Review: You can't go wrong with this series, it is wonderful
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 30, 2013
Wow, that is what I have to say about this series. There are some parts of this book that are shocking, one thing happens that I would never have guessed the author would have really had happen, it tore my heart out. The guilt Owen feels is suffocating, I can only imagine how he felt, if I put myself in his place I could see me doing the same thing but also feeling the same way. How he has gone so long without killing someone is beyond me but isn't this what abuse is, being abused into submission. I love Owen, he is so fragile but has so much love he wants to give and when he is finally given that chance he is gentle, caring, supportive, and still fragile but stronger because of the love he has and is given by Maria. I feel so sick about what happened to Maria, when she relives each step of her story I just feel terrible and I can only imagine how terrified she was and how she longed for her brother to come home and save her and it never happened. I enjoyed the snowboarding trip; it was great seeing a fun side of them both. I hate the agony Owen has to continue going through, how his mother still after all of this time acts like nothing has happened, like their life is normal. I feel so heartbroken when Maria and Owen try to take their touching a little further and it sucks Maria into her nightmare, right away she is worried that Owen will not want to see her again, but he stands by her side through many times of trying to go further and further until he can finally give them a night that is just theirs. I hated how his mother treated him and left him without any money for food. How Maria handled this situation was perfect and then Owen hugged her and his head pressed into her shoulder and he said "You're the best thing to ever happen to me" I just started to cry, it was like I could feel him being able to take a deep breath for the first time in a long time. At one point I am crying because I am so happy for Owen but then in the next few pages I am crying because my heart is shattered for Owen. I feel so sad for Owen that his mother so quickly writes him off like he is nothing and Owen says "What do I have left?" but I think it is beautiful when Mari and Tina say us and don't forget about Craig. Then he lays his head on her chest and cries well then my tears start rolling down my face again. The last part of the book is wonderful, Maria finally takes the power back, at least for now and they start to make some future plans. When the second part of the story starts a huge incident occurs that is shocking, it makes me feel sick and furious, man this is going to be life shattering for Owen. Like we didn't already despise his father, now he becomes a coward and runs from his sins. I still love the connection Maria and Owen have, you can feel it deep in your heart by the words the author uses. Throughout this book they both stress about what is going to happen after graduation, how are they going to stay together, where are they going? Where can they go? I love how Maria always tries to show Owen how beautiful he is, scars and all and Owen is so gentle and always checking with Maria to make sure she is okay when they are together sexually. It is a special relationship that the author has created here, they help each other all of the time, when something happens that jars them back to the past it is the other one that brings them to the present and shows that person that they are safe, it is a wonderful thing to read, the love is so overwhelming that I can't help myself and I begin to cry. I cried so much through this second book, both happy and sad tears. Not only is Owen dealing with more issues connected to his past now Maria has the past catching up with her present. Then Owen makes a mistake that hurts Maria terribly and sends Owen over the deep end but this one incident actually saves them both because she saves his life and they both realize they need help from outside providers not just each other so they can remain strong as a person and a couple. Then it is graduation day and it is supposed to be one of the worst days for Maria because Darren is coming, well many surprises come out on this day and it brings a much needed relationship back on track and it solidifies their relationship even more. In the end once again shocking and surprising things happen, things line up perfectly, and Owen and Maria get to start their forever together. I can't say enough about this series, I loved it.