Review: Carina's story did not disappoint!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 16, 2014
So by this point, I think it's safe to say Melody Grace's Beachwood Bay series rates pretty up there, along with my other favorite New Adult Series. From the characters, to the idyllic setting, to level of steam & romance; these books just work. It also doesn't hurt that Melody Grace is a superb writer!"This is where my childhood ended, torn away with the dying breaths of my mother. And this is where I'll be strong enough to start again" - CarinaSo after, enjoying Daniel and Lacey's novella, I knew not to judge Melody Grace's choice of main characters. Sure Carina Mackenzie was pretty much Juliet's evil step-sister (nay the step), whom like their father, basically berated and belittled Juliet for her choices in Unbroken. But still...I'm a sucker for a good redemption story, and besides, we've only ever gotten Juliet's side of the story. Who's not to say Carina faced her battles too?"It's him. This man. This infuriating, irritating, goddamn miracle of a man. It's him." - CarinaEnter Garret Sawyer, Brit's best friend, and now full owner of the bar Emerson used to run. I've always liked Garrett, but it was clear, from Brit's book, that the alleged playboy had his share of secrets too. Getting his book was just icing at this point. Pair that with the fact he's the only one who's called Carina on her bull, and I knew these two would be an interesting match to say the least.And boy was I right. Carina is definitely not the girl we think we know. Hiding behind a facade of lies and gilded appearances, the girl that arrives at Beachwood late one night, is both fed up, and broken enough, that she believes herself beyond redemption. It doesn't help that the people around her (her father and her fiancee) treat her like dirt. Even Garrett, at the beginning, is weary of Carina's intent. Yet that's the thing I enjoyed most about Garrett, he was the kind of man who knew how to accept his faults. As soon as someone tried to hurt Carina, Garrett's protective instincts kicked in, and he basically became Carina's lifeline, giving her support and the understanding she needed to move forward. And even though the chemistry between these two simmered like crazy, they never rushed into anything; looking first to get beyond each other's walls and insecurities.Along with the romance, this book also focused on family issues. As we know from the previous books, Carina's relationship with her sister Juliet was almost non-existent; which we learn is something Carina deeply regrets. With Garret's support, it was heartwarming to see how she tries to mend the fences with her sister. It's not say things we're easy, but I loved how that played out. Because with it, Carina learns that the things in life that matter, aren't at all the pretty or materialistic ones; it's love :)"There's nothing to say, nothing I can do but kiss her again...A kiss of joy, of hope, for the new future we;ll share...A place of love and trust and second chances." - GarrettAll in all, I highly enjoyed this book. Carina and Garrett together we're just yum, and boy, does Garrett  know what he's doing ;) Watching them work through their issues together only solidified them more as a perfect couple. Melody Grace really has a hold on her characters and their journeys, which makes her stories fun to read. My only complaint was the end of the story. I felt after a certain part, things we're resolved a little too quickly, and I would have liked to see more of Carina and Garrett as a couple after the fact. I also would have liked to see Garrett man up a bit more in terms of dealing with his issues.That said, at the end of the book, we're presented with the next Beachwood Bay couple...and man, am I ever excited to get my hands on a book. I already love the couple, and can imagine all the deliciously sexy and angsty times that wait up ahead in Uninhibited!