SERIES: Lose My Senses
SERIES PLACEMENT: #1
AUTHOR: Sera Bright
AGE GROUP: New Adult
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
RELEASE DATE: May 2014
PUBLISHED BY: SPA
FORMAT: eBook
PAGES: Approx. 212
REVIEW TOUR COORDINATED BY:
Xpresso Book Tours
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COPY PROVIDED BY: Author
MY GOODREADS REVIEW LINK
RATING: 3.5 Stars!
CLIFFHANGER: Yes
BOOK BLURB:
There's only one person I want to see when I return home. But I know he won't be waiting. It's the reason I feel safe enough to come back.
I’m so wrong.
Ash Townsend isn't the same quiet boy from next door. He's tall, dark, and demanding answers. He wants me, but he doesn't trust me. Who can blame him? When his own family tried to break him down, he still sheltered me in this town full of liars. And I repaid it by leaving him without a word.
Because I'll do anything to protect Ash. I have the scars on my wrist to prove it.
REVIEWERS NOTE: See Through Me is book one in the Lose My Senses series and is a New Adult, Contemporary Romance written by Sera Bright. I was gifted a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review through Xpresso Book Tours.
3.5 Sweet and Angsty Stars!
Emotional and Intense and Also Unresolved!
The Review:
I really enjoyed this read. It had a great story where the characters were once bff’s turn “something more” and I’m a sucker for those kinds of stories. But as much as I enjoyed it, it also frustrated me. There were a lot of times I just wanted to shake some sense into Katie. She was totally out of touch with her surroundings and all because she let fear rule her. Her denial and her avoidance issues were so strong, she avoided everything, to the point of overshadowing her good qualities. And Ash was just as bad! Told in two different time frames, I really loved getting glimpses into their painful past and I really loved their history but I had some issues with the “adult” characters themselves.
Story/Characters...
This was a heartbreaking read. From the moment we meet Katie and Ash, you can sense the tension and the layers of guilt they both seem to have, even though you don’t know what's happened, other than Katie ran from her childhood best friend, turned lover, Ash. All told from Katie’s POV, we only have her say in what’s happened but it’s obvious from the start, Ash is hurt but very much in love.
Katie’s first memories are of Ash. From toddlers, together they weathered abuse, neglect, bullies, heartbreak and fear, always at each others sides. Katie has always loved Ash but another kind of fear kept her at bay. The fear she would somehow make his life harder than it already was so she denied her feelings and kept way too many secrets.
I totally enjoyed the flashbacks we get in this book. You can tell these two really are all each other has ever had and they love and care for each other but both of them are completely broken.
Katie comes back to town from a ten month separation after a pleading phone call from her absentee father to handle pending foreclosure of their house. She never expected Ash to be there waiting. But he was and he wanted answers.
But here’s where things drag out, in my opinion, way too long. Katie refuses to talk or express her feelings to Ash... or to anyone for that matter. There’s a lot going on, between why she left, mysterious photo’s that keep popping up out of nowhere, vandalization and a stalker. She’s very closed off. And she has a right to be. Her trust was broken as a child but scene after scene, we have Ash questioning her or patiently waiting for her to open up and she won't. It was frustrating and I just wanted them to scream and fight and get on with it already.
But... and don't get me wrong, my heart broke for Ash and no doubt, his childhood was traumatic but that’s the problem. He’s too traumatized to fight for Katie. Both times, he let her go without asking questions. He shut down and just accepted it was happening, I’m sure, not feeling he could protect her or that he deserved her because of the abuse he’s suffered in his past. His spirit is hanging on by a very thin thread and he has absolutely no confidence in himself or in the world.
My hope is when the next book is released, we find them both ready to fight for what they want instead of cowering away, not asking questions, letting go, running, taking the easy way out or just accepting what other people do to them. At this point, both of them are too weak and that was my problem the whole way through.
As much as I liked this read, I was “waiting” for something... anything... to happen. I wanted her to confess everything, open up and tell him what was going on. He was keeping secrets to, that much is obvious and there is definitely something more going on with her father but again, even in the end, she was too scared to ask what needed to be asked.
If someone came to take me in the middle of the night, that would be the first thing out of my mouth. “Why??” Not denial or acceptance.
The Wrap Up:
I liked this book and this story enough to be excited about the second book, especially since it’s going to be a continuation of the story, told from Ash’s POV. They need each other, but they also need to fight for each other. I’d love to see two strong, ready-to-fight character in the next book. Two people who will do whatever it takes to make sure they fight for what they want... and win! They deserve their HEA. However, with the way things ended, this might just push Katie further away. I’m excited for book two to find out!
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About the Author...
I can cook like a fiend but prefer to eat doughnuts with sprinkles for breakfast. Sprinkles make everything taste better. An avid reader of all genres, I shamelessly admit romance will always be my favorite. And while I enjoy the safe and familiar, I’m always up for an adventure.
My debut New Adult Contemporary Romance novel SEE THROUGH ME will be released in May.
Contact the Author...
Friends to lovers romance are the best!! I'm a sucker for those as well and this sounds right up my alley. I love how much emotional value it seems to have too and even if it takes a while for them to stop being scared it sounds like an emotional journey!
ReplyDeleteHi Giselle! I agree. I love love "friends to lovers" kinds of reads. You'll love this one. It had some great intense moments and your heart just beaks for Ash. The characters are really flawed and its one of the reasons I liked them and I'd love to see them find their strength. I can't wait to see what happens in books two. Thanks for stopping by.
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