Review: Epic Book Hangover
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 17, 2014
I’m not quite sure why it took me so long to read this series, but when I set my mind to something, I give it 100%. Needless to say, about two weeks ago I devoted the entire weekend to this deliciously intriguing world. You heard that right. I read all THREE books back to back. The plus side to that is I got to live in their minds for longer than if I would have read them on release dates. The con? I was left with a major book hangover, of epic proportions, and now I have to wait with everyone else for the next one.~I wasn’t the person I wanted to be, and this wasn’t the life I wanted, so why was I still living it?~Let me just put it out there; Kate does an excellent job of creating characters that you can not only relate to, but genuinely care about. Even from the first few pages of book one I was completely entrenched in their lives and full invested in each and every one of them. We started with Jared and Evie, then moved on to Jared’s brother Travis and assistant Grace, and now it was best friend Casey and Henry’s sister Grace’s turn. Believe it or not, I’ve not even named half of the characters that appear in the book. I’m not sure how far Kate is going to go, but there is potential for at least another 4-5 books. And like I said, you care about these characters. Each and every one of them is completely unique and there’s no overlapping.~Whatever I’d felt for any other man in my past faded because I knew then that I was looking at the man who was going to break my heart.~Though Grace was a new character to us, Casey was someone we had short glimpses of and got to know better in Give Me Strength. He had a darkness in him that bled through his pores. The inevitable explosion was imminent, and all you could do was hold on for the ride. Kate takes you on so many twists and turns you don’t know which end is up. She writes a beautifully crafted story with a ton of romance and suspense thrown in, and she does it gracefully. There was never a dull moment and just when you thought you felt a lull in the water, a wave comes crashing back down. I love Casey’s heart, even when he tried desperately to hide it. I loved his misplaced guilt, because it made him that much more human. And I loved his protectiveness of those he cared for. Because when Casey cares for you, you need not worry about anything else.~“When I’m with you, touching you, breathing you in, I forget who I have to be and I’m just me. When you leave, you’ll take that with you.”~I loved the slow progression of their relationship. I loved how it took time for Casey to break down Grace’s walls. I also loved how Grace fought for herself. There was a strength in her that was rare and it was utterly beautiful. You may have an inkling of what her secret it, but in true Kate fashion, you won’t see this one coming! Those final scenes? Oh gee, my heart just broke. It was so raw and gritty and real; three words that best describe this book in my opinion. One of my favorite things about this series were the epilogues at the end. I look forward to a well written epilogue and Kate never disappoints!~My heart was lost, and even if she didn’t want it, I wouldn’t take it back.~I fall head over heels for broken characters. The fight and struggle to get to the love and the buildup makes the journey much more delicious. I’m a self professed angst whore and I seek it out in every book I read. Kate feeds my monster well! While this book can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend immersing yourself as I did and start from book one. You won’t be sorry!~“You’re fast becoming my world, Grace, and that world is a place I never want to leave.”~