180 Seconds

DNF 38%I know… I’m in the minority here.This read childish to me. Very lackluster. This is an easy book to read and if you’re looking for something simple and light, this might work for you. I, however, am not looking for something like this. I like books that reel me in with powerful emotions, intense situations, and realistic reactions.This was not that.With what I read, the story line seemed to have a great concept. I was intrigued before I bought it. Now that I have it, I just feel let down. There was potential though. Maybe Colleen Hoover should have done this. I feel the narration wouldn’t have been so “woe-is-me” and the characters would have been more believable – they were supposed to be junior year college students for Pete’s sake.I could not connect with Allison at all. I found her to be a extraordinarily weak leading character. She seems strong and determined one second with a glare that could kill, then the next she’s a broken thing trying to keep people away because she’s afraid of people leaving, then the next she drunk to tell him he’s a meany.The threads that made up this character did not blend well for me. She was my biggest problem. She wallows in self pity and anxiety, and it was so hard to not get frustrated with her. And since the book is about her, well, here we are.Situations in this book felt overly dramatic, but not detailed for the drama. It felt like the author couldn’t explain these situations. She not once made me feel a damn thing for them. I want emotions spilling off the page, and it seemed that all this author could give me were cheesy lines that no one says in real life. NO ONE.I’m not going to waste my time on a book I don’t like, hence the DNF. Ain’t nobody got time for that!

I thought even though it's YA it could be interesting. The subject sounds heavy - a young woman grappling with childhood abandonment. But this is horrible. Fluff and melodramatic scenes, language, everything. I can't finish.The heroine is supposed to be so hardened and "people are not [her] thing." And then this perfect young man materializes and just goes to pieces for her and she for him. It's supposed to be so unlikely and unexpected but I actually don't see any trace of the hardened mindset. I can only take so much of the description of the perfection of their feelings toward each other and how they just perfect fit each other. His perfection begins to rub off on her and I guess from here on out she learns how wonderful it is to be happy, open, and non-hardened!!! I'm actually not interested in finding that out.I'm sorry I spent $2 on this crap.

I wasn't expecting this to be YA fiction. Still, I liked the book; the story itself was awesome. I would have preferred it to be told in a subtler manner, in more adult tones, but that would have made this book very long and definitely out of the YA fiction genre.I personally know people who were abandoned at birth, grew up alone, and had to learn to trust in a world that is not always worthy of trust. Most people ARE good, most the time. It only takes one hateful person to destroy a sense of safety...those who saw too much ugliness and were on their own from day one--I applaud their courage for letting anyone in, ever.Pairing that message with social media of today was really cool. This was explained and handed to us instead of letting we readers come to the conclusion ourselves.The characters were a bit much, at times unbelievable. The good guys were so good. Things seemed to go too well, too much smooth sailing on what in real life are very choppy waters. Like an after school special. Lifetime channel.Very good narration, the voice of the main character was right on with the main character's personality. She didn't do men's voices very well, but I thought they sounded the way a young woman the main characters age would hear them.If you enjoy young adult fiction this is a great book. I wasn't expecting it to fit that genre, but still, I enjoyed the book.

Where are the words to describe my reaction to this incredible book? To say I was captivated, enamoured, completely engulfed, does not feel adequate. Jessica Park . . . Clearly she knows no bounds when it comes to exceptional writing. Exceptional storytelling. Exceptional prose.I won't discuss the synopsis because you've read that if you're reading this review. What I will say is that you'll fall in love with the characters, you'll be spellbound by the circumstances that brought people together, and you'll delight in reading beautifully put-together words.There is a strength to Park's writing that never ceases to amaze me. 180 Seconds was book hangover material. I will think about Allison, Esben, Kerry, Steffi and Simon for days. Weeks. I'll reread this story again simply to stay in the intense, sweet, heartbreaking world Park created.This is a book I could pass to my teenage daughters because of its hard-hitting strength and purity. It's a book I could pass to my romance reading lovers, because the love within the pages was real and beautiful. This is a book I will suggest to everyone, because of its raw loveliness, its powerful emotional journey, and its unending hope that even in sadness, joy can emerge.Read, enjoy, swoon, cry, emerge. And then thank Jessica Park that she creates amazing. Every time.

It is a bit of an unfair rating because as a 25 year old I dont think im a target market to this. The book fell a bit too "faitytale-like". Dont get me wrong... I liked the characters and i felt this book may have had pontential if it were a little more raw on the heavy subjects it picked on. Things like rape, prejudice, cancer, loneliness, depression ect were discussed but only to be coated with an over the top love story. Love can conquere all kind of approach. I mean the main guy was the perfect prince charming and our main girl was the perfect damsel in distress, everything/one else is a blur to add that twist to this story... but it didnt work.

this story carries you along with it, and makes you feel better. Everyone is kind and has good motivations, even bullies can't keep up their behaviour once you get to know them. Removes all your realistic cynicism for the space of time when you are reading it. One tragedy takes place, but you sort of see that coming, and apart from that, everyone more or less lives happily ever after. A nice break after reading novels about serial killers and kidnappers!

I thought this book was good, but very predictable and I did find some parts quite unrealistic. The relationship moved very fast and I didn’t find it that romantic. This is a shame, because I am a fan of Jessica Park. But this didn’t quite do anything for me. I thought there was so much description in parts, that I found myself skipping chunks of paragraphs just to get through. Despite this, there were some elements I did like: the relationship with her friend and the mention of ‘anxiety.’ It was relatable.

Wow, wow, wow !!!Couldn't put this down and loved being swept away with Allison and Esben !!It was that good I have started again and I know I'll not miss a single word as I cry my eyes out again.Thank you Jessica Park for such a heart warming story filled with everything you need to be transported into the lives of a young woman on theverge of finding herself.I wholeheartedly recommend this book and assure you that you will come to love it too

This was well written and after a bit of slow getaway, I enjoyed the story which is a love story with a difference. The emotions of the main character felt very real and believable. A good read.