Unrequited by Emily Shaffer Publisher: Swoon Romance on September 23, 2014
Genres: New Adult, Paranormal Romance
Pages: Novel Length
Format: eARC
Source: Blog Tour
Purchase: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads
In the town of Belle Ridge there are doctors, lawyers and teachers... but there is only one vampire. Will Leighton has become an expert in making a life for himself amongst the unsuspecting small-town inhabitants, as the high school history teacher. He has spent hundreds of years crafting an identity and routine that make him feel almost human, but he is always missing that important final element, love.
Ashton Wallace is beautiful, smart, and angry. She was forced into an eternal existence, and now her family has moved her away from everything and everyone she knows. In Belle Ridge she is supposed to finish high school and start her life again, but how do you make plans for the next several centuries?
Will has never met another of his kind, and is immediately intrigued by Ashton. He longs to show her that the perceived vampire lifestyle, so popular in storybooks, is far from reality...but will she let him be a friend and guide in this new existence? Can Ashton accept Will into her life, or will she be led astray by a dark stranger with whom she shares an unknown connection?
Guest Post
Why I Acquired Unrequited
by Georgia McBride, founder of Swoon Romance
Why Did I Acquire it?
I loved Unrequited from its first line. “In the town of Belle Ridge, there were doctors, lawyers, and teachers. But there was only one vampire, and he happened to be the high school history teacher.” There was nothing more I really needed to read, though of course, I continued reading through until the next few days! The idea that you can be surrounded by life and people and still be so completely alone appealed to me from the outset. Here is his person who has accepted being the only one of his kind ever. As such, he will never be able to love. He will always be alone. Until something totally unexpected happens. And now, all his hopes and dreams rest within the desires of a girl who wants nothing to do with him or his lifestyle. It is such a deeply emotive story that manages to capture the heart of the lonely vampire like few other vampire tales I’ve read.
What I hope the reader will get from it?
I am hoping readers will identify with the overreaching question of “are we alone?” “Are we meant to be alone?” “Can we survive alone, without love in our lives?” It is not a preachy or message-y novel. But, it addresses many issues and questions we as humans grapple with daily. Despite focusing on a vampire, Unrequited is wonderfully human.
What’s my favorite thing about the story?
I have to admit, my favorite part is the opening and meeting Ashton and Will for the first time. Will is so hopeful and alive (despite being undead) and Ashton is a spitfire, completely wild and seemingly untamable. It is such a wonderful contrast from what the reader would expect.
About Emily Shaffer
Whether writing stories to entertain her younger siblings, or typing up an essay for a class, Emily Shaffer has been a writer for as long as she can remember. Her stories may have changed from talking cartoon frogs to angsty young adults, but her goal to write a compelling story remains the same. When not writing, she lives in Nashville and enjoys all the music, food, and excitement that city has to offer. Her first novel, the well-received chick-lit title That Time of the Month was self-published on Amazon in 2012. Her latest novel, as the others before, are fueled by diet soda and pie.
Giveaway
This is a Tour Wide Giveaway
Melliane
It’s nice! I didn’t know about this one but I confess that I don’t read a lot of NA books. I’m reading one right now though. Thanks for sharing!
Jennifer Bielman
It felt a little YA, but the people are grown up.
braine
I like this –> ”Are we meant to be alone?” “Can we survive alone, without love in our lives?”. I hope that the way she answered these questions in her story is done great.
Jennifer Bielman
Hmmmm, not really. 🙁 These were not answered at all.
Jaclyn Canada
I love everything in the section about what readers take away. Those are all great questions, and yes asked very often. I would enjoy thinking about the answers to these questions while reading. Great post!
Jennifer Bielman
I wish the book actually answered these questions. 🙁
Melanie (YA Midnight Reads)
I like the message that it’s trying to convey so I am really interested in this book now.
Thanks for sharing, Jennifer! <33
Jennifer Bielman
I love the message, but I wouldn’t recommend this book after reading it.
Melanie (YA Midnight Reads)
I love the message about ‘are we alone’ being conveyed.
Thanks for sharing, Jennifer! <33
Jennifer Bielman
I fixed it so your comments show up now. 🙂
sarah elizabeth
This sounds good!
Olivia
This looks like such a good book! I absolutely love the cover and have this book on my TBR. Lovely guest post!