Webber crafts a delicate character who exudes the inevitable uncertainty and angst that young women feel at the start of a new phase in life. Newly titled Jacqueline emerges from her funk just in time to realize she has missed a midterm and needs help catching up in economics. Enter via email tutor Landon Maxfield. As she studies and practices her music; Jacqueline plays and teaches the upright bass, there just isn’t enough time to meet Landon in person. In lieu of traditional meetings, Jacqueline and Landon correspond online, and begin a flirtatious relationship.
Around the same time that Jacqueline’s interest is piqued by Landon, she begins to notice Lucas. The laid-back, gorgeous, bad boy seems to sketch their economics class away without bothering to take notes. Lucas keeps to himself and that makes him all the more interesting. He also continues to appear in the same places as Jacqueline. A night of steamy dancing and regular run-ins at Starbucks, where he works make Lucas a constant part of Jacqueline’s daily musings.
In addition to thoughts of Lucas, Landon and Kennedy, Jacqueline is plagued by another distraction, this one unpleasant. Narrowly escaping being raped by Buck, one of Kennedy’s frat brothers, Jacqueline consistently looks over her shoulder. The reason she did escape was Lucas. He seems to be in all the right places when she needs him. As Buck continues to harass Jacqueline and spread rumors about her across campus, she is drawn to Lucas, but seems to be held at arm’s length.
Landon is smart, funny and helpful to Jacqueline as their email saga continues. The only problem is that she doesn’t have a clue what he looks like. The semester is coming to a close. Will the two ever get to meet? Well, she does eventually find out who he is. As she begins spending time with Lucas, who wants to sketch her, she also learns some kickass self-defense moves, and toys with the idea of meeting Landon.
Lucas seems to have a darker side as Jacqueline gets to know him. Is that something she wants to explore? She isn’t sure, but she does know that she is falling for him. As things become clearer and Landon has a surprising tie to Lucas, Jacqueline must decide what to do with her feelings.
Webber weaves an intricate layered plot that leaves us wanting to see what happens to Jacqueline. She is a resilient young woman who may not know what she wants, but she’s getting there. Her journey is one that will appeal to adult readers; despite the “mature young adult” categorization and will keep your pages turning rapidly. In addition to a solid storyline and well developed characters, Webber provides readers with a refreshingly slower buildup to sex. This is something that may appeal to all of us who have read all the rest of those steamy chart toppers. Overall, the anticipation is what drives Easy onward. Jacqueline’s story is something different—just what the market needs!
Reviewed by Keri English for Indie Reader