One of my goals for 2021 is to read some of the books that have been hiding in the depths of my Kindle for years. I decided to start things off with Dearest Clementine. I had no idea at the time that it would turn into a series binge. Here are my mini reviews for the Dearest series.
Dearest Clementine
Series: Dearest, #1
Author: Lex Martin
Publication Date: April 17, 2014
Publisher: Lex Martin
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
My thoughts:
Dearest Clementine might have been written in 2014, but six years later it doesn’t feel dated. It was a classic new adult romance set in college. I was immediately addicted to the story. There was a little bit of angst, a sweet romance, and an air mystery. Clementine was a broken character, but not annoyingly so. She opened up and learned a lot in this book. Gavin as her love interest was perfection. The friendships and side characters added even more fun to the book. I’m mad at myself for waiting so long to read Dearest Clementine!
Finding Dandelion
Series: Dearest, #2
Author: Lex Martin
Publication Date: July 9, 2014
Publisher: Lex Martin
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Sports Romance
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ½
My thoughts:
Finding Dandelion didn’t start out on the best foot with me. This book is Clementine’s twin brother Jax’s book. His love interest is her newest roommate, Dani. At the beginning, before they are together, Jax’s promiscuous ways are highlighted. Honestly, I would have preferred to keep things on a tell rather than show way with that. Jax also continued to be an idiot throughout most of the book for different reasons. That being said, I LOVED Dani. Her story was fun to read. When Jax wasn’t being a turd, I thought the two of them were adorable together.
Kissing Madeline
Series: Dearest, #3
Author: Lex Martin
Publication Date: April 26, 2015
Publisher: Lex Martin
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Sports Romance
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
My thoughts:
Never did I think I would want a redemption book for Clementine’s high school ex Daren, but I’m glad I got one. It was the most mature of the three romances, and I could see how Martin’s writing grew from her debut to this book. Daren had definitely grown up and matured. I loved that he could look back at his younger years, see his mistakes, and own them. Maddie was a young woman who knew her worth and fought hard for what she wanted. I adored Daren and Maddie together. How they fell into love felt like a natural transition. All of the drama that happened in this book kept it moving quickly, too. It was a fun read — especially with that epilogue!
The college setting isn’t something that I often see in books! The series sounds like it is lots of fun and wraps up quite nicely. I’ll have to give it a try sometime as well.
I love reading in a college setting. It’s just such a time of learning and growth for characters (and people).
I was just thinking the other day that I wanted to randomly read NA. I love that you’re diving way back into the depths of your Kindle. Dearest Clementine appeals to me the most. I need to meet this perfect hero!
Randomly reading NA is actually really fun, especially those first ones. They’re all kind of similar, but it’s almost like that feeling of being back home or something. I think you would probably like Dearest Clementine and even Kissing Madeline.
Ups and downs, but sounds like a solid series. Why is it that so many NA heroes have to be man-whores?
It was a solid series and a good one. I don’t care if characters need to sow their oats before they find “the one” but I don’t like reading it in action. I would rather it be in the past or just mentioned.
Agreed. I don’t like the visual of them with anyone but their pairing in the book
I am glad you enjoyed this series Deanna. Were all three of these already on your kindle? Great reviews.
No, just the first one. Thank goodness for the library!
Thanks! 🙂
Those are the best finds! I love when one book has me hooked like that. I’ve made the same goal and I’m hoping to make some great progress. Fingers crossed we can make some serious dents 🙂
Yes, they are. My problem is the series I’m reading now (In the Company of Killers) I started because I had that first book. Now I have to read all 7 because I need to know!!!
I think that is one of my favorite series!! All my beloved boys… my killers… Sarai… I’m still waiting on the 8th book.
Now I need that 8th book, too! I don’t even know where things are going to go from here!
I love that the book not only turned out to be a winner, but gave you some new books to binge. With the exception of that second one, it sounds like a really fun series! Great reviews!
It was! You might even like that first one.
Great reviews, Deanna. Interesting to see how the series developed over the 3 books. Second book almost sounded like a miss but glad Dani saved it for you.
Thank you! Yes, the second book was the miss in the series. I am just not a big fan of reading about the MCs with other people.