Review: Good by S. Walden

Synopsis:

Cadence Miller is a good girl. She just happens to make one terrible mistake her junior year in high school which costs her ten months in juvenile detention. Now a senior, she's lost everything: her best friend, the trust of her parents, driving privileges, Internet access. It's a lonely existence.

But there is one bright spot: Mark Connelly, her very cute, very off-limits 28-year-old calculus teacher. She falls hard for him--a ridiculous schoolgirl crush headed nowhere. She can't help it. He's the only good thing at Crestview High. She doesn't expect him to reciprocate her feelings. How inappropriate, right? But he does. And he shows her.

And that's when her life goes from bad to good.
















Nicky's Review

4.5 Stars

Characters- LOVED THEM ALL!!!
Plot/Storyline- The story was great and flowed beautifully
Steam Factor- WOW!! Super steamy and sometimes funny.
Cover- Love it!! Love the lighting and the portrayal of Cadence being secretive. Perfect.
Cliffhanger- YES! But not one that is too hard to take. A lot is resolved but there is definitely an opening to start the next book, which will be out SOON!! Eeeeeeep!!
Overall- LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!!

Wow S. Walden!! You once again push the barrier on taboo!! And. I. LOVED. Every bit of it!!  This book explores the completely taboo topic of teacher/student relationships, which most of us immediately cringe at, but it is written so well that you can't help but read it and become consumed with the story.

This book makes you question yourself with this topic. I mean, I read the book and felt uncomfortable at times since Cadence is 17 (soon to be 18) and Mark is 28. But, yes there is a but, you really start to connect with the characters and feel that they need to be together. Wait, what?? Am I ok with this scenario? A 17 and 28 year old.... Well yes. I felt a mixture of feelings during this read. Most of the time I was all "Team Cadence/Mark" and then at times the little voice in my head screamed, "This is so wrong!"  And then I said, "Quiet! Love is love and they are so sweet together. Ignore their age and society based expectations. They love each other!!" I had this argument in my head throughout my entire read but I LOVED every bit of the story!!!!

S. Walden does a spectacular job at writing about touchy subjects that may easily offend and comes out with an amazing novel that gives the reader a better perspective and the ability to see a taboo topic as not completely wrong. 

The characters in this book are so well written and loveable as hell.  Cadence is the daughter of a highly Christian family who makes one mistake and is branded with her scarlet letter for life.  She is a people pleaser, but learns to finally please herself as she grows as a character. Her smartass personality and her inability to hold back her thoughts makes her so likeable and honest. Then she meets Avery. Avery.... this girl is blatantly honest (sometimes to the point of being cruel) but she is the voice of reason and experience that Cadence needs. Avery's character plays the perfect balance to Cadence's character and I love Avery for that. And then theres Mark. How do I start his description? He is beautiful, sweet, sexy as hell, alpha male, and mysterious.  Mark has a secret that he holds onto and will not let go of, but I think this is the reason for a lot of his actions and I can't wait to discover what it is!!

This book was just AMAZING!!! S. Walden doesn't see delicate subjects as a topic to avoid, she embraces them as a challenge and always comes out with a story that brings you face to face with the subject, smacks you around with it, doesn't let you ignore the faux pas subject, and has you walking away from her story with a new perspective that will make you either question your morals or at least make you more open minded.  While reading this book, their age difference and their wrongful relationship is constantly thrown in the reader's face. You can not forget how wrong this situation is, S. Walden makes sure of it by voicing it through the characters constantly.  It's uncomfortable at times but always present.  I really respect her for that because I know that I've read books that mention sensitive topics but never refer to them again so I can happily read on and just pretend that "that didn't just happen." Good forces you into an uncomfortable situation but you end up falling in love with the story and characters so much that the situation seems wrong but so right.

I would highly recommend this book to everyone!!! Its a taboo topic written about perfectly and keeps you wanting for more!! I can not wait for the sequel to this novel, Better, coming SOON!!! Thank you S. Walden, I am once again in awe of your talent and will forever look forward to your works of art. Thank you for creating a world where its ok to be uncomfortable and still thoroughly enjoy the story!! FANTASTIC job as always! XOXOXO

Favorite Quotes:

“Love comes in all kinds of packages. Some are neatly tied up, and some are messy. It doesn't mean that the messy ones aren't every bit as good.”

"'Let them play outside with no fence, and they'll stay near you. Put up a fence, and they're smashed up against it, trying to get out.'"

"'Do you think love is a choice or a feeling?'
'That's a peculiar question,' she said. 'Are you in love with someone?'
'I don't know yet. That's why I'm asking you,' I replied.
'All right then. I think love is both,' she said.
I furrowed my brows. 'Can you explain?'
'Well, I think that initially, it's a feeling. you're attracted to certain people on a more chemical, emotional level.'
'That's deep,' I replied.
'Oh, just wait. I've got more,' she said, chuckling. 'But once you declare your love for that person, and vice versa, the real work begins, because butterflies don't last forever.'
'They don't?'
'Honey, if butterflies lasted forever, do you think there'd be divorces and breakups and heartache?'
'I guess you're right,' I said.
'And that's when love shifts from a feeling to a choice,' Fanny explained."

"'People grow and change. You have to choose to grow and change together.  It doesn't mean the feeling isn't there. You just have to work at it a little harder.'
'Like giving CPR to the butterflies?' I asked.
'Precisely. And some will come back to life. But it isn't easy,' Fanny said."

"I felt real sexual frustration for the first time- an intense, almost unfair aching between my legs that screamed, 'Put something in it!' How could I ache for something I'd never before experienced?"

"'But doesn't it make you nervous? Waiting to hear me say it back?' I asked. 'No. It's not conditional. I don't love you because you love me. I love you because I love you.'"

"I reached out my hand, letting it hover over his penis. It twitched. 'Oh my God, Mark! It moved!' 'It'll go that, Cadence.' 'Oh. Okay.'"



Purchase this book

Kindle  http://www.amazon.com/Good-Too-series-ebook/dp/B00ESG4TLS/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1383853795&sr=1-1&keywords=good

Nook  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/good-summer-walden/1116800558?ean=2940045263931

Cast:

Brittany's Review

5 Stars!

Characters - Beautifully written characters…I loved all of them! I feel like I know them!

Plot/Storyline - AMAZING story! S.Walden knows how to deliver and write.

Steam Factor - HOTTTTTTTTT!!! Sweating just thinking about it ;)

Cover - The cover portrays the beauty and innocence of Cadence perfectly.

Cliffhanger - YES! But thankfully it ends with some closure, but you still want more of their story.

Overall - Truly amazing…S.Walden knows how to take a topic that is almost taboo and make you fall in love with the story and characters. Brillant and Beautiful!

So let me start by saying that I LOVE S.Walden!! Good was an excellent book from start to finish. I don't' really think their was one thing I didn't like about it to be honest. From the first page you are drawn into the story and just want to know more and what's going to happen between Mark and Cadence. S.Walden never disappoints with her taboo story lines that keep you as the reader on edge. This story is HILARIOUS, sad, happy and HOT!!!

Good is the story of Cadence Miller, a senior in high school who made one tiny mistake and has been branded a failure. Her parents are completely disgusted by her behavior due to them being a very "Christian" family and at that start of her senior year have basically told her she will have no life, no car, no friends, no dates, NOTHING! Her best friend won't even speak to her after what happened. I think a lot of the remorse Cadence feels comes from her parents being disappointed with her behavior and her constant battle about God and how she should be living her life.

Cadence's first day at school is terrible because most of her classmates have found out what happened over the summer and calling her names and spreading rumors. She stumbles into math and this is where the Mark/Cadence relationship begins. Mark Connelly is Cadence's math teacher. Now, Cadence is 17 and Mark is 28 so thats a considerable age difference. The thing is though Cadence is not a typical teenager. She is very mature for her age and it really stands out throughout the book. She might be naive and innocent at times but always mature. I know most people think this is so wrong! If it was my daughter I would never be okay with that. And at first I thought I would feel that way too, but you don't. Once you start reading the story and fall in love with the characters and their story, you are actually routing for them! I was totally team Cadence and Mark all the way!

Cadence and  Mark's relationship begins as student/teacher, then friends, than more than friends. For the first half of the book they are both fighting these feelings for each other knowing its wrong and trying to keep things neutral. Love is love in any form and once they decide to give into their feelings it actually becomes a beautiful love story. Obviously, this is a big no no and Cadence knows her parents would NEVER approve. Mark and Cadence face so many obstacles with keeping their relationship a secret and trying to spend time together without anyone finding out. 

Avery is Cadence's saving grace and alibi. Avery and Cadence meet in school, both being loners, and devise a plan to cover for each other so they can each see their respective boyfriends without getting caught. Avery is a great character! She is the friend everyone wants to have. I think I laughed out loud and everything that comes out of her mouth. Avery really helps Cadence grow and have confidence again in herself. She helps Cadence learn to love herself again and find her true self.

This book is everything you want in a 5 star book. It was beautifully written, has amazing, real characters, it's HOTTTTT and it's sad, But most of all it provokes emotions in the reader. You feel everything the characters are feeling and you don't want the story to end. Thank you S.Walden again for a beautiful, emotional, taboo, HOT story. Please keep writing and pushing the limits.

Favorite Quotes:

(I basically have the entire book highlighted but I'll pick a few out)

"It took me close to two hours to walk home, and I cussed the entire way. Seriously. I'd never said "Fuck" so much in my life. And it felt so good. Fuck crestview high. Fuck my parents. Fuck the jumpsuit. Fuck that judge who could of let me off since it was my first and only offense. Fuck Gracie for being a little bitch. Fuck Oliver for being my brother. Fuck Mr.Connelly? Hmm, no. He gave me his handkerchief, so I let him slide."

"Don't you dare, Cadence. We're a team. Drop those arms and put on your game face. Your armor, because we're going in," Avery said. And then she smiled and added, "Put on the armor of God."

I narrowed my eyes at her.

"What? We're at youth group. It totally fits."

"I hate your guts."

"Yeah yeah. You can hate my guts while you're suiting up. Belt of righteousness. Sword of truth. All that good stuff."

"Will you please talk to me?" Mark asked.

"I'm not ready for you to eat me out!" I blurted. I turned my face and stared at the feet of his club chair. What a freaking moron.

Mark burst out laughing.

"Ugh! Stop!" I cried. I hid my face in my hands.

"I'm sorry, Cadence," he replied, still chuckling. "Man, the stuff that comes out of your mouth." He peeled away my hands. "I wasn't gonna eat you out today. We haven't even kissed, if you remember. And where is this coming from?"

I huffed. "My stupide faux friend."

"Faux friend?"

"Avery," I clarified, and looked at Mark.

He chuckled. "Ah, yes. Avery. I'm very glad I don't have her in any of my classes."

"How are you so wise at eighteen?" I asked. I meant to be a little teasing, but she answered seriously.

"I read a lot of Cosmo and erotica," Avery replied. "And the bible. I read that too."

"Don't be disrespectful," I said.

"I'm not," Avery huffed. "I do read the Bible, you little cunt. I just finished Galatians last night."

I grinned, thinking about Avery using the words"Bible" and "Cunt" in the same sentence when I was jolted back to the present by Mr.Connelly's voice.

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