by KANDI STEINER
What makes you happy?
That was the question Emery Reed asked me the day we met, and I couldn’t give him a single answer. I could have said my dog, or my books, or yoga — but I just stared.
And then, I got in his car.
It was crazy to take a road trip with a stranger, but after years of standing still, he was my one-way ticket to a new life, and I wasn’t going to miss it.
We shared the same space, the same car, the same hotel room — and still, we were strangers.
What makes you happy?
That was the question Emery Reed asked me the day we met, and I couldn’t give him a single answer. I could have said my dog, or my books, or yoga — but I just stared.
And then, I got in his car.
It was crazy to take a road trip with a stranger, but after years of standing still, he was my one-way ticket to a new life, and I wasn’t going to miss it.
We shared the same space, the same car, the same hotel room — and still, we were strangers.
One day we’d be laughing, the next, we wouldn’t speak. Emery was surrounded by impenetrable walls, but I wanted in.
Discovering his journal changed everything.
I read his thoughts, words not meant for anyone’s eyes, and the more I learned about him, the harder I fell. It turned out nothing made Emery Reed happy, and I wanted to change that.
I earned his trust by violating his privacy, and as wrong as it was, it worked — until one entry revealed a darkness I never knew existed, a timer I never knew was ticking.
Suddenly, what made me happy was saving Emery from himself. I just didn’t know if I could.
"This is it, Cooper. This is life calling."
This review will be one of the hardest ones I have had to write this year because I am not sure if it was a 'me' thing, or a 'mood' thing, but whatever it was, this book wasn't my favorite of Kandi's. In the beginning, I struggled with this one quite a bit. It wasn't the writing, because Kandi's writing has always flowed for me. She tells a story easily, and the words have always worked for me. This time, I think it was more the storyline than anything else that really made me take pause. Between Emery's actions and Coopers snooping, I had a little bit of a struggle. I have really enjoyed Kandi's books in the past and this one sounded so good to me, alas it just wasn't my cuppa. Needless to say, I pushed on and finished.
During this book, we took a cross country journey with Cooper and Emery, who just so happened to connect immediately upon meeting at the diner she worked at. I was a little shocked on her willingness to go along on this journey after only meeting him, but that also told me a lot about her personality. Cooper, oh my gosh. She was so optimistic, so lighthearted and joyful. She was easily likable with a sunny outlook, even though she was given many outs to feel otherwise. I thought she was the picture of perseverance, and that was my favorite thing about her. She was a caring one, but she was a snooper too! I had a really hard time with her actions regarding Emery's journal -- she read his most personal thoughts behind his back. Even after she had a few eye-opening moments about her behaviors, she still did it!!! It really was bothersome for me and I don't understand why she did it. Not even a little bit.
Even though I saw a glimpse of Emery's sweetness, his sexiness in between his dark periods.....I am not entirely sure I truly connected with him or his character. Which kinda sucks, because I saw where she took this, but I just couldn't connect, and that seriously makes me sad. I know that I didn't like that he had other girls along this trip either, but that truly bothered me a lot. I am not sure I understand why, because Cooper mentally knew that he wasn't hers and that she had no right to his affections or attention either.....but it really struck me hard. I was just frustrated on her behalf.
While I understood the story, I didn't enjoy it as much as I wished I had. This book dealt with some very tough subjects and definitely tackled some rough moments between these two. The LOVE WAS THERE; THE EMOTIONS WERE THERE, but I just didn't like the premise after it was all said and done. That really is hard for me to put into words because I have loved and connected with every other one of Kandi's stories I have read.
Not sure I can put a rating on this one about how I felt. While I went until 58% before I finally saw some spark and balls emerge in Emery, it was a long first two-thirds of the book for me to get to the good part at 66%. This was definitely a journey, and one I got to take along with Cooper and Emery, but it was almost boring for me. I know!! I know!! GASP. I just didn't love this one. <sigh> I wish I did. It just felt as if I were reading a story....not necessarily loving or hating it, which is so not my normal with her words. No angst. No real propulsion of the storyline...it just kinda went on, it just kinda happened.
~BEE
Join her group Kandiland HERE.
Discovering his journal changed everything.
I read his thoughts, words not meant for anyone’s eyes, and the more I learned about him, the harder I fell. It turned out nothing made Emery Reed happy, and I wanted to change that.
I earned his trust by violating his privacy, and as wrong as it was, it worked — until one entry revealed a darkness I never knew existed, a timer I never knew was ticking.
Suddenly, what made me happy was saving Emery from himself. I just didn’t know if I could.
"This is it, Cooper. This is life calling."
This review will be one of the hardest ones I have had to write this year because I am not sure if it was a 'me' thing, or a 'mood' thing, but whatever it was, this book wasn't my favorite of Kandi's. In the beginning, I struggled with this one quite a bit. It wasn't the writing, because Kandi's writing has always flowed for me. She tells a story easily, and the words have always worked for me. This time, I think it was more the storyline than anything else that really made me take pause. Between Emery's actions and Coopers snooping, I had a little bit of a struggle. I have really enjoyed Kandi's books in the past and this one sounded so good to me, alas it just wasn't my cuppa. Needless to say, I pushed on and finished.
During this book, we took a cross country journey with Cooper and Emery, who just so happened to connect immediately upon meeting at the diner she worked at. I was a little shocked on her willingness to go along on this journey after only meeting him, but that also told me a lot about her personality. Cooper, oh my gosh. She was so optimistic, so lighthearted and joyful. She was easily likable with a sunny outlook, even though she was given many outs to feel otherwise. I thought she was the picture of perseverance, and that was my favorite thing about her. She was a caring one, but she was a snooper too! I had a really hard time with her actions regarding Emery's journal -- she read his most personal thoughts behind his back. Even after she had a few eye-opening moments about her behaviors, she still did it!!! It really was bothersome for me and I don't understand why she did it. Not even a little bit.
Even though I saw a glimpse of Emery's sweetness, his sexiness in between his dark periods.....I am not entirely sure I truly connected with him or his character. Which kinda sucks, because I saw where she took this, but I just couldn't connect, and that seriously makes me sad. I know that I didn't like that he had other girls along this trip either, but that truly bothered me a lot. I am not sure I understand why, because Cooper mentally knew that he wasn't hers and that she had no right to his affections or attention either.....but it really struck me hard. I was just frustrated on her behalf.
While I understood the story, I didn't enjoy it as much as I wished I had. This book dealt with some very tough subjects and definitely tackled some rough moments between these two. The LOVE WAS THERE; THE EMOTIONS WERE THERE, but I just didn't like the premise after it was all said and done. That really is hard for me to put into words because I have loved and connected with every other one of Kandi's stories I have read.
Not sure I can put a rating on this one about how I felt. While I went until 58% before I finally saw some spark and balls emerge in Emery, it was a long first two-thirds of the book for me to get to the good part at 66%. This was definitely a journey, and one I got to take along with Cooper and Emery, but it was almost boring for me. I know!! I know!! GASP. I just didn't love this one. <sigh> I wish I did. It just felt as if I were reading a story....not necessarily loving or hating it, which is so not my normal with her words. No angst. No real propulsion of the storyline...it just kinda went on, it just kinda happened.
~BEE
PURCHASE:
~MEET KANDI STEINER~
Kandi Steiner is a Creative Writing and Advertising/Public Relations graduate from the University of Central Florida living in Tampa with her husband. Kandi works full time as a social media specialist, but also works part time as a Zumba fitness instructor and blackjack dealer.
Kandi started writing back in the 4th grade after reading the first Harry Potter installment. In 6th grade, she wrote and edited her own newspaper and distributed to her classmates. Eventually, the principal caught on and the newspaper was quickly halted, though Kandi tried fighting for her “freedom of press.” She took particular interest in writing romance after college, as she has always been a die hard hopeless romantic (like most girls brought up on Disney movies).
When Kandi isn’t working or writing, you can find her reading books of all kinds, talking with her extremely vocal cat, and spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys beach days, movie marathons, live music, craft beer and sweet wine – not necessarily in that order.
Join her group Kandiland HERE.
~CONNECT WITH KANDI~
Always a great review and a perspective that helps me see all sides.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Zilpha. <3
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