Anything is the story of Kit Talbot and Levi Whitaker, freshman and upperclassman at Mayberry University, a small Christian university in Texas. Kit is determined to stay well away from boys after her last relationship ended badly. Very badly – PTSD badly. But Levi, for some unknown reason, is determined to befriend and pursue her, even after she makes it clear that she’s not looking for a relationship.
Levi is one of the most popular guys on campus, which gives Anything a familiar feel–after all, there is any number of young adult and new adult romances where the popular guy pursues the girl who isn’t interested in him (or the disinterested girl is pursued by the hottest guy in town).
The setting of a Christian university gives the story a different spin.
The beginning was a little confusing as Kit settles into her new environment, learning the names and nicknames of her fellow students and all the unspoken rules of a close-knit college community where everyone seems to live on campus. Kit is a serious Christian, one who continually prays and reads and quotes her Bible, and listens for God’s voice. It isn’t immediatley obvious, but Levi is the same. Even in Christian romance, it’s unusual to read a story where God is this important to the main characters.
The other aspect of anything that lifted it above the norm was the approach to romance. While Levi is clearly interested in Kit from the get-go, Kit’s emotions are more complicated. As a result, their romance is very much based on emotions rather than any physical manifestation, while still having all the romantic tension. I was especially impressed by the way Levi saw the real Kit behind her boundaries and continued to pursue her, all the while remaining within whatever boundaries she set and was comfortable with.
The result is an unexpectedly romantic Christian romance that touches on some serious issues. Anything is the first book in The Mayberry University series. I’m intrigued to see where the series goes next.
Recommended for readers looking for a God-centered young adult Christian romance.
Thanks to the author and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.
About Kristina Welch
When Kristina Welch isn’t adventuring around the world with her husband and three little blondies, she’s home near Denver, Colorado. She thrives on date nights, forest hikes, and peanut butter cookies. Her days include half-homeschooling her kids, thrifting for treasures, regretting DIY home projects, and babbling to Jesus wherever she is.
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About Anything
Two guarded hearts. He’s breaking down walls and she’s building them higher–
A match made in Heaven, or a blueprint for disaster?
After the fiery downward spiral of senior year, Kit Talbot crash-lands on a quirky college campus where traditions rule and dorm floors act more like family. It’s just weird enough to keep her mind off the wreckage she’s leaving behind.
Enter Levi Whitaker, known as the swooniest guy on campus. Magnetic, confident, and far too much like the ex who sent her life into that PTSD-tainted nosedive. Levi seems to be everywhere, focused on her like she’s the only girl in the world–even indulging her sugar addiction with delivered treats. But Kit’s self-preservation instincts are sharper than ever, and she deflects him like Wonder Woman blocking bullets.
That is, until Levi’s quiet faith and humble apology start to break down Kit’s defenses. He loves Jesus in the dreamiest way, looks like wow, and … somehow triggers the flashbacks she fights so hard to avoid. Every minute with him is a risk she isn’t sure she should take. Should she protect them both from the chaos of her life or learn a bravery that feels irresponsible?
As Kit fights to keep her life safe and manageable, she leans into her faith, clinging to the Bible verses God whispers to her heart. Clearly, he’s up to something, but the healing she prays for isn’t happening the way she wants.
