Effortless by S.C. Stephens
by Nash Albacea
Photo from www.goodreads.com
Effortless by S.C. Stephens is the second installment of Kiera & Kellan’s obstacle-filled love story. Still told in Kiera’s perspective, the book was actually a lighter read as compared to Thoughtless. Perhaps, I am all for the thrill of the “drum roll” and the exhilarating, breathtaking, mind-blowing ST of Thoughtless. Don’t get me wrong, the adult scenes in Effortless were so da-uhmn awesomemazing, but of course, there’s less tension since our love birds are now officially… love birds. Haha!
The synopsis of the book doesn’t say much about the story, but honestly, it’s all about history repeating itself–Kellan went off on a tour with the D-Bags and Kiera was left in Seattle. Again. Of course, being the hottest rock star out there (well, at least in that bunch of bands), it’s difficult not to be groped and ogled by desperate wannabes and groupies. That was one complication. Another was Denny’s back in town. Now we have an arena. Haha!
I must admit that aside from my constant addiction to read chapters after chapters, I was engulfed by the whole context of the book. For a while there (okay fine, the whole duration of reading it), I felt like I was Kiera. I felt like I was having a relationship with a hot dayum rock star who could just be taken to bed by any groupie. And as expected, I absolutely thought that at least one of them would cheat. My eyes were on Kellan, actually. Sorry, Bro. With that hotness level of yours, you were transforming ovaries into time bombs. I should know.
While our protagonists were trying to cope with a long distance relationship, only one song comes into mind: It Will Rain by Bruno Mars.
To realize what we used to have, we don’t have it anymore.
I think the beauty of the book is its bravery to expose realistic situations. For one, no matter how much two people are unconditionally in love, there will always come a time that they will somehow drift apart… gradually. Having doubts are inevitable. Cheating is compared to nothing nowadays (seeing as both characters have history in that department). It will happen regardless of their strong feelings for each other. And it’s up to them to revive or fix or rekindle what was lost, if anything was even lost.
“I can’t imagine what the time apart has done to us. I’m hoping we’re closer. I’m hoping we’re more in love than ever. I’m hoping that when I come back, you’ll move in with me. In all honesty, I’m hoping that when I come back you’ll agree to marry me someday. Because that’s what I want, what I dream about. You, mine, for the rest of my life. I hope you feel the same…because I don’t know what I would do without you. I love you so much. But, if for some reason we’re not closer, if something has gotten between us, please, I’m begging you…don’t give up on me. Stay. Stay with me. Work it out with me. Just don’t leave me…please.
I love you, always,
Kellan”
- page 365-366, Chapter 19
It shattered my heart after reading this note. I hadn’t expected Kellan to be the one professing this. He anticipated that something will happen, but he was convincingly sure of his feelings for her. If it were any guy, he could’ve just let go of Kiera. But no. Apparently, Kellan’s not “any guy.” He’s… unreal. I’m not even sure if such person exists. I can’t even imagine a love like this. It was astoundingly surreal. To beg someone to work it out and not give up while both of you are feeling that it’s almost over? That’s just too much. But if this happens in real life, then maybe hope still exists (in the eyes of us potential old maidens).
My only turn off was the ending. Yet again, like a child’s bedtime story, deus ex machina was applied in the last chapter. There’s just something wrong with “everything’s alright.” You just know it. Something has to be wrong. Because such is life. And we’re not in full control of it.
Nevertheless, silly or not, I think Kellan’s big gesture in the end was undeniably cute and romantic. If it were me, I would’ve preferred that kind of “ceremony” instead of the full prep. 
Needless to say, I am in love with the books. I am in love with the characters–except Griffin, okay. And I owe this to Ana for sharing these good finds with me. Love you, Anya!
#KellanKyleWithdrawalSyndrome starts now. Read, and you shall understand. 
