5 Smooches!
Synopsis
My life changed forever the night my husband died.
I was left with a shattered heart, a heap of bills, and our daughter, EVERLEIGH. I don’t want to rely on anyone, least of all CREW GENTRY. He’s my first love and the man who almost destroyed me, the man who has let me down every time I’ve needed him.
But when tragedy strikes a second time, Crew just might be my only hope.
My life changed forever the night my brother died.
I was left with a guilty conscience, a pile of mistakes, and little else. I take care of JULIA GENTRY, my brother’s widow and the love of my life, and their daughter. I know she doesn’t want my help, but she gets it anyway. I owe her that.
When another disaster hits, I’m given the opportunity to make things right. I’m taking it. I’m willing to sacrifice it all.
Review
Holy hell, pass the cold tea bags and cucumbers for my poor swollen eyes. Adriana Locke just about ripped my heart out, tossed it around a little and smushed it right back into place with this remarkable and awe inspiring story. The two main protagonists, stoic fighter Crew and struggling single mum Julia, manage to be the strongest, most independent and willful people around, willful to the cusp of stubborn, yet once we get to the bottom of their antagonism towards each other and uncover the secrets they harbour between them, you begin to understand the amount of hurt and heartache these two share, the beauty and connection they hold and the understanding and depth of emotion that falls within them, which only serves to highlight how complex and structured their characters are and this is done with aplomb by the magnificent Adriana Locke. This is only the second book of Adriana’s I’ve read but even I can determine how breathtaking and multifaceted her writing is, her characters and her storylines culminating into one memorable and brilliant tale of loss, redemption, salvation, sacrifice and complete and utter love and devotion.
‘“I’ve pretty much done wrong by everyone in my life. I know this. I know you don’t trust me and you have every right not to.” The shadows across his face darken, his voice lowers. “But give me a chance to make some things right. Give me a chance to do something I’m proud of, for once.” He smiles to himself. “Give me a chance to man up.”
Crew is so….I don’t even have the words. He gives everything he has to protect and take care of Julia and his young niece. He’s hardened by events in his life but he’s a man who feels deeply and cares just as much and when Julia and Ever need him more than ever after some awful news he comes through as the ultimate book hero. Julia is superb, she’s grounded and real and makes sacrifices daily for her daughter even through her own heartache and sadness.
Adriana builds upon her characters pasts, they highlight the connection between the hero and heroine as well as setting up some huge dramatic story arcs from it. There is plenty of heart in this book, Ever especially plays a pivotal role in bringing in the emotion and light comedy, with her mum and Crew contributing to the sexual tension, angst and drama in every page they’re together. A truly remarkable book with a bit of a shock ending. I didn’t quite call it but regardless it was a perfect ending to a rollercoaster ride of an epic love saga.
~Nicole
