Years apart, after much growth and change, the two best friends seek one another out. In college, neither Jackie or Ryan could possibly know that every relationship to come would fall short of the one they’d shared together all those years ago.
When the two meet again, love and chemistry soar beyond their wildest dreams and they agree to make good on their promise. But a second chance at love can be fickle and fleeting.
The Marriage Pact is a story about letting go and loving with your whole heart no matter the circumstance—or how much it hurts.
"No one else had ever spoke to his heart like she did, and honestly, he didn't want them to."
Well......shit.
I willingly give my heart to these two authors and I don't even question it. Willingly!!! They have "magical heartbreak" down to a science. This is now the second book that they have broken my heart with. The second time they've made me cry. And while this is the second book in the Viral Series, it is a complete standalone and the only connection to the first book is that they are both heartbreaking perfection. Truly. If you haven't read Missed Connections, you can read my review HERE.
At 33%, I was feeling an inevitable heartbreak coming on. The buildup was very impactful the way they were telling this story. I knew I was in for something big. By 86%, I sprung a slight leak and by 88%, there was no holding back. I was a wreck. Full stream of tears. I wasn't really "crying" per se, but I knew the tears were free flowing. A true love. A real love. A destined love. Jackie and Ryan had a love most people yearn for. I loved how smitten Ryan was with Jackie and he never held anything against her. What a pure heart he had. Did Jackie make me angry a few times? Yes, she was super ridiculously stubborn, but it was her light and her personality that drew Ryan in and he loved her for who she was. My gosh, I'm still shaking my head. I'm still heartbroken. This story was so moving. It made you think and understand, grasp and feel. My heart hurts....oh so good.
"I know. I'm just -- what if I fail?"
"What if you thrive?"
I know, collective cringe....but third person from them was storytelling gold this time around. I normally don't like it and I have said that many times, but it's becoming more the norm and I am feeling that a select few can't write in third and I'm more and more finding ones that actually can. The difference in this book for me was that I read it as if I was being to the story. I don't normally like that, but the way this one was told was perfect. It was easy to read and I enjoyed their storyline so much. I felt like I was on the outside looking in and marveling at how deep their love was and how hard she fought it, and how they finally came together with the singular realization that they were always meant to be. Their love was the epitome of what true love really is. It surpassed all obstacles and never let anything get in the way once it was all said and done. I am still on a broken-hearted high from this book, as K and Mara know how to really bind your heart to their story and make you fall in love. Without choice, you FALL hard.
My poor aching heart....my poor, poor heart.
"Sometimes God takes away what we love. We have to accept his lessons, even when we don't like them."
~BEE
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~MEET K LARSEN~
K. Larsen is an avid reader, coffee drinker, and chocolate eater who loves writing. She received her B.A.from Simmons College- a while ago. She currently lives and works in Maine. She writes steamy romantic suspense novels when no one's looking.
Available through all major book retailers, all of her books can be purchased in paperback or for any e-reader. She can be found on Facebook, Goodreads and Twitter should you want to stalk her.
Currently working on her next novels, she's published Saving Caroline, 30 Days, Committed, Dating Delaney, The Bloodlines Series (Tug of War, Objective, Resistance and Target 84) and Jezebel.
~CONNECT WITH K~
~MEET MARA WHITE~
Mara White is a contemporary romance and erotica writer who laces forbidden love stories with hard issues, such as race, gender and inequality. She holds an Ivy League degree but has also worked in more strip clubs than even she can remember. She is not a former Mexican telenovela star contrary to what the tabloids might say, but she is a former ballerina and will always remain one in her heart. She lives in NYC with her husband and two children and yes, when she’s not writing you can find her on the playground.
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ARC REVIEW
Oh my gosh now I am more intrigued and can't wait to read this! "Sometimes God takes away what we love. We have to accept his lessons, even when we don't like them."
ReplyDelete~BEE .....this got me scared Bee. But I still want to read it to see for myself what you meant by this.