All of You

I'm not going to lie, the virgin hero is totally the reason I requested this for review. I love that he was the inexperienced one. There's something very sexy about a man who chooses to wait..or maybe it was just this particular man?

Regardless, this was a strong, emotionally compelling read. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Originally reviewed on These Pretty Words.

First things first – I read this book in three hours which included a trip to the Starbucks in the lower level of the hotel I was staying in at the time. I skipped dinner. I ignored my friends. I simply read these beautiful words…and I loved them.

Avery Michaels is not your typical female protagonist, especially in the land of YA/NA books. She’s coarse and crass, aggressively sexual and not at all ashamed to identify herself as a player. I didn’t like her at first– I couldn’t find anything relatable about her. In fact, I thought about flouncing for the first three chapters because of her.

But then the storyline began to move in a way to show how Avery was raised and why she behaved the show more way she did. So terrified of becoming what she’d grown up hating, she’s swung her actions to the opposite end of the pendulum. I can’t say that her history excused her behavior, but I truly began to understand her. Pain and fear can make the best of us…not so good.

And what kind of a romance would it be without a swoony boy - which brings us to Bennett. Sweet…beautiful…tattooed…virgin Bennett. That’s right…a male virgin. Talk about flipping the stereotypical roles in romance fiction. Bennett is the yin to Avery’s yang – the sweet, disarming, adorable, protective man who wants her for more than just a tumble in the sheets. He’s so sure, so confident in his choice to wait for love before he has sex. It’s not about religious idealism or looking for that mythical “one”, it’s just about finding love instead of just finding release. I liked him…a lot. And every word out of his mouth just makes the reader fall more in love with him.

I think what Christina did well in this book is to show how a person can grow and change and better themselves if they just open their eyes and their hearts. Avery was a woman trapped by fear – of love, of losing herself, of giving everything up to someone who could hurt her. Bennett has his own trust issues but he’s a bit less damaged so he becomes the touchstone Avery needs to see past the things holding her back. Together, they form a close friendship that ends up being a solid base for what becomes a wonderful love story. Though it’s not without it’s share of drama.

I give this book 3-1/2 stars. I think the characters had depth and appeal, I think the author showed their growth through a romance that was more slow burn than immediate fire, and I think many of the secondary characters attributed to a poignant and thoughtful story of getting over your past to find your future. The pacing was rushed at the end, there was a bit of forced drama that really wasn’t necessary and the repetition of certain phrasing was distracting of times. But in the end, I loved the story, loved Bennett, and would absolutely recommend this book to anyone wanting to read a realistic love story.

I’ll be quoting this book for a long time to come and counting down the days until Before You Break, a companion novel to All of You, comes out in 2014. show less

When I first heard of Christina Lee’s ALL OF YOU, I wasn’t sure what to think. Even after I read the synopsis, I wasn’t feeling the love or the urge to really read it. Virgin heroes in the past haven’t wowed me. Lee’s ALL OF YOU came highly recommended by a friend and I decided to give it a try.

If Avery Michaels had a personal motto, it would probably be: love ‘em and leave ‘em. Growing up with a mother who didn’t have the best relationships with men, Avery quickly learns to avoid the trouble relationships entail. Instead, she’s satisfied with having a friend with benefits and the occasional one night stand. The night she first spots Bennett, he’s all she wants, but he ignores her. She puts the incident beyond her show more until she comes face to face with him in her building. He’s her newest neighbor and while he might be attracted to her, he’s looking for something more; something Avery can’t give him. Soon they develop a friendship, but when Avery’s life is threatened, they realize their feelings run deeper than friendship.

It’s not very often we get a virgin hero and it’s even more uncommon in a contemporary. In the day and age where virginity is looked down upon or the person is considered a freak, I have to commend Lee for tackling a sensitive subject. Bennett has been burned by past girlfriends especially once it’s known he’s a virgin and while he comes clean to Avery, he expects her to react the same way as others. When she doesn’t, he’s surprised and he knows she’s different.

Character development is good and we get to know both Bennett and Avery equally. Both share a similar background especially regarding their mothers. Your heart will break when you finally realize what Avery’s mother did and makes you shake your fits at the injustice of the world knowing that it does happen in real life. We have several secondary characters that you’ll adore including one of Avery’s patients, Mrs. Jackson. Lee made me wish she was real so I could hug Mrs. Jackson for being there for Avery. Then we have Avery’s friends Ella and Rachel. Plus we have Bennett’s friend Nate and an ex-girlfriend who make an appearance.

Narration is first person via Avery and while I’m not a fan of first person POV, I don’t feel as if we missed anything. It is a fast paced read and could be easily read in a few hours. If you’re looking for a big show stopping moment as to the reason for the conflict, you won’t find one. What you will do is question your own ideas regarding sex and what’s your comfort level regarding the number of sexual partners. Avery makes no apologies for her past and for a moment Bennett does make her feel ashamed of it, but in the end, she holds her head high and she refuses to let a man make her feel a certain way. I liked Lee’s message: do not be ashamed of yourself. Sure, society and people will always judge others regarding that particular number, but really whose business is it in the end?

I debated with the rating between a three and four. Even up to the moment before writing this review, I was leaning towards a three. In the end, I decided on a four because we have two characters of similar background who refuse to be defined by their past. I really liked how both Bennett and Avery got to know each other and became friends. And because of that, sex isn’t at the core of a relationship in order for two characters to be together. What a refreshing read!

If you’re a fan of New Adult, you’ll want to add Christina Lee’s ALL OF YOU to your to-be-read list. For those unsure about NA, I recommend looking at sample or reading a few more reviews (both positive and negative) before deciding. show less

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨

First Impressions
All of You is the first book in the "Between Breaths" series and I really had a good solid time with this one. This author has show more been on my TBR for over a decade, so I am grateful to the Romanceopoly Reading Challenge so that I could get to this series and its also a great way for me to get back to NA as I don't read this sub genre as I would like to. All of You was a really neat story and I really enjoyed it quite a bit. It didn't wow me or anything, but it was poignant and I really enjoyed this pair together. It has a mix of friends to lovers, with unrequited love and a bit of a fling. And these elements actually went great together.

First Line
Love was like a loaded gun.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Bennett
The Heroine: Avery

Summary
Avery Michaels is studying to be a nurse and isn't looking for anything serious. She is more than content going from man to man in casual relationships. Avery has only seen examples of bad relationships in her life and doesn't see them being worth it and doesn't want to turn into her mother who has had toxic relationship after another. But then she meets her new next door neighbor, who is kind and down to earth and is looking for committment. Even though she isn't looking for anything serious, she can't deny the connection that they have together. Bennett is determined to win Avery's heart, and prove to her that they are worth fighting for...

What I Loved
All of you was a pretty solid NA romance. I really loved the way that this story was developed. Even though casual relationships aren't my favorite trope to read, Christina Lee, handled the growth of it very well. You see why the heroine is the way that she is, and why she is so apprehensive of serious relationships. The hero is a blend of green flag with a bit of a bad boy to be tempting. They have a strong connection to each other. Bennett pines so well after Avery, he doesn't give up on her, even when she hurts him with her avoidance of what they have together. Bennett is a virgin hero, because he is waiting for love and won't settle for less. It does have some charming aspects of friendship to it becoming more serious. Seeing the slow evolvement of trust and openness that these two learn to cultivate together was so poignant at times and was very endearing in its own way.

What I Struggled With
The pacing could have been a bit smoother, there was a couple of plot holes here and there and I do wish there was higher level of engagement of the story.

Overall View
All Of You is a emotional read that is a mix of spicy and sweet with powerful poignant moments to captivate you.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult
Character Types: Virgin Hero, Doctor/Nurse, Student
Themes: Pining Hero, Tear Jerker, Heart/Emotional
Tropes: Slow Burn, Friends to Lovers, Unrequited Love, Fling

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Relationship Conflict

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Linda Kage
Sarina Bowen
Elle Kennedy

Recommendation For Reading Order
Standalone

Steam/Spice Explanations

Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments. show less

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

All of You is the delicious story of Avery and Bennett, two souls that from page one you just know were destined to meet. One thing you learn very early on is that this book is not like most others you will read. The tables are quite literally turned as far as gender roles typically go.

Avery is a no nonsense, take prisoners type of gal. Headstrong, independent, she knows exactly what she wants and what she doesn’t. What she doesn’t want is love. Love isn’t real, it doesn’t last, and it will screw you over faster than you can blink. She works as a RN in a nursing home for the elderly, and it is here that we see her true compassion emerge from behind show more the tough walls she puts up. Avery is used to taking what she wants, no questions asked the next morning. When she meets Bennett, whether she wants to admit it or not, all of that changes.

Love was like a loaded gun. You slid your bullet inside the cold metal chamber as a safeguard for the inevitable day that everything went to shit.

Bennett is fiercely loyal to those around him, and having had to grow up way too fast, has a strong moral compass. Though it shouldn’t define him, in this day and age is it very rare. Bennett is a virgin. Not for religious reasons, or even marriage, but he knows how sex can ruin everything. Bennett is waiting until he is in love, because then he knows that it will last. The strength we witness in this man, the responsibilities he shoulders, Bennett will have you swooning from practically page one!

But that still didn’t change the fact that we wanted different things, despite wanting each other.

For as strong as Avery appears, deep inside she is completely broken. She puts on a mask to keep everyone out, running from a past that is finally catching up to her. Bennett begins to break down those walls, and she slowly starts to realize that it is okay to trust him. Now the big question is, can she trust herself?

I devoured this book, and I guarantee you will too! Definitely a 5 star read!! show less

Bennett is such a nice change from other YA or NA male characters, because he is the one who is more restrained and who is all innocent in the sexual area. It was seriously appealing to me and a breath of fresh air. I loved his every scene and wanted to know what he was thinking. It was attractive that he was chivalrous and treated her with even more respect than is the norm.
Avery is such a strong character. She knows self defense, and she knows how to get what she wants. She is more like guys in the normal aspect of she doesn't want commitment, just sex most of the time. She normally doesn't really let others in, and it is fun to see Bennett worm his way into her life and then into her heart.
Admittedly, the plot is similar to most show more of the other NA's the damaged individuals helping each other heal and learning to love again. Still it was addictive, and I am not tired of this story line at all. I know some of my readers are, and this is probably not the story for you if you are burned out, but to me, I enjoyed every page.
I also love that Avery is a lpn and that her job is a passion. There, at the nursing home where she works, she has formed a deep friendship with one of the residents. Her name is Mrs. Jackson and I adored her. She is fiesty, smart and intuitive, and I love the bond that her and Avery has and how much she helps her realize about life, herself and love.
All of You is a great title for this one because we get to see Bennett, who not only wants a hot body, but he wants commitment, emotions, conversation, and most of all--love. He wants every part of Avery and I loved watching Avery realize that she too wanted every part of him.
Both of their families and backgrounds plays into who they have become, and they are still dealing with repercussions of how they grew up and faults of their parents. But it molded them, and they have siblings that depend on them and share in everything that they went through.
The ending was perfect. Everything wove together and it was wrapped up beautifully. I sighed a contented sigh at the end, although I am eager for the companion novel to read more of Lee's masterfully crafted characters and intense chemistry.

Bottom Line: Amazing journey of Avery learning to love, helped along by the hot chemistry of virgin tattoo artist Bennett. show less

I really loved this book. The role reversal from the typical bad boy and the girl who is a virgin, to the guy being the virgin was such a welcome change from so many of the new adult contemporary romances out there - like a breath of fresh air. Avery Michaels is a nursing student in college pursuing her RN and is working at a nursing home as an LPN in the interim, while putting herself through college. She is really pretty, hardworking, independent, enjoys partying with her friends on the weekend, but there is one thing that she makes clear....Avery doesn't do relationships, at all, she only does hookups.

Guys are east to figure out - at least the in the hormonal sense. You needed only appear helpless or horny, and their pants instantly show more dropped to their ankles.

Avery doesn't have to pursue guys, they come to her - that is until she meets Bennett Reynolds. Bennett Reynolds is also in college. He's an artist, and he also works as a tattoo artist. He's sexy, cute, has eyes that you could just loose yourself in, a panty-dropping smile, and hotness just drips off him....I mean like you could just lick him he's so yummy. Bennett doesn't do hookups, ever, he does relationships.......and he is waiting on the right girl to come along before he gives up his V-card.

"I want something real," he whispered. "And I'm willing to wait for it."

When Avery meets Bennett at a party, she wants him, really bad, but Bennett blows her off, something Avery isn't used to, and doesn't quite know how to deal with.

Hot boy nodded before turning on his heels and heading out of the room, leaving my ego collapsing on the cold hard tile. Chivalrous Hot Boy was so not into me.

When Bennett ends up moving into her apartment complex, things really begin to get interesting. She soon finds out that it's not that Bennett doesn't like her......he does, a lot, and whether she wants to admit it or not, she likes him a lot to. Bennett awakens feelings in Avery she thought were long buried, and begins to crack the hard shell she has placed around her heart and emotions, something which is way out of her comfort zone. When she understands Bennett's reasons for his choices, she respects him. It doesn't make her want him any less, because she does, but she also figures she just can't go there. Ironically, Bennett and Avery have very similar backgrounds. Neither of their lives has been a bed of roses and they have both dealt with and continue to deal with some really tough family issues, they have just chosen to handle those issues differently. As circumstances bring them together, they become closer, friends even, but also begin to be much more. Bennett is crazy about Avery. He sees something special about her. He is so good with her and patient with her - now he does get aggravated with her and messes up some. He's not perfect, and he has a jealous streak, but the way he responds to her, talks to her, and deals with her overall was amazing.
As there relationship changes and crosses over into something more, Avery discovers her feelings go much deeper than anything she has ever experienced, something that both frightens and amazes her, and when Bennett kisses her, it is like nothing she's ever experienced.

"Baby," he whispered, and then gave me a slow molten kiss that stole my breath away. All of my muscles went liquid, and I was thankful he was holding me up.

"Damn it, Bennett," I panted. "How in the hell do you know exactly how to drive me insane?".........
"I said I was a virgin, Avery. Not a saint."

Something happens and Avery is forced to make a choice regarding Bennett and their relationship. Will she let him go, or is she willing to take a chance on love?

This was such a wonderful story. As I said above, the whole role reversal in the story was like a breath of fresh air. The story line itself was so good, and I loved watching these two individuals who had such broken and hurtful pasts, deal with how they chose to face some really tough life situations both with their families, their pasts, and with each other. There is also a suspenseful side to the story, which I don't want to say anything about because I don't want to spoil it, but it adds that extra bit of thrill to the story that keeps you on the edge of your seat and turning the pages. The romance was hot and steamy - don't let the fact that Bennett is a virgin make you think it's not, because it most definitely is. Overall, I really loved All of You and if you are a fan of contemporary romance, especially the new adult variety, then All of You is a must read and I highly recommend it. show less