Review: A TRULY BEAUTIFUL LOVE STORY
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 21, 2014
Every so often I come across a book that I just cannot put down. One that grabs me from the very beginning of the story, keeps a tight hold on me throughout, and doesn’t let go even after I’ve read the very last line. This is what Melanie Dawn’s novel Then There Was You has done for me. From the moment I started reading I was instantly hooked, and I never wanted to let go. In fact I pretty much kept my Kindle in hand at all times, managing to finish the book in less than two days.Then There Was You is the sequel to So Much It Hurts. While it is my preference to read a series in order, in this case it’s not a necessity. If you haven’t read book #1, you should, but you can still enjoy this story without feeling lost or as if you’ve missed something significant. Melanie Dawn does a great job of providing the right amount of background information and of setting up the story of Chris King and Salem Honeycutt. The story takes place in “present day” but a good portion of it brings us back in time 14 years earlier, when Chris, age 17, is in Fairbanks Juvenile Detention Center and Salem, age 24, is his counselor. We learn so much about their history, about Chris’s struggles with himself, his anger, his fears and even his dreams of the future. And we learn about Salem’s own struggles and fears which bring her to her own breaking point.What I love about this story is the author’s ability to so perfectly convey the characters’ emotions with words that truly speak to your soul. I was so moved by this story.  I shed tears, both happy and sad. I felt joy and pain. I experienced the frustration and insecurities of the characters as well as their proudest moments, and it all felt so incredibly real. The story is told in both Chris and Salem’s POVs and it flows flawlessly. In fact the author’s ability to write the male POV is some of the best I’ve ever read. She writes Chris’s thoughts and actions perfectly; I could hear his voice so clearly in my head. He’s now a famous HOT music star and yet he is still so sensitive, caring, thoughtful and kind. He’s struggling with issues from his past and the way he handles everything just made me fall even harder for him than I already had. Salem’s character is equally as wonderful. She has her own issues to deal with, particularly in her past. Her struggles to overcome post-partum depression are so real, her pain and suffering is raw, and her dedication to all her “kids” is just amazing. Her heart is in the right place and she is truly a wonderful character.This is not your typical love story, but rather the bond of two fragile, broken souls who together can find the peace, happiness and true love they so very much deserve.  Is it always sunshine and rainbows? Certainly it is not. There are some dark times; there is a bit of angst and drama that keeps us on our toes, but when it is all said and done, we are left with a big smile and a heart filled with love and feel-good emotions.I feel like my words have not even done justice to just how amazing I think this book truly is. I highly encourage you to read it and see for yourself just what I am talking about. Thank you so much Melanie Dawn for bringing the story of Chris King and Salem Honeycutt to life. And for giving your readers a beautifully written love story. I am so eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.