Shift by Jeri Smith-Ready

Title: Shift
Series: Shade #2
Author: Jeri Smith-Ready
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Copyright 2011 by Jeri Smith-Ready
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Synopsis:

Aura’s life is anything but easy. Her boyfriend, Logan, died, and his slides between ghost and shade have left her reeling. Aura knows he needs her now more than ever. She loves Logan, but she can’t deny her connection with the totally supportive, totally gorgeous Zachary. And she’s not sure that she wants to. 
 

Logan and Zachary will fight to be the one by her side, but Aura needs them both to uncover the mystery of her past—the mystery of the Shift.


As Aura’s search uncovers new truths, she must decide whom to trust with her secrets…and her heart.

Shift is, simply put…WOW. The second book in the Shade Series did not disappoint one single bit. (You can find my review for Shade HERE.) Again it was filled with heart-ache, mystery, and romance. I think the writing in Shift was even more powerful than in Shade,..if that's even possible. Shift was written in first person from Aura’s point-of-view so you experience the world as she sees it. Aura has some pretty exciting adventures in this new installment.

I’m not going to do a character breakdown because we don’t really meet anybody new; however, everything changes in Shift. Nothing remains remotely the same. Shift begins three months after we leave Logan as a shade in Shade. Dylan, Aura, nor Megan have seen him since that terrible day at the Green Derby where everything went wrong…and I do mean everything. Since that night, Aura has learned a bit more about her powers and she is hoping there may be a way to save Logan from an eternity in hell. 

Zach continues to help Aura with their theses project; but, things are getting dangerous for the two of them. It seems that there is much more to Newgrange than anyone knew. Well, except for Eowyn Harris…who has been keeping some pretty big secrets herself. Every time Zach and Aura start getting close to each other, someone or something ruins the moment. Talk about a relationship filled with baggage. Ugh.

The one thing I have to say about the characters is this…Aura makes a surprising decision involving prom and when things seem to be getting out of hand, her friends recognize that the choices she makes are hers and they don’t interfere. I can tell you this much…it was nothing self-deprecating or harmful. Just a little fun that she really did need.

Shift is filled with more action that Shade was. I enjoyed this aspect of the book immensely. I spent a lot of time trembling with nerves and fear. I spent some time laughing. And, then I spent even more time crying. 

Since I can’t give the ending away…here are a couple of my favorite scenes from the prom scene…

The short tuxedo jacket covered none of his kilt, whose background color picked up the dark forest green of his vest and eyes – or at least the color of his eyes as I remembered them. Not that I ever thought about that. – Page 176

And then, I couldn’t help kissing him. (He) jolted in surprise, but didn’t pull away. He kissed me back, his lips new and foreign – in a good way, like an exotic food I never knew I wanted to taste. – Page 205

“What the fuck do you want?” After a pause, he said in a firm voice, “This is (xxx), the guy who would’ve killed to trade places with you until five minutes ago.” He met my eyes.“She doesn’t want to talk to you. Now why don’t you go back to screwing your prom date and let me do the same?” – Page 205

If you have not read Shade and Shift…go read them now. You will not be disappointed.

My Reviews of -
Shade
Shift
Shine (TBR May 1, 2012)