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Dearest Clementine

Book 1 in the series:Dearest

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Dearest Clementine by Lex Martin is a college romance novel that follows the story of Clementine Avery, a college student who is secretly a best-selling author. The plot revolves around Clementine's encounter with Gavin Murphy, an RA and reporter, as they navigate love, trust, and a mysterious thriller subplot. The writing style is described as compelling, drawing readers in with a mix of romance, mystery, and angst. The story is not just a typical college romance, but one that delves into the past struggles of the characters, building the love story upon friendship and hidden agendas.

Characters:

The characters show significant development, with Clementine being complex and relatable, while Gavin serves as a charming and caring counterpart.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style presents a mix of straightforwardness and emotional depth, though it occasionally succumbs to clichés.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot includes Clementine's struggles with personal issues, her unexpected journey in a romance writing class, and a growing relationship with Gavin against a backdrop of mystery.

Setting:

The setting centers around a college campus, contributing to the new adult ambiance.

Pacing:

The pacing is brisk, maintaining reader engagement with a balance of action, romance, and character interactions.
A deep male voice reassures her. “I know it’s a hike down those stairs, but don’t use the elevators. The last thing you want is to get stuck between floors. I’ll check each room to make sure you’ve ev...

Notes:

Clementine Avery is a college student and a secretly published YA author.
She has faced several hardships in life, making her closed off emotionally.
Gavin Murphy, the protagonist, is her resident assistant and has had a crush on her since freshman year.
Gavin helps Clementine overcome her writer's block with creative ideas.
The book is categorized as a new adult romance set in a college environment.
Clementine accidentally enrolls in a romance writing class instead of her intended YA class.
The story includes a subplot about a missing student on campus and a past professor causing anxiety for Clementine.
The narrative is primarily from Clementine's point of view, which helps readers connect with her character.
Clementine swears off dating after a series of traumatic experiences, including stalking.
There is a gradual and realistic development of romance built on friendship between Clem and Gavin.
Clementine has strong supporting friendships that help her cope with her struggles.
The book blends romance with elements of mystery and suspense, keeping readers engaged.
Gavin is noted for being a refreshing hero who is sweet, caring, and relatable, contrasting with the typical 'alpha' types.
The writing style shifts from creative to somewhat clichéd as the story progresses, which some readers found off-putting.
Clementine is portrayed as a character that many readers can empathize with, particularly those who feel closed off in their own lives.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of past trauma, stalking, and emotional distress.

Has Romance?

The romance between Clementine and Gavin is a central focus of the story, marked by development and emotional depth.

From The Publisher:

Twenty-year-old Clementine Avery doesn't mind being called bitchy and closed off. It's safe, and after being burned by her high school sweetheart and stalked by a professor her freshman year of college, safe sounds pretty damn good.

Her number one rule for survival? No dating. That is until she accidentally signs up for a romance writing class and needs material for her latest assignment. Sexy RA Gavin Murphy is more than happy to play the part of book boyfriend to help Clem find some inspiration, even if that means making out...in the name of research, of course.

As Gavin and Clem grow closer, they get entangled in the mystery surrounding a missing Boston University student, and Clem unwittingly becomes a possible target. Gavin tries to show Clem she can handle falling in love again, but she knows she has to be careful because her heart's at stake…and maybe even her life.

DEAREST CLEMENTINE is a stand-alone novel with two companion novels. This New Adult romance is recommended for readers 18+ due to mature content. more

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