Review: Complex and Intriguing romantic suspense
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 27, 2013
"Everyone who enters your life is there for one of two reasons. To bring you closer to the person you can be, or distract you from fulfilling that potential."This is one of those reviews where I do not want to give away too much since part of the fun of this book is figuring it all out. This book is not your typical love story...although there are actually two love stories in it. But it has aspects of a suspenseful psychological thriller as well. I have to admit that at times I felt a little lost or disjointed since there were various events and people that at times did not seem to flow or match up. There were some flashbacks and then there were several significant time jumps that progressed the story way ahead. But I had to keep reading to know where this story was going. And as I kept reading, I got more invested. And I started to realize that it is not as random as it seems. Stories can connect in ways that you would not expect and every action has a reaction."Stay alert, Violet. Distractions will be your undoing."Violet's life is full of tragedies, changes, disappointments, and pain. She suffers loss and heartbreak, then moves on. But the past has a way of coming back when you least expect it. And the emotional scars do not disappear. She is complex with many facets to her personality and past and showed personal growth over the years. And despite her heartbreak and emotional breakdowns, she was a strong character that overcame many challenges."How many chances does a person get before they run out? My whole life, I have barely escaped one accident after another. Most of them caused by my own stubbornness and stupidity, but I can't stop, no matter how hard I try. I run headfirst into the storm, despite being ripped to shreds in the past...."She has two significant men in her life. Shepard...Oh, sweet swoony Shepard. He is younger, sexy, supportive and totally enamored of Violet. I totally adored him and felt that they were truly meant to be together. But Violet's life is never easy or uncomplicated. Connor is the love of her past that broke her heart. He left her with deep seated trust issues and made her avoid her past for a long time. But he is attractive and intriguing as well. These two men affect her life in various ways over the years causing more distractions and choices."If someone has the ability to make you glow in the darkness, they must be remarkable. That does not mean there is something wrong with you. It means there is something right."Distractions, emotions, and changes send Violet spinning into various situations that all have consequences. Things are going one way and then BAM! you are hit with something or someone else. And finally we come to a pulse pounding climax that brings it all together. There were so many twists and turns in this book that you had to pay attention. I have to admit, I am still pondering some of the events today after reading it. There was suspense, danger, mystery, romance, betrayal, heart break, and hope all mixed in. It was an intricately woven story of choices, connections, and characters. You have to avoid getting lost in the small details and try to see the big picture. An intriguing debut from J.L Brooks.Thanks to JL Brooks for providing me with a review copy in exchange for an honest review.