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I met Sarah Kate Erickson when I was 21 years old. I was lucky enough to keep her for seven years before a tragic accident stole her from me. She didn’t die, but sometimes I think it would have been easier if she had.
I lived in a haze for those four years after the accident. Catering to her every need, even though she hated the very sight of my face. I tried to hold on to her and the future that we were supposed to build together. But you can’t hold on to someone that doesn’t exist anymore.
It wasn’t until I met Jesse Addison, a barista at the local coffee shop, that I realized I didn’t just lose Sarah that tragic night, I lost myself as well. Jesse taught me how to let go of the past and learn to love again. But what happens when your past haunts your present and the woman you used to love refuses to accept the woman you can’t live without?
"Shall we make a little bet?" I ask, twirling my thumbs like an evil madman.
"Aren't you sick of losing yet?" She laughs so hard at her own joke, she almost rolls out of the chair. Her reaction alone is enough to make me laugh right along with her.
This girl is drunk...and beautiful. And drunk. And sexy as hell. And drunk. And so very fuckable. Did I mention drunk? She isn't in the danger zone, where she is going to be hating her very existence tomorrow. She's in that loose-lipped-say-things-that-will-make-you-cringe-the-next-day stage. I would be lying if I said I wasn't enjoying the hell out of seeing her in this state.
Jesse always seems to have a filter when she talks to me. It's as if, she analyzes every word in her mind twelve times before actually spitting out a sentence. Since she started drinking, she hasn't stopped talking. She has officially made the leap from best friend’s little sister, to woman I want to fuck. Jesus, what the hell am I saying? Am I drunk too?
"So, is that a yes or no to the bet?" I smile, glancing down and catch a glimpse of her peaked chilled nipples. "You cold, Jess?" I ask, nodding down at her nipples noticeably showing thorough her skimpy excuse for a dress.
I watch her eyes travel down her own body and her cheeks immediately redden. Oh shit! I really am drunk! Why the fuck would I say that to her? Better yet, when the hell did I lose my filter tonight? Oh God, what else have I said to her without thinking? I frantically try to think of a way to moonwalk out of this conversation. She's uncomfortable, and I'm mortified. We both know it too. It's written all over our faces, but in our drunken states, neither one of us can think of anything to say.
Detective Brett Sharp met the love of his life, Sarah Erickson, during a night out at the bar. They spent seven wonderful years together before a tragic accident pulled the rug out from under his feet.
Now, four years later, Brett meets someone who makes him feel alive.
Jesse is a barista at the coffee shop that Brett and his best friend, Caleb, often frequent. She’s sweet, naïve, and down to earth. She makes him feel things that he’s long forgotten. Struggling with his desire to move on and the obligation that he feels he has to his past … Brett is torn. Will he be able to let go of his past in order to secure his future? Or will everything come crashing down around him for a second time?
WOW! Aly did a fantastic job in bringing the struggles that a person goes through in the face of a tragedy to light. I felt for Caleb, for Brett, and for Jesse.
Brett was easy enough to like and I admired him for his loyalty; even if it did make me want to smack him at times. I may not have always understood his choices, but I do believe that he thought he was doing what was right, and for that, I cannot fault him.
I’m not going to lie. Jesse irritated me in the beginning of the novel. She was just TOO sweet and wholesome for my taste. I mean, really? She had such a STRONG aversion to cursing that it drove me insane. However, I really warmed up to her as the story progressed. The way she handled Brett’s delicate situation was admirable. She tried to sympathize with all parties, and I give her credit for that. I wouldn’t have been able to.
Caleb was my absolute favorite character, and the one that I was able to relate to the most. His entire life changed on the same night that Brett’s did, but in a more devastating way. He’s a sweetheart who is a bit damaged, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for his story.
I give this book 4.5 emotionally driven stars. I really enjoyed this novel. There were things that were difficult for me to read, but that’s only because it hit so close to home. This was a fantastic debut from Aly Martinez and I can’t wait to see what she does next.
I’m a 32 year old wife and stay at home mom to four kids under the age of five, including a set of twins. My life is crazy, which is probably why I drink entirely too much wine. Oh who am I kidding, I had a love affair with wine long before the kids came along. I was born and raised in Savannah Georgia, but we recently moved to Chicago. Let me tell you, this southern girl was not ready for the cold weather up here!
I’m an avid reader, but I haven’t always been that way. A few years ago my sister loaned me her Nook Color, and it changed my life forever. In the span of about two years, I read over 500 books. My newfound love of reading led me to start a book blog with two of my best friends. (Insert shameless plug here: WhiteZinBookends.com). Through WZ Bookends, I've had the opportunity to meet some of the most amazing authors, bloggers, and readers out there. Now that I have taken the leap into writing my own book, they’ve all shown me endless amounts of encouragement and support.
While driving home from Walmart one day in late October, a story embedded itself in my head and would not let go. It spiraled out of control until I finally opened my laptop and started writing. This journey has been a wild ride filled with tears, hand cramps, and tons of laughs. I love company, so follow me at one of the social links below and join me aboard this crazy train!
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Ahhh, thank you for such an awesome review! <3 <3
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