Something like Normal

Something like Normal #1

by Monica James

Mia Lee has a secret…

A secret she’s kept hidden since she was eight years old, however, Mia will no longer allow that secret to define her.

An irrevocable decision has left Mia Lee a fugitive and on the run—a circumstance that should leave her weak and scared, yet Mia has never felt so alive.

Under the pseudonym of Paige Cassidy, Mia is ready to live the life she’s never had, and she’s determined not to allow her tainted past dictate her promising future.

Paige is on a Greyhound bus heading from L.A. to South Boston, Virginia, to start a new life.

A life that includes finding her mother, who abandoned her at age three. But what she finds, is four people, who will change her life forever.

Yet no one can outrun their past…

Especially one filled with bitter memories, which refuse to remain hidden.

Genres: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Suspense, Romantic Suspense, Abuse

440 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 8, 2014

About the author

Monica James spent her youth devouring the works of Anne Rice, William Shakespeare, and Emily Dickinson.
When she is not writing, Monica runs her own business, but she always finds a balance between the two. She enjoys writing twisted AF stories, hoping to terrify her readers...just a little.
She is a bestselling author in the U.S.A., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, and the U.K.
Monica James resides in Melbourne, Australia, with her Unicorn, and her three crazy cats. She is slightly obsessed with red lipstick, heels, and crime documentaries, and is that person who always runs late.


Stalk Me:
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Reviews

[Lady Vigilante (Feifei) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

[First third of the book: 3.5 stars
Second third of the book: 4.5 stars
Last third of the book: 3.5 stars]

This is the first book I’ve read from Monica James and it certainly won’t be the last! For those who know me and my eccentric reading tastes, I don’t do sweet, slow-building romances. Though this story deals with harsh & heavy issues that plague the characters’ lives, it was mostly a light-hearted and sweet romance with a side of suspense. The first thing that stood out to me was the push-and-pull dynamic between Quinn and Mia and their UST (unresolved sexual tension) – Monica James writes my kind of angst!

At the age of 8, Mia’s innocent and happy childhood came to an end. Her father wins the douchecanoe trophy as he forces Mia to become a drug pusher just to fuel his own junkie needs. Mia continues this bleak and nonexistent life until one day, her father pushes her too far and in a matter of seconds, she makes a life-changing decision.

“In my world where it’s survival of the fittest, I had no choice. It was either him or me.”

“And for once, I chose me.”

Hiding her real identity, Mia now goes on as Paige Cassidy, a tough-as-nails introverted gal but nevertheless a vulnerable person just looking for a place to belong. This is where she meets the four people “who will change her live forever.”



I’m not going to go in-depth about each of these characters because it is ultimately up to you to find out how each of those characters impact her life. I do want to say Monica James, are you trying to give me blue balls?! I normally complain about how much sex there is in books but in this book there wasn’t any wasn’t enough. *grabs BOB* Moving on now…

Like I said before, I don’t do sweet, slow-building romances but this one worked for me. Though it’s a bit unrealistic to how naïve Mia is in the sex department I liked that out of all the tainted, ugly things she had to live through, this was one aspect she kept her innocence in and got to really experience for herself. The plot pace isn’t too slow but not too fast either and I liked that the book moved at a very steady pace – it was exactly what I needed after a couple of emotional reads.



Despite Mia’s attempts to block out everyone and protect herself, she can’t help but let those 4 people into her life – inch by inch – and it really is a heartwarming process. Just thinking about is putting a smile on my face because I could tell she was meant to meet them and despite all the drama and tension that happened, they changed her for the better.

OKAY NOW FOR THAT ENDING

Monica James,



I have half a mind to hunt your Australian ass down, sit you in front of a computer, and not let you back up until you finish the next book. September/October for the next book????????? Write lady!! Time's a-ticking!



Yes, there’s a killer cliffhanger and to be fair I did know about it ahead of time but come on! Knowing about a cliffhanger and then actually reading and experiencing it yourself are two different things – I was up pacing in my room at 5 in the morning, thank you very much.

Aside from the ending and a few minor annoyances, this book was a winner for me. Exactly what I needed after multiple angsty and emotional reads! I would definitely recommend this book but in all honesty, I would've preferred to wait until the next book released before starting this one. Then again (knowing how hot-headed and impatient I am) this blurb was too enticing for me to pass up and I just had to read it now.

ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars!!!

‘I’d rather die fighting than die for nothing at all.’

Something Like Normal was a fast paced, well written story filled with suspense, sexual tension and romance. A story about two flawed characters with secrets they are trying to get away from. Most of all, it’s a story about survival.

Mia Lee was a victim. But Paige Cassidy is a survivor.

Mia Lee is no more. She is now Paige Cassidy. Paige is on the run. She made a choice that will change the course of her life forever. A choice she can never regret. For once in her life, she fought to survive. She chose herself.



Chance takes Paige to a small town in Virginia. Luck brings her to a man named Hank who is affectionally know as ‘Grandpa’. Hank grows to care for Paige and as much as she wants to stay guarded, she starts to care for him as well. It’s been a long time since someone has trusted her, given her the benefit of the doubt and wanted to help her. Hank owns a hotel and gives her a job and a place to stay. There she meets Quinn. Quinn helps Hank on the side, fixing things here and there. Paige is automatically attracted to this boy with a lip ring and sly smile. As much as she wants to, she knows it isn’t possible to let him in.



Paige is doing well. She has her life with Hank, and a second job at the town diner where she becomes fast friends with a girl named Tabitha and Quinn’s brother, Tristan. They both make her life better. Tabitha and Tristan are great friends to Paige.

But Quinn is still there. And their chemistry and attraction is something that can’t be denied. They both are broken. They both have secrets they can’t tell... but they just fit together.

‘Tell me your secrets and I’ll tell you mine.’

“Can you give me everything, even though you know I will push you until you’re ready to break? You see, I would break you.”

“I want you to. Better to feel pain than nothing at all.”


Now lets talk about the characters. Mia/Paige was a heroine who is rough around the edges and had a hard life. But she’s one I absolutely adored. She grew up in a life that no child should have to live, but she survived. No matter what, she was a fighter. She was content with being alone, but when she met Quinn, all things changed.

From the moment I saw him, I knew he was going to create a splash, but I never thought he’d cause a fucking tsunami.


Quinn was amazing. Was he perfect? Hell no. In fact, there may have been a part around 70%that he broke my little heart. I still loved him. He’s been through a lot in his life as well. A lot of the things he did and the distance he kept was only to protect Paige. He wanted to stay way from her, to protect her from himself. But these two worked better together than they ever did apart.



Not only did I really like both MC’s, there were three exceptional characters in this story. Hank, Tristan, and Tabitha. There was nothing about these three I didn’t love.

This was the first book I’ve read by this author and one I very much enjoyed. It brought out a lot of different emotions in me (which I love) and the ending left me wanting so much more! Please please please bring out the sequel to this one asap! This book had some darker themes, but it wasn’t what I would consider a dark read. I loved the suspense, the relationships Paige developed, and most importantly, the fact that she was able to finally let people in and create her own family. This is one I would recommend!

He is the only light in my forever darkness.

“We both have secrets, things we both wish we could take back, but can’t. And that’s okay, because when I’m with you, those secrets don’t rule me, they don’t define me.”

[Jx PinkLady Reviews ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something Like Normal has been RELEASED, it's available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk



Something like Normal is a story about the bitter secrets of a tainted past.

Mia is a girl on the run. She's seen things no-one should be exposed to, lived a life that would be abhorred by most, a life that for 8 years was out of her control. Then one day she takes things into her own hands.
She wants to be a survivor.



With a new name, and a fresh start as Paige Cassidy, she's ready to survive and find her mother. What she doesn't anticipate is the people who come into her life and rock her plans.

Despite her circumstances, Mia shows great strength of character and personality, she doesn't take crap from anyone and is certainly not afraid to stand up for herself. She also displays her vulnerable and emotive side; the way she undervalues herself is so sad. Because of her past, she doesn't believe she deserves, or that it's even possible, to have a normal life.



Quinn, our sexy hero, has his own secrets, depth of character and reasons for thinking he should stay away from Paige. She's drawn to him physically and emotionally but she fights her desires. And so does he... I so LOVED how their relationship developed throughout

Will they open up to each other and reveal their secrets?



What happens when her past catches up to her?

There's drama and angst involving our H/h and other characters. Hank, Tabitha and Tristan are great additions to the mix... Paige has friends and people who care about her for the first time in her life.



Something Like Normal is a slow burn kind-of-book, it captured my attention in the first chapter with Mia's character and the 'events,' but then it took a little breather on the pace and slowed right down. Maybe sometimes all of the detail didn't feel absolutely necessary to me, but I believe this is the type of story that needs to be built and built, layer by layer. The result, in the end, was that it connected me to the story and the characters; I felt invested in them emotionally and wanted good things for them.

The theme and subject matter is on the darker side but I didn't find it to be a dark read, it was more suspenseful, especially towards the end. The last 20-30 ish% was absolutely gripping, heartfelt and turbulent, in the action and emotions. I had no clue what was going to happen and where it would all lead, the author didn't take any easy options and the story is wide open to possibilities. Yes there is a cliffhanger, I need the next book NOW. But I'm so glad I started the journey.



Something Like Normal is the first book in a four book series. At the heart of it is a lovely romance that made my heart flutter. There's some HOT steam value towards the end which was just divine and I'm sure this will increase as the story and characters develop together. This series is one that I believe will continue to grow and, I'm hoping, may take me on a darker path, it certainly has the potential to do so.

If you enjoy honest characters and writing with suspenseful drama, emotion and heavy themes you should give this book a read and enjoy! That's what I did!

Can't wait for more.....


** Complimentary copy provided by the author for an honest review.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★ 4+ Stars!

It's LIVE on Amazon !!

"We both have a past, but let's not let it define out future."

Something Like Normal was an intense, powerful, romance and humor filled NA story that I really enjoyed reading. Once I started it, it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading it. The story was filled with suspense, secrets and a quite a bit of angst but the blossoming friendships and romantic aspects of the story provided enough "lighter" scenes so that it didn't become a really dark read.

Mia Lee has a secret...

It's the kind of secret she's been holding onto since she was eight years old. But it's also the kind of secret that has made her a fugitive, on the run from the authorities and from old powerful enemies. But she won't let her past define her any longer. She's determined to start over with a new identity and that's how Paige Cassidy is born.

"Tell me your secrets and I'll tell you mine."

Mia just wants a normal life for once, with normal friends, a normal job and all the things a normal girl her age should occupy her time with. But with a secret as big as hers, she knows she'll never be just "normal", so she'll settle for something like normal and that's what she gets when she arrives in the small town of South Boston, Virginia. There she meets "grandpa" Hank, cheerful and welcoming Tabitha, cute "boy next door" Tristan and the alluring "bad boy" Quinn. All these characters play a huge part in the story and they will help Mia in becoming a new version of herself. A version she's never dreamed of becoming...

"Mia Lee was a victim.
Paige Cassidy is a survivor."

From the moment they meet, Quinn and Mia/Paige have a special connection but they both have their own reasons from keeping a distance from each other. Mia because she's afraid to spill her secrets and Quinn because he has a dark past of his own that makes him hesitant to trust people and make himself vulnerable to heartbreak. So, for a long time they skirt around the edge of becoming more than just friends and that leads to a lot of sexual tension before anything ever happens, but in a way I felt it necessary for them to slowly evolve from friends to lovers because it made their connection all the more powerful.

"From the moment I saw him, I knew he was going to create a splash, but I never thought he'd create a fucking tsunami."

Mia/Paige was such a strong heroine. She's been through some truly horrible events and she's had to grow up faster than a normal young girl ever should. Throughout the story I kept rooting for her to finally get the peaceful live she so deserves, with a group a supportive friends, a steady income and the boy she's in love with by her side. Hank, Tabitha, Tristan and Quinn all tried to make that happen for her, but sometimes the past comes back to haunt you no matter how hard you try to run from it... The last 10% of the story was full of twists and turns and I was pretty close to biting my nails from all the tension and action that was going on. Then, it ended with a cliffhanger; so now I'm *really* curious to find out what will happen next...



All in all, this was a very well written, thrilling, suspenseful NA read with hints of romance, humor and a bit of drama. Like I said, the ending ends in a cliffy but I wouldn't let it stop you from giving this unique story a try! From now on, I'll be patiently awaiting the release of the sequel though ;)

**ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**

[Patrycja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Something Like Normal
Series: Something Like Normal #1
Author: Monica James
Release Date: May 13, 2014
Rating: 4 stars
Cliffhanger:. Yes
HEA: Not yet




Something Like Normal wasn’t the first book I’ve read by Monica James, so I knew a little bit about what to expect. Sweet, sexy romance with a hint of heartbreak are her specialty, so of course I was excited to read her next novel. I have enjoyed her previous books and I hoped that would be the case with her newest release. And yes! I wasn’t disappointed. Something Like Normal is clearly strong and extreme beginning of very promising, heart racing series.

"I'd rather die fighting, than die for nothing at all."



Mia is nineteen years old lonely and lost girl with life that never has been an easy one. After her mother left her as a toddler for her father to take care of her, her world slowly started to get darker and darker. The sad true was that her dad was useless junkie and completely bad human that made Mia the youngest drug dealer ever. That’s way Mia’s childhood was full of things that no teenager should’ve seen. When her father wanted to force her to do something else for him, she snapped and killed him in cold blood. Now she’s on the run. Did she regret her decision to kill her father? No. Would she change a thing? Nope. Now for the first time ever she feels free.

As a Paige, Mia meets new people, in some new town, that start to be her new family. One of them is intense, mysterious and sexy Quinn, who seems to lure her in. And she finds herself falling.



Mia’s story was definitely darker, edgier and more suspenseful than I expected, but it was an absolute advantage. From the beginning I was kept on the edge of my seat, and boy was I intrigued!



The suspense was killing me! I loved the pace of the story and the adrenaline level. My heart broke repeatedly for Mia and I wanted to comfort her. I really admired her strong personality and thick skin. She’s one of the toughest chicks I’ve ever read about.

Her relationship with Quinn was swoon worthy. I really liked them together. I hope the things between them will get even more intense and hotter as the story progress.



Overall, Monica James positively astounded me. Again. She’s done very good job with Something Like Normal and I want more of it! I was disappointed it ended as quickly as it did and in such extreme and fascinating moment. The last 20 % were sit gripping and nails bitting and seeing it end at such a note was frustrating. Still I liked it very much. It’s solid four star read that definitely will bring even more wonderful and fast paced sequels.

Review Copy, kindly provided by the author, Monica James, in exchange for honest review. Thank you.

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[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mia Lee was a victim. But Paige Cassidy is a survivor.

Mia has had rough life. Being pulled into the drug world as a child to help support her father's habit. For years she does whatever he ask. But when that is no longer enough, her father attempts to force her into a more lucrative business. Mia makes a choice that changes everything, and becomes Paige.



On the run, Mia/Paige ends up in a small Virgina town and finds more than she ever imagined. Mia is a tough girl, but vulnerable as well. Meeting Hank, Quinn, Tabitha and Tristan changes everything. She has a job, a home, and friends. As she builds relationships, she finally feels like she belongs, receiving the love and acceptance she has always yearned for. But will her past come back to haunt her?

"We both have secrets, things we wish we could take back, but can't. And that's okay, because when I'm with you, those secrets don't rule me, they don't define me."

Something Like Normal is an intense, suspenseful read - with just the right amount of romance, humor and sexual tension. It is well written and well paced story. I was on the edge of my seat of this last half of this one. That ending...gah. It killed me. I can't wait to see what happens next.



*Copy kindly provided by the author for an honest review*

[Monica James · Rating 5 out of 5]

SOMETHING LIKE NORMAL IS NOW AN AUDIOBOOK!!

Make sure you grab your copy! You can now HEAR Mia and Quinn! And let me tell you, it's effing amazing!!!
amzn.to/1kWY1t1



SWEET BABY JESUS!!!
SOMETHING LIKE NORMAL IS A BEST SELLER!!
Guys, I cannot thank you enough!! This Aussie loves you!!





AMAZON US:
http://www.amazon.com/Something-Like-...

AMAZON CA:
http://www.amazon.ca/Something-Like-N...

AMAZON UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Something-Lik...

AMAZON AUST:
http://www.amazon.com.au/Something-Li...

BARNES AND NOBLE:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/somet...

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I'd rather die fighting, than die for nothing at all."

Phew, holy heck where to begin with this one! This story started out quite slow for me, and at one point I had considered not finishing it. I am so glad that I kept going! At a little over halfway through the story it began to pick up in a huge way! By the end, I was sitting on the edge of my seat at four in the morning wishing that it wouldn't end! My biggest complaint would be that it ended on a cliffy. Anyone who knows me, knows that I don't like cliffy's and I usually do anything to avoid them! Well, I wasn't able to avoid this one, and now I have to wait holding my breath until the next book. And believe me, I will be waiting very IM-patiently for the next book! Monica James is an author I have not heard of before; but I was lucky that she reached out and offered me an ARC! Well, thank you Monica..I am so very glad I took a chance and read your book as Mia/Paige, Quinn, Tristan, and Tabitha;AKA, "the group of Misfits," will be etched into my heart for good now! I truly hope that each one of them find a HEA. Will they? I have no clue? There are some major things that go down in this story, and when I say major...I mean Major with a capital M!

This story begins with a young lady named Mia who is on the run from something she has done. She changes her name to Paige and takes off to a town where no one knows who she is or where she comes from. Mia has a horrible past, and she has been through very heavy duty events from the time she was 8 years old. This is a girl that has done many hard core things all in the name of survival.
She settles into a new town/new life and quickly meets some people who become very important to her, and teach her the definiton of what love and family is all about.

Quinn and Tristan are the local hotties who have a bunch of piercings, and some very sexy smiles! Both of them develop an interest in Paige (Mia), but there is no question in Paige's mind that her main attraction is to Quinn! Sparks fly whenever they are together; but both are hesitant to act on it because they are scared to hurt Tristan. Most of the time though, when an attraction is that explosive, there is just no way to stay away from one another. Will Tristan be the one to break things off with Paige, or will they give in to their desire?

This story is quite unpredictable at times, and just when you think that you know what is going to happen; a wrench is thrown into it and something changes. There were things that happened in the book that got my blood pumping and my emotions on high. Once the slow parts were over with, this story held me captivated. Do I reccomend it? Hell yeah, just make sure to be patient with it! I promise it gets better and I can't wait until the second book! A great read, and an author who I will be watching closely to see what else Monica James brings to the table!

I Received an ARC from author in exchange for an honest review..Thank you
Book due to come out on May 13/14...

[Alexis *Reality Bites* · Rating 4 out of 5]

REVIEW -mature content reader discretion is advised.
4 STARS out of 5
Genre: New Adult-Romantic Suspense

HOLY MOLEY! This book had me from the very first page to the very last one. And I cried…TWICE.



'The victim. Something I refuse to ever be again.'

Runner. Mia Lee had no choice. She had to do it.

Mia once lived in a happy two parent home but that ended the day her mother left. On that day her father turned in to someone else completely. She spent years doing his bidding and now she's had ENOUGH.

Mia leaves California planning to get as far away from her old life as possible in hopes of finding a place to regroup so that she can search for her mother. Now assuming the new identity of Paige Cassidy, she buys a bus ticket and it takes her to a small town in Virginia where she rooms at a local motel. Hank the motel owner does more than just kindly take her in, he also offers her a job which she gladly accepts.

“I don’t know what I did to deserve such kindness from Hank, as God knows I’ve done a lot of bad things.”

On her night off Mia/Paige ventures in to a local diner and grabs a cup of coffee. It’s there that she meets Tabitha and Tristan and is eventually offered a second job. Totally unaware that she is about to get one thing she never experienced nor expected. Friendship.



Paige is a tough egg to crack. And who can blame her with the secrets she holds. The girl is on the run for Christ sakes so of course she guards the important info along with her identity and her heart the best she knows, by keeping her distance. It doesn’t really matter though because slowly these 4 people in South Boston, Virginia worm their way in and carve paths to her soul. She soon feels something that she has not felt in a long, long time. Something like normal.

And to think..She was only supposed to be passing through.
NOT making friends OR falling in love.

“Tell me your secrets and I’ll tell you mine,” he whispers, his eyes searching my face for a response to his accurate presumption. -Quinn to Paige

Quinn works as a handy man for Hank. That is pretty much how Paige meets him in all her naked glory... Yeah well you’ll have to read to get all the details but I will say this…There is an undeniable connection between Paige and Quinn. There is a whole lot of will they or won't they and I enjoyed the ride.

While reading one starts to think that they may interconnect on a deeper level then we actually see play out on the pages. There are a lot of things unspoken between the two.

“We’re both broken, attempting to become unbroken, but somehow, together, we fit.”

One question changes EVERYTHING. Mia can’t run forever. Can she?


Fave line in the book is also one of the saddest lines because it holds the heavy weight of truth. ‘We live in a sad, sad world, where the universal language of money is everybody’s first spokenlanguage.’

My Thoughts
Definite page turner! I was glued to my kindle curious as to how Mia would accomplish her goal of finding her mother plus cover her tracks after what she left behind in California. Monica James did a great job with the chemistry between Quinn and Mia. James gave the right amount of angst to leave a girl like me just a bit thirsty for more.

My Rating and Why
Something Like Normal gets 4 STARS for the great array of characters, the clever yet seemly favorable writing and its jaw dropping-tear inducing twist and turns.

My Ratings
Characters- Witty, Strong willed and lovable
Writing Style- My preferred cup of tea
Plot/Storyline- Girl on the run, goes to small town in order to regroup only to receive more than she bargained for.
Steam Factor- Lo to Med/Moderately Steamy on a scale of 1-10 I say 5
Entertainment Level- From Lo-Med- Hi I say High I read page one and my interest shot up
Overall- I enjoyed it!
My Recommendation: You enjoy New Adult? Read the Book!!!

Now go forth and read. Then come tell us about it on Goodreads!
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*Copy kindly provided by the author for an honest review*

[Georgia ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Something Stars

I'd rather die fighting, than die for nothing at all



I see bravery...

It takes guts to break the chains. To stand up for your life. To fight your only living parent. To pull the trigger and run like hell to claim your own future. To trust new friends. To fall in love.



I see naivete...

There is a precious naivete in the eyes of a small child. A naivete shattered by a father's betrayal.
There is also a degree of naivete in a grown up woman, who thinks that by changing her name and run away, she will leave all her demons behind. But past has a way to always catch up on a person.



But most of all... I see a survivor.

And Mia Lee is one. Now, she is Paige Cassidy and on the run. Vulnerable, unable to trust and cautious of new people, she will meet friends and the love of man that might hide more secrets than she does.
And the ability to mend her heart and just might break it all over again.



Suspenseful, fast-pacing, surprisingly cute and emotional, this book grabs you from the first WTF? chapter and leaves you breathless in a heartbreaking finale. A strong young heroine with huge emotional baggage and a hero that takes no bullshit.

I really enjoyed it!



And now I really need more...



*ARC, kindly provided by the author,Monica James in exchange for an honest review*

[Brenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, here’s to new beginnings.
‘Cause the past fucking sucked.

Mia has never had a normal life. Being raised completely by her drug-addicted father, she was pulled into his dark world at a very young age. By eight years old she was doing her father’s dirty work to support his habit. Now nineteen, she’s had enough and it’s led her to do something that makes her a fugitive on the run. With pretty much nothing to her name, she hops on a bus heading as far away from her old life as possible.

“I’m Paige. Paige Cassidy,” I reply.
The pseudonym rolls off my tongue easily.
But that’s who I am now.
Mia Lee was a victim.
But Paige Cassidy is a survivor.

Landing in small town, Virginia, Paige (Mia) soon makes some unlikely friends. Hank, “Grandpa,” gives her a place to stay and some work at his motel. She meets Tabitha and Tristan at the local diner, then there’s Quinn. This is where things get even more interesting… Quinn is a bit of a mystery to Paige for some time in the book. He shows up at the most random times and they have these intense moments.

I don’t say that lightly, this book has quite a few of those moments, you know, the ones that give you chills and make you stop reading afterward for a second and just say, “Whoa.” It’s not all about sex or pick up lines either, some of them took me by surprise by how deep they were. Don’t get me wrong though; there is some MAJOR SEXUAL TENSION! It was seriously the sweetest torture, exactly what I love about romance. Thank god for no insta-love and hopping straight into the sack!

“We both have secrets, things we both wish we could take back, but can’t. And that’s okay, because when I’m with you, those secrets don’t rule me, they don’t define me…”

I loved every moment of Paige learning to have friends and people who cared about her and vice versa. It’s one of my favorite misfit made families I’ve ever read about. It was like she was a baby deer learning to walk for the first time, completely naïve to how friendship works. She has had it so rough and her past is very dark but in so many ways she owns it. I just loved Paige/Mia. She was a refreshing heroine, not all whiney about her past or trying to hide it from the reader. We know the whole time what she’s done and exactly how she feels about it and that was so nice to see. Just brutally honest and raw.

This is the first time in my entire life I have felt something other than… well, nothing.

The suspense and mystery was balanced really well, we know a lot of what’s happening yet there so much we don’t know at the time that sneaks up on you. The last 20% or so had me completely glued to my kindle, madly flipping the pages to see what would happen. I was shocked more than once and had to pick my jaw up off the floor at one point. The ending is killer. It hurt, it was exciting, it was shocking, and I think it was exactly how it had to be. Some leading up to the ending did feel slightly rushed, but as far as where it ended all together, it was fitting for the story.

Overall, this was such a pleasant surprise. What started as a completely random, impulse read turned into a book I haven’t stopped thinking about since I finished it weeks ago. The writing was strong and everything felt very thought out, flowing really smoothly. I fell in love with the characters and was hooked the entire time. All I can say is, October better come quick because I NEED the next book!

4-4.5 stars.

ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.

See this review & others at No BS Book Reviews.
Also 'like' us on Facebook. ♥

[Chelcie Dacon · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK. I am done. As you can see by my status updates, it has been a very fun filled ride. Here is how I am left:

First I have BLUE BALLS . Yes my nonexistent balls are blue. I need a hand job or a blow job and some fucking ball fondling to get over this book.

Second I am left mouth hanging open, heart beating so fucking fast and I'm pulling my hair out screaming AAAHHHHHHH

Third  I want to hunt Ms. Monica James down, punch her in the throat and then thank her for giving me a chance to read this book.

Blown away. I am blown away by this book. I honestly can't even tell you what I am feeling right now because I am all over the place. I am feeling way to many emotions. FUCK ME the emotions are just WAY TO FUCKING MUCH. I need a fucking drink.

RAGE. Yes I am feeling rage towards Monica James. I want more. I need more. I need to dig a tunnel to her side of the planet, weed myself into her brain and take up residence. Forward all my mail to Monica Jame's Head.

This was an amazingly written book about a story that is hard to read. It's a misfit love story. FUC YES. That is what this is. A MISFIT LOVE STORY.

#CLAIMED I have laid my claim to Quinn. Back off bitches he is mine. SWEET BABY Jesus. From the lip ring to the hair. The green eyes to the fucking tongue ring. SWOON. FUCK ME I swooned and had to clean up the down town. I would never leave him. I would let this man do what ever he wanted. I would lay down in front of him and beg him to devour me.

 

 

All I wanted, what would have made this more for me was if there was more sex. YES I WANT MORE of naked Quinn in every position possible. On his knees, over and under, up down and all the fucking round. I want hot and wet and clean and sticky. LE SIGH I want it fucking all.

 

But I can see why she didn't give to me. I understand it, I don't like it, but I understand. But you know what she did? She as drawn me in and I will not stop reading. I will continue on the path of blue balls until I get more. She has made me a Quinn Addict. 

[Melanchallina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Моника Джеймс "Почти нормальная жизнь"

2 из 10

Жанр: NA, дарк роман
POV: от первого лица, женский
Геометрия чувств: бесячий треугольник
Отличительные черты: крутое начало и полный слив в конце, альфа-самец, выносящий мозг треугольник и многое другое

РЕЦЕНЗИЯ:
Ладно. Представьте, что вы попробовали потрясающе вкусную конфету. Вы захотели еще, пошли и купили килограмм этих конфет… Вы съели вторую, третью, четвертую вкусняшку, полностью наслаждаясь их вкусом, но потом каждая следующая конфета была все хуже, хуже и хуже…. Именно вот такое д***мо случилось со мной и этой книгой.

Сцена 1: «Начало»
Главная героиня застрелив родного отца пускается в бега.
Интересно? Да. Круто? Да? Размышления героини? Шикарны (я серьезно, если что).

То, что я не раскаиваюсь в содеянном, еще не делает меня плохим человеком. Это лишь означает, что я умею выживать. В моем мире, где выживает сильнейший, у меня не было другого выбора. Либо он, либо я.
И в первый раз в жизни я выбрала себя.

Цепляет? Определено.
Прочитав эти строки, я была уверенна, что нашла потрясающий дарк роман с неоднозначной героиней и цепляющей атмосферой. Я была уверена, черт возьми, что книги войдет в список моих фаворитов!

Сцена 2: «Начало 2»
Героиня доезжает до первого попавшегося маленького городка и решает затаиться там на некоторое время – скопить информацию, собрать деньжат. Мия/Пейдж находит прибежище, устраивается на работЫ, заводит друзей….

Сцена 3: «Горячий парнишка»
Героиня знакомится с сексуальным, опасным и горячим парнем. И да, пусть это звучит как клише, но в начале романа химия между героями была действительно потрясающая. Герой даже не казался типичным плохишом.

– Неужели? Ну и что же ты видишь, глядя на меня?
...
– Я вижу, – говорит он, и начинает медленно распутывать бинт с моих рук, – молодую девушку, которая не похожа на всех остальных. Она другая. Она остроумна. Она не воспринимает всерьез грязные слова чертовых черлидерш, и она совершенно спокойно относится к тому, что совершенно незнакомый человек заходит к ней в душ.
Куинн сжимает губы, будто бы еще вспоминает некоторые детали.
Он берет вторую мою руку, которая до этого момента просто неподвижно висела. Но в этот раз я не сопротивляюсь.
– Я вижу храбрость. Я вижу наивность, – говорит он, мягко и с осторожностью развязывая бинты.
Находясь так близко к нему, в одном пространстве, я четко ощущаю, как меня тянет к нему, я чувствую потребность быть рядом с ним.
Парень поднимает глаза, чтобы встретиться с моими широко распахнутыми глазами.
– Но яснее всего я вижу... человека, который умеет выживать.

Клянусь, я практически на 100% считала, что это полностью и абсолютно МОЯ книга, МОИ герои и МОЙ автор.

Сцена 4 или «Когда автор вошел во вкус и все пошло по п…..»
Сексуальный, клевый герой понимает что его младший и любимый брат тоже запал на героиню. Опачки.

– Мой брат не смог бы справиться с тобой, – шепчет он, проникая своим голосом глубоко внутрь меня.
– А ты? – шепчу я в ответ, затаив дыхание.
Парень смотрит прямо мне в глаза и отвечает хриплым голосом.
– Я знаю, что смогу.

Сказал он и удалился в закат. Серьезно. Он пропал на несколько дней, заявив героине, что она может ему доверять, что им будет хорошо вместе и бла-бла-бла. Реакция героини «WTF? Что происходит?».
Моя реакция? Примерно такая же.
Но все стало только хуже, когда герой вновь появился на радаре и со всей серьезностью заявил «Я не могу причинить боль брату. И я в любом случае недостоин тебя, я весь такой опасный, плохой-приплохой, будь с моим братом, а?».
ЩИТО ПРОИСХОДИТ!? Чувак, ты серьезно? Ты нес потрясающую чухню о том, что вы с гг две родственные души, потом пропадаешь и делаешь такое заявление? Тебя что ли по голове ударили за эти дни?

Сцена 5: «Я тебя недостоин, но я тебя хочу»
Океееей. Ты такой благородный и охрененный, мы поняли. Чувак, зачем ты несмотря на свои заявления через каждую строчку в стиле «будь с моим братом» продолжаешь флиртовать с героиней, зажимать ее пока не видит брат, спать с ней на одном диване и тд? И да, это все под все те же «я не достоин тебя, я такой весь плохиш, ты не справишься». О господибожемой.

Сцена 6: «Давай все же попробуем быть вместе»
Аллилуйя.
Или нет?
Конечно же нет, потому что «мы будем вместе, но пока не скажем моему брату, а то ему будет боооольно». Ипить колотить. Ребята, что за детский сад? Но самое ужасное? Вот это.

«Мы целовались тайком с Куинном, флиртовали с Тристаном, мне все нравилось!» (не дословная цитата, но смысл вы поняли).

Прошу прощения?

Сцена 6: «Слишком много любви, надо добавить драмы»
Под конец автор неожиданно вспомнила, что она как бы писала ДАРК роман, что героиня в бегах и надо срочно добавить море экшна, драмы и страдашек. Поэтому естественно там начался такой замут, что мама не горюй, только и успевай закатывать глаза. Одна трагичная сцена убийства, одно почти убийство, бегом по машинам и снова в бега.

Ну, вы все поняли, да?

Госпожа Моника, но вам не стоило писать трилогию. Серьезно, лучше бы вы уделили поменьше внимания неуместному и глупому любовному треугольнику и написали бы настоящую конфетку, да была бы одна книга, но зато какая, эх...

Во-вторых, может мне кто-нибудь объяснить зачем собственно папаша и главный наркоторговец искали героиню? Ну окей, сбежала она… и? Она же ничего у них не украла, да она была хорошим посредником и поставщиком, но по сути смысла им искать ее не было вот прям ВООБЩЕ.

В-третьих, чисто мое девчачье мнение, почему все женские персонажи в книге помимо гг и ее подруги должны быть сучками и шлюхами?

В-четвертых, почему героиня, которая занимается боксом, выживала на улице и ни раз набивала бугаям морды (это подчеркивалась много-много раз), была повалена и практически изнасилована избалованным богатеньким ублюком, который знать не знает значение слова "спортзал"?

В-пятых, ну это ж надо так испортить главного героя не только бесячими поступками, но и «я не хотел думать о тебе, поэтому пошел и зверски трахнул другую телку, но сейчас я понимаю, что это была ошибка!».

АААААААААААААААААААААААААААААААААААААААААААААААААААААААААА.

Я удаляюсь в закат, а тем, кто все же дочитал мой отзыв до конца, простите за крик души.

[вιвℓισρнιℓια {кιηgѕℓєу & ѕøяєη ƒσяєνєя} · Rating 5 out of 5]

....

A love less ordinary.

Not sweet, nor romantic in the conventional way. Their love is difficult, but it's real. A gritty, raw, flawed and honest kind of real. They all feel they're undeserving, when together they just - fit. This story was everything I could want, and more. It was just, perfect. Seriously, seriously can't wait for more.

And I can't thank Monica enough for the arc, you seriously rock, my friend ;)

[Mallory]

DNF at 79%



I'm literally shaking with anger at this book. I can't believe I read for 72% or so for something so ridiculous to mess it all up. I actually continued to read because I was going to see where it was going. But something Quinn says to Paige/Mia completely ruined this for me... and this is after Quinn did something so STUPID! So now I'm pissed and done with this :(

[Bj · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 "Hot Brother Love Triangle" Stars! Wow, loved the romance, sexual tension and self-discovery motivated themes of this New Adult gem! This is my first experience with Monica James, and it will not be my last! Ms. James impressed me with this heart- wrenching journey to find normalcy in a world that has seriously dealt the heroine an unfair hand. Witnessing the heroine's quest to find love and acceptance for the first time at the ripe age of 19, a feat typically accomplished in normal situations as a child, unquestionably pulled at my heart strings, and was so well written that it had me sitting on the edge of my seat rooting for the heroine to finally fulfill her mission. Please note though that this book ends in a huge cliffhanger, so if you want to find out how it all ends, you will need to read Book 2, Something Like Redemption which was just released on October 14, 2014.

What would you do if your father asked you to do the unthinkable? Mia Lee thought she was already fulfilling that fate until her father sinks to the ultimate of all lows. Left with no choice, Mia escapes the only way possible under the dire circumstances.

On the run, and a fugitive, with little money to her name, Mia sets course for the sleepy town of South Boston, Virginia. Hoping to start anew, she assumes the alias of Paige Cassidy. There she is determined to finally lead a normal life.

Fortunately for her, fate introduces her to four strangers, including two brothers, a teenage girl around her age, and a "grandfather" figure, who make an indelible mark in her life. With their help Mia for the first time experiences happiness, friendship and love. Inevitably all of the hallmarks of the normal life she so desperately sought.

But Mia soon learns that "normal" can also bring angst. As can be evidenced by the fact that the two brothers both like her. Who will she choose? The safe and happy brother or the one that she believes keeps his own deep dark secrets hidden within? Can any choice end in anything but heartbreak given the brother's close connection and her prior goal, which will require her to keep moving? Moreover, no one can outrun the law for long. When Mia's past catches up with her, will she loose everything? Will she ever experience "normal" again?

Wow, what an emotional roller coaster! I will say that it takes a little while to set up this story, but once the interactions between Mia and the four inhabitants of South Boston takes over, it's nonstop action! Something Like Normal was so engaging that I read it in just two sittings. I can't wait to see how Mia's journey continues to evolve in Something Like Redemption!

Source: Review copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Kelena · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Red + Mr Flirty Pants Stars ;)



....growing up in my world, it was best not to have any ‘best features,’ and just fade into the background.

Mia, she appears Gothic, talks sweet, challenge any bad-ass without any fear and she's a huge KLUTZ!

"Bugs, I hate ’em."

Yup! our kick-ass Mia who'll knock 200pounds on his ass in a blink of an eye is shit scared from tiny bugs which tells that deep inside she's nothing but a sweet and smart girl next door but life taught her to pull out a personality people fear to mess with. She was eight when her sorry excuse of a father drag her into the life that brings nothing but darkness that'll chase her to very grave....

After living a lifetime being as a toy in her father's hand Mia decided to end the misery and made a run for it.

that's where our Mr Flirty Pants came into the picture....
Quinn has his own secrets he can't share them and that was the very reason he felt that it's for the greater good if he stays away from Mia but it was one hell`va hard task to accomplished for both Mia and himself too....



The Chemistry between Mia and Quinn literally set me on fire.... oh and the intense moments!

“You don’t know what I’m capable of,” I
whisper.
“No,” he replies, kissing the shell of my ear.
“You don’t know what I’m capable of.”

when Monica introduced me with Quinn.... I was a gooner! I practically drooled over my kindle ;) He's walking talking book boyfriend material.
Possessive Alpha with Darkest Past! *my dreams just came true*

And Monica made sure of leaving me hanging like dozen times and almost screamed at her through my e-reader "FUCKING GIVE IT ME ALREADY MONI!"

I hate it when I have so much to share but i can't as I`m the Queen of "Spoiler Alert" land.
woahhh... i mean.... just... wow?! can this simple word justify how earth shatteringly Monica blew my fucking mind away?!
I have this tiny list of most favourite authors that I can easily count on my finger tips, and Monica, Dear you just made to that list and now standing proudly on top 5.

*Full Review To Come*

*ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

[SueBee★bring me an alpha!★]

FREE on Amazon US today (9/29/2014)

Blurb:
Mia Lee has a secret…

A secret she’s kept hidden since she was eight years old, however, Mia will no longer allow that secret to define her.

An irrevocable decision has left Mia Lee a fugitive and on the run—a circumstance that should leave her weak and scared, yet Mia has never felt so alive.

Under the pseudonym of Paige Cassidy, Mia is ready to live the life she’s never had, and she’s determined not to allow her tainted past dictate her promising future.

Paige is on a Greyhound bus heading from L.A. to South Boston, Virginia, to start a new life. A life that includes finding her mother, who abandoned her at age three. But what she finds, is four people, who will change her life forever.

Yet no one can outrun their past…

Especially one filled with bitter memories, which refuse to remain hidden.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K...

[✿kawehi.reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

❢ Okay so right now I want to hunt down Monica James with a pitchfork for ending this book the way she did. Gah!! I NEED MORE!! ❢



A book of misfits:
A girl running from her past
† The bad boy
‡ New friendships
An imperfect love ♥
؟ The plot thickens with unforeseeable events ؟
=An unforgettable journey

And then....a CLIFFHANGER!!







Something Like Normal is a beautiful and honest portrayal of an atypical love and their struggles and triumphs to overcome obstacles of what we call LIFE.

These characters are not perfect. They are flawed and make mistakes.

But it is because of this that makes everything so much more real and genuine as we watch them fight for what they have always felt was out of their reach...A FUTURE...

~~Gah, Monica James...I will be IMPATIENTLY WAITING for book two now!! Grr!! lol~~



*I received an ARC on behalf of the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!*

[Lisa Edward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something like AMAZING!

Monica James has done it again in the first book of her new series, Something Like Normal.

This is not your regular love story. It's not sweet and romantic. It is real, and raw and gritty.

I love Mia, Quinn and all the characters in this book because they all have a part to play. Through running away from her past, Mia is finding a new future, one that she never dreamed would be possible, but one that she is so deserving of.

The characters are flawed but together I feel they can overcome anything.

I can't wait for book 2 to see where the journey will lead Mia next.

[Donna ~ The Romance Cover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something Like Normal (Something Like Normal #1) by Monica James
4 stars!!

“Well, here’s to new beginnings. ‘Cause the past f**king sucked.”

This is one of those books where you are left wanting more, it is very rare that you feel a tangible connection to every character in a book, but apart from the villains, every character in this book is likeable and loveable. This connection made this book an extremely quick read as I was page turning from start to finish.

To say Mia had a shitty life was an understatement, abandoned by her mother as a toddler she was left with her father who couldn’t cope with his wife’s departure and abandonment, he turned to drugs totally disregarding his daughter in the process. Mia had to grow up quick and fend for herself due to her father’s spiralling out of control drug habit. Things go from bad to worse, when to keep her father in drugs Mia is forced to become a drug runner at the age of 8, after all who is going to suspect a beautiful 8 year old to peddle drugs from her princess back pack? As Mia grows up her father’s habit gets considerably worse, it is then that the peddling is not sufficient to meet his needs and her father arranges for her to pay his dues by other means. This is when Mia decides enough is enough, she will no longer be the victim, she is going to be a survivor. All she wanted was a “Something Like Normal” life, knowing that with her dad this was not going to be possible she plans to escape, will her father let her? What will the repercussions of that escape be?

“And in my world where it’s survival of the fittest, I had no choice. It was either him or me. And for once, I chose me.

Making her escape and on the run Mia goes from bus to bus until she ends up in a small town far away from LA, never intending to stay in one place for too long, she settles into a small motel, for what she intends to be a short time to make some money to continue her journey, a journey on which she hopes to find her mother. Leaving Mia Lee far away in LA, Paige Cassidy is born and now she is on her own. The motel owner Hank is the sweetest most adorable Grandpa and takes Paige/Mia under his wing, being widowed he relishes Paige’s company as she does too, for once she feels needed and loved.

It is starting this new life that Paige actually makes friends, something that she has never done before and it is these friends that make her realise what she is actually missing. Will the lure of these friendships force her to stay and once again what will the repercussions be?

The sexual chemistry between Paige and Quinn oozes off the page, you know that they are both broken and it is this lure that keeps you wanting more. Both reluctant to take the next step, the will they won’t they will keep you reading and page turning. They do have this undeniable connection that is more than just on a sexual level; they both have the ability to see the “real” person underneath the façade. It is this connection that leaves them scared, never being open or trusting before is a hard leap to take.

“There’s something about you, and I just can’t stay away. But I don’t want to freak you out, or push too hard. But the more I get to know you, the deeper in I fall. You’re not like anyone I have ever met before, and I just want to get to know you, the real you.”

Paige is beginning to come into her own, after her less than stellar upbringing she is determined to make a life for herself that she would be proud of. No longer the victim but the survivor she does begin to embrace her new outlook on life, especially with the aid of her new “family.” Paige is an incredibly strong character, she is strong willed, but she is extremely guarded, but her metamorphosis was a pleasure to witness, I can’t wait to see how she develops further or if “Something Like Normal” completely derails her progress.

Quinn comes across as the bad boy, but he is far from it, deep within Quinn is an extremely protective, selfless man. His past is alluded to and some of it does get eked out as the story progresses, he is a bit alpha but he has a soft side that he only lets Paige see. I can’t wait to see more of the “real” Quinn; I just know that this is one character that is going to be hard to forget.

“I can promise you me, the real me. I won’t hide from you because I know there’s no point. Behind those intelligent, beautiful eyes, lies a gifted, remarkable woman who sees past my bullshit, and still wants to be around me. Still wants me, and I can’t figure out why.”

The other characters are also worth a mention, Tristan is Quinn’s brother, he is the kind of guy that you would take home to mum, he is a gorgeous character, so trusting and selfless, he would do anything for anyone. Tabitha is shy, cute and ditzy, a true friend that Paige so desperately needs. Despite her own mother issues, she puts her friends first and foremost and this trait was so admirable especially under the circumstances. Grandpa, I have to say was my favourite character, such a warm and selfless person, he reminded me of my own granddad and I had such a strong connection to him, I loved him from when I first met him.

In summary, this is a fab read, twists and turns, a gut wrenching last quarter that will leave you wanting more and possibly crying like a freaking baby (or was that just me?) An addicting read and I cannot wait to read the next instalment, this is the first book in a four part series and judging by the beginning we are in for a long and exciting journey. Amazing book, this was my first taste of a Monica James book and it certainly won’t be my last. I am impatient so I will be hounding for book two like a rabid dog!

“This is the beginning of the end.
The end of Paige Cassidy because Mia Lee is back.
The real Mia Lee.
The real me.”

www.theromancecover.com

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment I saw him, I knew he would create a splash, but I never thought he'd cause a fucking tsunami.

Whoa, what a highly addictive emotional roller coaster! Never would I ever expect to fully devour this entire book on the first day of 2024, but here I am, still struggling to recover from the hangover caused by the star-crossed lovers that are Quinn Berkeley and Mia Lee.

"I see bravery. I see naivete," he says softly as he continues untying the tape with expert care.
And in the small space between us, I can feel an invisible pull toward him, a longing to be near him.
He raises his eyes to meet my wide ones. "But most of all...I see a survivor."

Mia Lee had always been the drug dealer thanks to her druggie father, selling her to his supplier in exchange for his own "fix" whenever he couldn't afford it by himself. Therefore, Mia was forced to witness the darkest side of humanity and the lowest part of the social hierarchy at the ripe age of 8. What's worse, when her father deemed her much more worthy if she sold her soul and dignity completely at 19, she finally had enough and did something irrevocable. After fleeing all the way from L.A. to South Boston, Virginia, she met Quinn Berkeley, becoming her hottest partner in crime--who oozed sexy bad boy vibes through and through with his tongue, lip, and nipple piercings, plus some badass tattoos on his torso-- and the story simply got juicier and juicier.

He (Quinn) takes a deep breath and continues. "I can't promise you flowers or romance, but I can promise you loyalty, honesty, and most of all..." He pauses, brushing my hair off my shoulder, skimming his fingertips along my exposed neck. "I can promise you me, the real me. I won't hide from you because I know there's no point. Behind those intelligent, beautiful eyes lies a gifted, remarkable woman who sees past my bullshit and still wants to be around me. Still WANTS me, and I can't figure out why."

In case you're wondering, Monica has the ability to successfully draw me in from the very beginning of each story and keep me on the edge of my seat the whole time I am savoring her work. And this book is no exception. The overall plot design, character development, and the unexpected twists were all perfectly-thought-out with so many impeccable details, depictions, and foreshadowing, making me wonder tons of what-ifs and crave the sequels. What I was absolutely impressed with Monica was her flawless storytelling skill and character crafting. I meant, the pace of Quinn and Mia's story was incredibly done that this book turned out to be as unputdownable as it could be.

That being said, I was elated that this book ended up being the very first 5-star read for me. There was literally NOTHING I didn't enjoy in Quinn and Mia's romance and I couldn't wait to continue their journey with the sequel, Something Like Redemption. Just because they didn't live like a normal young couple should, didn't mean they didn't deserve any happiness, no matter how late it happened to them. All the hard-earned joy they got only prompted me to cherish them even more. All in all, please go pick this book up if you haven't read it yet, guys. You can thank me later!!

[NiCoLeTa E. {Addicted To Books} · Rating 4 out of 5]

***4,25 "Something..." stars***

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"I'd rather die fighting than die for nothing at all."

It's almost a month that I have read this story and still, it lingers insistently inside my mind...
I loved Mia, I loved Quinn and I loved the characters that they surrounded them...
The scenery was beautiful and the intensity between Quinn and Mia was igniting sparkles around me...
That cliffy had me on the edge of my seat and I am waiting impatiently the next book to come...

"I want to be like everybody else. I want to be normal. But I know I won't ever be normal, so I'll settle for something like normal."

Mia spend a life as a victim... From the tender age of eight, she had to do unspeakable things to save her father from the claws of a monster.... But ten years later, she is finding herself saying enough is enough and she is on the run...
Mia is no longer Mia and she is becoming a different girl...
While on the run, she is getting attached to four people that will change her life forever and they will make her feel something like... normal!!!
But can she outrun her past forever??? And what the consequences will be???

"That's who I am now.
Mia Lee was a victim. But Paige Cassidy is a survivor."

My heart was breaking for Mia and what she had to endure in her life...
I loved seeing the light coming back into her eyes while only darkness was misting them before....
I liked the friendships that she developed in here, and of course, Quinn had stolen the spotlight, not only in Mia's eyes, but in mine as well!!!
When these two were at the same room, there was intensity like no other...
And then that ending came and everything turned upside down...
And now, something like... chaos is looming above our heroes' heads!!!
I really can not wait for the next part!!!!

"Quinn makes me feel... normal. He makes me want things I can't have."

**I received an ARC for the exchange of an honest review**

[Sarah~Book Obsession Confessions · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 STARS
Mia has had an unthinkable life, with neglect, abuse all while being used by her father to traffic drugs since she was a child. At age 19 things become too much, she makes a decision and she’s now on the run under an alias, Paige.
She goes as far across the country as she can afford and ends up in a quaint small town.
It was very heart wrenching that she comes across 4 very kind people who offer friendship and help, and it’s a completely foreign, unknown experience to her. She’s on guard and very prickly with everyone at first.
Hank is an elderly man who owns a motel, gives her a job and offers her kindness, care and love. It’s such a beautiful part of the story, both characters are lonely and seeing their relationship grow into chosen family was so beautiful and heartwarming.
Paige also finds work at a diner where outgoing Tabitha befriends her forcefully. It’s another fantastic relationship, not everyone is the same as your first impression. I love Tabitha.
And here comes the more complicated part of the story, the romance….two brothers who become enamored by Paige.
Quinn is witty, he challenges Paige. He’s artistic, a deep thinker and a bit of a mystery. I LOVE him! The two have an intense connection and palpable attraction. There’s a bit of angst and back and forth. The complication of his brother’s feelings are an issue.
These two gave me all the butterflies and some very swoon worthy moments.
There’s always a bit of tension and fear that Paige will be discovered and the heavy consequences that could result in that.
It’s a unique, heartwarming story with tons of beautiful moments, great romance and steamy chemistry. Such a wonderful group of characters helping each other through life, they all have pain and difficulties. Together it’s easier.
At the end some extremely big things occur, it moves at warp speed and my heart was in my throat. I NEED the next book ASAP! The re-edited version of book two releases in October 2023, so the wait isn’t too long.
I absolutely love these characters and the story. It made me feel so very much. It’s beautifully written and paced perfectly.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not read this book when it was originally released back in 2014 so I jumped at the chance to read it this go around.

Mia/Paige has definitely lived a horrific and unthinkable life since the age of 8. It has definitely hardened her and shaped her into the fierce 19-year-old she is today.

Hoping to make a new life, she stops in a town in hopes of just earning enough money to continue on her journey to her next destination. What she had not anticipated was finding people who would welcome and accept her as she is.

Monica wrote a gripping dark romance that will have readers begging for the next installment (thank goodness we don't have long to wait). The pacing of this story was perfect as it allowed for everything to play out naturally and nothing felt forced to happen just to create more drama.

I loved everything about this book. The characters are unique - some you will love, some you will hate, but these characters will bring out strong feelings and that's the whole point.

I loved the layers this story has and cannot wait to see what happens next.

[Melinda ~ Twinsie Talk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to meet Monica James in Vegas at the Love N Vegas signing in 2014. After talking to her for a few minutes I decided to purchase this book. All I can say is oh my why have I not read this before now! This was an amazing story, I was on the edge of my seat the emotional roller coaster ride I was on was the thrilling. Monica has a way of moving the story forward only giving you small glimpse of the past, sometimes cutting those sort and had me yelling no keep talking I need to know more.

Mia a mom leaves her with her dad at the age of three. That is when Mia's life falls apart. Her dad starts doing drugs and to keep up his habit makes Mia a drug pusher at the age of eight. After years of pushing drugs to keep her dad’s habit afloat her dad and Phil decide she is going to become Phil's hooker. Mia of course is done and makes a life changing decision and is now on the run. She finds herself in a small town with a new identity. She is now known as Paige and is making friends. Beginning to realize the meaning if friendship and let others into her heart. She is also starting to trust these people. However, as with anything in Mia’s life things crumble before her eyes.

As I'm reading I wanted to know more about Mia, Tristan, Quinn, Ali,and Hank. I absolutely loved how Tristan, Ali, Hank, and Quinn were all able to break some of Mia’s barriers down and let them in. Each were different and each cared for her in a different way but each one would do anything for her. This was something Mia was not use to because no one ever cared for her, loved her, or believed in her. Some people are born into wonderful families others are lucky enough to find their amazing families and Mia did just that.

By the end of the story I have been throughout so many emotions an even a few Kleenex the things Mia has went through no one should have to go through in a lifetime let alone 19 years. Great story line, love the suspense, didn't see the twist coming, and even had tear jerking moments what more could you ask for. Now I'm off to hurry and down load book two.

Some of my favorites:

She must read the baffled expression on my face as she quickly stutters, “I just meant, I mean… look at you… you’re beautiful.” If I could cry, this would be the moment that tears would prick my eyes. I ’ve never once been called beautiful. And I never actually cared. But now, hearing it… it kinda feels nice.

“ I see,” he says as he begins gently unraveling the tape from around my hands. “A young woman who isn’t like everyone else. She’s different. She’s witty. She doesn’t take shit from trashy cheerleaders, and doesn’t bat an eyelash when a complete stranger walks in on her while in the shower.” His mouth tips up as if recalling the memory. He reaches for my other hand, which is resting by my side, motionless. This time however, I don’t resist. “ I see bravery. I see naïveté,” he says softly as he continues untying the tape with expert care. And in the small space between us, I can feel an invisible pull to ward him, a longing to be near him. He raises his eyes to meet my wide ones. “But most of all… I see a survivor.”

“Honey, what just went on between you two was explosive. I have a feeling the tables would have had to be cleared if you guys had kissed. You obviously have some kind of connection, I mean sheesh, I felt like I was intruding on a private moment.” She gives me a small smile before she continues. “I don’t think you guys can actually stay away from each other. It’ll only be a matter of time before you both succumb to something that is inevitable.”

“Red, no one knows what happens next. That’s the mystery of life and all that philosophical shit. But the here and now, that’s what we can control. Each day is a test, it’s a lesson, and it’s a future memory we will return to when we feel sad or lost.” He takes a deep breath, and continues. “I can’t promise you flowers or romance, but I can promise you loyalty, honesty, and most of all…” He pauses, brushing my hair off my shoulder, skimming his fingertips along my exposed neck. “I can promise you me, the real me. I won’t hide from you because I know there’s no point. Behind those intelligent, beautiful eyes, lies a gifted, remarkable woman who sees past my bullshit, and still wants to be around me. Still wants me, and I can’t figure out why.”

“You’re unlike anyone I have ever met before, Red,” he says, his hands tightening around my middle, holding me close, but it’s still not close enough. “We’re both broken, attempting to become unbroken, but somehow, together, we fit.”

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book absolutely moved me. It was like watching a movie that you did not want to end. It is completely captivating. My heart felt for every single character.

"And for once, I chose me."

Mia Lee has finally decided to leave her life behind and is now Paige Cassidy. She ends up in South Boston, Virginia with the state of mind that she is going to perhaps work a little and then move on. No sense in establishing herself anyway. Her secret and her past can catch up with her if she stays around too long. Paige's life is turned upside down when she meets four amazing people. They completely change her life. They change her ways of thinking. That perhaps she can be normal. That her past does not dictate her future.

"But I know normal is something I will never be, so I'll settle for something like normal."

As I mentioned before, there are four characters that completely change everything for Paige. Telling you how each character contributed to the change would be a disservice to the reader. You need to experience it. However, I cannot write a review without mentioning Quinn. He stole my heart the moment Paige laid eyes on him. His demeanor and everything about him is so mysterious, haunting, yet Paige cannot stay away from him. And neither can he.

"Because...being with you would possess every single inch of me, and you're not ready for that."

This story is so much more than a girl running from her past. Every single character in this story is haunted by their past in some way, shape or form. They all have scars and are wounded emotionally. Their troubles run deep and book one of this series just grazes the surface. I absolutely cannot wait until we get more in depth of this story and it's characters. While Quinn feels he is no good for Paige, he is drawn to her in every way possible. Fate continues to bring them closer together even if they both try everything in their power to stay away. While one stays away from love as it has disappointed them over and over the other has no idea what love is. What Quinn and Paige have is stronger than love. While love knows no boundaries, what Quinn and Paige share, it sees no boundaries. They only see each other. While love may not be mentioned in this story, you don't need words. You just feel it.

"Quinn doesn't just kiss, he devours, and I can't get enough."

The ending absolutely blew me away. I was breathless and speechless. This was the most phenomenal part of the story. Everything you thought you knew about this story and the characters is shattered to pieces. Monica switches everything up and I was left with my mouth wide open. I could not put this down. I was on edge the last ten percent.

"Being with me, it will consume parts of yourself you never knew existed. Are you ready for that? Can you give me everything..."

Although this is a first in a series, I would definitely recommend that you read it now. I am one of those people that need to wait until an entire series is out before I can commit to reading. However, I find that hard to do when it comes to Monica James' books. They are so worth the wait, and Something Like Normal is no exception. Go read and experience this book.

[Romance Readers Retreat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a different kind of book. If you are looking for a hot erotic romance filled with lots of sweaty bodies, then you need to look elsewhere. This is not that kind of book. If, on the other hand, you want a suspenseful book about a girl running from horror and discovering a reason to live again, then this book may be right up your alley.It features Mia, a 19 year old girl who is on the run for shooting her father. You see her father was a scumbag who deserved to be shot. Her mother abandoned them when Mia was only 5 years old. Her father soon spiraled down into the world of addiction, eventually forcing his own daughter to become a drug courier for his drug dealer in exchange for free drugs for himself. After all, who would suspect an 8 year old girl of carrying around drugs in her pink backpack?Mia continued to do this for her father, always holding out hope that he might eventually clean himself up. But it turns out good old dad had other plans. When he told Mia that delivering drugs was no longer enough, and that he and his dealer had other ways for her to earn them money, ways that involved being on her back, Mia finally had had enough and snapped. She left him bleeding to death on the floor.When Mia left town she had no real plan, except to get away and somehow find her mother. She got as far as a little town called South Boston. It is here she creates a new identity and slowly begins meeting new people, people who actually care for her and want nothing out of her in return. These people include Tabitha, Quinn, Tristan, and Hank. Hank becomes the fatherly figure her own father never was. He gives Mia a job and a place to live, plus he gives her hope that there are still good people left in this world. Mia had never had a best friend before, but Tabitha's bubbly and friendly personality was just the thing to open Mia up to the idea of friendship. I simply loved Tabitha, and I'm sure you will too.Tristan is the good looking hunk who runs the local diner and gives Mia her first real job waiting tables. She really likes him and is attracted to him in ways she doesn't quite understand, but it isn't until she meets Quinn that these feelings go into hyperdrive. Quinn is a hot sexy guy who knows immediately there is something different about this new girl in town. He can tell she has secrets, but Quinn has a few secrets of his own. The two of them are attracted to each other, but Mia knows nothing can come of it. She knows her past will catch up with her eventually and she really cannot afford to get that close to anyone.I have to say that the writing is stellar in this book. The characters are incredibly well drawn. I found myself loving Tabitha, Hank and Tristan like they were real people and real friends of mine. I felt everything Mia felt like it was myself. I wanted her to be able to leave her past behind and start off fresh with these new people, but of course our past always has a way of finding us.I have to admit that the book ends on an unfortunate cliffhanger. I really look forward to the continuation of this story. I want Mia and Quinn to have their happy ending. Pickup this book if you want to lose yourself in a good story about personal survival and rediscovering the good in humanity. 

[JC82 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy feckin awesomesauce! Alright so this book was recommended to me by my blogger crew. It's my first Monica James book and it most certainly will not be my last.

So when I finished this book, I am pretty sure I sat with my mouth agape for like a good 15 minutes processing all that happened and I was still thinking about it like an hour later. This book is THAT good.

Mia/Paige is running away from horrendous past, a past that will make you cringe and cower in a corner; one that most people would not be able to survive. But Mia is a survivor, she is strong, tough, feisty, determined and pretty much downright fearless at least when it comes to defending herself. But there is something that Mia fears and its letting someone into her heart, letting someone get so close to her that they find out her secret. You see Mia has never had anyone, no friends and no true family that cares for her. She has been taking care of herself and trying to live through her situation all on her own. So what happens when she finds herself in a small town surrounded by people who are willing to accept her despite her secrets, well Mia's world is flipped upside down but in a good way.

Mia becomes immersed in a world where she doesn't have to be watching her back constantly, a world where she can laugh and smile, a world where she can possibly love those around her. But soon that world is threatened and the past comes chasing after her like bat out of hell. I don't want to give too much away but this book is quite a ride. The emotions and intensity run on a constant level of "Oh my gods" and "holy sh*t", there is not one dull moment in this story and never once did I feel like any of the plot was dragging. James does a flawless job of expressing the emotions and mental anguish of some of the characters sometimes by just simply describing the situations rather then using inner dialogue which can be a challenge. I loved how all the characters in the story added something different to Mia's life. They all play a role in who she is to become and what she will have to do. James creates a story where all the players have their own individuals flaws, fears or secrets but all together they make a unit that is both loving and powerful.

The wit and banter in some of the scenes is so good, that I smirked and caught myself smiling while reading; and by the end of the book I think I might have forgotten to breathe at times. This book will leave you wanting more and I totally cannot wait for what will happen next!!

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mia Lee is running way from her past, one that is full of pain and secrets. All she wants is to live a normal life, have friends and a job just like everyone else. But because of her secret Mia fears she will never be "normal" so she is willing to settle for something like normal. Changing her name to Paige she arrives in a new town taking up residence at a run down motel where she is able to secure a job and quickly be-friends the elderly owner, Hank. She also runs into Quinn (think young with a lip ring and sexy smirk) and is immediately pulled to him. He is pretty awesome. With this great start to being something like normal Mia also accepts a second job working as a waitress in the local diner where she meets Tabitha and Tristan. All four characters become a large part of this new life Mia creates, however none know of her secret and when they find out it may be too late for some of them.

I really enjoyed this story. It was my first Monica James book and she did a great job creating intriguing characters and a story line that held my attention, provided a bit of humor, some angst and a whole lot of suspense (ugh that ending!). I also genuinely liked all of the main characters in the book. Mia was great, strong and determined but also with a softness to her that made you want to root for her. I loved her independence and even though it was frustrating at times that she didn't reveal her secret to her friends early on, her actions were understandable and were true to who she was. Quinn was also a bit mysterious with his own troubled past. He has that bad boy appeal with a side of protectiveness that so many of us love and can't go wrong with. The chemistry and sexual tension between the two had me quickly turning the pages for more and I can only hope that there is more to come *wink* in the next book.