2 Book Lovers Reviews

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​Have you ever read a book that you didn’t want to put down, but you knew that if you kept reading it, it would be over sooner, and you didn’t want it to end? That’s how I felt with Close Enough to Touch.  When I wasn’t reading it, all I did was think about the story and the characters and wish that I was curled up somewhere reading it.  I kept eyeing my Kindle, checking to see how much time I had left in the book.  I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the characters.  I could have easily read another three hundred or so pages.  Yes, it was that good!

Jubilee Jenkins was a fascinating character.  Living her life without being able to touch another human would be a difficult affliction to have, for her, it was also life threatening.  After a near-fatal experience in high school, Jubilee holed up in her home for over nine years, her need for self-preservation overriding her desire for a normal-ish life.  However, Jubilee still wanted all of the things that any young woman wanted, of course she did, but she had to go through life knowing that the simplest pleasures, like a hug, kiss, or even a pat on her bare hand could be fatal for her.  I felt for her situation and cared about her immediately.  Her loneliness was palpable throughout the pages of this book.

The story alternates between Jubilee’s and Eric Keegan’s perspective.  These characters certainly weren’t without their struggles, and Eric had his own set of hurdles.  He wasn’t a perfect knight-in- shining-armor type of character.  He was a good man who had made mistakes but was just trying to do his best for everyone involved, even if his best seemed lacking most of the time.

The characters were what made this story; they were everything.  They were interesting, peculiar, funny, caring, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with them.  Even Aja, Eric’s adopted son, was absolutely unforgettable.  Oh, my heart!  I didn’t know whether I should laugh or cry at some of his behavior, so, I ended up doing both.

Close Enough to Touch is a delicate, understated romance.  Jubilee is unable to touch after all, but it’s the underlying want for something so human that had my heart beating at a quickened pace.  I wanted nothing more than for Jubilee and Eric to find happiness and love, but it was never written in stone.  I wasn’t sure what was going to come of their friendship/relationship, but whatever the outcome, I was in it with them.  From start to finish, all of my attention was on the incredible writing, emotions, and the heart that this novel exuded.

It’s difficult to move on from a book that completely hit the mark for me.  I always pity the book that I’m going to have to read after it.  This book made me feel so much.  It was everything that I could have wanted.  It will definitely be gracing my list of favorite books of the year.  Do yourself a favor and read Close Enough to Touch.

*5+ Stars