Showing posts with label new adult. Show all posts
Showing posts with label new adult. Show all posts

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Review: When We Met by A.L. Jackson, Molly McAdams, Tiffany King, and Christina Lee

Today’s premiere New Adult authors combine their talents to tell four original stories from inside one house.
When four girls decide to live off campus together as juniors at a college in Michigan, they expect it to be their best year yet. Little do they know, it’s a year that will change the rest of their lives.
BEHIND HER EYES by A.L. Jackson
Unable to live down her ex-boyfriend’s deception, Misha is determined to avoid betrayal. When, the new guy next door, Darryn starts to get under her skin, her defenses start to crumble. But trusting Darryn seems impossible, especially if he’s not sure he can trust himself.
SAVING ME by Molly McAdams
On the outside, Indy is always ready for a party—but inside she’s breaking. Kier makes a weekly routine of saving the girl next door from herself on Saturday nights… but when will she be ready to remember him on Sunday morning?
FOULING OUT by Tiffany King
Working at a sports bar, Courtney has become a pro at sidestepping propositions from arrogant jocks—which makes her a more elusive catch for campus basketball star Dalton than he expected. But when he falls for the saucy waitress, Dalton will have to rethink his game plan to prove he’s not the jerk Courtney expects.
BENEATH YOUR LAYERS by Christina Lee
In order to ace her fashion internship, Chloe must team up with local college dropout and set builder, Blake—much to her chagrin. But after some "hands-on" experience, Chloe will have to ask herself if Blake factors into her carefully laid plans…
Buy:  Amazon

Review - 4 stars!
Overall - I think this anthology was an awesome read.  I enjoyed each story in it, some more than others, but not a single one would I describe as a waste of time.  So any fan of these authors, or New Adult Romances in general, should pick up this one!

Each story is connected to each other.  Each author writes the love story of one college student who shares a house with three other women.  Each woman gets their own story.  Lovely!
Behind Her Eyes by A.L. Jackson  - 4 stars!
So oddly enough, while the whole reason I read this anthology was because of A.L. Jackson’s story, this story wasn’t my favorite.  However, it was pretty close.  I loved Misha and despite not loving this story as much as one other story in this bundle, my favorite love interest was Darryn.  He was just more badass than the rest of the guys.  
Saving Me by Molly McAdams - 4 stars!
This story was a fun read.  I laughed so hard at first at Indy’s little forgetting problem and felt so badly for Kier because of it.  Kier might have been my least favorite of the men but that wasn’t because he was quiet.  It was because of his past.  Can’t say more without spoilers.  However, well worth my time to read.
Fouling Out by Tiffany King - 3.5 Stars!
Obviously, this wasn’t my favorite one of the four stories.  I did LOVE Dalton.  He was awesome.  I even understood why Courtney was upset at first, but after you become an adult and look back on your childhood, no one should be angry after his explanation.  I mean, we all drift from friend or family, or do stupid things as teenagers or kids that we cringe to think about once we know better, so… honestly, she let it go thankfully, just not fast enough for me.  Lastly, the pacing during the passionate scenes was off to me.  However, it was entertaining!
Beneath Your Layers by Christina Lee - 4.5 stars!
My favorite story of the anthology!  I’ve never read anything by Christina Lee before but I adored this story.  It moved me a lot more than any of the other stories.  I loved Blake a ton!  He’s not my favorite man in the anthology, but he’s close.  However, Chloe was my favorite female in the book.  Maybe because I could relate to her more than the others.  I have lists too!  The chemistry between Blake and Chloe was explosive, the scenes between them lovely.  

About the Authors


A.L. Jackson
A.L. Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of Take This Regret and Lost to You, as well as other contemporary romance titles, including Pulled, When We Collide, If Forever Comes, Come to Me Quietly, and Come to Me Softly.
She 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 children.




Molly McAdams
Molly grew up in California but now lives in the oh-so-amazing state of Texas with her husband and furry four-legged daughters. When she's not diving into the world of her characters, some of her hobbies include hiking, snowboarding, traveling, and long walks on the beach … which roughly translates to being a homebody with her hubby and dishing out movie quotes. She has a weakness for crude-humored movies and fried pickles, and loves curling up in a fluffy comforter during a thunderstorm ... or under one in a bathtub if there are tornados. That way she can pretend they aren't really happening.


Tiffany King
USA Today Bestselling author Tiffany King is a lifelong reading fanatic who is now living her dream as a writer, weaving Young Adult and New Adult romance tales for others to enjoy. She has a loving husband and two wonderful kids. (Five, if you count her three spoiled cats). Her addictions include: Her iphone and ipad, chocolate, Diet Coke, chocolate, Harry Potter, chocolate, zombies and her favorite TV shows. Want to know what they are? Just ask.






Christina Lee
Once upon a time, I lived in New York City and was a wardrobe stylist. I spent my days shopping for photo shoots, getting into cabs, eating amazing food, and drinking coffee at my favorite hangouts.


Now I live in the Midwest with my husband and son—my two favorite guys. I've been a clinical social worker and a special education teacher. But it wasn't until I wrote a weekly column for the local newspaper that I realized I could turn the fairytales inside my head into the reality of writing fiction.

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Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Review: When We Collide & Pulled by A.L. Jackson

When We Collide by A.L. Jackson


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. 

Buy:  Amazon


Review - 4 stars!


This novel deals with some deeply disturbing issues so if you're trying to avoid those, you might wish to skip this novel.  I personally felt like I had been through the emotional wringer during this book, which means the author did her job well writing it.

However, I also try to avoid stories that hit too close to home on certain issues.  My reading is for escaping life so I don't often read realistic stories much.  Maybe that's why my main genre is paranormal romance, though I will go for contemporary romance if it deals with things like macho military men or romantic suspense.  

This little gem didn't strike me as deeply as the author's more recent books, but it deals very well with domestic abuse and how it can trap someone.  I really love how well A.L. Jackson deals with the issue and actually gets into the mind of someone trapped in a place she hates so much, yet continues to stay.  Not a lot of people understand the terror and trauma of domestic abuse, nor do a lot of people understand why someone would stay in that situation.  Sometimes, it isn't as easy as it seems to leave.  A.L. Jackson did a wonderful job of portraying that horrible situation in a way that was realistic.  For that alone, I almost gave the book 5 stars.

The characterization wasn't as well done as her more recent novels, though, and the poetry was a bit more lacking in this novel then the last few.  I also didn't like William as much as most of the author's main protagonists, even though he was a decent enough guy.  He just wasn't as likable as say Jared from the Closer to You series.

So this is a great story about domestic abuse and a deep love that lasts through years of separation, so definitely read this is you're an A.L. Jackson fan.




Pulled by A.L. Jackson


Melanie Winters and Daniel Montgomery shared a love most only dream of, a love they believed bonded them together for life. 

When their world is shattered by the tragic loss of their daughter, overwhelming grief and misguided guilt distorts the truth, and their relationship ends in uncertainty and unanswered questions.

For nine years, they drift through life, each unable to forget the one who holds the strings to their heart. In an attempt to escape the pain of her past, Melanie finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage, while Daniel loses himself in a career that means nothing without Melanie by his side. 

Now, when their lives again intersect, neither can deny the connection they felt so long ago. But will the power that drew them together be enough to heal the wounds from their past, and will they have the courage to overcome the insecurities and fears that threaten to keep them apart? 

Pulled is a story of attraction and separation, of destiny and duty, of a love so strong it refuses to give up even when all others have. 
Buy:  Amazon



Review - 4 stars!


This sweet romance was almost paranormal in its intensity of the 'pull' between Melanie and Daniel, which I seriously liked.  (Can't help it, I'm a paranormal romance junkie).  This novel of A.L. Jackson wasn't as beautifully written as most of her novels, but I actually think I liked it more.  Mostly because neither character did something horrible or silly to keep themselves from the person they're destined for.

However, as of now, I've read every single one of A.L. Jackson's novels and each New Adult novel seems to throw in a child in the damaged mixed.  Every series, every novel, every story has an accidental pregnancy, someone doing something stupid about an accidental pregnancy, or has the pregnancy end in the death of the child, causing heartache for everyone.  Then the main couple splits up, so each of A.L. Jackson's romances are really second chance romances.  Well, except the A Stone in the Sea, so far.  I'm a little over these theme right now.  But this one is probably the one I liked most, but it wasn't as well written as her other stories, so I couldn't give it a higher rating.  I liked the intensity between Daniel and Melanie and I adore how realistic Ms. Jackson writes about hard issues like a loss of a child or domestic abuse.

Definitely worth reading!



Author 

(from author's website)
A.L. Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of Take This Regret and Lost to You, as well as other contemporary romance titles, including Pulled, When We Collide, If Forever Comes, Come to Me Quietly, and Come to Me Softly.

 She 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 children.









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Saturday, June 6, 2015

Review: Take This Regret Series by A.L. Jackson

Review:  Take This Regret Series by A.L. Jackson


Lost to You (#0.5)


People come into our lives. Some stay, and many go. Some build us up, while most tear us down. They become our friends, our enemies, our lovers, our tormentors. 

Christian Davison came into mine, and I knew I’d never be the same. 

To Elizabeth Ayers, New York City had always been a dream. She’s worked her entire young life to make it here.
Groomed to one day take over his father’s law firm, attending Columbia University was Christian Davison’s only option. 

Neither wanted anything more until they sat across from each other at a café table after being paired as study partners.

Christian wants her, but Elizabeth knows better than to give into their intense attraction. Yet there is little she can do to stay away. 

Lost to You, the prequel to the bestselling romance, Take This Regret. A New Adult novella, recommended for readers 17+. It’s unnecessary to have read Take This Regret to enjoy Lost to You.

Buy:  Amazon


Review - 4 stars!


This prequel to the Take This Regret series is about how Christian and Elizabeth first met and how their relationship developed before the events that take place in the first novel.  This short little beginning to the series isn't as poetic or in-depth as most of A.L. Jackson's novels, but it does let you meet the young couple before life changed them a bit more and the huge 'regret' becomes the basis for the entire series.  

It's a cute story where you like and respect both Christian and Elizabeth and while it isn't necessary for the series, I liked it.  A nice, easy, enjoyable read, but without anything notable about it.  


Take This Regret (#1)


There are some mistakes we make that we will regret for the rest of our lives. For Christian Davison, it was the day he betrayed Elizabeth Ayers. For five years, Christian has regretted the day he walked away from his family and will do anything to win them back. Can Elizabeth forgive someone who has committed the unforgiveable? Or are there some wounds that go so deep they can never heal?













Buy:  Amazon




Review - 3.5 stars!

To be honest, I think this one might be my least favorite A.L. Jackson novel.  Mostly because after the big wrong committed in this book, you really want to slap a certain cute boy upside the head and it takes most of the entire book for you to like him again.  Or at least that's how it happened for me.

However, as always, it was nicely written, although it lacked as much of the poetic wording that the Closer to You series and A Stone in the Sea had.  Which is fine, just a slightly different anyway.  I did keep reading because I wanted to know how on earth A.L. Jackson was going to get these two together after all that had happened.

However, my reading usually serves a purpose to escape real life - which is why I gravitate towards paranormal romance usually, so I wasn't having a great time reading about real-life issues and real mistakes men and women make in their lives that are awful even if they aren't awful people.  It was heartbreaking to read, honestly.  I do think that A.L. Jackson's tackling of these very real mistakes or life issues in her books makes her an astounding writer when she can turn it into a beautiful story that is sometimes very painful to read but nonetheless satisfying once you finish.

Of course, by the end of the book I kept wanting to smack Elizabeth for her ridiculous actions regarding passion.  Can't say much more than that, but....  How is a man hungry for you demeaning?  

So 3.5 mostly because it was a good read, but yeah, I wouldn't call it enjoyable for me.  Though a lot of that is personal taste.

If Forever Comes (#2)



If Forever Comes, the final chapter in the New York Times Bestselling The Regret Series.

Christian Davison’s life is complete. With a ring on Elizabeth’s finger and his daughter at his side, he’s ready to run headlong into their future.

Elizabeth Ayers never believed she would again find this kind of joy—the joy of a family and the wholeness found in the touch of the man she’s always loved. 

Their love is intense and their passion only grows as they set out to rediscover each other. 
But life is never easy. 

Rocked by the unforeseen, Christian and Elizabeth will find themselves fighting for the one thing they hold most important—family. 
Buy:  Amazon


Review - 4 stars!


I think this conclusion to this series was the best book of all three of them.  Even if it was more heartbreaking than the previous novel.  I think the reason I liked this one more was because it wasn't an action of any one person and was very realistic on how life's challenges could rip people apart without it being anyone's fault, really.

This installment is where I saw most of A.L. Jackson's beautiful writing slowly coming back (or making an appearance) and I loved the beautiful story that came out of such tragedy.  Although I wasn't thrilled on how it kept jumping from past to present, with the present being a huge chunk of time missing between book one and book two.  However, it DID keep you reading to figure out just went wrong between Christian and Elizabeth.

I think it was very nicely done though, especially dealing with the tragedy and loss.  Beautiful.

Author 

(from author's website)
A.L. Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of Take This Regret and Lost to You, as well as other contemporary romance titles, including Pulled, When We Collide, If Forever Comes, Come to Me Quietly, and Come to Me Softly.

She 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 children.










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Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Review: A Stone in the Sea (Bleeding Stars #1) by A.L. Jackson

Review:  A Stone in the Sea (Bleeding Stars #1) by A.L. Jackson


He wanted nothing at all... 

Until he found she had everything to give... 

Sunder lead singer and guitarist Sebastian Stone has everything--fans, fame, and fortune. He also has a heart full of bitterness and a reputation for a short-fused temper. But an outward reputation rarely reveals the true man inside. Facing assault charges after trying to protect his younger brother, Sebastian is sent to Savannah, Georgia to lie low until the dust settles in L.A. 

Shea Bentley is beautiful, kind, and hiding from the very lifestyle Sebastian has always embraced. 
When the mysterious, tattooed stranger begins hanging out at the bar where she works, Shea is quick to recognize he is nothing but trouble, but she's helpless to the way her body lights up every time his intense grey eyes tangle with hers. 

They both soon find themselves drowning in a sea of desire and passion that won't let them up for air. 

Sebastian knows firsthand secrets never die, and he's not the only one who's hiding them. 

Loving someone always comes with a price. But will it be Shea's past that costs them everything? 


Buy:  Amazon


Review - 5 stars!


I absolutely adored this start to the Bleeding Stars series.  I was in the mood to find a decent Rock Star romance and I really hit the jackpot with this one.  Usual comments on A.L. Jackson's poetic writing style, but probably by the time I read this one, I was used to it enough and it fit so perfectly with this story as both Baz and Shea are pretty lyrical.  And lyrical is a pretty good word to describe the blossoming romance between these two!

Both Baz and Shea were excellently characterized and I actually loved Shea way more than any other female protagonist that A.L. Jackson has written before.  Mostly because - at least for this first book - she isn't as 'perfect' as the girls in the Closer to You series.  I found this a huge pro for this series.  Though to be fair, it wasn't until nearly the end you realize exactly how flawed she was.  In the only other series I read of A.L. Jackson's, it was always the men screwing up the perfect happily ever after.  This book is more evened out in the protagonists screw ups.

Fair warning though, this novel ends in a cliffhanger AND the second book isn't out yet!  You are also left with a lot of questions and confusion about what happened before Shea and Baz met and why they have these issues to their relationship.  The author does an amazing job foreshadowing upcoming revelations to keep us hooked throughout the whole story, and of course, only a few are answered by the end of this book.

Shea and Baz's story is supposed to conclude in the next Bleeding Stars novel, Drowning to Breathe, coming Summer 2015!


Author 

(from author's website)

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of Take This Regret and Lost to You, as well as other contemporary romance titles, including Pulled, When We Collide, If Forever Comes, Come to Me Quietly, and Come to Me Softly.

She 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 children.












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Review: Come to Me Recklessly (Closer to You #3) by A.L. Jackson

Review:  Come to Me Recklessly by A.L. Jackson

From the New York Times bestselling author of Come to Me Softly, another irresistible new adult romance in the Closer to You Series.

 His heart was turned off…Until she turned him on….

Christopher Moore gave up on the idea of love years ago. Now, his life is an endless string of parties and an even longer string of girls. Enjoying the physical perks with none of the emotional mess, he’s convinced everyone that he’s satisfied—everyone but himself. Samantha Schultz has moved on with her life. Finishing her student teaching and living with her boyfriend, she’s deluded herself into believing she’s content. But there is one boy she never forgot—her first love—and she keeps the memory of him locked up tight. She will never allow any man to break her the way Christopher did. When Christopher’s sister and her family move into a new neighborhood, Christopher is completely unprepared to find Samantha living at the end of the street. Memories and unspent desires put them on collision course of sex, lies, and lust. But when guilt and fear send Samantha running, Christopher will have to fight for what has always been his.

Buy:  Amazon





Review - 4 stars!


I'm super, duper happy I continued on with this series.  While I loved Christopher as a supporting character, I wasn't sure I would love him as the main interest but holy crap, I adored this one.  Admittedly, I love Jared more, because he's so much worse off in the tortured department but Christopher and Samantha's story was just as beautifully done as the two books detailing Jared and Aly's story, and I think I probably enjoyed reading this one more overall.

I also really love how A.L. Jackson combines that all consuming love us romance readers have to have (you know what I'm talking about here, that love that is so perfect as to be practically impossible to find in real life) and the gritty reality of real life mistakes, misunderstandings and such that cause relationships to end or go through serious rough patches.  I am amazed at the way the author balances it.

As with the previous installments in this series, the writing is almost too poetic but it isn't quite as intense in this one - or maybe I'm just more used to it now.  For a subgenre of contemporary romance I don't normally read, I am super happy I picked up my first A.L. Jackson book and I plan on finishing the rest.  They're pretty amazing New Adult reads, even if you're not into those.


Author 

(from author's website)

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of Take This Regret and Lost to You, as well as other contemporary romance titles, including Pulled, When We Collide, If Forever Comes, Come to Me Quietly, and Come to Me Softly.
She 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 children.



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Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Review: Closer to You Series (#1 & 2) by A.L. Jackson

Review:  Closer to You Series by A.L. Jackson


Firstly, thanks needs to go to my co-blogger, Omra, for keeping up on this while I've been MIA.  *huggles*  No, I'm not fully back yet but I figured I'd get a few reviews up occasionally because I've been dying to.

Onward!

Come to Me Quietly (Closer to You #1)




From the acclaimed bestselling author of Lost to You and When We Collide comes a New Adult novel of one woman’s obsession: a man who’s as passionate as he is elusive—and as tempting as he is trouble…


 Aleena Moore is haunted by Jared Holt. It’s been six years since she’s seen her brother’s best friend, the self-destructive bad boy she secretly loved in high school. As the years pass, she knows it’s time to move on. Time to decide between a practical nursing degree and her true dream as an artist. Time to get over Jared and give another guy a chance…

 Just when she opens her heart to her friend, Gabe, Aly returns home to find Jared sleeping on her couch. The teenage boy she loved has grown into a man she can’t resist. Covered in tattoos and lost in rage, he’s begging to be saved from his demons—the memories of the day he destroyed his family. As the two reconnect, their passion is hot enough to torch Aly’s judgment. But can she risk her future for a man who lives on the edge of destruction?

Buy:  Amazon


Review - 4 stars!


Firstly, to be honest, I had the freaking toughest time deciding on what to rate this book.  No joke!  There has only really been one other book (or author) I've had a tough time rating this badly.  Firstly, this is new adult, not my usual read (I'm more of a paranormal romance girl, nearly all adult in fact), but I do branch out.

Now to be honest, this is going to be a weird review.  Why?  Because in every possible way, I could pretty much rate this book with 5 stars for writing, plot, editing, story building, setting, characters, etc.  Honestly, A.L. Jackson's writing is excellent, one of the best writer's I've ever read.  Her characters are so in depth they might as well be real and you feel immensely for them.  Seriously.  Hands down, five stars everywhere.

Now the problem I had is that basically?  It was TOO beautifully written.  I actually can't believe I'm saying that either.  Yup.  It's too poetic.  The whole thing could make a trip to the grocery story the most beautiful thing you ever read and make you cry.  Nearly, anyway.

While yes, that's a GOOD thing.... it was a little too much of a good thing. Don't get me wrong, I could barely put it down, but when I was trying to decide if I liked it or not.  I did, which is why it's 4 stars obviously, and I knew I liked it, but I didn't like it enough to rate it the 5 stars I feel like I should be rating it, if that makes any sense!  

However, I do know this is my personal taste here, not really a reflection on the writer or novel.  I've read the next book in this series and one other book of this author's as well, but I had to put it aside after that because I needed a break.  I couldn't devour everything she's ever written all at once, which is why... 4 stars.  Sorry, A.L. Jackson!

To an actual review now, I guess.  I seriously love how absolutely tortured Jared is in this book.  I absolutely have to have some seriously screwed up, or alpha, or macho men in my books or I go a little tiny bit nutty and don't enjoy it as much.  Jared is seriously, seriously bothered, and it was so well done I was sniffling in places, and all out cried in a place or two.

Aleena, on the other hand, I did like a ton, but felt she was almost too perfect to be real.  Especially as young as she is.  She was a perfectly amazing woman throughout this entire book.  Which - as a woman here - I know is impossible.  I kept waiting for her to at least have the tiny flaw of say... PMS?  Or freak out over towels, or something.  Heck snoring.  Something!  I feel a bit inferior after reading her, because we all know, women have SOME flaw, and we all know Jared was so screwed up to have sixty zillion flaws, but yeah....  However, I didn't want her to be as flawed as Jared or anything, just a little itty bitty flaw.

The writing as I said earlier was beautiful to the point I kind of suspect the author is a professional poet too as well as author.  ^_^;

So, yes, 4 stars!

Come to Me Softly (Closer to You #2)



From the New York Times bestselling author of Come to Me Quietly comes a scorching new adult romance in the Closer to You series.

 A second chance at life…
A second chance at love…

 Jared Holt never thought he deserved either—until he found both in the arms of Aly Moore. Aly has loved Jared for as long as she can remember, and she’s more than ready for the future they’re making together. But Jared can’t help remembering his own family. And he’ll never forgive himself for what happened to them. How can he allow himself the very happiness he once destroyed? 

 To live a life worthy of Aly, Jared knows he has to stop running and finally put his past to rest. But when he decides to face his demons head on, he encounters more than he bargained for: a dangerous mix of jealousy, lies, and dishonest intentions. When those intentions threaten Aly, Jared loses all control, giving into the rage that earned him his bad boy reputation years before. And he’ll fight to protect her no matter what it costs…even if he destroys himself in the process.

Buy:  Amazon


Review - 4 stars!


As this story continues Jared and Aleena's story, I went onward with this series.  So as in the previous review, everything still applies about how beautifully poetic everything is written.

Also as before, Jared is seriously tortured and Aleena is seriously perfect.

However, I'd also like to add I still love Jared despite him being seriously tortured.  Or maybe because of it.  Either way, he's hot.  For someone ten years younger than I am anyway.

I would also like to make one aside here.  Do people really run screaming from therapy until they're about to explode?  I mean, it was practically never mentioned until the very end and it wasn't even Aleena pushing that one.... which you'd think she would.  Instead she pushed a visit with Dad, which is good, don't get me wrong... just... yeah.  Maybe it's just me and having anxiety disorders so I'm used to the suggestion or doing it?  I don't know...

Now, as for the book.  Again, nearly perfectly written with a tad too perfectly done by the main female protagonist, Aleena.  Although something about this book dragged on a bit more than the previous one.  I don't know why exactly.  Maybe not as exciting because they're not as new?  Not sure.  Tried to figure it out, and I did read this fairly quick, but I kept looking at my progress to see if I was about done.

Again, this is just my personal taste though.  This isn't a flaw in a normal sense of the word, being too poetic and all.  It's not like trying to read something too wordy or descriptive to the point of boredom.  It was very excellently done.  I just read to escape and such and it was simple too beautiful to be fully entertaining, if that makes sense?

Closer to You #3:  Come to Me Recklessly


I will get to this one.  I simply needed a break, and Christopher isn't enough of a draw for me personally (I loved him as a supporting character, he was great!) to pick it up right this second!

Stay tuned!

Author 

(from author's website)

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of Take This Regret and Lost to You, as well as other contemporary romance titles, including Pulled, When We Collide, If Forever Comes, Come to Me Quietly, and Come to Me Softly.
She 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 children.


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