Review: The Secrets of Attraction by Robin Constantine

Title: The Secrets of Attraction
Author: Robin Constantine
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Age Group: Young Adult
Category: Contemporary Romance
Release date: April 28th, 2015
Pages: 384 (eGalley)
Rating: 3 out of 5
Source: Edelweiss
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Madison Pryce thinks she's got everything figured out—she's working on a portfolio for a summer art program and hanging with her friends. Plus she has her hot boyfriend, Zach. But then a visit from a family friend turns Maddie's life upside down. 

Jesse McMann is still reeling from a breakup that shattered his heart and his band. Then pride (and some goading from his bass player and fellow barista) forces him to find a new drummer—and the inspiration to write music again. 

Kismet arrives in the unlikely form of Grayson Barrett, who tries out for Jesse's band, and whose girlfriend is BFFs with the cute girl who orders a chai latte after yoga every Thursday: Maddie. What Jesse and Maddie thought they knew about the secrets of attraction and the rules of romance changes once they start falling for each other.

Relationships don't come easily for Madison.  She has an attractive boyfriend, but it doesn't go much deeper than making out during study breaks.  Madison finds it difficult to let anyone in, and it's not too difficult to understand why with her family history.  Jesse is the opposite.  He let someone in and got his heart broken in the process.  These two lost souls manage to find each other and quickly realize that they're each other's missing puzzle piece.

For the most part, I enjoyed reading about each of the characters.  I generally love books that switch point of views with each chapter.  That way the reader can get a closer look into each of their lives; it's more intimate being able to know what they're both feeling.  Madison's dad has never been a part of her life, and for all she knew, he was a scumbag who left her mom before she was even born.  The closest thing she knew to a father was her mom's best friend who stopped by every so often with treats.  When she discovers the truth, her entire life is turned upside down.

Jesse was my favorite character.  He struggled to get over his ex-girlfriend and to forgive his best friend for betraying him, which is something I can personally relate to.  Driven by that heartbreak to start playing music again, this is where Madison crashes into his life.  They both help each other face their problems and move on.  The romance was a little predictable, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.  I loved that Jesse and Madison did things for each other that they would have never thought to do for anyone else.

The Secrets of Attraction was sweet, but there was nothing that made it memorable for me.  By the end, I found myself skimming the pages just to get it over with.  While it's a companion novel to The Promise of Amazing, it can be read as a standalone, which is what I did.  I'm not sure if reading that before starting The Secrets of Attraction would have changed my opinion, but as of right now, I don't plan to reach for the first book anytime soon.