5 SMOOCHES
Synopsis
From the author of the Amazon #1 bestselling romance, Jake Undone, comes a friends-to-lovers story of longing, passion, betrayal and redemption……with a twist that will rip your heart out.
Skylar was my best friend, but I secretly pined for her. One thing after another kept us apart, and I’ve spent the last decade in fear of losing her forever.
First, it was the cancer, but she survived only to face the unthinkable at my hands. Because of me, she left town. For years, I thought I’d never see her again.
But now she’s back…and living with him.
I don’t deserve her after everything I’ve put her through, but I can’t live without her. This is my last chance, because she’s about to make the biggest mistake of her life. I can see it her eyes: she doesn’t love him. She still loves me…which is why I have to stop her before it’s too late.
My Skylar is a STANDALONE novel and a companion to Jake Undone.
**Contains graphic sexual content and harsh language. It is only appropriate for adult readers age 18+
Review
I just had a feeling going into this story that it would do crazy things to my emotions. As much as I really liked Gemini, and then loved Jake Undone, I was in no way prepared at all for the force of emotions that My Skylar would bring on. I found myself crying uncontrollably (pregnancy hormones might have helped fuel that on) at some parts and overjoyed with happiness at others. Once again Penelope has written a story so different and well thought out I could not for a minute put it down.
I have to admit, I was scared to start this mostly because I just knew from the blurb I would be a babbling, bawling mess and no one wants to see that. To be honest I was but not one minute of it was I upset about that. I typically do not like books that span a ton of years with the two main characters separated or fighting their feelings and when I realized that this might be one of those book I was apprehensive to say the least. While it was still hard on me covering so much time, being able to go back to their teen years to see how this all began and then forward again to realize the depth of the situation was necessary and not as difficult as I imagined it would be.
A lot happens in this book and I do mean A LOT! We are talking teen love, cancer, betrayal, loss of trust and then two grown people trying to find a way past all that. I would love to go into detail about how each one of these things added a more delicate layer to an already amazing story but I would have to give some major spoilers away and that is something I am not willing to do. Let’s just say that Mitch and Skylar’s story alone is amazing and then you add in all those layers and obstacles and it became phenomenal. Everything they went through only proves what they felt was real and the deep love they have always had for one another is something we all desperately want. This is one of those books that just melts your heart and makes you yearn for that everlasting no matter what kind of love,
The love story between Mitch and Skylar is one I am sure will stick with me for a while and will most definitely be one I go to time and time again for a re-read. Penelope Ward’s writing was so captivating that I am now completely dying for her next book. Although this is a complete standalone, fans of Jake Undone will be extremely happy revisiting Jake and Nina. They bring both heart and humor to this story and I had not realized how much I missed them until I was reunited with them. Penelope Ward has, with My Skylar, cemented herself as one of my favorite authors!
~miranda
