Review: Epic love story
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 12, 2013
Olivia James is truly a complex character.  To some she may come off a bit wishy-washy but given the backstory and her traits, could you blame her?  Still plagued with insecurities after having literally survived a horrendous, abusive relationship, she spent the last several years trying to shore up her emotional walls and just exist.  She's still broken in a lot of ways but striving to improve and try to live as long as she maintains the control.  It's really all about baby steps with her.Ethan O'Connell is a successful business man and charming Irish lothario.  A man with a short fuse and control issues, Ethan faces tribulations of his own.  He, like Liv, has to learn to adapt especially if he wants to keep her in his life.This is the first installment of what looks to be a trilogy for Ethan and Olivia.  It commences enigmatically with a prologue from a seemingly past life experience.  Then the story moves to present day and the introduction of the two main characters as well as a large cast of secondary characters, all of which are integral to their relationship.  There's a lot of pushing, less pulling at the start but that transforms over time to be a more equalized concessions as they're bond grows.For me, the middle of the book slowed down moderately.  Having said that it's also the meat and potatoes, where the details of the flourishing rapport become more clearly stated.  At the start of chapter 18, I had about a three page freak out where I thought I had missed a chapter.  In fact, I re-read those three pages multiple times.  If I would have just gone to the fourth page, I would have save some time and heart flutters because it's revealed there.  The last third of the story captivates with lots of developments and then BAM, you're hit with a cliffhanger and wanting the second book now.While there are several steamy sex scenes which undoubtedly display the palpable chemistry, they are secondary to the burgeoning connection between Ethan and Liv.  This is an emotional rollercoaster with substance and not just flair.  This epic stands out from other romances, differentiated with the insinuated re-incarnated souls and a compelling story with a solid plot.Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest review