Review: 4.5☆....LOVED THIS SECOND BOOK...
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 19, 2013
Book two and this series is getting better and better.We get to experience Tom in the first book. He shows his interest in Ava's mouthy, quirky friend, Talia, in the first book. There was some flirting, some dancing and some sort of friendship developing.  He even broke out of his mold and defended her honor at one point in book one...so out of character for him that it shocks his friends, as well as Talia.But in this book, an unfortunate turn of events truly pushes these two characters to the very edge...to the point that they are going to either jump together, jump alone or not jump at all.  But whatever they choose to do, the question will remain, "Will they be able to fix what is broken if the wrong decision is made?"Talia is on the receiving end of the unfortunate incident that occurs in the very beginning of this book.  I found myself clutching my chest and gasping for air when I read it.  It was like, "NO NO NO."  The author wasted no time dragging you in, pulling you under and surrounding you with fear, grief, shock, pain, surprise and uncertainty.  Tom was the most calm, honest and level headed of the group and now....*sighs*But Talia refuses to leave Tom alone to suffer through this ordeal.  She not only cares for him, but considers him a friend and wants to be there for him in every way possible...not just for his benefit but for that of her own heart.While it is understandable that Tom is feeling deflated, and even his behavior and harsh tone and words are understandable, it does not make the blow of them any easier to hear or witness.  It makes sense, it is realistic and it makes you hurt for Talia and ache for Tom's healing.  You hope he realizes what he is doing and has done and snaps out of it.But I admired Talia, and all of their friends.  Nick, especially.  They stood up to Tom, tried to shake him and talk sense into him, and never joined his pity party.  But Talia, she took the high road...she never tried to make things harder for Tom and did just as he asked and said he wanted....SHE LEFT HIM ALONE.Tom's journey is hard, heart wrenching, slow but determined and, in the end, rewarding and triumphant, as he is able to get a bit of himself back...a part of him he lost when his life took a turn for the worse.The ending of this book was perfect and heart felt and I was thrilled with how it worked out.  There was something so believable in watching a relationship develop even when the two were not together.  It was real because there was angst, struggle, sadness and hope.Loved this second installment.