Review: A great story about falling in love and beginning to live again.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 21, 2013
ARR Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.I so needed a story like this today. Every now and then a simple story about falling in love without letting the complications of your past is just what you need to put a smile on your face. I feel like I this story just rinsed the bad taste of the last book I read right out of my mouth.Bree has decided to leave her abusive boyfriend but things don't go as planned, as she musters up the strength to tell him she is leaving - she barely escapes with her life. But Bree is not the typical book heroine that suffers from abuse and tries to bury it. She is going to deal with it - embrace life and move on.She doesn't want to be just a survivor,She doesn't want to be known as a victim,She just wants to be Bree again.When she is moving into her new home the Josh catches her eye. He has bad-boy written all over him. Covered with ink, piercings and beautiful green eyes. Josh and Bree have an instant connection of attraction but that connections goes far beyond that. Her pain stirs up memories of his past - suffering that he and his roommate Eric have battled with for some time."What if I fall for you? But... you don't fall for me?"I hate the guy who did this to her. Her head is filled with self-doubt and jaded memories of a toxic relationship. If she could just see that I am the guy who is about to change all that."I want you to fall for me, Bree. That's the plan. Don't worry about me falling for you. I'm already tripping my way to you...just a couple more clumsy steps."There is a particular scene towards the end of this book that just hit me right in the heart. As much as I was able to get through the abuse portions of this story without getting emotional (since I was so focused on her being able to move forward and not being afraid to do so), there was a perfect moment in this book that brought out your emotions. It was tucked in there nicely and just where it was needed.  I truly enjoyed this story. The author was able to take a very difficult subject without taking you to a dark place. But the focal point isn't really the abuse that happened - it was the act of letting the scars that are in the inside heal so that you can trust someone - love someone and let go of the misplaced guilt and free yourself to be happy. It was a short read and one of those feel good - guilty pleasure romance stories.I adored Bree and Josh. Eric and Lena's story still remains unknown - but I am glad to see that we will get a story for these two and will find out a little more about what has caused Lena to fear a relationship. Even though Eric was not the main character, he was well developed and was a vital part to the story.  Nick ... let's just say he got what he deserved. As for Sofie, I wanted to slap her from the start - a great job creating a character that you instantly dislike (and you are suppose to!).  I thoroughly enjoyed Josh & Bree's story and am looking forward to seeing what else Ella Col has in store for us in the future. I know that I will be picking up her future works.