Review: I'll Be Here by Autumn Doughton

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Book Blurb

For the past two years, Willow James has been building the perfect life--a life that centers around Dustin Rant, her dimpled, sports-car-driving, cologne-wearing boyfriend. Willow and Dustin have lots of plans. Plans for college, prom, tonight actually. So, when the unthinkable happens, and Dustin breaks up with Willow over a plate of cheese fries at a steak house, she is left stunned and heartbroken.

With less than two months until graduation, Willow has to start a new life from scratch. She'll have to revisit old wrongs along the way and make the most important decision of all: who does she want to be? She’s going to have help from her wacky ex-best friend, her bohemian mother, and an old flame that is suddenly and somewhat inconveniently back in her life.

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Toot's Review by Stacy Sabala

Willow has dated Dustin for two years until he breaks up with her in a steakhouse.  She is shocked and heartbroken.  He admits there is someone else.  Her senior year is about to take a turn for the worst.  Her so-called friends turn on her as she learns who the other girl is.  She can’t believe she never knew.

Then she comes face-to-face again with her crush who broke her heart before Dustin.  Alex shows up where she works with paperwork to sign.  Willow hasn’t seen him since that night.  He still affects her pulse and breathing like he always did.

Alex is interested in Willow.  He even goes along with her jealousy plan at a party.  He sparks interest and confusion in Willow.  She thought she wanted Dustin back but now she isn’t sure.  Alex is so easy to be around.  She still has feelings for him but she doesn’t want to be rejected again.  She isn’t sure she can trust what they have.  Then when Dustin wants her back, she has to figure out what she really wants.

I like this story.  Willow goes through a break up like lots of others have done.  Her reaction is very realistic.  Her boyfriend turns out to be a complete jerk and it takes her awhile to see that. Another realistic reaction, she finds who her real friends are.  I love who she has support from.  True friends can be hard to find.

I also like the family dynamic that the author includes.  It really affects how Willow deals with her mom.  Her emotions are everywhere.  Then Alex enters her life again.  I love him.  He treats her like she should be treated.  He supports her and believes in her.  He is definitely swoon worthy.

He does, however, have his own issues which came out when Willow finds closure.  I also love the ending.  Willow had to figure out what she wanted and be brave enough to go for it.  It didn’t go as she planned, yet she was good in the end.  A great story.  I like how everything played out! I give it a 4 out of 5. 

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