What If by Rebecca Donovan

What if you had a second chance to meet someone for the first time?

Cal Logan is shocked to see Nicole Bentley sitting across from him at a coffee shop thousands of miles from their hometown. After all, no one has seen or heard from her since they graduated over a year ago.

Except this girl isn't Nicole.

She looks exactly like Cal's shy childhood crush, but her name is Nyelle Preston and she has no idea who he is. This girl is impulsive and daring, her passion for life infectious. The complete opposite of Nicole. Cal finds himself utterly fascinated-and falling hard. But Nyelle is also extremely secretive. And the closer he comes to finding out what she's hiding, the less he wants to know.

When the secrets from the past and present collide, one thing becomes clear: Nothing is what it seems.

What If by Rebecca Donovan is a new standalone novel by the bestselling new adult author of the Breathing series, and was published by Penguin in paperback on 22 January 2015.

What If is the story of Cal, an American college student who has re-invented himself. No longer a geek, and the subject of taunts from the 'in crowd', he has grown out his hair and broken quite a few hearts.

Fleeing from yet another relationship, he bumps into Nyelle Preston, and although she's dressed as a Ninja (it's Halloween), Cal recognises those eyes. He would know those eyes anywhere, they are the eyes that captivated him years ago, the eyes that he has dreamt about for so long. Cal is convinced that the Ninja girl is Nicole Bentley, yet she swears that her name is Nyelle Preston and has never met him before.

Cal is confused. Nyelle is mysterious, she gives very little away about her past, or what she is doing now. Nyelle is the complete opposite to Nicole, yet Cal is still convinced that they are the same person.

I am not the target audience for this novel, it is firmly aimed at the young/new adult market, I'd guess that teenage readers will love this story - there is plenty in it for them to relate to.

Saying that, I did enjoy the story. Rebecca Donovan is a successful and established author, and it shows in her writing and her skilful plot creation. Despite having nothing in common with the characters, I was intrigued by the mystery, and had no idea where the story was going. The end reveal was surprising and the lead up to it deals with some serious issues.

When I read a story like What If, I look back at my own teenage reading and really envy young people nowadays who are able to access fiction that is realistic and relevant, that deals with issues that they can relate to.

My thanks to Jessica from Penguin who sent my copy for review.

Rebecca Donovan is the USA Today bestselling author of the highly-acclaimed New Adult trilogy, The Breathing Series. Her novels include: Reason to Breathe, Barely Breathing, and Out of Breath.

Rebecca is a graduate of the University of Missouri -Columbia and lives in a quiet town in Massachusetts with her son. Excited by all that makes life possible, she is a music enthusiast and is willing to try just about anything once.

For more information about Rebecca Donovan, check out her Facebook Author page

Visit her website  www.rebeccadonovan.com

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