This novel is exceptionally well written. Ms. Fine has managed to capture the awkward tension and discomfort between Levi and Sarah from almost the very first word. The main characters dance around each other until the reader is overwhelmed with the need to know what exactly drove these two apart. When the mystery is revealed, it is heart-rending. Rarely do I empathize with characters like I did with these two.

The writing style is to be praised. Ms. Fine uses first-person present narration so skillfully you hardly notice it. She manages to let her characters speak without falling into the easy trap of telling instead of showing. The end result is an artfully woven tale of love and loss and the healing that allows one to love again.

This book is the first in a series. I find myself eager to read the next installment. I expect it to be well worth the wait. ( )

'Denial is thick and sweet, and for the past year it filled up my lungs until they threatened to burst. But truth...truth is clean and pure. And yes, it hurts when I inhale it, it hurts to cleanse out the sweet smoke, but breathing it out is like new life.'

Plot

After Pixie Marshall's freshman year of college ended, so did her residency in the college dorms. In need of a job and a place to live, Pixie moves into her Aunt Ellen's Inn, where one of the job perks is free room and board.

However, she didn't realise that Ellen also offered the same job perks to Levi Andrew's, meaning that he lives just across the hall from Pixie, and they share a bathroom.

Levi is the resident handyman, but he's also a walking reminder of Pixie's happiest, and most painful, memories. There was a time when Pixie and Levi were inseparable, and their strong friendship was on the brink of becoming something more. Until one night when everything turned to hell.

Pixie just wanted to avoid Levi and forget about him, but as they still carry feelings for each other, avoiding Levi soon becomes more difficult than Pixie originally thought.

My Thoughts

I recieved a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, via NetGalley. This book has been on my Kindle for a few months, along with tons of other books that I haven't got around to reading yet. One day while scrolling through my many unread books, I decided to read this and I'm glad that I did.

My first thoughts were that Levi and Pixie had gone through a bad breakup and that this caused the bad feeling between them. However, as I got further into the book, it was clear that there was so much more going on. I won't go into further details about the cause of Levi and Pixie's heartbreak, as it will ruin the story if you haven't read it yet.

I really enjoyed the tension between Levi and Pixie, as it was clear from the start that they still had feelings for each other, and it was really only a matter of time before they acted on them. When they finally did give in temptation, it was like a dam had burst and all of their guilt over past events came flooding out.

I would definitely recommend this book if you're looking to read a Romance laced with true heartbreak and sadness, and with two main characters that find a way to overcome tragedy and forgive each other, as well as themselves. ( )

2-2.5 STARS


Brief Story:

main characters are Sarah (a.k.a Pixie) a girl who was wronged and had a bad childhood . And there is Levi the hot handyman. .. he on the contrary lived a very happy life.
these two knew each from the past and they've been close but a tragedy happens and they are separated never talked or seen one another in mounths. until they are reunited once again, but things are not the way they used to be, too much heartache, anger and hurt, but mostly a strong sexual tension whenever they are near together...

Can they overcome there past? or will they kill each other before the end of the book... * suspense *


-_- sigh, I'm very bad at introducing a story without Spoilers, but worry not, this has been spoiler free.
but the end is obviously clear from the summary above.
but I was expecting all the feels that comes while reading a sad story
My opinion:

well it's a Huge disappointment, I was expecting a deep heart wrenching story.but all I've gotten are two stubborn people who are messed up for all the wrong reasons. and they are always whining, accusing closed and very depressing.

waste all my little precious time. (all the homework that could've been done this past five hours) I'm on the verge of tears *sniff* . ( )

Want to know if the whole series is worth reading? Read my overall review of the whole series at seriesousbookreviews.com! Spoiler Free!

I loved the mystery surrounding Pixie and Levi's past relationship. Trying to unearth their past it was kept me reading. And watching their character growth from that whole experience was worth it.

I also enjoyed their banter. It was fun and I definitely laughed at a few lines. But given the synopsis, I was expecting more fun situations, and with those situations lots and lots of sexual tension. Pixie and Levi have enough of a connection that it was great to just watch them work out their relationship. I really saw how perfect of a match they were for each other throughout the novel--it wasn't some physical lust between them but years of memories and feelings and that truly showed with the slow burn romance.

So while I enjoyed this story, I just felt underwhelmed by it unfortunately. I needed that something more. It's a cute, quick read regardless that YA contemporary fans will enjoy if they want to make the leap to New Adult!

Check out more spoiler-free book and series reviews on my blog SERIESousBookReviews.com as well as read book series recaps!

Full Review: http://wp.me/p3txrs-Ou
( )

This is my first Chelsea Fine read and I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the characters and the story. I own all three books in the series in paperback and also in audiobook. I decided to listen to them.

The events get unraveled throughout the story from the past of the two main characters and it is heartbreaking. I feel if it was all described at one time it would have had a more emotional impact on the story.

Overall, this was ok. I did not love it and I did not hate it. Since these are so short and I own them, I will be following up with the rest of the series. ( )