Review: 4.5 stars
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 9, 2013
4.5 Stars Review done by BETHANY <3This is the first book that I have gotten to read that was in HIS POV as a first story. It was a different take for me and took me a minute to get used to. This book had some good highs and some good lows......yes, good lows. Ones that make your heart stop and ache, but ones that make you want to punch a certain someone or two.I loved this book....it was "Lovely". We followed the very perfect Ashton as he was living the life, going to college, getting the girls and taking care of his family. His family was everything to him and we saw this...he was very worthy of a good man. Taking care of his family after his father died left him somewhat defeated at times, but a stronger man because of it. He did play the cool card a lot....he let us know every chance he had how perfect he was. That was a little tiring at first, but he redeemed himself very much so. I know that I had to remember, I am reading this from his POV, so it's going to be a different take....a different perspective. (Not too sure I would want to be compared to a gazelle dashing through the grass.....but he's a guy, right?)One day, Ash goes to the library to study and his life changes....he meets "her". Cara worked in the library at the college. She was very quiet, but very beautiful and she hid behind glasses that were way too big. He finds himself visiting the library very often, after noticing her, and was very intrigued by her. Ash wanted to get to know her, but he did everything he could to tell himself that she was not his type...and fought himself the whole time. He couldn't help but look into her eyes....be captivated by them.Finally, he decides that he wants to get to know Cara. Ash does everything he can, but she won't go out with him. He tries repeatedly, and this is where it gets really cute and funny and the characters really come out. We start to see their personalities and I fell in love at this point. Ash was a man....and a swoon-worthy man at that. Eventually, Ash is rewarded......she gives in and decides to go out with him. The blossoming love between these two is so very beautiful. So very wonderful. I actually felt that Ash was falling in love.....and remember, I am reading this from his POV, so I wasn't too sure if I would be able to actually "feel" the love....but I did. It was great writing from here on out. She was his beauty. She was so very loved by him....and he made sure she heard it every chance he got to tell her. The poetic way that he describes his love for her, the pull she has on him, it made me smile. It was very loving and pure. The book spent a majority of the time on their growing love and how wonderful they were with each other. I really did enjoy the love felt between the two. It didn't get old....it wasn't a worn out story. It was just a really well written story that made me smile and swoon as I read it."My heart's rhythm picks up just thinking about her words and the way she looked at me....like she has a clear path to my soul."This book dealt with some serious emotional pain and I actually cried during this book. I don't cry when I read books. Lydia teases me that I am cold hearted even!! I just don't cry. I may get a teary eye....but I don't cry. Well, I did....and I need to say that this was so beautifully written. The emotion that poured out from the pages during the difficult times was very palpable. We get to meet Ash's family and fall in love with Delilah and Colt, his sister and brother, and his mom. We learn about his father through flashbacks and the memories of the family life they had together. I enjoyed reading about the family and how much he was a part of their lives, still being the man of the house and still going to school. He really did mix ~family life with personal life with college life~ so well.As in all fairy tales, something happens....a mistake is made, and it gets blown out of proportion and Cara's feelings get hurt. BAD. I would like to punch a certain someone or two. Ash needs to redeem himself, and he certainly screwed up in a major way and has to do whatever he can to get back the love of his life.....'the light in his day'. The journey taken, the growing up of Ash's persona, is very neat to watch. For someone that had basically everything at his fingertips, who never really had to work for anything....it always came so easily, we got to see him work and earn back her trust. I was smiling at the personalities and the banter between the two.I laughed and cried during this book....such a rarity for me. I may have cursed Beth at one point during the book. (sorry!!) This was a great book from Beth Michele, and I truly look forward to reading more from her."You can't help who you fall for," she whispers.I pull her face to mine and find her lips. "Or who captivates your heart."I give this book 4.5 lovely and poetic stars.....nicely written.