Review: Not romance but a story of love.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 5, 2013
SpoilersThere's a continuation to the progression of Trey's and Shayla's relationship which continues to grow, so yes "Secrets" should be read first (this is not a stand alone book) because although present, Shayla and Paige are part of the supporting cast.  Paige's voice in not present so the ability to like her is slim to none. As a reader I could not figure out why she would love Darren in the first place, when he didn't make anyone loving him easy.  What in her past allow her to follow a guy around even after he said it was ok to date his roommate.  What event happened in her past to allow low self-esteem to creep in.  Why she allow him to not only mistreat her but to do so in a cruel fashion.  Was she in love? Only if you believe weak women who do dumb things is the product of love.  Smart and beautiful but there was no real character build up here, she was weak and had no dimensions. Is this a mistake from the writer???? I don't think so.  Why? because Nia Forrester is the queen of unfolding layered emotions and not one to drop the ball in character development. Yes I believe Paige role was intentional. In the "Art of Endings" the voices of the story are Trey's and Darren's.  Nia is a people watcher and a good one at that.  The emotions she captures in this story are from the men.  Their insecurities, the need to be strong, the need to overcome, the need to protect, the need to conqueror and the need to love and feel love.  For Darren she allows him to bared his soul, his past is what makes him who he is.  His past prevents him for giving too much of himself. It convinces him for a moment that he carries the sins of his parents so therefore undeserving of more.  Yet he overcomes, he realizes and faces his future head-on which is with Paige.  Trey's battle is to step back and allow the women in his life to grow. That it is ok to want to protect but to do so from the sidelines. It's ok to let go because those who love you will return.  Although Shayla is also part of the supporting case here you know she's growing despite of her past because you see it in the emotions that Trey battles. These are the struggles of men.  The need to want to escape to someone else which allows them to continue to hide from the one they love. "Secrets" and "The Art of Endings" are on my "to read again shelf".