Under the Lights (Field Party)

Now every one of my friends and family members know my obsession with Abbi glines, in fact I've gotten quite a few of them addicted too. Her writing for me is as stimulating as that first cup of coffee in the morning.
It heightens your emotions and awakens your senses.
I love it when a book has you so emotionally invested you don't want to put it down, and if you have to you end up having withdrawals and craving to be alone with it again.
Under The Lights for me was so heartbreaking and raw, it touched a subject that is personally close to my heart. These may be high school kids, but damn the emotions in this book will wreck you. Not just your ordinary field party story, filled with parties and hormonal teens.
This is a story that will have your heart breaking for all involved.
I applaud Abbi for daring to go where not a lot of authors are willing to go, to approach subjects that affect many in real life.
I can't wait for you all to read it.
Another 5 ????? read. #TheFieldParty #LawtonLions #GreatRead

This is about three childhood/tween friends separated for six years. Feelings had began to blossom when younger, but now they are reunited in their senior year and have all grown up, changed, and have some secrets.

Willa Ames has returned to live with her Nonna after making a big mistake and paying for it. She is hurt, untrusting, regretful, and determined to earn her Nonna's trust. She needs to avoid boys, temptation, and trouble. She is broken, guilt ridden, and feels unwanted.

Gunner Lawton is the son of Nonna's employer and from the outside it looks like he has the perfect life. He's cocky and spoiled, but has his own family issues and pain. He does not trust easily and does not believe in love since he's never really been shown love. He puts up walls of protection and is seen as a playboy. But he used to be Willa's protector, best friend, and the one she leaned on.

Brady Higgens is the driven, dependable, football quarterback. He is a good guy that hates to hurt people. He has been raised in a stable, loving home and his life has been relatively easy. He was the third part of their trio and close to both of them. Willa had a huge crush on him when younger. And both boys felt the same about her but kept it hidden.

They are three reunited friends with shared history, dealing with new dynamics, new feelings, new problems, jealousy, secrets, and fear. And all of these conflicts are just a portion of the drama swirling around them.

This is a YA book and is a love triangle among friends set in a small town high school. We get all three of their points of view that is important to keep tabs on all of their changing feelings and dynamics. They have grown up and also have some bonds from the past, but they are discovering new feelings that confuse and upset them at times. No one wants to ruin friendships, but they also have a hard time handling their changing emotions, jealousy, and needs. Both of the guys have their strengths and weaknesses and at times it was hard to determine a favorite.

They are also dealing with past demons, family issues, and pain. Trust is difficult and had to be earned, but their secrets are gradually revealed. But being vulnerable is frightening and at times leads to avoidance or running. Sometimes there are differences between who they think they want and who they need. The characters will have to face their pasts in order to move forward and fight for what they are afraid they do not deserve. This installment is about love, healing, truth, and hope. But they are young so it is also angsty, dramatic, and they make mistakes. There are some definite surprises and twists that added to the tension.

Their new lives bring challenges and more people involved in the drama. This one did have several stereotypes especially of the mean, clingy, and slutty girls who wanted a piece of all of the popular guys. It brings back other characters previously introduced in Until Friday Night: Maggie, West, Nash, Asa, Rhett, and Riley who were stand outs. I liked this one, but I would have liked to have maybe a bit more near the end with the resolution. But hopefully we will see more of the characters' growth in further installments of the series. I am looking forward to the next book and have a strong suspicion of who it will be about and it should be an interesting pairing.

I had a hard time writing this review because there were so many things I really liked about this book and things that I really didn't. Abbi has always been a one click author for me, I've both loved and just liked her books in the past. Her style of writing and use of duel POV is something I've always enjoyed and this book was no exception. However I feel like I've read this book before, except the characters names were Sawyer, Ash, and Beau.

Brady is Sawyer the sweet sensitive one who's the golden boy quarterback. Gunner is Beau the bad boy with daddy issues. And Willa is Ashlyn the gorgeous blonde who is first best friend and then love interest to both. Both these love triangles play out in a small Alabama town where football reigns and the players are seen as Gods.

Although Under the Lights has more hard hitting drama and loss, the underlying storyline is the same.
A tight knit group of friends as kids but, as is life they grow up and things, feelings, change. Along with those changes comes a whole slew of problems involving family, friends, loyalty, and trying to correct wrongs from the past.

Because I loved the Vincent Boys it was natural for me to like this book as well. While the story did grab my attention and kept me engaged until the end there were several inconsistencies, underdeveloped characters, and the abrupt ending that kept me from really loving this book.

While I can't say this was a favorite of mine it won't keep me from continuing with this series or other Abbi Gline's books in the future.

I really liked Willa and Gunner. However, I didn't necessarily like how the story was written, especially with Brady's POV. Why did the author find it necessary to include Brady in it? To make is suspenseful? I think the story would have been equally enjoyable with making the readers guess who Willa would end up with because their individual stories were interesting enough to keep the reader engaged. We would just be reading about their journey.

Prior to reading this book, I read some reviews. Mixed reviews. One person said that the storyline was unoriginal. It was like the Vincent Boys but the author just changed the characters' names. I can understand why she would say that. I agree. Good boy vs Troubled boy. Who will the girl end up with? (The troubled one, obviously). Some authors are known for recycling characters and storylines but I don't really feel like Abbi Glines is like that, so I'll let this one slide.

** SPOILER ALERT **
During the "you're not my real son so you don't get any money" scene, I experienced deja vu. I literally stopped reading for a few seconds and asked myself if I've read this book already but then remember that this book just came out. To be fair, I wouldn't have guessed who his biological father was. And the whole thing about his pretend father/brother.... I thought the double bastard was a bit much. Does that happen in real life? Those twists did add excitement though.

The ending was abrupt as other readers have noted. I would definitely have appreciated more closure. Did everything turn out the way Gunner wanted to after he turned 18? Did Willa remain homeschooled even after Ms. Ames knows they weren't sneaking out to have sex? I'm just going to assume that the reason Brady didn't pass on the message to Willa was because something happened with Riley Young? (which leads to the next book).

I feel like that book description isn't really accurate. Here's what you need to know. Willa used to live with her grandmother until her mother decided to bring her into her finally stable family in Arkansas. But Willa made some bad decisions that ended with her mother kicking her back out so she's back to live with her grandmother again. She's permanently changed as a result of her decisions, and she carries a lot of pain, guilt, and grief around with her as a result. Brady, Gunner, and Willa were a best friend trio before Willa moved to Arkansas. Brady and Gunner as still friends but not as close as they once were. Both boys are interested in the grown up Willa, and she has to decide which one she wants.

Brady has gotten himself into a situation where the girl he's dating is altogether attached to him, but he's not feeling it. He's been with her because it was easier than not being with her. While Gunner has been the guy always looking for a sure thing that will be over before it's really begun. Brady is surrounded with a good and loving family. He's the star quarterback. He has it all. And to top it all off, he's a good guy. Except I personally find it completely annoying that he's only with Ivy because he "doesn't want to hurt her." Man up, grow a pair, and realize that you're not saving her any pain by remaining with her. Ugh. Pet peeve.

Gunner, like I said, has been the kind of guy who doesn't commit. He doesn't do relationships. Part of that is because his family life is so messed up. He's the younger son that doesn't feel wanted at all. And truth be told, he's not off base for thinking such things. His family life was even more messed up than I could have imagined and was just as bad as an episode of Days of Our Lives. Gunner's has precious few people in his life that have really cared for him and that's affected him deeply.

I thought Abbi Glines did a pretty good job keeping me guessing in the beginning over who Willa would choose. I thought she now had more in common with Gunner, but Brady was the one she was crushing on from childhood and those kinds of crushes can be hard to kill. I did predict who her choice was, and I was happy about that.

Abbi Glines has a few things that are pretty common in all of her books that tend to annoy me. While they all mostly seemed present in Under the Lights as well, I felt they were minimized in comparison to many of her other books. I really appreciated how tame this book was which is a completely opposite of almost every book by Abbi Glines that I've read since Breathe. Kudos man.

I do have a few small complaints. I felt like the last chapter--the "six years earlier" chapter--could have been completely left out. It felt a bit cheesy to me after everything that the characters had been through. And even though it never really came out and said "I've been in love with you all along" that was essentially the vibe that it gave off. Plus it really felt like the only reason that chapter was included was to make the title make sense. Oh and while I'm thinking about it...I've kind of felt like the whole football/sports theme has been promoted by the book covers much heavier than it is actually present within the books. While I don't want football to dominate the book, it feels like it's missing a bit considering how they're titled and covered. Also there was something that should have extremely bothered me based on my current life situation but the tears just didn't flow. It was sad, but I would have expected to be blubbering like a baby.

All things considered, Under the Lights gets 3.5 Stars from me. I appreciated the lack of physical scenes than Abbi Glines usually includes. The family dynamics were quite soap opera-ish. But I blew through this book and kept wanting to come by to it if I had to put it down for any reason. Have you read Under the Lights? What did you think? Let me know!

It started out strong and maintained momentum until the end, where it seemed rushed and abrupt. At one point, the three central characters were jealous of each other, feelings were all over the place...but that was perfectly fine! It was when Gunner got all introspective that it took a downward spiral.
Love triangles are never easy, especially when you come to terms with it as a young adult. As kids, Willa, Brady and Gunner were BFFs with emotions of more tucked pretty deep. When Willa returns to town after devastating events, those feelings, and hormones, rise to the surface. It's figuring out the depth of the emotions that spur on reactions. I genuinely enjoyed reading the confusion and excitement they felt for each other. The fact that the boys were called on their BS by Willa was refreshing. Before long, someone calls someone's bluff and everyone scrambles.
Background stories enhance characters and that vulnerability insists on focus; someone is going to be left out. This is where I felt it became rushed. If it hadn't been for Willa, both boys would have continued to string girls along. One rushes to dump the current "fling" to make himself available, exclusively, for Willa. The other panics when a kiss with Willa shakes him to the core...evidenced by running away, avoiding her, and hoping the other guy can indeed be worthy. Ummm, no.
Having said that, I was surprised by the ultimate pairing. Abbi Glines convinced me, however. It took a while to get there, but it did and it was lovely. The other boy was essentially left on the sidelines. Maybe he'll get his HEA next? Will the girl who also made it back to town have a starring role, perhaps? Inquiring minds and all that.

Under the Lights (The Field Party #2) by Abbie Glines is a young adult book that is leaning more tot he mature YA audience. I did not read the first book in the series. This review is based on this book and this book alone. Coming into the second book of the series I had a lot of questions which I do not recommend. As a reading it resulted in a lot of unnecessary questions and confusion.

At the beginning of the book Willa came back to Lawton after moving away with her mom. She has been through some terrible and traumatic experiences. As a kid, her best friends were Brady and Gunner. There has been a lot of times that has passed since she last saw them. Willa is not worried about boys or friends right now, her focus is on getting through her senior year of high school and making her Nonna proud.

Gunner has money, but while he has money he has a terrible family. Brady is the opposite. He does not have a lot of money, but he is the star quarterback and he has a wonderful family. When the Gunner and Brady notice Willa is back, both are fascinated with her.

Brady and Gunner have been best friends since they were kids. Gunner is going through a difficult time. Gunner feels safe talking about his issues with Willa since he feels that Willa is able to truly understand him. Before when Willa lived in Lawton she had a secret crush on Brady but now Gunner is in the picture and she is not sure what to do. Throughout the story there are ups and down. There is confusion. There are arguments but through it all they remained friends.

I give this book 3 out of 5 stars.

I received this book from Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing and Simon Pulse via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Under the Lights is the story of two broken souls getting a second chance. It is a fast paced story of finding onesself and love along the way. Willa, Gunner and Brady were childhood friends, the closest friends who loved spending them in their tree house. One day Willa got pulled away from them, thinking they would never see them again. Six years later, Willa is back. Both Gunner and Brady are in for it. Both have feelings for her and confused on what to do about it. This story is all about the three friends growing up, finding themselves and each other. We get the POV from all three. It has a little bit of a love triangle, that I was too keen on, but ended up enjoying anyway. It is very much a teenage book and what they go through in life at their worst and their best.

When I was finished with this book, I was left wanting more. I felt like Willa and Gunner’s story was just getting started, but ended so quickly. I am happy to know that Brady’s book is coming, as I fell in love with him in this story. I can’t wait to read book 3.

Dreams of love. The hope for love. Friends who will always be your friend and confidante despite the passage of time.

The denial of love very by those who should give love freely but are incapable. The two souls that desperately seek what is denied them find it in each other without ever realizing it, until life brings them together again. Even damaged and in need of healing from all that their parents and life has thrown at them, their souls again find each other. Fear of the heart, of what you never had but have tried so hard to earn I all the wrong ways and all the wrong people. Love that is freely given and was there for the taking and giving. The beauty of young love even in the most painful of times.

Under The Lights shows the beauty of young love. Willa and Gunner haven't had a lot of good in life but friends can be your savior.

This is a terrific book. I loved the characters. Willa, Gunner and Brady were all complex characters and Ms. Glines did a wonderful job of developing the characters and their relationships over the course of the novel. The fact that I could not tell who Willa would end up with is a testament to Ms. Glines writing. My only complaint was that Gunner's parents and Willa's Mom were somewhat plastic in their representation. They were clearly terrible parents, but it was all black and white with no shades of grey. As well, there were a some surprising grammatical typos in the book...it needed one more edit.

(4.5 stars

This quickly became one of my favorite books by Abbi Glines. Willa returns to Lawton after a six year absence. Her two childhood best friends, Gunner and Brady, barely recognize her. Willa once thought her heart belonged to Brady but her and Gunner both have a darkness in them that bonds then. My only "complaints" would be 1) that I need more of Willa and ..... I felt they ended up together and a few sentences later it was over and that 2) I thought the 6yr ago flashback was put in an odd spot. I would've much more preferred an epilogue.

Great story about lost loves who both have issues to work through before they can love again. There is a bit of a "love" triangle involved, as well as hints about what future books may be about. This is part of a series, but can be read as a stand alone. Clean and safe for teen readers. It does have a heavier/more serious vibe about it, and there are some emotional moments. Great characters and the story moves quickly.

Lots of turmoil and emotions in this book. Both main characters suffer from lack of love from their parents. Both mothers are portrayed as weak while the one father is portrayed as a major selfish jerk. Thank God for Ms. Ames! The love triangle was interesting but one can't help but wonder if Brady ever stood a chance. Weird ending to the book. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

I enjoy going back into the high school world with young adult books.
My heart broke for all that Willa and Gunner had been through. They did find someone to lean on that they could trust with their secrets and start to heal.
When the book ended I was looking for more from the fall outs. I felt like the story was missing a real ending.

I have been reading Abbi Glines books for quite sometimes now and I love all of them till now this book didn't make sense lots people where left out and it made feel lost I hope in the future Abbi Glines will not delete comments of other people but she will be strong and dela with it she is my favorite authors but on her Facebook page I left a comment responding how I felt about the book which was lost and boring it felt like she was in Writer block but she blocked me Abbi Glines please don't take the comments as not appreciative but as a help this book I don't recommend people to waste money and buy it you wont like it is waste of money

This book makes you feel like the characters are keeping a secret from you but everyone in the book. I made it 50% into the book before I was so annoyed and irritated that I finally quit reading. On top of the subtle hints to a bad past experience, the book has multiple points of view. Another factor that made me give up on finishing the book.

Under the Lights has left me bewildered. I really enjoyed West and Maggie's story, so I was looking forward to this one. Something felt off about it from the beginning. I never connected to the characters, and I was very confused about the love triangle...that wasn't supposed to be a love triangle. I ran across a lot of phrases and sentences that didn't make any sense to me. I re-read them several times, to make sure. Maybe there were typos, and they threw me way off. I liked Willa, Gunner and Brady's history. Willa and Gunner both have had struggles in their family life, and I really liked their close connection from the time they were kids. For me, the story felt erratic and rushed at times. The ending felt odd, and I do remember thinking the same with Maggie and West too. I am a big Abbi Glines fan, and I have loved her previous books. I know this is just one of those times when I don't connect with a story or characters.

Well written. Lots of drama. Also some unfinished issues and questions with side characters(Riley , Brady's true love,and Ames' paternity), wonder if there will be more books in series? Swearing and references to teen promiscuity, but no scenes or details of sex occurring, so I would say safe for high school readers.