To escape his abusive stepdad, bad boy Ryan Hess runs from his tiny Texas border town to Mexico. But his plans to keep his head down and stay out of trouble are shattered the minute he meets the beautiful and totally out of his league Dalila Sandoval. Dalila Sandoval shouldn’t even know someone like Ryan Hess. The daughter of one of the wealthiest lawyers in Mexico, Dalila is focused on studying and planning for her bright future. Ryan is only a distraction from her dreams, but she’s never felt more alive than when she’s by his side. Ryan and Dalila are wrong for each other in every way. And yet they can’t resist the sparks that fly when they’re together. But their love is like a flame burning too close to the fuse. Something is going to explode. Will their love be strong enough to survive? Or will it burn them both?
This book basically had me at forbidden romance. Once I read the blurb on the new young adult contemporary romance from HarperTeen, I was in.
Unfortunately, the blurb doesn't quite get at the real heart of this novel, which is that almost all the characters are unbearable, the drama is off the charts, and the pacing is super draggy.
I didn't really like either what's-her-face or what's-his-face. They're both super angsty, woe-is-me, and also not very bright. But, you know what--they're also like 17 or 18, so they get a pass. Their connection is fairly instantaneous, but it's also pretty steamy. (But, however, it's also not super forbidden.)
The drama! It's on high from the beginning, but then the cartel get involved and it's through the roof. You have folks on the run, shoot outs, very intense Hiding Out, and high-level conflict. Did I like it? No, not personally. It felt a overdone, and the ultimate conflict and resolution felt forced and disappointing.
Should you read it? Crossing the Line was my first Simone Elkeles book. I'd probably read another, but I'm not in any hurry to get one now. If you're a fan of the genre in general and Elkeles in particular, you may like this fairly faced-paced roller coaster of a contemporary. I think you'll be let down by the ending, though.
2 Stars
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Published June 12, 2018 by HarperTeen