Review: This book has it all! Heartbreak, suspense, surprises, love, and redemption.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 4, 2013
(Quote)I am broken. Broken and shattered into so many pieces, I don't know if there is anyone who could ever put my heart completely back together.Makenna is lost, broken, and going through the motions and pretending that she is truly healing from a horrible tragedy. But she lost the love of her life, Shane and has really just shut down her emotions.(Quote)But I'm tired of pretending to be okay around everyone. I want to feel okay for once.Two years later her best friend, Callie is pushing her to move on. Soon she finds herself dating a determined, charismatic coach, Drew and trying to enjoy male companionship again. But it is not easy to forget about how right things felt with her lost love and she still has trouble emotionally and physically responding to another man. Drew was fun, flirty, and attentive. He seemed like the perfect guy to get her mind off her problems and start a relationship.An unexpected surprise through the mail for her kindergarten class, puts her in contact with a deployed soldier, Sawyer. He is lonely, depressed, and latches onto Makenna in email and chats. She becomes a life line to him in his chaotic life and something about him just helps her to open up and share.Makenna was damaged, but also had a quiet strength about her. She was caring, had a good heart, and always thought about others. But she was so guarded both emotionally and physically. And she really had not been able to open up and share her feelings to anyone and just kept it all bottled up.Sawyer had his own issues and past demons. But he was sexy, charming, protective, and not afraid to admit his feelings. I liked him from his first letter and chat. He had a vulnerability to him and was also lost and looking for something to keep him grounded. Their connection was almost immediate, their  friendship was sweet, and once they met in person, their attraction was even stronger. And he sings to her...seriously singing tough guys make me swoon. I was Team Sawyer all the way.I loved her best friends Callie and Wes. They were there for her when she needed them, and knew when to push when her coping mechanisms were not working anymore. They were true friends even when they did not agree. Sawyer's adopted Grandfather William was a complete riot. He stole the scenes he was in. And Sawyer's Doctor friend Dalton has some leading man potential I think. hint hint.This book was had tragedy, twists, surprises, secrets, danger and a bit of mystery. I loved how things gradually unfolded throughout the story. It was also an emotional journey for both Makenna and Sawyer as they struggled to come to terms with their nightmares and try to move on from traumas and tragedies. They had to fight their own feelings of guilt, insecurity, and deal with the pain of their pasts.  And Drew also had his own problems to deal with and his share of secrets too. But even as a relationship is finally progressing, there are secrets and danger threatening to rip it apart.(Quote)You know, I thought I had my life all figured out. After that one fateful day, I didn't think I was meant to have the fairy tale ending. H**l, I didn't even think I was meant to love again. But I figured something out along the way. Sometimes, it takes someone just as broken as you are to heal you. Sometimes, it takes someone else to show you that you won't heal until every breath you take is for you, not anyone else.(Quote)I've missed out on so many parts of your life, but you've always been meant for me. I don't want to miss a single breath you take. You tell me that I saved you, but darlin', you saved me, too.Will Makenna find her second chance at happiness or end up losing it all again?This book took me through many emotions, had me on the edge of my seat, and I could not put it down. There were times I was gripping my kindle a bit too tight, shedding tears, gasping in surprise, and totally swooning with contentment. It flowed well, kept my interest, and had excellent character development. The characters really had depth, emotions, and personal growth. It was a beautiful story of second chance love, healing, and hope with the excitement of suspense and danger. This is the second book I have read by Tasha Ivey, and I am now a total fan. She has a way of creating unique storylines with many interwoven connections that make you think and become completely involved in the story. This one will stick me for a long time.Thanks to Tasha Ivey for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.