ABOUT THE BOOK
If a painting in the home of your perfect man reflects your dreams of doom, do you run, or do you dare to embrace love?
Lizetta has built a life of compassion, yet the wounds of childhood bullying have left her struggling to see her own worth. Jensen’s life was filled with substance abuse and shady morals until a brutal wake-up call forced him to find his way back to the gentle soul he once was. When fate brings them together, their undeniable bond is threatened by those whose futures depend on the return of Jensen’s demons.
Souls can heal, but how long can they withstand the forces that seek to destroy them? If one of those forces is the person who shattered your self-image, and she is determined to pull the one you love back into darkness, could you still believe everyone deserves a second chance?
MY REVIEW
This book had me feeling all sorts of ways. Mostly emotional, but also a bit frustrated.
There were definitely parts that hit me hard. I mean, there were moments when I found myself tearing up. Those scenes were compelling and well-crafted, making the weighty themes really resonate on a personal level.
You can almost feel the warmth when Lizetta is around. She has this way of making everyone feel special, and with Jensen, her compassion seems to spark something in him, a glimmer of hope in an otherwise tough world. Their connection is so spiritual, and it’s beautiful watching them grow together.
Jensen is currently on the recovery road from drug addiction, battling his past demons, and really trying to figure out what it means to be a better man. The contrast between these two is captivating. Lizetta’s kindness feels like a soft light guiding Jensen out of his darkness.
Now, here’s where things get a little intense. We have a third character, Laura. She’s Jensen’s ex and, interestingly enough, Lizetta’s high school bully. Talk about a tangled web of relationships. Laura is deep into her own struggle with heroin addiction, and her presence adds a layer of complexity to the story.
But here’s where my excitement took a bit of a nosedive. Despite tackling some really heavy issues like bullying, poor body image and drug addiction, the writing felt somewhat lacking, almost immature at times. I found myself wishing for a more refined tone because the feelings and struggles the characters were experiencing deserved more sophistication.
In addition, the book is too long. It felt like it dragged on for ages. I understand that exploring complex themes takes time, but there were moments where I caught myself skimming wishing for the pacing to pick up.
In the end, while the emotional highs were compelling, the overall execution didn’t quite live up to my expectations. If you read this book, just be prepared for a rollercoaster of emotions, but also a bit of frustration.
Thank you to Ms. Rinella for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
BUY THE BOOK
 |
 |
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Enjoying San Francisco as a backdrop, the ghosts in USA Today Bestselling Author Diane Rinella’s 150-year old Victorian home augment the chorus in her head. With insomnia as their catalyst, these voices have become multifarious characters that haunt her well into the sun’s crowning hours, refusing to let go until they have manipulated her into succumbing to their whims. Her experiences as an actress, business owner, artisan cake designer, software project manager, Internet radio disc jockey, vintage rock n’ roll journalist/fan girl, and lover of dark and quirky personalities influence her idiosyncratic writing.
Follow Diane on Facebook, Instagram, and Bookbub.
BLOG TOUR ORGANIZED BY:
