Review: Love, Love, Love!!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 12, 2014
When I begin a book, I almost always know what my emotional takeaways will be.  I know from the synopsis what to expect. With Flawed Perfection, I thought I would be reading ONLY about unrequited love and an unconventional  love triangle . I should have known better.With Flawed Perfection, we do get our "unrequited love story" but  Cassandra's tale of River Ahlers and the Beckerson boys (Bobby and Adam) goes way beyond the simple HEA and reading to find out "who winds up with the girl". It explores the dynamics of love between family, friends, &  lovers. It's also about personal growth, self-worth, and unfortunately, a bit about conditional love.I initially I fell in love with Cassandra's writing in Love Exactly (my review on GR) -  I found it by chance and it sounded charming and sweet, right when I needed one - and it was. But there was another element to the story, the effects of physical abuse, which was handled with great décor and gentleness and I greatly admired the writer for how she managed that and to provide a sweet love story. Well, she's done it again!  In Flawed Perfection, we see another take on abuse in a different fashion, emotional and verbal abuse.  It exists as a underlying current for the entire story and it shapes the relationships between our 3 main characters, River, Adam, and Bobby.Flawed Perfection is told from Rivers POV.  So much of the story is getting there- you know where - WHO will end up with who. Flawed  Perfection shows us the history and current state of Rivers' relationship(s) with Bobby and Adam Beckerson. It's also a story about their relationship.  We watch as the bond of the 2 brothers is strained, unexpectedly grows, collapses and grows again - seemingly driven by their mutual love of one girl . But it goes beyond that and it's quiet unfair to put that all on her- you'll see. We also see 2 people come to terms with being in love with each other but then suffer from the notion that they have to hide it. And they do.  But, just when things seem settled life happens and things get beyond complicated. WAY beyond complicated.I enjoy Cassandra's writing style immensely - The dialogue is real, the language for the characters seems appropriate, and her style is descriptive - it's easy to get a sense of the physical aspects of the story, the characters, their cars, the places they go, their physical interactions, the food (I smell the French toast and cinnamon rolls now). It's an easy read in terms of how it flows and where things go in the storyline.At its core, Flawed Perfection is a glimpse into how these 3 young adults orbit around each other. We see  this vortex of emotions that's been created and the layers of dynamics between the 3 of them - we have 3 people trying to relate to each other based upon labels placed on them by family, themselves and society. These labels only serve to cause confusion, an age old issue with the human condition in society? Yes!So, what are they? We know that there are 2 siblings, which is easy enough to define. Where it gets muddy is what all 3 consider each other; best friends, protectors, would be lovers, and/or enemies.  Going in, I knew it would be the story of an unconventional love triangle.  Not that the premise of 2 brothers loving the same girl is new, but the unique dynamics of the 3 main characters really put that on it's end. The author really changes this up because its done through the way the parents and how they treat these 3 individuals. I could write a book about what I think of the parents. To say I have ill feelings towards them is an understatement. This is where it goes from a simple story of "boy loves girl , girl loves boy(s)" to a story where, well, you see how the 2 "outcast" children are really bonded to each other.  I came to see them as each other's protectors which really makes their love story feel, well, inevitable.  There are some great secondary characters; co-workers, friends, girlfriends and boyfriends that drive a lot of the action, but the angst really comes from what these 3 do to each other.There are some highly frustrating moments and the back and forth and miscommunication make this one tough rollercoaster ride, but what's a love story without angst? And when a book can do that to me I know its a 5 star read that I will give it high recommendation. The story will go where you NEVER thought it would go and leave you scared about what's next. We are left with an amazing set up for Book 2, Pieces of Perfection (Beautifully Broken, #2)While I didn't cry the UGLY CRY while reading Flawed Perfection , there were tears - lots of tears - you should expect them.  I deem it a 5 Star read!!  However, I fully anticipate there will be UGLY TEARS while reading the follow-up Pieces of Perfection (Beautifully Broken, #2)  . I see where things could go and I don't think it's pretty. My emotionally sadistic heart can't wait until I can get hands on it.A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.