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Review
Gorgeous, I loved it!
Wow, what a fantastic debut novel from Emery Rose. She has given us a sweet, sexy and intense romance with just the right amount of drama and emotion, and a gorgeous love story, and I loved it.
Killian is a former UFC fighter who is haunted by ghosts from his past. He has been hurt badly, and suffers guilt from an accident that shattered his world, and he now runs a bar with his best friend, keeping to himself and not letting anybody get too close.
I was a man seeking salvation and redemption, without a clue how to find it.
Eden’s world comes to a crashing halt when she walks in on her boyfriend and her best friend in bed together. Shattered by the betrayal, she packs up her life and moves away from her hometown to Brooklyn, hoping for a fresh start and the chance to find herself and figure out what it is she wants from her life. When she goes looking for work in a bar, she meets Killian, and their first meeting is far from friendly.
“You’ll have guys hassling you. When they get drunk, they say and do stupid shit. I’m not saying it’s right,” he shrugged one shoulder, “but you’re not unattractive, so you’ll need to deal with that.”
“I’m not unattractive? Are you always this charming?”
“If you’re looking for Prince Charming, it ain’t me, Sunshine”
Sunshine? At least he didn’t make any empty promises or pretend to be something he wasn’t. “I don’t believe in fairytales. Or happily ever after. Prince Charming was an evil villain in disguise, and Cinderella was the doormat he wiped his feet on.”
I love the feisty intensity you get when you have two people fighting against a mutual and sizzling attraction, and that is exactly what happens here. Neither Eden or Killian are looking for a relationship, but neither of them can deny that there is a connection between them, and in the midst of snarky banter, across-the-bar-stares and displays of alpha protectiveness, their attraction to each other grows, and I loved watching it all happen.
And thankfully it doesn’t drag on for too long, giving us just the right amount of build up before we get to see the beginnings of a gorgeous love story as Killian and Eden own what’s happening between them and agree to explore all of that sizzling chemistry.
“You’re killing me, baby,” he said, his voice low and husky.
Baby. I loved the way it sounded rolling off his tongue. “Gently, I hope.”
“Sometimes that’s the worst way.”
It’s hot! And more than just their physical attraction, there is a strong emotional element to everything between them, and I loved watching them open up to each other, bare their souls and share their vulnerabilities.
Sex was easy. Intimacy was hard for me. “If you look too closely, did too deep, you won’t like what you find and that…scares the shit out of me.”
Killian’s walls are thick, but Eden is strong. I loved her determination to break through as she fought hard to heal him, and I love that he let her. And the love story that develops is heartfelt, passionate and swoony as they fall for each other utterly and completely.
“When I’m with you, I see all the colors. And I’m not scared of the darkness, because there’s so much light inside you too. When you let me see you, really see you, there’s nothing in this world more beautiful than you, Killian.”
“It’s not beautiful inside me. It’s a fucked-up place to live.”
“I’d rather live there, with you, than anywhere else on the planet.”“You own me, Eden. Body, heart, soul. I’m yours.”
*dreamy sigh*
But them finding each other is only a part of their story. They still have a lot to deal with – individually and together – and when demons from the past encroach upon their happiness, there is some drama and suspense, adding even more intensity to the story, but it’s balanced well without being overwhelming.
There’s a great collection of side characters, and I was thrilled when I learned that Rose is going to continue exploring this world by turning this book into a series. There are friends and family members just screaming to have their stories told, and with some great set-ups already in place, I can’t wait to get my hands on those!
I loved this book. Sweet, sexy and intense with a whole lot of heart, it’s a gorgeous story, and a really impressive debut.
4 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.