Review: Advanced Reader Copy Review
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 17, 2013
ARC Review – I received an advanced copy of this amazing book (and finished it very late that same day), only requirement is that I give an honest review without spoiling the plot. And given the plot's twists and turns, a completely understandable request.I’m not sure where to start with my review of this book (which is why it's taken me so long to write it) – The emotional roller coaster that is the plot of this book had me laughing, crying and at times wanting to throttle Brielle’s mother (a woman that doesn’t deserve the title at all). Through it all, I could not put the book down. By the time I thought things might have a chance to work out I realized that the story was only at the half-way mark. Then there is that sharp drop in the roller coaster ride that leaves your stomach about 100 feet above your body and I had to know just how things would recover.Brielle bases her entire love life on what she thinks is sage advice from her grandmother. Nana basically raised Brielle to have a jaded view on love, there is no happy ever after, it’s best to settle for the best you can do which is “good enough”. No use is trying to find anyone better than that.With a kicked to the head (literally) Brielle finds herself in uncharted depths, uncharted emotional turmoil and desire. The heart-wrenching nature of how bad things can be when you settle and then Mr. Right walks into your life for you to find out that he’s Mr. 98% Right.If you enjoy heart-wrenching romance, that heart-aching feel of love that shouldn’t be mixed in with a woman realizing that settling for 60% isn’t good enough when it comes to love – This book is perfect!If you like tame, same ol same ol there aren’t any really huge problems to overcome romance books – this may be a bit too much of a roller coaster ride for your emotions. But, really, Life isn’t life until you have that thrill – I so recommend this book; I plan to read it again (box of tissues closer by this time)My pet peeves – both my own personal issues ;)The book is in first person, not my favorite writing style. But I know that’s just me. The writing is very well done and after a while I had pushed that little 'first-person' issue completely out of mind (something about getting completely engulfed by the story does that)This is my first Contemporary Story from Shannon Mayer, I had read her other paranormal works before so a part of my mind kept waiting for something paranormal to work its way in. I managed to shush that voice but had it creep back towards the end when Brielle was having her dreams. I believe the dreams added to the story and worked well given what was happening in the plot.Minor Spoiler below:YES, there is a Happy Ending (I was worried about that part way through the book, and I so dislike books that don’t have happy endings). It’s perhaps not the ending some may want, but I found it very satisfying given everything happening. I was so very happy to have read this book! And will do so again