| Title | : | Last to Know (Willow Creek, #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1508426678 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781508426677 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 343 |
| Publication | : | First published February 7, 2015 |
And I was just a girl.
But if that’s all there was to the story it wouldn’t be very interesting, would it?
Up and coming band Willow Creek is back in their hometown for the summer. For the drummer, Maddox Wade, this summer was meant for writing music and playing gigs.
Falling in love was not part of the plan.
One look at Emma Burke and those plans cease to matter.
Emma is quiet and guarded. She’s still hurt from her father walking out two years ago. She doesn’t want to trust Maddox, but with his dark hair, smoldering good looks, and infectious smile he’s impossible to resist.
Together Maddox and Emma embark on an unforgettable summer of adventures and first love.
Everything is perfect…or so Emma thinks.
There are things she doesn’t know, and when she finds out the truth it might shatter everything she’s built with Maddox.
No one said love was easy, and for Maddox and Emma it just might be impossible.
This is a Young Adult book. The following books in the series will be New Adult
Last to Know (Willow Creek, #1) Reviews
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FREE on Amazon US today (6/3/2017)
Stand-alone book 1.
FREE:
https://www.amazon.com/Last-Know-Will...
BLURB:
He was just a boy.
And I was just a girl.
But if that’s all there was to the story it wouldn’t be very interesting, would it?
Up and coming band Willow Creek is back in their hometown for the summer. For the drummer, Maddox Wade, this summer was meant for writing music and playing gigs.
Falling in love was not part of the plan.
One look at Emma Burke and those plans cease to matter.
Emma is quiet and guarded. She’s still hurt from her father walking out two years ago. She doesn’t want to trust Maddox, but with his dark hair, smoldering good looks, and infectious smile he’s impossible to resist.
Together Maddox and Emma embark on an unforgettable summer of adventures and first love.
Everything is perfect…or so Emma thinks.
There are things she doesn’t know, and when she finds out the truth it might shatter everything she’s built with Maddox.
No one said love was easy, and for Maddox and Emma it just might be impossible.
This is a Young Adult book. The following books in the series will be New Adult
FREEBIES are often good for MORE than one day. I have gathered all my FREEBIES on a special shelf: Kindle-freebies (currently over 600 books)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list... -
3.5 stars**
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4.5 Maddox stars!Awe I really enjoyed this! Sweet, cute, light read!
Safety gang safe
Heroine is a virgin. I really don't know if hero was. Nothing is mentioned about it. If any of my GR friends that read this know if he was can you please let me know:) Not sure if I missed it.
Separation for about a week or two. -
Más bien un 3,5/5
Una historia que al principio empezó bastante flojo (y poco creíble, todo hay que decirlo) pero que conforme avanza la trama me ha terminado gustando. Entretenida, divertida y fácil de leer, es perfecta para desconectar...si estáis en época de exámenes os la recomiendo, no tiene drama y se lee en nada. -
4 Who Are You Stars
I was lucky to meet Ms. Smeltzer at "Yo Philly" and she was so kind to give me a signed paperback of this book.
I will be posting my review very soon. -
💝 FREE on Amazon today (1/19/2018)! 💝
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Last to Know is the perfect start to the Willow Creek series! You’ll fall in love with Maddox and Emma and be left desperate for the rest of the Willow Creek boys. Last to Know falls more into the upper YA/clean NA category, but it does not disappoint in it’s ability to make you feel. A chance meeting and a big secret lead to a summer of adventures that Emma and Maddox won’t ever be able to forget. This story is everything falling in love beneath the summer sun should be. Last to Know is fresh, sweet, young, carefree, and fearless. Micalea had me invested in these two from the start and I loved watching them laugh, learn, and love.
Micalea Smeltzer has a gift for knowing just the right combination of characters to keep you hooked to a series. Within minutes of meeting Willow Creek, I was so ready for more of Mathias, Hayes, and Ezra. I can’t wait for their books. Maddox is absolutely adorable and sweet, while maintaining an edge that makes him totally hot. Emma on the other hand was so honest and relatable. She is the girl-next-door personified and I couldn’t help but cheer her on to her happily ever after. Micalea has built a connection that felt entirely genuine and managed to balance it perfectly with the inevitable fragility of young love. This book is filled with hilarious banter and fun flirtacious moments between these two that will have you grinning.
I loved that this story started before Willow Creek really took off and made it huge. As hard as a relationship in the limelight may be, on the cusp of fame there is an uncertainty that hovered throughout the story that made them seem so much more breakable. It really had me holding on hard for the two of them and keeping in the back of my mind how young they really were. Micalea continues to impress me with her fantastic character development and intriguing storylines. And I just can’t leave out her ability to make me laugh. Her writing always has so much sass and I LOVE it. The detail she gives her story, right down to the crazy character quirks, keeps me addicted and coming back for more. This book was a great change of pace and a breath of fresh air, giving me just the dose of sweet, youthful romance I was craving. -
It was a cute story about first love. It was fairly predictable, but it had its moments. I thought it was cute, and I laughed a lot.
I'd recommend it if you want an easy, fun read with minimal drama. -
Review to come!
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Could not get past the sample. Dnf
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Well that was one hell of an opener for the Willow Creek series. Last to Know was thoroughly entertaining, wonderfully sweet...and I devoured this book over just several hours-I simply could not put it down.
Emma was so quiet and innocent, more of a bookish wallflower (and so totally relatable for me). Having been hurt in the past by her father walking out on her and her mother, she doesn't trust easily. Maddox...totally cocky, amazingly sweet and romantic, absolutely delectable...and carrying around his own traumatic family issues from the past-no matter how great his life is now. And the two of them together just click perfectly.
The writing-pretty much flawless, flowing so smoothly and drawing me in so completely that before I knew it I was at the end (and reading that awesome bonus scene). I loved the banter between Emma and Maddox, it was funny and the two of them played off each other so well. The characters-both lead and secondary-really are what make this story...well developed, relatable, and you'll come to care about all of them.
The cast of supporting characters was extremely strong, adding amazing depth to the story, and guaranteeing that you'll want to hang around for the entire series to hear all of their stories. Maddox has a twin brother, Mathias-almost his total opposite who was probably my favorite of the bunch (aside of Maddox himself of course!), and after hearing the small bit about his backstory here in Last to Know, I just can't wait to read his story next.
This rating is a no brainer, 5 outstanding stars, and I'd recommend this as a mature YA read due to some profanity. -
3.5stars
This was a very cute , light read :)
Clean Romance ,
Totally safe ! :D -
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
Last To Know follows the story of Emma and Maddox. Emma has spent her life keeping to herself. If she's not reading or playing the piano, she's just spending time at home. She's quiet and doesn't trust very easily. Her plans for the summer were anything but exciting. The last thing she planned on was meeting Maddox.
Maddox is a game changer. He brings out a part of Emma that she thought was dead. Ordinary and boring are no longer acceptable. For the first time in a very long time, Emma decides to live a little, have fun and to have one unforgettable summer. As Emma embraces a summer full of adventures, she also takes a chance at something with Maddox.
"I'm not too good for you. I'm average, Maddox. I'm just a girl and you're just a boy. But, together", I reached up with my free hand, clasping his jaw so he was forced down to look at me,"we're more. Maybe not perfect, but we're something pretty extraordinary."-Emma
But, things are not always as they seem. Emma senses that Maddox is keeping a secret from her, but hopes that he will tell her in his own time. What she doesn't know is that the secret he is hiding has the power to destroy what they have. Will Maddox tell Emma what everyone else knows or will she be the last to know?
I figured out what Maddox was hiding right away and honestly, I can't be mad at him for keeping his secret. For once in his life, he was just enjoying spending time with someone who didn't know his true identity and just liked him for him. And I loved what Maddox brought out in Emma. He made her live and try things that even I would be terrified of doing.
Emma had the best personality! She kept me on my toes. She starts off as quiet and reserved. Not really the person I expected to have crazy adventures. But, as time goes on, her character grows and puts her fears aside. She takes that chance and falls in love with Maddox. Emma's past experiences have made her afraid to fall in love and watching her overcome her past and insecurities was an amazing thing.
Last to Know is what I would consider to be Mature YA and is a very refreshing story. The story-line is captivating and pulls you in from the very first page. I know I was definitely intrigued by Maddox and what "secret" he was hiding. I felt that the characters were extremely realistic and the way their struggles were written was so palpable. I felt as though I was going through everything with them.
Last To Know was very well written. It made me laugh, smile, swoon and even broke my heart at times. It reminded me of how it was to be young, in love and to just enjoy the simple things in life. This was such a refreshing read for me. Last To Know is an amazing start to The Willow Creek Series. I can't wait to see where the series will take us next.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
You can also see my review here at:
http://www.onceuponabookblog.com/blog... -
“The way I see it, there are always going to be the ones that love you and the ones that hate you—let’s face it, people love to tear others down, but as long as you’re confident within yourself then nothing else matters.”
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
The only reason this didn't get 5 stars was because the plot synopsis spoils the book. This book was a cute love story about a shy, quiet girl and an adorable sweet guy who is the drummer of a popular hometown band. I really enjoyed reading this story, but I was a little disappointed that the "conflict" was spoiled right there in the blurb. Emma doesn't know that that Maddox is in a famous band so you keep wondering when Maddox will finally tell only to realize that this is his "big secret"--so I was a bit disappointed. I wish I was kept in the dark right along with Emma. But then you kind of have to wonder how Emma could be so blind and didn't put two and two together. Come on, Emma! Other than that, this book was fantastic! I loved the humor, the romance was to die for, the sassy writing, and all the lovable characters--not to mention the adorable hedgehog Sonic! I cannot wait to read the other books in the Willow Creek series. Micalea Smeltzer is a great writer and I love the level of sass that she includes in her writing. I am diving into Never Too Late right after I put this laptop away! I'm ready to fall in love with Mathias Wade (;
For full review, check out my blog! (:
http:/thebookishkhaleesi.blogspot.com/2015/04/review-last-to-know-by-micalea-smeltzer.html -
My opinion. This may work for you.
I loved the premise of this story. A guy meets a girl at a music fest. She is just a regular girl and has not idea that the guy she just met is the drummer for the band.
Great premise, but the heroine ruined the story for me. I had no idea why Maddox tried so hard to please Emma. At times, I felt she was either annoyed or aggravated with everything. Nothing made her happy. She thought everything was "stupid" in a sense unless it was something she thought was important. For example, Maddox loved Diet Pepsi. He did not like Coke, but Emma made a face or comment or both when he talked about the subject. She had an opinion about everything and she took everything literally. She was a bit moody and sometimes came across as b***hy. I think the only person who she was not rude to was her ditsy BFF, Sadie, who treated her poorly (by ditching her).
There was also a lot of unnecessary info and inner dialogue. For example when Emma went into detail how she hoped her shorts and t-shirt were appropriate since she had no time to change. (loc p.57) Or when she mentioned her love for pizza in her inner dialogue. (loc. p. 66-67) Every thought that crossed Emma's head did not have to be written down.
I loved the cover, I loved the premise, but the execution was poor and I never knew what crude comment would come out of Emma's mouth. -
Tengo que admitir que mi relación con este libro no empezó del todo bien, ya que tardó muchísimo tiempo en llegarme y cuando empecé a leerlo, no encontré lo que esperaba cuando leí su sinopsis.
Me explico.
Cuando vi el libro en Masa Crítica y leí su sinopsis no me pude resistir a pedirlo ya que la premisa pintaba buena, pero no, me equivoque. No he conseguido terminarlo ya que por la mitad del libro ya me canse de lo que estaba leyendo en él, demasiados clichés para mi gusto. Tengo que decir que empecé el libro con tantas expectativas que una vez que me canse cerré el libro y dije: Basta...
La historia me ha parecido un cliché continuo y no me ha gustado la forma con la que la autora ha narrado todo, no quiero ni mencionar los personajes… Algunos de ellos me han irritado de tal manera que cada vez que leía una frase que salía de su boca, me daba ganas de llorar. Vale, entiendo que la autora quiera transmitir como hablan los jóvenes de hoy en día, pero por ejemplo yo no voy llamando zorra a mi mejor amiga.
El romance en la historia es un Insta-Love de manual, puede que por eso no haya conectado con trama del todo, ya que era todo demasiado fantasioso para mi gusto.
Bueno dejando atrás todo lo malo de este libro, espero que mi próxima lectura con Masa Crítica sea acertada ya que este libro no me ha gustado nada. -
I think this is the exact kind of love story every girl should have at least once in her life. The only thing is Maddox has a secret that makes it even more special. They both are looking for a love that neither of them believes is possible. They start to see that they may just found it in each other. Emma is just so sweet but man can she hold a grudge. I just wanted to keep reading and reading and reading. I really wish their story was a series. I was captivated by their well written love story. It didn't drag on and often just got to the point. Five lovely stars*****
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Last to Know made me smile. It is such a sweet and fun romance that was low on drama and had some great characters. Looking forward to reading more books by this author.
Highly recommend if you are looking for a good new adult romance.
HEA
Cheating/OW
Angst Level: 3/10
Heat Level: 2/10 -
Free today on kindle!
UK -
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Last-Know-Wil...
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3.5
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Good solid start to a new YA series centered around the popular young band Willow Creek and the young women who'll change each of their lives. I enjoyed reading this first book that introduced the drummer, Maddox Wade, along with his pet hedgehog named Sonic. Cute, fun to read and a little bit of angst, too.
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Loved this book !! First from this author going to read the next one asap ...
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Muito fofo o casal! Dei boas risadas em algumas cenas e achei ótimo! Recomendo!
Very cute couple! I gave a good laugh in some scenes and I think it's great! Recommend! -
Madre mía, demasiados clichés, demasiado predecible, demasiado todo. Es un libro que en general no me ha gustado la historia.
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As young adult books go, this was pretty good. Emma and Maddox had a connection. But, Emma couldn’t ever stand the thought of abandonment or being lied to. Maddox, unfortunately, doesn’t reveal to her who he really is, which creates havoc amongst the young couple. Will their falling-out ever be resolved? It takes two strong individuals to believe in their relationship and put it back together.
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This is a really sweet, quick read. Definitely more YA than NA (which the rest if the series is). Loved the characters!
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I Was Provided A ARC By The Author
(Spoilers)
Last To know pulls you in from the first page. And doesn't let go until you have formed a strong bound with these characters and there world.
Emma Burke is a free spirit. She rather shop in vintage stores, and curl up in bed with a nice book, than party, or go to the mall like most seventeen year old girls do.
When she's dragged to the fair by her best friend Sadie to see some local, hot, upcoming band, Emma opts out to sit and read. But things change when she bumps into a tall, handsome, cocky guy.
Maddox Wade.
Emma has no idea she bumped into the drummer of said band, Willows Creek.
And Maddox's happy to keep it that way. He wants to be seen for the guy he is and not the fame he's about to have.
Instantly Emma & Maddox are drawn together, with there passion for music. Her the piano & writing music. Him the drums, and a little of everything else. There love of food, and adventure.
They have the same look at life.
"Prepare for the most epic summer of your life. Nothing will ever top this."
And with that one meeting, Emma & Maddox set off for a summer filled with adventure, love & laughs.
"You told me we wouldn't get arrested for feeding the ducks."
"Hey, at least it will be a nice story to tell your grandchildren one day."
I really loved everything about this story. The banter and the sweet, Innocent way that Maddox and Emma fall in love, is such a fresh take in a romance book. It brings the feeling of summer fun, and first love.
"Our lips moved together to a song of our own making."
Last To Know gave me that giddy, summer full of love, feeling i get when i read Sarah Dessen books.
"I'm just a girl and you're just a boy. But together, we're more. Maybe not perfect, but we're something pretty extraordinary."
Emma is a great, fresh female lead. She's a quirky, kind, loving person, who's been hurt, but she still lives her life. She's a fan of adventure and new experiences. Emma is a great friend, and daughter. I loved her sense of style. And her love of book's.
Emma embraces her quirkiness, and style, & rocks them.
"You can do anything, Emma." "We're all capable of great things if we allow ourselves."
Maddox Wade, has had a horrible up bringing. Escaping that life years early with his twin Mathias. He finally has a steady home, a loving family, and enjoys his passion for music. Along with his hedgehog, Sonic. (Now i really, really want a hedge hog.)
I really loved Maddox's love for his music, family, Sonic,(it was so adorable.) & Emma. (Sigh, his love for Emma. Swoon)
His love for life, after such a hard childhood makes him a great character.
He's a cocky, lovable, sweet, funny, musician. What more could you want?
"Do you want to do something crazy?"
"Anything we want."
"I want more adventures with you like we had today."
I also loved how the main characters were surrounded by such awesome friends & family. There funny and lovable, it's one great big family.
"This is our now."
The love story of Emma & Maddox is one i will visit again and again.
"Loving you is my greatest adventure. Nothing else means anything without you." -
☆✰★✰☆5-Sweet Loving Star☆✰★✰☆
*Copy provided by the author in exchanged for an honest review*
I totally snorted this book like no other. A nice genre change compare to the books I've read the past month, but I love it so much. It's one sweet love story that will have you blushing and swooning over Maddox and fall in love with how innocent Emma is.
Maddox Wade, is a drummer of the Willow Creek band. He doesn't let anyone in, or so he thought. Until he sees the cute blonde at the fair, she's all he ever thinks about. Makes him feel that there is life behind the cameras. He wants his personal life to be private, without anyone knowing his real life, it makes him feel like a normal person. Keeping his life private could also be the cause of his heart to break. But he's selfish enough to keep that to himself. Selfish enough to have the love of his life to be the last to know who he truly is.
Emma is a good daughter and a best friend. She never thought that one day at the fair could change her entire life. The first time she laid eyes on a guy with the drumstick behind his back pockets, she was rendered speechless. She could not imagine being with a guy as hot as Maddox would be interested in the kind of girl she was. She's simple and naive. She's never been intimate with anyone and she believes that giving up the V-card is for the one special person. I loved how she and her mom are so close and never hide anything from each other. Since her dad walked out on her and her mom, she feels that she has to keep her guard up. She never let any boy in her heart. She has trust issues when it comes to men, so Maddox is in for a ride to knock these walls she's put up.
Who knew that one summer is all it could take to have the most unforgettable experience that could change both their lives? One sweet summer packed with so much adventure and romance. I loved everything about LAST TO KNOW. It was one tamed book, but it will touch you and make you feel like a teenager once again. I can't wait to get to know Mathias in book two. I'm a huge fan of Micalea Smeltzer.
:::REVIEW IS ALSO ON FOUR CHICKS FLIPPING PAGES:::
http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly... -
Am I dreaming?? Smiling and cheesing right now.
Omg where do I start (all smiles) ok this was the first time I have read a book from this author and I am so glad that I came across it. I am checking out every book this author has written right now! If every book is written as good as this I'll be in heaven. I am so in love with Emma and Maddox. I will say idk about a few of the adventures they went on. They were a little scary for me, but I loved them. I love how the book was easy to read and written. I don't think I really saw any typos or stupid typing like a lot of other books have. I can't stand that. I know some people might not like Matthias much, Maddox's brother bc of his anger and rudeness but I actually really also like him a lot. Knowing what they have been through is the reason for his anger but under it all you can tell me he is actually a really good person. All the characters are great. They all are so silly and Emma is so clumsy in the beginning which I can understand I would be the same way with all my nerves. I was laughing so many times at the the funny or silly things that happened or at something someone had did or said. I didn't want to put this book down the whole time I was reading it. It was so good. I'm now dying after seeing there is going to be another book. I can't wait. I would love to read more about Maddox and Emma but I guess reading about his brother is fine. Just like how this book had a lot of his brothers in it or friends, I know I'm sure will get to see some of Maddox and Emma in his brothers story. I'm still dreaming of them right now after reading the book and wish it wasn't over. I don't know what else I could say my mind is going in circles. I could go on and on I loved it so much. Eeee lol I think I found a new favorite author. Ok it's a must,no gotta check out the other books now! -
I love me some rockstars and Maddox was no exception. Micalea sure knows how to write the sweetest, quirkiest, funniest guys. Though this is YA, I still enjoyed it. The characters and writing was magnificent. Emma is one of those quiet girls who besides a crazy-fun best friend, likes to stick to herself. Well her best friend drags her to a carnival to see an up-and-coming band, Willow Creek. There she meets Maddox-drummer of said band but Emma doesn’t know that. What starts off as friendship and adventure turns into something more. I loved the way that Emma was able to grow from being with Maddox. They were a cute couple who enjoyed spending time with each other and have the best adventures. They were young and in love but there was still something more there that made you believe it would last. I loved the gradual build-up of the relationship-it was sweet. And their relationship was just so pleasant. Micalea made you believe how profound their feelings were.
This was a nice refreshing read filled with some emotional moments but also funny ones. Maddox is hilarious and I just loved that he had a hedgehog named Sonic (considering I loved that video game). I needed a book like this-it just felt very true to life. It had great character development, great writing, and an intriguing storyline. Micalea always gets me hooked and her stories are fantastic. Overall, an awesome read and if you’re a fan of Micalea’s then you will definitely enjoy it. I can’t wait to read about the rest of the boys in Willow Creek!
