Character Connection (1)

Character Connection is a new meme hosted by Jennifer of The Introverted Reader. The idea is simple, but fun: share your favorite characters! There really aren't any rules, except to be careful not to give away any major plot twists. And be sure to mention the title and author, of course! Be as creative as you like! For more information, visit here!

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One of my all time favorite characters is John After from Jennifer Echols' GOING TOO FAR, who from here on out will be referred to as Johnafter, as he is in the novel. If you've ever read one of my reviews, it's obvious that I'm a big romantic. I love all types of books, but if they don't have at least a small romance, it probably will not be an all-time favorite. Since I purposely look for books with love stories, I'm consider myself a bit of romance expert... and let me tell you, GOING TOO FAR takes the cake.

As ridiculous as it sounds, my boyfriend might have reason to be jealous of Johnafter. Well, if he were real. There is just something so mesmerizing about this character. I pretty much fell in love with him as Meg, the main character, did. He is so flawed and so - yes, I'm going to say it - sexy. I've never been one of those girls who swoons at a guy in uniform, but Johnafter may be my exception. Add to that that he is artistic and funny and I'm gone.

But honestly, I think the hottest thing about Johnafter is how absolutely perfect he is for Meg. That is really what makes me fall for a character. I'm a sucker for stories where opposites attract to find that they actually fit together as perfectly as puzzle pieces. And he loves her - despite how horrible she acts and how hard she tries to push him away. There relationship is not perfect... it's painful and terrifying and full of so much emotion it might burst at any moment. I was enthralled.

Some Johnafter related quotes from GOING TOO FAR:

"Vat have you been up to, Governor?" Skip asked with an Arnold Swarzenegger accent.
"The relentless pursuit of crime," John said. He pronounced crime with a long southern drawl and a wink. Then he burst into laugher with the rest of them.
Seeing him jogging at the park had cracked a window so I could peek into his soul. Seeing him with his friends threw the window wide open.
He was so nineteen.

His dark eyes challenged me. They were weapons that could hurt me. Here was the worst thing about them: I could tell that if Johnafter loved you, his dark eyes would be beautiful and friendly and warm. So every time he cut me down with a look that was cold and unfriendly and ugly, it was a double insult, a reminder of what I could never have. I found myself avoiding his dark eyes when I could.

I have an absolute favorite quote from GOING TOO FAR, but I don't want to share it here because I want you to read it yourself! :) For those of you who have already experienced the awesomeness that is GOING TOO FAR, flip to page 182 and read the last 3 paragraphs. Everyone else: go out and get yourself a copy!