Play of Light by Debra Doxer ♡♡♡.5

Play of Light by  Debra Doxer was a book I found through NetGalley. And I really did enjoy the story.

Play of Light tells the story of Sarah and Spencer. Sarah leads a fairly boring life until Spencer comes to town. She wants to be good friend to him above everything else, but he makes that difficult with the home life he doesn't want anyone to find out about and his brooding nature. And then everything thing goes to hell when tragedy strikes. They're brought back together 5 years later, and all their demons come back to life.

I thought this was a solidly good story. It was interesting to see Spencer and Sarah grow up together and be pushed back together years later. And their chemistry in the story was great.

The story started in the past, went to the present, back to the past, and then back to the present. I would have liked if the story started in the past and then went to the present. I understand this might be difficult since the characters aren't really established in our minds, but it would have made the story more coherent.

Overall, I think this was a great story, and I would recommend reading it. Have you read any of Debra Doxer's books? What did you think?

Play of Light  on Gooodreads

One Last Song by S.K. Falls ♥♥.5

One Last Song by  S.K. Falls ♥♥.5

One Last Song by S.K. Falls is a book I was given by NetGalley in return for a review, and it is the first book I've read by this author.

One Last Song tells Saylor's story. She has Munchausen which means she makes herself sick for attention. She starts volunteering at a hospital and starts attending a group for terminally ill twentysomethings. She tells them she has MS, but she forms feelings for them and friendship, and that makes the lie harder to keep, especially when she fall in love with one of the group members, Drew.

I did enjoy the story quite a bit, but felt there was something missing. I wanted the characters to be developed beyond just their sickness, because people are more than their illness, even when it is terminal.

Also, from the cover, you would never know Saylor was half Indian. That's no fault on the part of the author, but this instance of "white washing" was very upsetting and disappointing.

I would say give it a try. The story was good, and the relationship between Saylor's illness and her family was very interesting. Let me know what you think.

One Last Song on Goodreads

Forgive Me by Eliza Freed ♥♥

Forgive Me by Eliza Freed is a book I came across on NetGalley; I had also seen quite a few authors promoting the book, so I decided to pick it up. It has a very compelling premise, but the story just wasn’t there for me.

Forgive Me starts out with Charlotte home from Rutgers for the summer. Her summer comes to a halt when her parents are killed in a car accident. And Jason, a former high school classmate and New Jersey cowboy, is there to pick up the pieces and mend her broken heart. This story takes place over two years, and in that time we watch Charlotte and Jason try and make a relationship work long distance since Jason goes to school and participates in rodeos in Oklahoma and around the mid-west.

Starting with what I liked, I would have to say the story is well written. The author obviously knows how to tell a story. And that’s about where it ends for me.

Charlotte spends most of the story in fear over Jason’s reaction to different situations. In some ways, she is obviously a strong person, but a person shouldn’t live in so much fear of their significant other.  She’s also willing to give up pretty much everything to someone who has her coming in second place to the rodeo. Yes, it’s a realistic view of some relationships, not everyone comes in first place with the person they love, but it was strange considering Jason wanted to be the number one priority where Charlotte was concerned.

I did not like Jason. He was stoic, which made for very little dialogue throughout the story, and especially when it was just Jason and Charlotte. He was domineering, held a lot of rage, and he always had to have things his way. He wants Charlotte in his life, but only on his terms.

There was also a lot of sex in this book. I think that is ok, but the characters used it as a way to get out of talking that they could have resolved many of their problems if they would just talk about them.

Lastly, the ending wasn’t unhappy, but it was a cliff hanger. Although, it was expected after a particular character was introduced half way through the story for no real reason. But I don’t think I will be reading the sequel.

Give the book a shot and let me know what you think. Have you read this book already? What do you think? 

Forgive Me on Goodreads

Draw Me In by Regina Cole ♥♥♥.25

Draw Me In by Regina Cole is a book I found while browsing NetGalley. There were some things I loved about this story, and some not so much.

Draw Me In tells the story of Hailey and Neill. Hailey is having trouble with school and her family. She desperately needs a job, and she finds one at a tattoo parlor. She meets Neill, who also happens to be her new boss. They’re attracted to each other, but Neill has a past that is holding him back from letting Hailey in.

Let’s start with the things I didn’t enjoy; then we can end on a good note! We got the story from the point of view of both Neill and Hailey. It would have been better to have to the story told from one character, preferably Hailey. The point of view changes made the timeline of the story more difficult to follow. And it was more difficult getting to know the characters. There were also much less surprises.

But I did enjoy the characters; they seemed really genuine, like people you might know. Also I liked the premise of the story. The plot was great, and what can I say, I’m a sucker for those tattooed boys.

I would recommend giving it a go. Check it out and let me know what you think!

Draw Me In on Goodreads