“I regret the women and meaningless sex, Mac. I was chasing highs, trying to fill a void.” “What void?” Suddenly, I found myself wanting to reach inside him and heal the pain that was so evident in his face. His lips brushed gently against mine. “You. The space inside my heart that was only for you.”

I’d definitely recommend reading the books that prelude this one, before jumping straight in like I did. I know it says it can be read as a stand alone, but it was a bit hard to follow in some places. So, as a bit of an introduction into this book, you find out there’s a serial rapist/sexual predator/stalker (?) that our main female lead, Mac, and her best friend, Gemma, were victims of. Both of the girls suffer from PTSD, but this novel focuses on Mac and her healing process. She is a HOOT. Unfiltered and completely crass, she tells it like it is from the very beginning of our journey. Some might say it’s because she has severe ADHD, but I choose to believe it’s just part of her personality. It makes her quirky and unforgettable.

Mac joins her brother, Hendrix, and Gemma (Mac’s best friend but also Hendrix’s girlfriend), John, and Cade (two guys they grew up with) on their tour bus for their band. So just to be clear: Gemma, Hendrix, John, and Cade are in a band that is currently on tour and our leading lady, Mac, joins them.  She needs a break from the constant reminder of her trauma, and wants to spend time with the people she loves (a la Hendrix and Gemma). Little does she know…her soulmate was sitting in front of her, her entire life. 

Cade is a dream. A complete manwhore at the beginning of our book, who transforms into a loving and supportive partner for Mac. As confusing as some of this book was for me (mostly due to the number a characters I had to keep track of), Cade and Mac’s storyline held it all together. It was definitely a journey, that’s for sure. 

He bent down and placed his cheek against my sternum. My fingers weaved through his short, soft black hair. “I could stay here and listen to your heart all day.” “Yeah?” I asked. “It’s because I know it belongs to me. I’ve waited so long, Mac.”

There are some very sensitive parts of the book that should probably be prefaced with a trigger warning. I was in tears in bed for a while during one part. Owenby, our author, is a gifted storyteller. I know if I went back and started the series over from the beginning, I’d be immediately hooked. I’m already incredibly invested in Hendrix and Gemma’s love story and I’m DYING to read about their bodyguard, Pierce, and how his story might play out. 

Overall, a well-written, enjoyable piece.  There was SO many great quotes, it was hard for me to choose just one 🙂

“When everything in my world turned so hopeless, you were the light that broke through the darkness.”