Review: Great second book in a series that just melts my heart
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 21, 2013
4 "Meet me in outer space..." Kisses*Sigh* That's about all I can do right now. I am in love with this series...in love with these characters...and possibly planning my move to Beachwood Bay. I cannot explain the hypnotic hold this series has over me, but I'm 100% A-Okay with it. It's that just right blend of relatable heroine, with a drool worthy book boyfriend, the perfect amount of angst and grit and to top is off a good amount of steamy sexiness. What more could you ask for? I was over the moon for Unbroken when I read it 5 months ago and I can definitely say Unafraid was another amazing addition to this series.Brittany Ray...poor poor Brit. She's an outcast, the town s!^%, the girl every guy uses and forgets about, the girl everyone likes to gossip and talk about...even her parents didn't want her. She's a tough, hardened girl who has learned to live with walls built around her heart, because you can't get hurt if you don't let anyone in. She doesn't let anything phase her, sarcasm and whit are second nature to her. Beachwood Bay is home and is the best she can do and while she does have a passion and dreams of being a fashion designer, even those get crushed with every denial letter that comes her way. So it's about time something good comes her way...just so happens it's in the form a 6'2" blonde Adonis.`The first time I laid eyes on Brittany Ray, I knew this girl was wilder than any stallion I'd ever seen. She was headstrong, wounded, passionate, and free. And I had to have her.'Hunter Covington...Mmmmhmmm...I mentioned he's 6'2", right? And blonde? Yeah. Oh and `Drop-dead, panty-twistingly gorgeous.. That's prolly the best way to describe him...he's got gorgeous blue eyes...body to die for (and I did...a couple times), smart (went to Yale), kind...and basically rich boy royalty. But he doesn't want his parents money, or all the strings that come along with that. He wants to work on his grandfather's ranch in Beachwood Bay, training horses just like he was taught to every summer for years. Oh...and he wants Brit. Bad. He's lived with immeasurable guilt for the past three years but he's done living the life his parents have planned for him. It's time for him to live his dreams.`Funny, how the idea of someone can mean so much. It was just a few hours we spent together all those years ago, but I've clung to the memory of her strength and tenderness, like the only light in my darkness. A north star, guiding me on, making me believe that for all my guilt and grief, I could feel something more too. A moment of peace, some glimmer of joy.She saved me, and she doesn't even know it.'So what's not to love about these two? They're their own worst enemies....he's living with a ton of guilt and she's living with the town stigma's the she can't help but live up to...in her own words `I wanted so badly to prove them wrong, but all I do is live up to their low expectations.' It's actually really heartbreaking. Until she finally learns that Hunter might have better intentions than she thinks he does...that's when the fun starts. And there was a lot of fun to be had in this book."You're perfect, Brit. Special, and rare. And maybe you can't believe that, but I swear, I won't stop until you see what I do. The most incredible girl I've ever met."Of course it's got emotional parts in it, but the chemistry and attraction between these two is pretty freakin awesome. I mean....duh...it was established years ago that they like each other, we've cleared that hurtle. But Hunter doesn't want just sex from Brit and Brit has never experienced a relationship period, so a guy wanting her for more than sex is a foreign concept. Part of what made this that much more for me was getting it from both of their POV's...it's not every other chapter, it's sporadic and kind of like a `surprise' game, you never know who's head you'll be in next - which didn't bother me at all. But I liked it because you knew what they were thinking and feeling in the moment and it's almost like Melody had a magic ball and just knew when I was wondering what the other would be thinking or feeling because Bam! Then the next chapter would be in their POV.`And that's when I know I'm doomed.I can fight this, kicking and screaming. I can pretend I'm immune, and in control, and I can walk away any time I choose. But the truth is, I realize, I don't stand a chance.Because Hunter Covington is the most noble, sweet, gorgeous, sexy man I've ever met. And I'm falling in love with him.'Oh and don't you fret, it wasn't a walk in the park once Brit finally gets it thru her head that Hunter might be a freakin amazing guy and totally into her....there is still more angsty goodness to be had. The guilt plays a big part...and I can't spoil it...but it made me cry. And it squeezed my heart. But...I cannot say that they way Hunter handled things did frustrate the every living bejesus out of me. I get it...I understand it...but after all the work he did with Brit it was like WTF are you doing Hunter??? REALLY?!?!!? Ugh...boys. Just want to shake them sometimes. And God Bless Brit....she had a lot more guts than I ever would. *sigh*"But I'm not a sane man, Brit, I'm crazy about you." Hunter smiles at me, so full of tenderness it takes my breath away, "So you be scared, and freak out, and feel whatever it is you need to feel. Just promise me you'll do it here, by my side. Because I can't take losing you again," he adds, determined. "If you run, I'm running after you, and dragging you right back home again. You understand?"My only teeny-tiny problem with everything had to do with their relationship...I wish it was more developed. More of seeing them spend time together, getting to know each other, seeing him break down her walls a little slower, maybe? Not that I didn't feel their connection and chemistry...it's all well and good that they `feel' it and they `know', but it would have just made it a little more realistic and more believable. Trust me, I felt it and I loved the two of them together - you got exactly how they felt about each other, but just having more of that foundation...of them connecting on more than just that `one night' and other than their physical relationship and the few conversations we got to see."I want to stay here forever," he murmurs, dropping kisses along my neck, my chest, my lips. "Just you and me, it's all I ever need."Oh my that ending...that is my bread and butter. That super lovey HEA that just leaves me filled with glee and warm and fuzziness. L.O.V.E.D. IT! And can I just say for the record that I can't wait to see what's next in Unwrapped....Lacey and Daniel! And a holiday wedding for Jules and Em SQUEEE!!!!! Oh, I so hope Garrett has a novel worked in there somewhere...I have a soft spot in my heart for manw#*$%'s and Garrett is a fabulous manwhore. I can only imagine what Miss. Grace has in store next for the Beachwood Bay series... :-)