Wanted (Wanted #1) by Kelly Elliott

Wanted (Wanted #1)
by Kelly Elliott
503 pages
Release Date December 28th 2012 
Rate: Enjoyed it+

Synopsis:

Verbally abused by her mother for years, 18 year old Ellie Johnson always believed she would never be loved or wanted by anyone. She focused all of her attention on her grades and getting into the University of Texas to start a new life away from her mother.

The last thing Ellie expected was to fall in love with Gunner Mathews, a starting linebacker for the University of Texas football team and not to mention, her brothers best friend. 

Gunner only had two passions in life, football and his grandfather’s ranch, until he falls for his best friends little sister. He will stop at nothing to show Ellie how much he wants her, even if it means he has to move faster than she would like. 

Gunner knows they are meant to be together forever, but Ellie keeps denying her feelings out of fear of being hurt again. Every time he gets close to winning her love, something pushes her away again. Will Ellie ever be able to let go of the past and let him into her heart and will Gunner be patient enough to wait for her?

What will it take for them to realize they are all each other have ever WANTED?

After reading Kelly Elliot's books I can't stop seeking for New Adult stories with cowboys in them. 

Wanted is the first book in the Wanted series and is Ellie and Gunner's sweet, innocent and sexy love story. With hot men blowing our minds, dreamy Southern accents, lots of sexy swearing and with a distinctive cowboy touch, Wanted has become one of my favorite New Adult novels of this year. One of those which you cannot stop re-reading and wishing to never end.

Although Gunner and Ellie's love and attraction for each other started the very first moment they saw each other, they story is unique and you don't mind their insta-love. 

Ellie is the very representation of sweet and innocent girl who has had really bad luck in life. She's verbally abused by her mother since her father left them and she believes that no one's going to truly love her thanks to her mother's not-so-nice words. And her past relationships with boys doesn't help her change her mind.

Gunner is Ellie's brother's best friend. Jeff has never introduce his sister to any of his friends, not even Gunner, and has always warned that her sister was off limits. Gunner had no problem before. He had never seen Ellie before. But he just needed one look at her to feel drawn to her and start feeling things that he never felt before for a girl. He's not a boyfriend material, but Ellie, just by looking at him, makes him want to be everything she asks him.

Their relationship is a hard one. Life still has plans for Ellie and for Gunner and not everything are happy moments. Problems arise and Ellie's insecurities always threaten the possible epic relationship these two can have. Because what they have is a forever relationship.

I love that in the stories we get to see more than one point of view and specially in the romantic ones, and Kelly Elliott not only wrote Ellie's point of view, but also Gunner's. And also Ari, Ellie's best friend, and Jeff's point of view, too.

Although the plot was not a shocking one, I loved it and wouldn't change a thing about it. Is really easy to get into Ellie's and Gunner's head and each other have a very characteristic personality that grows and heals throughout the story.

What I loved about Ms. Elliot's writing style is that she knows how to bring a laugh from the reader at the perfect moment. The relationships that these four characters create in this story is a credible one that doesn't make you doubt a thing you read. You see the differences between the female characters and the male ones, and she always keep that teenage touch in the story reminding you the character's age. 

What else can I say? My Fictional Boys List has more names thanks to the Wanted Series and I can't stop thinking about Texan boys. 

Kelly Elliott brought the New Adult genre to another level and I'm beyond happy that I read Wanted after having it on my TBR for a long time now. Thank you to my friends from Goodreads and their opinions about this series.

The only thing that's left to say is that I adored this story so much that I read it in a few hours and that same night couldn't sleep without reading the second book. It became an addiction and I couldn't stop reading about Gunner, Ellie, Jeff and Ari. I needed more and that's why I gave this book four gorjuss dolls and a half. 

If you are a New Adult Addict, you need to read this book like right now. You're gonna love it!

And A Wanted Christmas Novella

And coming soon: Cherished (Wanted #4) by Kelly Elliot

If you want to know to which song is referred each song, click here. 

If you have not read Wanted yet do not go to the site, because the songs contain information from the book that could be considered as spoilers. 

Jessica Stroup as Ellie

Maxi Iglesias as Gunner

Ashley Greene as Ari

Jensen Ackles as Jef

Candice Accola as Heather

Taylor Kitsch as Josh

Barbara Palvin as Amanda

*Hot guy whose name I don't know* as Brad

What do you think, Book Addicts?

Kelly is married to a wonderful Texas cowboy who has a knack for making her laugh almost daily and supports her crazy ideas and dreams for some unknown reason...he claims it's because he loves her!

She’s also a mom to an amazing daughter who is constantly asking for something to eat while her fingers move like mad on her cell phone sending out what is sure to be another very important text message.

In her spare time she loves to sit in her small corner overlooking the Texas hill country and write.

One of her favorite things to do is go for hikes around her property with Gus....her chocolate lab and the other man in her life, and Rose, her golden retriever. When Kelly is not outside helping the hubby haul brush, move rocks or whatever fun chore he has in store for her that day, you’ll find her inside reading, writing or watching HGTV.