Review: A darker, more troubled Alex
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 16, 2013
Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars!The second book in the Moments series, Right Now , follows the story of Alex Donovan and Zoe Stone.In A Moment, we're introduced to Alex and we fall for him just as much as the two main characters. He's shown as a sweet and protective cousin, but we can tell he hasn't had much luck with the ladies. However in this book, we see a completely different side to Alex. One that is much darker and troubled than he came off as in book one.Now that his cousin Ryan has gotten married and is starting a family of his own with Liliana, Alex feels like a third wheel. He's tired of his same old routine life and he's desperate for change. Going into a tattoo parlor to begin that change, he meets Zoe. She's sassy, sexy, and everything opposite of what Alex is and has ever had. But opposite is what he asked for!Zoe is taken aback when Alex walks into the tattoo parlor where she works. She hasn't seen him since high school, but she certainly hasn't forgotten him. How could she forget the biggest crush of her life. Unfortunately for her, he never noticed her then, but now...Alex struggles with his past and the despicable act his father committed against his own cousin, Ryan. He's used sex as a way to forget, but after meeting Zoe, all he wants to do is remember. With Zoe by his side, he works through his damaged history in an effort to heal himself.I wasn't expecting so much pain bottled up in Alex, so when I began reading this, my heart broke for him. While he may not have been the direct victim of his father, Alex certainly shared the torment and was tortured by his own secret guilt. I could really feel his agony as he sat through his therapy sessions and recalled that night.As for Zoe, well she was a firecracker! There were moments where I thought she jumped the gun and didn't let Alex explain himself. I suppose she was just worried that the high school version of Alex was going to hurt her at any minute, but I just think she went a bit overboard a few times. I loved how considerate she was and willing to stick by a man with so much baggage. I also enjoyed her sarcasm and the way she stood up to her not so approving family.Lovely and unexpecting story from Marie Hall. She continues to write stories with intense emotions and genuine situations readers can grasp and relate to. Looking forward to reading Tor and Jamie's story next!