That Thing Between Eli and Gwen | J. J. McAvoy

Read: 2nd June 2016

 3 Stars ***

I have been in a bit of a book slump.... until I was browsing a FB book group and someone mentioned  this book. I am so pleased I looked it up and decided to read it.

It was a really nice book. Nice being the important word here, I really enjoyed it but it did not have that wow factor to it, almost as if something was missing but I am not sure what.

The book is about, two couples. Eli and Gwen are with their respective partners, Eli had Hannah who he is about to marry, and Gwen has Bash, to whom she is engaged. However, it all goes to hell very quick! Bash and Hannah run off together, at the wedding. This I loved, it was such a good start to the book. Eli hated the sight if Gwen as she reminded him of what he has lost.

The way Gwen and Eli were introduced, the heartbreak you felt for them with an undertone of relief was perfect. I thought Gwen was a great character in the beginning, however, saying this as the book progressed I started to like her a little less. I feel that maybe I felt she had the potential to be better than she was.

Eli was the cocky doctor, which had the making for a great male lead, but he just did not do it for me. Yes I get that he was meant to be cocky but even with characters like that you are meant to Love/Hate them, I felt neither really towards him.

The start of the book portrayed the Love/Hate relationship Eli and Gwen had, the teasing, the annoying each other, the kind of start that you know will lead to them falling in love, hard! This is my favourite type of romance. Therefore the start was great for me.

When they progressed to liking and loving each other I enjoyed this too.

The part I did not like was the end. It had no real ending, almost as if it was rushed. Hannah the Ex was suddenly pregnant, had had the baby in such a small space of time, but not only that, Eli did not really have that much of a reaction. I feel that it was an easy ending, which made it nice, but it could have been amazing, and lifted the whole book. It was not memorable, I was not thinking about it after reading the book, which when you read a great book, one you fall in love with, you cannot stop thinking about it.

Would I read it again? Yes I think I would, I liked it. But would I re read it right now? No... I would say if you like the Love/ Hate Neighbour romance then give it a go. But its not up with my favourites of these.

Cover 5*

For the cover, I like it. The landscape image used in a portrait format really works for me, i think it makes the book stand out. And the photos used blend so well together. It is simple yet eye catching. I think the cover is my favourite part of the book! 

The title is reflected in the cover, as it looks as though the book is decided and there is something literally between them.

The colours are simple and allow the book to flow, there is not harsh colours, yet the yellow stands out. Normally I do not like the use of yellow but here with the skin tones and mute browns it ties it all together.