**This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review**
Title: Essence
Author: A. L. Waddington
Series: The EVE series #1
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Supernatural, Time Travel
Publication/Year: Booktrope Publishing • 2014
Page Numbers: 303
Synopsis from Goodreads:
Jocelyn Timmons does not believe she is anything special — just an ordinary high school senior, living an ordinary life full of school-work, volleyball and friends. She’s about to find out how wrong she is.
Jackson Chandler moved in to the house across the street. His dark wavy hair, green eyes and charismatic personality draws everyone to him. Everyone, but Jocelyn.
Whenever Jackson gets near Jocelyn she feels ill and dizzy. When he touches her, she blacks out and has visions of another life, in another time. As the odd hallucinations evolve and become clearer, she feels a strong pull towards the people she sees there. Frightened, she watches her once stable life begin to crumble around her and she begins to question her own sanity.
Could it be possible that these episodes are actually her own memories of a life she is living somehow, somewhere, some-when? Maybe this is time-travel or some other paranormal mysticism? Our minds often wander, but can our souls?
My Rating: ★★★★.5
Quote(s) I Like:
"Mimi helped me into my corset, and I held my breath as she tied me up. I truly hated this torture device. At least that's what it felt like to me." - Jocelyn in 1878
"Why would you turn down a chance to date Jackson? I mean, I know I'm with Cody and I do love him, but man, I'd have a difficult time saying no if he asked me. Actually I'd have a difficult time remembering Cody's name if Jackson asked me out." - Hilary
"Time will reveal my love." - inscription on the watch
"By the time he made it out to the parking lot, his tires had left without him." - Ethan
My Thoughts:
Where do I begin with this beautiful book! This definitely turned out more different than I expected it to be and I am very much in love with this series so far.
Let me start off by saying the cover is absolutely gorgeous! I love the color, the butterflies, the girl flinging her hair and the font. The cover is absolutely perfect in my opinion.
The writing was flawless even with a few grammatical errors. It flowed easily from year to year. The characters were mostly lovable and I felt every emotion poured out.
As far as the storyline goes, I was highly impressed. When I started reading the book I was a bit confused because it's one protagonist, Jocelyn Alyssa, in two different time periods (1878 and 2009). One minute we are in the life of present day Jocelyn and the next we are seeing past Jocelyn. The crazy thing is that she is the same person.
Present day Jocelyn is a simple high school girl that plays sports with a family, one brother and friends. Past day Jocelyn has four brothers, friends, plays the piano and has a fiance. The only other constant characters throughout the book are Jackson Chandler and his parents Emily and Robert.
The Chandler's move to Chicago in a house right across from Jocelyn's which happens to be their original home back 1878. Jackson starts to come around Jocelyn and her friends, but she seems to get sick. Jocelyn begins to have these visions every time she faints when Jackson touches her. Visions of her life in 1878 with him.
Obviously their present day relationship has many struggles to it, but the reasoning behind everything just was awesome. Finding out that the Chandler's knew what was going on with Jocelyn and telling her the truth was great especially since they explained the meaning of EVE.
This is definitely a great paranormal story with a strange twist on time travel.
My favorite parts:
+ Jocelyn receiving the watch in both time periods which says "Time will reveal my love"...I just find that to be so fitting for this story.
+ Jocelyn, in 1878, giving her wedding dress to her best friend Olivia for her wedding to make her feel loved.
+ Jackson, in 2009, telling Taylor off at the Halloween party.
+ The Chandler's explaining what EVE was by telling Jocelyn about her special ability.
+ Jocelyn's parents in 1878 saving Olivia from her evil parents.
What I didn't like:
+ The way the Adam's (Olivia's parents) starved her.
+ Taylor being ignorant and trying to get Jackson's attention.
Overall, this book was excellent. Even though it ended a bit off for me with past Jocelyn crying wanting to see the vision of her present self it was still great. Personally needed a bit more to give it a full five stars, but an awesome start to a series nonetheless.
Have you read this book?
