Pocketful of Sand

by M. Leighton

“She’s beauty for my ashes. And I’m hope for her heartache.”—Cole Danzer.I don’t know what makes a great love story. Is it that instant attraction when boy meets girl? The passionate kisses and the fairy-tale ending? Or is it a lifetime of tragedy, paid in advance, for a few stolen moments of pure bliss? The pain and the suffering that, in the end, you can say are worth it for having found the missing piece of your soul? The answer I don’t know. I don’t know what makes a great love story. I only know what makes my love story. I only know that finding Cole when I did, when Emmy and I were running from a nightmare, was the only thing that saved me. That saved us. He was more broken than I was, but somehow we took each other’s shattered pieces and made a whole. If that is what makes a great love story, if that is what makes an epic romance, then mine…ours is the greatest of them all.**Contains some material that some may find disturbing. Intended for mature readers 18 and above**

Genres: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Abuse, Adult, Audiobook

318 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 3, 2015

About the author

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, M. Leighton, is a native of Ohio. She relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she can be near the water all summer and miss the snow all winter. Possessed of an overactive imagination from early in her childhood, Michelle finally found an acceptable outlet for her fantastical visions: literary fiction. Having written over a dozen novels, these days Michelle enjoys letting her mind wander to more romantic settings with sexy Southern guys, much like the one she married and the ones you'll find in her latest books. When her thoughts aren't roaming in that direction, she'll be riding wild horses, skiing the slopes of Aspen or scuba diving with a hot rock star, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.

About Michelle: I love coffee and chocolate, even more so when they are combined. I'm convinced that one day they could be the basis for world peace. I also love the color red and am seriously considering dying my hair.

Reviews

[Aestas Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

::: FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED ::: 4.5 STARS!! :::


What a gorgeous book!! Intense, addictive, equally heart-wrenching and heart-warming, this story captured my heart from the first chapter and is now one of my top favorites! I LOVED IT!!!

From the moment I read this blurb, I just knew this was a book I had to read.

I don’t know what makes a great love story... I only know what makes my love story. I only know that finding Cole when I did, when Emmy and I were running from a nightmare, was the only thing that saved me. That saved us.

He was more broken than I was, but somehow we took each other’s shattered pieces and made a whole. If that is what makes a great love story, if that is what makes an epic romance, then mine… ours is the greatest of them all.

The hero, Cole, was a mysterious and gorgeous man with a devastatingly painful past, and the heroine, Eden, was a single mom of a little girl on the run from a dangerous past. They first met when the girls moved into a beachside cottage that he owned. Their connection was intense, and even from that first moment, their lives changed... I really don't want to tell you too much more about this story though than the blurb because one of the things I loved most about it was the experience of seeing it unfold as I read.

This is one of those almost magical stories where I just felt deeply connected to these characters' right from the beginning and it only got stronger as I kept on reading. I have so much of my book highlighted -- the writing was gorgeous, smooth-flowing, and captivating.

Something about him speaks to me. Calls to me almost. And I can’t shake it… It’s not even the tattoos scrawled up his ribs — the one on the left reading “always”, the one on the right reading “never”. No, there’s something else that brings me here…

He has this intense solitude about him. It’s as though the world has abandoned him. Or maybe that he’s abandoned the world. I can’t put my finger one it…He just appears to be alone. All alone.

I have to admit that books with heroes who are good with kids are my undoing. And guys who fall in love with single moms and both love and accept those children as their own adds this extra layer of emotion. Of course, with the deep pain in Cole's past though, it made this story even more heart-breaking.

“This is my daughter, Emmy.”

“Hi, Emmy,” he greets, his voice softly scratchy as he addresses her. It brings chills to my arms and a lump to my throat. I imagine this is his daddy voice, the one that says you are loved and I would never hurt you. I hear it plain as day and my heart aches for his loss.

The tender kindness and understanding that Cole showed little Emmy (even before he knew what she'd been through) and the way he seemed to intuitively put this child at ease and communicate with her in a way that made her feel comfortable and safe at all times was heart warming to an extreme.

He moves to one side to step around me, letting Emmy drag him to the living room so she can show him her drawing. She picks it up and holds it out to him. He takes the paper gently from her fingers. It looks so small when it’s held in his big hands. He could so easily crumple it, probably crush it into dust, yet he doesn’t. He holds it delicately, as though it’s the most precious thing in the world…

The build up in this book was fantastic -- there were two pasts that we had to learn about. What were Eden and Emmy running from? And what exactly had happened in Cole's past that broke him? And the delicious push/pull between them as this connection between them grew stronger kept my heart racing!

I loved the way they were both quite open with each other. Once they'd established trust, they really genuinely talked with each other. It's such a relief for me when I can really respect the characters' decisions and I loved the way they were both quite expressive with their feelings.

“I don’t have anything to give you. I’m broken. More than I ever though I could be. But you can have what’s left of me. If you want it. You can have what little I have to give.”

I just want to give a little warning that Emmy's past is quite horrifying in a different way than Cole's because what happened to her wasn't an accident -- it was someone's deliberate actions -- and it may potentially be a trigger for some readers.

When Cole revealed his past to Eden, I really appreciated the way she was able to be strong enough to believe in them -- that they could make it despite their pasts. She saw healing when he couldn't, believed he could make it when he didn't, and cared enough to see both of them through it.

“Sometimes I think broken people gravitate toward one another, like our shattered pieces connect on a level that unscarred people never know.”

I loved the ending!! I feel the need to explain that this book can indeed be read as a complete standalone (along with a gorgeous epilogue). There is an option to go onto a second book only if you want, but that is 100% optional. This book reads fully as a standalone with an amazing ending!

Without a doubt, this is one of my new top favorites of the year! I highly recommend it!

Rating: 4.5 stars.
Can be a standalone. Adult romance.


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[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

He was more broken than I was, but somehow we took each other's shattered pieces and made a whole.

I don't know what it is about this book that touched me on such a viscaral level, but I still can't stop thinking about this story or the ending. I've read other books by this author and I already knew she could write, but this book just blew the other ones out of the water. It was THAT good. Emotional, gripping, and unforgettable story of second chances and redemption, this is one story I won't be forgetting any time soon.

Eden is running from a past that still haunts her. Together with her young daughter they finally find the peace they're looking for in a small town on a cabin on the beach. Eden isn't looking for a man in her life. All she wants is stability; stability for her and especially for her daughter. But when they stumble onto a handsome stranger silently building a sandcastle on the beach, Eden and Emmy are both inexplicably drawn to him. Eden doesn't know what it is about the silent and brooding man. Maybe she recognizes his inner turmoil and pain in his eyes? Or maybe it's just a connection that can't be explained with simple chemistry. Whatever the reason may be, she finds her eyes gravitate to him at every chance...

He's capturing me.
And I'm captured.
He wants me.
And I'm all his.
And I love it. I love it all. More than I ever thought I could.

At being just 23 years old, you would think that Eden would be yet another cliche early 20's character. But she was so much more than that. Maybe it's the mother in me that connect with her so much and seeing how much she loved and protected her daughter? She just always had this quiet and unassuming strength to her that was incredibly endearing.

Now Cole....oh my poor broken Cole.

You make me feel all sorts of things. Too many things. Things I never wanted to feel. But you just wouldn't stop. You just. Wouldn't. Stop.

This is a man that you just know has some deep pain. A pain that can only stem from a loss that's so great, the wounds from it will never heal. And he doesn't want it to either. He welcomes the pain, the heartache. That's his atonement for being the cause of his loss.

I loved seeing the relationship slowly develop between these two broken souls. They're both struggling with their own demons, but together they help heal each other's wounds. While it is a slow burn, this story was completely unputdownable for me. I just couldn't get enough of both these characters. While you get bits and pieces of Cole's painful past right away, Eden's doesn't fully come out until the end and boy does it pack a punch.

I loved how the author aged to weave together an incredible intricate story of loss and survival along with a touching and emotional romance.

His lips. I knew they'd taste like heaven. And they do. They're the perfect mixture of firm and soft, and they move over one with a power I always knew him capable of. It prowls in him, just beneath the surface, like a caged animal. Right now, the animal is barely contained.

I really wish I can give you more than that, but it would just take away from the story. This is just one of those books that you would best enjoy going into absolutely blind. This was a very solid 4 star read until that ending. That ending? It brought it up to a 5 star for me for the uniqueness alone. It completely caught me off guard and I found it simply perfect for the book. If you're looking for a unique romance unlike most you've read lately that will capture your heart and make you cry tears of joy and pain right along with the characters, this is a book that NEEDS to be on your TBR. I cannot recommend it enough.


ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review

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[Lady Vigilante (Feifei) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars!

“...He was more broken than I was, but somehow we took each other’s shattered pieces and made a whole. If that is what makes a great love story, if that is what makes an epic romance, then mine…ours is the greatest of them all.”

This part of the blurb grabbed me, and I knew then and there I was going to read this book no matter what. Obviously from my rating I didn’t like it much, but you may very well love it so I encourage anyone who was interested before to give it a shot regardless. I have a feeling this is one of those stories that every reader will interpret a little differently.

I’ll break down the plot of this story in non-spoilery terms. The heroine Eden and her young daughter Emmy are running from their past and arrive in a small town to get a fresh start. Eden’s not ready for a relationship of any kind and she has Emmy’s well-being to consider, but despite those concerns, she still finds herself drawn to the reclusive hero Cole. She sees a brokenness in him that mirrors her own. After a tragedy takes the most important person in his life away, Cole bottles up his thoughts and feelings and doesn’t let anyone get close to him. When he meets Eden and Emmy, he’s inexplicably drawn to the pair and with the three of them always crossing paths in this small town, he finds himself opening up to them.

I can see why so many readers think of this book as an emotional powerhouse. Despite my not liking the story overall, I truly felt for these characters and what they went through, especially poor little Emmy. Little kids in romance stories are my kryptonite and my favorite parts of this book involved Emmy. But aside from this, everything else about the book fell short for me. For starters, the romance was very one-dimensional and had zero depth to it. Almost everything that occurs between Eden and Cole is instantaneous. The author adds in romantic rivals for both of them (side characters Jason and Jordan), and coupled with the seriously horrific pasts both are running from, I don’t see a point where they healed from those traumas to get to the romance. They do have a physical relationship, but Cole is adamant about not building an emotional connection with Eden even though she tries to reach out. On the other hand, the ordeal Eden and Emmy have been through was a huge part of their lives – several years in fact – yet the moment she sleeps with Cole her fears, worries, and insecurities all melt away like it never happened before. This so-called ‘connection’ they have felt forced to me, and I have this strange feeling it only happened this way and it’s supposed to be acceptable because Cole’s the hero and Eden’s the heroine. It’s hard to explain if you haven’t read it, but the way this book is written it’s like the whole world is focused only on Cole and Eden: no background, little plot development, and back-to-back chapters keep droning on about ‘how-they’ve-never-felt-this-way-before’ or ‘I’m-so-attracted-to-him/her.’

At this point in the story, I was floundering around the 3 star range as I didn’t outright hate any part of the book – I just wasn’t connecting to the story like I wanted to. I adored Emmy, and all her interactions with Eden and Cole melted my heart. Then the last quarter of the book happened and I was furious with the way things progressed and wrapped up. It all starts when Eden’s past catches up to her out of NOWHERE and then the author just has to use Emmy’s character as a plot device to direct the story down a road that could’ve been entirely avoidable.

Basically what happens is that the story forks into two directions and as the reader, you’re given the choice to which ‘door’ you want to pick. One is the traditional resolved happy ending that’ll make this book a standalone read for you. Another is the atypical ending that’ll make you scratch your head wondering HUH, and leads into a sequel book you’ll need to read if you want a conclusion for Eden and Cole. My problem with all this?

There was NO NEED for the story to end up as a ‘choose-your-ending’ kind of book.

I went into this book expecting romance, which I sadly didn’t feel the romantic connection between the main characters but that’s okay. I liked the story for what it was worth…up until the total curveball with that second ending. It came out of the blue, no hints were dropped in the story beforehand, and even though I finished reading both endings, I’m feeling very unsatisfied. I mean…WHY? Why turn a romance standalone that had a perfectly wonderful ending into a series? While it was unique, it just didn’t fit the story flow.

If the last quarter of the book didn’t go down the road it did, I could see myself giving this book at least 3 stars because overall it was a solid read. With the way things were wrapped up, however, I have to drop my rating to reflect my disappointment because the story could’ve ended as a standalone, yet it’s being dragged into another book. It doesn’t matter that the author wrote two endings to accommodate different readers; the fact is that an unresolved ending is made a possibility, and going into romance books I like my stories to have decisive endings. If you’re going to make it a cliffhanger, make it a cliffhanger. If you’re going to make it a standalone, make it a standalone. Books with this kind of middle ground that try to appeal to all kinds of readers hardly ever work for me and leave me feeling cheated, like it’s the readers who are dictating the story now, not the author. I’m really sorry, but that’s the way I feel and see things as they went down.

Pocketful of Sand is a contemporary romance unrelated to this author’s other books. Depending on the door you choose at the end of the story, this book will either read as a standalone for you, or you will need to pick up the sequel in order to get closure.

P.S. It may be just me, but Emmy didn’t talk like her age. She sounded like a teenager. It didn’t make me love her any less but that discrepancy stood out to me.

[Jennifer Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 Stars

”We are two broken people, finding strength in each other’s remaining pieces. We’ve both lost so much, paid so dearly for what we have left, for what we were allowed to keep. Maybe just maybe, it’s enough to make a whole. Our pieces. Together.”

I don't know what to rate this book so please bare with me if the rating changes a few times in the next few days. M. Leighton went outside the box with this story and I found it intriguing and the writing was quotable and well done. I enjoyed both main characters, their backstories and even the instant love I didn’t have an huge issue with but was intrigued by their mutual attraction.

”I’m drawn to his pain, to his fury, to his intensity.”

I did however need more of this couple together and found things went kind of quickly with several things I didn’t care for thrown in for dramatic effect. I wish the story developed their relationship MUCH MORE and didn’t include the so not needed Ryan’s return and Cole miraculously showing up in time and I just HATED HATED HATED the near drowning scene. .

The story does have a choose your own ending which one left me feeling the story was very rushed and should have been developed more and the other left me perplexed but probably interested in reading more (if the author develops the characters more and their relationship). I did really like both characters and those pockets full of sand!.

”She’s beauty for my ashes. And I’m hoping for her heartache. We fit. Like we were made for each other.”

[Raj · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 'Cry my eyeballs out' Stars



This book was.....Awe-Fucking-Some. From the vary first page it grabbed my attention and made me fall in love with it. I couldn't help but cry.

Eden is starting fresh. She is starting new with her 6 year old daughter, Emmy.

“Maybe this will finally be a place we can call home. Home safe home.”

Emmy is the reason for Eden's living. Her daughter means everything to her and she would do whatever is in her power to protect and love her.



Emmy was just this cute little thing. She made me cry from the first chapter. I loved that girl, she was just so smart and mature for her age. And she be saying the most fucked up things that will make you cry like a baby.

“Will you promise to try?”
“To try what?”
“To be happy when I’m in heaven.”

Did i mention that she's only 6?

“Some babies aren’t meant to stay down here with their mommas. And their daddies. Some babies are angels. And angels are meant to be in heaven.”

When Eden and Emmy were walking along the water, Emmy spots a guy making a Sand castle. When her and Emmy just stop and watch the man create a sand castle, it was like magic. When he took notice of them and he turned, it was like spark flies. Eden is not attracted to anyone, so why now? Why to this stranger?

I’m not attracted to anyone anymore.
So then why can’t I breathe? Why do I feel like I just fell into a black hole that sucked all the air from the world and dropped hot boulders into my stomach

What is it about Cole?

“What is it about him that pulls me in, that has taken such a hold on me and won’t let go?
What. Is it. About. Cole?”

Cole is a broken man. He is living of guilt. He isolates himself from the world. So what is happening? Why can't he stop thinking of that green-eyed angel and that beautiful women with grey eyes. Can he find happiness? Can he let go of the guilt and the shame and just....live?

What will happen to two broken people? One with a broken mind and one with a broken soul. Can they mend their broken pieces together?

“Sometimes I think broken people gravitate toward one another, like our shattered pieces connect on a level that unscarred people never know.”

This book was just so beautifully written. This is my first time reading this authors work but Hah! Won't be my last.
It was so mesmerizingly beautiful. The plot, the characters and just the book it's self.



I loved Jordan. She was so corky, spunky, funny and easily loved.

“He’s my Mount Everest.”
“How’s that?”
“He’s the one thing I’m determined to climb on top of if it kills me.”




Reread July/20/2015

[Christie«SHBBblogger» · Rating 4 out of 5]

**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**



Title: Pocketful of Sand
Series: Standalone
Author: M. Leighton
Release date: March 15, 2015
Rating: 4 stars



Going into this book, I wasn't too sure what the story was going to be about besides the fact that both main characters were dealing with troubled pasts. The synopsis doesn't tell you much more than that and I was pretty curious to see how it would play out. Although, I figured it was a safe bet to say that this book would be an emotional and possibly angst-filled read and that's just what I was in the mood for. I'll tell you straight away, this book is most definitely filled with emotion and heart, though at times it did drag a little slow in the middle for me. I fought the urge to skim in parts, but not necessarily because of any issues.

The basic plot is just something I've read many times over-two broken people finding each other and helping one another heal.



The heroine is in hiding with her daughter and the hero has become somewhat of a recluse, imprisoning himself in a painful past that he doesn't want to forgive himself for. I was kind of expecting something shocking, possibly a twist, and that's what kept me reading steadily until the very end despite my attention wanting to wander.

My anxiety level did shoot up early on-I had an ominous feeling about the ending and it wouldn't stop niggling me no matter how I tried to ignore it. Notice I left off the HEA and Cliffhanger stats? That's not an accident. Because the ending isn't easily explained. It's not clearcut and simple. I'm not giving any spoilers, but I will say that the author's choice for the ending is unorthodox and raised my rating for her creativity. And that's all I'm gonna say about that. You have to find out for yourself, it's meant to be experienced and unspoiled.



Cole and Eden meet while she's walking with her young daughter. Cole is building a sandcastle on a lonely stretch of beach and when he turns around and looks into her eyes, they both have an immediate deep visceral and unexplained reaction to each other. It's unsettling, heart pumping, and tense all at the same time. These two had some potent moments-no words needed.

I welcome it, welcome him. I'm not even going to deny it. I crave him like I crave sunshine and air and water and love. His scent, his taste, they weave a sensual spell around me, flooding my blood with heat and need.

Maybe it was each of them sensing a twin soul in each other's eyes, but every time they got in the same room together the tension that crackled between them was tangible.



Their painful pasts are revealed and as they slowly reach out to each other. They're both victims of extreme tragic pasts, they had quite an impact on me and I've read quite a few sob stories over the years reading romance. I hurt for both of them which made the uncertain ending even more nerve-wracking. While I wouldn't say I loved these characters, I did like them. I rooted for them, and wanted to see them find their brighter futures together. M. Leighton has given us an emotionally driven story written in a vivid and stirring way that touches on the resiliency of the human spirit and the restorative powers of love. Overall, I enjoyed it, especially spin she put on the end. I would definitely read more from this author in the future.



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[Kelli C · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 My heart is Full Stars

This was quite possibly M. Leighton's finest work. With heartbreaking despair, second chances and redemption it is a book as beautiful as it is tragic. As a reader it sucked me into a realm of emotion and held me captive.



Pocketful of Sand introduces Cole and Emmy. These two broken souls do not have anything different from those in other damaged love stories. Each have past tragedy. Each have a void in their souls. Neither is looking to fill those voids. What makes them unique? For me, it is a deep rooted connection and developing love stemming from a child. One girl far away in a place of peace, gone too soon. The other a quiet soul whose presence begs for goodness...for happiness.

I could never recap the story without taking away the magic. So I say that this is emotional and tragic. I will also say that it is chalk-full of insta-everything. From first encounters and glances, small touches, to the complete claiming of hearts, Cole and Emmy are in deep.

"I can't think. I can't eat. I can't even grieve anymore. It's all about you. Everything is about you. ~ Cole"

"He's capturing me. And I'm captured. He wants me. And I'm his. And I love it. I love it all. More than I ever thought..." ~ Emmy



"My past-black nothingness, lurking, stalking, mocking. My present-warm, golden, promising. Alive without stopping."

Moments and statements like these just get to me. I overlooked the insta-feels and embraced this story like crazy. Cole and Emmy were an enigma to me as M. Leighton made a connection so much more than libido driven. The simple happiness and smile from Emmy's daughter was a drawing force to them and for that I applaud the author. In NO WAY does that mean that the intimacy was amiss! Cole not only stole Emmy's soul but he owned and worshipped her body like no one ever could. There was passion, heat, panty dropping moments wow...no lack of steam at all!

Overall, I completely loved it. I loved the deep rooted emotion and the dark sad quality that was always on the edge of becoming overwhelming. I loved the push and pull of want, the good and the bad of times past. I especially loved the pain and pleasure and the loss and survival...Oh the overall redemption of two surviving souls!



He was more broken than I was, but somehow we took each other’s shattered pieces and made a whole. If that is what makes a great love story, if that is what makes an epic romance, then mine…ours is the greatest of them all.

[AJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Obviously I’m in the minority with this one, but this book just did not work for me. I’m normally a fan of broken people finding each other and healing. But in this case I think there was just too much drama. It started off promisingly, but the love story happened too quickly for me, and as the character’s pasts were revealed and the story played out, I got more and more disconnected.



Eden and her young daughter, Emmy, have just moved to a small coastal town. Running from the horrors of their past, Eden is determined to start afresh and provide a happy and stable life for Emmy, who requires a lot of her attention.

While walking along the cold beach one day, they see a man building an elaborate sandcastle. He is gorgeous, but seems distant and closed off, but Eden is immediately intrigued by him. From talking to townfolk, she learns that his name is Cole and that he is dealing with his own traumatic past. And after a few run ins, intense staring, and unexpected visits, it very quickly becomes clear that he is equally as drawn to her.

Sometimes I think broken people gravitate toward one another, like our shattered pieces connect on a level that unscarred people never know.

Things develop very quickly between Eden and Cole. Their encounters may be brief, but each one affects them deeply , pulling them closer and closer together. The chemistry between them sizzles, and they are both only too keen to explore that. But there are intense feelings mixed in with all of the mad lust.

He’s capturing me.
And I’m captured.
He wants me.
And I’m all his.
And I love it. I love it all. More than I ever thought I could.

There are some issues for Eden to overcome in order for them to be together, but Cole is patient and gentle with her, while still being sexy as all hell. And he’s amazing with Emmy - Eden’s daughter is also struggling, but Cole is amazing with her. It melted me to see them together. But as wonderful as he is, Cole is broken. His hurts are deep and all-consuming and he had no intention of meeting somebody and falling for them, but he couldn’t help himself. And Eden wants him regardless of all that.

“I don’t have anything to give you, Eden. I’m broken. More than I ever thought I could be. But you can have what’s left of me. If you want it. You can have what little I have to give.”
“That’s all I want, Cole. That’s all I want.”

The level of emotion is uber intense. Don’t get me wrong, it’s beautiful, romantic, and incredibly emotional for them- it just moved a bit too fast for me to really feel it.

And then the drama…

Cole’s backstory is tragic, and I completely understand his brokenness. But the continual back and forth between his need to be with Eden and his need to wallow in his torment just got a little bit too much for me.

I never wanted to feel again. Anything. Anything at all, other than that gut-wrenching sadness that reminds me of what happened. Of who I am and what I did. I never wanted to feel hope or love or desire again. I don’t deserve to feel. At least not anything good. I only deserve pain and heartache and sadness. And guilt. Suffocating guilt.

*sigh* And when Cole decided that he needed to let go of Eden and the love that he was feeling so intensely so that he could live his life in misery to atone for his past, I just couldn’t deal .

It was at this point that I actually put the book down because rather than feeling heartbroken, I was just annoyed. And just in case my mood was affecting my reaction to the book, I went off to read something else. But then I came back to this one, and felt exactly the same.

And then there was the ending, which I thought was overly-dramatic and seemed very out-of-the-blue. The sudden reappearance of Ryan, the fight, Emmy running away, Emmy almost drowning, Cole saving her life… yeah, just too much.

And I’m not too sure how I feel about the ‘choose your own ending’ thing. I honestly think it’s a little weird. Of course I went for the option of the happy ending, rwhich was sweet. And then I read the alternate ending (leading to a sequel) out of curiosity, and all I can say is… WTF? Needless to say, I won’t be grabbing for that one when it’s released.

I’m disappointed, because I really wanted to love this book. It seems that a lot of other readers are falling in love with it, which is great, and I can certainly see the appeal. But there was just too much in the way for me to really connect with the characters and get swept up in the story like I wanted.

2.5 stars. It was ok.

[Shelly Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cole. Cole. Cole.

My, my, my.

I haven't been this affected and yet, not...upset and irritated by a book guy in such a long time. I was SO thankful and grateful and HAPPY with how Michelle pulled Cole off. I was worried, naturally, from the first page, when he comes off with the attitude and off-kilter sexiness that you know is going to drive her wild and be this un-contained beast throughout the book. BUT instead of making him the complete jerk that he could have been, and that I see SO much in books lately and I'm getting pretty tired of it actually, she used his pain and made him something we see in each of ourselves, something so real and tangible it lifted right off the page.

Eden and Emmy were real and adorable and heart-wrenching. What happened to them was awful and should never happen to anyone. Mixing their story's heartbreak with Cole's was just like two flames mixing together, the blue and the red, the hot and the hotter, but they somehow stabilized and make it work.

I've read other books on the subject of physical/sexual abuse and for me they all tried to take it all too far or make the story seem like it was all focused on that. Michelle makes the story focus on what came AFTER. And that's exactly what she told me while we were texting about the book - I wanted the story to focus on the fallout, the recovery, the "getting better", not the abuse. That's not what the story should be about.

And the book was different. Completely. It doesn't follow the normal formula, #hallelujah, it doesn't follow the normal quirks, #hallelujah, and it doesn't follow the normal pitfalls, #HALLELUJAH!

When these two get together? Yikes, the sparks burned my fingers. When he looks and says things to her daughter? Your heart will melt right out of your chest. When he finally "gets it"? The big FINAL it?? *sigh* Your entire body might explode from happiness, so watch out nearby family.

Okay... Now, this is going to be one of those things that I know is going to be an amazing series once I finish. But it was also an amazing stand-alone. How is that possible? Because Michelle lets your choose your ending. You can either pick the one that lets you end it as a stand-alone, or you can pick the one that lets you continue on with the story and get so much more mystery out of it.

I, of course, can't let a mystery go. I read both endings. And WOW. I was happy with the stand-alone ending, but when I read the continue-to-next-book ending, I wanted to call Michelle up on my cell, because I had been texting her all day as I read this ARC, and say "How could you do this!!" LOL

One word?? Phenomenal.

I will not deter you from reading the stand-alone ending. I was so content with it. Completely. But if you read the other ending, TRUST ME, you will not be able to unsee it, unread it, unthink it. It's in there, in your brain. You're screwed. Other ending, obliterated.

You. Have. Been. Warned.

A big 5 out of 5 stars from me.

This book will take all the rules that you think you know of the way a book boyfriend is supposed to act and obliterate them. It haunts, it hurts in your guts, it makes you feel it in your toes, it reaches in your lungs and it makes you breathe again.

[Mizz · Rating 1 out of 5]

WHY?! WHY?! WHY?! WHY?! WHY?! WHY?! WHY?! WHY?! WHY?!...
WHY go into explicit detail about the h's sexual abuse and rape since she was 14yrs old AND EXPLICITLY describe her 4yr old daughter's sexual abuse????????????????????????????

THIS STORY WOULD HAVE BEEN FINE WITHOUT THE EXPLICIT DETAIL of sexual abuse

ALSO...the H is married to OW throughout the book AND he cheated on his wife since he got married to her, with multiple women

[Sera · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75/5 stars

I really liked the premise of the story and I liked the beginning and found it promising. But after that it just went way too fast, too much "insta-love".. and some other things....



Things I liked:
- Emmy... She was very cute and I liked her
- The beginning of the story
- The beach
- The main characters: I liked them both seperately from each other.

Things I didn't like:
- How fast their relationship develops. He is a hermit for years but all of a sudden he's not anymore. All of a sudden they're having sex and are always together. It just wasn't a really natural progression and felt a bit forced.
- Some things just came out of nowhere and took away from the story instead of adding to it. For example: All of a sudden him being married - not cool. The whole thing with Emmy's dad showing up... it came out of nowhere
and wasn't even really that resolved. I mean... it's a huge thing for her and Emmy and it's just brushed aside like an after thought. Also the thing that happens with Emmy near the end... I find it hard to believe that a girl who is so wise for her age would do that.
- The ending(s)... it was just weird. The happy ending was a little rushed and felt unfinished. The second ending was so weird and kind of ruined the book for me.

All in all, I think this book lacks some much needed depth and I think it's a shame, because I really wanted to like it too. Oh well, can't win them all I guess.

[Smitten's Book Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars for Cole & Eden.
★★★

My Casting:
Cole
Eden

*sigh* I hate it when everyone is raving about a book and I'm just left feeling barely lukewarm about it. That's what happened with Pocketful of Sand.

This is the tragic story of a single mother, who is on the run from her secrets and a broken hero, who has his own set of demons, coming together to heal one another's wounds, left by their traumatic pasts.

“I think broken people gravitate toward one another, like our shattered pieces connect on a level that unscarred people never know.”

I mean, it was ok. I didn't dislike it. But I almost felt that Eden and Cole's relationship development was a bit blink-and-you'll-miss-it. One minute Cole was a mysterious, apparently crazy, almost-mute stranger and then the next thing you know, they're bumping uglies. I kind of felt like, with their fragility, they needed a slow burn and the chance to build a solid foundation that they would be sure wouldn't crumble. I didn't get that, at all.

And can I just say, what the hell kind of genius is Eden's little girl? Like, seriously, what six-year-old notices the way adults look at one another?? Most six-year-olds I know are oblivious to life beyond their toy box!!

And the ending.... Erm, sorry, what?! I wasn't a fan of the 'choose your own ending' malarkey. The author gives you two option. One leads to a happy ending and one leads to a cliffhanger that makes way for a second book. When I read, I just want to lose myself in the book. Part of the beauty of being told a story is that you don't have to make any choices for the characters and the author just sweeps you up in their world. It kind of pulls me out of that world when I have to make a decision about the story. I makes it less realistic and believable to know that there is the possibility of two different endings. In my opinion, the characters should dictate, not only to the reader, but to the author, what happens in their story. There shouldn't be options!!

“She’s beauty for my ashes. And I’m hope for her heartache. We fit. Like we were made for each other.”

So, because I didn't want to make the choice, I read both options. The first is sweet and offers a happy ending and a conclusion to Cole and Eden's story. The second... What. The. Actual. Eff?! Obviously I don't want to include spoilers, but ARE YOU SHITTING ME?! What the hell?! I'll be interested to see the reviews of book #2 when it comes out, because I can't even imagine where the author is going with that ending!



My blog: http://smittensbookblog.wordpress.com/

[NinaReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Heartbreaking Stars!!!

Really liked it! And the ending...it's...unique!


The whole story had an undercurrent of sadness but when these two broken people find each other, and they gravitate towards each other, you can’t help but root for them both to find some peace, to find some hope of something better, with each other.

We can sense early on that Eden and her daughter, Emmy, are running away from a terrible past. Walking on the beach of their new hometown, they see Cole building a sandcastle looking lost and alone. Eden is disturbed at the pull she feels towards the stranger. Where Eden thought that she could never feel attraction for anyone anymore, she finds that she’s extremely aware of Cole.

The pull, the awareness, was instant. It was magnetic and unexplainable. Their relationship felt like it was going too fast and only a physical attraction missing that element of something more meaningful but then the author managed to slow it down some and their past were slowly unveiled. And they were separately devastating and unthinkable.

I do have a soft spot for a man who falls in love with a single mother and her child. And I found Cole that much sexier because he understood what was best for Eden’s daughter and never pushed and let Emmy set the boundaries to what she was comfortable with.

Where once Cole was comforted in his misery and Eden's only focus in life are hers and Emmy's safety, they found something beyond misery and fear in each other.

"We are two broken people, finding strength in each other's remaining pieces. We've both lost so much, paid so dearly for what we have left, for what we were allowed to keep. Maybe, just maybe, it's enough to make a whole. Our pieces. Together."

This is not a fun and light read. It's about two broken people resigned to their misery and fate, tied to their pasts, but unexpectedly find each other and try to navigate their way to each other, to shed some of the chains of the past and find hope for a better future.

The ending of this book is unique. It has a nice HEA ending and can be read as a fully complete standalone...............or not. :)

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do I tell you just how amazing a book is especially when it is one that took me on a beautiful emotional roller coaster ride??
When it is a book that as you begin from page one, you can feel the story slowly weaving itself into the fabric of your soul...knowing that once you are done...this book will be a part of you no matter what...
Well, Pocketful of Sand did just that...
I seriously went through so much in this book...And no surprise since this is a M. Leighton novel. But, truly, this book eased it's way in to my heart. I laughed...I got excited...I had to fan myself from the HOT and STEAMY moments...and I cried...
Gah...I cried...more than one time I might add...and let me tell you...I can count how many books that have made me cry on one hand and this one hit me at least three times...Were they sad tears?? Joyful tears?? Sorry...not gonna say..But I will tell you..A book that I can connect with, that evokes such strong emotions from me, truly shows the brilliant talent that has been written in the pages of this book.
The beautiful love story that is laid out in front of us produces a strong connection to the intense well developed characters of Cole and Eden.
Right from the beginning you are pulled in to Eden's life and are ever curious as to why she is where she is at this moment. I adore Eden and not only is she trying to find her footing in this world, she is a wonderful single mother to the stunning little Emmy...
These two captured my heart with amazing scenes that once you find out more of the backstory; will leave you reeling...
But lets bring in Cole and discuss how much of an impact he brings on their lives...
He, who already has a past full of baggage, fights the attraction he has with Eden...yet with each moment they come in contact with each other, the electrifying chemistry of these two explodes off the pages...
BUT...I don't want to give too much...and if you think this story is an easy cut and dry HEA...well, guess what??
SURPRISE...OHHHH MY WORD....M. Leighton does something that I have not seen before and BAM...I am totally going crazy here...
Again..I can't tell more...Ahhhhhh!!!!!
You MUST READ THIS BOOK!!!!

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! So good!

I’m such a character driven reader. I need great characters. This author doesn’t disappoint me ever with her character and Pocketful of Sand is no exception

When you have two broken…no three broken people, can they combine their broken pieces to make one family? Only if they let each other in and trust. That’s a problem for Eden, she doesn’t trust anyone. She has great reasons for it. And no, we don’t get to know what they are right away.

Cole feels guilt. So much guilt that he pushes everyone away to live in his grief. He has great reasons too. We know parts of his guilt but not all right away.

This story is a masterful puzzle that displays the beautiful story one piece at a time. The author tells us enough to understand the characters but not all the details. The combination held my interest so well that I read it pretty much straight through.

I love this author’s style of mixing just enough summary to move the live story along at a great pace. I never felt like I missed a moment. I was anxious to get to the next meeting with Cole and Eden. And this was a perfect style to make that happen.

I adored Emmy. My heart broke for her stress and anxiety. When I discovered the cause, my mama bear claws were out in full force. This character…all of these characters invoked strong emotions in me.

An interesting twist turns up near the end. I’m not sure I want to even explain but it had me both satisfied and interested in what else may come. That’s something that just doesn’t happen for me. Only a brilliant story teller can pull that off.

Some books that bring the broken characters are emotional and hard to read. This one was emotional but not hard to read. I raced through it and loved every minute.

If you’ve ever read M. Leighton before, you will definitely want to get this one soon. If you’ve never experienced this awesome author’s stories, then you want this one next. It’s romance at it’s best. Her books have it all. Don’t miss it.

[Veronika's ReaderFeeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

It was pretty good, but the drama part was really-really too much, and Eden's past still makes me shiver. :(( But I still highly recommend it!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where to start? This book hurt my heart. The story, the characters, the premise of it all, just wow. I've always loved M. Leighton's books, but this one just blew me away. If you haven't grabbed it yet, what are you waiting for. You won't be able to put it down. Incredible.

[Nyra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly don't know what to think about this book. I seriously don't know how to rate this or what to even to say about it.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was immediately pulled into this story and became enthralled. It was intriguing, beautifully written, and brought out many emotions. It had me wondering and guessing and just feeling and anticipating.

This is the story of two damaged people. One quick meeting was all it took to trigger extreme awareness between Eden and Cole. But he is broody, distant, closed off and isolated. He is broken and does not want to feel anything at all. But Eden and her daughter Emmy seem to pull him in.

It's as though the world has abandoned him. Or maybe that he's abandoned the world.

Cole refuses to let himself even think of being happy due to his past pain and guilt. But he also can't stop thinking about Eden. He is so intense and he resists and hides. But once he decides to do something, he is determined.

Part of me is wondering what I might find in the cottage up ahead, but another part of me is remembering why I never wanted to feel again. If I feel anything, I have to feel everything. The good and the bad. The peaceful and the painful.

Eden has trust issues and secrets. She is raising her daughter Emmy on her own and she is fiercely protective of who she lets in their lives. But she is completely entranced by the loner, Cole despite her better judgment.

...something about him speaks to me. Calls to me almost. And I can't shake it.

They both are so drawn to each other that it consumes them despite their personal reservations. I could literally feel the intensity and connection that they could not resist or deny. It just built at a slow boil until I just knew eventually it would boil over.

"I can't think. I can't eat. I can't even grieve anymore. It's all about you. Everything is about you."

For two broken people coming together can be a beautiful thing, but it can also be challenging and painful. There were secrets and fears. There were demons pulling at them and unknown threats. It was a powerful journey of passion, love, healing, heartbreak, and hope. There was history that was slowly revealed that broke my heart. I felt sadness, anger, hopelessness, and even the fear that Eden did. Both of their situations were so different, but equally traumatic.

Sometimes I think broken people gravitate toward one another, like our shattered pieces connect on a level that unscarred people never know...Maybe that's why I'm so irrefutably drawn to him. He may be the most broken one of all.

And it was not just a story of a couple, but also that of a little girl needing love, stability, and safety. And a man who at times did not feel like he had the capacity to offer it to either of them, when in fact he might be the only one who could. But he was torn between holding on versus letting go and remembering. Emmy was a scene stealer, even when quiet she could light up the interactions with her sweet innocence and loving gestures.But she was also wise beyond her years.

I was enjoying the beach location and very interesting side characters. I was completely immersed in Cole and Eden's growing feelings, connection, and how they were tying to break free from their pasts and move forward. Then wham! My heart is in my chest. I am totally breathless in anticipation and I was scared it was going to end and leave me hanging. But I really love how she chose to end this book. I don't want to say too much, but know you will be satisfied and it will leave you with a complete story. I do know that I am an instant gratification kind of girl so that is important to me, but then I am usually intrigued by more from characters I love too.

M. Leighton totally nailed these complex characters and brought their emotions, fears, and personalities to life. It was told in dual points of view and even when Cole's sections were shorter, they still held such impact. She wrote an engaging, emotional, thought provoking story with secrets and mysteries that were heart wrenching once revealed. I was totally invested in these characters and their story. This was a different type of story for M. Leighton and I think it might be her best yet.

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Rhea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I crave him like I crave sunshine and air and water and love. His scent, his taste, they weave a sensual spell around me, flooding my blood with heat and need.

I wasn’t too sure about reading Pocketful of Sand. It sounded like any other contemporary New Adult, but also not. It looked like just another book with a pretty cover, but not quite. Something about the synopsis called to me, and I answered.

And I definitely, definitely am damn glad that I did.



Pocketful of Sand begins with Eden Taylor, who has just moved to Millers Pond, Maine, with her daughter Emmy. Both have gone through a series of disturbing events, and moving away from their past in order to start afresh was the best thing to do.

One day, both mother and daughter spot Cole Danzer on the beach, busy building a sand castle. The handsome local recluse notices the duo, frowns and goes back to his work. There begins a story of love, life and moving on.

The book is in a multiple POV, but not really, because there isn’t too much of Cole’s POV that we get to read. And that worked out just perfectly for me because I fell in love with Eden’s voice in an instant. She was a smart, sensitive woman, whose love for her daughter was not only humbling, but also awe-worthy. And then there was Emmy herself, who while being highly intelligent for her age was also scared and unsure of anything. Understandable, considering the trauma she’d been though, but that didn’t stop her from being my favorite character in the novel <3

The best thing about this book is the way the characters healed from their past. In their own way, each person of the trio needed each other, and they found a way to stay in each other’s lives without wrecking their own. Sure there was some drama and a lot of tears and sometimes I didn’t appreciate it. But in the end, the entire point of the book was to show that people could grow and heal and learn to love again.



I’ve fallen for M. Leighton’s writing so hard, so fast, it’s not even funny. From her descriptions of what Eden sees to the things Cole makes her feel…everything, just everything was perfect. Pocketful of Sand deals with a lot of issues that are hard to read about, terrible to imagine, but the author has managed to make the reader feel what the characters are feeling.

If you can read certain scenes that are triggers and find that mild angst and romance is your thing, Pocketful of Sand is definitely for you!





*I was provided a free ecopy of this book in exchange of an honest review. This did not in any way, however, influence the content of this review.*

[The Geekery Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only thing the author could have done to enhance the experience of reading this would have been to include a box of tissues with each purchase. Michelle, you need to get on that!! ;-)I swear I went through a whole box while reading it, and thinking about writing this has me started on another.

I'm just going to give you 3 reasons why you should read Pocketful of Sand:

Reason 1: Cole, Eden, and Emmy.

Cole: Yes, he's hot, ripped, dreamy...you get the point!! After all, this IS a M. Leighton book we're talking about, so you expect nothing less. BUT, he's also SO much more!! He's sweet, kind, lost, and tortured. You want to take him home and make everything better. From the towns misconception of him, to his nightmare that he's constantly reliving, he definitely pulls at the heart strings.

Eden and Emmy: Oh my word!! Both of them are just the sweetest things ever. Running from a rough past, they both have to decide if they want to open their hearts, and their lives, to Cole or not. Their journey through this book will wrap them around your heart for good. I'm definitely looking forward to more of them!!

Reason 2: In every angst-y (is that a word??) book you read, you need someone to despise. Pocketful of Sand has a couple of options for you. I can't remember reading a book in recent years that had such a despicable antagonist. My heart still races thinking about it!!

Reason 3: Pocketful of Sand has such a great ending (or two)!! The author was brilliant in how she did this. Remember those Encyclopedia Brown books they had, where you got to pick the ending? That's what you get here. You hate cliffhangers?? No problem. Just follow door number one. You want more, another book to the series?? You got it. Just follow door number two. Me?? I'm the person who has to try REALLY hard to not read the end of the book first, so I took door number one first, then braced myself, and went through door number two. It's a such a brilliant concept, and one that was pulled off expertly!!

Part way through I made a note about how you experience such a variety of emotions while reading this, but like two pages later Cole summed the whole book up when he said, "I experience a collision of emotion when Emmy steps cautiously out of her mother's arms and walks toward me." I could NOT find any better words to describe Pocketful of Sand than "a collision of emotions". Definitely read this, but be sure to have that box of tissues ready. You're going to need it!!

[Brittany Gloss · Rating 5 out of 5]

***I received an ARC for my honest review***

I have been struggling for weeks to find the words to describe this book. I've started and stopped this review so many times I feel like I'm going crazy. It's so different from anything that Leighton has written before, and I mean that in the best possible way.

The book tells the story of Eden and Emmy. A young mother and daughter duo, who are looking to begin a fresh start in a small New England town. I loved Eden. From the start you can tell there is far more to her story than what meets the eye. She has her baggage, but Leighton breathes this beautiful silent strength into the character. She's an amazing woman and mother, but she makes mistakes. She's kind, but not a doormat. She's everything I look for in a female lead.

Naturally, early on in the book, she meets the town outsider Cole. He's one of the most beautifully flawed characters I've read in a long time. He's emotional, but not weak. He's strong, but soft. And he of course falls head over heels for Eden.

The beauty though is that the relationship slowly develops. I love when authors allow characters to come together at a natural pace that doesn't feel forced. We the reader are able to watch the relationship grow. To see why these characters fit together like two puzzle pieces.

The book goes back and forth between Eden and Cole's POV. I love when authors do this because as the reader it gives you a perspective that you wouldn't get if you were only in one or the others head. In the case of this book, I also think it helped to more clearly see and understand the story than if we had only been in Eden or Cole's head for the whole book.

I've read all of Leighton's other books and have loved each and every one of them, but this just felt different. Without sounding condescending or pretentious, this book had a maturity that none of her others have had before. It felt raw and real in all of the best possible ways. There were moments when reading Leighton's words that you could almost feel she had left a piece of her heart on that page, and as the reader you couldn't help but allow them to bleed into your system. This story stayed with me long after I turned the last page.

If you have read Leighton's work before, then I can assure you that you won't be disappointed. However, if this is your first read of hers then I can't think of a better book to start with than Pocket Full of Sand.

[Linda ❤️ Sassy, Classy && a Little Bit of Nasty · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars... Review coming

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another great story by m leighton. From the moment I started reading, I had so many questions that kept me wanting to read until the end. When I first started reading it, It felt a little bit similar to some other favorites such as safe haven and archers voice, just because of the hiding away in a small town in a small house, but it had a feel to it that you knew was going to give you a completely different yet captivating story. After you learn more of eden's life, all you want is for her to have someone that will make her feel happy and safe. She deserved to finally feel that way after living a life without it. She did find happiness with Emmy, but she was on her own and had the worry of keeping them both safe and wanting her little to girl to have everything that she never had. You wanted Cole to be that person that made her feel like she could finally let her guard down and know that he would be there to protect them also. I loved her relationship with Emmy and the bond they grew from being dependent on each other, you could feel the love between the two of them throughout the whole story. Even though she had such great happiness with Emmy, I felt that it was time for her and Emmy to have someone else in their lives that could bring them more future happiness. I think Eden also needed the type of happiness that came from having someone as her partner and friend. With Cole's past you understand why he's living the way he is, but after he realized he couldn't stay away from Eden and begins a relationship with her, you want Cole to give Eden his all especially after hearing her story. And that's what your left with feeling and hoping he can give. The two endings definitely shocked me and I had to be the person that needs to read them both. I loved the ending of the book and was thrilled with how it all came together. It was a great HEA. Before reading the other ending, I was just thinking awe man, but their so happy and they all got what they deserve, but let me see what this is about anyway. Now I'm stuck thinking when is this next book coming out lol.

[Donna ~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished Pocketful of Sand and I felt my heart splinter and get put back together!! It was beautiful, the story kept me guessing as to what happened to make them that broken. Revealed in such a way that made my heart break for them. Another brilliant, heart-felt read from Michelle Leighton!!

Pocketful of Sand is a must read! You must meet Cole and Eden and let's not forget Emmy....scene stealer on more than one occasion. I knew that this book was going to captivate me when I saw the cover. I know...you shouldn't judge a book by a cover but this one is just breathtaking and I had to know the meaning behind "Pocketful of Sand". Michelle took this story beyond my expectations, wrapping me up between the pages with angst, tension, chemistry, mystery and the need to know.....why?

I wondered from the beginning what had happened to both Emmy and Eden as well as Cole. Why are these truly beautiful people so haunted and damaged? Why are they in self imposed isolation? Will they ever find happiness? I had my theories but was flooded with emotions when their plights were revealed. Tissues required.

Cole and Eden's connection was almost like a quiet current running through them. Neither knew why but they felt so connected to one another. Emmy....the catalyst that sparks a fire of emotions that neither of them can deny. Cole finds that he is possessive of both Eden and Emmy but cannot verbalize why. With the heavy weights of their pasts bearing down on them will Cole and Eden find a way to push the past down and allow their feelings to rise to the surface?

I don't want to give away the story or the premise behind it. GO grab your copy and experience their journey for yourself. It is one most definitely worth taking. Which path will you choose? #1click and find out!

[Teresa Mary Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

More Reviews Here: Readers Live A Thousand Lives

On paper this book seems like your typical contemporary romance, but trust me when I tell you it is completely unprecedented and like nothing you have ever read before. This book will knock your socks off. The story is addictive, the characters are amazing, and the romance is heart melting.

Every single character in this book wormed their way into my heart. I adored Eden for her strength and how she loved her daughter above all else. My heart broke for Cole and I wanted to fix his broken pieces. And Emmy was an absolute sweetheart and you can’t help but love her. There is so much more I want to say about them but I am having trouble finding the right words.

Pocketful of Sand was so much more than I was expecting. Being that I love all of Michelle’s books, that is saying a lot. Just when you think you know where the story is going… guess again because you have no idea. It’s just soooooo good and you keep turning pages and then you turn one more page and the book smacks you in the face.

There isn’t much else I can say about this book without getting spoilery. Just know it is an absolutely wonderful and breathtaking story that will hook you from beginning to end. Michelle’s writing continues to get better and better and in this one her writing is simply gorgeous. There were so many beautiful passages with beautiful imagery.

All in all, Pocketful of Sand is a book I want to push on everyone. Just read it. You will not be disappointed.

[Tangerine]

DNF @ 37%


This is the first time that I have ever hit the "request a refund" button on a book. I really wanted to like this one. I'm frustrated that I wasn't liking it. That blurb!? It's really good. Right?! I thought, "Hell, yes! This is my kind of read!" Sadly, I had to put this one down. I wanted to put it down at 20% but wanted to give it a little while longer. Sometimes it takes a minute to get into a story. I knew at 37% that I couldn't keep going, I wasn't liking anything about it. Everything is very instant. Every other page was filled with "he's beautiful and manly." Insta-love is a no-go for me. On the occasion that I do read one it has to be done right. You still have to feel the connection. I didn't. I didn't like the side characters, Jason and Jordan, they were ridiculous. Jason was creepy and Jordan was in her thirties acting like an 18 yr. old. So much didn't work with this book that I don't even have time to keep listing. I did spoil myself on the ending and now I'm really glad I didn't finish this. Those kind of endings make no sense to me. I don't like them for personal reasons.

Don't use my review to decide on if you want to read this one. You might like it. I didn't finish it so, maybe, just maybe it got better.

[Anna Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 This Made A Great Love Story Stars!

Pocketful of Sand was way more than I was expecting.
All the reviews were somewhat vague, so I went into this not really knowing what was going to transpire throughout the book. I thought it would be your average romance, however, that is not the case at all, this book really took me by surprise. The two main characters themselves were completely and utterly amazing, and their story was devastatingly heartwarming.

I don't what to be a spoily sport, but just know this, the story was absolutely breathtaking. Cole and Eden's journey along with Emmy (Eden's daughter) stole my heart. Eden's strength and love for her daughter touched my heart on so many levels that there are just no words to describe it. Cole, goodness my heart broke for this man. If there was ever a time when I wanted to reach through a book and hug someone it was Cole.

I will say that just when you think you know how this will end, surprise, surprise ... I have personally never read an ending like that.

This book hooked me from beginning to end, take a chance on this beautiful story you won't be disappointed.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF

It had so much potential to be amazing until the ending where the author gave us 2 doors/alternatives..a HEA one (which I didnt read..I didnt see the point?) and a cliffhanger one. This was just confusing and ruined it for me. Gave it 3 stars because the book was good until that point sadly!