Review: This book is filled with so much strength, passion and growth, I loved it!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 12, 2014
So this crazy adventure began at the beginning of the year and left me wanting more of these characters, of the writing, of the story... I whined, pleaded and begged to have this void filled in my heart for the love I have for the bull rider, barrell racer and even the calf roper (cringe). I really thought re-reading Used was going to make the wait better but after the third time, I just knew that my heart would only be happy when it was finally Freed.Used ended with a little offer from Ransom and we were left wondering if she would take him up on it. But even more than that tempting offer, we were left wondering what was going to happen with Greer. Yes, I will be the first to admit, I was not a Greer fan and after Used, I really wasn't happy with him. But the fact remained, there was and probably will always be a place in Denver's heart for him. No matter what happened. I didn't understand how he could love her so much and yet do what he did. But I also spent a great deal of time in Used wondering how the two of them could have let it all get that far out of control.Then there was that amazing bull rider. I think I mentioned in my review of Used or maybe just to the author, Ransom had my heart from the beginning of the story. When I found out that Greer was a calf roper, my heart immediately sided with Ransom and that was the end of that. But the more I learned about his character, the more I grew to adore the hell out of him. He was so much more than a stud on a bull.Denver was left broken trying to figure it all out. But the beauty of it all is that truth will always set you free. Don't get me wrong, I loved the characters in this book just as much as Used, but Denver was the shining star to me. She grew so much as a person in Freed. It really is the perfect title for this book looking at all aspects, but it really rang true with Denver. So much had built up inside her. She had so many secrets, an awful past, a pained relationship with her parents, everything that happened with Greer... the mystery that was Ransom.This book was more than just a steamy story with our new favorite baby Dom... it showed so much growth in Denver as a person. She had to figure out a way to deal with all of the manure that life shoveled at her feet. She had to figure out a why to fight her demons and she had to find a way to forgive the sins of her past, Greer's mistake and she had to do it all while falling in love with an amazing bull rider.Denver just had something special in her, she truly was a "little fighter" but she just had to find a way to fight for herself for a change. Instead of fighting for an escape. And that's where the amazing Ransom comes in. He didn't pressure her to do anything instead, he supported her. He let her lean on him for support. He wanted so much more and he knew once she was on the right path, things between them would be amazing.Of course, Ransom had his own little secret. So yes, there is that big moment when your jaw just drops wide open and you let out a little shriek. But let me tell you, if that one little thing didn't make Ransom even more amazing than I thought he already was and the way he was with his mama. There is nothing sweeter than the interaction between a son and mom. It was the little moments in this book that just captured my heart all over again.And yes, my heart even opened up with understanding for Greer. Now, I am not saying that I forgive him for what he did, but the understanding is there and it was a big growing experience for both him and Denver and it actually made me well up a little. He can't take back what happened, but at least there is a greater understanding. I want Greer to find his happily ever after, but I want him to do it for the right reasons. I think he has a big heart, it was just lost in all of the confusion of their time together.Now, I would kick myself if I didn't take just a minute to recognize one more character that I can't get enough of... I have completely lost my mind over Austin. He was great in Used, but his character even kicked it up a notch in Freed. He is awesome and I hope that he gets his own book one day because he just makes me smile hard. I adore him and his alpaca...wait... Hilarious! He just wins me over with his unique charm that can only be Austin.Every time Lynetta hits publish on a new book, I am always just in complete awe. This book was no different, I was left with a happy sigh and a happy heart. But it wasn't just because of the amazing Ransom, this time it was for the growth that occurred in Denver. The strength she had to work through it all and still find love at the end. It was moving and touching. I don't expect anything less than that from a Lynetta Halat book. My heart was happy.*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review