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A Fire That Burns

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“Six years on and you’re still as in love with me as you were when you left. You never stopped loving me, you never could. You didn’t leave because you didn’t love me.”


After running from the truth for six years of her life, Austin Pearson decides it’s time to come home to life in Point Arena. What she finds is broken relationships and broken hearts and the same love that consumed her years ago.

When confronted with the love of her life, Austin has to decide between giving in, giving up or hiding all over again.

Will Tyler Armstrong be enough to crack the secrets that drove the woman he loved away when they were nineteen or are they destined to love other people? What happens when he finds himself living everyday with Austin and realising that feelings he thought had diminished flame up and take a hold of his life? What happens when fires burn brighter than ever and the secrets of the past come tumbling out?

Is love enough to get them through what life has in store for them?

305 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 26, 2013

9 people are currently reading
835 people want to read

About the author

Kirsty-Anne Still

21 books214 followers

Kirsty-Anne Still is the writer of angsty and dark (and sometimes both) romance. She got lost in writing during her last years of school and eventually got pulled into the publishing industry during university, forfeiting her idea of being a teacher for writing, and eventually designing.

Kirsty is an author and book cover designer from England who will probably make one too many sarcastic comments in her life, preaches positive affirmations a lot, and believes it’s a bad day rather than a bad life.

Book Kirsty’s written to date:

-Heroine Hearts

-Sweet Venom

The Pericolo Series:

-Femme Fatale (#1)

-Maverick (#1.5)

-Femme Fatale Reloaded (#2)

-Femme Fatale Loved (#3)

-Femme Fatale Finale (#4)

-Trigger (Standalone)

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for Bethan Cooper.
Author 6 books101 followers
June 10, 2013

A Fire That Burns.

Austin is a small town girl, who falls hopelessly in love with her best friend.

For a debut novel, this just can't get any better. Kirsty Still tears at your heart strings, she makes you fall in love.
Her writing is beautiful, you really feel the characters faults, their emotions, their love for one another.
Her talent is beyond fantastic, she needs to stay in this industry, she could go far with this.

A Fire That Burns, burned my heart.
It tore at it, played with it a little and put it back again. My heart was given to this story.

Austin falls in love with Tyler in their teens, and they attempt to create a life together.

But something stops Austin in her tracks, and she abandons her town to spare pain.

Upon returning she comes back to the unexpected fate of her love to be with someone else, engaged.

But it has been six long years - what did she expect right?

Following their story, she becomes a victim to callous assults, unfairly.

Her brother Tom, I fell in love with him, his character is so beautiful, he cares so much for his sister, and the reader can really connect with him.

I felt a bond to Austin, to her pain, to her troubles. I wanted to slap her, and tell her what to do, get her to listen to those surrounding her.

If you wanted to read a story that lingers on your mind, this is one to watch out for.

AFTB.....literally.

I want everyone to read this, it really is as brilliant as everyone else has said. I am so glad I was privaliged as a BETA/friend as this is stuck in my head.

The romance that was intended becomes the inevitable, it becomes the soul of the book.

Tyler and Austin, will they? Wont they?

Love is a flame, burning, forever and always.
Profile Image for Novel Grounds.
1,519 reviews79 followers
July 9, 2013
*Deep Breath* This book, the complete book was exactly that. Deep Breath worthy. I had to mentally prepare myself before starting, knowing that I only got to read a small portion of the book at first. I knew before hand that Kirsty was going to work magic in this book as she has with every small teaser I have read. I was not let down.

This book starts off 6 years after a choice has rocked this small towns world. Austin left. She left her family, the love of her life, everything. Without any explanation. People lives were thrown up in shambles. Tyler’s life was thrown up in shambles. Austin ran for a reason. Even if we have only been given very small hints at this point, it was something worth running from. Will she be strong enough to stay and face it? Is it something they can over come?

Six years on and you’re still as in love with me as you were when you left. You never stopped loving me, you never could. You didn’t leave because you didn’t love me.

The moment Austin is back in town her and Tyler see each other, it may not be intentional but they have that chemistry that you feel in the air, you can grasp every emotion in the words written by this author. I instantly am Team T&A. What ever happened to cause the past, I want them to get the happily ever after. The small glimpses we are given thus far have left me mouth gaping. I know this book is going to rock my universe. Its a game changer and not like any other book I have read.

Austin and Tyler have a complicated past, but it is exactly that. After some hot scenes and some deep emotional game changing conversations and revelations they are friends again. Tyler is with someone else now and their life is changing in more ways than one. This leaves Austin to watch the man she loves with another woman while she is targeted by the town for things she never did. It left me hurting for her and angry that nothing was being done to help her. Until Tom had enough.

*Gush* Tyler may be our main man, but Austin’s older Brother Tom rocked my socks. I loved him as a character and I loved what he did for his sister. It showed true love. He is a truly likable and relatable character <# My favorite kind. He fights for his sister when she can’t/wont and it shows what real family is.

This book took so many twists and turns I was so into it that I think i skipped meals. Austin drove me quite crazy at some points, but I did understand where she was coming from. Her story was a complicated and and in the end, she came full circle.

That Ending. Kirsty I hope you are writing at this very moment because you Cannot leave me hanging like that. Nope. Its not fair.

To top the cake it is WONDERFULLY written. This may be Kirsty-Anne’s first book but its going to be Epic. It pulls you right in from the start. The conversations, the reactions, the emotions, its all realistic and easy to jump into and enjoy. Its one of those books you are constantly questioning yourself and the characters. the best kind of book.

He would just carry on in a bid to erase his mind of any thought and his body of any feeling other that the strain of the workout.

I mean really. Any book that starts off with a dedicated, hot, sweaty, (did I mention hot) guy has me hooked <3 But in all honesty it is a really great story line. Mystery + Love +Life = a great story <3 I am jumping with anticipation for the rest. You guys should be too

This book really puts you through the ringer. A few times over.

Its a epic book.

A Love that is everlasting.

A Fire That Burns.

Wait till you get where the title comes from. It blows you away.
Profile Image for Chu.
1,459 reviews72 followers
July 5, 2013
Review Originally Posted at: Book Freak

Heartbreaking.
Emotionally Draining.
Devastating.
Crushing.

WARNING!!!
Don't even try to read this with your eye-make up on!


All Austin wanted to do was to go home...

But after six years - what would you possibly expect? You have slid out of everyone's life without leaving a word. Don't expect things are going back to the way they are.

Austin and Tyler were the 'IT-couple'. They were young, happy and engaged. Everything seems to be okay until Austin ran out on him without any explanation.
He was nineteen and hopelessly in love with the most perfect girl ever...

Now, six years later, Tyler have moved on. He got himself a new fiancee and a position in the local PD. Everything in his life were coming back to normal and running smoothly until Austin decided to come back.

Tyler knew that Austin was back. But knowing didn't prepare him in the sudden rush of feelings the first time he saw her again after all those years...oh yes, sparks & some clothes flew.

some_text

Coming home was a nightmare. Austin didn't expect a warm welcome from everyone nor a cold shoulder from people she least expect. Coming home seemed harder that it seems. Now she's facing the consequences of her decisions - the blame, wrongful accusations, and a love that might be lost forever.

Austin - how this girl exasperates me! She was a happy and bubbly person when she left. Six years after, she came back reserved, silent, totally changed. While reading all I wanted to do was to shake her, TELL THEM ALREADY! TELL THEM WHY YOU LEFT! Because the longer she keeps the secret, the nastier her life becomes. It was her only hope, why not tell the truth?!! But on the other hand, the moment she told Tyler - his reaction wasn't what I expected. But her family - thank goodness, they understood her and was with her all throughout. I love how her siblings supported and assured her. It was the security she needs when everyone else turned their backs on her.

Yes, Tyler has his stupid moments and I hated those parts. It could have been the pain that was speaking and he was just lashing out. The hurt is probably blinding his logic or he needs a wake-up call.

some_text
Yes, that bad.

Good thing is, it didn't take that much punches for him to come to his senses. But he had already hurt Austin. He said and did things that broke her heart into pieces. It took one painful blow that risked Austin's life to finally had him recognize his faults. Don't get me wrong - he has also amazing qualities that would make you root for him. He can be sweet, caring, and most especially, he cares a lot for Austin. He's willing to do anything to make it up for her.

There's Natasha - COLD, MANIPULATIVE, SCHEMING BITCH!!!!!!!!! I so, so, so, sooooo hate her. I would love (and I'm sure you will too) to throttle her. She can be very vindictive and will sell her soul to the devil just to have Tyler for herself. If she have drove Austin out of Point Arena six years ago, she can do it again.

some_text

And Tyler is with her?! OMG! What the heck has gotten into him?!!!!!!! (Okay - breathing now. Controlling my violent tendencies..)

Just as when I thought everything is okay - there's another problem hanging above their heads. With fate throwing a lot of stuff at this couple, is this ever going to end?

some_text

A Fire That Burns had me on the edge. I was gripping my Kindle reading it, trying to hold back some tears, because it was so emotional and there was too much pain. I was wondering all the while if there will ever be an HEA between these two, or for one of them. Nevertheless, this novel brought out a lot of emotion. The author can stir your heart right out of your rib cage and leave you panting for more because at the last page - a to be continued text is blinking.

Somehow I felt relieved because I don't think I can take another drama from these two. I need to fix my broken heart first. But I'd be looking forward for the next one and maybe, just maybe I'd have the ending I'm looking forward for Tyler and Austin.

*ARC COPY received in exchange for review.
Profile Image for Michelle.
2,082 reviews895 followers
July 20, 2014
I fell in love with this cover and decided after seeing it - it must be mine. So to say I went into this a little blind is putting it mildly. But overall there was not much I did not like about this book, except for a few words at the end...but we'll get to that.

This is a story about the perfect 'it' couple - from childhood - through school, the couple that was going to turn their now into a forever.


But something happens to make Austin run. She left no note - no reasons; but what she did leave behind was Tyler...for six years.


Returning home isn't easy for Austin. Only one person knew where she was and he vowed to keep her secrets. Returning to a town, to her family wasn't simple and it wasn't with open arms. Everyone is hurt and angry over Austin's decision to leave.

But it's only a matter of days before Tyler and Austin see each other again. And even though both have struggled through the last six years apart, one thing is still true.


They never stopped loving each other.


But sometimes there are far too many things that hide in the dark to every get free enough to find the light.




And while Tyler never stopped loving Austin over those years apart his life took on a change. He now has to face a future with or without Austin. But it's never as simple as making a choice. He has her now, and she is the opposite of Austin - there is not the fear of her running. But Natasha's place in Tyler's life and Austin's place in his heart erupts into something far more than anyone expected. The the truth comes to the surface after everyone is pushed to their limit with more betrayal and lies.

The journey of Tyler and Austin is not easy. It is not quick and it is surely not without an immense amount of angst and drama. But the kicker... after battling through my emotions for three hundred and fucking five pages of this romance I was left with this...


And that left me feeling this.


This story was an emotional roller coaster that had love, passion, suspense and a huge dose of drama and in the end I felt so worn out with the cliffhanger ending. It was like being teased for hours and promised something that you really wanted and then it when you go there the person holding that carrot on the stick just looks at you - points and laughs...
Profile Image for S.P. West.
Author 5 books166 followers
May 5, 2013
This review is based on the first 10 chapters of the book that had been sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.

From the first paragraph I was hooked and wanted to read more.

So many questions ran through my mind reading the first chapter;

Why did Austin leave?

Does Tyler really love his fiancee?

Tasha is a bitch (not a question but statement of fact).

I loved the flashback to before she ran, I felt the love between the two main characters and it only added to sense of both Austin and Tyler's pain as the story moved a long.

'He was nineteen and hopelessly in love with the most perfect girl ever and he wanted this perfect for her.'

For Tyler, it was the pain of seeing his first love who had abandoned him all those years ago. For Austin, it was the pain of trying to contend with the love of her life moving on with another woman.

'The boy is pretty much in love with the wrong girl.' (or is he............ strokes imaginary beard questioningly).

It was heartbreaking to read about how Austin was trying to, once again, find her place in a town and amongst people who had moved on (but had not forgiven or indeed forgotten) in her six year absence.

'I think it's best you leave, Austin, and let us have a family discussion.' - OUCH!

Overall, I loved these first few chapters and i'm really looking forward to reading the whole book.....

Oh and did I mention that Natasha is a B.I.T.C.H???


Read the full review onThe Confessions of A Book Addict
Profile Image for Bridger Bitches.
590 reviews27 followers
July 8, 2013
A Fire that Burns was a great story of a small town high school sweethearts Tyler and Austin that had it all. Then one day Austin ups and disappears in the middle of the night with no one knowing why except her brother Tom. 6 years go by and all of a sudden Austin wants to return and knows by doing so she more then likley wont be welcomed back with open arms. Tyler has moved on with Natasha, who happens to be Austin’s enemy. Tyler has moved on but still loves Austin deeply. Austin has a battle with trying to build relationships back and winning her family back. She wants to be friends with Tyler but it is hard to be friends with someone you have never stopped loving. This story is filled with secrets, love, heartbreak, jealousy and just plain mean people. It had some twist and turns and had me wanting answers! I felt like the story was going to come to an end and then at the last chapter the author through a curve ball and looks like there will be a book 2! I am looking forward to continuing their story. I give this book 4 stars.
-Harper

Profile Image for Ubon Inthongxay.
127 reviews1 follower
November 8, 2013
I related to this story a lot! But I feel like the author is drawing this story out longer than it needs to be. My heart broke for Austin, I cried a lot with her, but you can't help who you love. Maybe she should of stayed in New York with Michael, because the book ends with her in the same predicament she started off in....hmmm
Profile Image for Book Addict Mumma.
170 reviews29 followers
July 17, 2013
I have read the first 10 chapters and I can already tell you this book Is going to be one you want to read!!
459 reviews4 followers
July 27, 2013
Cliffhanger ending!@!! When does next one come out? Enjoyed book.
Profile Image for Tash.
1,297 reviews106 followers
September 18, 2014
A Fire that Burns tells the story of two individuals, Tyler and Austin, who were small town high school sweethearts until Austin disappeared in the middle of the night without a word to her fiancé and her family. The reason why is not clear to them but Tom. the brother she’s closest to who also happens to be the best friend of Tyler, knows and has kept it a secret from everyone as it will reveal the ugly side to someone that many people are blinded to. Austin’s departure is a sore point in their town and something that’s not going to be forgotten in a hurry.

Fast forward six years. Tyler still misses her but has moved on. He always takes the day she left to remember her and hopes that she will come back. Well this year she has and Tyler discovers her return a week after she is back as Austin didn’t want Tyler to know. Her mother isn’t too pleased because she was the favourite of the family and the family is taking sides, except for Tom who welcomes her into his home. Austin turns to the one person she can trust completely outside her family: Tyler.

They soon fall back into the same easy going relationship they once had but there Is only flirtation, kissing and tension because Tyler is engaged to Natasha Truman. Natasha happens to be Austin’s nemesis, if you want to call the dynamics that, but because they live a town that is so small that re not enough students to make up a full class. They are frenemies and Natasha has always wanted Tyler. Now that she’s got him she won’t let him go and so you we have a love triangle forming and Natasha wants Austin out. She drops a bombshell that leaves Austin reeling and Tyler knowing what he wants and can’t have.

Tyler’s torn and can’t handle the fire that burns inside him for Austin. Austin knows what will happen and chooses to remain cynical despite pouring out everything to Tyler because she knows what Natasha is really like and it appears that everyone else is ignorant of the truth. So she spends her energy throwing everything into renovating the house that Tyler and she wanted to buy and live in all those years ago.

A Fire that Burns is the debut book from Anne Still and tells a rich story about trying to find forgiveness in the midst of turmoil, secrets and jealously in a small town setting. It is something that has been done before but this author brings a refreshing new take on this storyline. Not everything is clear cut and Anne has a lot going on under the surface that will surprise. You are going to cry and want to knock some sense into these characters like I did after reading this story.

5 couples and you need to take a chance on this book. You will be hooked after reading just a few chapters.

For more of my reviews, visit Confessions From Romaholics.And drop by the blog's Facebook page
Profile Image for Blendy.
430 reviews111 followers
July 4, 2014
Didn't hate it, but definitely didn't love it!

I have mixed feelings about this book and yet AGAIN....I seem to be against the norm on this one. The real emotion that it pulled from me was mainly aggravation, I don't think I got teary eyed even once, but I snarled quiet a few times.

To me, it started as a love story. We had the mc who came back after so many years after running away from her family and her one true love. I'm thinking we are going to see how she can win the love her life back, after so many years and him being engaged to someone else right? Well, that is sort of the case and then we get about 80% into the book and well....HELLO, let us introduce a whole new story line and make you scratch your head wondering what in the hell is going on?! And then, let's end it with and honest to God...To be continued! Seriously?

I thought about the characters and I contemplated with myself if I wanted to read the second book or if I was okay with just leaving it alone and being okay with the end of book one. Well, I have decided to just be okay with the end of book one. I cannot imagine another whole book to read, when the first one should have had a resolution several times already. I guess I just didn't care for any of the main characters enough, to really care what happens next.

If there is a book that comes out about Thomas, I would so read that, because I think I liked him the best out of everyone I was introduced to.

The reason that I gave this a 3 as opposed to a 2, is because after the book was over, I didn't completely forget the characters, it did take me at least half an hour to decide if I was going to read the second book. So that has to mean something right? Err...besides that I have problems with indecision at least.

Until next time...
Profile Image for Jamie ~ Bad Boy Inspector.
801 reviews106 followers
July 6, 2013
Rating – 4 Stars!!
Cover – 4.5 Love the simplicity!
Steam Factor – 3.5 stars
Ending – Cliffhanger!

This book was one big frustrating, heartbreaking, emotionally draining mess of a lovely debut novel!! Austin & Tyler were small town high school sweethearts until Austin disappeared in the middle of the night without a word to the boy she loves or her family. She had her reasons which no one knows but her brother. She returns six years later to town full of people that hasn't forgotten her but also hasn't forgiven her.

Her first and only love Tyler has moved on and is engaged to someone else. But even though he is pissed off and hurt he still feels the pull and chemistry that he once had with Austin. To make matters even worse he is engaged to Austin's worst enemy Natasha. She has always wanted Tyler and is manipulating, cold and calculating so you can only imagine the trouble she causes.

A Fire That Burns was a story of small town lies, deceit, secrets and jealousy. It was a story about growth and forgiveness. Kristy-Anne done a great job on her debut novel. It kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat throughout the book but the ending left me with my mouth open and screaming give me more...lol I will be watching to see what Kristy-Anne comes up with next.
Profile Image for Pamela Mathews.
15 reviews1 follower
July 4, 2013
This book was AMAZING!!! I laughed,cried and got mad. I loved this book. I would highly recommend everyone to read this book. I can not wait until the sequel comes out. Kirsty is a very talented writer. I can not say enough about this book, it will leave you guessing on what happens next and then takes you up so high you dont know what to expect next.
Profile Image for Saskia 'follow my shoes' Smith.
1,121 reviews
October 9, 2013
Really enjoyed this, some parts are a bit long winded but I enjoyed it, it's an open ending that's going to follow on in to book 2 which s a bit disappointing, no idea when book 2 is out either, but there are bits that gripped me and kept me wanting to know whats going to happen next! The only downside for me was the ending - it was very sudden and was left on a cliffhanger
Profile Image for Brenda Bowman.
3 reviews1 follower
June 29, 2013
Incredible!!! It takes a very talented writer to suck me into a story where I feel I am there with the characters; feeling the pain. I wanted to cry in so many chapters for the pain I felt. Kirsty never disappoints in any of here writing that I have had the privilege to read!!!
Profile Image for Amanda vasquez.
331 reviews2 followers
July 23, 2013
I wanted to love this book but for some reason I just couldn't. it started out good but there was just so much going on and I never really connected with the characters. I didn't feel like I cared what happened to them.
Profile Image for Trina Quillinan.
3 reviews
July 17, 2013
I love a book that has the power to make me laugh with it but also cry. I really found it easy to believe the plight of Austin. Loved it, found that there was a lot that happened on this book, to much at times to absorb but I am very much looking forward to the next one :)
Profile Image for Sarah.
Author 3 books11 followers
June 28, 2013
OMG loved it you had me crying,smiling and shouting
Profile Image for Victoria.
475 reviews8 followers
February 28, 2014
Absolutely loved Kirsty's writing and story telling. Her characters drew me in deeper with each page i turned!!
Profile Image for Carrie Stadtler.
253 reviews53 followers
August 26, 2013
Ok, get your tissues ready for this one…..You are going to cry like a baby!
Definitely take a chance and read “A Fire that Burns” by Kristie-Anne Still. I was balling like a baby by chapter 5. You can feel the emotion through the words of the author. It was amazing how you were totally drawn into each page.
Austin left six years ago and left behind the love of her life, but now she is back and ready to fight to get back the life she should have had. (What she didn’t realize is that she was really going to have to fight for her life!) Her brother Tom is the only one that knew and understood what was going on with her. He kept her secret these past six years even from the one she loved. Wow, the pain you feel for Austin just bubbles up and screams to be let out. It doesn’t matter that I don’t know why she left years ago. I want to be there for her and kick everyone’s ass that gets in the way!



Tyler, the one she left behind is engaged to be married to her arch nemesis. WHAT? Yep he is planning on marrying the wicked Natasha. Tyler doesn’t know why Austin left but he had to move on…..sort of. His heart hasn’t completely fallen in love with Natasha, but he couldn’t wait for Austin forever. She couldn’t expect him to just not move on and try to find happiness without her. My heart breaks a little for Tyler. What is a guy to do? He just wanted to get his career going and be on top, what else is there to do? MEN! They just don’t get it!! Stubborn asses!
Natasha – the things I would really like to say about her are not really appropriate… if you know what I mean! She is a piece of work throughout this story. I just wanted to B*tch slap her myself! She is manipulative, cold and selfish. The Ice Queen might be more like it! Have you ever seen fatal attraction?? WOW…. You will not believe the things she does to turn everything on Austin.
It was a little frustrating when Tyler and Austin were around each other. You could feel the intensity between them and tell they were still in love with one another. Tyler being stubborn didn’t want to fall right back into Austin because he was afraid she would leave again…and he was engaged….it kind of puts a damper on things. Then there is Austin – sometimes I just wanted to strangle her and yell at her to just tell him already!! Quit your whining if you are not going to tell everyone the truth about what happened. What do you expect Austin??
I love Austin’s family. They were a hoot when they were all together and supporting Austin when she needed it. Don’t get me wrong, sometimes family can be frustrating and believe me they were for a time. What matters is that they are there when you are at the bottom and ready to lift you back to the top.
I really liked this story, but think it could have wrapped up sooner and ended on a happy note. The story took a totally different direction 75% through the book that you weren’t really expecting. It was definitely interesting and then BAM! ….TO BE CONTINUED…. just when you think it is going to end. WHY?? My mouth drops open with WTH? I guess we are going to have to wait and see if Austin and Tyler get their Happy Ending after all…..



Excerpts from the book:
“Six years on and you’re still as in love with me as you were when you left. You never stopped loving me, you never could. You didn’t leave because you didn’t love me.”
“Aw Stud, you know you should never take on a goddess like me!”
“It was a shock to the system.”
“You know I like shocking people.”
“This life is amazeballs.”


review by Stacey at BC&W
Profile Image for Wendy.
249 reviews38 followers
August 28, 2013
4.5 Scorching Stars!


OMGEEEE............WHERE THE HELL DID THIS COME FROM???!?!?!!?!!?!?!!!?!?!? I shit you not, I wasn't expecting this AT ALL!

So Austin has left home and returns 6 years later to reclaim the love of her life. After enduring unfortoled calamities, she decides that it's time to FIGHT for the one thing in this life that she knows she can't live without.

Tyler has been in love with Austin for as long as he can remember, but has decided it's time to move on after she leaves him high and dry for 6 years.

There are so many things that I can say about this story that will give most of it away, but the one thing I can't express to you enough is that this is a story all about redemption and forgiveness. I adored Austin at times and also found myself wanting to give her a seriously big ol' cunt punch. I can't believe the shit that she takes and allows to happen to her without giving voice to it.

Tyler! OH>>>>>> where do I start???? I wanted to beat him upside his head a few times and then I wanted nothing more than to cuddle with him. You can tell right away that he's far from over his first love, Austin, but that he has a lot of inner turmoil left over and some questions he needs to get off his chest.

This story about young love and fighting their way back to each other doesn't come easy. There are some slippery roads ahead and will leave you cringing your teeth, clenching your fists and most of all getting a serious chest ache.

I was so unprepared for some of the issues in this book, but the author does a tremendous job at helping you weed through them, and then................BOOM! We're left hanging from the edge of a cliff.

That cliff hanger being broached, I seriously hope y'all take the time to read this book. You will not regret it! It's a truly spectacular story!

Profile Image for Book Obessions.
3 reviews
January 26, 2014
This book is one of those books that once you pick up, you just can't seem to put it down. once I started it, I just read all day, and did nothing else.

Austin and Tyler's story wasn't a happy one, or so at least it didn't start out that way.

Austin is just a small town girl with such a big heart who falls in love with the guy that she calls her best friend, the guy she knew for her entire life. The books begins six years after the decision Austin makes to leave, not just the love of her life, but her friends, and her family.

Six years later though, she returns to her hometown and the moment that she lays eyes on Tyler again, all the feelings that she went years trying to forget and move on from come rushing back in an instant flash. The intensity of the chemistry and feelings this couples has for each other was very well written and easy to feel within each word that I read. Tyler and Austin's love, it was inevitable, and when its real, you just can't walk away.Even years and years away from each other, with absolutely no contact, or seeing each other, the powerful feelings they had for each other, never once went away, they were just hidden by the pain and sadness of the choice that Austin made to run away.

Later on, you realize that Austin didn't just leave because she wanted to leave, there's an entire story of heartache and misery behind it. You realize just how broken of a person Austin was at nineteen years old, and she felt leaving was the only thing that she could do.

Will Tyler and Austin Find their way back to each other. In a story about love, heartache and everything in between, you realize just how powerful love can be. This is determinately a book that I recommend, go pick up don't miss out.

Kirsty did a wonderful job on this book. It definitely deserves a five star rating.
Profile Image for Margie.
31 reviews25 followers
March 9, 2014
I thought the premise of the book was great and I wanted to love it as I am a sucker for second chance romance. One thing that kept distracting me were the small but frequent editing errors. Also, the 1st half of the book moves at a lightening pace (and I was confused of why the story was skipping about) whereas the 2nd half is really slow.

The author has also used the over-done jealous ex/current girlfriend. Natasha wasn't given one redeeming quality and you're left wondering how Tyler was friends with her for so long. I think it would have been more realistic and interesting if Natasha was normal (and sane). Then Tyler would have had to choose based on who he really loved of the two women.

And what was up with Austin saying at the beginning that she'd only had one night stands and then it's revealed towards the end she was actually in a serious relationship in New York? It was just an inconsistency that I noticed.

I loved some of the other secondary characters and liked Austin but not Tyler (I just couldn't see him as being sincere and I was right based on that last chapter). Even though it was decent, compared to another book that I have read recently, Undertow by Elizabeth O'Roark which has a very similar story line (second chance romance of childhood sweethearts torn apart by something), there was just something missing.
Profile Image for Extravagant Blog.
65 reviews13 followers
September 7, 2014
This book did not disappoint, not even in the slightest. Its a book about true love and facing and overcoming all the obstacles in order to find your way back to your one true love.

The book starts six years after Austin and Tyler's break up, when Austin decided to run away after some painful events that occurred. But when she returns six years later, everything is different, not only is her own family skeptical to take her back in and forgive her, but Tyler's moved on to the one person she dislikes the most in the world, with every good reason.

But when Tyler sees her again, and they make eye contact, its all over. You can feel the instant connection and passion of their love, as if the past six years of absence never even happened.

As the story grows on thought, you get a lot of perspective about a lot of questions you have in the book as it begins. Such as

Why did Austin leave?

Why does she dislike Natasha so much, why does Natasha dislike her so much?

Why did Austin not give Tyler an explanation on why she left?

You get answers to all of these!!

This book was so well written and captivating and I would recommended it, its a five star read that you don't want to miss. I can only imagine what the sequel holds in store.

Well done, Kirsty
Profile Image for Lorri.
11 reviews
July 30, 2013
Some of the chapters felt very repetitive and towards the end of the book with the introduction of 6 new characters I felt like I was reading about the characters from criminal minds. If I had realised that this book was going to have a sequel I wouldn't have read it until after that came out as I hate reading stories that are unfinished. Unless the sequel comes out in the next few weeks I don't think I will be buying as by the time it does come out I probably will have forgotten the original story.

I loved the cover of this book and the description which is why i bought it the reason I gave it two stars is I got bored while reading and found myself skipping chunks of text to get to the end quicker and as criminal minds is one of my fav tv shows I kept picturing Austin as Garcia, Michael as Morgan Jessica/Emma as JJ/Prentice Liam as Hotchner and Archie as Reid just made the book feel very wrong!
Profile Image for vaanathi.
44 reviews25 followers
July 19, 2015
woooow !!!!!!!!!! mind - blown.......this story made me cry out loud and made me frustrated for austin..

Austin is a lovely young girl who is hopelessly in love with tyler.tyler is swoon worthy [but throught out the book i feel like bitch-slapping him for his thoughtless actions..he doesnt deseve austin...] then all of sudden she leaves her town, just disappears.And after six years, she returns,with her love still as strong as ever,....

she finds about tyler bein engaged to natasha [that bloody, manipulative, cruel bitch.I will happily strangle her... she is a rotten, hateful ...

this story is a must read........ don miss it!!!
Profile Image for Kelly.
37 reviews3 followers
July 28, 2013
3.5

it seriously started so great, then fell into repetitive chapters - then 3/4 of the way through like six new characters are brought in - ah. what? it was like a completely different story or an after thought. then you think, oh yeah it's gonna be an excellent, happy ending. nope. depressing as anything and tagged with a to be continued.
it was good, but not great. that's all.
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