Book Review: Going Long

Title: Going Long.
Author: Ginger Scott.
Series: Yes, #2.
Pages: 234.
Source: Purchased.
Publisher: Author.
Published Date: 1/21/14.
Links:
Goodreads

Summary:

"They fell in love in high school and found their way back to one another despite the odds. But can first loves really be forever? For Reed Johnson, the dream was always football. But then Nolan Lennox took over his heart. Is he willing to give up his first love just to keep his true love? Or will he be too late? "

My Thoughts:

Going Long, by Ginger Scott is the second installment to Waiting on the Sidelines. And I'll be the first to admit, that I'm exhausted and tired of the "popular/cool high school guy, who every girl wants, but who starts to fall in love with the not so popular, but extremely pretty girl" story. I'm bored of seeing a guy who does whatever he wants, completely change, and turn into this perfect man because of that girl.

It's OLD NEWS...(there's only so many times I can read a story with this same basic outline.)

But I'll also be the first to admit, when a book tells this story in a REALLY AWESOME way, and that I was completely suckered in. Waiting on the Sidelines and Going Long were two of those TOTALLY AWESOME books.

Going Long continues to follow the love story between Reed and Nolan into their college years. Things aren't as "easy" as they were in high school, because now the two are attending different universities, that are over two hours apart. The drive isn't keeping Reed from seeing Nolan, and he goes to visit every opportunity he gets, between going to classes, football practices and games.

But distance does start to change and affect the couple, especially when Nolan catches the attention of one of her fellow classmates from upstairs, and when Reed's football manager brings around her younger sister. Both of the situations brings up old problems and old insecurities between the both of them.

So much happens in such a little amount of time, from a break up, to cheating, to a baby, to heart break, and all the way back to a relationship again.

Final Verdict:

Going Long was filled with heartache, true love, friendship and family!

Going Long was the perfect sequel! I've read about so many high school relationships in the Young Adult genre, but never do I get the chance to see beyond those high school years, into college or even further into life. I liked that Going Long allowed me that with Reed and Nolan's relationship. Not only did I get to witness the development of the relationship itself, but also the growth and maturity of Reed and Nolan.

There weren't very many new characters introduced in this sequel, except for two or three, but a lot of my favorite smaller characters were still included and even played bigger roles. Obviously I LOVED Nolan and Reed, but I also LOVED Reed's dad, and Reed's maid.

Reed's dad has so much money, but doesn't let any of it get to his head. He is such a nice guy, and down to earth. I liked seeing the relationship Nolan and he had, even when things were bumping between her and Reed.

Reed's maid was also one of my favorite characters, simply because she was down to earth too. She was much more of a mother to Reed, than his real one was. She was always around, made him food, took care of him, and cleaned. She was there when his mother wasn't.

After EVERYTHING (which was A LOT) that happened in Going Long, the ending was perfect. I was crying my way through the book, because Nolan and Reed were starting to fall apart, and by the end of the book when things were starting to look better for the two, I was blubbering like a baby.

There was honestly so much love between Nolan and Reed, even when they were arguing or not talking, it was truly amazing.

Overall, Going Long gave me the closure that I needed to this story and to the relationship between Nolan and Reed. If you haven't picked up Waiting on the Sidelines and Going Long, I recommend doing it VERY SOON!