Look Twice by M. Garzon – a Review

From Book Cover:
Blood is thicker than water.

I didn’t understand that expression when I was a kid. I only knew that I was closer to my brother Seth than to anyone else in the world. He was the calm to my storm, the light to my dark. We were tied to the rest of our complicated family by bonds beyond blood—love, loyalty, convenience—but as it turns out, the pull of blood is strong. Maybe even strong enough to tear me away from the person with whom I shared my very first breath.

Review:

Before I head into my review I should clarify that M Garzon’s Blaze series was not meant to be a YA series.  Even though Blaze of Glory was reviewed as a YA story by many, me included, it was not meant to be YA.  Through e-mails back and forth with Ms. Garzon she informed me that if it was up to her, she would classify this series as a Family Drama instead of YA.  I for one completely agree with her on that classification.  Both Blaze of Glory and now Look Twice are all about family drama and the dynamics that take place within the family unit.

Now on to my review.

Once again Ms. Garzon creates a story that is real and emotional, with complex and multidimensional characters, who wrap themselves around your heart and refuse to let go.  Her storylines and characters pull you into the drama that unfolds within the pages and you can’t help but feel as though you are there, a member of the family, witnessing every event that takes place.  I love it when an author can draw me into their story like that and make me forget everything else around me. 

Look Twice resumes right where Blaze ended.  It’s now time for Tea and Jaden to face the music about there blossoming relationship. Now if you remember from Blaze we learned that Tea and her twin brother Seth were adopted by Jaden’s Uncle Dec after he married their mother.  Having grown up like ‘cousins’ their families are none to impressed to learn of this relationship.  Throughout this book we get to see just how strong their love for each other is, as they must deal with their respective families. Coming from a close knit family, I myself can see where their families are coming from, but at the same time see there really is no reason to be against their relationship.  I really enjoyed the way Garzon handles the issues with Tea and Jaden’s relationship, but at the same time gives them the chance to grow, mature and become the strong couple that they are.  They deserve to have a happy ever after and I for one am one of their supporters. 

Throughout Look Twice we not only get to see Tea and Jaden grow as a couple and deal with all the drama that surrounds their relationship, but we also get to see Seth come to the fore front.  I really liked the way Garzon brings Seth more and more into the series in this book and makes him a major player.  We saw the relationship between brother and sister in Blaze, but in Look Twice, we get so see more into their sibling relationship, their thoughts on their adopted family, and life in general.  Everything that has ever happened to them so far leads Seth to make a major decision in his life, to find out where they came from.  He wants to seek out his biological father.  This event becomes a major focus in the story, which in turn becomes the catalyst that sets in motion the events that unfold in the later half of this book.

I was very intrigued with this new development and growth with Seth and wanted to see where Garzon would take us.  We really get to see just who Seth is and how he feels about himself right now, and why it’s so important to find out who his biological father is.  The issues that come into play over locating this man, and finding out the details of why he left their mother are well done, and expertly handled.  The raw emotion from these scenes just pours off the pages and had me rivoted till the very end, only to be left hanging as to what is going to happen next.  Yes folks, Ms. Garzon has done it again, leaves us hanging and salivating for the story to continue. 

In closing I just want to say that I really enjoyed Look Twice.  Garzon’s writing style, her creativity, storylines, and character development are wonderful and very enjoyable to read.  I love the realness of her characters and the events/obstacles that take place.  Like I said earlier, Ms. Garzon pulls you into her story and you become a part of the book following Tea and Jaden on their journey, navigating the challenges that face them in their relationship, while at the same time watching Seth come into his own.  As I stated earlier we are left hanging at the end of the book and it only left me wanting more.  I for one can’t wait to see what’s in store for Tea, Jaden and Seth in the next installment of this series.  Will Tea and Jaden finally have the HEA, will Seth find what it is he feels is missing from his life, etc.  If you haven’t read this series yet, I highly recommend it, you won’t be disappointed. 

Reviewed by Marcie

Copy provided by Author