In the Gray by A.D. McCammon

Apr 08, 2018 Ashley rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2018

Read this review and many more at: 5171 Miles Book Blog.

I love supporting Indie authors, especially authors who were inspired to write books by my favorite authors! A.D. McCammon is one of the authors I have followed for a long time, but have failed to pick up books by. Through Kat Savage's reader group, I was lucky enough to score a copy of McCammon's upcoming release, In the Gray (In This Moment #3). Though this book is part of a series, it is a great place to start with A.D. McCammon's work a Read this review and many more at: 5171 Miles Book Blog.

I love supporting Indie authors, especially authors who were inspired to write books by my favorite authors! A.D. McCammon is one of the authors I have followed for a long time, but have failed to pick up books by. Through Kat Savage's reader group, I was lucky enough to score a copy of McCammon's upcoming release, In the Gray (In This Moment #3). Though this book is part of a series, it is a great place to start with A.D. McCammon's work and reads perfectly as a standalone. I went into this story completely blind, trusting the writing to live up to my expectations. Fortunately, this novel kept my interest, allowing me to read over half of the story in one sitting.

When Lori Stevens gets the biggest break of her writing career, she's forced to face her past demons from seventeen years prior. She's hard, closed-off, and determined to push away the good things in life she has convinced herself she's unworthy of - like Steven Duncan.

Unknowingly, Lori pushes Steven into the arms of her best friend, Cat, as she slowly comes to terms with her own budding feelings. Torn between loyalty and possible love, Lori is caught between a rock and hard place, leaving plenty of room for writing and self-discovery.

In the Gray alternates between the perspectives of Lori and Steven, along with an exciting third perspective in the latter half of the book. Through Lori's point-of-view, I found myself endeared to her character, then abruptly annoyed by her. The walls she built up were aggravating to the highest degree because she was rude to nearly everyone in favor of protecting herself. I understood her perspective, feeling empathy for the struggles she faced, but couldn't help wishing for her to project herself in a different way.

When Steven came along, I couldn't help but fall for the "boy scout". He was kind, patient, and didn't let the negativity he had experienced in life drag him down. I mean, he's a cop AND he takes care of his aging grandmother! Sweet to the max!

This story had a similar feel to Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin, which happens to be one of my very favorite movies (I prefer this movie to the book). However, I absolutely loathe cheating in a story and was rewarded with absolutely none of that in this book. I was grateful the author was able to create the strong feelings between the two characters without the huge deception of infidelity.

Though I gave this story a slightly lower rating, I hope it won't deter possible readers because I truly enjoyed the book and didn't want to stop reading. The novel provides an intriguing and important perspective on rape and assault, helping readers to understand the horrible stories we often hear these days are not simply black and white. In the Gray shows how women can be groomed or manipulated into feeling as if giving up their bodies is the only choice they are left with. It was incredibly heartbreaking to read about and feel a sense of helplessness for women who are influenced in these ways by men they trust or even look up to. I'm grateful for the insight the author provided, allowing us to be fully immersed in the gray areas.

My critique of this story is minor and has to do with a few unanswered questions I had toward the end of the story. I felt as if the ending was slightly rushed after a huge build-up and wanted a bit more information. I really enjoyed being able to read chunks of the book Lori was working on as she completed it, but I felt this section needed to be slightly polished. The writing felt quick and choppy, and I simply craved longer, more in-depth sentences and detail. I also hoped for a bit more "show, not tell" in regards to the feelings between Lori and Steven.

On the whole, In the Gray conveys important messages about how society views sexual assault while boasting a sweet and conflicting love story. Sexual assault and abuse are hot topics these days and were handled with the utmost grace by the author. In no way did this story become graphic or overbearingly difficult to read. It mostly elaborated on the emotions women feel after the event and how these terrible moments affect the rest of their lives. I greatly appreciated the amount of growth the characters showed as the story went on.

I hope readers will feel encouraged to pick up In the Gray upon its release on April 19. However, if you can't wait until then, be sure to pre-order this beauty! ...more

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Apr 02, 2018 Fabiola Francisco rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This book surpassed my expectations of what I thought Lori's story would be like. AD McCammon brought her A-game with this one. I truly love this entire series, but this story made me self-reflect, feel things I sometimes don't allow myself to, and all the while fall in love. The path these characters take can be identified as unconventional, but I see it as real. We all have experiences that have shaped us and ways we cope with them, but it's how we choose to grow from it that brings healing.

T ...more

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Apr 03, 2018 E.K. rated it it was amazing

What a heart breakingly beautiful story!!! Such raw emotion, so much love, hope and longing, a beautiful story of survival. 💕💕💕

A more detailed review for this beautiful story will be out in a couple of days on my blog. (www.ebsandherreads.com)

Wow guys!!! This book was amazing. At first, when I started reading it, I thought that it was going to be a sweet romance, but could have never imagined the ride it gave me. It's full of raw emotion, love, hope, despair and a beautiful story of survival. I What a heart breakingly beautiful story!!! Such raw emotion, so much love, hope and longing, a beautiful story of survival. 💕💕💕

A more detailed review for this beautiful story will be out in a couple of days on my blog. (www.ebsandherreads.com)

Wow guys!!! This book was amazing. At first, when I started reading it, I thought that it was going to be a sweet romance, but could have never imagined the ride it gave me. It's full of raw emotion, love, hope, despair and a beautiful story of survival. It literally took me 24 hours to finish this, and I may have mentioned once or twice in A.D.'s reader group that I was going to get fired because I couldn't put the book down. This was such a captivating story.

First, I want to talk a little about the book and the characters in it. Lori and Steven were written to perfection. I have felt their emotions right alongside of them. I loved how even if she pulled back, he still didn't give up on her. Steven was the perfect swoon worthy hero for Lori. He was sweet and gentle, to her scared and stubborn. He was understanding and forgiving, to her push backs, and self sabotages.

I specially enjoyed the scenes with Steven's grandmother. She was a fire cracker of a lady, and said it like she saw it. I loved her. And I really liked seeing the love and the interactions between Steven and his grandmother. I mean who doesn't love a guy that takes care of his grandmother. Swwwwoooooonnnnn, big time.

There were so many things I loved about this book, and one of them was the fact that how A.D. was able to bring the characters from In This Moment and Crushed into play as well. I loved getting a glimpse into their lives.

Now that I have mentioned what I wanted to about the characters and their interactions and the love they all had for each other, I'd like to get to the underlining message of this book. First of all, like I said above, it was written to perfection and with the utmost respect that the subject matter deserves.

This was a book about survival, and how not everything is so black and white as the rest of the world may think. There are some of us out there, that the lines between black and white has blurred, and they are living in the gray. The book was about sexual abuse, and how it didn't need to look a certain way to be what it is. Assault and abuse can come in different forms, it could be physical, it could be emotional or it could be both. I personally think that the subject matter was handled with a lot of care, and emotion, and it was realistic. As in, it could happen to anyone, and it probably has.

A.D., you've a masterful job with this book. I had a really hard time putting the right words together to make, this book and what it represents, justice. Needless to say, this is a 5-star read for me. I highly recommend it to all. Make sure you stock up on Kleenex before you start reading it, because there will be tears. ...more

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Apr 03, 2018 Stephanie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I don't even know where to begin with this review. I had no idea this book would end up where it did when I started it. McCammon did a fantastic job of writing a book that deals with issues that are rather dark but she does it so well. She wrote it in a way that made you really feel what these characters were going through.

Lori Stevens- I adore her as a character. She's quick witted, sarcastic and a little insecure. She has faced darkness, true darkness and found a way to continue on. However, i ...more

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Apr 04, 2018 Kat rated it it was amazing

Excerpt from In The Gray: People aren’t only talking about a topic no one likes to talk about, they’re changing the dialogue.

This book is a romance, about two people coming together but the priceless take away from this story is its message. Abuse isn’t black or white and victims living in the grayed areas can often feel isolated. They might believe their pain is meant to be overlooked because of the unclear picture most of society has of abuse. I appreciate the author taking time to tell the s ...more

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Apr 17, 2018 A. Lewis rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

So where to start with this book.. I'm going to be honest I was a sobbing mess by just reading the prologue. Not because it was this horrible tragic thing (I mean it has its areas) but because I felt like the prologue was written by me they were my emotions bleeding out onto a page. I have never been that effected by a book before. A.D McCammon is that good with expressing her words to get you to that emotional state. Lori is a hard character to love but from the beginning I did she is such a sm ...more

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Apr 07, 2018 Beyond The Covers Blog rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: celeste

Lori Stevens doesn’t do relationships, she doesn’t date, she does one night-stands to scratch an itch then she moves on. Yet when she sees the gorgeous police officer at her favorite coffee shop she can’t help but be drawn to him, but Officer Steven Duncan wants a date not just a fling. Steven knows that there is a reason that Lori has a thick wall built around her and as he dates Lori’s best friend he slowly starts to break down that wall. Lori tries to keep her distance and let her friend Cat ...more

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Apr 19, 2018 Brandy Roberts rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I really liked this it would be the first book I've read by the author and I know i'll be reading more i the future . My emotions were all over the place it felt like a roller coaster that I didn't want to get off on . You don't want to miss this one ...more

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Apr 19, 2018 Mary Dean rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

What a powerful story! And a story that needed to be told. This is the story of Lori Stevens who is a writer and known to have heart of stone when it comes to love. Little does everyone know it's because of trauma she experienced and has kept secret. She meets Officer Steven Duncan and she thinks he will be fun to hook up with. But Steven isn't interested in just hooking up with her. He wants more. Lori doesn't do more and runs. Then he starts dating her best friend Cat and as they become friend ...more

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Dec 05, 2017 Leila rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Sometimes in life we build barriers and put up walls to protect ourselves from the world around us.

It’s easier to have control when there is a mutual understanding that long term, and intimacy is simply not an option.

So what happens when you meet someone willing to climb that wall and abseil down the other side for you?

All your instincts tell you to fight it, to protect yourself and that’s exactly what Lori did. Until fate intervenes bringing Steven back into her life, but this time as her bes ...more

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Apr 08, 2018 Cait's Creatures rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

First, Thank you. Thank you for writing this book. I don't normally read love triangles, because they're messy. I like romances because I escape from reality, and I've got enough mess in my life. But when I read the blurb for this book, and had an opportunity to read it, I asked for the chance. Something I forgot about emotional reads? They can rock your world, rip you apart from the inside out, and still leave you wanting more at the end.

Lori Stevens was not a like-able character. God, I wante

First, Thank you. Thank you for writing this book. I don't normally read love triangles, because they're messy. I like romances because I escape from reality, and I've got enough mess in my life. But when I read the blurb for this book, and had an opportunity to read it, I asked for the chance. Something I forgot about emotional reads? They can rock your world, rip you apart from the inside out, and still leave you wanting more at the end.

Lori Stevens was not a like-able character. God, I wanted to shake her and scream at her so many times it's not even funny. She has suffered heartache that no one ever should, so she's been busy pushing everyone away, worrying about everyone else's happiness, believing she doesn't deserve it.

Steven Duncan is a nice guy, who I loved from the beginning, who chases Lori as much as possible, but she never lets up. When he meets someone new, someone who makes love easy, he takes it as a sign to move on. The problem? His perfect girl is Lori's best friend, Cat. WHAT A MESS! Although I loved Steven from the beginning, LORD did I want to throat punch him sometimes. The relationship with Cat, though, allows both Steven and Lori to become close, under the guise of friendship.

There is no cheating happening in this book. Both Lori and Steven try to ignore their feelings for each other, try to be friends, for the sake of Cat. They do not cross physical boundaries. Not once.

Growing up, I think I've had the "what is rape?" talk many times. I had to watch a video starring Kristen Stewart on my first day of college detailing date rape, and other kinds of rape. When I watched the video, I felt my heart in my throat thinking "Wait, that's rape? That's assault?" They still didn't cover being groomed for assault. They didn't talk about the stigma that follows you when you try to report something that happened. "Should women be arrested for falsely reporting rape?" pictures are all over different social media on any given day. We still live in a world that tries to blame the victim because they don't understand that even though you didn't say no, or you said no then said yes, you do not want to be in the situation you're in. This book had me in tears, telling the story of three women suffering from assault that they were trained to believe was not assault. They were manipulated and lied to, so they would keep quiet and never tell their story.

So thank you, A.D. McCammon. Thank you for writing this story. Thank you for giving me Lori and Steven to stay with me forever. Thank you for telling a story that needed to be told. This will be a book I recommend to anyone I can, because it's that good, and that heartbreaking. Thank you for writing a story about a side of assault we (at least I) don't normally hear about. Just, thank you.

...more

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Apr 22, 2018 Michelle Austin rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

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In the Gray was a great 5 star read told in alternating POVs.
Lori is a writer who has decided to write about something that really hits home for her. While at the coffee shop writing she meets a really hot cop, Steven. There is something about him that gets her attention.

I’m damaged goods-fundamentally broken in ways that prevent me from living the life I dreamed of as a girl.

A few weeks pass by and the next time these two meet is at the police station ...more

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Apr 20, 2018 Jennifer Pierson rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I want to start out by saying that this powerful story had all of my emotions all over the place throughout like it was my own life, so no matter what I say in my review, this is why I gave it the perfect rating. It takes a truly special and talented author, like A.D. McCammon, to bring such extreme emotions out with their writing that it was hard to separate reality from fiction by the end of the story. Lori finally gets the biggest break of her writing career, but she must face her demons from ...more

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Apr 23, 2018 Ariadna Basulto rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This story was so unexpected. I didn’t think it would take it in the direction that it did, but I’m so glad for the ride I went on.

First of all the writing is beautiful. The emotions drip off each page and had me feeling every emotion right along with Lori and Ethan. Together they were a beautiful couple in the sometimes chaos of emotions. Ethan was absolutely perfect for Lori. His patience and unwillingness to give up on her had me in a constant state of swoon. Lori doesn’t make it easy for him ...more

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Apr 04, 2018 Jennifer Bielarz rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Absolutely loved Lori's story! I appreciate that the author doesn't make everything all butterflies and rainbows with her writing. It's real life ups and downs and not knowing what will happen next.
Lori and Steven we're obviously meant to be, but Lori won't let herself find happiness. Still holding the emotional scars from her sexual assault, not feeling that she is good enough for anyone. Steven's friendship helps bring her out of her shell, but it isn't until Lori talks to Ashland that she ca ...more

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Apr 05, 2018 Stacy Wray rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Such a powerful, honest and pertinent story - especially in a time where women all around the world are finding their voices, speaking out against the ugly that has wronged them. It's sad that Lori's story and Ashland's story reflect a staggering number of women who have suffered at the hands of a predator. AD McCammon, you have woven a delicate ribbon between truth and fiction, and the outcome is a heartbreaking, yet beautiful story of how to get to the other side. Bravo to you for your ability ...more

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Apr 18, 2018 Wendy Livingstone rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is the 3rd book in this awesome series. Lori and Steven have both got pasts which have shaped them into the people they are today. This author has written a truly beautiful story, which is raw, gritty, emotional, sweet and hopeful, which all lead to a powerful storyline, which had me intrigued and enthralled throughout. This author has certainly given her heart and soul into this story, and I cannot wait to read more from her.

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Apr 08, 2018 Jamie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I was hooked from the the first page of this book. Lori feels she is broken beyond repair , because of events in her past that were beyond her control. Steven is a great support system to Lori as she balances all of the obstacles that are holding her back from being worthy of love. The characters were well written , I enjoyed Darla's character a lot. It takes a whole book for Lori to feel loved , and worthy of more , but the ending will leave a smile on your face . ...more

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Apr 17, 2018 Patti Gunkel rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I got this book as a ARC, I am soooo touched by this book. I can really connect with the characters.I will add more to this review..just need a day to collect my thoughts. yes this book touched that deep.. now that I have had a few days to really take this book in I can add more to this review. I can connect with this book so deeply because I am a survivor of sexual abuse. it happened when I was young but to this day I still have issues. books like this help me to know I am not alone.

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Apr 19, 2018 Melissa Ledet rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Phenomenal

“You’re looking for a great love story, and I’m a tragedy.” ~ Lori to Steven

This story will pull on your heartstrings. A phenomenal read that sucks you in. In the Gray is written in dual point of view and I fell in love with Steven and Lori very quickly.

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Apr 06, 2018 CK rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This was a difficult book to read and finish and I loved every moment of it. The tenderness taken to such a difficult topic brought me to tears. This book has a soul. The undertaking itself is inspiring. This is a book that will haunt you and want to re-read.

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Apr 02, 2018 Theresa Alberts rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Wow. The story of Lori Stevens is one that is profoundly intense and captivated me from the very first chapter. This story is one of fear, love, loss, self-doubt, and self-realization. Lori's story will move you in ways that you cannot begin to imagine and you will be yearning for her to reach the happily ever after that she most definitely deserves, regardless of what form that HEA may look like.

Lori Stevens is a writer with a secret that she has kept deep insides for over a decade. A victim of Wow. The story of Lori Stevens is one that is profoundly intense and captivated me from the very first chapter. This story is one of fear, love, loss, self-doubt, and self-realization. Lori's story will move you in ways that you cannot begin to imagine and you will be yearning for her to reach the happily ever after that she most definitely deserves, regardless of what form that HEA may look like.

Lori Stevens is a writer with a secret that she has kept deep insides for over a decade. A victim of sexual assault, by her mentor, changed Lori's life in so many ways that there are too many to count. Lori now lives her life without letting people close to her, without romantic long term committed relationships as a result of what her mentor did to her.

Lori meets officer Steven Duncan by chance one day in her favorite coffee shop. While Steven is drawn to Lori and wants to take her out, Lori does not want a relationship, she doesn't know how to get close to people. Instead of taking a chance on Steven, she pushes him away and he ends up dating her best friend Cat.

Steven and Lori begin to develop a close friendship while he is still dating Cat and it is through that friendship that she begins to have the courage to stand up for herself and those who are also victims of sexual assault. It is only after interviewing a victim who killed her attacker, that Lori begins to realize that she needs to forgive herself in order to start healing from what happened all those years ago, and it is through writing a book on Ashland's story that Lori is able to understand why she has closed herself off for all these years and what she truly wants from her life going forward, and it isn't to live in a self-inflicted dungeon punishing herself for situations that were beyond her control.

I was moved by Lori's story and I know that other reader's will be too. While the story of both Lori and Ashland are typical abuse stories, they are abuse stories just the same and it is through Lori and Ashland's story that readers can put yet another face to sexual abuse and sexual victims.

4 stars ...more

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Apr 06, 2018 Heather Merriman rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Wow! This is my first read by AD McCammon and I really enjoyed it! It contains a very serious topic of rape and tells about all the series of emotions that someone goes through after going through this, from the blame, to the guilt and being able to eventually forgive oneself.
Lori takes on a reporting job to tell the story of a lady, Ashland, who is in a psychiatric ward for murdering the man who raped her. After the interview, Lori decides to write an entire book rather than just an article ...more

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Apr 14, 2018 Karen rated it really liked it

Stark and honest, with dual POV, this was a raw read in many parts. Many people have a not-in-my-backyard attitude when it comes to abuse, be it sexual, physical or psychological. Lori's odds were stacked against her; who would believe her word over a well-known and beloved member of the community?

Lori's journey was long and painful; with little to no self-esteem, she carried on with life, emotions adrift when she met Steven. Her detached personality failed to deter him and this was where Steve ...more

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Apr 15, 2018 I Dont Get Sundays rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arc

Lori and Steven. Steven and Lori. These two will give you gray hair before the end of their story. You will want to shake Lori and hit Steven in the forehead with the palm of your hand. Their story is so complicated, you wonder if they even belong together.

This book was amazing and beautifully told. It hits subjects that may make you shutter in disgust and want to punch someone but it is done so well. We are told of a story that involves strong women. Women that are trying to find their way in ...more

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Apr 23, 2018 Amy Crull rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This book had a lot going on in it. It was Lori and Steven's story but it had more to it then that. The secondary characters had a big part in it as well. I must say at first I wasn't the biggest fan of Lori, partly because she threw him away like trash and then got jealous when someone else had him. I realize she had to overcome her issues and let the healing process happen but she could have been honest with him and told him. She just kept running away. Steven, I loved him from the beginning. ...more

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Apr 12, 2018 Rae Bousum rated it it was amazing

This book is so much more than your average "romance" novel.

"Sometimes instead of something being black or white, it’s a mixture of both, forming a nice shade of gray. And, in reality, that’s the way most of us live— in the gray."

I couldn't have said it better myself. Lori's journey, to excepting that she deserves more than what she has limited herself too, is a painful but necessary one. This story is not just about two people falling in love. It is about Lori releasing the crushing guilt ...more

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Apr 15, 2018 Clare Harrison rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This is the third book in the series and whilst they could be read as standalone I wouldn't recommend it as the same characters are in all the books and you won't fully understand all the references to past events so if you haven't read "in this moment" and "crushed" you might want to do so.

Before I go any further this book covers sensitive and possible trigger issues.

In the grey follows Lori, the sister of Julianna and best friend of Cat.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and getting to know what m ...more

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Apr 30, 2018 Brandie Breaux rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This book was probably my favorite of the series, which completely surprises me. I was not a fan of Lori's in the first two books, but I completely misjudged her. Character development was strong in this story, and I grew to love her! She runs from every relationship due to issues from her past...until she meets Steven. Oh, she tries to run still, but Steven, with some help from fate, doesn't let her get far. I loved the feelings between these two characters and the buildup to them both admittin ...more

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Feb 20, 2022 Sarah Speigle rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A.D. McCammon does it again!

In The Gray, the third book in the series, picks up with Lori and Spencer. We are thrown into all aspects of their relationship from when they first meet to their first date. Lori has been hurt in her past, having been betrayed by a person who she admired and respected. So she does not believe that she is worthy of love. She thinks that guys want one thing and that's it. When Spencer wants to take her out on a proper date, and not just use her, she's taken aback and ...more

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