Review: I wish I could give more stars
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 16, 2013
If you ever doubt the ability of a male author to spin a beautiful love story, pick up this set by Charles Sheehan-Miles. He's amazing.Just Remember to Breathe:Dylan and Alex have a past. They have broken each other's hearts and ripped each other to shreds. And now they meet again, years later, placed in a situation where they must work together. As they set out to put rules in place to allow them to do their job without focusing on their past, their history refuses to be ignored, and they find themselves slowly working through it, and falling in love again. But they're both broken in different ways, and they have to battle not only their shared past, but their own individual insecurities. I couldn't put this book down. The story tore at my heart and made me want to wrap Dylan up and hug him. Loved that while the ending is what I wished for and wanted to happen, it wasn't wrapped up in a tidy bow of perfection.A Song for Julia:Once again Charles has given me everything I could ask for in a book. Characters I fall in love with, backstories that take my breath away, and a story that sucks me in and won't let me go until I've read the last word.When we first meet Crank and Julia, I thought they were going to be the typical "rich girl" and "punk rocker." I've never been happier to be proven wrong. Julia's history is heartbreaking, and her strength in overcoming it, despite having virtually no support system leaves me in awe. And Crank. Sigh. How can you not adore Crank? From his touchy relationship with his dad (whom I ADORED), to his complete devotion to Sean, he's completely lovable, and at the same time so far from perfect that he's believable.Together they're something that so many authors strive for, but fall short of, and that's REAL. Their story isn't easy. It isn't all roses and rainbows. They carry the reader on a ride that is breathtaking and heart stopping and completely memorable.The Last Hour:When I first met Ray and Carrie in "Just Remember to Breathe," I was intrigued. I knew that there just HAD to be more to their story, and was thrilled when I heard that Charles was writing a book ALL about them. Everything about their relationship was full throttle, no holds barred, and no holding back. The fact that normally reserved Carrie went full tilt into it, gave some insight into how the rest of their story would go.So...when I was given the opportunity to read "The Last Hour," I jumped at it. Within the first 3 pages, the book took my breath away. The accident. Gosh how I cried, and spent the entire book praying for Ray's recovery. I loved the insight we got into his thoughts, how he felt, and his reactions to what was going on around him. Learning what Ray and Carrie had faced in their brief time together gave me an understanding of the two of them that made me love them more. And in the end, Ray's choice, though it killed me, proved what a truly good and unselfish man he is.Charles has written a story that jerked me into it from the very first words and kept me there until I finished. There is NO way I can do justice to his work with my words. All I can say is, read this book. It will make you laugh and cry, and leave you feeling like you've just been through the wringer, but it's worth it.