The Natural History of Us/Rachel Harris One class assignment. One second chance at love. The school player is all in. Now he needs to win back the sweet commitment girl who's forever owned his heart. Justin Carter has a secret. He's not the total player Fairfield Academy believes him to be. Not really. In fact, he used to be a one-woman guy...and his feelings for her never went away. Too bad he broke her heart three years ago and made sure to ruin any chance she'd ever forgive him.
Peyton Williams is a liar. She pretends to be whole, counting down the days until graduation and helping her parents at the family ranch. But the truth is, she's done everything she can to get over Justin, and salvation is just around the corner. With graduation one short month away, she'll soon break free from the painful memories and start her life fresh. Of course, she has to get through working with him on one last assignment first.
For Justin, nothing ever felt as right as being with Peyton, and now that fate's given him a shot at redemption, he's determined to make the most of it. And for Peyton...well, Justin Carter has always been her kryptonite.
The second half of this book wasn't bad, but the whole thing had a very singular focus and was too predictable for me to really appreciate.
 
This book was told in alternating chapters from both Peyton and Justin's viewpoints and in the present, the end of their senior year, and in the past near the middle of their freshman year. This book might have been more realistic had it been set a few years later as a lot of the events that happened in their freshman year were quite adult.
 
I felt like the first time around, their breakup wasn't entirely realistic, and even if they soul mates, they both pined way too much in three years given that neither made any effort to reach out and talk, become friends, or at least get some closure. I think of my freshman year boyfriend as a hairy monkey in retrospect. There was nothing about their love that sold me on it being true enough for their age. Though I understand the breakup triggered another misfortune, Peyton herself admits this is something that would have happened anyway.
 
The baseball players in this book had their own fangirls, which was fine. The way Peyton and her friends looked down upon these girls really annoyed me; I wanted to tell them to shut up and go and live their own lives.
 
Justin was interesting, but too suave for me to buy. I found myself either cringing at his lines or wondering what god he was praying to that he knew what to say at certain times. Peyton was unexciting. I honestly think Lauren, Peyton's 'rival,' was the person I was most curious about in the book although I think I'm supposed to hate her.
 
Maybe if I were in middle school, I'd love this book. However, I'm not, and this fell into the young adult trap of feeling far too juvenile with characters performing adult behaviours.
 
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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One of those rare books you never want to end, with two flawed, but extremely likable teen protagonists. Told in alternating viewpoints as well as intersecting timelines, readers are treated to a romance that could easily have never happened or been blown to bits, but gets salvaged oh, so neatly. I've read other books by Rachel Harris and liked them, too. This is the best yet. ( )

"5 out of 5 stars!! It had always been Peyton’s plan to attend Fairfield Academy (instead of being homeschooled) once she reached her Freshman year of high school. However, coming down with an unexpected illness not long before she began the school year definitely was not in her plan. Therefore, she begins at Fairfield Academy once she is in recovery during the middle of her Freshman year, which is the same day she meets Justin (all-round Fairfield Academy hottie, player, and baseball player). They come from completely different worlds but they are drawn together and fall into a sort-of relationship quickly. Yet, when things get tough, Justin makes a plan to brake them up. Yet, though Justin’s plan works and he goes back to his player ways, he regrets it more than anything else. So, during the last month, or so, of their Senior year when Peyton and Justin get thrown together for a school project Justin plans on laying it all on the line to win Peyton back for good. But will he be too late?

This touching sweet YA romance, will leave you reeling one moment and then contentedly rooting for Justin and Peyton the next. Unexpectedly charming. There was no point when I hated either Justin or Peyton..."

Read more of this review and OVER THREE TEASERS here: http://frommetoyouvideophoto.blogspot.com/2016/09/idolizing-in-fine-art-of-prete... ( )