5 Smooches!
Synopsis
I am nothing like my family. But I’m held captive by their secrets and lies.
I should have listened to that voice in my head and left Susan alone. But I couldn’t just walk away. She was the only brightness in my life—a life of living in the shadows cast by the evil that surrounded me.
She taught my heart to love. But in return, she was forced to run away and leave everything behind, including me. After that, my life was never the same.
I no longer live—I survive. I survive to protect her from my family.
I didn’t deserve another chance with Susan, but an accidental meeting years later gave me just that. And selfishly, I couldn’t let her go—I never could. Unfortunately, neither would my family.
Only able to communicate in secret, Susan and I had to wait for the day that my family’s truths would be exposed and we could finally be together. Until then, I would tell their lies and keep my silence. But I will have my revenge.
Some would think our story is one of loss. But sometimes through loss, we discover the most precious gifts of all.
Review
I may have only read one book from Erin but this woman certainly knows how to write with emotion and cram every feeling imaginable into every single word that builds up the bigger picture. If you haven’t read her first book Absolute Love I would recommend it as this one delves in deeper to those characters pasts. Love’s Sacrifice is raw and edgy and oh so goddamn heart breaking. The tragic and horrendous circumstances surrounding Phoebe’s mum Susan and her mysterious and dark past comes into play in this book, we get to see how deeply she fell in love with Aaron and how awful and life changing it all was as it was all ripped away from them. It might be a story of love lost but there is a beautiful and hopeful element to it as well, with reconnections, truths revealed and of course the ultimate sacrifice for love. I really don’t want to give too much of the storyline away as it is certainly one you need to read and experience and hurt over on your own merit but don’t go into this lightly as there isn’t really a happy ever after but something more akin to new beginnings for different people. Erin is a brilliant author and I can certainly see more incredible and moving books from her in the future, especially when she demonstrates this level of writing and understanding of her characters; they remain consistent yet complex and deliver some of the best drama and romance imaginable.
‘“The walk back to my apartment has been very sobering. My mind has continued on its tortuous path down memory lane. It’s been comforting to think about the good times-a time when our youth and naivete had us believing that our lives would be open to so many possibilities. However the memories are like a vice grip on my heart, each one squeezing a little tighter crushing the life out of me.”’
This was the perfect companion novel for Absolute Love, the sadness and strength that emanated from Susan was remarkable and gave us a deeper regard for her character. Aaron too was heartbreaking but so strong and resilient and both of them together showed the most beautiful sense of sacrifice for the other.
~Nicole
