Review: Solid 4.5 stars--Emotional rollercoaster
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 10, 2014
During her time at Yale, Violet Smith was a free spirit in love with writing poetry who interweaved herself into Zack Aubrey's life one night by happenstance. He was the musical boy genius who lived down the hall. They became fast friends who did everything together. One weekend while on campus alone, they took things to another level when they slept together. After professing her feelings for him, Zach promptly rejected Violet and broke her heart.Fast forward nine years life for both has changed drastically. Violet is now a chick lit author with a case of writer's block and a looming deadline. She has lost much of her individuality after Zach left her. In college, she rebounded with an all American frat boy and began to conform in dress and behavior to that of his waspy family. After his death in an accident a year prior, she struggles to work and live having lost herself long before that. She sets off for time away at a secluded beach house hoping to write a book that just isn't inspired.Zach transferred out of Yale after destroying his relationship with Violet. It wasn't that he didn't love her he just didn't know how to handle the feelings he had. Having grown up in an emotionally abusive situation where he was treated as a commodity instead of a child due to his remarkable musical talent, he just couldn't handle the sentiments of what was happening. Now he writes songs for heavy metal bands and occasionally tours as a musician. In order to entice him to continue writing songs, his boss has sent Zach to his beach house for time away to fulfill his dream of writing a rock musical.Their intersection of fate at the house sets off a chain of events and emotions paralleling none other. Zach sees this as his second chance to secure the one that got away but he never got past but to do that he first must regain Violet's trust. He quickly recognizes she's not the same woman she used to be. She has walled up her emotions, not believing she could survive another shattered heart.There are numerous flashbacks threaded within and normally I'd find that distracting but in this case was necessary to understand the whole narrative. Another thing I found interesting is this story is truly focused on Violet and Zach with few interactions among secondary characters. Many other books, especially those which will be series, tend to lean heavily on supporting individuals to weave them into the series but this one does not follow that typical technique.This story is intensely emotional and you won't be able to put it down. It's filled with drama, contention, and love. There are moments of utter romance and sweetness as well as those of wanting better decisions the second time around. It is something people can relate to... especially those with regrets of love lost. Finally Playing for Love at Deep Haven gives hope for a second chance at love.4.5 starsComplimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest review