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R**R
Lovely Romance + Heart Pounding Intrigue = Exceptional Read
***Spoilers****I loved this latest book from Jeannie Levig. It was both a tender and sweet romance and a nail biting thriller. This book had it all and it was painful to have to put it down, but life isn't simply about reading books.You've read the blurb about the book so I won't waste my time on it as I am not a professional writer, but I do have some thoughts.Levig creates a really dreamlike ambiance after Jordan disappears. Hannah moves through the initial days and week in a daze and only the presence of Jordan's best friend, Nikki is what keeps her anchored to her new reality. Levig uses the most amazing imagery in all of her books that just seem to set the mood quite perfectly. Waking up to yet another day not knowing what has become of her girlfriend, Hannah pours herself a cup of coffee and adds cream. Levig writes, "She watched the tendrils of white swirl into the black. It looked as though the world had slowed down. She could see each spiral movement as the two liquids blended. Her thoughts slowed to match it." There is delicious imagery like this throughout the book which really backs up what the characters are saying. You can have the wittiest, sexiest and smartest dialogue out there but if you can't back it up with imagery that sparks your readers' imaginations than its like just having a bunch of empty hangers in your closet with no clothes.This book is very intense because it deals with abduction, psychological and physical torture and it touches on sex addiction. Levig handles these issues deftly. She doesn't exploit the situation that Jordan gets forced into nor does she make it seem like she deserves it for all her years of being a player. The fact that Jordan had an inkling that she might have a sex addiction really had me feeling nothing but compassion for her and that was even before her "programming" started. While some would see Jordan as the "bad girl", I saw her as a wounded woman classically using sex to fill a void in her soul created at some point in her past when she realized she was not loved.The relationship that grows between Nikki and Hannah was brilliantly structured. Nikki had known all along that Jordan had been cheating on Hannah and when Hannah found out she finds her rage and throws Nikki and her friendship out. I thought, "Good for you." Nikki needed some time away from Hannah to reflect on her behavior and Hannah needed some time to simply feel her rage at both women and at herself for being so clueless. Once Nikki and Hannah had some time away from each other, they began a very lovely courtship. Levig provides a wealth of backstory to help the reader understand the emotional risks each of them are taking and bless her soul, she has her characters take it slow. When they finally confess their love it is so worth it.But it gets better! That lovely romance takes place while Playgirl Jordan is fighting for her life at the hands of a crazy religious zealot who believes he can "cure" homosexuality. The "treatments" Jordan must endure are hideous, but her strength of will keeps her hanging on until she can get help.The book ends with all three women together, supporting each other and brining closure to their past relationships and pledging to start over from a place of health and truth.I loved this book and highly recommend it. Don't let my average writing skills sway you from this very satisfying read.
S**A
although I felt it needed a good editor, both to keep the story from lagging
I'm a bit conflicted about this review. Part of me found the story captivating and was quite well written, although I felt it needed a good editor, both to keep the story from lagging, which it did a bit too often, as well as to catch the typos and other errors (surprising in a book from Bold Strokes). The book was overly long and could have been tightened up a bit and still succeeded in telling a good story. The author did indeed tackle two troubling themes, infidelity and sexual addiction, but only part way. We see the harm those issues can cause but not an exploration of how to deal with them - and the fallout to everyone involved. Perhaps a sequel would be interesting to see how Jordan recovers and overcomes her original issues; it would be a logical place to take a story involving these two very serious and difficult themes. I encourage Ms Levig to continue writing these stories which are so outside the box of standard lesbian romances! It is so nice to read a story with a bit more to it.
K**N
Compelling and disturbing (in a good way)
This book definitely kept me guessing. And I didn't guess correctly most of the time. It addresses a very important topic, conversion therapy, within a romance and suspenseful story. I wasn't too sure about one of the main characters, Jordan, but by the end I felt significant empathy and admiration for what she went through and how it changed her perspective. Also, it is scary to think how easily one can disappear while the police in this story really weren't able to do much to try to solve what was clearly a crime. Highly recommend - not a traditional lesbian romance by any means, but an excellently written, compelling story very much worth reading!
K**3
One thing lead to another
Read every line and keep in mind. Just when you think you know something and when you keep reading that you really don’t. Page turner of mystery, live, forgiveness and so much more.Sometimes they said you know someone better when you sleep with them, but in Hannah’s case, she didn’t know anything about her girlfriend Jordan. And even Jordan’s best friend Nikki didn’t know much, but knew enough.
L**K
Unforgettable and deeply moving!
A beautiful, compassionate story about friendship, infidelity, conflicted feelings, identity, love, revenge, deep rooted bigotry, strength and so much more. Sometimes heartbreaking, shocking, overwhelming at times but written with genuine empathy. A real page turner and it touch me straight in my heart. Excellent written and with a fabulous heart warming love story. I love it!
W**E
Ok story...
2.5stars!I was genuinely rooting for this book to be really good because her last one was just amazing but it just failed with both the storytelling and writing. What i pinpoint and the wrong or error about this storyline from the start is the topic:- the unhealthy nature of their(main characters) relationship being the focal point because it deals with so much cheating and dishonesty plus the author involves church & cult as a side story which i think should have been written more in-depth and research alot better. Just a bit flabbergasted with a few of the stuff that was written and only prefer the chemistry between most of the supporting cast and a little of their love story.*p.s:- I do not want to cast any aspersions but if an author decides to write about infidelities in past relationships then maybe its a reflection of themselves that they are most likely writing about as therapeutic..just saying (check the 2nd book 'cheating')
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