Series: Destiny Trilogy #2
Title: Synchrony
Author: Cindy Ray Hale
My Rating: 4 Stars
Good Reads Rating: 4.75 Stars
Content Rating: 14+
Series: Destiny #2
Genre: YA Contemporary Romance/Religious
Pages: 384
Publisher: Self-Published
Check it out: Good Reads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Good Reads Summary:
When her parents discover she’s been sneaking out with Isaac Robinson, the forbidden Baptist boy, Mormon girl Destiny Clark decides it’s time to keep their relationship quiet. As their relationship moves to shakier ground, Destiny discovers that Isaac has a terrible secret, and she is left completely shattered.
The moment Destiny feels all hope is lost, Preston Nelson, her longtime church friend and Isaac’s bitter rival, arrives like a beacon of light. It isn’t long before two separate disasters strike for Preston and Destiny’s best friend, Hannah. As Destiny helps them through their issues, she discovers that sometimes the best way to forget about your own problems is to help a friend in need.
Just as her heart begins to mend and her friendship with Preston begins to heat up, Isaac walks back into her life, threatening to rekindle the feelings she’d hoped to bury forever. Will Destiny and Preston find the synchrony they so desperately need, or will she find a way to forgive Isaac and return to his outstretched arms?
I am a huge fan of this series. It has interesting characters, sweet relationships and meaningful conflict. The writing is awesome, with few to zero mistakes, and as the story is told from multiple POV’s, each character has a distinct voice.
While it’s probably accurate to say I liked this book better than the first, it also had annoying elements that weren’t in Destiny.
The Love Triangle.
This is one that I’ll probably never get away from. Heck, I even have love triangles in my own writing. Some people think they are the greatest conflict in the literary world. I think I prefer love triangles where the girl isn’t seriously interested in both guys at the same time. Or furiously switching back and forth at a moment’s notice. Destiny felt a little this way which seemed slightly out of character for her since she’s usually pretty level headed and thoughtful about things.
Which sort of piggy-backs onto the next thing: Destiny pretty seriously leads both guys on. Not on purpose, since that would be very out of character, but it just didn’t seem like something she’d do. Like, I felt bad for Isaac and Preston. They both have a right to be made at her during this book.
Being an actress myself, I love the Les Miserables parallel in this book. It’s my favorite musical (I’m actually seeing the revival on Broadway next Saturday!!) and it’s a fun addition to the story. Surprisingly, it never really feels cheesy or forced, which I sort of expected it to when I first read the synopsis. Instead, it heightens the drama in a good way.
Destiny has to do a lot of growing in this book, which was interesting to see. I like that she is in situations that force her to change and grow and really figure out what it is she values most.
The religious unrest and conflict is still in full swing, and from the ending, it sounds like it’s about to get even worse. The characters change and grow in this series, and I’m fascinated to see where everyone ends up and what they end up believing.
Oh, and for the record, I’m Team Isaac 🙂
EXCERPT:
“Destiny.”
I looked up.
“I want things back the way they were with us.”
I clenched my fists at my sides. “That can’t happen.”
“Why not? I’m doing everything I can here. Don’t you see that?”
“Isaac.” I sighed. “I’m already dating someone else.” There. I’d finally said it.
“What? You’re pulling the ‘I’m dating Preston’ card again? Hannah told me you were faking that. Do you know what I think? I think you’re scared to commit. You’re afraid of getting hurt again. We belong together. Can’t you feel that? Look me in the eyes and tell me that you don’t still feel something for me.”
I studied the bushes.
Isaac took my chin and turned it toward him. “Look me in the eyes.”
I bit my lower lip to keep it from trembling. It was impossible to look in his beautiful eyes. I couldn’t say it because my heart was overflowing with my feelings for him.
“You can’t say it, can you?” He placed his hands on either side of my face, and I finally looked him in the eyes. I had to do what was best for him. He deserved better. I only had one heart to give, and I’d just pledged the entire thing to Preston.
