Review Detail

Inbetween by Tara Fuller
Arc received by: Entangled Teen via Netgalley
Release Date: 8-28-2012
Reviewed by: Middle Sis Jenn
The Sisters Say: Romantic and Resplendent

If you were to ask most people where they want to go when they die, their answer would, I assume, be Heaven. However, if that someone has read about Tara Fuller’s oh so yummy reaper, then they might just answer, the Inbetween! Inbetween is charming and fun-- a love story that shows you just might be life after death.

While this is not the first story I’ve read about reapers, I still say we need more! I really enjoy these paranormal characters—I love that they can be good or evil, or toe the line between both. I love that each story can invent a new aspect of them, so it’s never old. And I fall head over heels for the ones that just won’t give up on the idea of love—even when they’re dead.

This story follows Emma as Finn, a reaper who loves her, tries to protect her from the evil soul, Maeve. I will admit, at first I was frustrated because Finn can’t touch Emma! I was sure the romance was going to be lacking and I was going to want to put it aside for something with a little more….corporealness? Is that a word? Um…I’m going to declare that the International Council for Words just said that “corporealness” is a word. Anywho, I was pleasantly surprised. While I still wish there could have been more steam, I found the romance to be sweet and intoxicating.

Emma is an interesting main character, and while I was not blown away by her, I still felt a small connection to her. She has been plagued by “accidents” all her life, not knowing these accidents were caused by Maeve. However, she doesn’t let the constant threat of death hang over her like a dark, ominous cloud. Instead, she decides that she is going to try and take charge. I liked that confidence while it lasted. Unfortunately it fizzled out, and she became the innocent victim once again. While I like the fact that Finn or her best friend Cash has to play knight in shining armor, I still wish she would have had a bit more attitude and strength as a main character.

One of my favorite characters is Cash, Emma’s best friend. He is portrayed as both a good and a bad guy. What do I mean? He’s the boy your mother warned you about—you know the one. The player. The partyer. But, with Emma, he’s caring and different. He doesn’t treat her as some girl to kiss and toss. His relationship with her is lasting, and it really gives insight into his brokenness. I won’t say anything else because I don’t want to spoil it, but I can assure you we will see much more of him in the next book.

And finally…we have Finn. I like Finn, but again, I was not blown away by him. He’s charming and head over heels for Emma, but at times, he seems a bit whiny. He wants to take charge, but as a reaper, there are rules that keep him in the shadows. I loved with Finn was willing to break those rules, but then it seemed like he began to cower. I wanted to see a strong, confident, in your face guy willing to fight back—even if the odds were completely stacked against him. But, I understand why he couldn’t be like this. I mean, he’s a reaper, not an angel—so it’s not like he has all these powers at his disposal. I think he will be a definite new book boyfriend for many girls, but I tend to lack my guys a little on the bad side ? Like Easton…but we won’t go there, you have to read it!

My favorite part of the story (of course) was the evil Maeve. I can’t help it, I’m a villains girl. She’s dark and twisted, and she is set on revenge. I loved waiting to see what she was going to do next! And let me tell you, she does not disappoint. I will say, that I wish there would have been more of her—to show how much she has disrupted Emma’s life.

The only warning on content I have is the teenage drinking.

Overall, Inbetween was a flirty and fun read, and I will definitely be checking out book 2 in the future. The romance was sweet and the story was well written. Tara brings the Inbetween to life in the few snippets we get of the past, and she definitely brings hell to life with the quick looks of torture that realm can bring! Tara Fuller brings new meaning to the term star-crossed lovers. Thrust apart by death, separated by life and death, will Emma and Finn ever get the happily ever after they deserve? Read and find out! You won’t be disappointed.