Whenever I read a book by a new author, it is like driving through the Iowa country side without a GPS device; you don’t know exactly where you are goWhenever I read a book by a new author, it is like driving through the Iowa country side without a GPS device; you don’t know exactly where you are going or if you will enjoy the journey. This ride was absolutely what I needed on Saturday…it was beautiful, well-written and warmed my heart! The story was about redemption and forgiveness. Sometimes forgiving someone is tough but not forgiving them is ever harder.
“It has been said that time heals all wounds. I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone.” – Rose Kennedy
Lauren was a great girl as a teenager and an adult! I remember, as a teenager, how hard it is to go against the grain and befriend people who others won’t. Lauren doesn’t let fear or judgement hold her back from becoming friends with Del, they guy everyone is scared of. I love when a girl/woman can think for herself but beyond that, Lauren was kind, thoughtful and patient. She was the type of girl anyone would be proud to call their daughter, wife, sister or mother. If she struggles with one things, though, it is relationships. For some of us, no love can compare to our first love and this memory mixed with heartache became a stumbling block in all Lauren’s relationships.
Michael did not have a great childhood and never felt like he was good enough, especially for a girl like Lauren. A secret ripped his family apart and it just kept crumbling after that. He dealt with it by getting in fights, messing with girls and putting forward a steel personality that kept everyone away. Deep down he really wasn’t a bad guy, he was misguided, or should I say unguided. When he stumbles back into Lauren’s life eight years later, he has simmered down considerably but he is still the same lost guy who now doesn’t think he deserves forgiveness.
“That night with you…Nothing compared to it. Nothing ever came close.” – Michael
I am not always a fan of books that switch from the past to the future every other chapter but in this one it worked for me. I felt like I was switching between a lovely YA bad boy romance to a heart-wrenching contemporary adult romance. Through both, it was easy to feel the mutual respect and admiration. There had obviously been heartbreak in their high schools days and I could not put this down, waiting to see what went wrong back then and how things would end in the present. If there was one thing I wanted to see more of, it was Lauren and Michael together in the present; it may be for my own selfish reasons since I loved their characters so much;)
Michael’s daughter Erin was adorable; I loved how she would bring them together, not knowing what she was doing exactly. She brought out a soft side in Michael that we had witnessed with Lauren in his younger years and I liked seeing that side of him. Adam was wonderful; he was incredibly romantic and charming. I wouldn’t mind reading more about him in the future.
I thought this was an excellent debut; it warmed my heart and left me wanting more! Oh, and by the way, the epilogue is perfect! ...more
The whole time I read this one, I thought this could be a movie. The writing was smooth and seamless, the dialogue was fantastic and it gave just enouThe whole time I read this one, I thought this could be a movie. The writing was smooth and seamless, the dialogue was fantastic and it gave just enough description and background to pull it all together. In fact, I was so into it, I have Matthew McConaughey cast as Aidan (he may be a little old but a younger Matthew would fit perfectly!) and Isla Fisher as Emma. This is one of my favorite reads this year! Why? It is hot, funny and very well-written. I could not stop turning pages and when I got to the last blank white page, I felt fifty shades of blue because it was over and left me with a BIG cliffhanger. (Katie Ashley, I need The Proposal like tomorrow, please!!!)
Emma is just the sweet, shy and a little sad. I understood her need to have a child, someone to love and love her back. Someone to fill the void left by lost loved ones. Her sadness over her inability to find someone to share in that dream was apparent and it was obvious she would go to great links to have a baby. If not for things that happened in her past, I may not have understood her need to have a baby in her life but I did. I respected Emma. I also wanted Emma to let loose and enjoy life without over thinking everything which she had a tendency to do. Really, she could use a man in her life with a little zip, a yin to her yang!
Aidan, I freaking love you! Okay, so there were a couple of minor things Aidan did that made me want to slap him on the back of the head and one major thing that made me want to throw more than a couple vases at his head but he was hard not to love. He was a great mix of arrogant, confident, sexy, funny and caring. For most of the book, Aidan was my dream man! He is a playboy, however, and doesn’t quite have this relationship thing down. He also had a way of ruining moments and shooting himself in the foot. I have an ongoing list of top five book boyfriends and Aidan wiggled his way right onto that list with his mix of alpha and humor…I could go on and on about Aidan!
Emma and Aidan were GREAT together! They are HOT together! I could not believe the things he did on their first night together and Emma could not believe it either. They were different, they had various levels on experience but something about them just worked. I didn’t want Emma to get pregnant (okay, I did but I didn’t) because I did not want her arrangement with Aidan to end. As much as Aidan did not seem interested in a relationship, he needed her and cared for her. And as much as Emma didn’t seem interested in letting her heart get stomped on, she wanted him and needed a little bit of Aidan in her life. I loved the moments when they babysit and when Aidan’s nephews came over. It was funny and showed Aidan’s ability to be everything he didn’t think he could be.
There really was nothing about this book I didn’t like! I think this was a wonderful Katie Ashley debut and she deserves all the success that comes with it. Will it be a movie? I hope so!!! ...more
As I sit here this evening eating unhealthy amounts of chocolate chip cookie dough (Abbi Glines will be getting my fitness membership bill this month)As I sit here this evening eating unhealthy amounts of chocolate chip cookie dough (Abbi Glines will be getting my fitness membership bill this month), I can’t.stop.thinking.about.this.book. Why? Well, I fell in love with more than a couple of characters, the story captured my attention from beginning to end and well, it threw my heart through the paper shredder. No, it stomped on it. Wait, I take that back, it ripped it out of my chest, stomped on it and threw it into the paper shredder. I didn’t think Abbi would ever top While It Lasts but this one blew it out of the park!
Blaire is a Southern girl who has been through more than one should ever have to bear in just a few short years. She is sad and has nothing but some clothes and a beat up truck when she goes to stay at her father’s house. In the first chapter, she pulled out a gun and I thought “Holy cow, this girl has some balls” but after getting to know her, I felt her doubts and weaknesses. She just wants to blend in until she can make enough money to move on and she doesn’t factor Rush Finlay into the equation…maybe she should have.
“You don’t want to know me. You may think you do but you don’t. I promise.” - Rush
Rush..WOW! I LOVED him. He could be an ass but it was an obvious defense mechanism. He was a protective, manly son of a rock God. Oh, and did I mention he has tattoos AND piercings? SWOON! He may not have always been forthcoming about everything but he was the type of guy who wasn’t afraid to speak his mind and go after what he wanted. I don’t think I can ever get enough Rush. I miss him…I want him back. NOW!
“Because I’ve had a taste and I’m not sharing. This isn’t just for fun. I may be slightly addicted.” – Rush
Usually, I read a book, holding my breath until the couple finally kisses or gets naked but Abbi has a way of creating so much sexual tension with body movements and banter than I could care less when the final firework show begins. She is absolutely amazing at what she does and in this one, she was at her absolute best! Blaire and Rush were so different from their childhoods to their sexual history that they made an interesting pair. They shared incredibly sweet moments mixed with incredibly sexy, off the chart moments. I loved every minute of this book, even the one part I really can’t talk about. *Sigh*
“I didn’t get a goodbye with my sister or my mom. Those were final goodbyes I never got. This final goodbye I needed. This one time between us with no lies.” – Blaire
The supporting characters, especially Woods and Grant, were excellent. They all had their stories within the story and were not just there to talk to the main characters; I want more of them. In fact, I am publically begging Abbi to give each their own story; I think they both have some fabulous characteristics. I also loved Bethy and her quirky personality; she was different from Blaire but it worked. Nan, well, I don’t really like her but I do feel bad for her.
Fallen Too Far is a beautiful story about forgiveness and redemption that will have you on the edge of your seat until the very last page! I can still feel the effects of this book and thought my eyes were going to pop out of my head when I read that it was the end and I would have to wait for their story to continue. I may not be able to pick up another book for a day or two and it is all Abbi’s fault. I can’t tell you how it all plays out but I will say it will leave you wanting and begging for more. Is it March yet?? ...more
I interviewed Maggi Myers awhile back and she told me her favorite quote in the book was simply “Pretty”. At the time I didn’t know where she4.5 Stars
I interviewed Maggi Myers awhile back and she told me her favorite quote in the book was simply “Pretty”. At the time I didn’t know where she was going with that and why that simple word would mean so much but now I do. The Final Piece was a terrific story about trauma, love, forgiveness, loss and strength. This book tackled the impact of molestation and, truthfully, I wasn’t expecting that level of hurt and pain in this book but Myers did it with taste. The character development was exceptional and storytelling ability captivating.
Beth feels like everything she had to give someone was taken from her. A person has so many firsts: a kiss, a touch, etc. What happens when you don’t get to choose who gets to experience those with you? Beth feels a lack of control and will do anything to get it back. She guards her heart with everything she has and when she finally finds someone worthy of taking it, she can’t be with him. She may feel like every piece of her is gone but the one thing she hasn’t given away. Her heart is hers and hers alone and she has complete control over it.
“I follow him blindly. I’d follow him anywhere.” – Beth
In the beginning of the book, we get to know a younger Ryan who likes to torment Beth but don’t all teenagers do that when they like a girl? I liked some of the sweet gestures like the concert tickets and how he could use a little humor to make Beth open up and feel a little more normal. Ryan grows to be a caring, determined and smart man and I think he was everything that Beth needed. He is Beth’s everything and Beth is his always. He could say so much with the one word: pretty.
“It’s all I have dreamt about for years. But I also remember how good it felt to have your trust. We were kids, but it was special, Beth. You were always special.” – Ryan
While Beth’s hurts outweigh Ryan’s, they both had lonely, painful childhoods and it seems to bond them. They both are looking for the something that is missing in their lives, the space that Tommy couldn’t fill but rather the space only true love can. This story grabbed my heart because of the number of years Ryan and Beth knew each other, the number of years they spent apart and what they had to endure to come back together. They stole each others hearts with a kiss ten years before and no matter how hard they tried, they could not get past their feelings for each other. I think it is easy to replace a first love when that first love falls apart but it is painful when the heart has no choice but to move on. These two had a love that withstood miles and years. They needed each other, their final piece.
“We are all broken in one way or another. It’s how we put those pieces back together that matters.” – Beth’s Mom
I loved Maggi Myers’ writing style and the way she covered so many years without making the book unnecessarily long. She included little flashbacks that helped me understand the characters and their past; she also tackled a very touchy subject with class and honesty. It was painful to read and I felt the emotions of a little girl who no one would listen to. A little girl who felt alone in her own home and longed for attention and love. Beth was a smart, beautiful girl who deserved all the goodness the world could give her.
I highly recommend this to anyone who likes emotional, yet sweet love stories. I promise the characters will capture your heart!
First of all, I need to run to the store and get some peaches and cream…I will be back shortly. What? You don’t want to wait? Okay, okay, I can go to First of all, I need to run to the store and get some peaches and cream…I will be back shortly. What? You don’t want to wait? Okay, okay, I can go to the store later. Anyway, I will admit that I was in a bad book mood when I started this one. I had read a few books before this that were just lacking in some area but, as I was reading this, my mood quickly improved. I LOVED it! Chemistry? check. Great plot? check. Strong characters? check. Angst? check. Great dialogue? check. Some of the best sex scenes EVER? check. It was a great balance of romance, angst, humor and drama all done with perfect pacing and exquisite writing.
Some readers may say that Lena is mean or the ever popular B word for a portion of this book but I would describe her as guarded, damaged, sad and lonely. There were very few people she let into her life and she uses her icy personality to push others out. If you love very few people, the chances of your heart being broken are pretty slim, right? Yes, but if she never loves, she may never wake up parts of her that have been sleeping since tragedy struck her life so many years before. What I saw rather quickly, though, was her kind heart and dedication to her job. The icy personality was her stiff arm, her shell but it wasn’t really her. She has lived with guilt and pain for nine years and it was going to take some heavy machinery to take down her walls.
Mason Langley, WOW! Mason is the town Casanova but it doesn’t mean that he isn’t ready to settle down if he can find the right woman; he simply hasn’t found her yet. I love when a male character shows both alpha and sweet tendencies and Mr. Langley had a great balance of both. He could be strong, demanding and take control one minute and then sweet, kind, and extremely loving the next. I wondered what he was thinking when he won the bet with Lena and selected a shower as his “reward”. Now when I say a shower, this was a reward without touching so Mason literally took a shower alone. Boring right? Umm, no, not at all. You definitely need to read this to find out what happened while Mason was in the shower ALONE. *fans self*
This is not a story of instant love. In fact, Lena gives Mason the stiff arm for some time and he has to work to crack down her walls. He can’t get the infuriating doctor out of his mind and it becomes very evident Mason doesn’t give up easily. I loved the realistic, entertaining progression of their relationship that was full of banter and some of the more unique ”love” scenes ever. I wanted to jump out of my seat whenever the two were together:
Sighing, she shook her head. “No, you know what’s a crying shame?”
“What’s that?”
Running her eyes over him, she said over the rim of her coffee cup, “That you’re all the way over there.”
Chuckling, he leaned back slowly, splaying his thighs apart and giving her an awesome view.
“Are you trying to get me to come closer, Lena?”
“If you need me to spell it out, then y-e-s.”
He stood and walked over to her, placing his hands on either side of her hips, then leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose. “You look really good in my work shirt.”
And there are so many great, hot, make-you-melt moments in this one, I can’t even begin to tell you. I loved Ella Frank’s writing style; it flowed well and the changes in point of view were seamless and helpful in conveying the story. The ending was not rushed at all and there is a scene toward the end that was pure beauty, really one of the most meaningful, breath-taking moments ever (code word: office). It was one of the many I will remember from this book for a long time.
The supporting characters were great additions, each with distinct personalities that added different spices to the story. I would love nothing more than to read more about these characters and I have a feeling Shelly and Rachel may have their own books at some point. Pretty please!
Overall, I thought this book was stunning, nothing but a long breath of fresh air! I highly recommend it!!! ...more
What I really liked about Disastrous was its mix of romance and mystery. This story went beyond a rich man falling for a woman and sweeping her off he
What I really liked about Disastrous was its mix of romance and mystery. This story went beyond a rich man falling for a woman and sweeping her off her feet; it added complexity with two damaged characters, the ever-present mob and secrets that, if they came out, could have serious repercussions. The story flowed beautifully mixing the sweet moments with angst, alternating at all the right times, maintaining my interest and playing with my emotions. I loved and understood the characters and didn’t want their stories to end!
Mia is a smart woman who attends Harvard law, knows how to invest and stays focused on her priorities but she has not mastered relationships. And maybe it isn’t so much she hasn’t mastered them but she hasn’t picked the right guys. Mia has been hurt too many times and the only way to safeguard herself from more pain is to build walls around her heart. Not only that, she has lost people who she was close to and now keeps a very low-key life. If she doesn’t love or let people in her life, she can’t lose them or be hurt by them right? This is true to an extent but she cannot be happy living this way, can she?
“Trusting people in general is hard for me. You have to understand I came from a life where it’s normal for the people you love and trust to just disappear.” – Mia
Marcus is a little different; he doesn’t do the whole relationship thing but something in Mia makes him want to give it a go. I liked that he was not an extremely controlling man like I have seen often in romance books. He had just enough alpha to make me swoon but his personality was not suffocating. Marcus reminded me of a little boy in so many ways; he was lost and wanted to cling to something. When Marcus loves, he loves deeply and I appreciated his love for his family and his growing love for Mia. Marcus isn’t perfect but I felt for him and understood his decisions.
“I chose me because of you” – Marcus
“you’re the reason for me living, you’re the reason I want to wake up every morning, and you’re the reason for my existence” – Marcus
“without you, there’s no reason for me” – Marcus
At times, their romance was like watching the most breath-taking scene from my favorite romantic movie and then, at other times, it was like watching a bus hit a smart car at 100 miles an hour. Their relationship wasn’t perfect but it was real. Imagine two people trying to make a triple layer cake; one has never baked before and the other has had many failed attempts. In other words, one has no clue what they are doing and the other is scared as hell. This was Mia and Marcus, the perfectly flawed couple and they had to work hard to keep it all together.
There were a few incredibly romantic moments in this book and the balanced the drama well. There were moments I thought they were falling too fast but when I got to know the characters and truly understand their pasts and all their little hang ups, I got it. I loved their little moments on their weekend getaway and in the rain. Their connection was measurable and when they were happy, I was happy. If they were sad or upset, I felt the same.
The supporting characters were great. I loved Jeremy and I might even have a little crush on him. He is cute, honest and a little bit of a manwhore. I can’t wait to see what happens with him in the next book. I also enjoyed Ella and Jimmie, Marcus’s niece and brother; I would like to see a romantic interest for Jimmie (hint!).
I relished in the uniqueness of this story and, after reading the epilogue, need book two pronto! I have a feeling things are about to get a little more suspenseful;)
Rock the Heart was a wild ride through a variety of emotional peaks and valleys. One moment I was happy and then the next I 4.5 Ulcer Inducing Stars!
Rock the Heart was a wild ride through a variety of emotional peaks and valleys. One moment I was happy and then the next I was so freaking mad I snapped at my husband who asked what time I would be starting dinner. Does he not know that when I am reading a good book I could care less about food? Then because I just had to know what happened after a fork went through my heart, I told him I had to “use” the restroom and snuck my iPhone into my hoodie, locked the door and read until my heart was beating at a normal pace again. I love books that do this to me even if my husband does not! Don’t judge…sometimes a girl has to do what a girl has to do to get some reading time! This book had a sweet and salty rock star, a female character I adored and great supporting characters. I loved, loved, loved it!
Lane is right out of college and working on accomplishing her dreams with a career in marketing. She isn’t a risk taker and tends to doubt herself but I loved her because she was NORMAL. She was a down to earth, great girl with the insecurities that most of us face at that age. Though she had doubts and insecurities, she still had amazing strength. She wasn’t a rock groupie or a doormat, just a woman in love with her high school sweetheart. The boy who was her first kiss, her first everything on the dock.
“You are going to be mine again, one day.” – Noel
Noel is a rocker and he loves his alcohol and can have any woman he wants. Now, I LOVE french fries with a chocolate shake and Noel was my sweet and salty;) He had the rocker edge and could be an ass but he could also be very cute and romantic. There was a point where his salt outweighed his sweet and I wondered what the heck happened to my Noel. Yes, I can almost guarantee that you will have a love/hate relationship with Noel!
“Because you and I both know this is going to happen. It’s only a matter of time before you give into me.” -Noel
I am a firm believer that first loves always hold a special place in your heart. This is true for Noel and Lane but their connection goes deeper than just first love, they are soul mates and compliment each other. They SIZZLE! Now, things did not end well for them back in high school but sometimes in life all we need is a second chance (I think I totally just added a line to a rock song to my review!). Lane has to let go of her doubts and risk her job to make this happen and Noel has to deal with life on the road and things from his past that he is not proud of. As I was reading this, I wanted and needed them to be together. They belong together.
I loved Riff, Trip and Tyke. I am not sure where Michelle got these names but they do fit in with the rock star persona. Trip and Tyke like the ladies but Riff REALLY likes the ladies. He has a little sweet spot for Lane though and even goes as far as to share his Oreos with her! NO ONE gets Riff’s Oreos! Aubrey was a great, supportive friend who was quite different from Lane. She wasn’t as scared to take chances and have a little fun. I can’t wait to read more about these characters!
Now, there is a moment in this one where I felt like someone took my heart out of my chest stomped on it and ran away with it. I expect a little drama in most romance books but WOW and WOW, I did not quite imagine it would be THAT. Yes, for a while there, I didn’t know if Michelle Valentine and I were going to be on speaking terms when I was done with this…How could she do that to me?? I appreciated the emotional roller coaster that was Rock the Heart! It was an exceptional debut and I cannot wait to read the second book in the series, Rock My Bed, which will feature Riff and Aubrey! ...more
One of the most AMAZINGLY written books I have read to date! Simply BEAUTIFUL! I have read a lot of books and I have a strong emotional connection to One of the most AMAZINGLY written books I have read to date! Simply BEAUTIFUL! I have read a lot of books and I have a strong emotional connection to a small percentage of those. The Sea of Tranquility is one that I felt deep done, igniting a cry session upon finishing. They were tears of both happiness and sadness and an overall wide range of things that were going through my head at once. Katja Millay left me swimming in a sea of amazing writing, some of the most well-developed characters I have ever encountered and a wide range of emotions that are going to linger for days. This book is not about a steamy love affair but rather the beautiful, meaningful relationship that develops between two people who are so damaged but need each other like their lives depend on it.
Nastja/Sunshine used to be so full of life, the girl with the magic fingers who loved the piano and excelled at playing it but that all changed. She died in more ways than one on a day when she had no other cares in the world other than recording the perfect piano piece. Parts of her survived while others did not but it is what she lost that kills her happiness and her love for life. Nastja does not talk but she communicates in the way she dresses, her actions and facial expressions. She would rather people think negative things about her than have to talk and answer any questions. I found her to be caring and protective of those she loved and strong when others thought her to be weak. She was a beautifully broken girl who just needed to hit her bottom, find her way and decide that life is worth living again.
Josh scares those around him and they would rather not deal with him and ignore the things he does than correct him. In a way, I felt he was screaming for help but very few people get close enough to hear him. Josh is a bit of a loner and after going through what he did, I completely understood why he wouldn’t want to get close to others. He is guarding his heart and after getting to know him, I knew the world was missing out because under the tough guy exterior, he was warm and caring.
Nastja is not intimidated by Josh and Josh is not thrown off by how she presents herself on the outside. Their relationship is a slow build, one that starts out with glances, a few words from Josh and then grows into this beautiful friendship that is built-in his garage. Josh spends a lot of time in there doing wood work and as Nastja joins him, it becomes their sea of tranquility. It is a place where they can each be themselves, not what others perceive them to be and what eventually develops is a strong connection that I felt deep in my heart. He makes her a chair to sit in when she comes to the garage that becomes a very symbolic piece, “I know at that moment what he’s given me and it’s not a chair. It’s an invitation, a welcome, the knowledge that I am accepted here. He hasn’t given me a place to sit. He’s given me a place to belong.” The writing and symbolism in this book are truly magical! This isn’t a book with a lot of physical interaction (there is some) but it is based on an emotional relationship. In a way, I like this book more so than a steamy romance novel because I feel it in places books rarely reach me and I LOVE when that happens.
The supporting characters in this book were superb. They were not there to fill space and they seemed to grow with Josh and Nastja. I was just as invested in their story as the two main characters. I have to talk about Drew just for a minute… I didn’t know if I was going to like him when I started reading but he is right up there with Josh. He isn’t damaged like Josh and Nastja but he is misunderstood and does things to keep it that way. I felt like I learned a little bit more about him as the book progressed and wanted nothing more than for him to find his own sea of tranquility.
The Sea of Tranquility is a lesson in how quickly people or things can be taken from us and how we need to embrace and cherish everyday we have them. A lesson in holding onto the things you do have rather than things you may have lost. It is a great piece of literature and there is not one thing I would change about it and I hope to read much more from this author. ...more
3.5 Stars I really like Trystan Scott;) He is easily one of my favorite male YA characters of all time with his bad boy persona, emotional back story a3.5 Stars I really like Trystan Scott;) He is easily one of my favorite male YA characters of all time with his bad boy persona, emotional back story and extreme passion! I like this series because it is a deeper, emotional story and the character development has been excellent!
Mari and Trystan are so alike yet so different. Mari comes from a two parent household and has everything money can buy but she also has lots of pressure on her to be perfect and get into the best colleges. When she interacts with her parents, they don't seem to see her as a person but rather a showpiece, something they can brag about. Trystan doesn't have much. His mother is gone and his father is less than ideal and like Mari, he can't wait to be on his own, to be away from his adolescent existence and truly begin to live his life. They are both feeling an empty loneliness that draws them together, even if they don't realize it.
Trystan is a bad boy who has been with his share of girls. It isn't that he set out to be this way but when he does it, it helps him forget everything that is going on around him. Mari is the opposite of Trystan in this department. She has not had much relationship experience and doesn't understand why Trystan has had so much. In this second book, I felt like she was beginning to understand him and hopefully that works in their favor.
They like each other but each struggles to put that in words. There is always something holding them back whether it be friends, family or miscommunications. They seem to need each other more than they realize and at this point in the series, I am so invested in these well-built characters that I want nothing but for them to get their happily ever after.
The only thing that bothered me was the length of the book. It was very short and alternates between two points of view with some scenes repeating in both POV's. H.M. Ward has proven herself to be a very talented writer but I wanted a little bit more after waiting a few weeks for this sequel. ...more
I am going to be completely honest and admit that I didn't even read the blurb for this book before reading. The cover spoke to me so I put it on my lI am going to be completely honest and admit that I didn't even read the blurb for this book before reading. The cover spoke to me so I put it on my list to read. The story line was not quite what I was expecting, in fact, it was better than I expected. There was scorching romance, a little angst and a surprise that I did not see coming (I have been told others picked up on this from the blurb but I did not! I think I liked it better because I didn't know.).
Olivia is a relatively quiet farm girl who is attending school in the city so she can return to her small town and help on the family farm. I liked that she was not agreeable and was not afraid to speak her mind. It was clear that she did not see herself as the beautiful woman who others saw her; her modesty only made her more appealing. If I had one thing I did not like about her, it would be the ease at which she fell into a love triangle and her lack of concern over some situations (sorry I cannot elaborate on this more without spoiling a couple of parts).
Cash is HOT, cocky, slightly arrogant and overall amazing. One minute he could be a bossy, control freak who went for and got what he wanted and the next he was completely sweet and generous, helping Olivia when she was in sticky situations. I really liked Cash but then I always seem to lean toward the bad boys;)
Nash was smart, successful, safe and everything Olivia thought she needed. I liked him and I thought he and Olivia could be good together but he is dating Olivia's cousin. I questioned his motives and his morals when he pursued Olivia while still dating Marisa but he was such a likeable guy, I let him off the hook. I had trouble holding his relationship with Marisa against him since she is a selfish snob.
Olivia is fighting her own inner demons that have been inserted in her head after dating all the wrong guys. They burn her and leave her heartbroken and for that reason, she has a hard time letting go and giving her heart away. This book was just as much about letting go of misconceptions from the past as it was about finding the right guy. I ended up liking Cash and Nash for different reasons and, therefore, I was ultimately happy with who she ended up with (not telling, sorry!).
I usually do not talk about love scenes in great detail *blush* but I loved the way M. Leighton wrote her love scenes in this book. They were not too much or too little but enough to connect me to the characters and the passion and chemistry that was between them. I thought they were really well written.
This is part of a three book series from what I understand and the epilogue left on a suspenseful cliffhanger. I need book 2 now and I have a feeling that this is going to become a little bit of a suspense romance type series which I love when done well. Bring it on M. Leighton!
Overall, I liked the story line, enjoyed all things love and can't wait for the next book in the series;)...more
Natalie Ward wrote a wonderfully beautiful, yet incredibly sad novel in I Love You to Death.
To say that this book made me sad would be an und4.5 Stars
Natalie Ward wrote a wonderfully beautiful, yet incredibly sad novel in I Love You to Death.
To say that this book made me sad would be an understatement. Natalie Ward had a way of wrapping me in her words so I felt them almost as if I were a character in the book. Each chapter began with a look into Ash's mind, her deepest thoughts and fears which seemed to set the emotional tone for what was to come. Natalie Ward can create beauty with words and she used them to set up this masterful but sad depiction of one girl's journey to let herself feel love again.
Ash is wounded, fearful, sad and drowning in guilt. She has been through so much and has convinced herself that everything that has happened is her fault. Since the book is told in her point of view and reads like a diary at times, I felt like I had a great understanding of her and what she was going through. She was hesitant to get close to anyone because she was certain it would cause their death but I think she was more afraid of losing another person she was close to. These past events have damaged her heart to the point where she thinks it would be better if she were alone for the rest of her life. Personally, if I went through anything remotely like her life, I would have the Great Wall of China around my heart. If you don't feel, you can't love and if you can't love, your heart cannot break.
Luke was perfect! He was so kind and understanding and had a way of being there for Ash without suffocating her. He made her feel like someone cared and slowly worked his way into her life by inviting her to things and making other little gestures to show he was there if she needed him. He seemed to know if he moved in too fast, he would lose any chance he had at being her friend. I don't think I would have respected him as much if he put the moves on a young woman who had just lost the love of her life and was glad he didn't. Oh, did I mention he sings and plays guitar in a band and bakes cupcakes? Yep, he is PERFECT!
This book felt so real because of the slow build in the relationship between Luke and Ash. He likes her but she doesn't want to be close to anyone. They eventually become friends and only then does Luke slowly hint at wanting more before making what I would call a grand gesture to ask for her heart. Ash knows giving her heart to him will probably have a not so happy ending but how long will she be able to resist? Is it better to love for a short time than to never love at all?
The books alternates between present and past events, telling the story of Luke and Ash and giving a glimpse into why Ash is the way she is. I liked getting to know loved ones from her past and connecting to their relationships and what it must have meant for her to lose them. It was incredibly sad and I think this might be the first book I have ever read where I shed a tear before I even hit 5%.
The only thing I would change is the number of occurences that ended in death. I was really feeling it and then after I had read through several misfortunes, it really started to wear me down. I would say I felt like Ash, guarded and unfeeling toward the end. Less would have given the book a little more realistic feel.
This is a beautiful, heart-wrenching story of facing fears and living for today. We can't predict what tomorrow will bring but we can enjoy every minute of today while we have it. I highly recommend it for anyone who likes an emotional, romantic story. ...more
I really enjoyed this YA Romance by H.M. Ward. It had some romance, dealt with raw, emotional issues and drew me into the character from very early onI really enjoyed this YA Romance by H.M. Ward. It had some romance, dealt with raw, emotional issues and drew me into the character from very early on. Collide is told in altering points of view, switching between Trystan and Mari which worked really well. As the reader I knew they had similar feelings for each other but both had their reasons for not pushing forward with those feelings. It helped me to relate to the characters and their storyline.
I fell in love with Trystan's character right away. He has swagger, a little bit of an edge that made him the type of swoon-worthy guy we all fall in love with. He comes off as a womanizing, trouble-maker but what others do not see is the incredibly talented musician who has gone through some very tough times at home. I couldn't help but feel for him; he has so much potential and raw talent but very few people in his life to nurture it.
Mari is different from other girls. She isn't part of the Let's-Follow-Trystan-Around Club and she sees a side of him that few get to see when she is helping him with his lines for the school play. Mari is more reserved than Trystan. She lives a life on the straight and narrow but she doesn't seem to be quite the good two shoes that Trystan thinks she is! Mari came off as a genuinely caring person and I think she is exactly what Trystan needs in his life after everything he has been through.
The more I got to know these two, the more I was convinced that they were perfect for each other. For some reason, bad boys were made to be tamed by good girls and good girls were made to tame bad boys. Trystan needs someone who sees him as more than a sexy accessory and Mari is the one girl who sees him as more than a sexy bed mate. There are so many walls that have to come down to make this happen and I am hoping the hammer is swinging in volume two!
Since The Secret Life of Trystan Scott is broken into volumes, each book will probably end with a bit of a cliffhanger (H.M. Ward writes as Ella Steele also and this is how the Secrets Series has been). I will say that this particular book ended just as things were getting good, I mean REAL good! It had come to a climax and I was getting so excited because something BIG was about to happen and then it was OVER! Don't get me wrong, it builds up anticipation for the next book but I would so love to devour this as one book rather than volumes. I want more, more, more and I want it now! ...more
The Truth about Faking had all the elements of a great YA book. It had a strong story line, wonderful characters and was clean enough for a teenage gi The Truth about Faking had all the elements of a great YA book. It had a strong story line, wonderful characters and was clean enough for a teenage girl yet entertaining enough for me! I read so many YA novels with damaged characters, which I love, but I also like this type which centers around relatively normal teenagers dealing with what life throws at them.
Harley (love that name) is a typical teenage girl. She worries about how she looks, finding the perfect boy who can give her that perfect kiss and wants others to like her. She is also the minister's daughter and lives life on the straight and narrow for the most part. She thinks she has her future all figured out and will one day walk down the aisle in her Greek inspired white wedding dress with braids in her hair, marrying Trent. Well, life through the eyes of a seventeen year old isn't always what it seems and she may soon realize not all dreams are meant to become reality.
Trent is a great guy; he is kind, considerate and very respectable. So many girls in school want to date him but he doesn't seem to into any of them. Then Harley finds out that he may like her after all and tries to sway him her way by fake dating the new guy, Jason.
Jason is the boy I would have fallen for in school. He has a great sense of humor, always listens and hears what Harley is saying, and has a playful quality. He does not fit into Harley's perfect picture; he swears, drinks, and drives a Gremlin. Through most of the book, this boy genuinely put a smile on my face!
Now, there are secrets being kept by several of the characters in this book that will have an affect on the outcome of the little love triangle. Besides Harley's relationship issues, she also has a suspicion that her mother is having an affair with her massage therapy student which seems ridiculous to everyone else because of Harley's parent's still very sizzling relationship. Harley soon learns things aren't always how they seem...
This book is a breath of fresh air and I would highly recommend it for anyone who is searching for a lighter, yet very entertaining read. I can guarantee you will fall in love with the characters while appreciating the Talbert Moore's writing style. ...more
After finishing Reason to Breath and Barely Breathing I feel completely out of breath. Rebecca Donovan played with my emotions like I was ivory and shAfter finishing Reason to Breath and Barely Breathing I feel completely out of breath. Rebecca Donovan played with my emotions like I was ivory and she was Chopin.
Barely Breathing was raw, heartbreaking and frankly, I was just waiting for Emma to completely lose it through a good portion of the book. The ending left me completely HANGING, I mean hanging! I think Donovan just stuck my hands to the monkey bars with some super glue and left me until she releases Out of Breath. If there is ever a character that deserves something great in his or her life, it is Emma.
While reading Barely Breathing, I realized how much Emma tends to base her choices on what makes others happy but those choices rarely make her happy and often time lead her to great pain. Emma still comes off as a very strong young lady in Barely Breathing but I keep waiting for her complete breakdown. I cannot imagine anyone going through all the things she has gone through, keeping so much inside and not seeking professional help. I was very proud of her a couple times when she did finally make some decisions that benefited her more than the other person but in the end she was still basing most of her decisions on others. If I could say one thing to Emma, I would say that you deserve the best and not to accept anything less than people around you who love and support you, want what is best for you. Open your eyes and see the goodness around you, embrace it, don’t lock the past up without working through it and look forward to and take control of your future.
Evan, I think I love you even more than I did after Reason to Breath. If I had to choose between Evan and Tom Brady right now, I would choose Evan and I am not even joking;) He gets Emma and loves her through the good and the bad. He is kind, warm and a soft place to land. He stands up for Emma and supports her and he is probably the most perfect boy/man I have ever read about. He says the most incredible things and I just wanted to take his cheeks in my hand and kiss him!
“I breathed for you… I begged for you to breathe with every breath I gave to you. I kept pleading for you to breathe over and over again. And then… then you did”
Oh, he completely melts me!
Emma and Evan just fit together so well. They are like puzzle pieces with different edges that fit together to form the perfect picture. He is her air when she needs to breath. She can make him laugh and smile. He is outgoing when Emma is a little shy. They can read each other’s feelings even if the other is trying to hide them. They are a truly picture perfect couple and I think they were made for each other.
Emma also became friends with her mother’s younger boyfriend, Jonathan, in this book. I didn’t know what to think about him at first; he could be incredibly sweet and caring but he also had a dark side that I didn’t know what to make of. He is one of those male characters that I usually want to fix or I want the heroine to fix but in this case, I didn’t want Emma to have anything to do with him because she is too broken to be a fixer. Two incredibly broken people often do not mix well!
Sara was still amazing and had a little romance herself. I grew to love her parents and Evan’s mom Vivian even more than I did in the first book. They are supportive and may be the only positive adult influence Emma has had since her father past away. I do not care for Emma’s mom, Rachel, at all. She is a definite me person and the complete opposite of Emma. Since Emma is prone to make choices based on what will make others happy, she often does things she shouldn’t to keep the peace with her mom and it ends up taking a little more of Emma’s breath until she is now barely breathing.
I am very anxious to get my hands on Out of Breath which is the third and final book of this series. I am hoping Emma can get a rainbow and a bucket full of happiness. She deserves it! ...more
Unravel Me was a very unique, very well-written story that I didn't want to end!
I was excited about this book from the first moment I happened upon KeUnravel Me was a very unique, very well-written story that I didn't want to end!
I was excited about this book from the first moment I happened upon Kendall Ryan on Twitter, began "stalking" her and found out what her book was going to be different from the usual! Really, nothing gets me more excited than a story with a different spice than any other book I have read has had. A woman meets a man with amnesia that has been charged with murder...sign me up! I really enjoyed Kendall Ryan's writing style; it was smooth and, at times, witty. The characters were well-developed and the story so intense that I wasn't ready for it to end.
Ashlyn seems to live a pretty boring life up until the point she meets "Logan". In my opinion, she has tried so hard to not be her father, she stopped living life to the fullest. Yes, she is a smart girl who will soon have a doctorate but the girl seriously needs to put the fun back in her personal life. I liked her independence and even though her childhood sounded less than ideal, she wasn't overly damaged or needy. She seemed more than willing to accept any love she was given but wasn't always assertive enough to take what she needed.
"Logan" is sweet, gentle and caring but he also has alpha tendencies. Let me be honest here..I love when a man is jealous without being JEALOUS and that is what he was. He could take control of things but he always put Ashlyn's feelings before his own which made him even more appealing. I can't imagine how scary it would be to one day not know my name or anything about my past. It was obvious that this was eating him up and his uncertainty left him feeling unworthy of Ashlyn and his feelings for her. Did he really kill someone? Did he have a family he couldn't remember? Really, would he ever be able to remember is past and, if he did, what would it do to his friendship and feelings for Ashlyn.
There was so much passion between the two and one may be inclined to say that "Logan" was drawn to Ashlyn because she was kind to him when everyone else saw him as a criminal but I did not lose sight on what a great human being "Logan" was. Even if he was not a great person pre-amnesia (I am not saying he was or wasn't:)), he is completely swoon-worthy now! Ashlyn didn't seem to have many friends outside of her best friend, Liz, and I think these were two lonely individuals who fit together perfectly, amnesia or no amnesia!
This book certainly had some surprises! Just when I thought a piece of the mystery that was "Logan" had been put into place, there would be another twist. If I could change one thing, I would make the book a little longer and expand on certain areas like "Logan's" time in the hospital and other parts that I won't specify because I don't want to let the cat out of the bag! Kendall Ryan is a great writer and if I could have just held onto the various emotions that went through the characters and then to me, this probably would have been an easy five. I cannot wait to read more from this author!
Overall, this is a great book for anyone looking for a distinctly different story line that features some mystery, crazy hot chemistry and a man who will make you drool! ...more
If you hate Leah, close your eyes for just a second. . . . I actually ended up feeling some sympathy for her. I never thought I would say it but I getIf you hate Leah, close your eyes for just a second. . . . I actually ended up feeling some sympathy for her. I never thought I would say it but I get her.
First off, I want to thank Tarryn Fisher for her out of the box writing style. The story is unconventional, the characters are dysfunctional and the unknowns are frustrating but I wouldn’t change a thing. Her words are beautiful, intelligent and captivating. If she ever stops writing, I am going to be the first one in front of her house with a picket sign!
While The Opportunist made me sad, Dirty Red made me angry and reignited my passion for a Caleb and Olivia ending. Tarryn Fisher grabbed my attention on the very first page. When was the last time my stomach hurt on the very first page of a book? Let me think..NEVER! The Love Me with Lies Series has strong character development and the emotional story I crave with twists and turns that set it apart from any other series I’ve read. I think I said The Opportunist was a trip down Lombard Street (the famous curvy road in San Francisco); Dirty Red was like jumping out of the top floor of a 50 story building and falling onto a trampoline. I thought I was going to die when I started reading the first page but by the end of it, I felt a little bit of peace and hope.
Where do I even start with Leah? Well, I absolutely hated her in the beginning of this book. I can’t say much without spoiling it but she did a horrible job in her new “position” that I wanted to beat her in a dark alley. She was vile, selfish and very unlikable. I actually stopped reading for a little bit because she was getting under my skin and making my stomach hurt. As the book progressed, though, I learned more about her past and I felt something for her. She didn’t have love or acceptance as a child and she learned to lie and manipulate in order to get what she thought was love. She has an obsessive love for her “perfect” Caleb and I feel sorry for her because she isn’t herself around Caleb or anyone really. How can someone truly love you if they never see you? No one ever made her feel like the real Leah was lovable. I think the real Leah is lovable; I hope she comes out to redeem herself.
I really loved Caleb at the end of The Opportunist but now I LOVE him. There was a time when I felt he picked Leah over Olivia in The Opportunist and now that I know more, my heart aches for him. I love how sentimental he is. I love how he loves his family. I love his maturity and demeanor. I really love everything about him. After both Olivia and Leah’s point of views, I see him as a victim of two women. One who he loved deeply but she couldn’t let go long enough to let him in and one who loved him and would do anything to keep him but who he didn’t love in return. He is in the middle of one big mess and he seems to be the only one who can clean it up.
Leah and Caleb have an interesting relationship. She loves him or the idea of him and it makes her crazy. Caleb on the other hand struggles because he can’t let go of his love for another woman. Caleb and Leah don’t belong together; there love is forced and manufactured. Leah needs someone to fix her but that someone is not Caleb. I can’t say much here without giving away more than I want to. I will say I was petrified that I would have to read Dirty Red sex scenes. I would like to thank Tarryn Fisher for not making me go through that!
A new character named Sam was introduced and I absolutely loved him! Leah met her match; he wasn’t afraid to tell her like it is. He added some much-needed comic relief to the otherwise dramatic story. What I found most interesting was how Leah was more herself around him. She may be judging him because he is everything she shouldn’t like but I think he is everything she needs. I think Sam could be her path to redemption if she ever let go of Caleb.
How did this book leave me feeling? Surprisingly, I felt satisfied. It’s strange to say that but it’s exactly how I felt. Maybe I was satisfied because I wasn’t staring at the microwave crying at the end of this one. Some of your questions from TO will be answered in this one. It will also create some new questions. I am hoping book three ends with happiness and contentment. If I can get those emotions out of this series, it will forever be in my heart and on my mind. I don’t know what it is about Olivia and Caleb but they have carved their way into my heart like no characters before them; it is just another testament to Fisher’s writing abilities. I am so anxious to see how it all ends in book three. I need it more than I need more my Starbucks mocha in the morning and I think there may be a few passionate little nut cases out there who would give a kidney for it!
This series is my favorite of all time! Tarryn Fisher is the most intelligent writer in romance (can I call it that?) and her beautiful words send shivers down my back. I am mad at her only because I didn’t come up with the idea first;)...more
Loading...
