Review: Deserves more than 5 stars!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 20, 2014
First of all you need to know that I adored Present Perfect. It was AMAZING and was one of my top 5 reads for all of 2013. I LOVED Noah and thought Brad was pretty much a scumbag although I do have to admit I found him to be quite delicious even if he was an a-hole of epic proportions. So when I heard that Alison was writing a book about Brad...I was skeptical, to say the least. I thought there was NO way she was going to be able to make people love the “Smurfeffer”...not a chance. Well, I am here to say...I was WRONG!! Not only did she make me love him, but she made me love him even MORE than Noah! That’s right, I said it...more than Noah! Just take that in for a minute before you keep reading. Ok, you ready for more?Past Imperfect is the follow up to Present Perfect. It can be read alone,  if you have been living in Siberia and have by some strange chance not read Present Perfect, but I would recommend reading PP before you read PI so you get the back story on Brad. Just my opinion :) This is the story of Brad Johnson and Mabry Darnell, two lawyers who work together and have more “baggage” than all the baggage carousels at the Orlando airport combined! I am talking these two people put the D in DAMAGED. They both have things they have done or have had happen to them in their pasts that have made them the hot mess they are today. Well apparently hot messes attract because these two have found each other but are at totally different places as to what they want or what they think they want in life.Brad has lead a very privileged life and is used to getting whatever he wants with the exception of the one thing he wants the most...the love and support of his parents. I’m pretty sure a crack whore and a pimp would be better parents than his sorry excuse for parents have been. As a result of his upbringing, Brad doesn’t let himself get close to anyone so he doesn’t risk getting hurt.  He is incredibly hot and he knows it! Brad never has any problems getting girls and he uses them strictly for his pleasure, not caring how many hearts he breaks in the process. This all changes when one of Brad’s conquests kills herself partly because of his rejection. This is a huge wake up call for him and he realizes how badly he needs to change his life and his treatment of women.Mabry has had a very rough childhood as well. When she was about 10, her mother, who had been amazing up until that point, fell into a deep depression and later kills herself. Mabry is the one to discover her and it really scars her for life. Unfortunately, Mabry’s father is completely distraught and weak, leaving Mabry to fend for herself. Not knowing how to express her feelings and having no one to talk to, Mabry turns to self harm and sex to make herself feel better.“Sex was another way to numb myself from the hurt in my life. It helped a little, but at some point during the act my mind drifted back to the reason why I was lying under the guy.”She too wants nothing to do with a relationship and sees men and sex as a way to lose herself and to not have to feel, at least for a little while. Then she meets Brad…When Brad and Mabry first get  together, they are in totally different places. Mabry just wants a distraction from the pain in her life but Brad is looking for more and quickly falls in love with her. When he actually tells her that he loves her, she fights it at first even though she knows she has feelings for him too. And I mean she fights it HARD!!“I need distance. I was stupid to have thought I could have something casual with him seeing as how he affects me, mind, body and soul. There’s something between us, a deep connection, as if we were supposed to find each other in life.”Poor Brad :( I was really heartbroken for him at this point but I have to give the boy props for his determination. He was NOT taking no for an answer! Luckily, he is finally able to win her over with his charm and the “smile”...no girl can resist the smile ;) And did I mention how freaking HOT the sex is??? When these two get it on, it will steam up your Kindle and have you looking for some fresh panties...I was fanning myself and squirming quite a few times. They will also make you laugh out loud with their banter.“I see the way you squirm in your chair when I walk by you.” Brad“I have hemorrhoids. The condition runs in my family.” MabryBahahahahah!! They are hysterical! Once Mabry finally gives in and accepts her feelings, you would think at this point it would be all good...hearts and flowers...but sadly, no. A surprise connection from their past comes back to haunt Brad and leaves Mabry unsure of their future. She is also spiralling out of control at this point with her self harm and is in danger of causing herself irreparable damage. Will these two be able to overcome their issues so they can be together and live happily ever after?I won’t say much more because I don’t do spoilers. I will, however,  say that this is a huge 5 star MUST read for me! The epilogue alone makes the entire book worth reading...BEST.EPI.EVER. Like ever, ever!! Make sure you one click this incredible book today so you too can fall in love with Brad <3