5 Smooches!
Synopsis
Everything done in darkness, will eventually be brought into the light.
I ran, but all it did was keep me one step ahead of my past. I tried to start over; new name, new identity. But you can’t change your soul.
A fresh start at college was just what I needed. For a while, it worked. I was the party girl, the one that seemed confident, but it was a lie.
When guys kissed me–I felt only pain.
When they touched me–Nothing but fear.
Deep inside, every girl wants to be the beauty in the story, to find someone that will see you as their world.
But the truth? I was the beast. And as much as I wanted redemption, I wasn’t fool enough to think I’d ever get it.
Until he walked into my life.
I wasn’t prepared to fall for someone. My scars were too deep, the wounds too raw. But he offered me peace, he offered me security. I should have known it was just another lie–I should have known that falling in love with my professor was a bad idea.
But I was powerless to stop myself from falling.
And he was powerless to catch me.
Because the darkness finally caught up to me, and as fate would have it, a cruel twist almost bled me dry. But I’m stronger than I knew. I’m stronger than you think.
You think you know my story, but you don’t….after all everyone has Shame in their lives– and I’m no longer afraid to show you mine.
Review
I am absolutely in love with the Ruined Series by Rachel Van Dyken. These NA reads have wormed their way into my heart so hard. I have been dying for Lisa’s story. This whole damn story with her has been so mysterious and I really wanted to know what her deal was. I love how all of these books make you feel all WTF for most of the book. I kept thinking “what is happening” or “what the heck is going on” through the whole story and I loved every second of it.
Lisa’s story is definitely a dark one and really addresses some very serious issues; bullying and rape, being two of the big ones. So be prepared for a pretty dark read, guys! Lisa’s past has finally caught up with her present and at a time when she thinks she has finally found love again, with Tristan.
Tristan is Lisa’s professor at school and he has a WHOLE story of his own that Lisa knows nothing about.
“Madness…” My voice dropped low. “…recognizes madness.”
Wow, Tristan and Lisa’s tale really blew me away. The secrets, mystery, and the sexiness was so intoxicating; grabbing me from the beginning and keeping me hooked until the end.
Of course the rest of the gang was in this book as well (my favorite, Gabe. Le Sigh). They were just as charming and endearing as ever, also bringing some comedy, as well. It was good to be back with my guys!
They were like one big happy world-saving family. All doing something to benefit others, while I couldn’t stop thinking about myself, about my failure, and my sadness.
And the new addition Tristan, well, the boy is just smoking hot. Whew! He was a terrible flirt with a side of alpha. I kinda loved him but nobody will ever take Gabe’s spot for me! I loved that Tristan wasn’t a perfect book boyfriend and that he definitely had issues of his own to work out. He still managed to uber sexy and Lisa and his chemistry was off the charts!
One of my very favorite things about Rachel’s books in general is that they somehow manage to be incredibly sexy without being all that sexual. It is hard to explain but a lot of the time they do not even include the actual act of having sex but they still manage to give me the sexy tingles I love so much. Also, she seems to be really good at dragging on the sexual tension between characters for a good while and I really love that!
This is a complete novel with a very Happily-Ever-After. Tristan and Lisa will reach out and hug your heart with their dark story. This book had it all; mystery, love, danger, and it was oh so sexy! Loved it!
~Amie
