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Review

“Sometimes, it takes life breaking apart for it to get you where you’re truly meant to be.

4.5 stars!

After devouring the first book in this series, I couldn’t wait to dive into this one, and I read it in a day, unable to put it down. A beautifully emotional story of a woman running from her past, a rockstar hiding from his fame, and a sweet, sexy romance that completely stole my heart. I loved this one!

Tessa was introduced in the last book of the series, Beautifully Broken Pieces. She is the extremely shy and quiet woman who works in the back of Jensen’s tea store, keeping to herself and barely interacting with anybody. This book shows us who she is and what she’s hiding from, and it’s devastating. The victim of an abusive relationship, she has been on the run from her ex-fiance for two years, living in secret with a brand new identity and knowing that if he ever finds her, her life would be over.

Liam is one of the best friends of Taylor (heroine from the last book), a gorgeous rock star who arrived in the small town of Sutter Lake looking for privacy from his crazy life in LA. He has a problem with a stalker which had a devastating outcome and has driven him to withdraw, and he his label is pressuring him for his next album. He needs down time to relax and to write, and he is hoping to find peace in the blissful quiet of the nature in the country.

When Liam meets Tessa, his world is rocked. He is captivated by the quiet, beautiful woman. He knows that she is afraid and is wrestling big demons, but that doesn’t scare him off, and he gently, patiently and determinedly reaches out to her, desperate to get to know her.

“I don’t know what this is yet, but it’s something. I don’t want to lose it.”

Tessa is understandably terrified of letting anybody close – not just because of what she’s been through, but also the fear of exposing somebody else to the danger that she is in. Her fears are justified, and though she tries her hardest to keep Liam at arm’s length, the man is irresistible, and she finds herself unexpectedly falling for him.

And who could blame her? Liam is absolute perfection as he works to bring Tessa out of her shell. He is open and honest, and absolutely everything that she needs. They talk and banter, and they share these beautifully quiet and peaceful moments that mean so much to both of them. It’s a beautiful slow burn and I loved watching them find their way forward together.

“We’ll find our way, Tessa. Just give us some time.”

As I read this book I was falling in love right alongside Liam and Tessa. Their romance swept me up, and I was so happy to see them coming together. But the whole time, I had this sense of dread that something bad was coming. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out what, and it makes every moment that they have together that much sweeter as they cherish every little thing about each other.

“I’m sorry I burdened you with all this.”
I tugged gently on Tessa’s braid, tipping her face up so she met my gaze. “Never apologize for sharing yourself with me. Hard things you’ve been through, amazing things you’ve experienced…I want to know everything. I want it all. Every last piece of you.”

I loved Liam! He’s sweet, swoony, protective and caring. He wears his heart on his sleeve for his girl, with just the right amount of patience and encouragement, and he completely stole my heart. And Tessa is a fantastic heroine. She shows a lot of strength in starting over, and watching her open up to Liam, rebuild her life and find her way back to herself is a beautifully written journey.

This life I was building with Tessa, even one hidden in the shadows, was sweeter than anything I ever imagined.

But the blissful little world they have built for themselves can’t last forever, and when the past catches up with them, they will have to fight hard to hold on to everything they’ve found together.

“I promise I will do my best to be the man you deserve, someone who empower you and stands by your side while you fight whatever battles you need to fight.” The tears in Tessa’s eyes spilled over, and I wiped them away with my thumbs. “I know we have a long way to go, but I want to take that journey with you. Please, let me.”

This is a beautiful read. It’s heartfelt, swoony, dramatic and suspenseful, with a gorgeous love story that is sweet, sexy, and beautifully romantic. I loved Liam and Tessa, and their story swept me up from start to finish. I freaking loved it!

I’m so captivated by this series and cannot get enough of these characters. I’m going straight onto the next book, not quite ready to leaver Sutter Lake just yet.

4.5 stars!

 

Sutter Lake

 

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