Review: Loved Phoenix
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 21, 2014
(Quote)I was going to have to find a new place to live, and disappear from our group of friends. If only it had been that simple. If only I had walked away right then and there. Then I never would have met Phoenix and my life would never have changed in ways I still don't understand.Robin's partying ways caused her to make a big mistake and betray a friend. Now she is wracked with guilt, afraid of losing her friends and room mates, and trying to clean up her act.Phoenix is fresh out of six months in jail and crashing at his cousins' house. He is basically starting over with little support and a troubled past.They meet at his cousin's house since Tyler and Riley are dating her friends Rory and Jessica. Robin's friends are worried about her sudden change in behavior and appearance. But she is keeping her secret and trying not to hurt anyone else. Her group does not really know what to think about Phoenix's appearance in their lives. But something draws Robin and Phoenix together.They are both lost, lonely, and floundering. They find they share some common interests and begin to enjoy spending time together even though their friends and family do not encourage it. Their fledgling friendship and relationship is built with lingering secrets, but they cannot resist the pull for each other and how they make the other feel."I'm no good for you. And you're probably no good for me. But we're going to do this anyway, aren't we?"But secrets and the past have a way of sneaking into the present. And eventually everything will be exposed.This book is about forgiveness and moving past guilt. It is about believing in yourself and in other people. And about taking a chance on trusting someone even when it is something that is hard to believe in based on past experience.I loved Phoenix. He was misunderstood and his outward tough appearance hid the vulnerable, caring, protective guy underneath. He had a temper and control issues, but he accepted it as a fault. It usually presented itself when someone he cared about was hurt, but it got him into trouble at times. He had never really felt loved and he craved it.(Quote)...the guy who was supposed to be such bad news was actually kind of charming. He reminded me of the Beast in the Disney version of Beauty and the Beast. Rough around the edges, a little bit grumpy, but well meaning. Sweet.Robin was so guilt ridden and fearful. She wanted her own happy ending, but did not think she deserved it due to her bad choices. She was a good person who did something out of character under the influence with lasting repercussions. She was trying to make better choices. And she was open and saw past Phoenix' bad rep to his heart.They were two lost souls that fit together. Their relationship was sweet, tender, and romantic. They did not need expensive dates, but could make simple activities special. Phoenix had not been exposed to much love and caring, so it melted my heart to see how he responded to kindnesses and basic care that we take for granted. It was heartbreaking, heartwarming, and hopeful. They were surprisingly good together even though there were some situations that caused drama, fear, and insecurities. They were a work in progress dealing with their present, overcoming their pasts, and trying to look forward to what they wanted in their future. I loved getting both Robin and Phoenix' points of view since they both had such inner monologues, feelings of unworthiness, and fear bouncing around in their heads.I enjoyed spending more time with others from this series: Tyler, Rory, Riley, Jessica, Jayden, Easton, and Kylie. I wanted to wring Nathan's neck during the entire story for all of the drama he caused. I felt bad for Robin's betrayed friend, Kylie and am glad that she will be the focus of the next book Shatter.Thanks to Erin McCarthy, Penguin Group USA | Berkley | NAL, and Netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review. Quotes are from Arc copy and are subject to change in final draft.