Review- Untouched by Melody Grace

Goodreads Summary:

Emerson Ray is trouble. Juliet knows it the minute she lays eyes on Cedar Cove’s resident bad boy. Forced to spend her summer before college in the sleepy beach town, she never expected to crash into the most devastating guy she’s ever met—or for Emerson’s blue eyes to strip through her dark secrets, and make her feel a desire she’s never known. Their connection is undeniable, but Juliet is torn. She knows, once she gives him everything, there’ll be no turning back.

Juliet McKenzie is dangerous. Emerson can tell from the way she blows through all his defences, laying bare the demons he’s carried alone all his life. He’s left a trail of broken hearts and empty beds in his wake, but Juliet is different. Her innocence is intoxicating—and the passion she keeps hidden, just below the surface. He wants to be the only one to set it free, but with every kiss, he’s closer to losing control and doing the one thing he swore he never would: fall in love.

One summer. Two damaged hearts. Their story is only just beginning…

UNTOUCHED is a prequel novella to the USA Today Bestselling UNBROKEN. It also can be read as a stand-alone story.

REVIEW:

From my Unbroken review, it is clear that I did not want to have anything to do with the Beachwood Bay series. The main characters, Juliet and Emerson were shallow and senseless. The story revolved around sex, there was no dialogue whatsoever. It was more a lust story than a love story. 

Yet, when author Melody Grace wrote a prequel novella from the points of view of both Juliet and Emerson, in spite of my indifference towards it, the curiosity in me was boiling. I really wanted to see if the two characters have any substance. Which is why I decided to give Untouched a try and compared to Unbroken, it was a pretty decent and okay read. 

In Untouched, we get to see how Juliet and Emerson actually meet and what makes them so attracted to each other. For the two of them, uh- I really hate to say this- but it's just the bodies of the other that heat things up and make them oh so desirable. Don't get me wrong, our body is what people notice for the first time and having a good body is good, but really, everything isn't about eyes and muscles and curves. But then again, that cover says it all, so maybe I was wrong in thinking there'd be more than just make up sessions. 

While the lust and desire to constantly be physically close to one another continues from Unbroken, what actually made Untouched better was dialogue. There really was no dialogue in Unbroken. In Untouched, however, Juliet and Emerson- thank sweet heavens above- talk. They actually make conversation and that was a relief. Seriously, this book should have come out before Unbroken and those of you who will take the risk of reading the series must read Untouched first to understand everything. 

Juliet and Emerson bond over the similar family situation they have at home and even though I found myself drifting off at times while reading, it was good to see Juliet try her best to help Emerson and make him understand that he isn't all alone. 

Overall, Untouched, for a short story, was an okay read, and way better than Unbroken. The two points of views made it more understandable and even though I'm not a huge fan, I must say that yes, this was a pretty alright read that was much needed to settle the sudden attraction between Juliet and Emerson. 

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