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Review

“I’m no one’s fucking hero, but I’m going to be yours.”

4 beautifully broken stars

I loved this book! A beautiful romance between two broken people whose love story absolutely stole my heart!

Bella has just escaped a devastatingly abusive relationship and is in hiding with her three year old daughter, Lilah. She has returned to the house where she grew up, left to her by her recently deceased grandmother, and she is determined to create the life that her daughter deserves – full of love, laughter and peace.

Across the road from her lives Jackson Fletcher, a dedicated Detective with the SVU who is driven by a mistake from his past which still haunts him seven years later. Jackson knows all about Bella from her grandmother, and from his first glace of the broken woman and her adorable, yet terrified, daughter, he is drawn to them. He immediately recognises the fear and brokenness in Bella and Lilah, and like the protector he is, he wants to be there for them. He wants to shield them, to heal them, and to be a part of their lives and he immediately sets about doing so.

“I won’t hurt you or Lilah, not now, not ever. You have my word on that.”

God, I love Jackson! He is a fiercely protective alpha with a heart of gold and a sensitive, gentle way about him that had me falling for him over and over again. He makes his way into Bella and Lilah’s life, becoming a friend and promising that he won’t hurt her, and he pushes her to start living her life again, leaving now doubt as to what he wants with her.

“I look at you, I watch you, and it takes everything I have not to lean in and hold you. To pick you up and carry you to my bed. To hold back and not tell you want I’m feeling.”

Bella has been brutally and tragically hurt and is understandably scared of Jackson, but he is there for her in a way that she’s never experienced before and as she gets to know him she learns to trust him, and the feelings she is beginning to have for him. And as she slowly starts to let him in, neither of them can hold back any longer and they fall into an easy, natural and heartfelt relationship. Jackson takes things slowly with Bella, earning her trust and gently working his way into her heart, and I love the mix of his gentleness and his determination.

“There is no pushing me away now, angel. Just take my hand. We’ll go slow and take baby steps. Please, Bella, I need you two as much as you two need me.”

But life isn’t all love and happiness for them. Despite the peace that they find together, the bad times are far from over, and the twists, turns and intrigue that is woven into the story from Bella’s past, and from the case that Jackson is working, add a great sense of intrigue, drama and suspense to the story. It’s a wonderful contrast to the love story, but it also adds to everything that is developing between them, and I thought it was really cleverly done.

“One day you’ll let me in completely, Bella. One day you’ll lean you can trust me completely. One day you’ll give me your heart, and I am going to cherish it.”

I love this relationship. It’s sweet, tentative, honest and easy, and the pacing is perfect. The development of their feelings is beautifully written as they grow closer, and the sexy time is hot, passionate, and an extension of all that they are feeling for each other.

“I love her. All of her. The broken pieces, the whole pieces, the good, the bad, the ugly, everything. I love them. I’m not letting them go.”

There is a lot of healing that’s needed for both of them, but Bella and Jackson are there for each other, and though they have their ups and downs, their relationship is a true partnership – with little Lilah very much a part of what they are building together (Jackson with Lilah is ovary-quiveringly adorable), and their love story is absolutely beautiful.

“I don’t deserve you. I don’t deserve anything you have to give me,” I say as I trail kisses along her neck, “but I’m not walking away from you.” Her hands grab my shirt, bunching it in her fists. “You’re my perfect, you’re my salvation, and you’re my everything.”

I loved this book! The story is told in dual POV and it is beautifully written; I could feel everything that Bella and Jackson were going through. They are both fantastic characters, and I loved watching their individual journeys, as well as their journey together. The strength that they show in dealing with their issues, as well as in trusting their hearts and moving forward together, was really nicely done and makes this a compelling, heartfelt story.

This is my first read by Natasha Madison, and I’m definitely looking forward to more of her work – especially the next book in this series featuring Jackon’s partner, Mick, whose story is previewed throughout this book.

A great read – 4 stars.

A copy of this book was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

 

Heaven & Hell series