Review: Delicious, steamy romance but does it lead to happy ending(s)?
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 20, 2014
I ought to have been prepared for what this story holds in store. I had read the blurb and the author's notes. But, starting reading it, I was so drawn in by Ms Ross's effervescent writing with surprising and daring turns of phrase springing up on every single page, that I just lay back (forgetting that my seat was a hardback train seat) to enjoy a steamy romance with the two characters engaging in funny, witty banter.Leah is gorgeous, self-confident and on the road to success. And then, on her first day at a new and promising job, she bumps into Nathan Moore--as in her boss's boss. Nate is the guy a girl can only dream of. Perfect in all possible ways. He's too good to be true. And he isn't. Gradually, the story gets darker, and we see Leah's natural light diminishing, as she gives her all to Nate, getting very little in return, or rather everything and then absolutely nothing. The course she follows is that of a junkie: as long as she gets her Nate-fix, instantly transporting her to Nathanland, she's fine; when he disappears, the withdrawal symptoms are physically and mentally debilitating. Will Leah find the strength to fight back? Reclaim her old self?This story is expertly written; the emotions are incredibly raw, their depiction poignant and they manage to resonate deeply whether you've been through a similar all-consuming relationship or not. "I don't do drama. I write it" is what Ms Ross claims in her Twitter bio, and, apparently, it's true. A major originality is that she goes as far as to offer two different endings to Leah and Nate's story. But I think that's where I have my reservations. While they are well-written, plausible and totally not cliché, reading two very different versions didn't give me an appropriate closure. Initially, I was enthusiastic about having two options to choose from; now, I'm not sure I want to have such power as a reader.Putting that aside, though, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Loving Nate, and I'm glad I was given the opportunity to get to know Ms Ross as a writer. I'm now a fan, waiting to get my hands on her other work, especially Damaged Girls which is also mentioned in this novel.This book was offered to me in exchange for an honest review.