Cover Image: The Natural History of Us

The Natural History of Us

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

I received this free eARC novel from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

This has been on my TBR pile for so long, and I'm glad I finally got around to it. I really enjoyed the storyline and seeing the characters change throughout the story was a great character development. The plot was great and kept my attention. I'm glad I got the chance to read this and will be on the lookout for more in the future!

Was this review helpful?

I requested this title back before my blogging break. I have ended up with a number of titles that are overwhelming to catch up on now I am back from my blogging break. I am regretfully not going to be reading and reviewing this title, but now I am back from my blogging break, I am looking forward to reading and reviewing some of your future titles. Thank you so much for the opportunity and apologies.

Was this review helpful?

Rachek Harris is one of my favorite authors and wrote an amazing story. The plot though was kind of those normal love stories where the lovers met, fell in love, broken up, and eventually got together again. I really did enjoy it somehow. The book was told in two perspective and changing timelines which was okay with me. I loved how there was the essence of friendship aside from all the drama. The other characters were also lovable too! like Faith and Cade <3

Was this review helpful?

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

The Natural History of Us follows Peyton and Justin, through their final weeks of senior year, while also delving into their history during freshman year. Peyton used to be home schooled, but following her recovery from Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), she is adamant to attend the school her dad coaches at. She meets Justin Carter, one of the rising stars on the baseball team, and they form a secret relationship. But, once the stake got too much, it seems that Justin cheated on Peyton, and has broken her heart. Now with only a few months left of school, they have to 'marry' in one of their subjects, and even 'raise' a baby for a weekend. Peyton can't believe her luck that Justin is the one who she's been paired with, and no matter how much she claims she is over him - she even has a new boyfriend - she's always been in love with him.

I vaguely remember reading the companion book, The Fine Art of Pretending, way back in 2015, and that was probably why I requested this one on NetGalley. I first tried reading this in 2016, after being approved, but I wasn't really engaged with any of the characters, or really enjoying it. Fast forward to 2021, and I'm trying to clear any old NetGalley books, and this was next on my list. I liked it, but wouldn't say I loved it. I'm more just pleased it's finished, and I don't have it waiting for me anymore. My main issue with the book was just how dramatic and full of angst it was. We see the modern day and and the past in the same chapters, but it was clearly signed as to when it was. I sort of guessed what the 'disaster' was before we got to it, and why Justin was so adamant that Peyton needed to listen about what the truth was. I will admit, I felt so sorry for Justin and his home life, where he was regularly ignored and left alone with only the housekeeper to care for him. I liked Justin, Peyton was okay, and disliked Cade. The book had a decent plot, but like I said, it was too angst ridden for my liking. All in all, decent, but not a book I'd re-read.

Was this review helpful?

Did not get to finish due to the copy being expired but from whatever I could read, it felt like a nice book. Took off the point only because I can not provide an overall judgment in this case.

Was this review helpful?

This is the second in a series, but it's not necessary to read the first one to know what's going on. Either way, it's going to be good mainly for readers who like books VERY heavy on romance and light on anything else. I love romance in my books, but this was a little too formulaic for me.

Was this review helpful?

If you enjoy romance and relationship challenges than this is the perfect book for you! These two characters share their pain and "hope" together. Justin and Peyton loved each other once a long time ago but then Justin blew it. He has never gotten over Peyton and wants just one more chance to prove he can be the guy she deserves....but can he really? Read The natural History of Us and find out if Justin can be the guy that Peyton truly deserves.

Was this review helpful?

I am a sucker for a good old fashioned cliche ya story and this one fit the bill.
I Loved the characters and found myself rooting for them and not wanting to stop reading until the end.
This is a sweet young romance that’ll have butterflies in your stomach and will leave you wishing you had your own Justin.
I did find that flashbacks interrupted the flow of the story for me. It just unnecessary and I found myself sort of skimming through some of that so I could get back to the present.

Was this review helpful?

I didn't really enjoy this book, in fact, it ended up being a DNF. I just couldn't get through it, sadly enough.

Was this review helpful?

I did not realize this book was part of a series, and the book can be read on its own with no issues.

I really enjoyed the story of Peyton and Justin refinding themselves again after a major betrayal.

The book switches from freshman year (during the initial betrayal) and senior year when Peyton and Justin are paired to work together as "newly marrieds." The project was a cute idea and helped move the couple back to speaking and working out their history. The book also switched between Peyton and Justin's perspectives, allowing the reader a fun understanding of both sides of the relationship.

While I felt some parts were a little unbelievable (Justin's complete unwillingness to be in a relationship or explain himself in three years, Peyton's complete lack of abandon when falling for Justin), the book overall was really smart and adorable. I really enjoyed the rodeo and ranch setting as well.

I would love to read the first book of the series, and I want to thank the publisher, author and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Was this review helpful?

This is my first Rachel Harris book and I absolutely adored it.

The characters and plot were a fresh departure from the contemporary romance I normally read.

As a friends to lovers romance, this works so well because the characters have such genuine affection and chemistry. The story flows well, doesn’t really slow down and is so darn sweet.

The book is very clean, I’d say appropriate for 14 and up. Sex is mentioned in passing but there is nothing more than kissing in the book. It’s been quite a while since I’ve read and loved a contemporary YA so this was a pleasure to read. I can’t wait to read the spin-off featuring different characters.

Was this review helpful?

Rachel's one of the first YA authors I got to interact online with - I adored both My Super Sweet Sixteenth Century and The Fine Art of Pretending, and when I saw that Rachel has another YA set to be released this year, I knew that I had to get my hands on it!

The Natural History of Us is the companion book of The Fine Art of Pretending, and its male MC, Justin, had a pretty big role in the aforementioned book. While you can read The Natural History of Us as a stand-alone, I would recommend that you read The Fine Art of Pretending first. It will allow you to familiarize yourself with the world of these characters, and at the same time, it will give you the chance to know Justin better. Justin was one my favorite characters from The Fine Art of Pretending, and finding out that we would get to read his story made me thrilled beyond belief! Also, a second chance romance? SOLD.

Justin was introduced in The Fine Art of Pretending as your quintessential bigger-than-life jock - he's cool and confident, and he couldn't be bothered with serious relationships with girls. He does end up getting knocked down a peg or two when things don't exactly go his way with a girl, and that, I believe, sets up The Natural History of Us perfectly. Graduation is around the corner, and when Justin is partnered with Peyton - the only girl he has ever had a serious relationship with, and also the exact same girl whose heart he has irrevocably broken - he grabs the chance to set things right, and to try again with the one girl he has never forgotten.

Peyton, meanwhile, has steered cleared of Justin for the past three years. To say that she is not pleased at being partnered with Justin for this final assignment is an understatement. A lot has changed in Peyton since she and Justin broke up, and Justin quickly realizes that he needs gets to know her once more, just like he did during their freshman year. Through flashbacks of the times Peyton and Justin were together, we find out that Peyton previously suffered from a rare illness, and this is what makes her willing to always take life by the horns. Some time after Peyton and Justin's break up, however, Peyton suffers from a riding accident, and as a result, she's a bit more apprehensive, and even a little scared. She now lets fear dictate what she should do, as opposed to who she was before. Justin gets to know this new Peyton, and at the same time, he does what he can to support her.

I'm not saying that the way Justin treated Peyton in the past was not horrible and callous, because it was. However, I have seen that Justin has matured and changed for the better. As I mentioned earlier, this was spurred in part by what happened between him and Aly in The Fine Art of Pretending, and I can't blame him for wanting Peyton back again in his life. Also, it is so apparent from the beginning that Justin and Peyton bring out the best in each other - when the people in Peyton's life hold her back, Justin believes in her and her capabilities. Peyton also never sees Justin just as some cocky jock, she knows and realized that there is more to him that meets the eye. Their interactions never failed to make me smile while reading the book, and I was rooting for them to work through their issues - which they did - and to give what they clearly still have between them another shot.

All in all, The Natural History of Us was just the light read I was looking for. While it was a sweet and fun read, it also had just the right amount of angst and depth to keep me on the edge of my seat. The book was also told in dual timelines and dual POVs to flesh out the story more, and while I would agree that these aspects made the book it was, the were still moments wherein I had trouble keeping track of what timeline I was in. Nevertheless, what I learned about Peyton and Justin I loved, and I finished The Natural History of Us with one big smile on my face.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Was this review helpful?

A great book! I always love Rachel's writing, stories, and just the romance of it all!

Was this review helpful?

Did not finish. I got up to about 25% then I just couldn't finish it. I started it a while ago and I tried to pick it back up and it never happened. I just didn't like any of the characters and the writing style.

Was this review helpful?