Review: 4.25☆☆☆☆ Winner for me
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 05 23, 2013
Great followup to the first book about Victor.  While I did like that book, it did seem a little rushed.  But this book took time to revisit some of the old, introduce us to some of the new and reinvent a lot of the past.So many subtleties draped this book about Armando.  Those little things that paved the way to the truth about Katie and her relationship, Armando and his feelings, Katie and her insecurities and uncertainties and the truth that destroyed their lives and threatens to continue that suffocation.While we never truly get the truth in the end, the very last few paragraphs give you insight on a little bit of what is to come and the magnitude of the force of what that truth may be.I was pleased with commentary, backstory, progression and interaction between the characters, and even more pleased with the growth the author displayed for the characters after a decade.  The sort of devastating trauma that Armando and Katie endured is one that could alter the lives of anyone, some in the most horrible ways.  But this author took a higher road and showed these characters drenched in strength, resilience and determination, despite all the manipulation and control others put on them and their lives.  They chose to live their lives their own way as best as they could and when the time was right, it was solely on their own terms without fear of punishment, retribution, judgment or retaliation.  Happiness, love and a desire to right a wrong and live a life of their choosing carried the day.It was truly a powerful connection between two characters that made me smile every time they were in each others presence and had me eagerly wishing they would find a way to climb the rubble of their past, jump over the obstacles in their way and find the road back to each other.One thing at the end both surprised me, shocked me and pleased me, but I found it was bittersweet, necessary and long overdue.A winning read for me.