Review: Truly a unique love story!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 17, 2013
I just realized after recommending this book on many sites over the past months, that I had never written a review on Amazon for this amazing book.  This is one of my all-time favorite books!I read the first part of `Safe with Me' that was offered at no cost, and immediately had to purchase the complete book.  I fell in love with Tyler from the beginning and empathized with Susie as more and more details came out about her life.  Tyler fell in love with Susie from the moment they met on the college campus and talked for hours.  They were both a little older than most of the college students with various life issues delaying their education.  It was never just about the sex with Susie and based on Tyler's previous dating history, she wasn't even his usual type.  The more time Tyler spent with Susie, the more in love he fell.  Susie's character was frustrating for so many people in the book, because she had so many secrets.  Her life, her house, her money, her past, her family, etc. are all cloaked in secrecy.I did get frustrated with Susie at times because Tyler was so crazy about her and she insisted that she didn't have boyfriends or relationships, but I like to read about independent women.  I wanted Tyler happy but I wanted Susie to do what she thought was right for her at the time.  He couldn't understand and so started thinking of ways for her to be his girlfriend.  He doesn't care about her past, only that he is crazy about her and wants her for his own.  Tyler is described as tall, part American Indian with long hair, but can also be a dork at times and so funny. I liked that Susie was not a stick-thin model type, which made it easier for me to relate to her.  The more I read, the more I loved Susie and also for the way she accepted Tyler. People made judgments about Susie, not knowing her history.Shaina gives a unique perspective to the two flawed main characters and the story kept me turning the pages faster and faster to know more.  I read so fast that I had to turn around and read it again, to further enjoy this love story.Shaina has written a lengthy story with well developed characters and shows great attention to detail.  You can just visualize everyone and feel a part of the scenes.  She mentions the parties, sex, drinking and some pot smoking, along with a lot of studying, as part of the usual college life.  She also writes from other points-of-view and I found it interesting, not disruptive.  The sex scenes are so well written and hot, hot, hot!  This story is not about a virgin, stick-thin model type or a gorgeous, wealthy man with 6-pack abs.  I liked that Susie was comfortable with her body.  It may not be like my life but the story is more realistic than many that are published, and was enjoyable to me.  Various parts of the story just broke my heart, not only for Tyler and Susie, but for some of the secondary characters also.This is not your typical `happily ever after' and even though my heart just broke in some portions, it made the story even more interesting.  I love epilogues and was so happy that Shaina included one in this book.  The ending was very bittersweet but the epilogue, set about 15-17 years later, gave me a hint of the future.The story will keep your heart going from love, joy, friendship, to heartbreak, and back again. This book is a true gift from Ms. Richmond!