Such A Rush by Jennifer Echols

A review of Such A Rush by Jennifer Echols published by MTV BooksSuch A Rush
Author: Jennifer Echols
Category: Young Adult
Publisher: MTV Books
Release Date: 7-10-12
High school senior Leah Jones loves nothing more than flying. While she’s in the air, it’s easy to forget life with her absentee mother at the low-rent end of a South Carolina beach town. When her flight instructor, Mr. Hall, hires her to fly for his banner advertising business, she sees it as her ticket out of the trailer park. And when he dies suddenly, she’s afraid her flying career is gone forever. But Mr. Hall’s teenage sons, golden boy Alec and adrenaline junkie Grayson, are determined to keep the banner planes flying. Though Leah has crushed on Grayson for years, she’s leery of getting involved in what now seems like a doomed business — until Grayson betrays her by digging up her most damning secret. Holding it over her head, he forces her to fly for secret reasons of his own, reasons involving Alec. Now Leah finds herself drawn into a battle between brothers — and the consequences could be deadly. – Goodreads 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have heard very good things about Jennifer Echols, but never really understood until I read this book.  Needless to say, I will be reading everything this author has ever written.  Such A Rush takes all of the angst of being on the verge of adulthood, mixes it with the struggles of growing up in poverty and adds some wonderfully steamy romance to create a compelling and very emotional story.  Grayson’s sincere, although misguided, reasons for blackmailing Leah mask a very deep hurt and as Leah gets to know him, she realizes that her picture of his life was not always reality.  Their chemistry is undeniable and that tension is artfully intertwined into every aspect of the story.

Leah’s determination to break the cycle of poverty and become a pilot was the one thing that kept her from repeating her mother’s self-destructive habits that lead to chronic unemployment and near homelessness.  Through her job at the airport, Leah painstakingly carves out a small bit of independence and gains the respect of her mentor, Mr. Hall.  When he dies, her life becomes entwined with his twin sons and it is in this tangled relationship that we not only see Leah’s incredible strength, but her vulnerability, as well.  She is unapologetic about her past and the choices she has made and I loved that about her.  I felt very protective of Leah.  I wanted to cheer when she triumphed and cry when she was hurt or disappointed.

This is the type of book that I want to put into the hands of teen girls and women everywhere.  Leah is not perfect and does not pretend to be so.  She makes mistakes, but she does not let those mistakes or her humble circumstances define her. Her single-mindedness shows an inner strength that I would want for my daughter, or for any young woman.  Jennifer Echols has written an incredibly powerful story that had me riveted from beginning to end.  You are most certainly missing out if you don’t put this book on the top of your reading list.

Find Jennifer Echols online:
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Kate


15 responses to “Such A Rush by Jennifer Echols

  1. Jac

    This sounds like a great book to start with Jennifer Echols! (I’m still a bit shocked I’ve never read anything by her!) I think I’ll put this on my list of books to get ASAP 🙂 I love that you said it’s the type of book you want to put into the hands of girls everywhere 🙂

    -Jac @ For Love and Books

  2. I’ve read one of Jennifer Echols’ books and didn’t really like it. I heard nothing but FANTASTIC things about this one though so I’m really excited! I love that Leah is so realistic and the last paragraph makes me even more excited to read it. High praise!

  3. Great review! I want to read Such a Rush so bad now because EVERYBODY keeps raving about how amazing Such a Rush was and I’m going crazy because I really, really, really want to read it now, along with 50 bajillion other books! -.- I’m going to be broke when I’m older because of my book obsession.

    Eileen @ ***Singing and Reading in the Rain***

  4. The fact that almost all of my favorite bloggers have loved this book so much makes me a little bit scared to read it. My expectations are definitely high – but I’m still incredibly excited to read it. It sounds like such a lovely contemporary.

  5. This was such a great book. I was skeptic when I first started to read it, being not very keen on contemporary novels, but I adore the writing and Leah. Echols did a wonderful job portraying the characters. Great review and I’m glad you enjoyed it 😀

  6. This book was great, and I’m so happy you enjoyed it! It’s definitely the book to read if you want to get into Jennifer Echols books. Great review!

  7. I keep saying I want to read this next and then I don’t but 5 birds for a contemporary novel then it must be amazing! I’ll push it back up the to read pile!

  8. I’ve read several books by Echols that I didn’t like, but Such a Rush seems like a a good one, like it may be the best of hers yet! I hope so!

  9. I am a huge fan of Jennifer Echols and Such A Rush is my second favorite book from her! I love that Leah was a pilot. I thought that was so cool and original. I’m glad you enjoyed this book as well.

  10. I am halfway through this book right now and I anticipate a late night ahead of me as I finish it. I am absolutely LOVING the story of Grayson and Leah. Great review 🙂

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