Review: LOVED IT!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 16, 2013
Forgiven by Rebecca BrookeReview by JenForgiven was a beautiful story.  You feel like you are part of the story, feeling everything that the characters are going through.  It will make you laugh and cry.  It was a sweet romance between two characters that have troubling pasts.  It was an enjoyable read.  Rebecca Brooke did a great job with incorporating such a heavy issue of alcohol abuse into the story.What happens when one moment changes the course of your entire life? Do you sit back and accept it, or fight to live the life you choose? Caleb Jacobs has a past that has haunted him for two years. Knowing he can never forgive himself for the events that led to his departure, Caleb chooses to live a quiet life--concentrating on school, sports, and shots. But when he is paired with Angie for a history project he realizes that no matter how much you try to hide from your past, one way or another it will find you.Angelina Powers knows what she wants from life. Growing up with only an alcoholic father for company, Angie learned early on in life that you can only count on yourself. But that doesn't stop her wishing for her white knight. She's confident, happy and focused...until she meets Caleb. So how will she feel when her potential white knight turns out to be more of a black shadow?"Sometimes bad things happen to good people.  It just means we need to learn how to forgive and move on."I really liked Angelina. She is smart, beautiful, strong, and focused.  Even though she has grown up with an alcoholic father, she didn't let the effects of that stop her.  She received a scholarship to attend college and focus on her future.  After being paired up with Caleb for a history project, Angie has this immediate attraction to him.  Caleb continuously fights the attraction, which only angers Angie."Sorry?  Sorry?  I keep hearing that from you.  I am not a goddamn yo-yo.  You can't keep pulling me to you with your `sorries,' and then pushing me away with your distance."Oh Caleb!  I loved him so much.  He is smart, athletic, and HOT!!  Two years ago, Caleb dealt with a tragic event.  Everyone back in his hometown blames him for what happened, which leads him to blame himself, and he knows he can never forgive himself for it.  My heart broke for him because he didn't think he deserved to be with Angie."She deserved to be protected and loved - things I would've loved to do for her.  I wanted to be her knight in shining armor.  The only problem was I wasn't a knight - I was more like a demon trying to steal her soul."I really loved Emily and Josh.  Emily and Josh are Angie's and Caleb's best friends, as well as their roommates.  Emily and Josh both realize the attraction and connection between Angie and Caleb and they try to get them together.  I definitely loved how Josh always managed to make Caleb angry when he mentioned Angie and the feelings that Caleb had for her, knowing that once Caleb was frustrated enough, he would admit it."Fine, I think she is sexy as hell and I would love to do more than work on a stupid f***ng project with her!  I want to take her to dinner and spoil her the way she deserves to be.  I want her more than I have ever wanted a woman.  But it doesn't change anything so why should I dwell on something I can't have," I growled.I really enjoyed this book.  The connection between Angie and Caleb was so amazing.  Both of these wonderful characters have such traumatizing pasts, and it really was beautiful to watch them move past it and focus on their futures, especially together.The quality of writing was great.  The story was well-written and very enjoyable to read.  This was such an amazing romance between two characters that had such an intense attraction and connection to each other.  The story kept me interested and I found myself looking forward to the next page.  I could not put it down!4.5 Diamonds for this wonderful story!!