Review: 4 Stars
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 28, 2014
Roy Sykes is a broken man. Before his band made it big as FireNine, Roy's life was spiraling downhill. This is Roy's story as told by him during an interview for a magazine article about his life. The first 57% of the book is a flashback to Roy's life 8 years ago, and how the decisions he has made, and things he has done made him the man he is."I think... that was the hardest shit I've ever been through-and I've been through a lot of shit"After meeting and falling for a mob bosses daughter, Roy allows himself to finally open up to the one the girl who has stolen his heart. When everything around him seems to be closing in on him, Roy depends on Rose to be his light at the end of the tunnel. Through the course of a year, Roy struggles through ups and downs with Rose, until finally all of his dreams seem to be finally coming true. Suddenly his world comes crashing down again around him leaving him heartbroken.T: I loved Roy in the first two books in the FireNine series, so I was super excited to learn Roy's back story. I was intrigued by what was going on in his head and the way he was. While I did enjoy learning Roy's back story, I felt that it ran a little flat for me, and was drawn out a little longer then I would have liked.S: I agree Tara. I couldn't wait for Roy's book to be released. I wanted to know what made him who he is. But, I too felt it was drawn out too far. I kept finding myself asking "When will we get to the present"? I am so glad I know more about him, but it could have been done within 30% of the book."A huge part of me died after my encounter with Rose and mom's death."FireNine is reaching the peak of success, Roy has moved on from his past, and Kelsey enters his life just when he needed her the most. At 57%, we come back to present day and pick up with Roy's life."I wanted to dig deeper because, in some sort of way, what I saw in her eyes had also been hidden behind mine."T: I absolutely love Kelsey...I can totally relate to the passion Roy has for her. Their instant connection in Who We Are had me cheering for their relationship. I knew from the start she was going to be the one to break Roy, and show him what true love was all about.S: Kelsey and Roy make me so happy together! She knows how to relate to Roy, and had me believing she could be the one person to change his life. She would open his heart. I just hoped he would let her.Things are going great for Roy and Kelsey until Rose re-emerges in his life and things start to unravel. Roy finds his emotions are torn between past and present, the love he shares with Kelsey, and the love he once knew with Rose.*Will Roy let Rose come between him and Kelsey?*Are the memories of his first love too hard to let go of?*Will his past come back and ruin the life he has created for himself?*Will Roy find his Happily Ever After?These are just some of the questions you will be asking yourself as you read through the second half of the book. While they will all be answered, you may find yourself surprised at how it all plays out. During a brief time, you will want to slap Roy and ask him "why Roy why?"."It was because of you that I believed in love again."S & T: We were both expecting an angsty, drawn out, twist and turn time here. It felt so rushed and predictable. We would have loved to see a confrontation between Kelsey and Rose, and to see Roy prove himself to his one true love.This right here, this angelic girl lying beside me and the boys I've grown up with, are all I have in this world now."Overall Shanyn and Tara enjoyed reading Who I am. They both agree it is a 4 Star read. To get the full experience and fully understand Roy, you should read Who He Is and Who We Are, which btw are both AMAZING!!! Although, Who I Am, only briefly touches on the past characters from the first 2 books in the series, it is important to have a glimpse into Roy's actions in those books to understand him completely.*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review**Shared Review with Shanyn*