Orphaned.
Neglected.
Hurt and abused.
Jane Daugherty has survived what can only be described as the childhood from hell. After years of mental, physical, and sexual abuse, she has become a fiercely independent young woman – closed off from human connection. Unable to trust people or in their ability to be kind, she has vowed to build a new life for herself so that she never has to rely on others again. At 24-years-old, she is fulfilling this vow, successfully working as the youngest tenure-track professor at the University of New York.
Brilliant and remarkably accomplished, Jane’s life takes an unexpected turn when she is reunited with the childhood friend she protected in foster care. Alexa Masterson introduces Jane to the family that adopted her, a family that includes her older brother, Aiden Masterson. Instantly drawn to each other, Aiden and Jane embark on a relationship that will either destroy them both or shape them into the man and woman they were always meant to be. Can what started as lust transform into love? And what will bring about the transformation that they ultimately need?
**Please note there is occasional cursing, mild violence, and unapologetic references to sexuality and spirituality within this work of fiction. Reader discretion is advised.**
[Up to Chapter 2]
Genres: new adult, interracial romance, contemporary romance
Pros
I am seeing more and more romances deal with darker issues than what I’ve seen before. The darker issues open the door for the story to not be focused just on the romance. At the moment the romantic relationship has not started actually, the relationship between the foster sisters has appeared though. I’m praying that all the deep stuff it deals with does not get derailed by the romance.
Cons
Don’t know if I’m engaged by it. I wish that the story focused on the tough time period of her going to school instead of being a professor.
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Inside: Tracey never fit in anywhere as a child, so she worked hard to make college different. Out in the world, she didn’t talk about her parents, or her travels, or the languages she spoke. She didn’t talk much at all because it frequently led to black people asking why she talked “”white”” and white people asking where she was from. No one believed she was a native Southerner. But the people she met in grad school weren’t satisfied with knowing her only on the surface and Garrett Atkins–well, he wasn’t satisfied at all because, even though she couldn’t help falling in love with his Southern charm and overall gorgeousness, Tracey wasn’t about to be “”that girl”” who ended up with a white husband. Out: Entering his last year in law school, Garrett Atkins can’t complain about his life. At graduation, he’s guaranteed a job in a prestigious firm… and a wife. But one mix-up on campus introduces him to stubborn, snide and sexy Tracey McAlpine. She may not be what’s best for him, but God help him, she’s what he wants, and Rett has never been a man who has accepted being told he can’t have what he wants, no matter the consequences.
[up to chapter 5 or 6]
Genres: New adult, Interracial romance, contemporary romance
Pros
It mentions black issues, builds up the relationship so far (no insta-love here), feels realistic
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Jane vs. Inside Out
Cover: Jane wins because the cover just looks more astatically pleasing.
Contents: Thus far I’m engaged by Inside Out more than Jane because I can identify more with a black girl being currently in college versus being a professor. I can say that Jane does have an entire plot beyond the romance which is probably going to connect to the romance later (and hopefully won’t derail it). While in contrast Inside Out is pretty much solely about the romance so far.
themollyweather 