Review: Elle Aycart knows HOT!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 20, 2013
Holy Mother of... boy do I love me some Bowen Brothers. I absolutely fell for James AND Tate. Their story was fun, romantic, and full of chaos. But Cole and Christy??? Wow. Where James was romantic and supportive, Cole was well, cold and distant, and very matter of fact. No warm fuzzies here. And while that may have been a turn off for some- ok, most- I myself love a man with a firm *cough* hand. Someone that forces me to really look at myself, take me out of my comfort zone. Because honestly, that's the last only way I'm going to change and grow...But wait- didn't I say he was cold and distant? Well he is. Especially in the beginning. COLE HAS ISSUES. He doesn't do girlfriends and relationships. I won't get in to the why, but he just doesn't allow himself that kind of connection with women. Emotional, that is. For him it's sex. Plain and simple. Ok... what I mean to say is it's more like wham -bam-thank you ma'am and move on. There's nothing plain about sex with Cole. He's hardcore, and he's anything but simple. And when he and Christy collide? Well, she quickly wonders just what she's gotten herself into. How can a man like that be good for your self esteem, much less your heart? But it's just sex, right?! Right.Okaaay...So about Christy...Yes, CHRISTY HAS ISSUES too. But she was so relatable and I just loved her. I connected with her right away. Though my story is very different, I could completely understand her attitude and many of her actions- and reactions to Cole's special brand of um... love. Where she wrestled with her heavy past and the scars that remained, she had such a skewed view of herself. She was smart and confident, but when it came to her body, she couldn't let go of that "fat" girl she used to be. It's not a comfortable place. You see yourself differently than other people do. Harshly. It's self loathing and it can be dangerous. And the challenge is to not let that change who you are inside or ruin you. Luckily Christy only allows it to affect her private life. She's an ace in all other aspects. Successful and well liked.While Christy may struggle with body image, she's no pushover. From the get-go she gives Cole a run for his money. She ignites in Cole a need he can't control like he does everything else in his life. She also sets the town on fire with jealousy as the women of Alden attempt to "scare" her away from Cole and their little community. So the sparks fly, and we head onto a roll coaster overflowing with emotional, physical and mental turmoil, anguish and fear mixed with undeniable heat and passion.These two go through a LOT- together and apart. What I loved about this tale- besides all the once again HOT sexual encounters, was watching Cole and Christy evolve into the amazing people you know they could be. And the way Elle let's Cole show Christy and the reader, how men really look at women. They don't see scars and imperfections. Sure they see outward beauty, but it's how a woman behaves and what's inside that wins a man (a good man), over. So many lessons in this well written story.The final lesson? Anything worth having is worth fighting for. Yes, for me, Heavy Issues was so much more than a hot love story. It was full of lessons on life, love, self-worth, knowing when to let go-and when to hang on.Heavy Issues get 5 absolutely BLAZING flames! Now I can't wait to see what brother Max has in store for us in the third tale. One thing's for sure- it's gonna be steamy. He's a gorgeous Bowen after all. And Elle Aycart knows how to write HOT.