The Almost Boyfriend | Spoiler-Free Review

Hey guys, this is the first post I've done in awhile. I have a post going up soon detailing all the crazy stuff I've been doing, but here is a review to quench your thirst, since you all have (hopefully) missed me!

***DISCLAIMER***

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Title:

The Almost Boyfriend
(Book #2 in the Boyfriend Series)

Author:

Christina Benjamin

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sometimes the thing you’re looking for is right in front of you—almost.

Nobody likes Devon James, including Devon James. And why should they? He had it all and took it for granted—money, girls, popularity and a future with endless possibility. Now he’s just a washed-up has-been. Or so everyone thinks. No one knows the real reason the handsome soccer star quit the team and dumped the hottest girl in school, but they’re not about to forgive him for it either. That’s why he’s perfect for Samantha Connors.

Sam Connors always follows the rules. But when her father forces her to leave Boston to finish her senior year of high school at a posh prep school in Ireland she has no choice but to rebel. And bad boy Devon James is just the guy to help her break all the rules.

Sam is determined to get her life back and return to Boston by any means necessary. Her plan is crazy, but she’s convinced it will work—almost.

Playlist:

A couple of these songs were from the author's writing playlist for this book, but the rest, I have compiled from my Spotify reserves. I honestly could add so many, but if you would like me to continue doing these for future reviews, please let me know on my Instagram @thebooklioness!

"Almost is Never Enough" by Ariana Grande and Nathan Sykes
"Give Me Love" by Ed Sheeran
"Skinny Love" by Birdy
"Almost Lover" by A Fine Frenzy
"Recovery" by Alonzo Holt and James Arthur
"The Keeper" by Kina Grannis and Marie Digby
"People Help the People" by Birdy
"Come to This" by Natalie Taylor
"Losing You" by Aquilo
"Not About Angels" by Birdy
"The End of All Things" by Panic! at the Disco
"Far Too Young To Die" by Panic! at the Disco
"Safe Place to Land" by Christian Burghardt
"Over" by Johnnyswim
"Can You Hold Me" by NF and Britt Nicole
"Running Away" by Midnight Hour
"Kryptonite" by Rymez and James Arthur
"Haunting" by Halsey
"All I Want" by Kodaline
"Light A Fire" by Rachel Taylor
"Space Between" by Sia
"See Through Heart" by [SEBELL]
"In My Veins" by Andrew Belle featuring Erin McCarley

Rating:

4.5 out of 5 stars

Comments:

Let me start out by saying that it was very hard for me to not give this book 5 stars. I loved the depth of the characters. I loved the Irish setting and the lavish details. I even loved the plot and the drama involved. However, I felt that this story was too predictable. It is very hard when writing a YA contemporary book, especially romance, to not have it feel like every other YA contemporary book out there, and I definitely understand that. I also struggled with the setting of a preparatory school because I've always attended public schools, so the atmosphere of the school and the personalities of some of the characters were hard for me to relate to. With that said, I didn't dock the rating too much because I simply enjoyed reading this book a lot. There were many swoon-worthy moments (and trust me, I swooned HARD), but they were also balanced out with gut-wrenching, heart-breaking, real moments that made this story come alive. This is a sequel to The Practice Boyfriend, and while The Almost Boyfriend makes references to the former book, it is not totally necessary to read The Practice Boyfriend first (but I definitely recommend it)!

Also, Sam's obsession with stars is adorable.

Pinterest Board:

Christina also made me aware that she has a Pinterest board for this book. Here's the link if you'd like to check it out! It's got awesome scenery pictures, and lots of gorgeous human beings! 😍

The Almost Boyfriend on Pinterest