Review: Bending Under Pressure by Lindsay Paige

Bending Under Pressure by Lindsay Paige

Release Date: February 20, 2016

Genres: Young Adult, Romance

Pages:272

Source: E-Book, ARC

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars

Goodreads Description:

Haley Summers is struggling. She's in a new town with new teammates. She's unsure if she likes her new stepdad. She doesn't know why her father isn't answering her calls and keeps bailing on her. The only thing she has going for her is a boy who is struggling just as much as she is.

Keelan Moore is always feeling pressure. He wants to be a good kid for his adoptive parents while getting reacquainted with his birth mom and that part of his family. The only thing he has going for him is Haley and showing her just how fun her new home can be.

Pressure is hitting them from all sides. Can they survive unscathed while bending under pressure?

Notes about the book:

I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Quote:

Haley’s eyes dart over my face, waiting. Her breathing has already hitched, and all I’ve done is rest a hand on her hip, my thumb moving back and forth underneath her shirt.
“Well?” she breathes.
“I said you were gonna kiss me, Hales. Not the other way around.” Her eyes widen, but otherwise she shows no emotion. She loves the anticipation.
Haley presses her forehead against mine. God, this was a terrible idea. She’s going to kill me before she kisses me!
“Keelan?” she whispers.
“Yeah, Hales?”
“Feeling crazy yet?”
I chuckle. “Insane.” She smiles.

“Good. Now you know how I feel when I’m around you.”

My Review

I immediately fell in love with Haley and Keelan as well as their names. Although, I have to say that I repeatedly questioned Haley's actions. They were typical actions of a teenager and I think I was thinking with the mom side of my brain a bit too much. It all turns out well in the end though.

Both Haley and Keelan are dealing with some of the toughest things for teenagers to deal with. They find strength in each other. Keelan has a great family to fall back on as well and it a perfect gentleman because of his family. That's one of the things I love about his character. Haley has a great family to rely on as well. She just doesn't realize it throughout most of the book. 

There were several other characters I loved in this book. Keelan's brother Cameron is a lot like Keelan but with a bit more repressed anger. His girlfriend is Jess and I'd love to read their story. Then there's the local restaurant owner Elsie and her husband Mr. Elsie whose story I'd love to hear most of all. Plus the town the book is set in sounds like a great place for future books to be set in. I'm sure there are other characters around this town who I'd love to get to know.

Haley and Keelan are attracted to each other from the start and are kissing before long. I love their hammock moments! I also like that even though they are tempted to take their relationship to the next level, they both realize that doing so would just add more to their already troubled lives.

The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars was because I felt that the end fell short. There were issues with both of their problems that just weren't fully resolved. However, I also think that the things Haley and Keelan are dealing with were pretty big things and more than likely wouldn't have been all better by the end of the book. That's why I only dinged the book half a star. I think it was more a personal issue on my end then a problem with the book. 

Overall this was a good book filled with lots of funny and sweet moments. Definitely worth the read!