RELEASE DAY BLITZ & REVIEW – Happenstance by Jamie McGuire

Title – Happenstance
Author – Jamie McGuire
Publication Date – May 9, 2014
Series – Happenstance, #1

#1 New York Times Bestseller Jamie McGuire returns to self-publishing with this page-turning YA account of Erin Easter, one of three Erins in the small senior class of rural Blackwell High School who not only share a first name, but also their birthday. Easter, raised by a neglectful single mom, keeps to herself and admires Weston Gates from afar. The other Erins, Erin “Alder” Alderman and Erin “Sonny” Masterson are the darlings of the community: daughters of the two wealthiest families in town, best friends, cheerleaders, and everything Easter isn’t–and they never let her forget it. Alder has even claimed Weston since the 8th grade.Weston is a well-liked star athlete, and the son of two prominent attorneys. He struggles daily with the pressures of living up to his family name and secretly empathizes with Easter’s feeling that she belongs somewhere else; in a different life. Not until he begins sneaking nights out with Easter does he gain the courage to buck expectations and acknowledge his feelings … both for his future, and for her.

A shocking tragedy rocks the tiny town, and Easter’s life is turned upside down in the best way possible. But when the truth is revealed and everything she thinks she wanted falls into her lap, life only becomes more complicated.

Jamie freaking McGuire has done it again! From the very first sentence that I read, I was immediately hooked. She takes a very serious subject matter, and relevant to today’s society, and talks about it. We hear about bullying every single day, but how often do people have actual discussions about it? I thought that Happenstance was so great because it IS a starting point; a conversation starter to the things we hear about, or don’t take action enough against.

I have so much respect for the Erin Easter. I can’t imagine being bullied and afraid the way she was and still having the ability to hold my head high. My heart instantly broke for her because of the battle she was fighting on all fronts in her life. She had such a strong sense of determination and the will to succeed that you can’t help but love her. I also truly liked Weston and seeing him have his wake up moments. He was realizing that the way Erin was being treated wasn’t okay and he actually wanted to do something about it. I think he’s a great role model for both girls and boys. Their relationship seemed to really work for me. I like that Erin questioned everything and Weston never pushed her too far but was honest. It made the dynamic feel extremely realistic.

I never saw the twist in plot coming. It will be interesting to see how that plays out in the other books, and how it affects Erin. The subject matter was so poignant and beautifully executed. Jamie McGuire has a gift and I, for one, hope she never stops using it. I absolutely can’t wait to see what the next installments bring!

Add to Goodreads

Don’t miss the Other Books in the Series!

Happenstance: Part Two

Read our Review HERE

Add to Goodreads

Happenstance: Part Three

Read our Review HERE

Add to Goodreads

New York Times best selling author Jamie McGuire has penned the Providence series and contemporary romance Beautiful Disaster. She lives in Oklahoma with her husband and three children. She is an RT(R), a graduate of Autry and Oklahoma Northern College, and a full time writer.