Book Review: “This Thing Between Us” By Erika Lynn

Wow! I had to take an hour after finishing this book just to process it. Then I got upset with myself for finishing it so fast. Because, oh my gosh! This was so incredible, heartwarming, surprising, and unexpectedly funny! The characters took me on a ride that I never wanted to get off of. And this one is definitely going on my list of books that I will be rereading again and again. So keep reading for my review of This Thing Between Us by Erika Lynn

Emotional Roller Coaster

Talk about a roller coaster of emotions! I think I felt every single emotion in existence a hundred times over throughout reading this book. And it wasn’t graceful. I was falling into all of the emotions full force. It was a fast-paced ride, that was for damn sure. It felt like it only took me minutes to read the entire novel because I couldn’t get enough and I couldn’t get it fast enough. Anything under 500 pages is usually doable in a couple of hours for me but I think I had a record with this one. It was a real conundrum to be honest because I wanted the story to last forever but I wanted to know what was going to happen next just as badly. Erika could write a hundred sequels just about Jack and Whitney and I would read all of them over and over again.

Image via Erika Lynn

The journey that I went on with Whitney and Jack was *chef’s kiss*. Seriously. And I say that I went on the journey with them because I was completely immersed in this book. Especially everything between Jack and Whitney. I loved the way that the point of view switched back and forth between them so I could get an inside look into what they were thinking and feeling. But I also loved that I got to experience through the flashbacks what things were like before Whitney came back to town. The connection that she and Jack shared from the time they were five years old until they graduated and Whitney left. There was also the amazing bond between Whitney and her sister, Savannah. Which reminded me of the bond I am lucky enough to have with my own sister.

The Story

Whitney’s struggles with her mom were something I related to. Only, in my case, it was my father with the substance use problem. But the emotions she felt when it came to dealing with and thinking about her mother hit home pretty hard for me. It made Whitney that much more relatable to me. And I think it had a huge amount to do with why she and her sister were so close. Those types of situations really bond you together. So when that person you’re bonded together with is already your sibling? It makes the bond that much stronger and deeper. I also related to Whitney and her use of sarcasm as a defense because that’s me in a nutshell. Every time she gave Jack a hard time or some of her sarcasm, I found myself laughing out loud not only because it was hilarious but because I could see myself saying the same thing if I was in the situation.

Jack immediately came off as a sweet and sensitive guy with a side of alpha protective qualities. And you know I was absolutely here for that. The fact that he wasn’t willing to let Whitney continue keeping space between them and was insistent that they figure out what happened between them had me swooning. Jack was bound and determined to fix things between him and Whitney and I’m a sucker for a determined man. Especially one in a uniform. Wow. And as I read more about Jack and how he cared for Whitney as a best friend, the more  I fell for this character. His code of honor when it came to issues at the high school and making sure the students were safe was another huge move in his favor as well.

Why I Loved It

I think it’s pretty clear by now that I’m a sucker for romance. But I think second chance romance may be a favorite subgenre of mine. I think it’s the fact that you don’t have to go through the entire introduction process of the main characters. They already know each other. Or, used to know each other, as the case may be. But I think it makes it seem all the more real when they get together. The romance doesn’t seem rushed or ridiculous. Because you’re talking about two people who knew each other and loved each other what felt like a lifetime ago. But for one reason or another, they went their separate ways. And now they have a chance to get things right this time. Even though they may have been apart for longer than they were together. Even though they’ve changed and evolved, they can get to know each other all over again.

Image via Erika Lynn

Have you ever read one of Erika Lynn’s novels? This was a first for me, but now I have to go back and read everything she has. Because if they are anything like this one, then I know I’m going to be hooked! And you can bet that I’m going to make sure I read her future books as well! Do you think you’ll check out This Thing Between Us? You can find and follow me on Twitter @Sarah_Jeanne17 and @capeandcastle to talk about all things This Thing Between Us! Be sure to also check out our site for more content on all things Disney and beyond!

Featured image via Wallpaper Cave