Release Blitz: Sideswiped by Lia Riley

Item: Sideswiped
Rating: 4
Author: Lillian

Posted July 2, 2015 by Lillian in Features, Reviews / 1 Comment

I received this book via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

This book may be unsuitable for people under 17 years of age due to its use of sexual content, drug and alcohol use, and/or violence.

Sideswiped by Lia Riley
Series: Off the Map,
Published by Grand Central Publishing on 2014-10-07
Length: 384 pages
Reviewing eARC from Netgalley
Rating:

It was only meant to last the summer . . .

Talia Stolfi has seen more than her share of loss in her twenty-one years. But then fate brought her Bran Lockhart, and her dark world was suddenly and spectacularly illuminated. So if being with Bran means leaving her colorless SoCal life for rugged and wild Australia, then that's what she'll do. But as much as Talia longs to give herself over completely to a new beginning, the fears of her past are still lurking in the shadows.

Bran Lockhart knows that living without the beautiful girl who stole his heart will be torment, so he'll take whatever time with her he can. But even though she has packed up her life in California and is back in his arms for the time being, she can't stay forever. And the remaining time they have together is ticking by way too fast. Though fate seems determined to tear them apart, they won't give up without a fight-because while time may have limits, their love is infinite . . .

Review

Sideswiped by Lia Riley is the second book in Off the Map and picks up a few months after the end of Upside Down. Talia is heading back to Australia to complete her Senior thesis and to give her relationship with Bran a real chance. Bran is stuck behind a desk finishing his honors program, but he’s antsy, wanting to be out in the fresh air instead of inside. When Talia arrives, he thinks all will be well, but the looming date that signifies her return to America keeps them both up at night. Can they make their relationship work and what will happen when Talia’s visa expires?

I really like these characters! Talia seems to have found a way to live and function with her OCD. She’s strong-willed, trusting, and puts her whole heart towards whatever she finds important, whether it be her work, her family, or Bran. She throws herself into her senior thesis project finding she enjoys the oral interviews and documenting them for history. The only problem that she faces is what she will do with her life after graduation.

My poor Bran! I love him and in this book, it’s his turn to struggle a bit. He’s lost his way, his identity. The shocker Adie dropped at the end of the first book and then him giving up his activism dreams and working behind a desk to complete school has Bran at a complete loss. He’s self-conscious, unsure of himself and his decisions, but the one thing he is sure of and clings to is Talia. She’s his life boat and this clinging could be catastrophic for them.

I like watching their relationship grow as they learn to live with each other but also as Talia starts to grow her own wings. The biggest problem looming for them is the end of her visa. What will they do after? Bran has a crazy idea that at first Talia goes along with, but then she realizes that he clings to her as much as she does to him. The question becomes will they sink or swim together.

Overall I enjoyed this book as much as the first one. I like Talia and Bran and their relationship has this uber-sweetness factor. The only issue I take with the book is the language, which seems to be for shock factor only, and the sex, there’s a lot and it’s detailed. Consider yourselves warned. Aside from that I enjoy the book and look forward to the conclusion of their relationship 😀

Final Conclusion: