Stealing Our Hearts

Okay, let’s just make one thing clear: sports romance…not really my thing. But after reading this novel by Meghan Quinn, I’m starting to wonder if I should give this genre a chance?

He leans down and runs his lips over mine before pressing his palm above my heart. “This right here, this belongs to me.” He takes my hand and presses it above his heart. “And this, this right here belongs to you.”

Knox, our leading man, is an interesting character. He has a lot of positives and negatives. Definitely a GREAT example of a college baseball player. That being said, when he’s open and honest with Emory, it’s marvelous. He’s got a dirty mouth, but it’s exactly what our heroine, Emory needs. She was badly betrayed by her ex-boyfriend of six years, so she transferred colleges for a fresh start. Catching the eye of one of the star baseball players was just an added bonus. I think this story is practically every girls dream in college. Fall in love with an insanely good looking baseball player who loves you irrevocably and doesn’t even pressure you to have sex…yeah, you heard that right. Our lovers don’t even have sex until the end of the book. It’s explosive. Totally worth the wait. 

Quinn opened with a scene from a college party. Very accurate. I loved the way she depicts college life, incredibly true to form. I laughed and I cried, a lot. When leading men get emotional, it really strikes me in the heart. A lot of authors write their men to have incredible strength and skill, but the emotional availability isn’t always there. Knox was like a breath of fresh air.  Oh AND he can quote and debate Pride and Prejudice…uhhh what?! Delicious. This novel was a nice break from the dramatic romances I’ve been reading lately. I’m really excited to read more of Meghan Quinn’s work. 

“She’s worth it.”

“People didn’t have to talk about love to know it existed.  Love wasn’t only real because someone said it out loud.  No, love just kind of sat there quietly, in the shadows of the night, healing the cracks that lived in our hearts.”

This novel was a whirlwind of painful bliss. Brittainy Cherry crafted one of the most interesting plots I’ve read in quite some time. Timelines and arcs were woven together in the most poignant way. I was never lost in this story, and our characters love story expanded over more than fifteen years. HOLY CRAP. Talk about “meant to be”…when you read a story like this, you can’t help but believe. 

Exactly 33% of the book is the story of Ellie and Grey in high school and how they became each other’s first love. Talk about heartbreaking. Ellie experiences a great loss during this time in her life and Grey enters, as a saving grace. They fall into each other and complete the other in all ways. Then, they have to go their separate ways. It’s like a stab in the gut watching them grow apart.  Fast-forward to fifteen years later, and Ellie accidentally ends up back in Grey’s life. This time, it’s Grey that experiences a devastating loss and Ellie comes to save the day. She is truly this story’s hero. She saves so many lives (you’ll see what I mean when you read this). She embodies everything bright and beautiful in the world. 

The idea of time and how it changes people remains relevant throughout this journey. It’s incredibly impactful. We get to experience the lives of four different characters: Ellie and Grey in high school and then Ellie and Grey fifteen years later. No one is the same person they were in high school after fifteen years of this harsh world. The writing is almost poetic in a way, Cherry’s forte. I’ve read many of Cherry’s other works, but this is by far my favorite. 

There was a lot to take away when I finished this novel, but the greatest overarching theme was family. That family comes first. It’s difficult to see things that way if you didn’t grow up with family, but what’s great about this story is you don’t have to be alone in that. As you read, you experience everything Grey goes through with his father and mother.  It’s the lesson that Ellie teaches Grey that really pulls it all together: you can’t heal others if you don’t heal yourself first.

This one is definitely another 5 star-er. Congrats, Cherry!

“Grey?” “Yes?” “Would it be alright if I kept you forever?”

“Like a diamond, none of us are unbreakable. Doesn’t mean we’re not strong. To get to our core, to the beautiful, shining being of who we are, we need to be cut and polished. The process can be violent, but the outcome is exquisite. Just like you.”

This. This is it. This is the book that I needed to read. This story, by Haley Jenner, healed me in a way nothing else in the world has before. It ripped me open, tore at old wounds I thought were untouchable. I weeped while reading this, I felt nauseous and uneasy and utterly empty inside. But I also felt elated and so overly emotional I thought my heart would burst. There are almost no words to describe how impactful this story was…is. There’s so much truth here. So much to take away.

Our heroine, Zoe and Taylor, has a strength about her that’s contagious. There is so much beauty in her pain, so much passion in her heart. Her story is a devastating one. Not many would come out on the other side with as much potential and integrity as our leading lady. Not giving anything away, Zoe was hurt. Badly. Five years before our story takes place. She’s still rebuilding her life when she meets our leading man, Tripp. Tripp is unlike anything I’ve ever read. He’s unreal. Honestly. His only flaw was his loyalty…and even that, you can’t fault him for. His level of compassion and understanding is to be revered. He doesn’t push Zoe’s limits, he takes what she is able to give him and asks for nothing in return. He’s the definition of perfection. 

“I’m an awkward human,” I offer by way of apology. “All the most interesting people are.”

Tripp loves Zoe from the moment he meets her.  She takes a while to come around, but not without reason. It’s not the growth of their relationship that spoke to me; it wasn’t the stolen glances or soft touches, it was the honesty. The truth in what they both felt for one another.  Pretty early on in the story, Tripp and Zoe admit to each other that they have never felt this way for another person…it was intriguing because it wasn’t about being physical.  Not to speak poorly about the genre I love so much, but a lot of stories emphasize the physical attraction that the characters feel before the emotional attraction begins. This story was almost the other way around.  Tripp can’t touch Zoe. They fall in love with each other’s minds and hearts. It was such a treat to watch their love grow. 

I mean…that’s not to say things NEVER get physical in this book. They most definitely do, but it almost makes it even sexier. It’s so much better because it comes from a place of love and not just a physical need.

As I’m writing this, I can’t help but think back on one of my favorite moments in the novel.  Tripp tells Zoe “to love is to fear.” It struck me. The authenticity in such a statement. One of the overarching themes of this book is fear. Our author is undoubtedly right when she writes about how the greatest risk you can take is one of the heart. Higher the risk, higher the reward. The 5 star review on Amazon is much deserved. This is a book I will go back to and read over and over. What a genuinely magical story.

“You’re the loudest thing I’ve ever seen, and I want to hear it all.”

“Pauline and I struggled through our past, our mistakes, and our own blind choices that kept us apart. But where we ended up on the other side of those choices is just proof that sometimes, things are destined to be.”

Harlow James has done it again. Truly. Every time I pick up one of James’ stories, I know it’s worth my time. Her talent shines through her dedication to her characters. Pauline and Dean’s story is filled with such passion and strength; a perfect happily ever after. Not without it’s ups and downs, obviously. But what good love story doesn’t have a few bumps in the road?

Pauline is a ball-buster. And holy cow she ROCKS. What a brilliantly crafted arc…Pauline might be my favorite of James’ characters up to this point. (Though I haven’t read book 3 yet and Mike is already speaking to me). Pauline makes decisions for herself, she has always handled things on her own, she’s determined and aggressive – just a delight to read. When James allows us into Pauline’s world and we discover her secret (no spoilers, I promise!), it’s a solid game-changer.  If you, as the reader, were ever unsure about Pauline before this, there’s no way you can dislike her once you’re privy to what she’s been through. SUCH BRAVERY. A real heroine. 

This brings us to sweet Dean. Such a darling puppy dog, but in the best way. His unconditional love for Pauline has shined bright through all the years they’ve been apart. All of their friends and family can see that they are destined to be together. Again, I can’t applaud authors enough when they give their audience insight into BOTH of the lover’s minds. We are given the chance to hear Dean’s side of their story from the very beginning and it’s MAGICAL. I’ve never fallen in love with a leading man so quickly. He is absolute perfection. Dean has the kindest, gentlest soul, and goodNESS how he loves Pauline. Even when things get a little rocky in the middle of our story, he still knows, deep down, how much he loves her.

This is a journey of forgiveness, fortitude, and fate. James gives us a story both in the present and in the past. Every moment of this rollercoaster was the perfect puzzle piece falling into place. Such tremendous story-telling.

If you aren’t already, you guys should all be looking out for more Harlow James. This woman is GIFTED. I’m so excited to read the next book in this series!!! Congrats on another wonderful novel, Harlow.

“You are my home now.”

“The alone-ness. It’s not the same as loneliness. Alone-ness is an abyss. It’s being alone even when you’re surrounded by people. It’s vast and empty and silent.”

I have never cried so immensely whilst reading a book. I finished the last 30% of the book in my post-work bubble bath, and to quote high school Rachel, “I cried so many tears that I popped all the bubbles in my bath.”  My eyes are swollen and puffy as I’m writing this review. There were tears of pain, tears of joy, tears of fear and stress…I could go on. But I can honestly say, I haven’t been this moved by a story in months. Our author, Emma Scott, truly gifted her audience something special with this gem. Thankfully, it has a 5-star rating on Kindle Unlimited, because anything less would be a disservice. 

Our hero, Jim, is unlike any male lead I’ve ever read before. He is strong and beautiful and passionate, but perfectly flawed. He experienced heartbreaking trauma growing up in the foster system, which left him with a psychological stutter. It’s tragic to witness him struggle with his weakness, but incredibly powerful when he is able to overcome it. Jim is hired as an orderly at Blue Ridge Sanitarium, a hospital “specializing in long-term brain injury treatment, memory care, and rehabilitation.” At this new job, he meets a patient named Thea. Thea only has lucid experiences for 5 minutes at a time before her brain resets and she begins her 5 minutes over again. 

If you’ve ever seen 50 First Dates, it’s similar to it but much less of a comedy and abundantly more touching.

Thea is an artistic prodigy who was in a fatal car accident that resulted in permeant brain damage and the death of both her parents. Throughout his time at Blue Ridge, Jim begins to take to Thea almost immediately and gets to know her little by little during her 5 minute episodes. He discovers that she may actually be REMEMBERING, but just stuck inside her own mind. He falls in love with her.  The story continues and you, as the reader, experience a plethora of ups and downs. It’s QUITE the ride, but well worth every tear. 

“I was a dying man in Thea’s Egyptian desert, and she was a mirage. An oasis that didn’t exist.“

A 5 star review doesn’t do this story justice. I can’t imagine the time it took for Scott to research memory loss, let alone write a romance novel with it as a key plot point. What an exceptional piece, not easily forgotten by anyone who comes across it. Readers – if you take away anything from my blog: READ THIS BOOK. You won’t regret it.  I’m now a devoted forever fan of Emma Scott.

“Remember us…when I can’t.”

“I hope you know what you’re doing. It’s a hard life.”

“Time traveling?”

He shakes his head, staring at the ropes in his weathered hands. “No,” he says. “Being the one who has to stay behind.”

FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS HOLY!!! Where did Elizabeth O’Roark come from and why aren’t more people talking about her?? She is BRILLIANT!!! I can’t handle the emotions I’m feeling right now. I need to take a breath. Wow. Just wow.

Okay, here we go. Deep breaths. I literally bit all my fingernails off reading this book. I’ve never been so stressed out. This is the sequel to Parallel, Nick and Quinn’s beautiful time-traveling romance. If the first book didn’t grab you by the heart, this one will, for sure.  We’ve already established that Quinn is a time-traveler. We know she has a brain tumor that continues to grow every time she accidentally travels backwards or forwards in time.  I say “accidentally” because she has no control over her power and it’s really depressing. It’s also terrifying to witness Nick watching the love of his life whither away and not be able to do anything to help her. 

At this point, Quinn left Jeff (her horrible ex-fiancé) and has officially committed to Nick. They still haven’t said “I Love You” which was 100% okay with me, because the more drawn out a romance is, the better (in my opinion). I mean, they eventually do say it, and it’s perfect in every way, but it’s not until waaaay later. We find out the name of the woman trying to kill Quinn…can’t spoil that for you guys though. IT IS SO GOOD. A total twist that you never saw coming. Ingenious writing.

“It’s actually going to end – for some reason, it didn’t seem real until now.“

O’Roark does a magnificent job of keeping us constantly on the edge of our seats. Will Quinn survive? When all this is over, will she and Nick still be together? Is it all worth it? I still have so many questions that weren’t answered. I’m so invested in this story, I wish I could sit down with O’Roark and go through it all with her. What drove her to write such a passionate, painful story? It ended…but I’m not quite sure how I feel. Isn’t that what true art is about though? You’re supposed to walk away thinking. You’re supposed to constantly be wondering, pondering what you just ingested. Our author achieved this and MUCH more. If I could give her a million stars and a standing ovation, I would. Nick and Quinn will live forever in my heart, this I’m sure of. Much like Elizabeth and Darcy, Katy and Briggs, and so many more…some stories are never over. 

She pulls the covers up to my chin and plants a kiss on my forehead. “You’ll jump,” she whispers, “on the day when you need it most.”

This isn’t your traditional love story and WOW was it worth my time. Kit never needed a hero, because she found all the strength inside herself to survive and live her life. Our author, Emilia Finn, did a beautiful job of writing the perfect leading female. Kit starts out as most of us do, with way too much baggage and horrible self esteem issues. She’s got some mommy issues, which our author graciously lets us in on about halfway through the novel. The real gift of this story, what resonated with me the most, was Kit’s connection with her father. She is truly the definition of a daddy’s girl. Her father was diagnosed with cancer and passed away at the beginning of our story. It’s absolutely painful to watch her go through that with no one to lean on. Her mother died long before, and she is now the sole guardian of her fifteen year old little brother, Jake.

We are introduced to our hero, Bobby, a world renowned fighter, who owns a fighting gym with his brothers. Kit’s little brother, Jake, wants to join the fighting gym…and VOILA, our lovers meet. Kit guards her heart beautifully. It’s a wonder to watch Bobby fall in love with her, slowly and then all at once. Bobby is so open with himself about all that he’s feeling; having the opportunity to read his inner dialogue changes the way the reader experiences their love story.

Anyway, Bobby ends up convincing Kit to train to fight. I truly connected to every insecurity Kit felt while in the beginning of her training. SERIOUSLY WHO WANTS TO WORKOUT IN FRONT OF A SUPER HOT FIGHTER?!?! She was so brave. Lots of other drama occurs, but you’ll have to read the novel to find out how it ends. 

SPOILER: happily ever after, DUH 🙂

Backtracking for a moment, while I was reading this book (on the tail end of my vacation), I realized something. The quote below resonated with me on levels, not because my father is dead (he’s very alive), but because, for some reason unknown to me, my biggest fear (aside from being sold into sex-trafficking) is losing my father.

Watching your daddy being buried is a whole new level of torture.

I have no explanation for you on why I feel the need to focus on this part of the story rather than the fact that our leads said “I love you” fifty percent of the way through the book – usually a big no-no for me. All I know is, it seemed important that I take the time to put it down in words. There is so much beauty in Kit’s pain and Bobby’s understanding of her need to grieve. She never got the chance to grieve for her father because she had to keep living and take care of everything he left behind. What a brilliantly written and crafted character, Finn. I commend you a million times over. Thank you for sharing Kit’s journey with us. Her strength is exactly what we all need. 

“She’s my miracle.”

I glance down, collecting the scatters of truth. “You two looked like a dream I never wanted to have.”

This story was better than I could have imagined. Our author, Harloe Rae, did a phenomenal job keeping us on our toes at every turn. The character development was a little on the rougher side…our leading man and heroine fall in love rather quickly, and it’s a little unbelievable at times. I was VERY pleased with our REAL hero in this story, Ollie. 

I know I mentioned before about not liking children in books…but I’m starting to wonder if I just haven’t read the right books! Ollie was the perfect edition to Brance and Braelyn’s story. He’s the best stick of dynamite I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading about. He is Brance’s son from his previous marriage (the one that turned him into a complete asshole).  Ollie’s desire to find his father a new wife and in turn, get himself a mom, is quite remarkable.  This 5 year old is more cunning and manipulative (in the best way) than any 5 year old I’ve ever met. It makes him so much more enjoyable to read about. 

As mentioned previously, Brance is a complete dickhead. It’s sort of understandable after learning about his ex and how he gained full custody of Ollie, but that’s a whole other political issue that I’m not interested in talking about on my blog LOL. Anyway, Ollie meets Braelyn inside her candy shop and it’s pretty much love at first sight for the little boy. He immediately knows that he wants his father to marry her.

Braelyn lost her boyfriend (almost husband) in a fatal car crash.  She has PTSD, anxiety, depression, and a entire slew of other issues including panic attacks.  The first time she meets Brance, when he brings Ollie into the candy shop to visit, he bullies her so badly that she ends up having a panic attack. Eventually, neither Brance nor Braelyn can stop thinking about the other. They quickly fall madly in love with each other, Braelyn falls and it helps her heal, Brance falls and it helps him let go. 

A standing ovation for our author, if you will! 🙂 Wonderful job, Rae. Thank you for sharing this beautiful journey with us.

“You’re my sunlight and rainbows after a lifetime of storms. Don’t leave me in the dark.” 

My voice is hushed as I meet his eye. “I think…no matter what universe we land in, we land there together.”

Elizabeth O’Roark is a master of the romance genre. I am speechless. This was novel was absolute perfection. I have decided to shake things up because I can’t wait to start the next book in this series. Intersect, here I come! 

I push her hair back from her face, palms on her cheeks. “ Does this mean you’re mine now?” She smiles up at me. “I think maybe I always was.”

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am in total awe of this story and the perfectly crafted plot line. I know I’ve said before how much I hate cliffhangers, but GOOD GOD this was impeccably placed. The idea of time traveling is such an enigma and so underdeveloped. O’Roark took the time to embellish every detail, proving to us that a good author is one who spends time with their characters. Molding and shaping these people into quintessential humans. Nick (ummm the flawless hero, am I right??) is a brilliant doctor, who meets our heroine, Quinn, when she arrives at the hospital he works at after passing out multiple times. Quinn, our gorgeous, level-headed leading lady, has a history of visions of a man named Nick. In her visions/dreams, they are married and insanely in love.

SPOILER ALERT: Turns out Quinn is a time traveler

Every time Quinn is dreaming of her different lives with Nick, she’s actually traveling to a different version of her life. Her time-traveling abilities manifested an inoperable brain tumor in her skull, and every time she involuntarily travels, her tumor grows. She’s dying. Nick is desperate to help her in any way that she can.  Unfortunately, Quinn is engaged to this super lame childhood friend, Jeff. YUCK. She leaves him before this novel ends, thank god. We’re still trying to figure out why her time-traveling is causing a brain tumor…the few people who have tried to explain time-traveling to Quinn seem to think someone is out to kill her.

Only women can time-travel. **Very important fact**

Some woman is trying to kill Quinn. AH! Who is she??? 

“I think it’s all harder because it feels like we’ve already waited forever. It’s like I’ve been missing you and craving you my entire life, at some level.”

This book deserves more than a 5 star rating. 10 STARS!!!!  ALL THE STARS!!!!! I cannot recommend this novel enough. What an incredible ride.

“I’ll never just let you float away.”

Yikes. I had such high hopes for this book based off ratings and the summary I read before I chose it…I’m sorry to say, it was quite the let down. The story fell flat and the characters felt unoriginal.

Fair Trade for Love, by Weston Parker, started out REALLY strong. I was super pumped about reading it and the story immediately pulled me in. A modern take on the classic Beauty and the Beast, Sophie and Andrew’s story isn’t unique in any way but still captivating. As the story goes, Sophie’s father owes a debt to an angry “beast-like” man who has never felt love and so on (you know the drill). Sophie then takes her father’s place to repay the debt and she (being the beauty of the story) falls in love with the beast. Some other stuff happens but it’s a happily ever after with zero twists.

I made it about 3/4 of the way through the novel before I got so bored that I started reading something else. Oooof I really hate writing negative reviews, but there isn’t much more for me to say about this book. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the next Weston Parker book I read will redeem this one a bit.

“I can’t stop saying it,” Andrew said. “I love you.”