Review: Signs of Attraction by Laura Brown

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Signs of Attraction by Laura Brown
Published by Avon Impulse on June 14th 2016
Pages: 233
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Carli is a senior at university and is learning to be a teacher. She’s hard of hearing. All her life her father/her family to an extend has treated her like she was a freak. They made her feel like she didn’t belong with them. Which is why Carli never learned ASL or got any other help/support for her needs. She basically hides herself, her disability, her problems from everyone around her. She has been striving to look perfect even if she feels she is not to the outside world.

Reed was born deaf. After being adopted by wonderful parents at the age of three when his biological parents abandoned him. He had a pretty good childhood considering that. He grew up to be a pretty wonderful guy that has great friends and loving family who supported and loved him. He is however every reluctant to starting making new friends or start a relationship now after what his ex did to him.

Carli and Reed meet on the first day of their senior year in linguistics class. They meet due to Carli’s hearing aid’s battery running out. They are both smitten with each other. I really enjoyed them together, they had good chemistry. They were sweet and adorable together. They both had no idea how to actually proceed or approach the idea of them dating. They are both guarded and vulnerable at the same time to each other. Reed was a pretty great hero to be honest.

As sweet and fun the first part of the book is. The later part of the book is heartbreaking and made me teary. Seriously I was crying because it’s difficult to see someone so bright and a good person who through so much pain. Carli goes through quite a lot. She finds out some truths that hurt her and leave her feeling very lost in the face of the future. And what happens when they guy who’s been there for her all along and loved her is no longer there…read to find out.

Quibbles: View Spoiler »Why not 5 stars?

because I felt like some of the story deserved more time for e.g. how Reed and Carli relationship developed over the month we see quite less of them once they are actually together. Usually I’m all for that H/h shouldn’t wait and just go talk to the other to solve everything. Here I felt the opposite, I felt like Carli should have taken more time to heal and get better or maybe the author should have spend more time showing more of her struggle. Then have her go back or better yet should have made Reed do it.

Because it felt rushed since she was struggling with pretty sudden and awful situation/feelings. I really feel like she should have gotten counselling and therapy to help with her thoughts and behaviour. I just didn’t really like how her situation was handled.

Then I also felt some of the question were left unanswered….And the fact was Carli actually medically kind of ok with her injury and all, it’s implied but I was left unclear.

Furthermore, we kind of knew about Reeds friends than we did about Carli, her bestfriend/roommate DD we just never get to know her as much as the others. I don’t know why wouldn’t a psych major not see that her friend was taking more than recommended medication and behaving loopy. « Hide Spoiler

Quibbles aside; I greatly enjoyed this book, I enjoyed the writing. The protagonists and the secondary characters were all multidimensional and the plot was interesting as was Reed and Carli’s relationship. It’s also emotional, touching and thought provoking. It deals with of issues including such as the aftermath of suicide, problems that special needs children/adults have to go through. 

I’d recommend it to anyone who likes NA books with bit of angst and great story. There’s also the we need more books in with people with special needs, there are some and recently more books have come out but as many as there should be considering. 

Laura Brown is new to me author so I went in blind not knowing anything. I had no particular expectations however this just turned out to be great read. I will be definitely be on the look out for her next book.