to, She treats Cade so poorly in the beginning, Im still confused as to why he tries to court her time and time again.
I get her anger at first a stranger interfering in her business is not welcome by her but to continue to give him the cold shoulder time and time again got real old quick.
Its a good reminder, A timely reminder. I have sixtysix days left, and getting mixed up with a boy like Cade is the last thing I need.
Last night after telling him my name, I went home high on nerves and anxiety, I fell asleep to the image of him under the street light, Dreamt about what itd be like to have him for mine, To open up to him like Ive never done with anyone else, When I woke up in the middle of the night, panting and sweating, that shouldve been enough warning.
Im not meant to form lasting relationships, To forge friendships based on respect and trust,
Im meant to get through life on my own,
Im meant to be alone,
Winter is so overly dramatic in this one, She grew up in foster care and just as she was about to find her forever home, that fell through.
THis has a huge impact on Winter, and she has trust issues that weigh heavily on her, Cade too doesnt have parents, as his dad died in a car accident and his mom died of breast cancer.
He lives with his sister and her daughter, Cade is a much warmer character, who falls head over heels in love with Winter, I enjoyed Cade I thought the culinary aspect is presented well and I understood him, I didnt understand why he was attracted or how he fell in love with Winter, There are declarations of love that made me scratch my head, I never got it.
This book frequently changes between Cade and Winter sometimes every two pages, It was a little abrupt, And Winter is just so darn emo and over dramatic, it made me roll my eyes instead of have empathy with her.
Love has only ever ended in ruins for me,
I didnt want this, I never asked for this, I didnt want this ache in my chest, this constant flutter in my stomach, this perpetual breath holding while I wait for the other shoe to drop.
I didnt want to have to worry about someone else, take someone else into consideration, But I do.
I cant take the emo Winter! This is a miss for me,
Rating: C.