Review: Fantastic Debut - great start to a series I'm hooked on and holy cliffhangers - watch out for that ending!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 2, 2014
4.5 “Southern Sexy” “Beautiful” “I don’t work without you.” KissesI truly believe that there are some books that are meant to come into our lives. For whatever the reason…we are meant to read them…experience them...embrace them. I was meant to read Undone…I can’t explain it any other way. This book just worked for me…I adored the characters…was sucked in by the writing and the emotion…I loved the balance of angst and fluff…it just got me and that’s all there is to it.Embry Jacobs…Bree…I love her. Like…it’s easy for me to fall in love with a good book boyfriend but I need to really connect with the girl. Whether or not I relate to her is one thing but I have to like her and I kinda sorta want Bree to be my BFF. She’s beautiful….blonde hair, green eyes…tall (Yay! Tall girl love!)...sweet, sassy and funny…smart (hello…the chick’s in law school!)…and I straight up just loved her personality. She’s got her quirks, like all girls do, but I just find that more endearing and makes her more authentic and genuine. I have to give her mad props…leaving your family and friends and basically disappearing from the only life you have known is not easy. It takes a lot of strength and bravery but she did it...and good for her because it was what was in her best interest and she came out better for it. But she’s decided to come back home…for law school…for her best friend and family…for herself.‘Leaving Jack, Morgan, and her family hadn’t been easy. Embry moved to Florida without knowing a single person. She was determined to figure out who she was, and she came out on the other side with amazing friends, memories, and a whole new Embry.’Lucas James Brody…or ‘Luke I’m-f^@%!#$-delish Brody’ …oh my sweet Southern Sexy (and yes…I do mean my Southern Sexy…because he is – if you doubt me, read the acknowledgements! ;-) )…what do I love about Luke. Luke’s sexiness is very classic and very understated. He’s not over the top…he’s very laid back and just like your everyday kinda guy. I think that’s what makes him so sexy, the fact that he’s very realistic in my mind. That’s not to say he doesn’t do or say some of the most über swoony things that just turn me into a pile of mush…because trust me – he does. But that’s just part of the Southern Sexy package that makes Luke F-A-B-O-L-O-U-S. Luke’s got the TDH package down nicely…scorching blue eyes…he loves mac n’ cheese…the Georgia Bull Dogs…and he can cook (excuse me while I melt into a puddle). He’s kind and considerate…thoughtful…but yet in the right situation he can take charge and be a little…cave man (which I love…come on, every girl needs a little cave man in her life). He’s intelligent and sweet…plus he’s got a tattoo of a shamrock on his butt – I mean seriously?!?! Does it get more awesome than that? Nope…I didn’t think so either. I am painting Luke out to be a dream boat and believe me…he is, but he is not perfect. Luke has his flaws…but for me it’s his actions to make up for his mistakes that show me his true character.“I know you’ve been hurt,” he said. “I don’t know why or how, but I’d kill the f^@%!# who did it if I met him. I know you’re not ready to talk about it yet or you would have told me by now, and that’s fine. There’s a lot we don’t know about each other yet. But the way things are going…I want to know you. I want to learn everything about you.” He brushed his knuckles across her cheek. “I want you Emry, all of you. I don’t know what I’d do if I couldn’t have you.”Embry was speechless. She had hoped he had feeling for her, but she hadn’t actually considered that he’d be up front about it. As happy as she was that he felt the same way for her, it scared her ever more. She couldn’t pretend this wasn’t real anymore. Even though some small part of her told her to fight it, she wanted him enough not to run. “You have me.”I rarely ever talk plot in my reviews…and this book is the perfect example as to why – there are so many easy ways to spoil the story – and honestly, it’s just too good to not experience and feel those emotions for the first time. So what did I love…oh where do I start? Embry and Luke together just work for me. I love their connection and their chemistry. Obviously they are attracted to each other physically…but that’s not all that their connection is based on. I love the casualness of their relationship. Luke is not a billionaire…they don’t fly across the world or go on expensive dates…not to mention, that’s just not who L&E; are period…but they're just so...'normal' - and I mean that in a good way! It's just very relatable and something that I could connect to. Their banter is phenomenal…so fluid…so conversational…so real. I was lulled into a sense of comfortableness with them…it’s so easy and natural. Like peanut butter and jelly…Luke and Embry! :-) I love their humor… I love how Luke wooed her…yes…there was woo’ing involved. I mean…Bree’s not a nun or anything but Luke’s the closest thing to a relationship the girl has had in 5 years…she’s entitled to a little woo-action. And Luke gives some good action! ;-) Hehehe…oh yes, the ‘action’…Southern Sexy knows how to make a girl swoon in many different ways, he definitely earned his title.‘“Is this become our thing, baby?” Embry whispered teasingly. “Sex against doors?”Luke smiled against her lips. “It’s your fault. If you weren’t so god@#% beautiful, I might have a chance at keeping it in my pants.”“I like it that you can’t keep it in your pants, at least with me. I just think I might miss the bed a little bit.”Luke groaned as he dragged himself out of her before pushing back in with more force. “Mmm, I have plenty planned for you later tonight, don’t you worry.”“Is that a promise?”“No, beautiful. That’s a guarantee,” he said as he joined his mouth with hers once more.’Honestly…this story isn’t just about Bree and Luke, this is about Bree. You cannot go through what she did…have to make such a drastic lifestyle changes…and not have that affect you. You go through the journey with her…the ups and the downs and emotionally I felt very tied to her. The other relationship that Bree had that I loved…possibly more than her relationship with Luke (Sssh! Don’t tell Luke!) is her friendship with Morgan. Geez Louise that girl is a hoot and a half. Like…if I could I would steal both Morgan and Bree and make them both my bff’s because they just have one of those friendships that you can’t help but love. Morgan is so supportive and caring when it comes to Bree – I mean it’s her bestie, she’s supposed to! But I think she is just so glad to have Embry back in her life that she is willing to go above and beyond all laws of friendship to be there for her whenever. They have this hilarious bond and some of their antics had me laughing so hard I cried. There were a lot of laugh-out-loud moments for me in the book… ‘high five’s’…’man meat sandwiches’ …this list is endless – and I’m not talking about a giggle, I’m talking about I had to put my kindle down because I was laughing so hard. And I cannot not talk about the other man that won my love…Jeremy. Oh my…he’s a little man-whore, so instantly he has won my heart. He is an awesome friend to Bree…and that’s exactly what she needs. Plus…I think there is more to the story with Jer, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see.‘She shook her head slightly, unable to speak. Luke strode right into her personal space, and his hands cupped her cheeks as he crushed his lips to hers.“You own me, Embry,” he said, his eyes pleading. “I’m yours. I’m not letting you run.”So…this is an angsty romance…and believe me…my poor heart was angst’d! But then the ending happened…oh yes…the ending…let’s talk about the ending. The cliff. Is it a major cliff? Hmm…yes. Not going to lie…you’re left hanging in a lot of ways. There are so many things up in the air and guess what…they could fall just about anywhere…cause at this point, Embry and Luke are not going to have it easy. There are a lot of hurt feelings and things to come back from. Do I think it’s still possible for them to get their HEA? 100%! I’m a true romantic to my core and although I am hurt by what Luke has done, I have faith in his love for Embry. I just hope R.E. Hunter writes that 2nd book very quickly! *hint hint!*