Title: Choosing You
Series: The Jade Series #1
Publication date: September 23rd 2013
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Synopsis
When Jade is given a scholarship to an elite private college in Connecticut, she sees it as a chance to finally escape her painful past and get a fresh start. She’s determined to succeed and that means keeping her focus on school and not guys. But her plan falls apart her first day on campus when Garret, a rich prep school boy with swimmer abs and a perfect smile, offers to help her move in.
Jade tries to push him away, but she can’t deny her attraction to him and Garret won’t let her. Things quickly heat up between them, but then come to a sudden halt when reality hits and Jade realizes that a relationship with Garret may never be possible. He comes from a world of wealth where there are rules, including rules about who he can date. And not following those rules has consequences.
As the two of them try to overcome the obstacles working to keep them apart, Jade is confronted with another challenge. On her 19th birthday, she receives a letter that her now deceased mother wrote years ago. In it are revelations that explain her traumatic childhood but also make her question the past she’s been running from.
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Excerpt
We go outside and start unpacking the
trunk, which holds a few boxes and some garbage bags stuffed with clothes,
sheets, and towels. As I’m picking up one of the bags, it splits open on the
bottom and clothes start seeping out.
“Shit, I knew I should’ve got—”
“Can I help?” The voice seems to be coming
from a guy, but I can’t really see him because the bag I’m holding is blocking
my view. I peer around it to see him picking my clothes off the ground.
“Here,
you take these and I’ll take the bag. It looks heavy.”
“I can handle heavy.” I snatch the tank
tops he’s holding, then turn my back to him and maneuver the torn bag a
different way so it doesn’t tear even more. I feel the guy watching me. “You
can go now. We don’t need any help.”
Ryan clears his throat. “Um, Jade, why
don’t you introduce yourself?”
Every part of me wants to kill Ryan right
here and now. This make-a-friend kick he’s forcing me into is beyond annoying.
I turn around, the bag still teetering in
my arms and extend my hand. “Hi, I’m Jade. Nice to meet you.” The bag is
blocking my face again.
“I think you’re in there somewhere. You
sure you don’t want some help with that bag?” The guy slowly takes the bag from
me, holding onto the torn end. I give up and let him have it.
He’s very tall with broad shoulders. The
bag looks tiny with him carrying it. He holds it with one arm and extends his
hand with the other. “Hi, I’m Garret.”
It’s dark out, but the campus lights
provide enough illumination for me to check out this Garret guy. He’s not bad.
Okay, he’s hot. Like extremely hot, which means he’s probably a complete ass
who uses girls, then tosses them aside. Guys that good looking always get what
they want, then move on.
“She’s right on the first floor if you want
to follow me.” Ryan motions the guy to the door. I quickly grab another bag and
slam the trunk shut, making sure to give Ryan the evil eye as I walk past him.
“Are you a freshman?” Ryan asks Garret once
we’re in my room.
“Yeah, I moved in this morning. I actually
live right upstairs.”
“Do you know anyone here?”
I give Ryan a look to shut up and let the
guy leave, but he ignores me.
“I know a ton of people. Half my prep
school ended up here. It’s almost like we’re just continuing high school.”
“Isn’t that great, Jade? He knows a ton of
people. He can introduce you around.”
“Yeah. Great. I’m going back to the car.” I
start to leave, but Garret stops me.
“Where are you from?”
I turn around and look at him. It’s hard
not to stare. He’s that good looking. “Iowa. Des Moines, Iowa.”
Garret doesn’t say anything.
“It’s in the middle,” I explain. “East of
Nebraska. West of Illinois. South of Minnesota. North of—”
“Yeah, I know where it is,” he says.
“You’re the Kensington Scholarship winner, right?”
How did he know that? Did they include my
bio in the orientation packet? Or did the garbage bag suitcases give me away?
“Yeah, that’s me. Anyway, I need to unpack
so I’ll see you around.”
“Let me help. I’m not doing anything.”
“No, that’s not—”
“That’d be great,” Ryan says. “Thanks!”
I scowl at him once again. He smiles back.
With the three of us carrying stuff, it
only takes a couple more trips to get everything inside.
“Okay, well, thanks for the help,” I say to
Garret, praying that Ryan will finally let the guy leave.
“Sure. If you need anything else, just come
upstairs. My room is about halfway down the hall.”
Once he’s gone I slam the door shut. “What
the hell was that about?” I whisper-scream to Ryan.
“I was helping you make friends. He seemed
okay, didn’t he?”
“I didn’t notice. It’s late. I’m super
tired. And look at me!” I pull on my tank top. “I’ve been stuck in these sweaty
clothes all day. I stink. And you thought now was a good time to introduce me
to people?”
“That guy didn’t care. And it’s like 100
degrees outside. Everyone is sweating.”
“I need to shower and go to bed.” I dump
one of the garbage bags out on the floor and begin searching for pajamas.
“I’ll guess I’ll head to the motel. I
should call Chloe and check on Dad. I’ll come by around 8 and we’ll go to
breakfast.”
“And then you’re leaving?” My voice sounds
sad and a little desperate. I didn’t mean for it to come out that way. The last
thing I need is for Ryan to think I can’t handle being alone.
“I’m sorry I can’t stay, but I have to
start heading back. It’s a long drive and I need to get home to take care of
Dad.”
“I know. I was just giving you a hard time.
Go call your girlfriend. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
He leaves and the sick feeling gnaws at my
stomach again.
Synopsis of The Jade Series
The Jade Series is a New Adult Romance that follows the relationship of Jade and Garret in their first year of college. In Choosing You, book 1, Jade and Garret meet on Jade’s first night at Moorhurst College and despite their strong attraction to each other, they’re not allowed to date because of the strict rules that control Garret’s life. In Knowing You, (book 2), Garret breaks the family rules and begins dating Jade. Their relationship grows deeper but issues from Jade’s past complicate matters. Loving You (book 3) shows Jade and Garret growing closer as a couple but also hints at the trouble that lies ahead in Promising You (book 4), in which a new challenge emerges for Garret that could interfere with the future he wants with Jade.
The Jade Series is a New Adult Romance that follows the relationship of Jade and Garret in their first year of college. In Choosing You, book 1, Jade and Garret meet on Jade’s first night at Moorhurst College and despite their strong attraction to each other, they’re not allowed to date because of the strict rules that control Garret’s life. In Knowing You, (book 2), Garret breaks the family rules and begins dating Jade. Their relationship grows deeper but issues from Jade’s past complicate matters. Loving You (book 3) shows Jade and Garret growing closer as a couple but also hints at the trouble that lies ahead in Promising You (book 4), in which a new challenge emerges for Garret that could interfere with the future he wants with Jade.
Allie Everhart writes about dating, love, and romance. She’s also a freelance writer for magazines and websites. Before freelancing, she was a book editor for a publishing company where she worked on several NYT bestselling nonfiction books. She loves to read as much as she loves to write. And when she’s not reading or writing, she’s outside running, which is when she gets her best book ideas.
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