This book was so much fun, I highly recommend it for a quick, feel good reading escape!
It's the kind of story that leaves you with a silly smile on your face and in a good mood after you finish reading.
Our heroine is sassy, smart, witty and the hero is the perfect sexy, swoony workaholic that is not very connected to the real life as he focuses on his startup company and has an assistent who manages everything else (even his personal life calendar).
So we have:
✔️one over-worked assistant who has had enough of her boss not taking her seriously or not realizing how much she has to deal with on the daily because of him (beside her crush on him obs). So when she's finally had enough and quits, she decides to go on a road trip and be a travel influencer.
✔️A charming, workaholic grumpy (with a side of sunshine) clueless boss, who finally realizes his life is a mess without her coordinating everything and decides to follow her to win her back (to work for him - what were you thinking?๐คซ). She reluctantly allows him to tag along but she doesn't make it easy for him along the way. ๐คญ
So we have forced proximity, How To Lose a Guy in 10 days (or a boss, in this case) theatrics, slow burn, grovelling, roadtrip via sketchy places shenanigans, walls coming down, yummy "what are you wearing?" tension and spice.
I breezed through this book in a couple of sittings, the dialogue, setting, adventures and emotions were so well done!
I really loved the trip and what it represented too. It brought a lot of awareness and character development that were inspiring.
๐Review copy provided by the publisher Entangled Publishing in exchange for my honest opinion.
I keep switching between Romance and Fantasy and I read multiple books at the same time, but I'm doing pretty good on my set goal for the year. If only I could stick to my planned TBR :))
And speaking of plans, here's a book I got a whim from the bookstore and ended up reading it right away, in 3 days tops. The Fine Print has been all over Instagram this year for Romance recs, so I had to see what was all the fuss about. And I was not disappointed!
I see now why this series is so popular. It's the perfect recipe for a Billionaire Romance and it's quite addictive! Reading it was not part of my September plan. I honestly didn't go into it with high expectations either. Billionaire Romance books rarely work for me (they hit too close to home to my younger, stupider years lol - spoiler: it doesn't end like that IRL), but sometimes you just need a modern fairytale with a fair amount of banter, unrealistically good characters, humor and spice to brighten up your day. And that's pretty much what this book was.
Despite my reservations, I inhaled it in a couple of sittings. I LOVED the dual POV (groveling is just different when you see the struggle and thought process behind it haha), the grumpy/sunshine vibe...and actually the entire vibe of the story! It was perfectly balanced, I loved the dreamy setting, the banter, the spice, the romancing, the not-over-the-top drama, the work and office theme, the competition... And obviously the hero. *sigh* His grumpiness was a fun treat and his love and possessiveness by the end were toe-curling delicious. Sometimes it was a fine line between him and total azhole, but I read for fun not to be picky lol.
Zahra is one of my most favorite heroines ever - actually, she is the kind of girl I like to read about. She is the sunshine to the billionaire grump, but she is also smart, witty, independent, creative and has this aura that pulls you in. In Rowan's famous words, "What is it about this woman, and why can't she fall in line like everyone else? It's like she shits sprinkles and consumes rainbows for sustenance".
And while most Billionaire / workspace Romance books have the same theme and feel, I loved the idea of a Disney-type of world, the cast of secondary characters, the background stories, the creativity and inspiration.
I know our summer TBR piles can be a little overwhelming and a lot of fun new titles are coming out lately, BUT I wanted to give a shout out to some books and authors that never failed in the Romance department, especially when it comes to fun, adventure and summer vibes. ☀️๐
So, from the series 'books/authors you should read at least once in your lifetime', I present to you... ๐
• Float Plan by Trish Doller (a story of self discovery, healing, new beginning, new chance at love; set on a boat at sea⛵️)
• That Boy Series by Jillian Dodd (one of my all times favorite series - and one of the most immersive, realistic and fun writing out there. I just LIVE with these characters when I read it; we follow these characters since they were kids, so we literally feel like part of the family)
• Suddenly One Summer by Julie James (one of the queens of women's fiction, strong characters and banter; I highly recommend the audiobook, it's almost like watching a Rom Com at the movies)
• Rythm, Chord & Malykhin by Mariana Zapata (we should all be familiar with Zapata's slow burn romance and charming characters by now, but with this one we go on tour on a bus with a band, so basically we get all the summer festival vibes + a romance story )
• The Field Party series by Abbi Glines (or anything she's ever written really ~ small town romance, sports romance, field parties, all the young, angsty and restless vibes - YA/NA romance)
• The Flat Share by Beth O'Leary (sweet, adventurous, hilarious plot and characters ๐)
Crank Wilson left his South Boston home at sixteen to start a punk band and burn out his rage at the world. Six years later, he’s still at odds with his father, a Boston cop, and doesn’t ever speak to his mother. The only relationship that really matters is with his younger brother, but watching out for Sean can be a full-time job. The one thing Crank wants in life is to be left the hell alone to write his music and drive his band to success.
Julia Thompson left a secret behind in Beijing that exploded into scandal in Washington, DC, threatening her father's career and dominating her family's life. Now, in her senior year at Harvard, she's haunted by a voice from her past and refuses to ever lose control of her emotions again, especially when it comes to a guy.
When Julia and Crank meet at an anti-war protest in Washington in the fall of 2002, the connection between them is so powerful it threatens to tear everything apart.
My thoughts: A Song for Julia was a truly special book. I loved Just Remember to Breathe, but there was something so much more powerful and beautiful and touching about this story! I read it in one sitting and it left me a little lost after I finished it. I mean, you know that 'book hangover' feeling us book addicts get from time to time, right? That's what this book did to me. And I loved it!
But let me start at the beginning. Julia is Alex's (the heroine from Just Remember to Breathe) oldest sister. We got a glimpse of her in that book too and it was enough to intrigue me. I had a feeling she had her own good story, so I was very excited when I found out Charles Sheehan-Miles was writing it. And it was better than I expected! So, we go back in time a few years, in the early 2000s, when Julia and Crank first met. She was a proper, rich, perfect girl, he was a punk singer with family issues and a band that was struggling. They were so wrong, and yet so right for each other!
There was something about her, though. Sexy as hell, but that wasn’t really it. I looked at her, and it was like she was ready to explode. I’d lived on rage and adrenaline most of the last six years, and when I looked at Julia, I thought I saw someone who understood that. (Crank)
Julia and her story broke my heart. She had a troubled past, a very dark secret and a scarred soul that no one even knew about. In the past few years, she's been a shell of a person, trying to do the right thing for her controlling parents who never understood or helped her, trying to live as best as she could given the circumstances. Always in control of her thoughts, emotions, actions and reactions, never letting her guard down for anyone or anything. But all that was about to change.
I’ve never liked feeling out of control. Not like that. I’d gone there once, head over heels in love, and it did so much damage to my life I didn’t think I’d ever recover. No way I’d ever go there again. Whatever else happened, I was in control of my life. No one else. Certainly not some formless emotion and lust that can take away who you even are. (Julia)
She has friends, a big family with many sisters, but she's closed off from all of them. And then she meets Crank and realizes there might be more to life than what she was having. There can be passion, there can be someone who understands you, there can be someone worth leaving your defenses down for at least for a little while. There can be someone worth facing your past for. Someone who is the opposite of what everyone wants and expects for you. Someone you didn't know you needed until you met him.
Julia and Crank meet at an anti-war protest, away from home, and they just click. There are all sorts of signs telling them they should stay away from each other, not to mention that she's the oldest daughter of an Ambassador, a very smart Harvard girl and he's a player and a struggling band singer who hasn't even finished high school, but their connection is too intense and different from everything they've had before to ignore. They spend a great day in Washington, then they attempt to put it behind them and get back to their respective lives.
My life didn’t have room for someone like Crank. And from what he’d said, his didn’t have room either. This was all a little off-key, out of place, almost as if it was someone else out to dinner with him, and I was playing a role. I almost never go out with guys. And I never let my emotions get ahead of my brain. But tonight, as we tried to wave down a cab to head toward Georgetown, I was feeling a little out of control. (Julia)
But like the fact that they couldn't stop thinking about each other wasn't bad enough, they kept bumping into each other (sometimes literally) back in Boston as well. And that's how their crazy, beautiful, heartbreaking story began. Their banter was awesome, their relationship had its up and downs, there were harsh truths and high emotions all over the place, Crank and his band cracked me up, I hated Julia's parents with a passion (especially the mom, ugh - if there's a ever a book titled 'Things a Mother Should Never Ever Do/Say to her Daughter', Julia's mom made sure to do all of them and then some), I really felt for Crank's broken family, but it was the story behind all that what really got me. A beautiful story about healing, compassion, fighting your past once and for all and putting it behind you, about caring and fighting for someone even when they keep pushing you away, about breaking walls, barriers, customs and expectations, about finding your way in life and about not giving up when everything and everyone keeps hurting you or pushing you around and trying to control your life choices. About taking risks, trusting your heart, but most importantly, about trusting someone else with it again. About seeing beyond the carefully placed facade, beyond rumors and appearances, about learning that what's underneath it all is special and worth loving and fighting for. About not letting guilt, hurt and fear dictate how you live your life. About truth, freedom, rebellion, fighting against the odds and taking control of your own life. About passion, music and special relationships. In short, this is a story about trust, hope, love and healing. A true life lesson.
I'm not going to get into details, I get teary eyed just looking through my favorite quotes and passages and thinking about everything Julia went through, but you have to read it. One of the most deserved 'happily ever after's I've read in a long time! Oh, and yeah. Alternative POVs - you know I'm addicted to two POVs stories. ;)
The writing is brilliant too! Even Julia's POV is very well done, you can feel all the emotions pouring out from the page and pulling at your heart strings. They both have unique, but realistic, powerful and easy to relate to voices and personalities. An all around amazing book!
Other favorite quotes:
It’s amazing how you can say a lot of words that are all true, and completely obscure the truth at the same time. I was an expert at that. I spend my life spinning a web of half spoken truths; an armor weaved of words that do nothing but hide who I am. He grinned and very gently shook his head. “Nothing to rebel against? Nothing at all?” “Nope,” I replied. Except maybe my mother, who controlled every moment of my life. But that’s more than I was willing to say. “That’s sad,” Cranks said. “Everyone should have something to rebel against.” (Julia)
This was different. It was very different. Everything I’d seen of Julia fascinated me. She was kind, and compassionate, and smart as hell, and she was also one moody bitch. Call me crazy, but that combination was one hell of a turn-on. I wanted to break her out of that shell and find out what she was like underneath. (Crank)
“What did you do to her? Why did she leave like that?” I took a deep breath and answered honestly. “I told her I loved her.” (Crank) *tear*
“ You need to know that I’d do anything for you … even kiss you goodbye and watch you go. ” (Crank)
Get the book: (the kindle edition is only $0.99!!)
I added the playlist the author set up for the book on youtube here. And here's a song I really liked and I think really captures some of the feelings in the book:
Review copy provided by the author Charles Sheehan-Miles and the blog tour host in exchange for my honest opinion. THANK YOU! P.S. Recommended for readers who also enjoyed Easy by Tammara Webber and The Sea of Tranquility by Kaja Millay. P.P.S. You can read it even if you haven't read the first book in the series.
Crank Wilson left his South Boston home at sixteen to start a punk band and burn out his rage at the world. Six years later, he’s still at odds with his father, a Boston cop, and doesn’t ever speak to his mother. The only relationship that really matters is with his younger brother, but watching out for Sean can be a full-time job. The one thing Crank wants in life is to be left the hell alone to write his music and drive his band to success.
Julia Thompson left a secret behind in Beijing that exploded into scandal in Washington, DC, threatening her father's career and dominating her family's life. Now, in her senior year at Harvard, she's haunted by a voice from her past and refuses to ever lose control of her emotions again, especially when it comes to a guy.
When Julia and Crank meet at an anti-war protest in Washington in the fall of 2002, the connection between them is so powerful it threatens to tear everything apart.
My thoughts: A Song for Julia was a truly special book. I loved Just Remember to Breathe, but there was something so much more powerful and beautiful and touching about this story! I read it in one sitting and it left me a little lost after I finished it. I mean, you know that 'book hangover' feeling us book addicts get from time to time, right? That's what this book did to me. And I loved it!
But let me start at the beginning. Julia is Alex's (the heroine from Just Remember to Breathe) oldest sister. We got a glimpse of her in that book too and it was enough to intrigue me. I had a feeling she had her own good story, so I was very excited when I found out Charles Sheehan-Miles was writing it. And it was better than I expected! So, we go back in time a few years, in the early 2000s, when Julia and Crank first met. She was a proper, rich, perfect girl, he was a punk singer with family issues and a band that was struggling. They were so wrong, and yet so right for each other!
There was something about her, though. Sexy as hell, but that wasn’t really it. I looked at her, and it was like she was ready to explode. I’d lived on rage and adrenaline most of the last six years, and when I looked at Julia, I thought I saw someone who understood that. (Crank)
Julia and her story broke my heart. She had a troubled past, a very dark secret and a scarred soul that no one even knew about. In the past few years, she's been a shell of a person, trying to do the right thing for her controlling parents who never understood or helped her, trying to live as best as she could given the circumstances. Always in control of her thoughts, emotions, actions and reactions, never letting her guard down for anyone or anything. But all that was about to change.
I’ve never liked feeling out of control. Not like that. I’d gone there once, head over heels in love, and it did so much damage to my life I didn’t think I’d ever recover. No way I’d ever go there again. Whatever else happened, I was in control of my life. No one else. Certainly not some formless emotion and lust that can take away who you even are. (Julia)
She has friends, a big family with many sisters, but she's closed off from all of them. And then she meets Crank and realizes there might be more to life than what she was having. There can be passion, there can be someone who understands you, there can be someone worth leaving your defenses down for at least for a little while. There can be someone worth facing your past for. Someone who is the opposite of what everyone wants and expects for you. Someone you didn't know you needed until you met him.
Julia and Crank meet at an anti-war protest, away from home, and they just click. There are all sorts of signs telling them they should stay away from each other, not to mention that she's the oldest daughter of an Ambassador, a very smart Harvard girl and he's a player and a struggling band singer who hasn't even finished high school, but their connection is too intense and different from everything they've had before to ignore. They spend a great day in Washington, then they attempt to put it behind them and get back to their respective lives.
My life didn’t have room for someone like Crank. And from what he’d said, his didn’t have room either. This was all a little off-key, out of place, almost as if it was someone else out to dinner with him, and I was playing a role. I almost never go out with guys. And I never let my emotions get ahead of my brain. But tonight, as we tried to wave down a cab to head toward Georgetown, I was feeling a little out of control. (Julia)
But like the fact that they couldn't stop thinking about each other wasn't bad enough, they kept bumping into each other (sometimes literally) back in Boston as well. And that's how their crazy, beautiful, heartbreaking story began. Their banter was awesome, their relationship had its up and downs, there were harsh truths and high emotions all over the place, Crank and his band cracked me up, I hated Julia's parents with a passion (especially the mom, ugh - if there's a ever a book titled 'Things a Mother Should Never Ever Do/Say to her Daughter', Julia's mom made sure to do all of them and then some), I really felt for Crank's broken family, but it was the story behind all that what really got me. A beautiful story about healing, compassion, fighting your past once and for all and putting it behind you, about caring and fighting for someone even when they keep pushing you away, about breaking walls, barriers, customs and expectations, about finding your way in life and about not giving up when everything and everyone keeps hurting you or pushing you around and trying to control your life choices. About taking risks, trusting your heart, but most importantly, about trusting someone else with it again. About seeing beyond the carefully placed facade, beyond rumors and appearances, about learning that what's underneath it all is special and worth loving and fighting for. About not letting guilt, hurt and fear dictate how you live your life. About truth, freedom, rebellion, fighting against the odds and taking control of your own life. About passion, music and special relationships. In short, this is a story about trust, hope, love and healing. A true life lesson.
I'm not going to get into details, I get teary eyed just looking through my favorite quotes and passages and thinking about everything Julia went through, but you have to read it. One of the most deserved 'happily ever after's I've read in a long time! Oh, and yeah. Alternative POVs - you know I'm addicted to two POVs stories. ;)
The writing is brilliant too! Even Julia's POV is very well done, you can feel all the emotions pouring out from the page and pulling at your heart strings. They both have unique, but realistic, powerful and easy to relate to voices and personalities. An all around amazing book!
Other favorite quotes:
It’s amazing how you can say a lot of words that are all true, and completely obscure the truth at the same time. I was an expert at that. I spend my life spinning a web of half spoken truths; an armor weaved of words that do nothing but hide who I am.
He grinned and very gently shook his head. “Nothing to rebel against? Nothing at all?”
“Nope,” I replied. Except maybe my mother, who controlled every moment of my life. But that’s more than I was willing to say.
“That’s sad,” Cranks said. “Everyone should have something to rebel against.” (Julia)
This was different. It was very different. Everything I’d seen of Julia fascinated me. She was kind, and compassionate, and smart as hell, and she was also one moody bitch. Call me crazy, but that combination was one hell of a turn-on. I wanted to break her out of that shell and find out what she was like underneath. (Crank)
“What did you do to her? Why did she leave like that?”
I took a deep breath and answered honestly.
“I told her I loved her.” (Crank) *tear*
“
You need to know that I’d do anything for you … even kiss you goodbye and watch you go.
”
(Crank)
Get the book: (the kindle edition is only $0.99!!)
I added the playlist the author set up for the book on youtube here. And here's a song I really liked and I think really captures some of the feelings in the book:
Review copy provided by the author Charles Sheehan-Miles and the blog tour host in exchange for my honest opinion. THANK YOU! P.S. Recommended for readers who also enjoyed Easy by Tammara Webber and The Sea of Tranquility by Kaja Millay. P.P.S. You can read it even if you haven't read the first book in the series.
The day Preston Drake figured out that wealthy women paid well for a set of tight abs and a pretty face his life turned around.
The run down rat-infested trailer he had shared with his alcoholic mother and three younger siblings was now only a place he visited to pay the bills and stock the pantry with food.
He no longer worried about his family starving or living without electricity. The money he made entertaining rich older women more than covered his family’s needs and his own. He had it all figured out. Except…
There was this girl.
She was as innocent as he was tainted.
Amanda Hardy wished her knees didn’t get weak when Preston walked into a room. She hated the fact her heart raced when he flashed his smile in her direction. He had a different girl in his bed every night. He was the kind of boy a smart girl ran from. So, why was she coming up with ways to get close to him? Even when it was obvious he wanted to keep her at a distance.
Maybe her heart knew something the world didn’t. Maybe Preston Drake was more than just a pretty face.
I'm keeping these reviews short and sweet, because that's what these books are for me: short and sweet one-sit-reads that always put me in a good mood. I love Abbi Glines' writing and her books always melt my heart and put a smile on my face. It's kind of amazing the amount of emotions her characters and their stories make me feel in such a short time!
Just for Now was one of my most anticipated releases of the season. I love this series and this group we've been following since book #1 and I've been dying to get Preston's entire story since book #2 (or was it book #1? Hmm, I don't know, but I've always been intrigued by him and believed there was a good story right there. And I was right.) He was funny, charming and a real player - but somehow different than Cage. And I was happy when I realized that Amanda was going to be the girl to get under his skin and show us what was behind those walls of his, but, considering what we knew of Amanda and his history, my first thought was 'Uh-oh. This one is going to be tricky'.
Amanda is Marcus' (Preston's best friend we met in book #2) sweet and innocent little sister, which means she's totally off limits for him. Besides, considering his life style, she's way out of his league. But the attraction between them is undeniable so maybe, just maybe, it could work between them? But at what cost?
The guys were my family, but Marcus was my brother. Blood didn’t matter. He’d cared when no one else had known there was something to care about. I had to let this fascination I had with his sister go.
It's been a while since I read the previous books, but I think I was more emotionally connected with this one and these characters. My heart broke for them even from the beginning, when something meant to happen for a long time didn't go as it was supposed to. I really felt for Amanda, and even though sometimes I just wanted to reach into the book and shake her, to scream at her to be stronger, most of the time I just wanted to hug her, to support her and cheer her on, because if anyone could work things out and be happy with Preston, it was her. Especially when everyone on Earth and their sister kept warning her away from him and trying to get in their way or to control her life. Grrr! But she was stronger than everyone else thought. She was sweet, selfless and caring and warmed up to Preston and his family's life easily.
For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel alone. (Preston)
Willow sighed. “She’ll need room to breathe soon enough, Marcus. You can love her and care about her while you stand back and let her make her own decisions. She isn’t the little girl you took care of all your life. She’s a big girl now. Don’t forget that.” (Did I ever mention that Willow is my favorite heroine in this series? Yup, she still is. )
Amanda always had feelings for Preston and his behavior hurt her many times. Not to mention that she had to keep everything to herself, because she never wanted to ruin Preston's relationship with her brother and she thought Preston would never notice her. Not the way she craved for, anyway. But even when she started acting on those feeling and fighting for the man she loved, things didn't get easier. There were lots of complications, insecurities and hurt feelings on both sides.
Manda was different. She made me feel things. Things I’d prayed I’d never experience, because acting on them would be impossible.
Preston stared at me a moment, and then a small smile touched his lips for the first time today. I was so happy to see that smile. “You’re amazing, and you don’t even know it.”
There was passion, but there was also pain. There was hope, but there was also hopelessness. There was love, but there was also betrayal. There were tears, but there were also smiles and moments of joy. Such a beautiful, emotional story!
Anyway, I love Preston! He's sweet, charming, protective, incredibly hot and has a wicked sense of humor. What else could a girl ask for?:D Yes, he has his secrets and all, but he's a survivor and a fighter and will stop at nothing when it comes to the people he loves and their well being. Opening up to Amanda and believing in their relationship was probably one of the hardest things for him to do. His story was heartbreaking, but I loved the way he and Amanda clicked by the end. And OMG! That chemistry, that passion! Phew, despite their issues and bumps in the road, their relationship was hot and intense! Really, this book was a major swoon-fest! (not suited for a YA audience, btw).
I loved that all the previous couples made an appearance as well, I missed them. :) I just love this group and how close they all are! And I know we're getting back to Cage and Eva for the next book (eep!), but I wouldn't mind it if Jason and Dewayne got their own stories after that either. ;)
I have yet to read a book by Abbi Glines and be disappointed. Every time I finish one of her books, I think the next one can't get any better than that. And then she writes a story like this one and I'm blown away all over again! I'm looking forward to the next one!
Other favorite quotes:
I didn’t want to keep my distance. I might not get to have her again, but I liked being near her. She made me happy. She made the darkness not seem too smothering. “I want to be friends,” I explained, watching her chew her bottom lip nervously.
“I’ll be good. I promise. I’ll be the best damn friend you’ve ever had.” His voice had lowered into a husky whisper. I shivered from the sexy sound. (...)
“Friends don’t get this close, Preston,” I said, and I started to take a step back when he pulled me tightly against him. “No, Manda, they don’t. But I can’t stop wanting you close. Can we be close friends?” He asked, lowering his head until his warm breath tickled my ear. Closing my eyes tightly, I grabbed his arms to keep myself steady. What was he doing? “I like you close. Real close.”
“Nothing about this thing we have is a bad thing. I’m not gonna lie about it: I don’t deserve you. I’m sure as hell not good enough for you, but as long as you want me, I’m all yours.”
He smiled and lowered his head until his lips hovered over mine. “I love you with a scary, insane, wild, amazing love. I always will. No one else could ever make me feel this way.”
The day Preston Drake figured out that wealthy women paid well for a set of tight abs and a pretty face his life turned around.
The run down rat-infested trailer he had shared with his alcoholic mother and three younger siblings was now only a place he visited to pay the bills and stock the pantry with food.
He no longer worried about his family starving or living without electricity. The money he made entertaining rich older women more than covered his family’s needs and his own. He had it all figured out. Except…
There was this girl.
She was as innocent as he was tainted.
Amanda Hardy wished her knees didn’t get weak when Preston walked into a room. She hated the fact her heart raced when he flashed his smile in her direction. He had a different girl in his bed every night. He was the kind of boy a smart girl ran from. So, why was she coming up with ways to get close to him? Even when it was obvious he wanted to keep her at a distance.
Maybe her heart knew something the world didn’t. Maybe Preston Drake was more than just a pretty face.
I'm keeping these reviews short and sweet, because that's what these books are for me: short and sweet one-sit-reads that always put me in a good mood. I love Abbi Glines' writing and her books always melt my heart and put a smile on my face. It's kind of amazing the amount of emotions her characters and their stories make me feel in such a short time!
Just for Now was one of my most anticipated releases of the season. I love this series and this group we've been following since book #1 and I've been dying to get Preston's entire story since book #2 (or was it book #1? Hmm, I don't know, but I've always been intrigued by him and believed there was a good story right there. And I was right.) He was funny, charming and a real player - but somehow different than Cage. And I was happy when I realized that Amanda was going to be the girl to get under his skin and show us what was behind those walls of his, but, considering what we knew of Amanda and his history, my first thought was 'Uh-oh. This one is going to be tricky'.
Amanda is Marcus' (Preston's best friend we met in book #2) sweet and innocent little sister, which means she's totally off limits for him. Besides, considering his life style, she's way out of his league. But the attraction between them is undeniable so maybe, just maybe, it could work between them? But at what cost?
The guys were my family, but Marcus was my brother. Blood didn’t matter. He’d cared when no one else had known there was something to care about. I had to let this fascination I had with his sister go.
It's been a while since I read the previous books, but I think I was more emotionally connected with this one and these characters. My heart broke for them even from the beginning, when something meant to happen for a long time didn't go as it was supposed to. I really felt for Amanda, and even though sometimes I just wanted to reach into the book and shake her, to scream at her to be stronger, most of the time I just wanted to hug her, to support her and cheer her on, because if anyone could work things out and be happy with Preston, it was her. Especially when everyone on Earth and their sister kept warning her away from him and trying to get in their way or to control her life.
Grrr! But she
was stronger than everyone else thought. She was sweet, selfless and caring and warmed up to Preston and his family's life easily.
For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel alone. (Preston)
Willow sighed. “She’ll need room to breathe soon enough, Marcus. You can love her and care about her while you stand back and let her make her own decisions. She isn’t the little girl you took care of all your life. She’s a big girl now. Don’t forget that.” (Did I ever mention that Willow is my favorite heroine in this series? Yup, she still is. )
Amanda always had feelings for Preston and his behavior hurt her many times. Not to mention that she had to keep everything to herself, because she never wanted to ruin Preston's relationship with her brother and she thought Preston would never notice her. Not the way she craved for, anyway. But even when she started acting on those feeling and fighting for the man she loved, things didn't get easier. There were lots of complications, insecurities and hurt feelings on both sides.
Manda was different. She made me feel things. Things I’d prayed I’d never experience, because acting on them would be impossible.
Preston stared at me a moment, and then a small smile touched his lips for the first time today. I was so happy to see that smile. “You’re amazing, and you don’t even know it.”
There was passion, but there was also pain. There was hope, but there was also hopelessness. There was love, but there was also betrayal. There were tears, but there were also smiles and moments of joy. Such a beautiful, emotional story!
Anyway, I love Preston! He's sweet, charming, protective, incredibly hot and has a wicked sense of humor. What else could a girl ask for?:D Yes, he has his secrets and all, but he's a survivor and a fighter and will stop at nothing when it comes to the people he loves and their well being. Opening up to Amanda and believing in their relationship was probably one of the hardest things for him to do. His story was heartbreaking, but I loved the way he and Amanda clicked by the end. And OMG! That chemistry, that passion! Phew, despite their issues and bumps in the road, their relationship was hot and intense! Really, this book was a major swoon-fest! (not suited for a YA audience, btw).
I loved that all the previous couples made an appearance as well, I missed them. :) I just love this group and how close they all are! And I know we're getting back to Cage and Eva for the next book (eep!), but I wouldn't mind it if Jason and Dewayne got their own stories after that either. ;)
I have yet to read a book by Abbi Glines and be disappointed. Every time I finish one of her books, I think the next one can't get any better than that. And then she writes a story like this one and I'm blown away all over again! I'm looking forward to the next one!
Other favorite quotes:
I didn’t want to keep my distance. I might not get to have her again, but I liked being near her. She made me happy. She made the darkness not seem too smothering. “I want to be friends,” I explained, watching her chew her bottom lip nervously.
“I’ll be good. I promise. I’ll be the best damn friend you’ve ever had.” His voice had lowered into a husky whisper. I shivered from the sexy sound. (...)
“Friends don’t get this close, Preston,” I said, and I started to take a step back when he pulled me tightly against him. “No, Manda, they don’t. But I can’t stop wanting you close. Can we be close friends?” He asked, lowering his head until his warm breath tickled my ear. Closing my eyes tightly, I grabbed his arms to keep myself steady. What was he doing? “I like you close. Real close.”
“Nothing about this thing we have is a bad thing. I’m not gonna lie about it: I don’t deserve you. I’m sure as hell not good enough for you, but as long as you want me, I’m all yours.”
He smiled and lowered his head until his lips hovered over mine. “I love you with a scary, insane, wild, amazing love. I always will. No one else could ever make me feel this way.”
From the bestselling author of Pulled and Take This Regret comes a gripping new tale of loss and love.
William has spent six years running from his past and the last eight months trying to rid his mind of the dreams that increasingly haunt his nights. Trapped in a world of false ambitions and feigned affections, William knows he’s reached a breaking point and something’s going to give.
Maggie had lived her entire life without hope until one man showed her what it meant to be loved. He’d been her light in a lifetime of darkness. Six years ago, that darkness stole him away. Without him, she’s surrendered herself to an existence she doesn’t know how to escape.
When the family William left behind is struck by tragedy, he is called back to the one place he’s sworn to never return to again.
In a moment that will change his life forever, William comes face to face with the girl who, with one look, captured his heart. He is unable to ignore the buried desires and the hope for the future they’d once believed they’d have.
Now William is ready to fight to take back what had been stolen from him six years before.
But he never imagined what that fight might cost him.
A.L. Jackson gives you an intimate look into the lives of a family bound by an unseen connection in this new contemporary romance.
My thoughts:
Wow! I knew from my fellow bloggers and from the snippets and teasers I read while stalking A.L. Jackson in the interwebs that she was an incredibly talented author, but I never imagined that I'd be so touched and captivated by her words! This was such an emotional, beautiful, heart-melting story! And when I think Contemporary Romance (with Thriller and Supernatural twists or not), this is the kind of story that comes to mind. An engrossing story that makes you feel for the characters, sympathize with them, wish them the best and be with them every step of the way on their journey toward happiness! When We Collide was, indeed, mostly a heartbreaking story, but it was also so full of beautiful and uplifting emotions, love and hope for a HEA! It was also very realistic - everything the characters went through could happen to anyone, anytime, and I only wish people would find their way to redemption, forgiveness and healing just like these characters did.
At the beginning of the story, we see Maggie and William years after they broke up, living in different parts of the country and trying to have normal lives. They're not happy, but they do the best they can, given their circumstances. (and yes, two POVs again. I'm addicted to books with in alternative POVs.)
But then tragedy strikes William's family and he has to come back to his hometown, to deal with his family problems and face his past. And when he runs into Maggie, he realizes not only that his love for her is as strong as ever, but also that there might be something much more powerful tying them together.
But William had always made me feel alive, and there was nothing I could do to shield myself from that light now. I felt everything. His anger, my shame, the love for him I’d kept stored up and buried so deep inside—a flicker of his before it had been chased away by his disgust. It all culminated in a searing, scorching burn.
The worst part of it all was that gnawing in the pit of my stomach. It was the same familiar ache I’d tried to bury and stamp out beneath years of work and faked satisfaction, a need that glowed bright, unearthed and exposed. I loved Maggie now as much as I did the day she walked out of my life.
And this time around, he decides to stay and fight for what he lost, to make up for the mistakes of the past and the time he stayed away from the woman he loves. We get to see who they become, when, why and how they changed throughout their time away from each other and after they reunited, and through flash backs of their past together, we relieve their love story and see the unraveling of the events that led to their heartbreaking separation.
Cupping her face, I pulled away and stared down at her. Her eyes were all brown misery and love and shame, and the most wistful of smiles hinted on her swollen lips. Timid fingertips traced my face, as if to remember—to memorize—something to take with her when she walked away. Chills followed in their wake, an aching loss across my skin, torment I didn’t think I’d survive. Her touch spoke of it—of giving in and letting go—but her eyes were so sad, I knew she never would. (*flashback)
I have to say that I was pulled into the story right from the start and I read it in one siting. Everything the characters went through broke my heart and I may or may not have shed a few tears, but I couldn't wait for all the heartache to pass and to get to the happy ending everyone deserved. But this wasn't just a love story, it also has mystery, suspense, a few seriously scary moments and many layers; A.L. touched subjects as abuse, controlling relationships, rape, trauma, jealousy, betrayal, family problems and even death, but the main focus were the love, forgiveness, healing, innocence, warmth and strength that, by the end, gave a positive and inspiring feeling to the story. When the epilogue came, I just wanted to jump around the room and cheer for the main characters, to take them home and hug them. :)
A shiver that rolled through Maggie was palpable even to me. I wound my arms around her and pulled her flush, my palms flat on her stomach. Cheek to cheek. Skin to skin. I burned. I ran my nose up her jaw and whispered in her ear, “I don’t know how to stop loving you.”
Like I said, everything was very realistic, so it was easy to connect with the characters and to relate to them. They were flawed, confused, insecure and some of their choices were not that great, but they were totally understandable. They gathered strength, courage and hope as the story progressed and they came out the other side of their drama and troubled past if not completely healed, at least with the faith that things would finally work out for them and their family. I would have liked to see more of their happy times together when they were younger, but we got to see how strong and powerful their love was now.
But all this time, I knew him. I knew the kindness and the goodness. None of what I felt was a result of my past or anything I’d been through in my life. I wasn’t clinging to William as a savior or blinded by the circumstances. Underneath all the scars that lined my body and lined my soul, William saw me. And he loved me as much as I loved him.
Other favorite quotes:
Every inch of my body bristled in awareness, filled me with a need that was so much more than just latent desire. What was it about her? Yeah, she was gorgeous, undoubtedly someone who would have turned my head had I passed her on the street. But she gripped me deeper than that. Maybe it was who she was, the mystery surrounding this girl’s life, the need I saw on her face. The innate need I felt to protect her. Yet I’d been captured by her before I even knew who she was. Whatever it was that drew me to her, I knew I wanted it all.
Yeah, I knew she was broken, knew no matter where she ended up in life, her past would always be there to haunt her, knew she had so much to overcome. But I also knew, underneath it all, she was strong. I saw it in her eyes and felt it in her spirit. I knew she was kind and good, knew she was beautiful. And I knew I was never going to stop loving her.
William had been perfect, a gift. He’d changed me, deeply and in every way. When he found me, I was scared and insecure, and while those things still remained, they never looked the same. Every part of me had William written on it, the way I thought and what I saw. What I desired and where my dreams laid.
The writing style is absolutely stunning! (As you can see in these quotes.) A. L. Jackson has such an amazing way of describing intense feelings and raw emotions, that you can't not be touched by her words! I was completely captivated by this story and I'm looking forward to reading more of her books!
***
About the author:
A.L. Jackson first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student. She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.
Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three beautiful children. Her favorite pastime is spending time with the ones she loves.
From the bestselling author of Pulled and Take This Regret comes a gripping new tale of loss and love.
William has spent six years running from his past and the last eight months trying to rid his mind of the dreams that increasingly haunt his nights. Trapped in a world of false ambitions and feigned affections, William knows he’s reached a breaking point and something’s going to give.
Maggie had lived her entire life without hope until one man showed her what it meant to be loved. He’d been her light in a lifetime of darkness. Six years ago, that darkness stole him away. Without him, she’s surrendered herself to an existence she doesn’t know how to escape.
When the family William left behind is struck by tragedy, he is called back to the one place he’s sworn to never return to again.
In a moment that will change his life forever, William comes face to face with the girl who, with one look, captured his heart. He is unable to ignore the buried desires and the hope for the future they’d once believed they’d have.
Now William is ready to fight to take back what had been stolen from him six years before.
But he never imagined what that fight might cost him.
A.L. Jackson gives you an intimate look into the lives of a family bound by an unseen connection in this new contemporary romance.
My thoughts:
Wow! I knew from my fellow bloggers and from the snippets and teasers I read while stalking A.L. Jackson in the interwebs that she was an incredibly talented author, but I never imagined that I'd be so touched and captivated by her words! This was such an emotional, beautiful, heart-melting story! And when I think Contemporary Romance (with Thriller and Supernatural twists or not), this is the kind of story that comes to mind. An engrossing story that makes you feel for the characters, sympathize with them, wish them the best and be with them every step of the way on their journey toward happiness! When We Collide was, indeed, mostly a heartbreaking story, but it was also so full of beautiful and uplifting emotions, love and hope for a HEA! It was also very realistic - everything the characters went through could happen to anyone, anytime, and I only wish people would find their way to redemption, forgiveness and healing just like these characters did.
At the beginning of the story, we see Maggie and William years after they broke up, living in different parts of the country and trying to have normal lives. They're not happy, but they do the best they can, given their circumstances. (and yes, two POVs again. I'm addicted to books with in alternative POVs.)
But then tragedy strikes William's family and he has to come back to his hometown, to deal with his family problems and face his past. And when he runs into Maggie, he realizes not only that his love for her is as strong as ever, but also that there might be something much more powerful tying them together.
But William had always made me feel alive, and there was nothing I could do to shield myself from that light now. I felt everything. His anger, my shame, the love for him I’d kept stored up and buried so deep inside—a flicker of his before it had been chased away by his disgust. It all culminated in a searing, scorching burn.
The worst part of it all was that gnawing in the pit of my stomach. It was the same familiar ache I’d tried to bury and stamp out beneath years of work and faked satisfaction, a need that glowed bright, unearthed and exposed. I loved Maggie now as much as I did the day she walked out of my life.
And this time around, he decides to stay and fight for what he lost, to make up for the mistakes of the past and the time he stayed away from the woman he loves. We get to see who they become, when, why and how they changed throughout their time away from each other and after they reunited, and through flash backs of their past together, we relieve their love story and see the unraveling of the events that led to their heartbreaking separation.
Cupping her face, I pulled away and stared down at her. Her eyes were all brown misery and love and shame, and the most wistful of smiles hinted on her swollen lips. Timid fingertips traced my face, as if to remember—to memorize—something to take with her when she walked away. Chills followed in their wake, an aching loss across my skin, torment I didn’t think I’d survive. Her touch spoke of it—of giving in and letting go—but her eyes were so sad, I knew she never would. (*flashback)
I have to say that I was pulled into the story right from the start and I read it in one siting. Everything the characters went through broke my heart and I may or may not have shed a few tears, but I couldn't wait for all the heartache to pass and to get to the happy ending everyone deserved. But this wasn't just a love story, it also has mystery, suspense, a few seriously scary moments and many layers; A.L. touched subjects as abuse, controlling relationships, rape, trauma, jealousy, betrayal, family problems and even death, but the main focus were the love, forgiveness, healing, innocence, warmth and strength that, by the end, gave a positive and inspiring feeling to the story. When the epilogue came, I just wanted to jump around the room and cheer for the main characters, to take them home and hug them. :)
A shiver that rolled through Maggie was palpable even to me. I wound my arms around her and pulled her flush, my palms flat on her stomach.
Cheek to cheek.
Skin to skin.
I burned.
I ran my nose up her jaw and whispered in her ear, “I don’t know how to stop loving you.”
Like I said, everything was very realistic, so it was easy to connect with the characters and to relate to them. They were flawed, confused, insecure and some of their choices were not that great, but they were totally understandable. They gathered strength, courage and hope as the story progressed and they came out the other side of their drama and troubled past if not completely healed, at least with the faith that things would finally work out for them and their family. I would have liked to see more of their happy times together when they were younger, but we got to see how strong and powerful their love was now.
But all this time, I knew him. I knew the kindness and the goodness. None of what I felt was a result of my past or anything I’d been through in my life. I wasn’t clinging to William as a savior or blinded by the circumstances. Underneath all the scars that lined my body and lined my soul, William saw me. And he loved me as much as I loved him.
Other favorite quotes:
Every inch of my body bristled in awareness, filled me with a need that was so much more than just latent desire. What was it about her? Yeah, she was gorgeous, undoubtedly someone who would have turned my head had I passed her on the street. But she gripped me deeper than that. Maybe it was who she was, the mystery surrounding this girl’s life, the need I saw on her face. The innate need I felt to protect her. Yet I’d been captured by her before I even knew who she was. Whatever it was that drew me to her, I knew I wanted it all.
Yeah, I knew she was broken, knew no matter where she ended up in life, her past would always be there to haunt her, knew she had so much to overcome. But I also knew, underneath it all, she was strong. I saw it in her eyes and felt it in her spirit. I knew she was kind and good, knew she was beautiful. And I knew I was never going to stop loving her.
William had been perfect, a gift. He’d changed me, deeply and in every way. When he found me, I was scared and insecure, and while those things still remained, they never looked the same. Every part of me had William written on it, the way I thought and what I saw. What I desired and where my dreams laid.
The writing style is absolutely stunning! (As you can see in these quotes.) A. L. Jackson has such an amazing way of describing intense feelings and raw emotions, that you can't not be touched by her words! I was completely captivated by this story and I'm looking forward to reading more of her books!
***
About the author:
A.L. Jackson first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student. She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.
Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three beautiful children. Her favorite pastime is spending time with the ones she loves.
Let's start this week with awesome bookish news, shall we?:D
So, I have the new new blurb, cover and book trailer for Pieces, the sequel to The Breakaway by Michelle Davidson Argyle to share with you today. This is a series I've heard great things about from fellow bookworms who love YA and NA Contemporary Romance, and I know that everyone who read the first book, The Breakaway, must be eager to find out about the release of the companion novel:
Pieces (The Breakaway #2) by Michelle Davidson Argyle
Release date: February 14th 2013 by Rhemalda Publishing
Two years after watching her kidnappers go to prison, Naomi Jensen is still in love with one of them. Jesse will be released in a few years, and Naomi knows college is the perfect distraction while she waits. But when her new friend Finn makes her question what is right and what is wrong, she begins to wonder if Jesse is the one for her … until she discovers he's out on parole. Naomi must sort through her confusion to figure out where love and freedom truly lie—in Finn, who has no connections to her past, or Jesse, who has just asked her to run away with him.
Pieces is a companion to The Breakaway and can be read independently, if desired.
Book trailer:
Wow, I love the natural, realistic feeling of the cover! And the faint railroad background seems very fitting for the story! I can't wait to see what decision Naomi makes.
In case you haven't read the first book yet...
The Breakaway (The Breakaway #1) by Michelle Davidson Argyle
When Naomi Jensen is kidnapped, it takes her parents two days to realize she's missing. Escape isn't high on her list of priorities when all she has to return to is an abusive boyfriend and parents who never paid much attention to her. For the first time in her life she's part of a family-even if it is a family of criminals. But she's still a captive. In a desperate attempt to regain some control in her life, Naomi embarks on a dangerous plan to make one of her kidnappers think she's falling in love with him. The plan works too well, and when faced with the chance to escape, Naomi isn't sure she wants to take it.
Michelle lives and writes in Utah, surrounded by the Rocky Mountains. She loves the seasons, but late summer and early fall are her favorites. She adores chocolate, sushi, and lots of ethnic food, and loves to read and write books in whatever time she can grab between her sword-wielding husband and energetic daughter. She believes a simple life is the best life.
