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Color #1
Color of Loneliness
After a recent death leaves her with no remaining family, Myra Sommers, a young copy editor living in Philadelphia, inherits her childhood home in Nyssa, Oregon. When a painful revelation concerning her ex-boyfriend, Trent, is revealed, she makes the tough decision to move back to her small hometown to heal and regroup there.
Myra parts ways with her only friend, Susie O’Connor, a loyal, slightly crazed woman. In Nyssa, Myra finds little immediate comfort in her “new” home which is literally falling apart around her. She sinks into a deep depression, exacerbated by her feelings of loneliness and isolation in the small town.
Jim, Myra’s neighbor, gives her the name of a local contractor, Dylan Lawson, who has done work for him in the past. Myra is astounded by the man’s gruff, surly demeanor, but she trusts Jim and there are few other options in the small town. Despite Dylan’s rough edges, Myra - and every other woman in the small town it seems - finds the scowling man with unkempt hair and scruffy beard to be undeniably attractive.
Dylan is there for one thing: to get the job done and move on. Withdrawn and bitter, his past demons have calloused him and left him barely resembling the man he used to be. Having no interest in starting a relationship, Dylan fights against the draw he feels towards the quiet, lonely woman with the sad, dark eyes.
A slow but reluctant friendship develops between the pair, followed by romantic feelings which neither of them can deny. But will Dylan’s secrets and Myra’s past experiences tear them apart before they can even begin? Will they be able to move beyond their despair and open their hearts to love?
Myra parts ways with her only friend, Susie O’Connor, a loyal, slightly crazed woman. In Nyssa, Myra finds little immediate comfort in her “new” home which is literally falling apart around her. She sinks into a deep depression, exacerbated by her feelings of loneliness and isolation in the small town.
Jim, Myra’s neighbor, gives her the name of a local contractor, Dylan Lawson, who has done work for him in the past. Myra is astounded by the man’s gruff, surly demeanor, but she trusts Jim and there are few other options in the small town. Despite Dylan’s rough edges, Myra - and every other woman in the small town it seems - finds the scowling man with unkempt hair and scruffy beard to be undeniably attractive.
Dylan is there for one thing: to get the job done and move on. Withdrawn and bitter, his past demons have calloused him and left him barely resembling the man he used to be. Having no interest in starting a relationship, Dylan fights against the draw he feels towards the quiet, lonely woman with the sad, dark eyes.
A slow but reluctant friendship develops between the pair, followed by romantic feelings which neither of them can deny. But will Dylan’s secrets and Myra’s past experiences tear them apart before they can even begin? Will they be able to move beyond their despair and open their hearts to love?
427 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
27 people are currently reading
2718 people want to read
About the author
Madeleine Beckett
2 books281 followersMadeleine Beckett Facebook page click here.
Author Madeleine Beckett Fan page click here.
Twitter: @colorofbeckett
Email: madeleinebeckett@hotmail.com
Madeleine Beckett is a born and bred Hoosier who still lives in Indy with her hunky high school sweetheart, gorgeous son, and house full of yapping dogs.
Maddie’s love of books came at an early age. Her parents were evil and deprived her of a television; therefore, books became her obsession. She found that she could curl up with someone’s words and be exported to another world; places dreamed up from the most creative imaginations. She could be a princess, ride a broom, jettison to the moon. Anything was possible when she held a collection of words in her hands.
As a child, she dreamed of becoming a famous author. She secretly hid a notebook under her twin bed and every night, she would put ink to paper, wishing desperately to write stories of fairies and far away lands with perfect Prince Charming’s and never-ending happily ever afters. But all she ended up with were doodles scribbled across a page.
Many years later, that old desire resurrected itself again and one day she touched fingertips to a keyboard and a story was born. She found her love and passion that day and has typed so many words since then that she’s blown up three laptops and has smoke coming out of her fourth.
Maddie loves laughing, hot pink lipstick, and Krispy Kreme donuts. She once, on a dare, ate an entire dozen in one sitting.
She's so thankful that she has beautiful people that read her words. They mean the world to her.
Author Madeleine Beckett Fan page click here.
Twitter: @colorofbeckett
Email: madeleinebeckett@hotmail.com
Madeleine Beckett is a born and bred Hoosier who still lives in Indy with her hunky high school sweetheart, gorgeous son, and house full of yapping dogs.
Maddie’s love of books came at an early age. Her parents were evil and deprived her of a television; therefore, books became her obsession. She found that she could curl up with someone’s words and be exported to another world; places dreamed up from the most creative imaginations. She could be a princess, ride a broom, jettison to the moon. Anything was possible when she held a collection of words in her hands.
As a child, she dreamed of becoming a famous author. She secretly hid a notebook under her twin bed and every night, she would put ink to paper, wishing desperately to write stories of fairies and far away lands with perfect Prince Charming’s and never-ending happily ever afters. But all she ended up with were doodles scribbled across a page.
Many years later, that old desire resurrected itself again and one day she touched fingertips to a keyboard and a story was born. She found her love and passion that day and has typed so many words since then that she’s blown up three laptops and has smoke coming out of her fourth.
Maddie loves laughing, hot pink lipstick, and Krispy Kreme donuts. She once, on a dare, ate an entire dozen in one sitting.
She's so thankful that she has beautiful people that read her words. They mean the world to her.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 278 reviews
November 6, 2016
Wow. I started this book thoroughly disliking it (present tense writing), but it really grew on me :D
Here's me through the book:
0%
10-20%
30-40%
50-70%
80-90%
100%
Well, I ended up really liking it, even though there were some things that bugged me and I hope they'll be a bit different in the next book
The story
Myra can't stand working with her ex and his girlfriend, with which he cheated on her, and after a near breakdown she decides to move away to Nyssa, where she has a house left to her by her grandfather after he died.
She has no family left, and is almost constantly depressed, until her house starts falling apart. Literally. She has no options left but to call the contractor and start repairing almost everything :D
In comes Dylan
A man with terrible people skills, who manages to be angry ALL the time. He has no patience for her or her house, and is pretty bitter with his life, so most of the time he just scowls at her :DDD
Myra can't help but notice his good looks, but still doesn't like him one bit.
But... there is the whole house waiting to be repaired...
And they'll have to see each other very often...
Can you guess what else?...
They'll be falling in love <3
Myra
I felt for her. Having no family and all. But still, I guess she just isn't a heroine for me :(
She's very nice and sweet (that's OK), and there were some great scenes where she was all messed up and Dylan came to the rescue and comforted her
BUT!
She cries all the time. I don't think there was a chapter in which she didn't shed a tear. Maybe one or two near the end. Maybe :DDDD
I kind of wish she had more spine and all :( As much as I love seeing the hero being literally the hero and saving the damsel, I don't need to see it in every chapter :D Would be nice if she could at least once do something without falling apart :DDDDD
Still, she didn't get on my nerves that much, surprisingly :D
Hope the second book will show a new side of her, the not-weepy one
Dylan
That man is just... so adorable! I know he's not a puppy, and he's not sweet, he's pretty much angry and brooding all the time, but I guess that's the charm :DDDD Women have been coming on to him ever since he moved to Nyssa, you know, sexy contractor, inventing a malfunction in your house and jumping him as soon as he's through the door ahahahahah
So he thinks Myra is the same as the rest of them :D
But the best part starts when he finally starts noticing her, and all those awkward situations between them... just loved it :DDDDDDD
There is something in his past that's hush-hush, I kept guessing what it was but I was totally wrong :( Now I think it's something worse :((( Poor Dylan :(
Susie brought the humor into the book, she was very funny, but at the end of it all, seems to me Susie got more page time than Dylan. Me not likey, not at all. The book would have survived with a few less phone conversations with her, and more scenes with Dylan. (Yes I know I'm obsessed with him but what can I do
)
The writing is in 3rd person POV in present tense, can't say I've read a book with this type of POV, well that's mostly because I run screaming from present tense writing
I got used to it the more I read, but I still think I would have enjoyed it more if it was written "normally". Just don't like it and that's that.
There is a cliff at the end
(don't worry it isn't anything terrible) but I really want to read the second book now :D It's great that it's coming out next month
So this is a 3,5 to 4 stars rating, can't decide yet :D if it was only Dylan it would be 5 ahahahhaha
And one more quote for the end :D
*A copy of the book kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
Here's me through the book:
0%
10-20%
30-40%
50-70%
80-90%
100%
Well, I ended up really liking it, even though there were some things that bugged me and I hope they'll be a bit different in the next book
“Damn it. You really piss me off, you know that? Why can’t you go back into the house like a normal person? Come here,” he growls as he leans down and scoops her small body up off of the cold concrete floor and cradles her to his chest.
The story
Myra can't stand working with her ex and his girlfriend, with which he cheated on her, and after a near breakdown she decides to move away to Nyssa, where she has a house left to her by her grandfather after he died.
She has no family left, and is almost constantly depressed, until her house starts falling apart. Literally. She has no options left but to call the contractor and start repairing almost everything :D
In comes Dylan
“Fuck,” he yells again. “Goddamn roof,” he bellows as he starts to try to move off the hood.
“Wait. Don’t move. Are you hurt anywhere?”
“Of course I’m hurt. I fell through a fucking roof. Are you stupid?”
A man with terrible people skills, who manages to be angry ALL the time. He has no patience for her or her house, and is pretty bitter with his life, so most of the time he just scowls at her :DDD
Myra can't help but notice his good looks, but still doesn't like him one bit.
But... there is the whole house waiting to be repaired...
And they'll have to see each other very often...
Can you guess what else?...
They'll be falling in love <3
“I came here cuz...” he says before he stops and stares intently at her mouth. “Cuz I wanna see your lips. Been thinking about them. Your lips. They’re beautiful, and red, and… wet. I came to say hello to your lips.” His eyes glaze over as he stares at her mouth. “Hello, lips,” he says in a husky voice.
Myra
I felt for her. Having no family and all. But still, I guess she just isn't a heroine for me :(
She's very nice and sweet (that's OK), and there were some great scenes where she was all messed up and Dylan came to the rescue and comforted her
BUT!
She cries all the time. I don't think there was a chapter in which she didn't shed a tear. Maybe one or two near the end. Maybe :DDDD
I kind of wish she had more spine and all :( As much as I love seeing the hero being literally the hero and saving the damsel, I don't need to see it in every chapter :D Would be nice if she could at least once do something without falling apart :DDDDD
Still, she didn't get on my nerves that much, surprisingly :D
Hope the second book will show a new side of her, the not-weepy one
“This is all your fault.” He holds her by the shoulders and glares down at her.
She frowns. “What do you mean?”
With his lip snarled, he looks up and down her body as he releases her shoulders. “Because you’re always looking all sexy and shit. If you weren’t so goddamn beautiful, this shit wouldn’t happen. Maybe I’d be able to control myself around you.”
Dylan
That man is just... so adorable! I know he's not a puppy, and he's not sweet, he's pretty much angry and brooding all the time, but I guess that's the charm :DDDD Women have been coming on to him ever since he moved to Nyssa, you know, sexy contractor, inventing a malfunction in your house and jumping him as soon as he's through the door ahahahahah
So he thinks Myra is the same as the rest of them :D
But the best part starts when he finally starts noticing her, and all those awkward situations between them... just loved it :DDDDDDD
“Hi,” she says to him with a soft smile.
A strange, warm feeling spreads over him. Like happiness or some shit. A smile breaks out on his face.
There is something in his past that's hush-hush, I kept guessing what it was but I was totally wrong :( Now I think it's something worse :((( Poor Dylan :(
"He’ll talk to her over breakfast. He’ll tell her all about his past. He’ll tell her everything."
Susie brought the humor into the book, she was very funny, but at the end of it all, seems to me Susie got more page time than Dylan. Me not likey, not at all. The book would have survived with a few less phone conversations with her, and more scenes with Dylan. (Yes I know I'm obsessed with him but what can I do
)The writing is in 3rd person POV in present tense, can't say I've read a book with this type of POV, well that's mostly because I run screaming from present tense writing
I got used to it the more I read, but I still think I would have enjoyed it more if it was written "normally". Just don't like it and that's that.
There is a cliff at the end
(don't worry it isn't anything terrible) but I really want to read the second book now :D It's great that it's coming out next month
So this is a 3,5 to 4 stars rating, can't decide yet :D if it was only Dylan it would be 5 ahahahhaha
And one more quote for the end :D
“I didn’t know you were such caveman.”
“I’m a damn contractor. Of course I’m a fucking caveman.”
*A copy of the book kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
March 22, 2013
4 Killed-me-dead Stars
Life isn't fair, you know...
Life is pain. Agony. Despair.
It's also family. Love. Laughter.
But some people are just so... alone.
Alone, because of fate's cruelty or by choice. Alone, because there is no one left to care about them or because they don't want anyone around them.
This story is about all kinds of loneliness. And people who live in a colorblind world.
Myra Sommers, has no family left. She lost everyone. Even her boyfriend, the dead-beat, asshole, bastard who left her for another woman. She doesn't live, she exists, waiting for death to claim her, too. Because everyone around her dies.
Fear is crippling her existence. Dictates her every move and destroys her present and future.
In feat of courage, she wakes up and follows her dream of becoming a writer. She quits her mundane work and moves to her grandparents' house. There, she hires a contractor to renovate her run down place...
Dylan Lawson is lonely by choice.
Disappointed in life, he built a wall around him that allows no one to penetrate. Gruff, angry and intimidating he is hurt to his soul. He doesn't want distractions and love, but he can't deny his passion for Myra.
If he wasn't so secretive they could have a future...
This is an emotional and heartbreaking story about two lost souls. About anger and despair. And fear. Always... Afraid of living, loving, breathing, letting go, moving on.
This is not an easy read. It made me sad...
and it made me mad...
Myra, I get you. I understand your pain. But until you showed some backbone, woman, I wanted to smack you down!
If I had lost my relatives I was gonna be a mess, too, but I swear to God, especially my mom, would come back and haunt me if I was wasting my life, feeling sorry for myself and waiting to die!
And you, Dylan, you secretive bastard, just open your freaking mouth and talk. Stop being miserable. NOW!
And then the ending... It destroyed me!
I never expected a book to invoke so many different feelings inside me. Yes, I was angry and so heartbroken, but I was also loving them and rooting for them and praying.
And I was laughing so hard with Susie, that I kept falling off my chair!
Susie, you are an amazing, BEAUTIFUL woman!
And there is also Jackie. Something is seriously off with her but I just can't put my finger on it. Mark my words, she stinks of bullshit.
I loved this story, because it was realistic and you could relate and feel for the heroes. So much, that I am able to forgive the slow and so gloomy beginning, the use of present tense and the constant crying. I really, really liked this book and thank God the 2nd Color of Forgiveness, is released today and I won't go mad waiting...
Myra and Dylan deserve some color in their world!
*Copy courtesy of the author, Madeleine Beckett, in exchange for an honest review*
Life isn't fair, you know...
Life is pain. Agony. Despair.
It's also family. Love. Laughter.
But some people are just so... alone.
Alone, because of fate's cruelty or by choice. Alone, because there is no one left to care about them or because they don't want anyone around them.
This story is about all kinds of loneliness. And people who live in a colorblind world.
Myra Sommers, has no family left. She lost everyone. Even her boyfriend, the dead-beat, asshole, bastard who left her for another woman. She doesn't live, she exists, waiting for death to claim her, too. Because everyone around her dies.
Fear is crippling her existence. Dictates her every move and destroys her present and future.
In feat of courage, she wakes up and follows her dream of becoming a writer. She quits her mundane work and moves to her grandparents' house. There, she hires a contractor to renovate her run down place...
Dylan Lawson is lonely by choice.
Disappointed in life, he built a wall around him that allows no one to penetrate. Gruff, angry and intimidating he is hurt to his soul. He doesn't want distractions and love, but he can't deny his passion for Myra.
If he wasn't so secretive they could have a future...
This is an emotional and heartbreaking story about two lost souls. About anger and despair. And fear. Always... Afraid of living, loving, breathing, letting go, moving on.
This is not an easy read. It made me sad...
and it made me mad...
Myra, I get you. I understand your pain. But until you showed some backbone, woman, I wanted to smack you down!
If I had lost my relatives I was gonna be a mess, too, but I swear to God, especially my mom, would come back and haunt me if I was wasting my life, feeling sorry for myself and waiting to die!
And you, Dylan, you secretive bastard, just open your freaking mouth and talk. Stop being miserable. NOW!
And then the ending... It destroyed me!
I never expected a book to invoke so many different feelings inside me. Yes, I was angry and so heartbroken, but I was also loving them and rooting for them and praying.
And I was laughing so hard with Susie, that I kept falling off my chair!
Susie, you are an amazing, BEAUTIFUL woman!
And there is also Jackie. Something is seriously off with her but I just can't put my finger on it. Mark my words, she stinks of bullshit.
I loved this story, because it was realistic and you could relate and feel for the heroes. So much, that I am able to forgive the slow and so gloomy beginning, the use of present tense and the constant crying. I really, really liked this book and thank God the 2nd Color of Forgiveness, is released today and I won't go mad waiting...
Myra and Dylan deserve some color in their world!
*Copy courtesy of the author, Madeleine Beckett, in exchange for an honest review*
January 10, 2013
Review posted at: Swept Away By Romance
4.5 Stars
Color of Loneliness is a well-told and thoroughly enjoyable adult contemporary romance laced with liberal doses of humor and real human emotion!! I honestly LOVED it!
Myra Sommers is alone, but, more importantly, she's also painfully lonely. After a failed relationship sends her packing back to her small hometown of Nyssa, Oregon, the true depth of Myra's loneliness sets in. All of her family is dead, and she left her only friend, her best friend, back in Philadelphia. Moving into her beloved late grandfather's house, Myra decides to live on her savings and try her hand at finally writing the book she's always felt was in her. With the house in dire need of repair, Myra hires surly contractor Dylan Lawson. The daily struggles of trying to put a bad relationship ultimately behind her, getting her grandfather's things sorted from her own and packed away, handling the memories being back in Nyssa brings with it, dealing with growing feelings for a contractor who is inexplicably mean and rude (not to mention Greek-god gorgeous), and making the attempt at writing her first book is interrupted only by the lifeline of her best friend Susie's phone calls and foul-mouthed humor. Myra knows there is more to Dylan than his gruff exterior, and a friendship slowly blossoms between the two. The question is, can two damaged souls overcome their pasts and make a future together?
Madeleine Beckett has written a wonderfully-readable story just filled with emotion! Loneliness, sadness, despair, heartbreak, frustration, anger, grief, apathy, hope, humor, happiness, romance. All of these and more can be found in Color of Loneliness, and in the perfect quantities. This story will *not* rip out your heart and then proceed to dance a jig on it. This is truly a character-driven story that moves neither too fast nor too slow. It goes at the perfect pace. Once I began reading, I didn't set this story down until I reached 'The End'. Or, at least, what is 'The End' for the first book in Myra and Dylan's story. Yes, there is a cliffhanger. Though, and please hear this, I felt it fit very well within the storyline and was true to the characters. It's in no way as overly dramatic as some of the recent multi-part stories. This is simply a case of Myra and Dylan's story taking the time to follow its natural course and explore who they are and what they've been through. This is the kind of multi-book story I can fully support!
Myra and Dylan. Let's discuss these two for a moment. Myra is a quiet, rather meek, terribly lonely and very sad individual. Maybe it's because I can relate to a certain extent with some of her feelings and characteristics, but, where some readers seemed to have a bit of an issue with Myra, I just wanted to hug her. I understood where she was coming from. I could put myself, somewhat, in her shoes. At the point where I began to think, okay, Myra, time to buck up a bit (as my mother is overly fond of saying), I began to notice the spark that told me Myra had some backbone, some inner strength, to her, and she would show us in her own time. As for Dylan....I believe I referred to him early on, in one of my reading updates, as a conceited, sh*tty d*ckweasel and a rude @ss. I stand by that comment;) Dylan DID NOT impress me at first, or for some time to come. It took me a while to warm up to him and get a glimpse of the real man behind the uber-@ssy exterior;) But, when that real guy shone through, when I began to get a vague idea of what he had dealt with, I admit, at that point, I would have bought the 'I <3 Dylan' t-shirt and worn it proudly. I came to really enjoy and cheer for these two by the end!
Now, then. Susie. OMG. From time to time, Susie had me worried. I honestly wondered what foul thing would pop out of her mouth next. She was ever so slightly OTT, for me, at certain points in the story, and, frankly, she grossed me out on more than one occasion. Thus, my 4.5-star rating. BUT, much to my HUGE surprise, I came to love this chick like nobody's business!! This broad is gross, no doubt about it, but she is also utterly hilarious! And, my God, is she one of THE BEST, best friends I have ever read in any story!! I finally came to the conclusion that I desperately *need* my very own Susie. Where, oh where, do I find MY Susie?!?! Madeleine Beckett, do you have the inside track on this??
Honestly, this author has won me over with her writing style, her 'voice'. I absolutely love her storytelling ability! On top of that, the writing is also technically very well done. For a self-published author and a debut book, I was *truly* impressed!! I am waiting VERY impatiently for book two, Color of Forgiveness! Do you hear me, Ms. Beckett? I need this book ASAP!!!
Do yourself a favor and give this story a try. I had such a good time reading this!! It may not resonate with just every single person as strongly as it has with me, but I cannot possibly see how anyone who who claims to enjoy adult contemporary romance won't be able to find *something* about this story to love!
**Copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 Stars
Color of Loneliness is a well-told and thoroughly enjoyable adult contemporary romance laced with liberal doses of humor and real human emotion!! I honestly LOVED it!
Myra Sommers is alone, but, more importantly, she's also painfully lonely. After a failed relationship sends her packing back to her small hometown of Nyssa, Oregon, the true depth of Myra's loneliness sets in. All of her family is dead, and she left her only friend, her best friend, back in Philadelphia. Moving into her beloved late grandfather's house, Myra decides to live on her savings and try her hand at finally writing the book she's always felt was in her. With the house in dire need of repair, Myra hires surly contractor Dylan Lawson. The daily struggles of trying to put a bad relationship ultimately behind her, getting her grandfather's things sorted from her own and packed away, handling the memories being back in Nyssa brings with it, dealing with growing feelings for a contractor who is inexplicably mean and rude (not to mention Greek-god gorgeous), and making the attempt at writing her first book is interrupted only by the lifeline of her best friend Susie's phone calls and foul-mouthed humor. Myra knows there is more to Dylan than his gruff exterior, and a friendship slowly blossoms between the two. The question is, can two damaged souls overcome their pasts and make a future together?
Madeleine Beckett has written a wonderfully-readable story just filled with emotion! Loneliness, sadness, despair, heartbreak, frustration, anger, grief, apathy, hope, humor, happiness, romance. All of these and more can be found in Color of Loneliness, and in the perfect quantities. This story will *not* rip out your heart and then proceed to dance a jig on it. This is truly a character-driven story that moves neither too fast nor too slow. It goes at the perfect pace. Once I began reading, I didn't set this story down until I reached 'The End'. Or, at least, what is 'The End' for the first book in Myra and Dylan's story. Yes, there is a cliffhanger. Though, and please hear this, I felt it fit very well within the storyline and was true to the characters. It's in no way as overly dramatic as some of the recent multi-part stories. This is simply a case of Myra and Dylan's story taking the time to follow its natural course and explore who they are and what they've been through. This is the kind of multi-book story I can fully support!
Myra and Dylan. Let's discuss these two for a moment. Myra is a quiet, rather meek, terribly lonely and very sad individual. Maybe it's because I can relate to a certain extent with some of her feelings and characteristics, but, where some readers seemed to have a bit of an issue with Myra, I just wanted to hug her. I understood where she was coming from. I could put myself, somewhat, in her shoes. At the point where I began to think, okay, Myra, time to buck up a bit (as my mother is overly fond of saying), I began to notice the spark that told me Myra had some backbone, some inner strength, to her, and she would show us in her own time. As for Dylan....I believe I referred to him early on, in one of my reading updates, as a conceited, sh*tty d*ckweasel and a rude @ss. I stand by that comment;) Dylan DID NOT impress me at first, or for some time to come. It took me a while to warm up to him and get a glimpse of the real man behind the uber-@ssy exterior;) But, when that real guy shone through, when I began to get a vague idea of what he had dealt with, I admit, at that point, I would have bought the 'I <3 Dylan' t-shirt and worn it proudly. I came to really enjoy and cheer for these two by the end!
Now, then. Susie. OMG. From time to time, Susie had me worried. I honestly wondered what foul thing would pop out of her mouth next. She was ever so slightly OTT, for me, at certain points in the story, and, frankly, she grossed me out on more than one occasion. Thus, my 4.5-star rating. BUT, much to my HUGE surprise, I came to love this chick like nobody's business!! This broad is gross, no doubt about it, but she is also utterly hilarious! And, my God, is she one of THE BEST, best friends I have ever read in any story!! I finally came to the conclusion that I desperately *need* my very own Susie. Where, oh where, do I find MY Susie?!?! Madeleine Beckett, do you have the inside track on this??
Honestly, this author has won me over with her writing style, her 'voice'. I absolutely love her storytelling ability! On top of that, the writing is also technically very well done. For a self-published author and a debut book, I was *truly* impressed!! I am waiting VERY impatiently for book two, Color of Forgiveness! Do you hear me, Ms. Beckett? I need this book ASAP!!!
Do yourself a favor and give this story a try. I had such a good time reading this!! It may not resonate with just every single person as strongly as it has with me, but I cannot possibly see how anyone who who claims to enjoy adult contemporary romance won't be able to find *something* about this story to love!
**Copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
May 2, 2013
4.5. It might have a five star but for all the friggin crying - OMG, I know she was lonely, Grampie just died, her ex was an asshole - Yep, I suppose that would make anyone cry but it was a bit OTT for me. Saying that, I still liked the book. I loved the hero - I am a sucker for total asshole alpha males, especially when I think they will redeem themselves in the end. Myra leaves her job and best friend - and what a best friend she was - Susie made me laugh out loud a couple of times with some of the shit that came out of her mouth. I hear you sister regarding the dieting and the bloody gym. She was very funny. So Myra moves to her Grandpa's house in the place where she grew up before she went to college. The house is in disrepair and her neighbour, Jim recommends a local contractor. Dylan arrives and what a dickhead he was from the go ... really, could he be any ruder. But he is good looking and we definitely get that he has some anger issues. He is definitely drawn to Myra and she to him but don't do anything about it for a while. He heads back to his home town for some significant occasion - guessed what it might be but won't say! I really could feel Myra's loneliness throughout the book - all her family were now dead. Eventually they do get together and it was hot. But Dylan is called away urgently the next morning and at the end of the book something big happens and there is definitely a misunderstanding to be sorted out. So it does sort of finish up in the air and I am anxiously awaiting the next book to find out if these two tortured souls can heal together and find out what just did happen in Dylan's past that made him move away from family and friends and become a loner. Definitely worth a read.... cannot wait for the next one.
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April 19, 2013
Myra is alone in the world...her last living relative recently passed away, and she's left with her best friend as her only family. To add insult to injury, her long time boyfriend recently left her for another woman...who also works at the same office as Myra. Not only is she dealing with death and loneliness, but she has to have their relationship flaunted in her face on a daily basis.
In essence, Myra is done...she's done being lonely, she's done letting herself feel this way.
"She doesn't recognize the reflection in the mirror. The sad, depressed woman she sees staring back at her has to be someone else. It can't be her. As she stares into the stranger's empty eyes reflecting back at her, she wishes she could make it all go away. Make the emptiness disappear. But he doesn't know how...
"I can't do this anymore," she whispers to the unknown person staring back at her..."
When her grandfather's lawyer call to tell her that she has been left all of his assets, including the old house in her small hometown of Nyssa, in the middle of nowhere, Myra jumps on the opportunity to start over. She quits her job, packs a bag, and begins her life back where she started. But the house itself needs some major work...so she hires a local contractor.
In steps Dylan.
He's a hard guy to get to know. He's angry, abrasive, blunt, rude, and very standoffish. (Just the kind I like in my books...weird, I know...) But Dylan has secrets in his past. He hasn't always been this way. And as these two begin to know one another, there is healing taking place. They can't fight the physical attraction, especially when faced with it on a daily basis.
"This is all your fault." He holds her by the shoulders and glare down at her.
She frowns. "What do you mean?"
With his lips snarled, he looks up and down her body as he releases her shoulders. "Because you're always looking all sexy and shit. If you weren't so goddamn beautiful, this shit wouldn't happen. Maybe I'd be able to control myself around you..."
"You think I'm...sexy?" she asks as her heart pounds.
"Yes. Insanely sexy." His eyes narrow as he continues frowning. "It really fucking pisses me off. You need to do something about it..."
I love Dylan! I also love Myra's best friend Susie. This lady is bubbly and happy and crude and rude, but most of all, she's as loyal as they come...if Myra has only one person left in the world, she should thank God it's Susie!
She's got innumerable hilarious lines, but here are a few of my faves:
"Holy horse shit. That's your contractor? That's Dylan?"
"Yes, but don't forget you said he was a fucking asshole less than an hour ago," Myra hisses.
Susie looks back at Dylan, her eyes roaming up and down his body. He turns his head towards them and they both duck quickly behind the toilet paper.
"I did, didn't I?" Susie asks. "Damn it." She stares at Myra for a moment. "Well, all I can say is that he's one delicious fucking ass hole."
and...
"Whoa. Back the trolley up. He carried you into the house? That's so damn romantic. Completely swoon-worthy. Like that's some Shrek and Fiona shit right there..."
and...
"We both know he's a giant asshat, but I have to admit I wouldn't mind wearing his naked ass on my head..."
and...
"No panty ripping? Damn. I totally had him pegged as a panty ripper. God, I'd love to have someone rip my panties from my body. But I think the only way Jeff could get my ginormous grandma undies shredded would be with some garden shears or a bush whacker."
I love that woman! I want her for my very own best friend, almost as much as I want Dylan!
Despite all of the funny, this was a really meaningful story, of two people so beaten down by the unfair hand that life has dealt. Tragedy has hit them both, and they fight their attraction until they can't fight any more. And this attraction leads them to help each other heal. Just when they are set to be alone and down for the rest of their lives, there is suddenly something to look forward to, a reason to get out of bed, a reason to keep going.
Although you don't really get answers OR closure in this book...there is a deadly little cliffhanger, so I highly suggest having the next book ready and waiting for you...
Many thanks to Madeleine Beckett for this book in exchange for an honest review. It was an absolute pleasure!!
March 5, 2013
FANTASTIC! This book packs a secret punch. This calmly paced story builds undeniable chemistry between friends, an ex-boyfriend and potential lover. It also has one hell of a cliffhanger.
I can’t believe this is a debut novel (great job Madeleine!)
. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The heroine Myra’s best bud Susie is fabulous. Every girl deserves a friend like this.
Susie O'Connor
I can honestly say I have never, ever laughed so much during a read. Susie’s dialogue is absolutely HIGH-larious; using words like custard catcher, rotton cottons, puny pecker, baked- ass breath, I honestly had tears in my eyes from laughing so much. *happy dance*
Aside from the friendship, the boy trouble also felt very real. The pace of this book really lets you feel Myra’s situation and connect with her fears and insecurities.
Myra Sommers
25-year old Myra is a loner. Life has not been kind. Her parents are dead and after her grandpa’s death, she no longer has any blood relatives. Her love life is also in the crapper. Myra is a copy editor in Philly who works alongside her ex Trent. After a two-year relationship he basically screws her over to be with his assistant Julia when he gets promoted. It’s been one-year since the breakup and Myra has her reasons for not wanting to leave her job, but after hearing the latest development in her ex’s love life, she can no longer take it. So she packs off to a small town in Oregon to begin anew in her Grandpas home after his death.
Dylan Lawson
This is where hunky contractor Dylan comes into play. He’s an asshole of sorts but his secret past keeps him guarded. As soon as a relationship begins to bud and tug at your heartstrings, Dylan’s so called "secret" rears it’s ugly head for a mother of all cliffhangers. I’m on pins and needles for book 2 Color of Forgiveness. Loved it.
*ARC kindly provided by the author for an honest review*
BOOK 2 Color of Forgiveness
My review:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Susie O'Connor
I can honestly say I have never, ever laughed so much during a read. Susie’s dialogue is absolutely HIGH-larious; using words like custard catcher, rotton cottons, puny pecker, baked- ass breath, I honestly had tears in my eyes from laughing so much. *happy dance*
Aside from the friendship, the boy trouble also felt very real. The pace of this book really lets you feel Myra’s situation and connect with her fears and insecurities.
Myra Sommers
25-year old Myra is a loner. Life has not been kind. Her parents are dead and after her grandpa’s death, she no longer has any blood relatives. Her love life is also in the crapper. Myra is a copy editor in Philly who works alongside her ex Trent. After a two-year relationship he basically screws her over to be with his assistant Julia when he gets promoted. It’s been one-year since the breakup and Myra has her reasons for not wanting to leave her job, but after hearing the latest development in her ex’s love life, she can no longer take it. So she packs off to a small town in Oregon to begin anew in her Grandpas home after his death.
Dylan Lawson
This is where hunky contractor Dylan comes into play. He’s an asshole of sorts but his secret past keeps him guarded. As soon as a relationship begins to bud and tug at your heartstrings, Dylan’s so called "secret" rears it’s ugly head for a mother of all cliffhangers. I’m on pins and needles for book 2 Color of Forgiveness. Loved it.
*ARC kindly provided by the author for an honest review*
BOOK 2 Color of Forgiveness
My review:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
February 26, 2014
Dylan!!! I'm coming for you buddy!! Okay. I just finished this and I'm a little upset. Just a smidgin.
YOU ARE A DEAD MAN DYLAN.
This was a great book. I loved everything about it. I empathized with Myra and truly felt sympathy for everything she's endured. She was a great heroine and a wonderful person. I loved Susie! A RIOT! She made me laugh out loud, even when things had gotten difficult. What a wonderful friend, flying out to Nyssa and being a true BFF.
Dylan---breathe now. Dylan. He was a effing jerk but I loved him. There I said it. He became a sensitive, caring and romantic jerk. He needed to fully disclose. His actions at the end????? Well, we'll see. Maybe that damn motherlode of a cliffhanger was a ruse. It damn well better be. This book moved at a slower pace but not slowly--makes sense right? The feelings between Myra and Dylan didn't happen overnight and I appreciated that. They evolved slowly, passionately and exploded under the pressure of pent up desires and emotions. Those are the best kind of romances!
I'm now rushing off to read the next book. I'm actually surprised I had enough Will power to write this review before hand. Great story! Loved it.
YOU ARE A DEAD MAN DYLAN.
This was a great book. I loved everything about it. I empathized with Myra and truly felt sympathy for everything she's endured. She was a great heroine and a wonderful person. I loved Susie! A RIOT! She made me laugh out loud, even when things had gotten difficult. What a wonderful friend, flying out to Nyssa and being a true BFF.
Dylan---breathe now. Dylan. He was a effing jerk but I loved him. There I said it. He became a sensitive, caring and romantic jerk. He needed to fully disclose. His actions at the end????? Well, we'll see. Maybe that damn motherlode of a cliffhanger was a ruse. It damn well better be. This book moved at a slower pace but not slowly--makes sense right? The feelings between Myra and Dylan didn't happen overnight and I appreciated that. They evolved slowly, passionately and exploded under the pressure of pent up desires and emotions. Those are the best kind of romances!
I'm now rushing off to read the next book. I'm actually surprised I had enough Will power to write this review before hand. Great story! Loved it.
May 20, 2013
1.5 STARS
Okay since the blurb pretty much exhaustively detailed the plot of this book, I'm going to cut to the chase and try answering: "Do you recommend this book?"
Well, I'm gonna have to ask back how do you like your heroines? Because if you prefer a strong, intelligent damsel with a spine and figures her way out of her own distress, then Myra Sommers may not be for you. She belongs to the shy, timid, little flower prototype who never curses and moves to a completely different state after not being able to handle the office drama with her cheating ex and his new squeeze.
Now there may be a subset of readers who enjoys seeing the heroine get swooped off her feet and saved by her knight in shining armor from the grief that is life... but I'm not sure if there's a sub-sub-set that enjoys it when she cries every two pages in the process.
✖ Myra carries a box into the house, slips and crack her head, she cries.
✖ She opens the door without checking who's outside, nearly gets raped, she cries.
✖ Dylan (the hero), curses up a storm, she runs away from the salad she's making (ruining a perfectly good tomato, I might add) , she cries.
✖ Dylan falls from her roof, lands in her car, she cries.
✖ Her ex comes to her house trying to win her back, she cries.
I'm not even including the moments where crying is warranted and she also cries. So expect A LOT of crying from page one (yes, from the second paragraph of the first page, she IS crying). Now Myra did lose her entire family and she did get cheated on and thus, the repeated reference to her "loneliness"... which I never got a sense of because when she wasn't ogling the contractor, Dylan, she's on the phone laughing up a storm with her best friend Susie.
Oh, Susie. Up to now, I'm confused as to what purpose this character serves. Because save for discussing turds, book boogers, "skid marks", custard catchers and her vast culinary expertise she just felt like padding to this already over-padded book. There were stretches of nonsensical conversations that offer no advancement and suspiciously distracts you from the reed thin plot.
"Sweet baby caboose on a cracker," Susie mumbles as she bends over and draws in huge heaving breaths. "Holy mother of all things horny," she says, continuing her gibberish babblings. "Dickweed balls of fire, shit-eating garden gnome... What were you doing?"
(Un)fortunately, not every CR reader has ADD. Personally, I read a book to be entertained by the story and not out of it by one-liners meant to make me laugh (but didn't). But if college fratboy humor does it for you, then this is a gold mine ... because it's not enough Myra has Susie as her BFF, she also has Jackie who wants to win her sisterly affection.
"I just drank one of those energy drinks," she says, as she starts rocking back and forth onto her tiptoes. "I needed something to keep me awake on the boring drive over here plus I wanted to have some extra energy to get a lot of stuff done today, but it's got me so revved up right now, I'm about to explode. I wish I had a trampoline to jump on. Or I might need to go jogging or something to burn off all this excess energy," she says before giggling hysterically.
Did I mention over-padded? Right.
The hero is Dylan Lawson, a contractor hired by Myra to fix up her grandfather's house. If you've been fantasizing about the guy who fixes up the roof and the plumbing of your toilet, then Dylan is the ultimate swoontastic hero. In some ways, he reminds me of Flynn from Willing Victim plus a tool belt and minus the fetish. He too has a deep dark secret and a fondness for punching unsuspecting trees. He's a manly man because he says 'shit' and 'fuck' a lot AND his idea of a grand romantic gesture is very alpha.
He shivers. "I shaved. For you."
"You did?"
He nods. "I didn't want to hurt you. Your skin is beautiful," he says as his fingers graze against her chin and mouth.
Just to be clear, he was talking about his beard there.
I find this actually cute and Dylan's slovenly way of living does actually fit him. But I'm fuzzy as to how and when he did fall for Myra: one moment he's a grumbling and roaring his way around her, the next he's panting after her lips and texting her sweet nothings like: Got 2 go. I cal u tmr. Swet drems. Charming. Even the way he asks Myra permission to kiss her. It's just such a disconnect from his character in the earlier chapters.
Then again, I did finish this and maybe with some editing and tinkering with most of Myra's quirks, this wasn't half bad, but the secondary characters just grated on my nerves SO BAD that no amount of Dylan's adorable slobbering ways could save this from a 1-star. The story ended with a cliffhanger which I applaud the author because I guess it does a good job in making one curious as to how things will continue. But me?
Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
Okay since the blurb pretty much exhaustively detailed the plot of this book, I'm going to cut to the chase and try answering: "Do you recommend this book?"
Well, I'm gonna have to ask back how do you like your heroines? Because if you prefer a strong, intelligent damsel with a spine and figures her way out of her own distress, then Myra Sommers may not be for you. She belongs to the shy, timid, little flower prototype who never curses and moves to a completely different state after not being able to handle the office drama with her cheating ex and his new squeeze.
Now there may be a subset of readers who enjoys seeing the heroine get swooped off her feet and saved by her knight in shining armor from the grief that is life... but I'm not sure if there's a sub-sub-set that enjoys it when she cries every two pages in the process.
✖ Myra carries a box into the house, slips and crack her head, she cries.
✖ She opens the door without checking who's outside, nearly gets raped, she cries.
✖ Dylan (the hero), curses up a storm, she runs away from the salad she's making (ruining a perfectly good tomato, I might add) , she cries.
✖ Dylan falls from her roof, lands in her car, she cries.
✖ Her ex comes to her house trying to win her back, she cries.
I'm not even including the moments where crying is warranted and she also cries. So expect A LOT of crying from page one (yes, from the second paragraph of the first page, she IS crying). Now Myra did lose her entire family and she did get cheated on and thus, the repeated reference to her "loneliness"... which I never got a sense of because when she wasn't ogling the contractor, Dylan, she's on the phone laughing up a storm with her best friend Susie.
Oh, Susie. Up to now, I'm confused as to what purpose this character serves. Because save for discussing turds, book boogers, "skid marks", custard catchers and her vast culinary expertise she just felt like padding to this already over-padded book. There were stretches of nonsensical conversations that offer no advancement and suspiciously distracts you from the reed thin plot.
"Sweet baby caboose on a cracker," Susie mumbles as she bends over and draws in huge heaving breaths. "Holy mother of all things horny," she says, continuing her gibberish babblings. "Dickweed balls of fire, shit-eating garden gnome... What were you doing?"
(Un)fortunately, not every CR reader has ADD. Personally, I read a book to be entertained by the story and not out of it by one-liners meant to make me laugh (but didn't). But if college fratboy humor does it for you, then this is a gold mine ... because it's not enough Myra has Susie as her BFF, she also has Jackie who wants to win her sisterly affection.
"I just drank one of those energy drinks," she says, as she starts rocking back and forth onto her tiptoes. "I needed something to keep me awake on the boring drive over here plus I wanted to have some extra energy to get a lot of stuff done today, but it's got me so revved up right now, I'm about to explode. I wish I had a trampoline to jump on. Or I might need to go jogging or something to burn off all this excess energy," she says before giggling hysterically.
Did I mention over-padded? Right.
The hero is Dylan Lawson, a contractor hired by Myra to fix up her grandfather's house. If you've been fantasizing about the guy who fixes up the roof and the plumbing of your toilet, then Dylan is the ultimate swoontastic hero. In some ways, he reminds me of Flynn from Willing Victim plus a tool belt and minus the fetish. He too has a deep dark secret and a fondness for punching unsuspecting trees. He's a manly man because he says 'shit' and 'fuck' a lot AND his idea of a grand romantic gesture is very alpha.
He shivers. "I shaved. For you."
"You did?"
He nods. "I didn't want to hurt you. Your skin is beautiful," he says as his fingers graze against her chin and mouth.
Just to be clear, he was talking about his beard there.
I find this actually cute and Dylan's slovenly way of living does actually fit him. But I'm fuzzy as to how and when he did fall for Myra: one moment he's a grumbling and roaring his way around her, the next he's panting after her lips and texting her sweet nothings like: Got 2 go. I cal u tmr. Swet drems. Charming. Even the way he asks Myra permission to kiss her. It's just such a disconnect from his character in the earlier chapters.
Then again, I did finish this and maybe with some editing and tinkering with most of Myra's quirks, this wasn't half bad, but the secondary characters just grated on my nerves SO BAD that no amount of Dylan's adorable slobbering ways could save this from a 1-star. The story ended with a cliffhanger which I applaud the author because I guess it does a good job in making one curious as to how things will continue. But me?
Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
June 16, 2013
Meh....3.5 stars for me. I'm putting it in a four star rating simply due to Myra's hilarious BFF. She was, quite frankly, the best part of the book for me. Her mouth was as raunchy as all get out and I just had to laugh at their conversations. Everyone needs a Susie.
I have to say, this book I found rather frustrating as it progressed. First and foremost, I'm usually a huge fan of a$$hole kinda guys in books but Dylan I never seemed to warm up to. He just didn't have the hotness factor I prefer to go along to his clipped nature. His cussing was more redneck than badass and he was so nasty to Myra for pretty much half the book....with very few redeeming qualities. His home is a filthy mess, he wears dirty clothes daily from off the floor, he's a fairly heavy smoker...all add up to "not so hot" in my book.
I liked the character development of Myra. Although she's a fairly weak character, running from her ex and his betrayal, I felt the pain and loneliness she endured. The pain of losing each member of her family and moving back to her Grampie's dilapidated house. Her sadness was palpable. When she meets Dylan, a local contractor, he's handsome but as cold and clipped as they come. He has huge issues with women falling all over him but the author never really delves into why he's so rude to all attractive women- other than they fall all over him. That bugs him. Boy, what a cross to bear.
So the entire book was based on this dark secret Dylan is hiding from Myra. He's very tortured and torn between wanting her and fear of her response to his secret coming out. I'm an angst whore. This wasn't angst. This was holding out on me....But literally, the secret wasn't revealed until the very end and then once again, the mother of cliffhangers..... I guess if it would've felt like more of a "build" but it was rather stagnant "keeping us in the dark" until roughly the last 15%.
Steam factor almost zero until the very end also. A kiss here or there well over halfway thru. I'm continuing on in the series thanks to the motherload of a cliffhanger but rest assured, I will be very surprised if I'll see Dylan Lawson in any of my dreams to come.....But that ending, dammit.....
January 15, 2013
Color of Loneliness is the perfect title for Madeleine Beckett’s debut novel. The story starts off remarkably well and immediately I’m consumed with the loneliness and despair Myra is feeling. She’s returned to her childhood home to bury her grandfather, her last living relative. There’s NO ONE left from her family! How utterly sad is that! The desolation she feels is palpable and my heart breaks for her in these overwhelming circumstances.
Arriving back home in Philadelphia is more cause for her unhappiness. Working within the same company with her ex-boyfriend, Trent and his new love, only adds to her misery. It’s been a year but she still has feelings for him and seeing him daily leaves her more broken.
Susan’s depiction of “asshole” is mild actually. This guy has MAJOR anger problems. He might be dripping, sexy as sin handsome, but for most of the story I was only allowed to see his anger and rudeness. His conversations included shouting, cursing, or some form of irritation.
But meek and mild mannered Myra persevered and allowed him to continue with the renovations and repairs. As the book progresses, their relationship slowly changes, with the last twenty percent showing a different Dylan, one that’s kind, caring and sizzling H.O.T. He’s definitely a tortured soul and there are glimpses into his past, but the reasons have not yet been revealed. It does become apparent that he's grieving. His pain is so severe that he's moved away from his family. He doesn't care what people think of him or how he looks and his house is a pigsty. He has no interest in anything other than getting through the day.
There were many aspects of this story I enjoyed. But along the way I did have a few quibbles and one is the feeling of too much. After the first few chapters and up until the last twenty five percent there are occasions when everything seemed too excessive. Too much going on in Myra’s life, too many quirky characters, too many rambling conversations with Myra’s quirky friends. I was anxious for the focus to be more on Dylan and Myra. I wanted less distractions and more of their thoughts and feelings, especially Dylan's.
And I must mention Susan, Myra’s best friend. Her comments are often funny yet there are instances when what comes out of her mouth is repulsive. I'm sure they were intended to be humorous, and maybe would be for most readers, but several of her depictions of condoms, stopped up toilets, and a few other stories were a little too crass for me.
But...Even with the trash that spills forth from her mouth at times, I liked this woman. Often, she is funny and with her bubbly personality, she helps Myra through difficult days and gives her a much needed laugh. Myra is sweet, kind and gentle. She’s very sad and terribly lonely causing her to cry often. Susan is the perfect friend for her and their love for each other is evident. She definitely has Myra’s back.
Dylan and Myra are two broken souls, hurting, each struggling with their grief in their own way. Their story ends with a cliffhanger that had me wanting to scream for more! I wasn't expecting that and of course it came at a time when the book was getting near impossible to put down. I'm anxious for Dylan's story and hoping the next installment will answer all my questions.
***Thank you Ms. Beckett for kindly providing a copy of your book in exchange for an honest review.***
Arriving back home in Philadelphia is more cause for her unhappiness. Working within the same company with her ex-boyfriend, Trent and his new love, only adds to her misery. It’s been a year but she still has feelings for him and seeing him daily leaves her more broken.
One of my favorites quotes comes from a conversation between Myra and Trent.The situation escalates and Myra makes the difficult decision to leave Philly and her best friend, Susan, and return to her childhood home in Nyssa, Oregon. There, she plans to live in her grandfather’s run down house and start the book she’s always dreamed of writing. As she’s settling in she quickly realizes her Grampie’s house needs some major work to become livable. And this is where we meet (in Susan’s words) the “Scruffy, Greek god asshole,” contractor, Dylan Lawson.
Susan’s depiction of “asshole” is mild actually. This guy has MAJOR anger problems. He might be dripping, sexy as sin handsome, but for most of the story I was only allowed to see his anger and rudeness. His conversations included shouting, cursing, or some form of irritation.
But meek and mild mannered Myra persevered and allowed him to continue with the renovations and repairs. As the book progresses, their relationship slowly changes, with the last twenty percent showing a different Dylan, one that’s kind, caring and sizzling H.O.T. He’s definitely a tortured soul and there are glimpses into his past, but the reasons have not yet been revealed. It does become apparent that he's grieving. His pain is so severe that he's moved away from his family. He doesn't care what people think of him or how he looks and his house is a pigsty. He has no interest in anything other than getting through the day.
There were many aspects of this story I enjoyed. But along the way I did have a few quibbles and one is the feeling of too much. After the first few chapters and up until the last twenty five percent there are occasions when everything seemed too excessive. Too much going on in Myra’s life, too many quirky characters, too many rambling conversations with Myra’s quirky friends. I was anxious for the focus to be more on Dylan and Myra. I wanted less distractions and more of their thoughts and feelings, especially Dylan's.
And I must mention Susan, Myra’s best friend. Her comments are often funny yet there are instances when what comes out of her mouth is repulsive. I'm sure they were intended to be humorous, and maybe would be for most readers, but several of her depictions of condoms, stopped up toilets, and a few other stories were a little too crass for me.
But...Even with the trash that spills forth from her mouth at times, I liked this woman. Often, she is funny and with her bubbly personality, she helps Myra through difficult days and gives her a much needed laugh. Myra is sweet, kind and gentle. She’s very sad and terribly lonely causing her to cry often. Susan is the perfect friend for her and their love for each other is evident. She definitely has Myra’s back.
Dylan and Myra are two broken souls, hurting, each struggling with their grief in their own way. Their story ends with a cliffhanger that had me wanting to scream for more! I wasn't expecting that and of course it came at a time when the book was getting near impossible to put down. I'm anxious for Dylan's story and hoping the next installment will answer all my questions.
***Thank you Ms. Beckett for kindly providing a copy of your book in exchange for an honest review.***
March 6, 2013
4.5 Stars!
I've read this book about a month ago and it left me with a book hangover. Even though I couldn't get it out of my mind I just couldn't write a review at time. I thought a short and rushed review just couldn't do justice to this book. I immersed myself instead into other books, angsty, deep, fluffy, funny, paranormal...but my thoughts kept coming back to this one.
So I decided to re-read it. Now, considering that my TBR pile is growing dangerously every day, you would have thought that this was not a good move. But I don't regret it for a bit, I enjoyed reading it second time round even more, and this time am trying to finally write that review!
This is a story about two young grieving people, each coping in their own ways.
Myra and especially Dylan are two complex characters. I am starting with Dylan and I'm going to ramble a bit because quite simply I have a huge crush on him.
DYLAN
Dylan has moved away from his family and his past. With his scruffy appearance and unfriendly attitude, he tries to keep people away. He built walls to keep everyone out, he's usually abrupt and doesn't worry how he's perceived, he just isn’t interested in making friends. He doesn't pay any attention to his appearance, he doesn’t care how he looks, in fact he finds his good looks a curse and an invitation for unwanted attention from the women in this small town. He keeps busy with work to stop thinking ...what he doesn't want to think about we don't know... He's quite a mystery and along with Myra we do wonder why this young, attractive man is so angry and unapproachable...
“He has no desire to share with anyone the mind fuckery that’s been going on in his head the last few days.”
Whatever happened in the past haunts him and stops him from living his life ...he's scared and he's hiding behind that scruffy and grumpy facade...
“Because if there is a God, he sure did a damn good job screwing me over.”
He had everything once. He had the perfect life.
Having been hired as a contractor to do the refurbishing work on Myra's house, he tries to keep a distance from her. They both aren't ready for a relationship but they can't deny the attraction.
He shouldn’t be looking at them but fuck it, he can’t help it. He has an overwhelming urge to smash his mouth against hers and kiss her until she can’t fucking breath.
But somehow she reaches deep into him and he really wants to let the walls down. She makes him smile, laugh, makes him feel alive again.
He struggles with these new feelings, the control on his emotions is slipping and that frightens him.
He leans down and rests his forehead against hers. “I’m scared,” he breathes. “Of what?” she breathes back. He closes his eyes. “This. I… can’t…”
He wants to let her in, he just doesn't know how. He has shut off his emotions for such a long time, talking about the past isn't going to be easy, it's going to hurt.
MYRA
Myra, she's different, she's shy and hides behind oversized jumpers and chews her thumbnail when nervous...
She always smiles at him even though he's almost rude, but it is when the roof accident happens that he sees her in a different light. She looks after his injuries without making any unwanted advances...
Myra on the other end is going trough her own problems...having just lost the last remaining member of her family, working in an environment where she get constantly reminded of her ex-boyfriend's betrayal and having just inherited her grandfather's house she makes the decision to leave everything behind and start anew in the small town she grew up. Myra is going through a bad time in her life and she does question her decision to move into her late grandfather's house. She finds Dylan intriguing and despite the initial misgivings she can’t deny the attraction.
Myra knows pain all too well; she’s certain that they can help each other. But she needs Dylan to come to the same conclusion.
HELLO LIPS!
“I came here cuz...” he says before he stops and stares intently at her mouth. “Cuz I wanna see your lips. Been thinking about them. Your lips. They’re beautiful, and red, and… wet. I came to say hello to your lips.” His eyes glaze over as he stares at her mouth. “Hello, lips,” he says in a husky voice.”...and his eyes – hooded from alcohol – fill with a strange warmth that looks somehow happy and sad all at once
I liked how these two started to get closer together. It wasn't rushed, maybe it was slower than in other adult books, but you have to take into account that neither was looking to get into a relationship, they're still dealing with tragedies and in Dylan's case something else altogether...
Dylan is apprehensive at first...He tries to keep the distance, he thinks she's too good for him, he's got a past and doesn't feel ready to upload it onto her...Later when he's away at his parents it's nice to see him starting to live again, his texting is sweet and my heart went to him. I didn't know and still don't know what really happened but my heart did a little dance when he started to smile and open up a bit.
His breathing increases. “I’ve only kissed one woman in my damn life. But I want to kiss you so fucking bad right now,” he says as he drops his head down closer to hers, so that their lips are just inches apart. “Can I kiss you?” he whispers.
It was adorable when he was asking to kiss Myra, asking permission to go ahead. And that I believe is because he doesn't believe he's allowed this small step to happiness. He's shut off for such a long time, filling his days with work and punching bag that to change all that it seems undeserving. He doesn't do well with emotional pain that's why he left Myra alone when Jim, the neighbour died. To have stayed with her meant to open up and get emotional ... and he's not capable of doing that after such a long time cutting off family and feelings.
You could see both of them starting to change, Dylan letting the walls down, accepting that he deserves to be happy, and Myra starting to have a self confidence that she lacked in the past, being appreciated and wanted and being told so...
And when it does happen the fireworks explode....
Supporting Cast
-------------
SUSIE
BFF- provides tons of entertainment throughout the book, she is loud, unafraid to voice her opinions in a colourful language and uncontrolled speech.
TRENT
Ex BF - stalker, a conceited and self-centered person. Best described by Susie:
“That lowlife bag of shitty turds. That scummy, slimy sleezy maggothead. God, that shit pisses me off. He’s got a lot of nerve considering the tiny ball sack he has floating in his pink girlie underwear.”
or ...
“It’s because he’s an asshole. Asshole brains don’t work the same as ours do. Too much brown sludge”
JACKIE
New neighbour - Talks 100 miles per hour, comes across as a bit ditzy, provides distraction and entertainment.
THE END
The end of the book it was like being punched into the stomach....Whilst I thought that I started to know and understand Dylan and liking him in the process, the abrupt finish was like a betrayal...
Yes, the book ends on a cliffhanger... but I have faith that Myra won't do anything rush or stupid.
I NEED TO KNOW NOW! What's happening, what did happened in the past, there are so many questions unanswered and I need them solved NOW!
The next book Color of Forgiveness is expected in few weeks time, January 2013.
A big thank you to Madeleine Beckett for providing me a copy of her awesome book!
I've read this book about a month ago and it left me with a book hangover. Even though I couldn't get it out of my mind I just couldn't write a review at time. I thought a short and rushed review just couldn't do justice to this book. I immersed myself instead into other books, angsty, deep, fluffy, funny, paranormal...but my thoughts kept coming back to this one.
So I decided to re-read it. Now, considering that my TBR pile is growing dangerously every day, you would have thought that this was not a good move. But I don't regret it for a bit, I enjoyed reading it second time round even more, and this time am trying to finally write that review!
This is a story about two young grieving people, each coping in their own ways.
Myra and especially Dylan are two complex characters. I am starting with Dylan and I'm going to ramble a bit because quite simply I have a huge crush on him.
DYLAN
Dylan has moved away from his family and his past. With his scruffy appearance and unfriendly attitude, he tries to keep people away. He built walls to keep everyone out, he's usually abrupt and doesn't worry how he's perceived, he just isn’t interested in making friends. He doesn't pay any attention to his appearance, he doesn’t care how he looks, in fact he finds his good looks a curse and an invitation for unwanted attention from the women in this small town. He keeps busy with work to stop thinking ...what he doesn't want to think about we don't know... He's quite a mystery and along with Myra we do wonder why this young, attractive man is so angry and unapproachable...
“He has no desire to share with anyone the mind fuckery that’s been going on in his head the last few days.”
Whatever happened in the past haunts him and stops him from living his life ...he's scared and he's hiding behind that scruffy and grumpy facade...
“Because if there is a God, he sure did a damn good job screwing me over.”
He had everything once. He had the perfect life.
Having been hired as a contractor to do the refurbishing work on Myra's house, he tries to keep a distance from her. They both aren't ready for a relationship but they can't deny the attraction.
He shouldn’t be looking at them but fuck it, he can’t help it. He has an overwhelming urge to smash his mouth against hers and kiss her until she can’t fucking breath.
But somehow she reaches deep into him and he really wants to let the walls down. She makes him smile, laugh, makes him feel alive again.
He struggles with these new feelings, the control on his emotions is slipping and that frightens him.
He leans down and rests his forehead against hers. “I’m scared,” he breathes. “Of what?” she breathes back. He closes his eyes. “This. I… can’t…”
He wants to let her in, he just doesn't know how. He has shut off his emotions for such a long time, talking about the past isn't going to be easy, it's going to hurt.
MYRA
Myra, she's different, she's shy and hides behind oversized jumpers and chews her thumbnail when nervous...
She always smiles at him even though he's almost rude, but it is when the roof accident happens that he sees her in a different light. She looks after his injuries without making any unwanted advances...
Myra on the other end is going trough her own problems...having just lost the last remaining member of her family, working in an environment where she get constantly reminded of her ex-boyfriend's betrayal and having just inherited her grandfather's house she makes the decision to leave everything behind and start anew in the small town she grew up. Myra is going through a bad time in her life and she does question her decision to move into her late grandfather's house. She finds Dylan intriguing and despite the initial misgivings she can’t deny the attraction.
Myra knows pain all too well; she’s certain that they can help each other. But she needs Dylan to come to the same conclusion.
HELLO LIPS!
“I came here cuz...” he says before he stops and stares intently at her mouth. “Cuz I wanna see your lips. Been thinking about them. Your lips. They’re beautiful, and red, and… wet. I came to say hello to your lips.” His eyes glaze over as he stares at her mouth. “Hello, lips,” he says in a husky voice.”...and his eyes – hooded from alcohol – fill with a strange warmth that looks somehow happy and sad all at once
I liked how these two started to get closer together. It wasn't rushed, maybe it was slower than in other adult books, but you have to take into account that neither was looking to get into a relationship, they're still dealing with tragedies and in Dylan's case something else altogether...
Dylan is apprehensive at first...He tries to keep the distance, he thinks she's too good for him, he's got a past and doesn't feel ready to upload it onto her...Later when he's away at his parents it's nice to see him starting to live again, his texting is sweet and my heart went to him. I didn't know and still don't know what really happened but my heart did a little dance when he started to smile and open up a bit.
His breathing increases. “I’ve only kissed one woman in my damn life. But I want to kiss you so fucking bad right now,” he says as he drops his head down closer to hers, so that their lips are just inches apart. “Can I kiss you?” he whispers.
It was adorable when he was asking to kiss Myra, asking permission to go ahead. And that I believe is because he doesn't believe he's allowed this small step to happiness. He's shut off for such a long time, filling his days with work and punching bag that to change all that it seems undeserving. He doesn't do well with emotional pain that's why he left Myra alone when Jim, the neighbour died. To have stayed with her meant to open up and get emotional ... and he's not capable of doing that after such a long time cutting off family and feelings.
You could see both of them starting to change, Dylan letting the walls down, accepting that he deserves to be happy, and Myra starting to have a self confidence that she lacked in the past, being appreciated and wanted and being told so...
And when it does happen the fireworks explode....
Supporting Cast
-------------
SUSIE
BFF- provides tons of entertainment throughout the book, she is loud, unafraid to voice her opinions in a colourful language and uncontrolled speech.
TRENT
Ex BF - stalker, a conceited and self-centered person. Best described by Susie:
“That lowlife bag of shitty turds. That scummy, slimy sleezy maggothead. God, that shit pisses me off. He’s got a lot of nerve considering the tiny ball sack he has floating in his pink girlie underwear.”
or ...
“It’s because he’s an asshole. Asshole brains don’t work the same as ours do. Too much brown sludge”
JACKIE
New neighbour - Talks 100 miles per hour, comes across as a bit ditzy, provides distraction and entertainment.
THE END
The end of the book it was like being punched into the stomach....Whilst I thought that I started to know and understand Dylan and liking him in the process, the abrupt finish was like a betrayal...
Yes, the book ends on a cliffhanger... but I have faith that Myra won't do anything rush or stupid.
I NEED TO KNOW NOW! What's happening, what did happened in the past, there are so many questions unanswered and I need them solved NOW!
The next book Color of Forgiveness is expected in few weeks time, January 2013.
A big thank you to Madeleine Beckett for providing me a copy of her awesome book!
January 11, 2013
3.5 Stars
One word summation: Overkill.
"Color of Loneliness" is a huge helping of crazy and messy. Was this a book I could love? Nope. But its unique difference certainly did hook me. And that is the reason for my rating.
This type of third-person-storytelling is my least favorite. The writing style quite literally bugged me bad! This book also was beyond vulgar and crude. Including Kristen Ashley’s books (and she just happens to be one of my favorite authors), I don’t remember ever having read a book with so many f-bombs appearing on nearly every page. I’m not a prude. The word doesn’t offend me. Except when it’s overkill and serves no purpose.
If it wasn’t for bad luck, these two would have no luck at all. If ever there were two more frustrating and aggravating characters, I’m in the dark as to their identities. From the money pit house problems to constant accidental injuries to the ever present crying and tantrums, along with all the many other problems ( and believe me, there were many!), I was pleading for just one small dish of normal.
Even Myra’s female friends, Jackie and Susie, though good and loyal, are way overboard and once again, overkill. I went over the cliff (and no, not that “fiscal” one) about halfway through their non-stop ramblings. I’ll admit that Susie’s lines are quite comical at times. But once again, overkill. I’ve never encountered a person with such a foul mouth with non-stop spurts of vulgarity. (“Custard catcher” – wow, never heard that one before but condom works just fine for me; and this one that I always held in such high esteem, “PTA” no longer resembles the relationship between parents and teachers but now describes bathing your pussy, tits and armpits!). If you’re interested, believe me there are an unlimited number of others included in Susie’s colorful dialogue.
Am I already hyped for the next installment. Heck yes – I crave the rest of the story. I didn’t hate this book. As a matter of fact, the storyline was captivating. The characters were engaging. And it was funny, heart wrenching, and emotional including the sizzling chemistry between the two lead characters. Smaller servings of just about everything but the romance would have filled me up just fine.
One word summation: Overkill.
"Color of Loneliness" is a huge helping of crazy and messy. Was this a book I could love? Nope. But its unique difference certainly did hook me. And that is the reason for my rating.
This type of third-person-storytelling is my least favorite. The writing style quite literally bugged me bad! This book also was beyond vulgar and crude. Including Kristen Ashley’s books (and she just happens to be one of my favorite authors), I don’t remember ever having read a book with so many f-bombs appearing on nearly every page. I’m not a prude. The word doesn’t offend me. Except when it’s overkill and serves no purpose.
If it wasn’t for bad luck, these two would have no luck at all. If ever there were two more frustrating and aggravating characters, I’m in the dark as to their identities. From the money pit house problems to constant accidental injuries to the ever present crying and tantrums, along with all the many other problems ( and believe me, there were many!), I was pleading for just one small dish of normal.
Even Myra’s female friends, Jackie and Susie, though good and loyal, are way overboard and once again, overkill. I went over the cliff (and no, not that “fiscal” one) about halfway through their non-stop ramblings. I’ll admit that Susie’s lines are quite comical at times. But once again, overkill. I’ve never encountered a person with such a foul mouth with non-stop spurts of vulgarity. (“Custard catcher” – wow, never heard that one before but condom works just fine for me; and this one that I always held in such high esteem, “PTA” no longer resembles the relationship between parents and teachers but now describes bathing your pussy, tits and armpits!). If you’re interested, believe me there are an unlimited number of others included in Susie’s colorful dialogue.
Am I already hyped for the next installment. Heck yes – I crave the rest of the story. I didn’t hate this book. As a matter of fact, the storyline was captivating. The characters were engaging. And it was funny, heart wrenching, and emotional including the sizzling chemistry between the two lead characters. Smaller servings of just about everything but the romance would have filled me up just fine.
Want to read
February 2, 2013*AMAZON SALE!* $0.99 2/2/13
http://www.amazon.com/Color-of-Loneli...
http://www.amazon.com/Color-of-Loneli...
February 28, 2013
Hello Lips!!
Wow!! What the freaking hell?! What an ending! Talk about a cliff hanger!!
What a fantastic book! There are so many things about this book that I loved. First of all, I loved that it had depth and meaning to it. This is not some foo foo romance book. God, where do I even start?
Dylan is one hot manly man!! Mmmmm I am licking my lips thinking about him. He is a contractor to fix Myra's house up. The whole story is basically a long foreplay. They took forever to finally get the hots for each other...basically it takes till the end of the book. But Jesus it was worth it. The sexual tension and desire literally left me breathless. But it took ALOT of reading to get to that point. A few times during the book my heart dropped and my stomach was clenched...but I love that in a book!! Dylan has a dark and secretive past that we only get hints at. I love that not everything is revealed. He is scared to be with Myra...but in the end his desire for her wins out. It seemed to take forever for them to get together but it is worth the wait. This made it even more special when they do finally lock lips!
"cause I wanna see your lips. Been thinking about them. Your lips. They're beautiful, and red, and...wet. I came to say hello to your lips". His eyes glaze over and he stares at her mouth. "Hello, lips," he says, in a husky voice.
To have a man look at her the way he did with that smoldering look in his scorching, passion-filled eyes. He'd almost melted the clothes right off of her body.
And Susie, good god almighty!! She is Myra's best friend and she is is absolutely f**king hilarious!! I was actually laughing out loud when I was reading this. It takes a lot for that to happen, I mean, to actually laugh out loud all by myself. She is constantly ranting on the phone to Myra, going on and on. She is so damn funny. God, every girl needs a friend like her!
I really loved this story, it has more to it than the typical romance books. There is depth, emotion, angst and passion in this story. Also, there are a few twists and turns, and surprises that I was not expecting at all! And I was craving Dylan...in fact I was short of breath a lot. God...he is so HOT and rough around the edges. He's always swearing and he is quite gruff. He starts out as really mean and is such a jerk. But as the book goes on he becomes softer and lets his mean exterior melt away a little. We soon see his vulnerability and caring nature. A beautiful man.
When she walks into the kitchen with a large grin still plastered to her face, she finds him naked, leaning up against the counter, his feet crossed at the ankles with a glass of water in his hand.
Her kitchen has never looked better.
Mmmm mmmm I loved that....o god the vision....!!
Well this book has me panting and dying for more!! How am I going to wait for the next book?! I NEED it like right now!! I can't wait to find out what happens. Apparently the next book has more and more between Myra and Dylan. This first book only just touches the surface. This first book is just setting up for all the good stuff to come....I can't wait!!
*A big thank you to Madeleine Beckett for providing me a copy of this book. I have written an honest review*
Wow!! What the freaking hell?! What an ending! Talk about a cliff hanger!!
What a fantastic book! There are so many things about this book that I loved. First of all, I loved that it had depth and meaning to it. This is not some foo foo romance book. God, where do I even start?
Dylan is one hot manly man!! Mmmmm I am licking my lips thinking about him. He is a contractor to fix Myra's house up. The whole story is basically a long foreplay. They took forever to finally get the hots for each other...basically it takes till the end of the book. But Jesus it was worth it. The sexual tension and desire literally left me breathless. But it took ALOT of reading to get to that point. A few times during the book my heart dropped and my stomach was clenched...but I love that in a book!! Dylan has a dark and secretive past that we only get hints at. I love that not everything is revealed. He is scared to be with Myra...but in the end his desire for her wins out. It seemed to take forever for them to get together but it is worth the wait. This made it even more special when they do finally lock lips!
"cause I wanna see your lips. Been thinking about them. Your lips. They're beautiful, and red, and...wet. I came to say hello to your lips". His eyes glaze over and he stares at her mouth. "Hello, lips," he says, in a husky voice.
To have a man look at her the way he did with that smoldering look in his scorching, passion-filled eyes. He'd almost melted the clothes right off of her body.
And Susie, good god almighty!! She is Myra's best friend and she is is absolutely f**king hilarious!! I was actually laughing out loud when I was reading this. It takes a lot for that to happen, I mean, to actually laugh out loud all by myself. She is constantly ranting on the phone to Myra, going on and on. She is so damn funny. God, every girl needs a friend like her!
I really loved this story, it has more to it than the typical romance books. There is depth, emotion, angst and passion in this story. Also, there are a few twists and turns, and surprises that I was not expecting at all! And I was craving Dylan...in fact I was short of breath a lot. God...he is so HOT and rough around the edges. He's always swearing and he is quite gruff. He starts out as really mean and is such a jerk. But as the book goes on he becomes softer and lets his mean exterior melt away a little. We soon see his vulnerability and caring nature. A beautiful man.
When she walks into the kitchen with a large grin still plastered to her face, she finds him naked, leaning up against the counter, his feet crossed at the ankles with a glass of water in his hand.
Her kitchen has never looked better.
Mmmm mmmm I loved that....o god the vision....!!
Well this book has me panting and dying for more!! How am I going to wait for the next book?! I NEED it like right now!! I can't wait to find out what happens. Apparently the next book has more and more between Myra and Dylan. This first book only just touches the surface. This first book is just setting up for all the good stuff to come....I can't wait!!
*A big thank you to Madeleine Beckett for providing me a copy of this book. I have written an honest review*
February 25, 2015
4.5 stars
This is a review for both books as this one ends in a cliffhanger which concludes in the second book. I was compelled to write this as I was still thinking about the story a few days after I finished it. To me that is a sigh of an excellent book.
Why not 5 stars? It took me a while to get used to reading it. The writing style is unusual. It's in present tense and changes POV between the two characters. It takes a bit of getting use to. Once you get past that, it's a compelling read. Slow to build but that doesn't deter you and nor do you realize it as you are reading. The other thing was the you're/your mistake. I tend to overlook some spelling mistakes here and there but that one just annoys me.
Now the characters. Myra is a very likable heroine though you can perceive her as meek she is by no means beaten. Situations have depressed her and brought her down but she has persevered. I admired her.It's not easy to uproot yourself and follow your dreams. She seen so much loss and still stands firm.
Her BFF Susie is utterly bonkers! She is my kind of crazy and I would have loved to be her friend! She made me laugh consistently during the book and provided the lightheartedness to Myras seriousness.
Dylan is the broody male we all love. Mean and rude, a bit cruel(unintentionally)and you just wanna get close to him, you can't help it. He has been through a lot which you find out as the story progresses(I wont tell). The chemistry between the two builds relatively slow but when it finally ignites it explodes! Loved them together. Loved how Myra understood him and helped him.
I just loved this book. It was a very enjoyable read, definitely recommend(just get past the writing style and have both books).
This is a review for both books as this one ends in a cliffhanger which concludes in the second book. I was compelled to write this as I was still thinking about the story a few days after I finished it. To me that is a sigh of an excellent book.
Why not 5 stars? It took me a while to get used to reading it. The writing style is unusual. It's in present tense and changes POV between the two characters. It takes a bit of getting use to. Once you get past that, it's a compelling read. Slow to build but that doesn't deter you and nor do you realize it as you are reading. The other thing was the you're/your mistake. I tend to overlook some spelling mistakes here and there but that one just annoys me.
Now the characters. Myra is a very likable heroine though you can perceive her as meek she is by no means beaten. Situations have depressed her and brought her down but she has persevered. I admired her.It's not easy to uproot yourself and follow your dreams. She seen so much loss and still stands firm.
Her BFF Susie is utterly bonkers! She is my kind of crazy and I would have loved to be her friend! She made me laugh consistently during the book and provided the lightheartedness to Myras seriousness.
Dylan is the broody male we all love. Mean and rude, a bit cruel(unintentionally)and you just wanna get close to him, you can't help it. He has been through a lot which you find out as the story progresses(I wont tell). The chemistry between the two builds relatively slow but when it finally ignites it explodes! Loved them together. Loved how Myra understood him and helped him.
I just loved this book. It was a very enjoyable read, definitely recommend(just get past the writing style and have both books).
March 18, 2013
4 Susie Loving Stars!!!
This book is kind of hard for me to rate actually. I loved the story but there was something about the writing that made me skim read the whole thing. Was it too wordy? Was it too long? Was it too detailed? Was it the "tense" that it was written in? I don't know.
CoL is the story of Myra. She has just lost her Grampie, her last living relative. She's kind of lost....and sad. Her boyfriend cheated on her and she has to see him every day at work. She decides to move to Nyssa, in to her grandfather's house and work on writing the book she's always wanted to write.
The house is falling apart and needs work. Enter Dylan. Dylan was an angry, messed up, alpha male. He's had some shit stuff happen to him in his past making him an all around UN-pleasant person.
Slowly but surely, Myra breaks down his walls and his defenses and gets inside of Dylan's head and his heart.
I really liked all of the supporting characters in this book, especially Susie and Chad. They were both hilarious. I guess my biggest complaint about the book, other than having to skim read it, would be Myra herself. She cried ALL of the time. And was so "poor, pitiful, me".
This book ended with the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers....setting us up to find out exactly what happened to Dylan in his past. Overall I did enjoy the story, despite skim reading the majority of the book.
Moving on to Color of Forgiveness....
This book is kind of hard for me to rate actually. I loved the story but there was something about the writing that made me skim read the whole thing. Was it too wordy? Was it too long? Was it too detailed? Was it the "tense" that it was written in? I don't know.
CoL is the story of Myra. She has just lost her Grampie, her last living relative. She's kind of lost....and sad. Her boyfriend cheated on her and she has to see him every day at work. She decides to move to Nyssa, in to her grandfather's house and work on writing the book she's always wanted to write.
The house is falling apart and needs work. Enter Dylan. Dylan was an angry, messed up, alpha male. He's had some shit stuff happen to him in his past making him an all around UN-pleasant person.
Slowly but surely, Myra breaks down his walls and his defenses and gets inside of Dylan's head and his heart.
I really liked all of the supporting characters in this book, especially Susie and Chad. They were both hilarious. I guess my biggest complaint about the book, other than having to skim read it, would be Myra herself. She cried ALL of the time. And was so "poor, pitiful, me".
This book ended with the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers....setting us up to find out exactly what happened to Dylan in his past. Overall I did enjoy the story, despite skim reading the majority of the book.
Moving on to Color of Forgiveness....
January 29, 2015
This book sucked. 326 pages of pathetic heroine, angry, brooding hero holding a secret, a potty-mouthed, fat BFF to provide cliched comic relief, villainous new girlfriend, skeevy ex-boyfriend, creepy hometown stalker, too many pointless deaths to mention, possibly a haunted house, endless crying and chewing of thumbnails, shy giggles and lots of swearing.
All that crap and it ends as a cliffhanger - book 2 is 480 pages - and frankly, who gives a shit how these two end up? Three chapters in to the sequel and he STILL hasn't told the thumbnail chewer what the secret is. (I read the sample.) I think it's children killed in a car accident, and that's a load of manufactured angst I don't think this author is talented enough to pull off.
2 stars - and that's only for all the inventive swearing done by the hero and the BFF.
All that crap and it ends as a cliffhanger - book 2 is 480 pages - and frankly, who gives a shit how these two end up? Three chapters in to the sequel and he STILL hasn't told the thumbnail chewer what the secret is. (I read the sample.) I think it's children killed in a car accident, and that's a load of manufactured angst I don't think this author is talented enough to pull off.
2 stars - and that's only for all the inventive swearing done by the hero and the BFF.
February 5, 2013
5 hot and addicting stars!
I need the next book, like, now!!!
I l o v e d the thick sexual tension surrounding Myra and Dylan. At first, I really thought Dylan was going to be an annoying jerk, but nuh uh. He was my kind of guy ;) Totally alpha: strong, sexy, protective, and possessive, with a dark and mysterious past. He completely turned my insides into mush!
As for MYRA, she was very softhearted, gentle, heartbroken, and lonely. She loses her last remaining family member (her grandpa). On top of that, her long-time boyfriend dumps her for his assistant (what a jerk!!). And get this: they are all co-workers... AWKWARD! Ultimately, she ends up moving back to her hometown to live at the house her newly deceased grandpa left her. However, the house is practically in ruins, so she gets a recommendation for a contractor, and voila! Enter, our hottie contractor: DYLAN<3
You’d think that with him being so hot and all, there would be instant fireworks – but nope. Dylan’s cocky, awkward, and mean. He just wants to get the job done, and leave as fast as he can. He has... issues, to say the least. Myra, on the other hand, could care less. She just wants running water and the toilets flushing.
But then, one incident leads to another, and gradually, Myra and Dylan start forming a bond, a slow, but nevertheless, intense friendship. I stayed up reading this until 5 am. Luckily, I had class at 2pm so I got some semblance of sleep. Honestly, I can’t recommend this enough! The whole first half of the book was the best, slow tease – intense, building up of a really HOT relationship. Complicated? Yes. But INTENSE & PASSIONATE & HOT.
And, for Myra’s BFF SUSAN, one word: HILARIOUS. I need me a SUSAN in my life.
Lovers of the NA genre need to get on this!!
My reaction after reading the cliffhanger ending:
I need the next book, like, now!!!
I l o v e d the thick sexual tension surrounding Myra and Dylan. At first, I really thought Dylan was going to be an annoying jerk, but nuh uh. He was my kind of guy ;) Totally alpha: strong, sexy, protective, and possessive, with a dark and mysterious past. He completely turned my insides into mush!
As for MYRA, she was very softhearted, gentle, heartbroken, and lonely. She loses her last remaining family member (her grandpa). On top of that, her long-time boyfriend dumps her for his assistant (what a jerk!!). And get this: they are all co-workers... AWKWARD! Ultimately, she ends up moving back to her hometown to live at the house her newly deceased grandpa left her. However, the house is practically in ruins, so she gets a recommendation for a contractor, and voila! Enter, our hottie contractor: DYLAN<3
You’d think that with him being so hot and all, there would be instant fireworks – but nope. Dylan’s cocky, awkward, and mean. He just wants to get the job done, and leave as fast as he can. He has... issues, to say the least. Myra, on the other hand, could care less. She just wants running water and the toilets flushing.
But then, one incident leads to another, and gradually, Myra and Dylan start forming a bond, a slow, but nevertheless, intense friendship. I stayed up reading this until 5 am. Luckily, I had class at 2pm so I got some semblance of sleep. Honestly, I can’t recommend this enough! The whole first half of the book was the best, slow tease – intense, building up of a really HOT relationship. Complicated? Yes. But INTENSE & PASSIONATE & HOT.
And, for Myra’s BFF SUSAN, one word: HILARIOUS. I need me a SUSAN in my life.
Lovers of the NA genre need to get on this!!
My reaction after reading the cliffhanger ending:
April 22, 2013
**Copy courtesy of author Madeleine Beckett in exchange for an honest review**
OHMYGOODNESS..Susie stole the show..This was me throughout the book
The heroine's best friend Susie does an amazing job. Her witty sarcastic, horny ass comments had me dying with laughter.
Susie is the ultimate wise cracking best friend that is constantly cheering up her best friend Myra. The story revolves around Myra's chaotic, overwhelming, and lonely life. Myra is trying to outrun her past and her problems, when she decides to move back to her hometown due to tragic circumstances surrounding her. Myra is lonely and feeling depressed due to having no family whatsoever. Everyone in her family has deceased, leaving her all alone to face her own battles.
And here enters Dylan.
Dylan is the typical hard ass, angry, HOT contractor who has been hired by Myra to restore her house. But as time progresses so does their relationship buy Dylan is hiding a secret that he wont confess to. This secret will ultimately break them or tie them together.
The Color of loneliness is a great book for in between reads when you are looking for something easy and traditional. I tend to like my reads dark and angsty. So if you fall into this category this book wouldn't be your cup of tea.
Overall, the book was stress free and even paced, with no drama, until the very end and that's when shit hits the fan. So obviously, I will be jumping on the bandwagon to see how things pan out between Myra & Dylan.
OHMYGOODNESS..Susie stole the show..This was me throughout the book
The heroine's best friend Susie does an amazing job. Her witty sarcastic, horny ass comments had me dying with laughter.
"It's because he's an asshole. Asshole brains don't work the same as ours do. Too much brown sludge."
"You don't know what a PTA is? Susie asks, laughing. "It's the old Pussy, Tits, and Armpits bath; you know, where you scrub your PTA."
Susie is the ultimate wise cracking best friend that is constantly cheering up her best friend Myra. The story revolves around Myra's chaotic, overwhelming, and lonely life. Myra is trying to outrun her past and her problems, when she decides to move back to her hometown due to tragic circumstances surrounding her. Myra is lonely and feeling depressed due to having no family whatsoever. Everyone in her family has deceased, leaving her all alone to face her own battles.
And here enters Dylan.
Dylan is the typical hard ass, angry, HOT contractor who has been hired by Myra to restore her house. But as time progresses so does their relationship buy Dylan is hiding a secret that he wont confess to. This secret will ultimately break them or tie them together.
The Color of loneliness is a great book for in between reads when you are looking for something easy and traditional. I tend to like my reads dark and angsty. So if you fall into this category this book wouldn't be your cup of tea.
Overall, the book was stress free and even paced, with no drama, until the very end and that's when shit hits the fan. So obviously, I will be jumping on the bandwagon to see how things pan out between Myra & Dylan.
November 3, 2012
2.5
Ok, I really almost gave up on this one. I wish I could have discounted pretty much the first 40% of this book, which seemed to have little point to it whatsoever (or at least no point that should have taken more then 10% of the book.)
That said, it did set up Myra as a really depressed, sad girl, with little experience in relationships, and little ability to stand up for herself. She stays working with her ex while he flaunts his relationship with the girl he cheated on her with for a full year before she finally got fed up.
Dylan is a hero with some serious issues that make him an angry asshole to pretty much everyone, until Myra finally works her way beyond his walls. Their relationship, (short as it was since they don't even kiss until we are almost 70% percent into the book) was interesting in that it really felt like a first high school crush - very sweet, lots of giddy feelings and silly text messages. I do think this was intentional on the authors part, so it didn't bother me. And boy, when they did finally "connect" there was no lack of chemistry. So, at the end of the book we are left with a serious cliffhanger. I'm choosing to believe there is a misunderstanding so I don't have to reach into the books and kick Dylan's ass. I'll probably pick up the sequel just to find out what the heck is going on.
Ok, I really almost gave up on this one. I wish I could have discounted pretty much the first 40% of this book, which seemed to have little point to it whatsoever (or at least no point that should have taken more then 10% of the book.)
That said, it did set up Myra as a really depressed, sad girl, with little experience in relationships, and little ability to stand up for herself. She stays working with her ex while he flaunts his relationship with the girl he cheated on her with for a full year before she finally got fed up.
Dylan is a hero with some serious issues that make him an angry asshole to pretty much everyone, until Myra finally works her way beyond his walls. Their relationship, (short as it was since they don't even kiss until we are almost 70% percent into the book) was interesting in that it really felt like a first high school crush - very sweet, lots of giddy feelings and silly text messages. I do think this was intentional on the authors part, so it didn't bother me. And boy, when they did finally "connect" there was no lack of chemistry. So, at the end of the book we are left with a serious cliffhanger. I'm choosing to believe there is a misunderstanding so I don't have to reach into the books and kick Dylan's ass. I'll probably pick up the sequel just to find out what the heck is going on.
March 9, 2013
I am about halfway through The Color of Loneliness by Madeliene Beckett and I hate it. Hate it.
I was looking for a rougher, blue collar, not rich, type of hero. Hero is a contractor with a bad back and a smoker and is mean to the women in town because they keep pretending things are broken so the "hot guy" will come out to fix it.
Instead I am about 100 pages in and have read about the heroine's best friend's disgusting bathroom humor and weight problems. Every time she opens her mouth it's "I'm so fat" "Why did I eat that?" "I need to unbutton my pants" Then she takes a big dump in the toilet and breaks it. She calls the dump The Titantic. What?! So gross.
The heroine's boyfriend who works with her left her for a co-worker and there's all this work drama. And cancer drama and people dying drama.
Where is the romance you ask? I don't know. I'm halfway through, 100 pages in, and nothing's going on.
This is a do no finish for me.
I was looking for a rougher, blue collar, not rich, type of hero. Hero is a contractor with a bad back and a smoker and is mean to the women in town because they keep pretending things are broken so the "hot guy" will come out to fix it.
Instead I am about 100 pages in and have read about the heroine's best friend's disgusting bathroom humor and weight problems. Every time she opens her mouth it's "I'm so fat" "Why did I eat that?" "I need to unbutton my pants" Then she takes a big dump in the toilet and breaks it. She calls the dump The Titantic. What?! So gross.
The heroine's boyfriend who works with her left her for a co-worker and there's all this work drama. And cancer drama and people dying drama.
Where is the romance you ask? I don't know. I'm halfway through, 100 pages in, and nothing's going on.
This is a do no finish for me.
January 10, 2013
4.5
What a great read and a terrific surprise. This is a slow building romance with loads of angst, sexual tension, tears, laughter, crazy ex boyfriends, creepy guys and a "you've got to be kidding me cliffhanger"!
Myra…damn if she didn't have bad luck she wouldn't have any luck at all. At first all her crying got on my last nerve but by the end I couldn't really blame her. I'm hoping that in book 2 she takes a stand and has a reason to smile again.
Dylan, wow, he was a jack ass but as a long time romance reader I knew under that Greek God exterior was a tortured heart looking for the right woman - LOL. I grew to love him up until he made Myra cry at the end-AGAIN!
Myra's best pal, Susie had to be the funniest sidekick I've ever read. I loved her and could not believe the stuff that came out of her mouth.
I can't wait to find out what the heck Myra will do and how Dylan is going to explain himself!
What a great read and a terrific surprise. This is a slow building romance with loads of angst, sexual tension, tears, laughter, crazy ex boyfriends, creepy guys and a "you've got to be kidding me cliffhanger"!
Myra…damn if she didn't have bad luck she wouldn't have any luck at all. At first all her crying got on my last nerve but by the end I couldn't really blame her. I'm hoping that in book 2 she takes a stand and has a reason to smile again.
Dylan, wow, he was a jack ass but as a long time romance reader I knew under that Greek God exterior was a tortured heart looking for the right woman - LOL. I grew to love him up until he made Myra cry at the end-AGAIN!
Myra's best pal, Susie had to be the funniest sidekick I've ever read. I loved her and could not believe the stuff that came out of her mouth.
I can't wait to find out what the heck Myra will do and how Dylan is going to explain himself!
September 9, 2013
**** Four stars****
I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the build up of the main characters and the relationships around them. There were some really laugh out loud moments which was a nice shift from some of the shitty moments we encounter. You all know I can’t resist an swoon worthy asshole – well Dylan Lawson is just that! A total Douchecanoe!. Overall is was thrilling read and I enjoyed it.
“It's because he's an asshole. Asshole brains don't work the same as ours do. Too much brown sludge.”
*Note – This book ends with a cliffhanger however, book two Color of Forgiveness has been released and the series is now complete.
I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the build up of the main characters and the relationships around them. There were some really laugh out loud moments which was a nice shift from some of the shitty moments we encounter. You all know I can’t resist an swoon worthy asshole – well Dylan Lawson is just that! A total Douchecanoe!. Overall is was thrilling read and I enjoyed it.
“It's because he's an asshole. Asshole brains don't work the same as ours do. Too much brown sludge.”
*Note – This book ends with a cliffhanger however, book two Color of Forgiveness has been released and the series is now complete.
January 9, 2013
First a little rant. When I read this I didn't know it was part of a series so I actually screamed when it ended how it did.
However this was such a great read. Sweet, sexy, hilariously funny with character you really feel for.
Cannot wait for the next book!!
March 17, 2013
I'm relaxing on my sofa, with my afghan and dog and wondering how in the world someone can make two characters come to life so vividly for readers? I've read SO many books over the past few months and the New Adult genre does seem to have a "formula" at this point. Angst, lost love, love found, cliffhanger, more love found, and so forth. Some have become beyond predictable.
This book in no way had any predictability to it. The more I tried to guess where it was headed, the worse my predictions became. Let me share my feelings on this wonderful novel.
Myra is truly alone in the world. Not one member of her family is left. On top of that, her disgusting cheater of a boyfriend is making overtures of "We need to talk" while his skanky ho girlfriend loiters in the background, sort of like a bad odor. Her losses have become a weight on her shoulders and in her life. Simply put, she is in a major depression. After having the "big pregnancy" from skanky ho revealed, she simply can no longer take the heat in this kitchen. She up and moves to a tiny town to live in her grandfather's house. She decides to get her life moving in a new direction but her sense of loss and grief continue to overwhelm her.
Enter Dylan. One of the most foul mouthed, anger filled, seemingly "awful" heroes EVAH as the male lead. He's had it with the world. He's had it with clingy, needy females who try to lure him over for handyman jobs. In fact he just pretty much hates life. When he first sees Myra, his sneers and scowls literally overflow. He pegs her for the same type. Oh how he learns differently. Falling through the roof? Laughed myself silly.
This book is not filled with overt, overplayed sex scenes. But this book has some of the BEST lines I've ever read. The connection is slow simmer between Dylan and Myra. Simmering like a crock pot. Good ole cocky Ray and his big mouth and big ego do an excellent job of helping Dylan to do some eye opening.
The reader knows that a huge secret is wrapped around Dylan like the yoke on an oxen. He is weighted down. Damaged. Smokes too much. Needs constant work on his back from some unmentioned incident. Dylan struggles. Oh how he struggles to not see Myra. He does everything he can to avoid her. And in the beginning, he's pretty much a jerk. A BIG jerk. Soon, simple want just begins to seep in for these two.
These two have kissing down to an art and the word "LIPS" never sounded so good as when Dylan says it! After a visit home to family, and another reveal about this pain in his life, he makes a decision to leave and return to Myra because he just needs her. Once she opens the front door, what follows is such a feeling of need and want between these two fragile people that it almost made me weep.
The book ends with a huge cliffhanger. Huge. And what happened at the end was NOT what I saw coming. Not even close. I have NO doubt that Dylan will go after Myra. No doubt at all.
And I for one cannot WAIT until he finally catches her. Read this. You will not be disappointed.
Final note: Susie is without a doubt one of the most colorful characters ever to be penned to paper. My guffaws and laughs were full bodied and out loud every time she spoke! What a friend!
This book in no way had any predictability to it. The more I tried to guess where it was headed, the worse my predictions became. Let me share my feelings on this wonderful novel.
Myra is truly alone in the world. Not one member of her family is left. On top of that, her disgusting cheater of a boyfriend is making overtures of "We need to talk" while his skanky ho girlfriend loiters in the background, sort of like a bad odor. Her losses have become a weight on her shoulders and in her life. Simply put, she is in a major depression. After having the "big pregnancy" from skanky ho revealed, she simply can no longer take the heat in this kitchen. She up and moves to a tiny town to live in her grandfather's house. She decides to get her life moving in a new direction but her sense of loss and grief continue to overwhelm her.
Enter Dylan. One of the most foul mouthed, anger filled, seemingly "awful" heroes EVAH as the male lead. He's had it with the world. He's had it with clingy, needy females who try to lure him over for handyman jobs. In fact he just pretty much hates life. When he first sees Myra, his sneers and scowls literally overflow. He pegs her for the same type. Oh how he learns differently. Falling through the roof? Laughed myself silly.
This book is not filled with overt, overplayed sex scenes. But this book has some of the BEST lines I've ever read. The connection is slow simmer between Dylan and Myra. Simmering like a crock pot. Good ole cocky Ray and his big mouth and big ego do an excellent job of helping Dylan to do some eye opening.
The reader knows that a huge secret is wrapped around Dylan like the yoke on an oxen. He is weighted down. Damaged. Smokes too much. Needs constant work on his back from some unmentioned incident. Dylan struggles. Oh how he struggles to not see Myra. He does everything he can to avoid her. And in the beginning, he's pretty much a jerk. A BIG jerk. Soon, simple want just begins to seep in for these two.
These two have kissing down to an art and the word "LIPS" never sounded so good as when Dylan says it! After a visit home to family, and another reveal about this pain in his life, he makes a decision to leave and return to Myra because he just needs her. Once she opens the front door, what follows is such a feeling of need and want between these two fragile people that it almost made me weep.
The book ends with a huge cliffhanger. Huge. And what happened at the end was NOT what I saw coming. Not even close. I have NO doubt that Dylan will go after Myra. No doubt at all.
And I for one cannot WAIT until he finally catches her. Read this. You will not be disappointed.
Final note: Susie is without a doubt one of the most colorful characters ever to be penned to paper. My guffaws and laughs were full bodied and out loud every time she spoke! What a friend!
June 23, 2013
Puh, I am done. Finally.
I so didn't like this book.
I won't go into details as I did very extensive updates. Suffice it to say, that I immensly disliked the heroine (whiny, weak, skinny and beautiful, no personality that I could detect) and the hero (gruff, mean, douche-bag, ripped and beautiful, stereotypical cave-man with no individual character traits), I found the "love story" shallow and uninteresting. The worst about this book for me: the annoying side characters.
I especially hated how over-weight (the heroine's BFF) was handled in this book.
The "cliffhanger" is no cliffhanger to me, as I couldn't care less what happens next to the MCs.
I so didn't like this book.
I won't go into details as I did very extensive updates. Suffice it to say, that I immensly disliked the heroine (whiny, weak, skinny and beautiful, no personality that I could detect) and the hero (gruff, mean, douche-bag, ripped and beautiful, stereotypical cave-man with no individual character traits), I found the "love story" shallow and uninteresting. The worst about this book for me: the annoying side characters.
I especially hated how over-weight (the heroine's BFF) was handled in this book.
The "cliffhanger" is no cliffhanger to me, as I couldn't care less what happens next to the MCs.
March 15, 2013
Review to come...this girl cried the whole book lucky for her Dylan is hot and Susie is hilarious(:
March 6, 2013
There was so much wrong with this book, I don't even know where to begin. What a freaking mess.
August 9, 2017
I hate to say this, but I don't know if I care enough to read a 500 page sequel of this. And I still don't know what Dylan's past is! Usually that mystery alone would motivate me to want to keep going, but, while I wondered about it this entire book and waited for it finally to be revealed, now I'm kinda...eh. I know parts. I have a guess. Maybe I can live with that.
The major thing this book had going for it was that I was desperate for a true slow burn romance and this actually was a slow burn. Unfortunately, I had some issues with the plot development and some of the characters (I couldn't stand Susie! And she plays a pretty big part).
I read some of the other reviews and it sounds like everyone behaviors badly and then there's a whole new added plot about a stalker. Eh. It doesn't sound like it gets better. We'll see. I'll sleep on it.
The major thing this book had going for it was that I was desperate for a true slow burn romance and this actually was a slow burn. Unfortunately, I had some issues with the plot development and some of the characters (I couldn't stand Susie! And she plays a pretty big part).
I read some of the other reviews and it sounds like everyone behaviors badly and then there's a whole new added plot about a stalker. Eh. It doesn't sound like it gets better. We'll see. I'll sleep on it.
November 13, 2012
4.5 Stars
Nice read...I haven't laughed this much in a long time along with a book. Good character development, interesting plot, and the author did a wonderful job with the angst and turmoil. My only complaint is I want more...like NOW! Gosh, it just got very intense between these two and Sabrina entered into the picture, but Madeleine has left us dying for MORE! I'm not always good at waiting for the next book in a series.
Susie is the rip, roaring, spit-fire and Myra's best friend. She is the reason I almost spit out my wine out on my Mac. This girl has a literal case of hoof-in-mouth disease and the jokes and comments flew out of her mouth continually. I adored this character and wished I had a friend like her.
You could feel what Myra and Dylan were going through. I felt like I was on a roller coaster trying to figure out what was developing between these two.
I loved the turmoil Dylan was going through with himself, his past, his family, and Sabrina. All of his hell came out on the pages in a rather engaging fashion, and upside of Ray's head. I'm still dying to know what and why Dylan behaves like he does, as we only got bits and pieces to his backstory.
Myra has lost everyone in her life, and is all alone in the world, except Susie. She has been cheated on and left for another woman in her office. When the other woman becomes pregnant with Trent's baby she decides she can't take it anymore, and she decides to move out West to her grandpa's old house that was left to her in his will. It is there that she becomes friends with her grandad's best friend and neighbor, and where she has decided to reside and write her first novel.
Myra meets Dylan when she has him come out to give her an estimate for work on her old home. She got the recommendation to use him from her neighbor Jim, and has even been warned about his nasty disposition. It isn't until Jim dies in Dylan's arms one evening that she gets to see a different side of him...that is until he puts his walls back up to conceal his own hurt again.
Sparks start flying between these two after Dylan has had his butt chewed out about not taking care of Myra after Jim has died, and Dylan falls through the roof of the garage and into Myra's cherished car that was bought for her by her dad and grandpa.
The build up to their first kiss, Dylan fighting his feelings for her and raw desire they begin to feel that starts to consume them both, and his protective side with her, is what makes this book so alluring to read. The slow ride up to the peak of the roller coaster will drive you nuts, but once we started on the downward side...we are flying fast! Now that this ride has started, I like Myra want to know what is going on, and why Sabrina is at Dylan's house.
If you like angst and a slow boiling building up to a hot romance then this book is one for you to read.
Now I'm hoping Madeleine will have the next book out soon, as I'll be going nuts waiting. Lets keep our fingers crossed for a quick release on the second book.
Nice read...I haven't laughed this much in a long time along with a book. Good character development, interesting plot, and the author did a wonderful job with the angst and turmoil. My only complaint is I want more...like NOW! Gosh, it just got very intense between these two and Sabrina entered into the picture, but Madeleine has left us dying for MORE! I'm not always good at waiting for the next book in a series.
Susie is the rip, roaring, spit-fire and Myra's best friend. She is the reason I almost spit out my wine out on my Mac. This girl has a literal case of hoof-in-mouth disease and the jokes and comments flew out of her mouth continually. I adored this character and wished I had a friend like her.
You could feel what Myra and Dylan were going through. I felt like I was on a roller coaster trying to figure out what was developing between these two.
I loved the turmoil Dylan was going through with himself, his past, his family, and Sabrina. All of his hell came out on the pages in a rather engaging fashion, and upside of Ray's head. I'm still dying to know what and why Dylan behaves like he does, as we only got bits and pieces to his backstory.
Myra has lost everyone in her life, and is all alone in the world, except Susie. She has been cheated on and left for another woman in her office. When the other woman becomes pregnant with Trent's baby she decides she can't take it anymore, and she decides to move out West to her grandpa's old house that was left to her in his will. It is there that she becomes friends with her grandad's best friend and neighbor, and where she has decided to reside and write her first novel.
Myra meets Dylan when she has him come out to give her an estimate for work on her old home. She got the recommendation to use him from her neighbor Jim, and has even been warned about his nasty disposition. It isn't until Jim dies in Dylan's arms one evening that she gets to see a different side of him...that is until he puts his walls back up to conceal his own hurt again.
Sparks start flying between these two after Dylan has had his butt chewed out about not taking care of Myra after Jim has died, and Dylan falls through the roof of the garage and into Myra's cherished car that was bought for her by her dad and grandpa.
The build up to their first kiss, Dylan fighting his feelings for her and raw desire they begin to feel that starts to consume them both, and his protective side with her, is what makes this book so alluring to read. The slow ride up to the peak of the roller coaster will drive you nuts, but once we started on the downward side...we are flying fast! Now that this ride has started, I like Myra want to know what is going on, and why Sabrina is at Dylan's house.
If you like angst and a slow boiling building up to a hot romance then this book is one for you to read.
Now I'm hoping Madeleine will have the next book out soon, as I'll be going nuts waiting. Lets keep our fingers crossed for a quick release on the second book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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