Review: Innocent, Beautiful Love Story
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 6, 2014
5 Stars!!!!!<I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review>This book was amazing love story. Garret Shaw a rancher is saddled into a marriage he does not want. Little does he know the sassy redhead Maggie Flemming is the “Margaret Flemming” childhood friend that left him behind so long ago.Garret had a rough upbringing after his friend left him in Rockdale, Texas. His father abused him nearly killing him. Garret was rough around the edges and a bit bitter. Margaret did not have much better of an upbringing. She was brought up by a terrible hag of an Aunt in a society she never wanted to belong to. She sets out to live with her father in Texas. Margaret is so excited to see her childhood friend and father but when tragedy strikes, Garret and Maggie are thrown together into a relationship neither is sure they can survive.There are so many emotions you feel in this book; love, laughter, innocence shattered, heart-break, triumph and pure joy. The tension between the characters was like a spring. The angst served a purpose and the sexual tension was sweet and old fashion. This was such a refreshing read. I had to use my imagination for the love scenes and was begging for the couple to share their first kiss. As simple as that first kiss was written it made me swoon throughout the entire book. Margaret’s personality heals Garret’s soul. Together they become one.The flow of the story was very smooth and did not leave any gaps for me to wonder what was going on. The book is a stand-alone novel and has a wonderful look-ahead epilogue that completes the book beautifully. (even though I would love to see more of the couple) I am still satisfied.This is my first Tera Shanley book. I fell in love with these characters and would highly recommend this book. I will be adding Ms. Shanley’s other books to my TBR.Quotes:They didn’t have to speak the same language. They both knew heartache.He wanted a piece of her soul. Would wrench it from her body and hold it in his hand. Asked her to trust him with a piece of herself, and she could only thing of one thing that held any meaning to her.“You’ll leave me, Maggie. I can’t give my heart to you. I can’t go through what my pa and Roy went through. I don’t have it in me.” – GarretHe took his time, revered her, touched every inch of skin and emotion she possessed. Gazing into her eyes, he touched her lips ever so lovingly with his. And amidst satiated sighs and soft moans, she connected with him, to the depths of their souls.She’d been as thirsty for his skin as he was for hers.“I love you, Maggie. I think a piece of me always has, and the rest of me always will.” - Garret