by JEWEL E ANN
The Law of Henna and Bodhi:
When love breaks, fall inward, fall together, and fall hard. Then let time pick up the pieces.
Everything feels temporary when you’ve experienced tragedy—until Henna Lane meets Bodhi at a music festival.
Young and spontaneous, they have a lust for seizing the moment, falling hard and fast.
When Bodhi is forced to leave without a goodbye, Henna thinks she’ll never get over him. But then she meets Mr. Malone, her sexy, new guidance counselor.
They are reckless.
They are forbidden.
When their secret is discovered, Henna has to choose between finishing school—banned from seeing Mr. Malone—or dropping out to follow her nomad dreams.
Henna chooses her dreams.
Over time, she learns that life is not a destination or a journey, some things are more than temporary, and the forbidden can never be ignored. But if she returns for him, will he still be hers?
A Place Without You is an emotional story of young love, shattered dreams, and impossible decisions.
"I want him to hold me in his arms the way I've held him in my heart."
SHE'S FREAKING BRILLIANT.
I cannot even begin to explain how amazing it is to me that someone can write a story that completely catches me off guard - but on top of that, has me still thinking of it days, weeks, months later because it affected me on some deeper level. A level that goes beyond normal. Jewel is most definitely that kind of author for me. There is a reason she sits on my favorites list each year. Yet again, here is proof.
I like to savor my reads. I love to daydream about them as I carry on about my day, or soak them up while I'm enjoying it. It's a purposeful drift through her words while I ponder the deeper, unspoken meaning behind her stories.
Where to start with this one. If you know Jewel's writing from any of her previous books, you will know and understand her angst. You have felt the effects of how easily she rips you apart and puts you back together. You've seen the reality that encompasses all her stories and the triumph in the ending. It's what keeps me coming back for more. It's the reason I sign up for her brand of torture, every single time. Because she does it effortlessly. It's so good. Add the fact that nothing of hers is predictable or without their own special twists, that makes for a page turning read that is never boring. Ever. And the quotes? I could quote the whole darn book!!!
"Attraction doesn't give a shit about time. It wants what it wants."
I am such a slow, meticulous reader, so when the words are visual and the feelings are palpable, it brings the story to life. This is exactly how Jewel writes. Her words are electric when she tells a story. When Bodhi and Henna met, it was a sensual dance of flirting, smiling and winking. Their chemistry was immediate and intense, but I don't think it was unexplainable because it was destined to be. The buildup was told so well that I saw a strength in their vulnerability and I appreciated that. The angst was definitely there, but it was a softer angst. It wasn't the stomach twisting angst I've come to expect, but I liked that little switch up. It really worked for this story and it made their love that much more vibrant and alive. It wasn't an easy road to get from point A to point B, and there is no denying that, but it was one worth every single obstacle. Their push and their pull, their desires to do the right thing gave this book such a hard-hitting, emotional gut punch. I couldn't help but pore over the words that she was bringing to life. She made it easy to imagine how every decision made affected the characters, in turn allowing me to feel their turmoil.
"There's a part of her no one will ever understand unless they see how she expresses herself without words."
I connected very easily to both Henna and Bodhi, not by experience, but by emotion - which made them very relatable. I liked how stubborn Henna was. I liked how set Bodhi was in his convictions. Together, they made the story breathe. It was moving. It was fluid. Flawless, even though their actions may have been angering and the reasons may have been agonizing. Their relationship had charisma, but their fight for an undeniable love wasn't without it's battles. Their love was organic in every way.
"I'm pretty sure you're still my greatest memory."
I know I say the same thing every time I read one of her books, but when Jewel gives me deep characters, an engaging first meeting combined with a plot rampant with emotional truths, and buttoned up with an amazing ending...it's perfection. It literally is. I love her books. I just do. I love the way she tells a story, and it's as if she's unapologetically showing us the truth behind a love that's destined to last through hardships, through thick and thin. Guaranteed.
Once again, Jewel writes FATE like it was meant to be. (I'm punny)
"Yeah, she's a torturous glimpse at a life I would have loved to live."
~BEE
~MEET JEWEL E ANN~
Jewel is a free-spirited romance junkie with a quirky sense of humor.
With 10 years of flossing lectures under belt, she took early retirement from her dental hygiene career to stay home with her three awesome boys and manage the family business.
After her best friend of nearly 30 years suggested a few books from the contemporary Romance genre, Jewel was hooked. Devouring two and three books a week but still craving more, she decided to practice sustainable reading, AKA writing.
When she’s not donning her cape and saving the planet one tree a a time, she enjoys yoga with friends, good food with family, rock climbing with her kids, watching How I Met Your Mother reruns, and of course . . .heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, panty-scorching novels.
~CONNECT WITH JEWEL~
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Great review! I've learned to love angst because of you Bee. I sometimes get scared but I know you will be there to hold my hand and comfort me. But what I love the most is the time we discuss about the book, sharing ideas, sharing our grief and laughter. I'm excited to yet another great read and chat.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Bunny. That means a lot to me. I love hearing that. I'll always hold your hand. ❤
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