Dearest Clementine by Lex Martin

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Twenty-year-old Clementine Avery doesn’t mind being called bitchy and closed off. It’s safe, and after being burned by her high school sweetheart and stalked by a professor her freshman year of college, safe sounds pretty damn good.

Her number one rule for survival? No dating. That is until she accidentally signs up for a romance writing class and needs material for her latest assignment. Sexy RA Gavin Murphy is more than happy to play the part of book boyfriend to help Clem find some inspiration, even if that means making out…in the name of research, of course. As Gavin and Clem grow closer, they get entangled in the mystery surrounding a missing Boston University student, and Clem unwittingly becomes a possible target. Gavin tries to show Clem she can handle falling in love again, but she knows she has to be careful because her heart’s at stake…and maybe even her life. DEAREST CLEMENTINE is a stand-alone novel with two companion novels. This New Adult romance is recommended for readers 18+ due to mature content.

GISELLE’S REVIEW: 

This book. This book has rendered me speechless. Dearest Clementine has quickly become one of my favorite novels and in turn Lex Martin has become one of my favorite writers. I don’t even know where to start for my review because throughout the course of reading this novel I have raved about it so, so much to all my friends I think I might have tired myself out a bit. However, I will try to make my thoughts into a coherent review.

Dearest Clementine is the DEFINITION of a fun, flirty, sassy, witty, hilarious, sexy, and romantic novel. This book had me laughing, grinning, and giggling way too much. It can’t be healthy.

I loved so many things about this book. So. Many. Things. I don’t even know where to begin. So I am making a list, because when books usually leave me speechless and grasping for words, lists are my go-to item.

Things I loved about Dearest Clementine:

1) Clementine. Clementine was my picture-perfect female MC. She was witty, sassy, and strong, but was also a little insecure. The combination of all these attributes made for an AMAZING heroine. I also related extremely well to Clementine. Her sense of humor reminded me, and my friends who I sent snippets from the book of, of myself. Whenever Clementine would say or think something my thoughts went something like, “LOL that is so me!!! *squeals like a maniac*”.  Clementine was also EXTREMELY quotable which leads me to number two on my list.

2) The SASS! The sass in this book had me laughing for hours and highlighting like a maniac. I’ve never been the biggest fan of highlight but this book has 21 highlights from me. For a lot of you, that may not seem like a lot but for someone like me who almost never highlights anything, that is a huge number. The sass and humor in this book was absolutely GOLDEN.

“You must lift weights every day, which must mean you have to be, um, compensating for something, so these babies,” I say, proudly shaking my box of ribbed, lubed rubbers, “are probably way out of your league.”

When he tried to talk to me, I was my usual sweet, charming self. He made a joke, and I bit his head off.

Storming off back to my room, I yell, “What? It’s not like you’ve never seen boobs before. Get over it.”

3) The make-out scenes. Clementine and Gavin probably had the hottest make-out, well, ever. I mean hello, the stacks! (Read it and you’ll understand). I think a reason the steamier scenes in this book were so awesome is because Gavin was incredibly smooth without being cheesy. His one-liners were exactly what I’d call “swoon worthy.” But gushing Gavin and his sexiness are best saved for last.

4) The writing and plot. It was superb. The plot was amazing and even some minor twists and turns and mysteries.  But you’ll get a much better feel of it once you buy the book and read it. 😉

5) The setting. Boston. BOSTON UNIVERSITY. The most beautiful city and school ever. One I hope to call my school in the upcoming future. <3

6) The secondary characters. Jenna, Ryan, Kade, Harper, and Dani were an amazing set of secondary characters! Jenna and Ryan were hilarious and I loved and connected with their personalities so much, that it just added to the all-around greatness of Dearest Clementine.

7) Gavin. Finally, we have reached the point where I can gush about Gavin. Gavin has totally set the standard incredibly high for all book boyfriends (and real-life boyfriends). Gavin is sweet, SEXY, and one of the greatest smooth talkers I have encountered! His wit is off-the-charts awesome and I fell head-over-heels for Gavin Murphy, no doubt about it. But I can’t convince you to fall in love with Gavin. He is such a strong, powerful, and lovable character that I feel like only he can get you to fall in love with him. So I will tease you with some of my favorite Gavin moments instead.

“You’re incredible.” “I know, but the next time you say that, you should add my name, like, ‘Gavin, you’re incredible,’ and maybe throw in a few moans. That would be hot.”

“Besides, I wasn’t entirely naked,” I whisper, mortified. He flashes a devilish grin. “You were in my head.”

“I might never be able to date another man.” He leans over and grazes my earlobe with his teeth, sending warm shivers down my arms. “That’s the plan.”

Alright, that’s enough teasers. If you want more you’re gonna have to go pick up your own copy cause the one I have is ALL MINE! <3

Dearest Clementine had me laughing out loud, giggling like a catholic schoolgirl, and towards the end I may have actually been wistfully sighing at all the Gavin & Clementine moments. This book is a MUST READ and I can not wait to start Finding Dandelion, which is the story of Jax, Clementines brother, and Dani, her roommate. I’m sure Lex Martin will not disappoint one bit. 🙂

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