Review: Emotional
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 1, 2013
Admittedly, I went on a Kristen Ashley binge with the Rock Chick series, interspersed with the Chaos series and "Law Man" from the Dream Man series.  I actually started with "Law Man" first which I loved.  I had to take a break from Ms. Ashley's books because a couple of the Rock Chick books got a little silly.  I haven't written a review for any of the Kristen Ashley books I've read but this much I can say - I loved "For You".  All of the heroes and heroines in Ms. Ashley's books are relatively the same, the male portrayed as the strong "alpha male" type and the heroine portrayed as strong but vulnerable type.In "For You" I got the sense that both hero and heroine were strong and vulnerable because of their shared history.  Alec and Feb have known one another since he was five and she was three.  Alec came from an abusive home, both parents alcoholic with the father providing physical abuse as well.  Feb comes from a loving and doting family, her brother Morrie being Colt's best friend growing up and their parents Jack & Jackie always looking out for Colt by providing Colt safe haven whenever his home got ugly.  One night when Colt was sixteen, it all changes - Colt ends up in the emergency room after the final altercation with his father and goes to live with the Owens.February Owens and Alexander Colton were high school sweethearts destined to spend their lives together and the whole town knew it, Feb's parents expecting it, until something awful happens one night at a party both attended, or so it seemed, causing Feb to immediately break up with Alec without a single word to Colt why they're over.  February finally comes home after leading a nomadic life for over twenty years and is home for two, studiously avoiding Alec, having minimal or no interaction with him whenever Feb came home for family gatherings in all those years.  Alec has lived his life without Feb, getting married and divorced from Melanie.  Although married for over fifteen years, Colt never got over Feb while Melanie did her best to pretend Feb was never in between them.  Colt was no saint, hooking up with random women but nothing that lasts except for his last relationship with Susie who he breaks up but Susie's in denial and that leads to a spectacular scene at J&J;'s, the Owens family bar that Feb and Morrie run now.Feb, in the meantime, has worked in bars in various states.  Feb has lived her life, having only four relationships but nothing that lasts either, except for her last one with Graham Reece (who will be featured in "Jagged" soon to be released) and one abusive marriage, her first relationship.  Feb has felt disconnected from her family after her break up with Colt and carries what she perceives as her shame because of her bad marriage and rumors generated by her behavior after the break from Colt.  Neither Colt or Feb have been really happy.  Their friends have always seen it, especially her sister in law, Dee.It's the incident that occurs on the night of the party that provides the genesis of Colt and Feb's journey as adults.  Feb is the object of a serial killer's affections and obsession and to a certain degree Colt as well.  This is where Colt and Feb are back in each other's lives.  Colt is a police lieutenant.  On a morning where Feb opens up the bar, she finds that Darryl has forgotten to take the trash out so she goes to take the trash out the back door only to find Angie, her childhood best friend, hacked to death on the steps of the door leading to the alley.  Angie's death is the first of the murders Colt and his fellow police investigate.  Once it's realized that the murderer has anyone who has wronged or hurt Feb in his sight, Colt wants Feb protected, never to left alone.Feb ends up moving into his house with her parents moving their RV onto his property.  Colt and Feb's story, past, present and future really begin to unfold and take shape from here.  You finally find out the reason behind Feb breaking up with Colt.  You'll find out that neither Feb or Colt has ever stopped loving or missing each other.  Colt realizes that he really doesn't know the adult version of Feb and he wants to clear the air with Feb and really find out what happened on that long ago night.  Feb wants the same thing but is cautious because of the perceived hurt inflicted by Colt that she's never gotten over.  You get to meet Jack, Jackie, Morrie, Dee, Jessie, Meems, Josie, Al, Jimbo, Joe-Bob, Darryl, Phy, Sully, Lorraine, even Melanie - just some of the friends and family members in Colt and Feb's lives.This is my longest review, which I seldom write or share because reviews are mostly subjective, rarely objective. The initial back story started off slow for me but somewhere around 16% read on my kindle, I couldn't stop.  I found myself immersed in this story.  I loved getting to know the Owens, Colt and his fellow police and the friends of Feb and Colt because the characters have known one another from school or work for a long time, which I think enhances a story."For You" is a definite re-read for me.