ARC REVIEW: Split Second (Pivot Point #2) by Kasie West

Title: Split Second
Series: Pivot Point #2
Author: Kasie West
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: February 11, 2014
Pages: 360
Source: ALA Midwinter

Summary from Goodreads:
Life can change in a split second.

Addie hardly recognizes her life since her parents divorced. Her boyfriend used her. Her best friend betrayed her. She can’t believe this is the future she chose. On top of that, her ability is acting up. She’s always been able to Search the future when presented with a choice. Now she can manipulate and slow down time, too . . . but not without a price.

When Addie’s dad invites her to spend her winter break with him, she jumps at the chance to escape into the Norm world of Dallas, Texas. There she meets the handsome and achingly familiar Trevor. He’s a virtual stranger to her, so why does her heart do a funny flip every time she sees him? But after witnessing secrets that were supposed to stay hidden, Trevor quickly seems more suspicious of Addie than interested in her. And she has an inexplicable desire to change that.

Meanwhile, her best friend, Laila, has a secret of her own: she can restore Addie’s memories . . . once she learns how. But there are powerful people who don’t want to see this happen. Desperate, Laila tries to manipulate Connor, a brooding bad boy from school—but he seems to be the only boy in the Compound immune to her charms. And the only one who can help her.

As Addie and Laila frantically attempt to retrieve the lost memories, Addie must piece together a world she thought she knew before she loses the love she nearly forgot . . . and a future that could change everything.

Pivot Point blew me away last year. It was the first parallel future story I read - and LOVED - and it also sported a nice Sci Fi element where the kids had powers - so double LOVE. Then the ending left me reeling and I needed this sequel like I needed air (queue Jordin Sparks song). If you want to read my review for Pivot Point, you can find it here.

The beginning of Split Second was tough for me because of where Pivot Point left off. I don't want to say much for those of you who haven't yet read Pivot Point, but I don't think it's a spoiler to say that Addie could only choose one future and so the other one didn't happen - the one I wanted to happen but could understand why it couldn't (curious? Go read PP now!) I had to get used to things being the way they were and let's just say I can be very stubborn.

But once things got rolling, it was only uphill from there. Split Second was just as exhilarating as Pivot Point. It was suspenseful, flirtatious, unpredictable, sweet, infuriating, funny... There was all this speculation about the Compound. Curiosity over extending abilities. Great romances. Lurking threats. There were moments that had my blood boiling. Moments that had me on the edge of my seat. And moments that had me smitten. After a certain point it was un-put-down-able, I just had to know how things ended. And I can say that I am very happy with the way they did. Not quite perfectly, but as perfect as can be expected given the direction of the story (if that makes any sense).

The chapters alternate between the POVs of Laila and Addie in this sequel. I loved getting to know Laila better because I thought she was a riot in Pivot Point. She is just as entertaining this time around. And Addie is as genuine and likable as always.

NOW LET'S TALK BOYS. Obviously I love Trevor. TREVOR ALL DAY ERR DAY. I don't think I could ever get my fill of this boy. He's the silent and sweet but super sexy type. But Trevor has to share the spotlight in Split Second because we are introduced to a new swoon-worthy male - Connor! This guy... I don't think there is a more perfect guy for Laila. She was so thrown off by him and him by her. Now I love Addie and Trevor - they are adorable together - but Laila and Connor are HOT. They have this whole dynamic that was just... it lit up the pages.

To wrap things up I want to quote a moment between Addie and Trevor that made me laugh out loud. This is just a glimpse of the fun that awaits you in a Kasie West book.

"'Addison,' he said, stopping my Search before it started.
I looked up and barely saw the flash of an object as it hit my face. 'Ouch.' The kid's shoe landed on the step below me with a thump, then rolled down a few more. 'Did you just throw a shoe at me?'
'I'm so sorry.' He rushed forward and sat on the step below me. 'I thought you would move fast and catch it.'
...He retrieved the shoe, then held it out for me. 'You have my permission to throw this at my face as hard as you can.'"

Kasie West is 3 for 3 in my book. First Pivot Point, then The Distance Between Us, and now Split Second - three books, three home runs. I love everything she writes. And she is pumping books out in record speed. That makes her a rockstar. If you haven't picked up a book by her yet, you need to. Otherwise, you are missing out!