DEFYING GRAVITY
by KK ALLENOur greatest risk was the one we never took …
It was an accidental spring fling three years ago—one week spent in the mountains of Big Sur and no one was the wiser. Ignore the fact that Tobias James was my neighbor and my best friend’s older brother. Or that upon our return his hoop dreams were waiting for him, robbing us of any potential future we could have shared.
Now, I’m fulfilling my own dreams in L.A. and my biggest dream of all is about to come true. The last thing I expected was for my past and my present to collide.
Not now. Not here. Not him.
But he struts back into my life like he never even left. Unfortunately, I’ll never forget what happened after he did.
The ball is in my court, but Tobias isn’t below stealing—my power, my resolve, my heart… When he wants a second chance to reignite our connection, my answer is simple. We can’t.
Not unless we defy the rules our dreams were built on and risk everything.
“You know as well as I that you can’t put a label on what we are. We’re just Amelia and Tobias. We’re moon and earth, living among the stars and sun. We’re everything. And no matter the distance, we still make sense together.”
YES. YES. YES. I am smiling from ear to ear right now. For my second book by KK Allen, I have no need or desire to stop reading her words. She gives me a compelling love. She fills my heart with smiles. My eyes are seeing hearts. I am just so happy and enjoying this dance world she is giving me. I'm not the creative type, so I don't have any real comparison to that creative need to dance/write/create, so this book was such a great escape into the minds of two very determined lovers to not only better themselves, but also their "specialty". I fell head over heels in love with that aspect, as well as Tobias and Amelia.
I loved Amelia and Tobias so much. They had a love that not only could I feel, but I could connect with as well. One part that I seriously enjoyed, and previously enjoyed with Center of Gravity, was the interactive side of her books. There are links to click on to watch the videos that she is 'referencing' throughout the book and it makes the read that much more "real". What an inspiration - hands down. I loved "seeing" what she was explaining to me. The models she used were so spot on from her description that it gave the best visual - before, during, and after. It allowed me to "place" Amelia on the dance floor. It allowed me to "watch" Tobias on the court. It was a very visual experience for me this time, and it just made it that much more enjoyable for me. And, to be honest, they were what made the story come to life for me.
Tobias was everything and I mean that. He was such good book boyfriend material. He was strong, and intense. He was loving and bold. He was protective and sensitive. He really was the whole package. I really think Amelia complemented his demeanor very well. Amelia had a strength that should not go unnoticed, and it is a discussable one. She was very strong and determined. She was so giving of her heart, but stood by her convictions. She had everything he needed and wanted, and offered more than he understood. I loved their dynamic. This book was the love that I needed to read this week. I smiled throughout their love story, and I couldn't put it down. His love was PURE and I couldn't stop thinking about how he took care of her and comforted her...just as she did him. I adored their relationship - on every level. And their banter was next level. LOVED that part.
"He was watching me with the same eyes I drowned in whenever he was near."
I did feel that there was a wordy vibe to this story, which made it feel longer. But, not that it was too wordy - I know I'm contradicting myself, but work with me. It was a much slower pace than I usually read so it wasn't a quick paced read. While I generally enjoy a slow build, sometimes it feels longer than it should. BUT....if that's the only thing I can complain about, then I think I'm golden because I got caught up in their storyline and their love affair. It truly was a wonderful read.
Amelia and Tobias had real insecurities and real drama play out. It wasn't fluff and immature/childish actions, which I could completely appreciate. It was a journey towards their destination, for sure - and not easy, by any means. The characters were young and acted age appropriate, but were wise beyond their years in some aspects. Love pushed them, and that's the kind of love I seek. I want that push, the one thing that drives them to not only take care of their lover, but themselves as well. Decisions and lessons were learned, but it was worked into the story effortlessly. The craving and the need these two characters had, the pull and the intensity....I really felt it in this one, but in such a way that I felt it deep within. The coil of anticipation was there, and the devotion that Tobias and Amelia had for each other wasn't without turmoil, but was embedded deep within their souls. I liked it!! I liked it a lot.
"You forget my profession. I'm not above stealing. Try to resist me, Amelia."
The temperament she created in these characters was so relatable on many different levels. While I haven't ever had to deal with the world that was handed to Tobias, I was able to feel his pain and confusion even though I didn't understand the depth of his anger or pain on a personal level. While I don't have a creative bone in my body, I would love to move like Amelia does....but a back surgery reminds me I'm not nimble enough to dance like that, so couch dancing it is for me! It's this style of writing that reminds me that I have found a voice in KK Allen that I can sink into and really enjoy. This story gave me all the feels and the thoughts that I am not sure I would have ever really given any honest thought to, yet she gave me a perspective that I was able to understand and appreciate for the experience she gave me. I am loving the stories she's given me so far and I really want to read more by her. I should probably read the books I've purchased of hers....ya think?
I just really enjoyed this book. It was a smooth, easy read and was a lot of fun. The free prequel, Falling From Gravity is a fun little read, but definitely not necessary to enjoy the book in full. It gives some background on their relationship and gives us a deeper look into how they began and fell in love, but you can feel the chemistry just from reading this book.
By the way.....this title was perfection.
"If kissing was a language, then Tobias and I spoke it fluently."
~BEE
Check out the FREE prequel, Falling From Gravity
If I hadn’t considered Amelia dangerous before, I certainly did now. She wasn’t anything like I had expected. Even after all these years—of living so close to her, of listening to her giggle with my sister in the bedroom next to mine—I hadn’t given much thought to my sister’s best friend.
But in the span of one week, everything had changed.
Everything.
** Falling from Gravity was originally released in the Spring Fling Anthology **
ALL THE FEELS!!! These teasers are LIFE!!
K.K. Allen is an award-winning Contemporary Romance author, University of Washington Alumni, and Seattle Seahawk fan!!
K.K.'s debut romance novel, Up in the Treehouse, was named the Best New Adult Book of the Year by RT Book Reviews, an honor beyond belief! Named the Queen of Angst by her readers, K.K. promises to take your emotions on an epic ride every single time with very real, coming of age romance stories.
At age twelve, K.K. picked up a pen and wrote her first novel, a YA rock star romance that will never see the light of day :) She continued filling notebooks until she was finally ready to share her work with the world.
K.K. currently lives in central Florida with her son, works full time as a Digital Producer by day, and writes every other waking hour.
~CONNECT WITH KK~
ARC REVIEW
COPY PURCHASED FOR GIVEAWAY
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