Shatter by Erin McCarthy

This certainly fits firmly into the en-vogue New Adult category. The difference between this one and the previous books in the series is definitely the emphasis on sex scenes between the main characters, as opposed to the relationships between them.

Not just the occasional scene either and it wanders quite close to the erotic genre (or well on the way).

Whereas I would recommend the previous ones in the series (the few I have read) to older teens, I wouldn't do the same with this one, simply because it is quite graphic.

I understand wanting to attract or market to a different age bracket, but when your readers are used to a series it seems a little risky to change the goal posts half way in.

Aside from that small issue McCarthy delivers the teenagey dramatics, despite the characters being college age and older. Kylie is still blathering on about her ex-boyfriend Nathan and the infamous betrayal by Robin.

I have to say it still irks me the way McCarthy describes the drunk sex scenario. In the previous book Believe Robin is completely blathered and Nathan takes advantage of it, ergo has sex with her aka 'I still think it was rape' not a so-called mistake. I actually think McCarthy added an extra sexual detail to that night in hindsight to make it look more like a consensual mistake. ( will have to read the previous again to confirm)

Kylie still hasn't let go of the past and feels completely validated in pushing Robin away. She ends up having a one night stand with consequences. Her partner in crime is a new guy on the scene, who has to deal with her old insecurities and newly acquired ones.
A combination of relationship drama, steamy antics and First World problems.

Believe by Erin McCarthy

Carrying on the storylines of the romantic relationships between members of Tyler’s family and the college roommates,this is the story of Robin and Phoenix.

Robin has retreated into herself and become a mere shadow of the fun loving party girl she used to be. Her clothes are drab, loose and conservative instead of tight, bright and flashy. She has stopped taking care of her appearance. She seems to be suffering from some sort of depression linked to an incident a few months ago.

That incident was one that offered up quite a quandary of reactions and complications.
So you wake up in the bed of a very good friends boyfriend and the two of you have quite obviously had sex. You have no recollection of the previous night, in fact Robin specifically says the phrase black-out when describing the night. Instead of mutual appreciation or an afterglow, which would be the case if the night had been consensual, the female participant awakens feeling repulsed.

I know what I was thinking when I read it but somehow the all too convenient scenario was never questioned.

Instead the morality and legality of having intercourse with someone who is so drunk or physically impaired that they can’t give consent or wouldn’t give consent under normal circumstances, is presented to both the characters and readers.

I was really disappointed at the amount of victim blaming being thrown at the girl by so-called friends.
Unfortunately this is usually what happens in a real life scenario. Always blame the abused and never the abuser.

The relationship between Phoenix and Robin is built on the dysfunctional aftermath of his upbringing and her present issues. Not exactly a recipe for success, and yet they both connect and find comfort with each other.

The secret Robin has been keeping implodes in the circle of close knit friends. It creates a series of events that might just be irreversible.

This is a stronger book by McCarthy with issues that question the reactions of society in relation to certain controversial topics. I thought it lacked an acknowledgement of guilt when it came to Nathan and perhaps a reluctance to call it what it actually was.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley.