Pivot Point

 Synopsis

Addison Coleman's life is one big "What if?" As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It's the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie's parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with-- her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the "Norms," or her mother, woh is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it's not.

In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school-- but she never wanted to be a quarterback's girlfriend. When Addie's father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she's unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she's willing to live through . . . and who she can't live without.

Loved

• Trevor! Ah, Trevor. *Perfect* book boyfriend. Understanding, witty, playful, kind, and buff- what else could you want? Oh wait he's an artist and an athlete too. Yep he's perfect :) I love how he is the perfect complement to Addie's snarkiness by being smart and witty, but very sweet and sensitive. He is also very perceptive to her insecurities, hurts, and secrets- and he takes them all in stride. Who doesn't want that in a guy?? I'm pretty sure I melted with every scene where Trevor is mentioned ;)

• Addie. One reason I don't usually like contemporary novels is because many times the protagonists are angsty, bratty, or annoying. Addie is a tiny bit angsty, but her hurt comes out in playful snarkiness that had me snorting out-loud a few times. She's sharp with witty responses, but is also very understanding and empathetic towards others- even people she doesn't like. She was the perfect mix of sarcasm, playful attitude, brains, and compassion. Put that all in a classics-loving bookworm and we've got a heroine I could root for all day.

• The double-plot. This book is very unique in that it's living out two different futures that aren't quite real because they are in the future. Each chapter alternates between each reality, which creates a fast-paced, interweaving plot with little nuances and clues that keep us on our toes. 

• The Paranormal. This gave me major X-Men vibes, which I totally loved. Teenagers with different abilities always creates a good story and I'm here for it. I would have liked the Paranormal stuff to be elaborated on and developed a little more, but I understand that this is meant to be a romance, not a sci-fi novel- so if that means we get more of Trevor I'm totally okay with that ;)

• Laila and Addie's friendship. These two are the perfect duo. They complement each other so well with Addie's straightforward being-around-humans-is-so-obnoxious bookworm attitude combined with Laila's ability to charm, scare or persuade anyone with her sass, confidence, and looks. Their relationship is so fun and definitely the glue of the story!

Didn't Love

• The only thing I didn't love is that the ending wrapped up too quickly and we didn't get enough of Trevor! :( I guess there is a sequel, but I wanted more of him in this! But that's my only complaint :)

Content

• Language: 
• None.

• Sexual content: 
• Main character kisses two different guys during the story. Kisses are not described very much- sometimes pulling his shirt to pull him closer, his hands on her face- nothing more than that.
• Sexual assault scene: A male traps the main character and forces her to kiss him. Puts his hand on her thigh and she talks about it going higher as she fights back.

• Violence
• References to teenage girls being murdered before the story begins. 
• A character is forced to put a knife to her throat and threatened to slit her own throat.
• Lots of threats of violence if not compliant.
• Football players are injured intentionally by people with abilities to tear flesh and bone.


• Other themes:
• Substance abuse- a character's dad is a drug user and his dealer frequently threatens the family if he doesn't get his money. Many mentions of both the dad and the dealer being "losers."

Overall Thoughts

Why isn't this book talked about more? This is a fun story with a little bit of everything: some sci-fi with the X-Men theme, a little bit of action and suspense, banter and sarcasm that keep readers laughing out-loud, and a whole lot of swoony romance with two different quarterbacks :) I hardly ever read contemporary romances, but I have been interested in Kasie West's books because she writes clean romances, and this one did not disappoint! I knew I'd get some cute scenes and new book boyfriend, but I didn't expect the hilarious sass, a completely lovable heroine, the intensity of the murder mystery subplot, and the uniqueness of the two different realities. I definitely recommend this one for anyone looking for a fun, fast-paced, and clean romance with a dash of sci-fi!