A Review for Slow Twitch (Brenna Blixen #3) by Liz Reinhardt

Posted by Jess

Published Date: March 29th, 2012

Finished Date: April 8th, 2012

Publishers: Self Published

Source: Bought

Format: Kindle

Pages: Unknown

The blurb from Goodreads: Summer scatters three friends, ties them back together, and makes them question who they have been and who they want to be in the future.

Brenna expected to soak up the knowledge of great Irish writers at her summer workshop in Dublin. But there are some things even the best books can't teach you, and a passionate new friend and an old familiar full of surprises challenge Brenna to follow her heart. By the time she's back in the States, she can't wait to throw herself back into Jake's arms and tell him exactly what he means to her.

She puts the brakes on that plan when it becomes clear that Jake may not be ready to shoulder any more. He visits his family's palatial home in the mountains of New York, and is exposed to all the possibilities a life surrounded by his pampered relatives and washed in money would hold for him. But is it possible to accept so much and not change who you are? Jake has to face the reality that changing sometimes means losing things...but how much is he willing to put on the line?

Saxon has been thrust into a life of drudgery and indentured service he never dreamed of after a brush with the law puts him on family-enforced probation. Who would have thought Sussex County's resident bad-ass layabout would fall head-over-heels in love with a girl, an elderly aunt, and a shot at a whole new life. The problem is, he's a Maclean to his marrow, and it's in his blood to be a selfish screw-up. Isn't it?

Brenna, Jake, and Saxon spend one summer growing up, working things out, and doing their best to weather the changes that get thrown their way. But can the love and friendships of one amazing summer last through the ups and downs of the coming years?

The Review: Going to keep this one short as well.


I've just finished Slow Twitch, and it was amazing! Not only do we still read from Brenna's point of view, but we get to be inside Saxon's AND Jake's head! It was just completely amazing that I'm still in complete awe about the whole book.


I honestly didn't think it was possible to love these three characters more, but its true. I love them. I loved every moment of reading this book. My favourite moments where reading from Saxon's and Jake's heads. We see a completely different side to both boys, and if you were trying to pick a team it is completely hard. However, it's in this book, finally, that you accept that Jake is the one from Brenna. And it was awesome that Liz introduced the new girl Cadence to the story, not leaving Saxon sad or alone. I've always loved multiple POV's, and sometimes if it's more than two it gets a little confusing or it takes a while to get into the transition. Not with Slow Twitch. Reading from three points of views, was extremely easy to transition into, having been through a lot in the last two books with all three characters.


Slow Twitch was wonderfully written, and paced just right from each character that it never left you bored, and always, always left you wanting more.


I think this was most definitely my favourite of the three, and I think that's due to not only Liz's wonderful writing but the multiple POV's that were included. This one blew me away completely, and when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about it, and I was thinking about both boys.


Now on to the question: Team Saxon or Team Jake? Well, for me, I'm still very much neutral. However deep within me, I know Jake is the right one for her and the ending to Slow Twitch confirmed it. I'm neither Team Saxon nor Team Jake, I love both boys too much to be able to pick one (for myself), for Brenna, Jake is the obvious choice.


This was a superb read. And if you haven't read this trilogy by Liz then I suggest you pick them up right away! I really cannot wait to read Inherit her new Mature YA Paranormal novel coming in the Summer! Squee!


Note: This book contains hot teen sex, and should only be read by the older YA demographic. (16+)

A Review for Junk Miles (Brenna Blixen #2) by Liz Reinhardt

Posted by Jess

Published Date: November 17th, 2011

Finished Date: April 4th, 2012

Publishers: Self-Published

Source: Bought

Format: Kindle

Pages: Unknown

The Blurb from Goodreads: Kissing someone other than your boyfriend is cheating. 

But what about thinking about kissing someone other than your boyfriend?

What about thinking about it a lot?

Brenna Blixen has the perfect boyfriend. He's sweet, sexy, loyal, and sure that Brenna is the best thing that's ever happened to him. But being the perfect girlfriend isn't as easy as Brenna thought it would be, and the pressure that comes with trying to be Jake's everything is beginning to weigh on her. When her mother surprises her with a trip to Paris over winter break, she's torn. She anticipated spending her vacation snuggling with Jake Kelly, ice-skating, drinking cocoa, and relaxing...but what girl in her right mind would turn down a trip to Paris?

Things only get more confusing when she winds up unexpectedly and unavoidably thrown into Saxon Maclean's arms in the City of Lights. Far away from the comfort and stability she finds at Jake's side, Brenna faces down the feelings that have been swirling through her since the day she laid eyes on Saxon. Is it fair for her to call herself Jake's girlfriend when she has so many unresolved feelings about someone else?

Brenna is determined to figure it all out, even if it means making some of the hardest decisions of her entire life. She also learns that every single thing she does has rippling repercussions, some that fill her with total regret. By the time she figures out what her heart truly wants, she realizes that she may not be able to have it after all. 

The Review: Going to keep this review nice and short. 


Junk Miles was definitely worth the wait. I completely adored the first one (Double Clutch). I'd heard a few mixed things, and some people were even angry with Brenna in this one. The way she dealt with certain situations probably wasn't the best way to do it, but I understand her confusion. Jake is the right one for her, the safe one, but Saxon is the dangerous and irresistible one. So what would you do if you were away from the guy you thought was right for you, and start spending time in Paris with the wrong one? 


Everything that I loved from the first book, returned in this one, including a much stronger and more independent Brenna. I could feel for Brenna in this one. When I read Double Clutch I couldn't settle on one team. I normally can during a triangle, but this was very hard. I thought during Junk Miles I would settle, but I couldn't. I was so confused. Knowing Jake, is perfect for her, but wanting to be with Saxon as well. It's an extremely difficult thing for a 16 year old to go through. And Liz Reinhardt managed to write it so well. During this one and Double Clutch I was officially Team Switzerland, very much on the fence between the whole Jake and Saxon fiasco. 


I really enjoyed this one, and I didn't find it slow paced or sluggish. There were times I wanted to scream into a pillow, or just cry my eyes out. After I finished Junk Miles, I immediately picked up Slow Twitch, and only when I finish that will I have settled on a team. I'm sure of it.

Note: This book involves a lot of teen sexy time. So I only recommend it to the older YA majority. (16+)

Dream Cast for Double Clutch featuring Liz Reinhardt...

Morning everyone!

So today we have a special guest post. As some of you may know I recently read and reviewed Double Clutch by Elizabeth Reinhardt (Read review here). I really enjoyed this book, and it was actually Liz that helped me come up with the actor for my Book Boyfriend that I did on Wednesday dedicating to one of her characters Jake. This got me curious as to who else she would cast for the roles of her book characters. So I asked her if she would like to do a guest post on who she would cast as her characters. So without further adue here she is!

Pretty much the instant I was done writing my YA contemporary romance, Double Clutch, I started to think about who I would cast in the movie version.

Because I totally plan on a movie version, natch! Now I just have to get  directors/producers/screenwriters/actors/all the other essential people who are needed to make a movie on board!

I've already chosen Amy Heckerling as my dream screen writer/director. Because she's brilliant, hilarious, soulful, and she made Jane Austen relevant in grunge era Beverly Hills and it was FANTASTIC!! I'm sure Amy will be very excited to know my plans!

Until then, I will share my visual inspirations for Brenna, Saxon, and Jake, tell you my pick for a theme song for each one, AND let you know the scene I'd most like to see them in on the big screen. Sigh! A girl can dream, right?

First up, Ms. Brenna Blixen. With blunt bangs, dreamy eyes (needed for gazing at deliciously hot guys), a sharp and tough intelligence, and no lack of backbone, Brenna would need to be played by an actress who embodies self-confidence.

The more I see of the lovely Ms. Browning, the more sure I am she  would be the perfect Brenna!

Emily Browning (Lemony Snicket, Sucker Punch) would make the perfect Brenna. Remember how smart and determined she was as Violet in Lemony Snicket? I loved when she put her hair in a braid and got down to the task of solving all the problems. I can see her holding her own with Saxon and Lynn in government or helping Jake with their latest project at Tech perfectly. How about how smart and confident she was in Sucker Punch? She made every harrowing fight sequence look like a piece of cake. And she'll need it if she's going to run interference during fist fights and navigate the sticky world of liking two guys who used to be friends and are now sworn enemies.

I dare you to listen to this song and not dance around like a crazy/happy maniac! I bet you can't do it!

As for Brenna's theme song (you know, the one they're playing in the background when we first see her?), I'd pick "Everybody Got Their Something" by Nikka Costa. Why? Because Nikka knows how to belt it out and make you feel like you could take over the entire world...and Brenna totally 'got her something' figured out. Nikka's song is her anthem!

Next up is misunderstood bad-boy Saxon Maclean. He's tall, dark, handsome, and has this radiating charisma that pretty much guarantees trouble. Brenna feels an instant attraction, and he's so obnoxiously smart and razor-witted, he definitely keeps sassy, smart Brenna on her toes! Saxon would need to be played by an actor who gets that his tough outer shell hides something vulnerable and ultimately good.

I know. Just take deep breaths...

Thomas McDonell (Prom) is definitely the man for the job. He gets that whole dark, handsome, full-of-himself, smoldering thing down perfectly. In Prom, he worked hard to look past the stereotypes of the perfect girl and connect with her on a deeper level. Sometimes he acted like a jerk, but it was always because he was feeling too much too quickly, and didn't know how to handle it. I'd love to see Thomas McDonell tackle the scenes where Saxon drives Brenna home, even though she claims to want nothing to do with him. Something about this guy and a hot car... I think he could play Saxon to perfection!

These four know how to capture longing, pain, vulnerability, sexiness...Saxon's core principals!

Saxon's theme song? Well he's tortured and bad, but wants to be good. He's trying to keep his cool, but Brenna's making him nuts...he doesn't know his own heart, can't trust his own head. Mumford and Son's "Awake My Soul" sums his feelings up perfectly.

And last, but certainly not least, is Mr. Jake Kelly. Jake seems so sweet, so likable, and easy-going with a gorgeous smile and a face that makes girls drool at first sight. But there are layers upon layers to this boy. He's learned to work hard and make a go of it without much support since he was a little kid. He's just getting by, putting as much distance between his past with all its screw-ups and mistakes when he meets the girl he knows will change his world...if he can win her heart.

I know! I feel faint when I see this pic, too. It's normal.

Freddie Stroma (Cormac McLaggen in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince) would make a fantastic Jake. He was woefully underused in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince as Hermione's date; her sole purpose for going to the dance with him was to make Ron jealous. I can see him handling Jake's quiet confidence and sweet sex appeal, and would love to see him in the scene were Jake takes Brenna on their first real date to the movies and out for dinner. Freddie makes me think of Jake because he has that light, sweet, sexy good boy look that can melt your heart, but he seems like he could have a little edge, too!

Kings of Leon always amaze me with how thoughtful, raw, and sexy their songs are.

As far as Jake's theme song goes, I have to give credit to my friend Deanne, who read Double Clutch and wrote to tell me that "Pickup Truck" by Kings of Leon was Jake's song. As soon as I gave it a listen I could see why! It speaks to all the raw emotion and huge, hormone-driven feelings of first love and uncontrolled anger. Jake has a ton of feelings to work through, and this song nails what it's like to have to wrestle them all.

Thank you so much for joining me on my Double Clutch movie/song journey! I hope you enjoyed it, and please let me know if you happened to read the book and had a different actor/song in mind! I LOVE hearing how other people interpret this story! Thank you so very much to the awesome ladies at Book Passion for Life for letting me crash their lovely blog!!

No, thank you Liz for allowing me to read and review this. I completely agree with all your choice of actors for Brenna, Saxon and Jake. That's pretty much how I pictured them all. I have my fingers crossed that Double Clutch will reach the movie stage one day. Thomas McDonell would make an excellent Saxon, he's perfect. We all know I already agree with Freddie Stroma as Jake, and Emily Browning would make a perfect Brenna, especially with those bangs.

Well there you go bloggers. I hope this post has intrigued you enough to download a copy of Double Clutch. I wholeheartedly recommend it to you all. Fall in love with Saxon and Jake. Make your own minds up.  If this post is enough to intrigue you then you can buy Double Clutch at Amazon.co.uk or at Amazon US. If you wish to follow Liz and all her news you can visit her on her blog  elizabethreinhardt.blogspot.com. 

Thank you to Liz for being here and creating this wonderful post.

Happy reading guys :) 

A Review for Double Clutch (A Brenna Blixen Novel #1) by Liz Reinhardt

Posted by Jess

Published Date: September 7th, 2011

Finished Date: November 11th, 2011

Publishers: Self-Published author

Source: For Review

Format: e-book

Pages: Unknown

The blurb from Goodreads: What happens when you fall in love with the perfect guy...twice...in one day?

Brenna Blixen spent her freshman year homeschooling in Denmark; now that she's back in the States, she's determined to make her sophomore year unforgettable. And by unforgettable, she imagined awesome classes, fun friendships, and maybe a little romance. 

What she got was a whole lot of romance, and all at once. 

The Review: "Can I...". He stopped and his jaw relaxed. "Can I kiss you?" I didn't answer, and he didn't wait for me to. His hands caught me gently behind the neck and he pressed his mouth to mine, softly but firmly. Then he moved one arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him. As the space between us disappeared completely, he deepened the kiss, urging my mouth open and sliding his tongue in."

Aww...what a cute book. When Liz Reinhardt contacted Donna
and I about reviewing her book Double Clutch, I accepted because I hadn't read
anything with a love triangle in a long time. 

Everything about this book is adorable. The story, the characters. Double
Clutch was such a fun and light read that pretty much had me from chapter
1. 
Brenna is a great protagonist, even though she is only 15 in
the book; she does seem a lot older. She's pretty mature and she grows through
out the book when trying to deal with her feelings for Saxon and her feelings
for Jake. Saxon and Jake. Ahh well, let's start with Saxon. He pretty much
makes a big impression from the start. He gives off this bad boy vibe
immediately and you instantly fall for his charm and quick wit. I didn't think
Liz could make me want another boy. Then she introduces us to the sweet Jake
Kelly. Ahhhhh Jake! He's a good boy with a baaaaad past and he regrets his
past. But he's incredibly gorgeous and he treats Brenna the way every girl
should be treated. As always in a love triangle, you pretty much have to settle
on one team if you can. And at first I wasn't sure, but I leant towards Saxon
because he was bad, but eventually I went with Jake. Its a done deal...right
now. That could all change when we see more (hopefully) of Saxon in the sequel.
We'll see.

I loved that this story was nothing paranormal. Its just about a small town
girl dealing with every day issues, juggling school, homework, parents, and 2
boys vying for her attention. It was refreshing to read, and I'm glad of who
Brenna chose, because it was the right one. I wouldn't have it any other way. I
especially loved Brenna's relationship with her parents. Her mother, although
over protective is a great woman who loves her daughter no matter what, and
supports her in everything. But I have to say that her step-dad Thorsten really
stood out for me. He's taken on the role of a Dad and his relationship with
Brenna is one to be envied, I'm sure every girl would love to have that sort of
relationship with their dad (step or not), I know I do.



There isn't a lot of action in this book. There are a few arguments but nothing
blown up. And that's fine. If you want a light read this is a good one. This is
written for Older YA, and I could see why! Brenna finds herself in some sexual
situations which I found odd for a 15 year old, but it was handled beautifully.
I will warn that Liz Reindhardt does NOT sugar coat the intimate scenes so I do
urge that only readers of 17+ read this. 


Anyway, if you want a book about a normal girl with normal issues. Then read
this. If you want a book without anything paranormal, then read this. If you
want a book that's fun, light and easy then read this. Ohhh just read it
anyway. Double Clutch has been added to my top 2011 reads for this year and I
am now waiting to get my hands on the sequel Junk Miles.

Thank you to Liz for asking me to review this.