Beach Town Bad Boy

It's Gotta Be You. I've read a lot of Dallen's other work, but this was my first time with the characters of the Briarwood High series. Even as an entry point, it didn't feel disconnected from the rest of the series yet it also didn't feel weighed down by the series either - in other words, a solid entry point. Which is a good thing since it is also part of a summer collection from several authors teaming together to cross-market with each other - a newish tactic I've only really seen crop up this year, but which seems to be a good way to get introduced to a wide range of similar authors.

This particular book does have all the elements one comes to expect from Dallen's YA/ high school based books, even at novella length. Great book, very much recommended.

“I told my heart to quit being a wuss and remain calm. It didn't listen.”

I'm happy that Maggie Dallen's entry in this multi-author series is a crossover with her Briarwood High series, especially since I've “met” the heroine Eleanor before in The Candy Cane Kiss.

I can relate to Eleanor's struggle with her Goody Two-shoes image and her trying to “be everything to everyone” until she feels lost. And I'm glad that she figures out a way back to herself. :)
What I like about Deacon is that he's not Mr. Perfect, and he has struggles of his own, but eventually he turns out to be Mr. Perfect-for-Ellie.

4/5 swoony stars :)