Review: A dark, twisted love story
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 09 30, 2013
This was such a dark and somber read, it really took me by surprise just how deep into the abyss the reader is pulled for Nova and Quinton's story. You won't find many heartwarming moments of happiness or a sweet and playful budding romance on these pages, and the thought of happily ever after seems like an obscure unlikelihood.  What you will find is the story of a boy and a girl so broken and shattered by their losses that their world is crumbling and crushing the life right out of them. Your heart will ache for them, and you'll hold your breath wishing for these tormented souls to finally find redemption.When Nova returned to her hometown with her friend Delilah for summer break, she knew she'd be facing the memories that would tear her apart all over again.  What she didn't expect was meeting someone who was just as broken as she was.  Quinton was running from his past with the help of his cousin Tristan and their drug-dealing roommate Dylan, but he was heading down a dangerous path. Nova and Quinton shared a deep emotional pain, and it was truly heart-wrenching listening to their thoughts, blaming themselves and wondering the whys and what-ifs.  Nova had buried her memories with routine and a comforting numbness of predictability, while Quinton chose to numb his with drugs and alcohol.  They were so lost and adrift, and you just find yourself wishing that together they'd somehow bandage up each other's wounds. Nova sees so much of the love she'd lost in Quinton, it was almost as if he was her second chance. I didn't like that she was primarily drawn to him because of the similarities; I mean we want her to find new love, not try and reincarnate the one she lost.  But I'm hopeful that as time goes on she'll see more QUINTON in Quinton, and that his own unique attributes will be what heals her.I have to mention that I did have an issue with part of this story, and that was the significant amount of drug use. I don't necessarily mind drugs being in a storyline per se, but there was just an overabundance here that honestly made the characters lose some of their appeal.  I wanted to find redeeming qualities in Quinton as the story went on, and there were definitely sparks along the way, but then they got lost in a literal haze.  It frustrated me and I really needed him to wake up and smell something other than whatever the munchies were making him crave!I think overall I just needed more love and growth for the characters to be infused into this story as it went along, but we haven't quite gotten there yet.  We're left with a bit of a cliffhanger, and as Nova makes strides in her life I'm anxious to see things start to turn around for both her and Quinton.  They have quite a long way to go still though, so I'm prepared to buckle up for a very bumpy ride in the sequel!Quotes:I have my silence now, which is my healing, my escape, my sanctuary.  Without it, I'd hear the noises of that morning, see the bleeding images, and feel the crushing pain connected to them. ~Loc 272I'm not sure if I'm running away from my feelings, the past, or Nova.  Probably a combination of all three. ~ Loc 1239She rests her head back against the seat, her heart rate quickening, before returning to a steady, consistent beat.  The feeling of it calms me down, because it reminds me that there's life in the world, and that hearts to keep beating even after they break.  ~Loc 2413