Review: Emotional and Intense and Also Unresolved! Can't wait for the next book!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 19, 2014
* Written for Craves the Angst Book Reviews *3.5 Sweet and Angsty Stars!The Review:I really enjoyed this read. It had a great story where the characters were once bff’s turn “something more” and I’m a sucker for those kinds of stories. But as much as I enjoyed it, it also frustrated me. There were a lot of times I just wanted to shake some sense into Katie. She was totally out of touch with her surroundings and all because she let fear rule her. Her denial and her avoidance issues were so strong, she avoided everything, to the point of overshadowing her good qualities. And Ash was just as bad! Told in two different time frames, I really loved getting glimpses into their painful past and I really loved their history but I had some issues with the “adult” characters themselves.Story/Characters...This was a heartbreaking read. From the moment we meet Katie and Ash, you can sense the tension and the layers of guilt they both seem to have, even though you don’t know what's happened, other than Katie ran from her childhood best friend, turned lover, Ash. All told from Katie’s POV, we only have her say in what’s happened but it’s obvious from the start, Ash is hurt but very much in love.Katie’s first memories are of Ash. From toddlers, together they weathered abuse, neglect, bullies, heartbreak and fear, always at each others sides. Katie has always loved Ash but another kind of fear kept her at bay. The fear she would somehow make his life harder than it already was so she denied her feelings and kept way too many secrets.I totally enjoyed the flashbacks we get in this book. You can tell these two really are all each other has ever had and they love and care for each other but both of them are completely broken.Katie comes back to town from a ten month separation after a pleading phone call from her absentee father to handle pending foreclosure of their house. She never expected Ash to be there waiting. But he was and he wanted answers.But here’s where things drag out, in my opinion, way too long. Katie refuses to talk or express her feelings to Ash... or to anyone for that matter. There’s a lot going on, between why she left, mysterious photo’s that keep popping up out of nowhere, vandalization and a stalker. She’s very closed off. And she has a right to be. Her trust was broken as a child but scene after scene, we have Ash questioning her or patiently waiting for her to open up and she won't. It was frustrating and I just wanted them to scream and fight and get on with it already.But... and don't get me wrong, my heart broke for Ash and no doubt, his childhood was traumatic but that’s the problem. He’s too traumatized to fight for Katie. Both times, he let her go without asking questions. He shut down and just accepted it was happening, I’m sure, not feeling he could protect her or that he deserved her because of the abuse he’s suffered in his past. His spirit is hanging on by a very thin thread and he has absolutely no confidence in himself or in the world.My hope is when the next book is released, we find them both ready to fight for what they want instead of cowering away, not asking questions, letting go, running, taking the easy way out or just accepting what other people do to them. At this point, both of them are too weak and that was my problem the whole way through.As much as I liked this read, I was “waiting” for something... anything... to happen. I wanted her to confess everything, open up and tell him what was going on. He was keeping secrets to, that much is obvious and there is definitely something more going on with her father but again, even in the end, she was too scared to ask what needed to be asked.If someone came to take me in the middle of the night, that would be the first thing out of my mouth. “Why??” Not denial or acceptance.The Wrap Up:I liked this book and this story enough to be excited about the second book, especially since it’s going to be a continuation of the story, told from Ash’s POV. They need each other, but they also need to fight for each other. I’d love to see two strong, ready-to-fight character in the next book. Two people who will do whatever it takes to make sure they fight for what they want... and win! They deserve their HEA. However, with the way things ended, this might just push Katie further away. I’m excited for book two to find out!NOTE: I was gifted a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review through Xpresso Book Tours.