What Happened In Between
"Trust was hard for me. Ian and I had been something before the assault - before I ran away. When I returned home, I was broken both emotionally and financially...he had introduced me to his grandmother, Mary, who offered me stability, fleeting stability."
When death takes the only security and permanence Laken has ever known, she moves in with one of her best friends, Seth - a college classmate, rising rock star, giver of what he deems sage advice and reluctant Romeo. While she pursues her bachelor's degree, she gets more than a classroom education as she learns about the obstacles of life, the pitfalls of love, the endurance of friendships, and grows to understand it isn't what happened to her it is What Happened In Between.
Amidst the backdrop of college, friendships will be formed, secrets will be revealed, mistakes will be made, lessons will be learned and hearts will be broken...
*Content contains profanity, adult and sexual situations*
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the story of Laken. She years from 16 when she went through a terrible event and through to her finishing her high school career and focusing on years she's in college.
Ian was there when she was young she loves him, but he tears her up in his own way. Pulling her apart when was thought he would be the one to put her back together.
Laken meets Seth and their friendship is easy, he helps her when she needs it most. But he screws her up even more wth his choices.
Alex is there when all the other guys in her life have done there best to make her never want to a relationship again. He builds her up setting her free from her hurts of the men in her past, but when a chance to leave town and go to Texas to start a new life for himself. He leaves her questioning and opens her up to Ian and Seth's influence once again.
Laken has her ups and downs, but that's life and learning how to be a grown up. She's strong and weak she's there for others beliving in them even when they don't believe in themselves. She wants to believe in the best in those around her even when she's seen their worst. She's sweet and caring, nurturing to everyone around her, but what she wants is someone who's always there for her.
Her journey isn't pretty it spans the years when life is at it's messiest. It's not a simple love story, the love throughout her journey is hard and emotional, moving between tearing her apart or building her up making her stronger by the time she finishes college and decides who and what will be in her future.
Solitude Interrupted
Laken - When you grow up like I did, you aren't an open book. You guard your past, you don't give everyone your life story. Sounds easy enough especially since I just graduated college, moved to the wilds of West Virginia with my dog, and signed a contract for an eighteen month nursing job. The problem is my landlord, Cole. He doesn't get that I need to keep my distance. He jokes that I am on the run. Maybe I am. But this remoteness is what I need to put what happened in perspective, to put myself back together. I'm not running for the hills despite Cole's pursuit. I may just end up running into his arms.
Cole - When you co-own an outfitter that specializes in guiding white water rafters everyday is an adventure. The elusive, blond beauty who rented my neighboring, riverside cabin was not what I expected. My brother and friend gave her two nights before she couldn't take living out in the woods alone next to a relentless flirt who hadn't shaved in six months just to win a bet. She said she came here to figure her life out without any distractions, at least not the romantic kind. But I love a challenge, I'm a thrill seeker. She needs a little excitement and I'm more than determined to be the one who interrupts her solitude.
Funny, thoughtful, and heart wrenching - "Solitude Interrupted" is the unforgettable love story of a courageous girl who overcame so much and the reckless adventurer who couldn't turn away from her.
*Content contains profanity and adult situations
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Note this book and What happened in Between can be each read as stand alone, but if you're planning to read both I recommend What happened in Between to be read first.
Laken finished college and was determined to go somewhere she could find herself, that's what lead her to a remote cabin in West Virginia. She was offered a position she couldn't resist and the cabin was the only place that met her requirements, mainly cost and allowing her dog. She come there determined to put the past behind her and not allow her exes to sway her to them anymore. The last thing she expected was a romance with her landlord/neighbor, with his wild man looks from a beard that needed shaving 6 months ago.
Cole is a perfect gentleman, but with the relationships tainting her views she's not sure she can trust Cole or his intentions. As time passes and she finds peace in her new life, she learns how to open herself up to something real and good but can she completely put the past where it belongs?
Laken has found herself and her voice. She doesn't allow herself to be trampled on or for things to happen she's not ready for. She's stronger now than ever before and has learned grow into herself and be happy with who she is.
Cole is a protector, he's there for those he loves and is patient and kind to Laken, understanding her past hurts and knowing to go at her pace rather than trying to rush her. He's a sweetie, and I loved his character.
We've seen Laken at her lowest and now we see her rise from the past and the mistakes from it have made her into who she is today. Her story might not have been typical, but it shows that no matter what happens in life you'll always find your happiness if you are willing to open your eyes and look for it.
Stalk the Author
No comments:
Post a Comment