Wow! What a book of secrets L.A. Cotton has given us with Loyalty and Lies!
Savannah Parry is as far away from home as she can get, trying to run away from the past that haunts her daily. New school, new friends and hopefully new life. While wanting a single room in the dorms, she didn't get it and realizes it just may be a blessing in disguise. Ana's roommate Elena ends up being the perfect Yin to her Yang, outgoing and ready to party. After spending the last sixteen months in a painful haze, Ana is ready to move forward in college and act as normal as possible. Easier said than done. After attending a party at the football teams house, Ana realizes that Chastity Falls Academy may not be what it seems. While she researched the school before applying, she didn't research the town and its locals.
One interesting local is Jackson. With a painful past of his own, he recognizes when others are carrying something that's weighing their mind down as well. Seeing Ana keep to herself, not laugh or smile has Jackson intrigued, so he approaches carefully. Hoping to meet her and maybe have some coffee, Jackson slips Ana a note (so cute!) and a little romance starts to blossom.
Ana is cautious of Jackson as things around him just don't add up. He wants to see her, but only in secret and she can't ask any questions. She isn't a fan of this at first, however realizes she can impose the same rules and not talk about her past right away either. So she goes with it. Jackson makes her actually feel again, while scary, it's something Ana never thought would happen and it makes her fall fast for the mystery boy.
"in another life I would have stolen your heart and never returned it." ~ Jackson
It just can't be and she doesn't know why. There is something huge in Jackson's past that he is protecting Ana from. She doesn't understand, but as more and more comes out about his family and the town, Ana actually wonders what she's gotten herself into. She feels so alive around Jackson, however she has to decide if her heart can take it.
"Sure, Jackson had started to heal some of the brokenness in me, but now those cracks were slowly being ripped open again, replaced with new scars." ~ Ana
Loyalty and Lies is well written and action packed until the very end. L.A. Cotton did a brilliant job executing the story, leaving me wanting more of Jackson and Ana.
Reviewed for Renee Entress's Blog.