David Pichardo Meza Pichardo Meza من عند نيويورك من عند نيويورك

I read this book because I am in a race with my friend to make it through the modern library's list of the 100 greatest English novels written in the 20th century. While I didn't see this as completely deserving of the number two status it received on the list, I am glad I read it. There were parts of the book that were so beautiful in their descriptions that I actually found myself lost. At one point, a description of Daisy I think, I missed my subway stop. I realize that I'm probably the only person who didn't read this book at some point in high school, but I think that anyone whose experience with this book is limited to that should reread this book. There are some dramatic elements that I should think would be missed by anyone but a gifted senior in high school.

3.5 out of 5 stars on Ordinary People, Extraordinary Works On the day Candace Andrews turns another year older, she makes a decision that will begin the process of changing her life – sort of. An innocent, virginal, family-sheltered young woman, Candace is the type of character readers will both love and hate. In a fit of rebellion from her overbearing parents and overprotective brother (and an overly annoying best friend), Candace decides to get a tattoo done, but she’ll only have it done by Brian Ross – the ex-boyfriend of her closest cousin. Brian is the type of man that people judge based on looks – long(ish) hair, tattoo sleeves, and visible (and some not) piercings. While their families are both from the same breeding ground of high class society, the pair couldn’t be more different. But there is more than meets the eye in this erotic romance by Cherrie Lynn. Candace isn’t as innocent as most would think, at least, not in her mind and Brian isn’t the super-tough, super-scary bad boy, though he once was that boy in his teenage years. Though their families play a large part in the ups and downs of the relationship between the two characters, ROCK ME is ultimately, Candace’s coming-of-age story. There are pros and cons to ROCK ME. The romance is there in the midst of hot scenes that isn’t just about inserting Tab A into Slot B though that will happen – eventually. Brian is the type of “bad boy” I’m a fan of – inked skin, a no-nonsense attitude, and some very interesting piercings. Lynn writes more than just a piece of erotica though the sex she does write is enough to cause readers to fan themselves. Even Candace, in the beginning, seems like the atypical naive girl who just wants to break free. However, in any journey a person takes, there needs to be reasons for the choices he or she makes and this is where I thought ROCK ME fell flat. Candace flip-flops between her emotions – a normal process for a college girl – but she sometimes does it without a thought process and almost twists it in a way that I wanted to tell her to “Woman up and deal!” While I appreciated her at the start of the novel, her actions and words regarding her family and the relationship she had with Brian was infuriating, especially once the real conflict between the two sides occur. As a whole, I enjoyed ROCK ME. My recommendation of it stems mostly from the male protagonist and the interludes that happen between the sheets… and on a couch… and outdoors… and anywhere else that might work. Despite Candace’s waffling, this novel is an easy read with paragraphs that flow into each other and two people who are connected both physically and emotionally.