Review: Loving Dani and Holder
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 23, 2014
Summary/Blurb:Dani refuses to lose another parent due to her absence from their life. After pulling herself back together following the death of her father, she moves back to her childhood town to live with her mom. She’s slowly pulled back into the lifestyle she worked so hard to get away from ten years ago. She accepts that this is the life she has always been destined to live. Getting a job at the store down the road and hooking back up with her first love Gage, seems to be the logical way to go…that is until she meets Holden Reynolds.Now that Holden is finally back home from the Navy he plans on following in his father’s footsteps. Still trying to move on from the one woman who had his heart, he busies himself in work and returning to the country boy lifestyle he’s always loved. The best way to get over someone is to get under someone, right? That’s his mindset as he travels town to town with his job perfectly content with being a rambling man…that is until he meets Danielle Brooks.When Dani isn't leaving and Holden isn't staying will they be able to keep themselves from getting too attached? Or will they be just what each other needs to cut all the strings that have them bound?What I loved:Ok, well let me just start by saying I have quickly become obsessed with this author.  I love her writing and how every one of her heroes and heroines need to be fixed and not necessarily by other people.  This is so intriguing to me.  Erika is able to capture in this book, what it is like to save yourself from yourself.In SMFM, Dani is grieving and has lost herself.  She is tough as nails and has a feeling of obligation to her Mom, which is noble but not productive in her case.  I don’t know how many times I can say this about books, but I was instantly transported back to a time in my life and could totally relate to EVERYTHING!  From the Prologue, I ugly cried.  Chapter 1 I ugly cried.  I was so entwined in this one.What I didn’t love:OK..Please do NOT hate me Miss Erika, but I was not really convince about the sudden turn around that Holden’s dad did.  I would have liked to see that relationship build up a bit.  Holden let him have it when he spoke his peace, but no stubborn (you know what) person like Holden’s dad would just turn and apologize with a snap of his fingers.  Let alone immediately try to reconcile his wrongdoings in his marriage.  It would take time.  So again don’t hate me.  Seriously though that was all I didn’t like.Overall:This author knows how to tell a story and tell it with an impact.  It was a beautiful story about finding yourself after running for years, and saving yourself from your circumstances. Did the love she felt for Holden help her in her journey? Absolutely.  Dani was able to find it on her own though too.  She made that discovery the minute she knew she couldn’t go backwards with Gage.**Here is where this review will be a bit different.  On a bit of a personal note, I am glad I was able to relive that time in my life with a new understanding and see it for what it was.  Something I couldn’t control.  This book actually helped with that and for me, that seals the deal if a book is worthy or not.  I was very much like Dani in 2000 when I lost my dad to a heart attack.  Like Dani’s dad, mine was my best friend and we talked about everything.  After he passed, I was lost and tried to act how I felt everyone around me wanted me to.  That was until I met the man I love.  So as you can see, life sometimes imitates art even if it is someone else art yours imitates.  This book has a special place in my heart and for that I thank you Erika.**Favorite quotes/lines:“What good is livin,’ Dani Jo, if we ain’t pursuing our dreams? They’re instilled into our souls for a reason, Doll Face.” -Dani’s Dad“So hold on as tight as you need to.  I got you.  I won’t let you fall.” -Holden“The world can be so ugly.  Why wouldn’t I want to capture all the beautiful moments as a reminder that they exist?” -Dani