Author: Abbi Glines
ISBN: 978-1-4711-1753-4
RRP: $12.99
Because of Low is the second in the Sea Breeze series by Abbi Glines and the first of her books I have read. I was a little hesitant to begin with because I am not a fan of joining a series after the beginning. Fortunately that really isn’t an issue, as far as I can see, with this series because each novel focuses on a different couple.
There seems to be a real trend towards dual first person narrators and being as it’s becoming so popular in young adult fiction at the moment I have had no choice but to get used to it. It wouldn’t have been my first choice of style to pick up even as recently as 6 months ago but I have read so many now that I’m getting used to it.
Another popular storyline that is utilized here is the rich kid falls for kid from the wrong side of town. It is done differently every time but it’s certainly done regularly. Glines does it well and there is quite a nasty twist in Because of Low. It’s a twist that was almost predictable but there was still quite a shock factor to it.
Marcus graduated from high school and went off to college to do his own thing and make his own way in the world, until he found out scandal was going to hit his family. His dad owns a string of Mercedes dealerships along the coast which means that everyone in the small coastal town of Sea Breeze knows the Hardy family. The fact that everyone knows him is part of the reason Marcus needed to escape after high school, it’s all going to make everything that much harder when the scandal breaks.
He can’t leave his beloved mother and sister to face the scandal alone so he comes back to Sea Breeze to help them pick up the pieces. One thing that was never really clarified for me is why he rented a room from Cage York instead of moving back home, I can imagine it being to stay away from his dad but I would have thought he’d stick as close to his mum as he could. Never mind, small issue, and one that would have changed the entire story had he not moved in with Cage. Having left college for the time being Marcus is trying to keep up with his studies by enrolling in online courses and working from home.
Low is the gorgeous, natural redhead who semi-lives at Cage’s apartment. Her relationship with Cage is very difficult to understand from the outside. Cage is a terminal womanizer, terrified of commitment and permanently involved in a string of one night stands which means he is never home at night and when he does come home he reeks of stale booze, smoke and sex. He has a type and Low is definitely not it, she is too real, too natural and way too special. So why does he come running the second she calls?
Low has always done it hard and her upbringing has been nothing but heartache and loss, the only person never to have left her is Cage and that makes him her safe place, her haven and her security blanket. He is the only one allowed past her walls and anywhere near her heart because he’s the only one who has proven he won’t break it.
Marcus is entranced by Low from the first time he meets her, as she sobs at the apartment doorway not long after he moves in.
Actually, another thing that doesn’t quite fit for me is the fact that this is a small town where everyone knows everyone yet Marcus and Low had never met yet they share mutual friends, close friends not just acquaintances. It just seems odd.
But I digress, Marcus is entranced at first glance and promptly warned off by Cage. Low too is affected from the outset and determined not to get attached.
Marcus is healing from heartbreak but truly a good guy, not to mention smoking hot, and he goes out of his way to show Low that he is not like his womanizing friends. He thinks she is magnificent and special and worships her. What girl doesn’t want to be worshipped….
Cage is very protective and possessive of Low, warning everyone away from her. Low has always been happy to let him be her protector because no-one had come along that was worth going up against him over but all of that could be about to change.
Low and Cage have both come from less than ideal backgrounds. They have had to learn some tough lessons and through it all they’ve had each other. I think the safety net might go both ways between Cage and Low because she’s the only one who has ever loved him unconditionally. They are the siblings the two needed even if they aren’t related.
The burgeoning relationship between Marcus and Low is sweet and romantic, whether he totally intended it or not Marcus wooed her, he swept her off her feet and it was gorgeous. Most of the intimate scenes were very much the first awakenings of desire for Low so though it was hot it wasn’t steamy and raunchy it was more sweet and hot if that even makes sense.
There is, of course, more to this situation than meets the eye and we will be left to wait and see how things will play out.
I really enjoyed reading this and I can’t wait to get to the next two books in the series that focus on two of the secondary characters in Because of Low. I am finding myself getting very sensitive lately and this book had me in tears so I had to keep reading until I found out what happened.
I devour books, vampires and supernatural creatures are my genre of choice but over the past couple of years, I have broadened my horizons considerably. In a nutshell – I love to write! I love interacting with a diverse range of artists to bring you interviews. Perhaps we were perfect before – I LOVE WORDS!