Book Review: What If by A.J. Pine

What If (If Only #2)
Author:  A.J. Pine
Publisher:  Entangled Publishing, 300 pages
Expected Publication Date:  December 8, 2014
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley

From Goodreads:
During his semester abroad, Griffin Reed almost gave his heart to a girl who loved someone else. Lesson learned. Now he’s home, where following in his father’s footsteps may not be what he wants, but it’s what his parents expect. It might be taking the easy road, but he doesn’t see a way out.

Something that could have killed Maggie Kendall took away the person she used to be instead. Her condition makes her dependent on sticky notes, photos, and medication just to get through each day. The last thing she needs is a distraction—or someone new to disappoint.

What they refuse to see is they are perfect for each other. Maggie makes Griffin want to be a better man, and he makes her believe a future is possible. But these two have to find a way to share the secrets ripping them apart, if they’re ever going to have a chance at happiness.

Review:
Such a cute read, I really enjoyed this one.  The feels!!  Griffin and Maggie are such likable characters.  I felt for Maggie.  She's still trying to get used to this new life, where her brain doesn't work the way it used to and she has all of these systems in place to get through each day.  She feels like she doesn't have anything to offer anyone because she's not the Maggie she used to be and she'll be a burden.  This felt so real to me.  It didn't feel contrived, like a lot of books where the main character is closed off. Maggie has a reason for not wanting to be in a relationship.  Then she meets Griffin and he makes her feel like her old self and she pretends with him that she doesn't have this medical condition.  It's supposed to just be one night, but they both feel such a connection to each other that it turns into more.  

Griffin…oh Griffin, I fell for you.  The guy who had his heart broken by Jordan in If Only (although you don't have to have read that book, by the way, to enjoy this one).  Griffin doesn't date, he has one night stands.  He's agreed to join his father's business, but he's really lost and unhappy about it because he doesn't want to do it but at the same time, he has no clue what he wants to do with his life.  He deflects, he avoids responsibility and commitment, but then he meets Maggie and he can't avoid things anymore.  

Loved them together and loved how their relationship progressed. Loved their non-dates.  They fell fast, but it didn't feel like insta-love, it felt natural and it made me smile. Amazing secondary characters as well.  If you want a feel good NA romance, read What If.  

Posted by:  Pam