Addison Snow is your typical teenager. She has a family that loves her, friends that make her laugh, and she's wrapped up in the excitement of graduating high school and going off to college to pursue her dream of becoming an author. When her mother, who also happens to be Addison's best friend, dies unexpectedly, her world comes to a crashing halt. Death changes everyone...To make the pain go away, Addison and her father travel down separate, dark paths. She chooses to end her grief forever, while he drowns his sorrows in the bottom of a bottle. How do you learn to live again when the most important person in your life is gone?Addison struggles to pick up the pieces of her life. Instead of getting back to being the carefree teenager she once was, she's stuck handling all of the responsibilities that should have been her father's. She has no time to grieve, no time for emotions, and no time for happiness...until Zander Reinhardt walks in. All it takes is one little handwritten note on a napkin to kick-start her back to life and help her realize that maybe there's more to that life than pain. But can it really be that simple? Can she really trust this man who makes her feel alive again for the first time in a year? Addison and Zander both have secrets they aren't ready to share. When the truth finally comes out, is it enough to tear them apart or has something bigger than themselves always been watching over them, pushing them together, making sure they both get their happily ever after?
I'm a huge fan of Tara Sivec. I first read her Seduction and Snacks series that had me laughing out loud through all three books. Then the Playing With Fire series, more of a suspense series and oh soooooo good. Now Sivec gets really deep as she takes on the subject of death and suicide.
Addison considered her Mom to be her best friend. Her mother's sudden death was the last thing Addison and her father were expecting. She had survived leukemia and was getting back to good health. Feeling like she had lost both parents when her Dad turned to drinking, Addison felt her only choice was to leave this life. But that's not how things were to end for Addison.
After her recovery, Addison took the steps required to appear that she was living. She took on all the responsibilities of both parents, caring for her home and her mother's dream bakery as well as attending therapy. But life now doesn't include having a relationship or making connections with others. No one can hurt you or disappoint you or break your trust if you don't let them in.
That was working fine until Zander strolls in. He makes a habit of visiting the bakery almost daily and isn't shy about his attraction to Addison. I loved how Zander works himself into her life. Without meaning to, Addison starts to fall for Zander. And seriously, you'd have to be deaf, dumb, and blind not to fall for this guy. He's beyond sweet. It's unfortunate that he's keeping a major secret from Addison. She just needs to be able to trust someone and just as she's ready for that someone to be Zander, their pasts become more connected than Addison was prepared for. Life again comes crashing down on Addison.
The author found a beautiful way to bridge heaven and earth. I enjoyed the chills and tears this story brought. Addison finds her way through the grief she finally allows herself to really feel and takes the chance to love again. She also learns that keeping everyone at a distance could cost others their lives. Not only does she need her friends, but they need her. The author should be so proud of this story that will bring hope to those who have lost their will live. The heart does heal and the spirit can find strength to be happy again.
Check out the other stops on the tour!
Giveaway:
AUTHOR BIO:
T.E. Sivec is the pen name for Tara Sivec. Under T.E. Sivec, she delves into a more serious genre that is her absolute favorite to read romantic suspense. She loves reading a book and feeling her heart speed up with anticipation and wanted to be able to give that feeling to her fans. T.E. lives in Ohio with her husband and two children, living the dream of being a fulltime writer.
This sounds like such an emotional story, and that it's very well done. Great review, Gloria!
ReplyDeleteNice review Glo! This was a very emotional read.
ReplyDelete