Puddle Jumping by Amber L Johnson Published by Self Pub on June 29, 2014
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
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When it comes to love there’s no such thing as conventional.
Everyone thinks Colton Neely is special.
Lilly Evans just thinks he’s fascinating.
Once friends when they were younger, their bond is cut short due to her accident prone nature and they go their separate ways. Years later, they meet again and Lilly learns that there is something special about the boy she once knew, but she has no idea what it all means. And she’s not sure if she’s ready to find out.
When he walks through the corridor of her school the first day of her senior year, she knows that it’s time to get to know the real Colton Neely. The more she learns, the deeper she falls.
Their friendship grows into love, even as Colton does not express it in words. But one decision threatens to break down the world that Lilly has tried so hard to integrate into and she must figure out if the relationship can survive if they are apart.
This book will leave any reader – from the most pessimistic to the one that over-analyzes everything – warm and fuzzy and feeling all the feels inside. Puddle Jumping explores a lovely romance that grows from friendship to more, all the while giving us glimpses of characters that also grow along the way. Seriously, I cannot highlight how deeply the romance affected me and the simplicity yet depth of it. It is truly one that I will not forget anytime soon.
In the midst of all the alpha-males, sports jocks, popular yet misunderstood boys, and dominant heroes that reign in the literary world, Colton is a truly unique character that stands out from any of those categories. Not only because he’s so sweet, and pure, and compassionate, but also because he has Asperger’s. Having experience with austistic kids in school when I used to help them out in classes, I can understand how having a relationship with one could be a challenge. But despite it all, Lilly and Colton battle through it and create a relationship that just touches on one’s soul.
“Love, for those lucky enough to experience it, is extraordinary”
Most people with any form of autism throughout the spectrum usually excel at a specific focus, be it mathematics or a sport or in Colton’s case, art. His passion about it just rocked this book’s pages. It is told in a first-person perspective from Lilly, who was a great narrator. Although her thoughts consisted of doubts sometimes, it also highlights the varying emotions we express in our adolescence: friendship, disappointment, epiphany, empathy, and tenderness.
There are some challenges that this young couple have to overcome, and I think that the author did a good job in handling them. Although it’s exhilirating to focus on teen drama and the cheating and lying and backstabbing that sometimes comes with it, Lilly, Colton and the people around them react with less dramatic actions that have as much of an impact than an angst-ridden one.
The book, while short, is littered with beautiful quotes that you can’t help but mark or highlight. There’s so many refreshing details about Lilly and Colton’s relationship, as well as great remarks about love in general that will just make your heart sigh in satisfaction.
“I don’t believe there’s such a thing as conventional love. Love is bending. Love is breaking. Love is constantly learning about the other person until you go crazy because it will never be perfect, but there’s no fault in trying.”
A sensitive and delightful romance that will keep you grinning the whole time while reading, Puddle Jumping is truly a gem out of the contemporaries out there. These unique characters will find a way into your heart and not let go. Read this for a love story that will leave you warm and fuzzy inside, in all the best ways.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Aila J.
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How have I never heard of this??? It sounds perfect and totally something I would love. I always love the friends to more storyline. Interested to see how the Asperger storyline is handled. Great review!
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Thanks so much Grace! Maybe because it's an indie book, so the word didn't travel around? Anyway, it IS perfect and I do hope you love it when you read it!
This book sounds like such a great one! I love it when you can't help but highlight a bunch of stuff in a book. It always makes me like a book so much more.☺
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Right Kaitlin? Like, I usually don't highlight quotes or take notes. But oooh this book had just too many good ones to hold back on.
I'm in love with beautiful quotes and writing and it seems the book has accomplished JUST THAT! <3 I'm so happy you enjoyed reading this one so much girl! now all though I've never read books that focus on real tough issues, I really know that I need to GET ON THE FREAKING BALL!
Definitely girl! Thanks so much, and I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did! Although I don't normally read books that focus on tough issues much, this one had a nice balance between light moments and heavier thought-provoking scenes that really satisfies a reader.
Omg this sounds like an amazing contemporary! I must pick it up!!
I highly suggest so Jenna! Especially when you're looking for something to just warm you up. <3
Ohhh, this sounds absolutely breathtaking! I love a romance that breaks the usual tropes of YA and NA and this sounds like an incredible read Aila. Add that we don't often see a MC with Asperger’s, I dare say that most authors probably couldn't rise to the challenge of creating a romance given how difficult it would be to really portray. I love this. LOVE. IT. Incredible review Aila, going to grab a copy this week <3
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Ahh I'm so glad I convinced you to read this one. 😀 Hope you enjoy reading as much as I did!
the name is so…cute. the story though, sounds a bit deeper
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Isn't it? And yes, the story did get quite deep, especially with the issues the characters dealt with during the book.
Okay, I'm going to be completely honest here. I'm not much of a romance reader, but you've convinced me to give this one a try regardless. It sounds like such a powerful and well-written story. Thanks for sharing Aila and, as always, fabulous review! <3
Yessss my goal is accomplished. 😀 Thanks Zoe, and this one will definitely move your heart, romance reader or not.
Awww,a feel good book. That's all about I can read lately. Or at least non-fantasies
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Haha sometimes we just need a feel-good book to brighten our days. 🙂
What a beautiful review, Aila! I’ve heard a lot about this book from my friends. It’s on my tbr-list, but I totally forgot about it. Thank you for reminding me about it.
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It's my absolute pleasure! I'm so glad you can pick it up from where it's buried in your tbr-pile haha.
I've had this book on my TBR for the longest time! I need to make it a priority and read it as soon as I can. Your review is so beautiful and convincing, Aila! I like how unique it sounds for a NA book. I would love to find out more about Asperger's through the book.
And of course I love how the two of them are friends first. I can't wait to pick this one up!
Beautiful review!
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Thanks Nick. 🙂 It definitely is a unique NA book, and a well-written one at that. It's also quite short, so I'm sure you'll finish it quickly! I'm so glad I convinced you haha.
I know this one comes highly recommended, so I know I have to read this at some point…I just need to find my copy. Lol.
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I hope you find your copy soon! And when you do read it, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 🙂
I agree! This is a gem among other contemporaries out there and same as you, I also loved it. Great review, Aila 🙂
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Ahaha I'm so glad you loved it Lucia!
This romance sounds truly touching, especially with the covering off of autism in here Aila! I'm so glad it's not full of teen angst as a lot of this genre features. Lovely review, so glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Thanks Jeann! Man, this romance just went straight to my heart… It has all the feels!
Agreed! I love this book. We just don't see characters and relationships like this in books very often. The author did a fantastic job with it and I can't wait for the next book.
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I'm so glad you liked this book Christy! And yes, I was so ecstatic when I found there will be a sequel. I just need more time with these endearing characters. <3