Kristie J’s review of Adrift (Kill Devil Hills, Book 4) by Sarah Darlington
Young Adult published by Amazon Digital Services 30 May 17
This is another new-to-me author and a freebie on Amazon. It’s the fourth book in the series. I think I would have been better served reading some of the earlier books, because I was somewhat lost and didn’t know information that happened in previous stories that was important. It says it can be read as a stand-alone, but for full enjoyment and fairness to the book, I wouldn’t recommend it.
The book opens with Ben Turner. He’s been an important player in previous books I gather. In this one, he was with the coast guard, and when he fell over and was presumed dead, he just stayed that way. He’s been rescued by the servant of some eccentric older lady and stayed there for a while. Meanwhile, his family grieved deeply for him. He finally returned home, at which time he was dishonorably discharged and spent a couple of years in prison. As I think much of this happened in a previous book, it’s all rather murky. He had been the town golden boy, but now he’s a pariah.
One evening he notices lights in a house next door that he thought was empty and heads over there, where he sees who he thinks is the owner’s daughter. The young woman in question is Juniper, the heroine, and she has broken into the home. She allows Ben to think she’s this other woman, because she’s pregnant and hiding from the baby daddy – he’s an abusive monster.
Because he’s come so far down in the world and is quite lonely and lost, Ben starts having feelings for Juniper and she is, in turn, developing feelings for this fascinating and protective young man. But there is so much in the way of any kind of relationship. She’s lying to him as to who she is, she’s pregnant, and on the run.
I found this book as good as it could be, considering there are huge holes in the storyline. Ben’s sisters play a role in the book, but there is confusing back stories for both of them. And there is no real motivation for the drastic decision Ben made to let his family think he was dead.
When he finds out that Juniper has kept her real identity secret, he’s quite angry with her but can’t stop the feelings.
I’m not giving this book as high a grade as I want to, simply because I was confused much of the time. I did enjoy it enough to go back and purchase the first book. If that interests me enough and am given more of Ben’s back story, I’ll read this one again, which very much means a higher grade on the second read. So stay tuned.
Grade: C
Summary:
What happens when the world thought you were dead and suddenly, now you are alive? Ben Turner is back! Not quite as dead as everyone thought, fresh out of a nine-month stay in prison, and back home in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. Having been dishonorably discharged after charges of desertion from the military, this once well-loved local has fallen from the top. With no plans for college or the future, and hated by the town that once loved him, Ben feels like he’s drowning all over again. Ben Turner is back! Not quite as dead as everyone thought, fresh out of a nine-month stay in prison, and back home in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. Having been dishonorably discharged after charges of desertion from the military, this once well-loved local has fallen from the top. With no plans for college or the future, and hated by the town that once loved him, Ben feels like he’s drowning all over again.
No excerpt available.
Other books in this series:
