Because of Low

First, I hadn't heard of this author before; second, I do not typically like college-aged protagonists; but, I was surprised to find I liked both the author and the characters. I cannot say the author wrote a profound story, but the plot was fine, the writing competent, and the character development about right. I will try this author again.

“Because of Low.”

Written neatly and from the perspective main characters Marcus and Willow, the book is one of the simpler love stories out today which is a bit refreshing.
Boy meets girl, they fall in love, but there are these breath catching moments where you are almost positive the ending may not be the ending you are hoping for....and it just may not be. ;)
Willow’s circumstances finds her with her childhood BFF, Cage. I would almost call them soul mates without the sexual relationship. Maybe soul-BFF's?
Marcus is Cage's roommate. Cage is overwhelmingly sweet to Willow. Everyone Willow meets is sugar sweet to her...maybe because of her history.
The love that develops is mainly easygoing in it's day to day with rough patches exploding from out of nowhere.

Marcus Hardy is the son of a Mercedes dealership owner. He is fun, lighthearted, charming. He found out his dad was cheating on his mom months before the relationship with Willow began which made him drop out of school to go home and take care of his mom and sister where his dad was failing.
Willow Montgomery is treated horribly by her sister, her only family. She is made temporarily homeless if she doesn't do her sister favors which sends her into the arms and home of playboy Cage York. Cage is adamant that Marcus stay platonic with Willow.

Marcus and Willow’s relationship grows, with each completely engulfed in each other.

Oddly, my fav character was Cage. Good ol’ faithful Cage that has stood by Willow since childhood, and been similar to a brother to her.
Cage is in all kinds of love with Willow, but Willow is not in love with Cage.
I was touched by his love for Willow.

Willow's "life fear" is the fear of abandonment.

What if love for family conflicts with losing the only girl you’ve ever loved? The story follows plot line. It's not the younger side of YA books...more the older side.

Readers will appreciate this book for it's lighthearted, but intermittent intense situations and for its honest characters. It's like a refreshing take on the "story-next-door".

The best friend plotline. Specifically the "boy" best friend plotline. I can relate.

“I don’t think I’m making myself very clear Low,” he’d lowered his voice and the effect made goose bumps break out over my body. “I was only interested in one person at that bar last night. I only came to see one person,” he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and softly caressed my earlobe before tracing the line of my jaw. “I was there for you.” -Marcus
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“He isn’t like us Low. You know that right.”

I knew what Cage was saying. Marcus was out of my league. He didn’t want me thinking there could ever be anything between me and his roommate. I was low class. Marcus was a rich kid.

“I’m not stupid Cage.”
― Abbi Glines, Because of Low
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“Okay. If you want to do this thing with Marcus then fine. I’ll take it and deal with it. But when he hurts you. When he lets you down, I’ll be here. My arms are always open for you to run into. I want you happy and if you think this asshole will make you happy then fine. You need to live a little too. I can’t protect you from everything, but I can be here to hold you when he breaks your heart.” -Cage
― Abbi Glines, Because of Low

Steam Factor 1-5= 4
Love Factor 1-5= 5
Emotional Factor= 5

I would recommend this book b/c it's an easy listen and the narrators were great.

Unconditional loves of Cage and Marcus for Low.

I thought Kirby and Shayna were great. Their voices were perfect for the characters.

A girl from a poor side of town, Willow 'Low', fell in love with a rich boy, Marcus. I heart this story b/c it's realistic but also love conquers all with minor obstacles in their way. I love that Low has a strong personality, knows where she's from, but not afraid to go for what she wanted. Marcus is from a rich family but he is independent from it. His love for Low is endearing and you can't help but root for him. I love the characters in this book. They're very likable.

This is a 2nd book for the Sea Breeze series. I did not read the 1st book. I read this book as it and found that the author wrote this book in a way that the reappearance of previous characters were explained.