ARC Review: Save Me by Jenny Elliott

Save Me
Author: Jenny Elliott
Publication: Swoon Reads (January 6, 2015)

Description: Debut-novelist Jenny Elliott’s thrilling romance, chosen by readers, writers, and publishers for the first list in the new Swoon Reads imprint, pours on the tension and danger in an addictive combination that will keep you turning pages!

Something strange is going on in the tiny coastal town of Liberty, Oregon. Cara has never seen a whale swim close enough for her to touch it—let alone knock her into the freezing water. Fortunately, cute newcomer David is there to save her, and the rescue leads to a bond deeper than Cara ever imagined.

But then she learns something about David that changes everything, and Cara is devastated. She turns to her best friend for support, but Rachel has changed. She’s suddenly into witchcraft, and is becoming dangerously obsessed with her new boyfriend….

Cara has lost her best friend, discovered that her soul mate is off limits, and has attracted the attention of a stalker. But she’s not completely alone. Her mysterious, gorgeous new friend Garren is there to support her. But is Garren possibly too perfect?

My Thoughts: SAVE ME was an interesting debut novel that combined romance with the supernatural. Cara meets David when they are on a whale sighting cruise. She is swept overboard and he rescues her. They have an immediate connection - complete with tingling. They go on a date and find that they are compatible.

However, once school starts, high school senior Cara is dismayed to find the David is a student teacher at her school. They both try to do the responsible thing and stay away from each other but they still long for each other.

That isn't Cara's only problem this school year. Her best friend Rachel has taken up with a new boy, gone Goth, and dropped her friendship with Cara. And Amber has come back to town. She is jealous of Cara because Amber's boyfriend dumped her to take up with Cara. Cara was, in turn, dumped by him when she refused to be intimate with him. Amber never got over the fact that he left her for Cara. She has turned to witchcraft to get her revenge.

Also new in town this year is a mysterious boy named Garren who becomes Cara's friend and protector despite the fact that neither has any romantic interest in the other. Add in a mother who is throwing up all sorts of obstacles to thwart Cara's relationship with her "older man" and you have an angst-filled story.

I liked Cara despite a couple of TSTL (too stupid to live) moments. The story was a bit too much tell and not enough show and not very polished but it was still engaging. I can see teen readers swooning over the relationship between Cara and David and shivering with fear as Amber tries to break them up.

Favorite Quote:

"I hope Rachel's feeling better." David said, catching Cara's eye as she was leaving the journalism classroom.

They exchanged concerned frowns.

"I hope so, too."

I got this ARC from Macmillan for review. You can buy your copy here.