Review: One of the 12 NA's of Christmas!!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 22, 2013
Brave by Zoe DawsonSource: AuthorMy Rating: 5/5 starsDakota Gray’s life is divided into two distinct categories: 1) the time before that horrific day and; 2) the time after that horrific day.  Before that horrific day, Dakota was a talented and skilled nurse whose outlook on life was generally very positive.  His kind nature and desire to help other led him to caring for others until that day robbed him of everything.  Now, Dakota lives in total isolation, shunning the world and refusing to return to the life, the family and the friends he once had.  That day lives on in Dakota’s every thought and every feeling and he just can’t see a path beyond the pain.For Alissa Thompson, life should have been easy.  Her parents are ridiculously wealthy and as long as Alissa follows the life plan her parents have mapped out for her, they will continue to pay for everything and make achieving “her” goals smooth and easy.  All of this and more can be Alissa’s as long as she doesn’t expect anything like affection and/or concern in return.  The only bright spot in Alissa’s life has been her best friend Charlie, a friend she would do absolutely anything for even if it means defying her parents and digging deep to find just a little bit of courage.Enter fate, a mountain, a hot guy cutting wood and, a wretched snow storm.In trying to fulfill her promise to Charlie, Alissa finds herself trapped on a mountain top with a busted ankle and a rescuer who wants nothing to do with her beyond setting her injured ankle and pushing her out the door the moment the storm passes.  Alissa is scared and hurt (in more ways than one) yet realizes that Dakota may be just what she needs to overcome her fear and begin to live her life.  Dakota can’t deny his basic nature and taking care of Alissa does come quite naturally.  Both angry and confused by her presence, Dakota fights himself, his memories and Alissa before finally accepting that there may be hope for him yet.The Bottom Line: Even at just 118 pages, Zoe Dawson’s Brave will take you on a whirlwind ride beginning with page one and not stopping until the very last sentence!  Dakota and Alissa are both beautifully broken characters who may never have dealt with their issues if they weren’t forced into doing so.  Thank goodness for that snow storm!  Every moment with them is both heartbreaking and joyful as you see them learn to accept themselves and care for one another.  Oh, and they have some steamy sex too   Even in so few pages, both characters and their respective backstories are fully developed and left me with a real sense of satisfaction at the end.  Zoe Dawson has mastered the fine art of packing a few pages with a whole lot of powerful!!  Overall, this quick and emotionally charged novella will have you flipping pages at lightning speed and remind you of the true meaning of bravery and courage, love and friendship and, the holiday season.