A Whisper Of Solace

by K.J. Coakley

Will

I read somewhere there were five official stages of grief.

Denial: I lived in this state for the last two years. If I didn’t allow myself to believe my wife was gone, then I didn’t have to accept it.

Anger: I was pissed…at everything.

Bargaining: I would continue on the journey that Sophia and I had begun—when I was ready.

Depression: I felt hollow inside.

Acceptance: When I met Kara Murphy, I finally accepted that maybe I was meant to love again. But then, everything changed.

Kara

I saw a show on TV that said there were four stages of Battered Women Syndrome.

Denial: It took me almost ten years to finally admit to myself that my husband was an abusive ass.

Guilt: It was all my fault—until it wasn’t.

Enlightenment: It was time to escape.

Responsibility: The day I met Will Scott was the day it all changed. But just when I thought I was taking back my life—it all came crashing down.

Genres: Romance

Unknown Binding

Published May 27, 2017

About the author

I live a life where I play many roles...as most women do when they are a wife, mother, and caretaker of a rowdy dog with an appetite for furniture. But when I'm not working my day job, or spending time with my family, I can be found glued to my laptop where I love to create worlds with sexy alpha males and brazen heroines. I'm also an avid fan of heavy metal and rock music, and regularly attend music festivals with my better half.

Reviews

[Johnnie-Marie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was unlike anything I have read before. I was so thrown out of my zone with this. I mean sure I have read stories about abuse and what not but hott damn did this one just blow my mind. The ending let's just say does a complete 180 on you hell its does a 180 in the middle of the story, your edge of the seat reading at that point. I was beyond shocked on ever single page I loved it over and over again. Some pieces I felt really sad or upset but that's just how great the author wrote the story you felt what the characters are felling at that moment in time. This is not like any romance story she has written before it's so much better with dealing with all the very high emotions on every page to being overwhelmed with joy in the end is a lot to take in but she makes this worth it times 10 that's for sure. I know it might have taken me a few days to read it I'm just not as fast as I use to be reading lol I loved this however and wanted more once the end came. I have so so many unanswered questions. MUST READ this story. The book hangover is so worth it.

***I received this ARC for free in exchange for my honest thoughts***

[Romaine Heart · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Whisper of Solace is a beautifully written love story of a damaged and broken woman, Kristan, who finally finds the courage to leave her husband after years of mental and physical abuse. She leaves town, changes her name and moves forward with her life.
Will is a shell of a man only existing after losing the love of his life in a tragic car accident. Secluding himself from all his friends. He wants  Kara to be his surrogate mother carrying the embroys of his wife. Honesty and a child is all he wants from Kara.
Kara is haunted by a deep, dark secret.  Will her past come back to haunt her and endanger the life of Will and Sophie's child she is carrying? 
This story tugs at your heart strings with so many emotions of the character's lives and unconditional love. I can relate to Kara's life. I would definitely recommend this book!!
I'm volunteering an honest review for an advance reader's copy.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me so many different feelings to experience. I will be the first to tell you that I am not a contemporary book reader, but for K.J. I will try anything, and I’m glad I did. From the beginning of this book I was gripped tightly and was never let go until the very end. K.J. writes Will and Kara in a way that will make you feel things that most people have gone through in some way or another or may know someone who has gone through it. Through all their ups and downs this pair learn a lot about each other and about how life changes for the best sometimes despite our pain. I’m am not one to cry or express my feeling often but while reading this book I found myself having a hard time stopping the “feel goods”(and some tears) from happening. I loved every moment of this book and wish every story could have this much of a profound effect on its reader.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me so many different feelings to experience. I will be the first to tell you that I am not a contemporary book reader, but for K.J. I will try anything, and I’m glad I did. From the beginning of this book I was gripped tightly and was never let go until the very end. K.J. writes Will and Kara in a way that will make you feel things that most people have gone through in some way or another or may know someone who has gone through it. Through all their ups and downs this pair learn a lot about each other and about how life changes for the best sometimes despite our pain. I’m am not one to cry or express my feeling often but while reading this book I found myself having a hard time stopping the “feel goods”(and some tears) from happening. I loved every moment of this book and wish every story could have this much of a profound effect on its reader.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This is my first book by this author so I wasn’t sure how it would be. Well, I cried in several places but it was so good! Will has gone through the death of his wife and has shut down his life. Krista is suffering from an abusive husband and finally has had enough. She runs away to start a new life. These two wonderful people come together in a strange situation. A surrogate pregnancy using the embryos of his deceased wife. What a storm of emotions is going on between them. This is a sad but beautiful situation in so many ways. Well done, K.J. Oakley! Please put out another one just like this one. I voluntarily chose to read and review this book that I received from the author.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a touching story... I cringed in the beginning from the feelings of complete and utter despair from Kara's first relationship. I hoped along with her and praised her friend for helping her find a way out.
I cried as I could imagine the agony Will felt with his loss. And again felt the hope blossoming and fate intervene when the two meet.
This is a sweet love story of loss and betrayal abuse and fear that leads to that fairy tale happily ever after.
The ending was totally unexpected yet perfect. So amazing the love these two have for each other. Definitely worth one-clicking.
I was given this book as an ARC in exchange for my honest review...

[Beverley Norcross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whisper of Solace is the first book I've read by KJ Coakley and I loved it. A very beautifully written story about a devastated man, Will and a woman, Kara with no hope left who come together with the hope of finding salvation. For those who believe there is beauty in pain, there is so much of both in this book and this story will stay with you! I can't wait for your next book!!

[Dzidee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't think i was going to like this book but I a really really did. No two characters in a book have ever fought for life like these two. You know how you read a book and just when it's getting juicy the author just goo straight to epilogue; not with did book it just tells you detailed accounts of all that that happened without taken out the suspense.🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first contemporary novel from KJ Coakley and it was fantastic! This story is full of emotions that suck you in deep. A story touching on tough topics of abuse, loss and the difficult journey of starting over. She delivered a great read with solid, believable characters. I highly recommend this story.

[Teresa Hoag · Rating 4 out of 5]

Journey of healing.

I'm in love with these characters. Will a grieving widower and Kara a woman running from her abuser. The journey these two make to find healing from their part is remarkable. Well written and I couldn't put it down.

[Sarah Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give this a 5star rating. I am a huge fan of K.J. This book is one of my favourites so far. It had my hooked after the first page and I couldn't put it down. Kara and Will are both lovable characters, Kara is so strong and will just so damn lush!!!! I could read this story over and over again.

[Fyrephoenix · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yuck

[Tammy Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you ready to jump on a rollercoaster of emotions? Because this book its just that. You will get mad and yell, you'll cry, and smile. The depth of emotions you will go through while reading this book will floor you. (At least it did me) I could go into descriptions of what happened and why I'm saying all this but I won't. This is a book that needs to be read and not described. I will say this though the blurb doesn't touch on half the story that you will find in this book.

[Lisa Arrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Whisper of Solace was the first book I read by K.J. Coakley and it will not be the last.

We are quickly introduced to Will Scott who experiences a tragedy that we all fear of happening too soon, the loss of a loved one. We are then taken into the life of Krista/Kara and her brave escape from a life of torment. The circumstance that brings these characters together was a fresh twist for me and heartwarming.

We follow the couple as they feel each other out and overcome the obstacle of just getting to know each other when both have walls up that are as impenetrable as China's. When those walls do come down though it is obvious that they are meant for each other and while still healing from the wounds of their past relationships, they help each other recover.

The ending was a tad predictable but it still worked.