Because of Low by Abbi Glines

Moving back home sucked. Everything about this town reminded me of why the hell I’d wanted to get away. I had a life in Tuscaloosa, and I needed that life to escape. Here, I was Marcus Hardy. No matter where I went, people knew me. They knew my family. And now…they were talking about my family.

Pages – 290

Published by Simon and Schuster in April 2013

Goodreads Summary

Set in the steamy coastal Alabama town of Sea Breeze, an interconnected group of older teens hook up, break up ...and much, much more. Marcus Hardy had hoped to enjoy a year away at college while he put the summer he'd rather forget behind him. But instead, he's jerked right back his home town of Sea Breeze due to a family crisis. The only bright spot to returning is the h...more Set in the steamy coastal Alabama town of Sea Breeze, an interconnected group of older teens hook up, break up ...and much, much more. Marcus Hardy had hoped to enjoy a year away at college while he put the summer he'd rather forget behind him. But instead, he's jerked right back his home town of Sea Breeze due to a family crisis. The only bright spot to returning is the hot redhead who sleeps over at his place several times a week. There's just one thing though - she's sleeping in bed with his new roommate, Cage York. Willow "Low" Foster needs a place to live. Running to her best friend Cage's apartment every time her sister kicks her out isn't exactly a long term solution. But Cage has a new roommate and suddenly sleeping over at his apartment isn't such a bad thing. Not when she gets to see those sexy green eyes of Marcus's twinkle when he smiles at her like he wants her there. There's one problem though, Cage is under the disillusion that when he's through sowing his wild oats, he's going to marry Low - an assumption Marcus intends to change. But when his carefully laid plans come crashing down with a revelation he never expected, Marcus will have to choose between Low or his family. Because once the truth comes out ...there's no other choice.

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If I could move to Sea Breeze, Alabama, I would be catching the next flight out of the UK. Seriously, the seaside resort sounds like heaven and I would revel in living there and mingling with the awesome inhabitants.

Because of Low is the second book in the Sea Breeze series by New Adult sensation Abbi Glines. I read the first book Breathe last month, but each book in the series can be read as standalone as they each follow different characters from the town.  Because of Low is the story of Marcus who I read briefly about in Breathe. In Breathe he had the hots for Sadie but missed out to the international pop star Jax Stone. Feeling a little burned by his encounter, he leaves town only to have to return when his family begin to crumble.

I loved Marcus in Breathe, I now adore him after reading Because of Low. He is a little possessive but caring and sexy with it. When he meets Low, all he wants to do is take care of her. He will do anything to get her to trust him more than she trusts Cage, but he has a huge battle ahead of him. Her love for Cage is unconditional – he is always there for her and has always loved her since they were kids. However they relationship is more brotherly and Marcus knows he has prove that he won’t let her down.

Willow ‘Low’ falls rather quickly for Marcus as he quickly shows how well he will take care of her. Unfortunately life has a habit of screwing with you, and situations arise that cause Marcus to leave Low. My heart broke for her. But I also felt sad for Marcus. He had good reasons for turning away from her. Well, he thought he had good reasons – if only he had known the truth, perhaps his decision would have been altered.

The story follows the highs and lows of dysfunctional families. The characters often come from the wrong side of the track and have to fight tooth and nail for everything they have. I love how strong minded they all are and come through after bad situations.

Abbi Glines is definitely my favourite NA writer so far. Her books are just so addictive and you come away pining for more. I can definitely see myself revisiting her books time and time again, they are my comfort reads for the future. I love each and every male character she has created. I wish her books had been around when I was a new adult.