Review: Darker than I Like
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 01 28, 2014
Book Review- Beautiful Addictions by Season ViningJosie Banks is always striving for a constant blissful high of indifference.  She searches for this in the way of drugs, sex with strangers, her drawings and her graffiti.  She is broken.  She started her life as McKenzi Delaune.  After losing her parents, she was placed in foster care in San Diego.  She doesn’t remember her life before.  Her life since moving to San Diego has shaped her into the person she is now.  She drifts through her life wanting to be numb and distance.  She doesn’t believe she deserves anything else.  The only thing that grabs her attention is her obsession.  He is a bartender.  She has never talked to him.  She just sits in the shadows and draws.  She is drawn to him.  She doesn’t know why and she can’t stop.  So she sits and secretly watches him work.The object of her obsession is Tristan Fallbrook.  His life is not going as well as he hoped.  He has had his heart broken and he is trying to make a new life for himself away from the life of crime he was living.  He had given up college and law school for the woman he loved.  When he sees Josie he is shocked.It turns out they have a history.  Tristan knew her when she was McKenzi.  In fact they were best friends.  He was devastated when he thought she was dead.  He has loved her since he was seven years old.  He sees how broken she is now and wants to prove to her that she is worthy of his love.  Josie doesn’t remember him but she knows he means something to her.  She embraces him and trusts him.As they settle in more with each other, Tristan learns that the mobster, Dean Moloney, who started all this in motion is still looking for Josie.  He is desperate to tie up loose ends.  An assassin is searching for her and Tristan knows he needs to protect her with his life.The one thing I really liked about this book was the love that Tristan had for McKenzi and continued when he found her again as Josie.  It was sweet and endearing.  The other parts of the story were very depressing and it was difficult for me to get into them.  I felt sorry for Josie and can see why she is they way she is.  It is, however, difficult to read through her destructive behavior and the violence that occurs from a majority of the characters in the book.  It was a much darker book than I usually like.  I give it a 3 out of 5.