Surviving The Rachel by Aven Ellis

About The Book

Life after college graduation is not at all what twenty-one-year-old Bree Logan expected. Unable to find a professional communications job, dumped by the guy who was THE ONE, and stuck with a pricey city apartment she can’t afford, Bree ends up moving back home with her parents in the suburbs and working as a cocktail server at a posh Chicago hotel.

In a desperate attempt to get a fresh start, Bree goes to a hip salon and requests that the first available stylist chop off her long dark hair. Alarmed when the stylist suggests “The Rachel,” after the famous haircut from the show Friends, Bree is hesitant, but decides to go for it when she is assured it will be a “fresh, modern adaptation” of the infamous 90’s cut. Unfortunately for Bree, it turns out to be exactly the same cut, but with horrific heavy bangs added to it. Hideous doesn’t even begin to describe it.

Bree is convinced nothing will ever go right when she meets neighbor Jack Chelten, a twenty-five-year-old German translator. Not that Bree is looking to date anyone, but there's something quirky and intriguing about his freckle-splashed face and blue eyes. And suddenly Bree finds herself seeking out different opportunities and challenges . . . as well as the boy next door.

In her new adult life, Bree learns that sometimes you have to go through crises to get to where you need to be. And if you can survive The Rachel, you can survive anything, right?

What I Say:

I would like to thank the gorgeous Aven Ellis for sending me a copy of this in exchange for a fair and honest review.

At the beginning of the book Bree is back with her parents in her old room that she had when she was fourteen.  Life looks bleak as she is waiting tables to make ends meet, enter Jack Chelten and his brother Eric.  Bree’s mum is determined to set her up with Eric as he is the perfect match, deploying what Bree calls strategic placement, stalking Eric and Jack.

Bree books in for a haircut at a hair salon in the centre of the city, persuaded by the stylist to go for Rachel haircut with more bangs she goes with the flow but to be left devastated that it is the Rachel haircut.  Getting home her day gets worse when her mum’s dog Diva escapes and dashes across the road into Jack’s living room and decides to leave a calling card.  Jack and Bree hit is off straight away.

This is a sweet story of getting back on your feet after being hurt by someone and also losing your job.  Aven has me Bree straight away and I identified with everything that she went through, I love her strength of character, how much fun she and quirky she is, but also how vulnerable she is, especially to Eric’s barbs about Jack.   I sighed with happiness when Bree and Jack caught fireflies and couldn't stop laughing about Doga… it has to be read or a picture be seen to be believed, Aven really couldn't make it up lol.

Jack is very sweet and lovely, the perfect book boyfriend unfortunately Sherrie called him first.  

If you haven’t read any of Aven’s books then you should make this a priority as she writes the sweetest, hottest book boyfriends.  I am a huge fan of Aven’s books and I take every opportunity to shout about them to anyone and everyone.

Excerpt 

Now it’s just me and Jack.

“Firefly,” he says, breaking the silence.

“What?” I laugh.

“Right there, hold on a second,” Jack says, pointing near the pond. “There!”

And I see it. A firefly lights up the darkness for a brief second, a flash of yellow in the dark sky.

“I condemned many fireflies to a sad death in a Cool Whip container in my childhood,” I admit, laughing.

“Did you poke holes on the top?” he teases.

“Of course! I didn’t try to suffocate them on purpose.”

​“Murderer.”

“I was not,” I giggle.

“Challenge for you,” Jack says. “Can you still catch one?”

“Absolutely I can.”

“Prove it.”

“Oh, okay, you’re on. First one to catch five wins,” I say, throwing down my own challenge. 

“I’ve so got this,” he declares.

So we both get up and begin catching fireflies. We’re laughing and teasing each other and before I know it, I have bested Jack. 

“That’s five,” I declare happily, snatching the fifth firefly. I open up my palm to reveal it to him, and then I release it to the night sky.

And in a way, I feel released, too. I’m releasing the negativity about the job search, and I’m starting new tomorrow with Jack’s help. I gaze at his profile, and I know this German-speaking boy next door has something—if not everything-to do with this newfound feeling I have.

He turns and catches me looking at him. We don’t say anything for a moment, and another firefly flashes light between us. 

“I guess I should be heading home,” he says softly. 

“Okay.”

“So I’ll see you tomorrow for sushi?”

“Yes,” I say, smiling back at him. “And I’ll send you my resume right now.”

Jack nods. “Okay then. I’ll see you tomorrow. And thank you for tonight.”

“I should be thanking you,” I say softly.

He turns and begins walking across the grass. I cross my arms over my chest, his sweatshirt still keeping me warm. Jack suddenly stops and turns to me.

“’Hochzeit mit Hindernissen,’” Jack says.

I begin laughing. “What?”

“The German title for ‘The One with Monica and Chandler’s Wedding,’” Jack says, grinning at me. “That’s one of my favorite Friends episodes.”

Another firefly lights up in front of me as I watch him walk away. And then I realize that’s what Jack is to me.

He’s like a firefly who has lit up the darkness. 

And I find myself drawn to his light.

About The Author

Aven Ellis has been writing fiction since she was sixteen. She studied communications at a large Midwestern university, and after graduation, Aven worked as a reporter for a community newspaper, followed by a stint at a public relations agency.

But writing about city council meetings and restaurant franchises was not as much fun as writing for young women trying to figure out their careers and potential boyfriends. So Aven got herself a job in television that allowed her to write at night. Connectivity is Aven’s debut novel; Waiting For Prince Harry and Chronicles of a Lincoln Park Fashionista are her other novels.

Aven lives in Dallas with her family. When she is not writing, Aven enjoys shopping, cooking, connecting with friends on social media, and watching any show that features Gordon Ramsay.

If you would like to see what Doga looks like please see below: