Book Review: Third Degree by Julie Cross

Third Degree
Author:  Julie Cross
Publisher:  Flirt, 240 pages
Expected Publication Date:  March 25, 2014
*Received ARC from publisher via NetGalley

From Goodreads:
I used to be “Isabel Jenkins, child prodigy.” As lame as that sounds, at least it was an identity. But now I’m not sure what I am. I just failed the most important exam of my life—the emotional readiness test required to get into a medical residency program—and it turns out my parents can’t stand each other. Now I’m trying to figure out how to pick up the pieces of my life, and that means re-enrolling as a college freshman, but this time I’m shutting the books and majoring in being eighteen.

But so far, my roommate hates me and I’m not into the party scene. The only good thing about school has been getting to know my insanely hot RA. Marshall Collins makes me wonder about everything I missed while I was growing up too fast. Pretty soon we’re hanging out constantly, but for the first time, I find myself wanting more than a no-strings-attached physical relationship. And the lesson I really need is one Marsh definitely can’t teach me: love. Because I’m going to be alone forever if I don’t learn fast.

Review:
I really enjoyed this coming-of-age novel about Izzy, an eighteen year old genius who has an M.D. and is an intern who suddenly has to figure out what to do after she flunks her psych evaluation (the emotional readiness test) so she isn't accepted into any residency program.  She enrolls in college to be a normal eighteen year old.

Izzy definitely has issues.  She's had such an unconventional life (college at the age of twelve) that it's hard for her to connect with other people.  Having a roommate, meeting people her own age, dating...she hasn't experienced any of that.  Enter Marshall, hot RA.  Loved him, he was such a good guy with an amazing family (and by the way, Izzy and Marshall's parents both are fairly present in this novel even with the college setting).  Marshall doesn't have any weird hang-ups, he's just a normal guy who is perfect for Izzy.  She's uptight, he's laid back.  No insta-love here, instead they become friends as he helps her navigate college life.  There's angst and some issues, but this New Adult novel is a breath of fresh air compared to the others I've read.  Izzy is so smart but so dense at the same time that it was entertaining to read about her fumbling her way through social situations.  The love story between Izzy and Marshall is so sweet and well done, it just made me smile.  

Posted by:  Pam