Review: Captivating Character-Driven Romance!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 8, 2014
Find this review and more at Lusty Penguin Reviews!The second book of CJ Azevedo’s Without series, Without Doubt, is a gripping new adult romance. Creatively alternating between Declan James and Ava Sterling’s first person voices, Azevedo effectively draws you into the story, so you fully experience what each character is going through.Ava Sterling does everything she can for her very young daughter. Ava is a graduate student working on her PhD in psychology while she works full time at the local bar. With her life this busy, Ava is not looking for a boyfriend. Ava’s dedication to her studies, her job, and her daughter makes her a character to admire. Falling for the edgy alpha male, Declan James, a mixed martial arts fighter, is definitely not part of Ava’s plan. Declan is so completely taken by Ava that he decides to ask her out to dinner. She turns him down flat, but Declan is not one to take no for an answer. Instead, the next day he sends Ava a note along with a meal to eat during her break. Even though you just know that Declan is a possessive alpha male, early on he shows a tender side, which I really liked about his character. Ava and Declan are an engrossing couple because they don’t rush too quickly into a relationship. Instead they take their time, getting to know each other via phone calls and texts. Azevedo understands that Ava and Declan, like any young couple, will have disagreements, and takes care to realistically portray them. Ava takes her time before introducing Declan to her daughter, which further endeared her character to me. Everything changes when Ava’s sister returns and exposes a secret that has the potential to destroy Ava and Declan’s relationship. Ava is devastated by her sister’s news and betrayed by Declan’s reaction. With the help of an attorney, Declan devises a plan to keep them together, but Ava isn’t buying it. Both characters must give the other something that each needs before they are able to reach their happy ending. When I finished the story, I was pleased with the way everything ended. But, as I reflected on the story after I finished it, I realized that didn’t really like Declan after all. Based on some of Declan’s comments, we know he is deliberately keeping things from Ava, which, in retrospect, bothers me and has altered my opinion of his character. Although this couple finds their happy ending, they do have some unresolved issues. If this book wasn’t part of a series, I would be more upset. There is the possibility that these unresolved issues will be part of the next story.Without Doubt is a captivating character-driven romance that will stick with you long after you finish the last word. I am looking forward to reading the other novels in the Without series in the future.I received an eBook copy of the book for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review, and all conclusions are my own responsibility.