Review: The "Bad Girl's" Redemption (and the Sexy Virgin Hero!)
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 24, 2014
I love a good redemption story. Luckily, the Holland Springs series has them. What I love even more is a bad girl redemption story, and that's exactly what I got in Not Over You.It doesn't matter that Summer Holland hasn't slept with every man in Holland Springs. It doesn't matter that she gave up her daughter for the right reasons. Small towns are ripe with rumors. The rumors about Summer Holland have defined her life. Driven her away from home, family, and her childhood sweetheart. She tries to pretend they don't hurt, but her sense of self worth is non-existent.Gabriel Edwards has been rescuing Summer since they were kids. No matter the cost, he can never turn her away. I have to admit that until Not Over You, I sold Gabriel short. He seemed dull and undeserving of Zoe in Twice Tempted. He was detached and unfocused in Third Time's a Charm. But now that I know why he acted the way he did in those books, I feel nothing but love for the amazing Gabe. One more thing, Gabriel is a twenty-nine year old virgin. (I know!)I didn't have nice feelings for Summer in Third Time's a Charm. She seemed beyond selfish and weak. Her actions were pretty awful, and I hated the way she was with Rose. But that story was told through Rose's eyes, and the facts weren't all in. When you see things from Summer's perspective, all the bad goes away. I loved that Valentine took this complex, broken woman with so much pain in her heart, and gave her a redemption of sorts. I relate in a big way with Summer and it felt good to experience Gabriel's unwavering love for her.The Holland Springs series continues to be quite the treat. Not Over You is my favorite yet.Favorite Quotes:Summer, all alone in a meadow of spring flowers. Well, if you didn't count the hundreds of fireflies dancing around her.Laughing with pure joy, she waved a hand in the air. The fireflies followed her movements, reminding him of kids playing with sparklers on the Fourth of July.His gut clenched.The fireflies continued their dance, moths joining in. Something swept past him. He followed the blur and realized it was a bat, most likely trying to eat the conveniently provided snack.Summer laughed again, drawing his attention back to her. She threw out her arms and spun around. He felt himself drift closer, like he was one of those moths... and she the flame."Summer." Her name was a prayer on his lips. A plea in his heart.