3.5 Smooches
Synopsis
This is a DUEL GENRE novel containing both contemporary and historical romance.
Love has existed since the beginning of time. For Ashlin Thomas, love was an illusion that she desperately wanted to make a reality.
Returning home to Savannah, after her aunt’s death, Ashlin must deal with the harsh realities life has dealt her.
As Ashlin begins sorting through her aunt’s personal effects, she stumbles upon a journal. Not just any journal, but the words of her great great great grandmother, Sophia.
Two love stories intertwine with each other as Ashlin reads the beautiful words, written over a hundred years ago.
The intense connection Ashlin feels with Sophia begins to allow her to find herself. Never thinking love was possible for her, Ashlin now sees it is within her grasp.
But, life is never perfect. Life is never fair.
When faced with the decision that could change Ashlin’s future … will she sacrifice one love for another, or will her predestined heart lead her home?
Review
This is a story about two different times, two different women and two different love stories but they are also intertwined in more ways than just through a journal.
“Why wasn’t I able to find the love we saw in fairy tales? Everyone I loved eventually left me.”
I had a huge love/hate relationship with this book. What I loved was the plot and story line; so beautiful, sad, heart-warming and heart-breaking but what I didn’t like was the fact that sometimes the writing seemed a bit young considering the tone of the book and there were too many occasions or insta-love/lust.
“I can’t let you go and I won’t. I want it all. Don’t ask me to give up anything. I’m keeping you, Ashlin. I won’t let anyone else have you. This isn’t a battle you’re going to win. We were meant to be together.”
Firstly the plot; like I said I loved the plot. It was so beautiful, I cried many times but I also felt uplifted and happy during many parts of the story. It’s such an interesting concept; Ashlin finding the journal and reading her great great great relatives love story but at the same time she herself is going through a passionate but not easy love story. I have to say I think Sophia and Daniel’s story was my favourite by quite a bit but I did love Ashlin and Gael’s as well. We had drama, passion, romance, heart ache; so much to keep you entertained. Neither story was a simple, straight forward love story; there were ex-boyfriend, bitter and mean mothers….but it is all worth it in the end because you truly feel both couple’s love for each other. However I did have a problem with the writing, sometimes it just didn’t seem mature enough considering the topics and I also hated the really really sudden insta-love; it took away the believability of each romance.
“My world had changed so much over the last few days. Now, I was completely alone. Part of me was devastated. Part of me was terrified. Part of me was liberated.”
I loved the main characters, both Sophia and Ashlin were strong, beautiful women who knew what they wanted and were not afraid of the consequences. They were honest and kind and women you could look up to. Daniel and Gael were both knight in shining armour boyfriends. They were passionate, caring, weren’t afraid to show how much they loved their partners and were both so strong when things started to go horribly wrong. They never gave up hope in either of their partners and believe their love would conquer all.
“Sophia Marie Stowe. You shall always remain the keeper of my heart and soul. Each night I close my eyes, I shall see your eyes. Each morning I wake, I will dream of your smile. You will forever be the love of my life.”
I found it really hard to rate this story, if it was purely on the plot I would give it 4.5 stars but due to the writing and minor plot elements that irritated me I’ve had to give this story a 3.5 but I would encourage all romance readers to give this a go because it really will have you weeping but also smiling over two beautiful love stories.
Bethany
