An all new emotionally charged second chance romance.What happens when you fall for the boy next door?Bea Norwood had the market on normal.Drama free life? Check.A single-mother who doubled as her confidant and partner in crime? Check. A neighbor and best friend she trusted more than anyone? Check.But that was until the day her mother remarried. The day that changed everything.When her best … changed everything.When her best friend’s cousin, Liam Falcon, is sent to live with his aunt and uncle to clean up his act, Bea finds herself falling for the boy next door. With their hearts so infinitely entwined, Bea turns to Liam as her only escape from her new step-brother’s daily torment at home. Bea thought their love could conquer anything. But she was wrong. Love was for fools, and she was the biggest fool of them all. When Liam left Lakeport, he took her heart with him, shattering the organ to pieces.
Six years later, Liam takes a trip back to Lakeport to visit his family, and to see HER.
His first love.The girl who holds his heart.The same girl who shattered it six years ago without looking back.
Liam is hell-bent on seeing Bea again after six years, but what he finds tears his heart in half. Bea Norwood is a shell of the girl he fell in love with. Underneath the baggy clothes, and pale skin, he knows she’s still in there somewhere, he just needs to find her. Liam will stop at nothing to win his girl back, but sometimes, ignorance is bliss, and Liam isn’t prepared for Bea’s truth.
Some aspects of this story may be sensitive for readers.
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I’ve never read anything quite like this book… Ache is going to be a story that stays with me for a long time. This story is hauntingly beautiful…it pushed my boundaries (at times it was very hard to read) & took my breath away with the brutal honesty that is S.M. Soto’s words.
I honestly don’t think I can truly explain how incredibly powerful Bea & Liam’s story is. So I’ll stop rambling and just say this..Please Read Ache..even if it makes you uncomfortable because its worth it. This book..their story..it’s just everything.
A heartbreaking book that has all of the emotional feels. It will pull at your heartstrings, your eye ducts and just make you want wrap Bea up in a hug and tell her it will be alright. I wanted to tell her to follow your heart and believe. Believe that you are enough, that you are beautiful. Just breathe again…..
Liam was her everything until he wasn’t. Will they be able to find their way back together after so much time a part, so many unanswered questions? Will the love that they shared be able to come to the front again or will it all be pushed back again?
I am loving this author!
As I sit here and try to think of a review on this amazing book it is a hard one to do. This one was a tough one for me to get through but it was so worth it in the end. Even with the tough subject matter, it is a tough this story, that was beautifully written. While the subject matter is something that needs to be talked about, it seems to be swept under the rug.
Bea and Liam’s story will live with me for a long time and I can say this is my top read of 2019 and not sure if any will come close. Nothing I say will give this book the review it deserves. I felt Bea’s turmoil and her determination to keep those she loved safe even with her own downfall.
I know I will have other epic reads this year but there is something with this one that will stck with me for a long time.
What a book!
The title is so fitting, your heart will be left aching.
Now before I continue let me just warn you this book contains triggers.
Warning aside I devoured this book in one sitting. Everyone was ignored while this beautifully written, heart breaking book captured me from the beginning.
This second chance romance, will touch on a subject many avoid.
Bea and Liam’s story is one that will forever stay in my heart.
As hard as it maybe to get through certain scenes in the book, just know that by the end of it, you will be glad and thankful you were able to read their story.
This book has weazled its way into my top 10 for 2019 so far.
10
read
Straight into my Forever Favourite Folder
I have now read this story 3 times. I was lucky enough to beta read this one last year and have read it twice since. I have cried every single time. Bea is a warrior. A broken but fierce warrior.
It’s not a sweet story, but it is a love story. The kind of story that punches you in the heart. That makes you think. The kind of story that stays with you for days after finishing. You know when an author writes a book so real – so raw – that you feel a little battered? Well that’s how I feel again today. It’s not a pretty tale of hearts and flowers but it’s so freaking beautiful in its honest pain and growth that even through my tears I found myself smiling. Stories like this need to be told.
Packed with extraordinary characters. Real pain. Real love. And so much heartache I almost ran out of tissues… There are definite triggers in this one but for those who can handle that, this is a book that is genuinely one of my favourite reads ever.
Ache is the most emotional book I have ever read. I’m still shaking internally from the excess of emotions that accompanied me while reading this story. I cried a sea of tears but every single drop that left my eye was worth the experience. I survived the complete catharsis and it opened my eyes. Because apart from the fact that Ache is really amazing and outstanding read it also brings a very important message – stop for a second and look around. Someone may need you right now. A person close to you can now internally scream for help and you’re too busy with your life to see it.
Bea Norwood was a completely normal teenager with a loving mother and the best friend who was also her neighbor. But she had many changes waiting for her. First of all, her mother got married and Bea got a stepbrother as part of a package. Secondly, her friend’s cousin Liam Falcon came to the neighborhood, who under the supervision of his aunt was supposed to clean up his act. Due to changes at home and constant distress related to the strange behavior of her stepbrother, Bea found her haven in Liam’s presence. Their relationship developed day by day and eventually turned into the most beautiful kind of love that can connect two young people. However, the day came when Liam had to leave Bea. Hearts were broken and nothing was as it once was… After long six years Liam returned to Lakeport – the place where he left his heart. But he never expected Bea to be just the shell of a girl he loved with all his strenght. Her current state breaks Liam’s heart once again and he’s determined to find his beloved girlfriend in Bea. But nothing can prepare him for the truth about what happened during his absence.
I can’t count how many times I started to sob during this read. My heart broke into a million pieces and my chest ached from too many emotions. I suffered with Bea and I still can’t understand how it was possible that no one saw what was really going on. It was like a kick in the stomach- awareness that such situations are not fiction. Even though Bea survived the hell, I admire her for her strength. She bravely endured the constant torment to protect her loved ones. I also admire her determination to start living normally again. And Liam … sweet, wonderful Liam. I’m completely in love with him. As a young man he was the best boyfriend a girl could ever dream of. Devoted, faithful and extremely affectionate. As a mature guy he was very caring and patient. Although he had moments when he made mistakes, he quickly tried to redeem himself and did everything in his power to fix them. His love for Bea is unconditional, strong and eternal. That kind of man is the best that can happen to woman.
S.M. Soto is my hero. She created a masterpiece that took first place on my list of emotional reads and I will never forget about this story. Although raised topic may be somewhat disturbing I think that everyone should read Ache. The message it carries is very important. Don’t be afraid to reach for help when you need it. And also pay attention to your surroundings- at this very moment someone may need you. This book will always remain in my heart.
Thank you S.M. Soto for the beauty of your words. I’m honored that I could take part in Bea and Liam’s journey.
I commend this author for writing such a hard book. I’m sure it wasn’t easy writing about such a delicate situation like the one Bea endured for six years in this book.
I finished reading this book with snot all over my face not only from how this book made me cry but also because I was sick and even though I was so sick laying in my bed, unable to move because I was so sick, it still didn’t stop me from reading this all consuming book.
I can’t phantom how Bea continued on with life with what she was put through. She lived a life of hell for six long years and she became nothing but a broken shell who was so afraid, very afraid to talk or even go out of her house in fear that something was going to happen to her.
Bea struggled so much throughout this book and the things I read would make me seriously ACHE for her and I wish I could have jumped into the story and try to help her as much as I could. Even though she had a friend that kind of went through the same situation Bea did, she could only offer her advice and it took Bea a lot of courage to finally open up to her best friend that she had not spoken to for six years. She finally had the backbone to tell someone what was going on in her life and the fear she lived in.
Liam, oh my god this guy was a godsend. Even though he left and didn’t see or hear from Bea for six years, he went back home to pursue his dream in becoming a professional baseball player, but he came back with the intentions of getting his girl back one way or another, if she was still available. And the things he went through as well with everything that was going on, he was just a phenomenal character who would go over and beyond for those he loved dearly and he certainly did!
This book deserves all the stars in the world because that’s how good it was. If you can’t handle certain triggers, then I suggest you don’t give it a try because this book does not deserve anything under 5 stars.
When Ache finally sit in my library, I waited to read it because I know it’s gonna be bad. But no matter how I think I prepared my self… I couldn’t help it. I cried for the devastating heart break. I was angry for what happened to Bea. I literary couldn’t breath cause I can’t actually cry or curse my anger in public. Bea story is just…no word.
And the light shine. Through all of the darkness in Bea’s life, the light come back and shine. I cried so hard when Liam’s back. It was a happy full of hope tears but scared also. Of what will happen if he finds out what happened to Bea. Will he still love her? Will he able to save her? Will he trully be that light for her?
But what trully makes me cry of happiness and proud was Bea. Her courage, her strength, her beautiful and pure spirit… I’m crying all over when writing this review.
Bea story is so powerful,its a must tell.
Bea and Liam story so beautiful and inspiring, you must read.
Heart breaking and yet so beautiful, Ache is one of that love story and human strength that would last long in my heart.
Keep the handkerchiefs ready, you’ll need it.
Good God, what happened here? This story is gut-wrenching and heartbreaking.
Beas life is wonderful until it isn’t. Her mom marries the love of her life and with that Bea suddenly is confronted with a stepfather and a stepbrother. The love of her life leaves town and never looks back and from this moment her torture begins. She starts to hide and has no social contacts, she suffers in silence and hopes for an end. After six years of despair the boy, now man, she thought was her forever, comes back. But Bea’s not the same anymore.
Liam left to become a famous baseball player, to build a life for Bea and him. But he thought Bea moved on and so the last six years were wasted with yearning and so many questions. He needs closure and returns only to find out, that Bea has changed. He tries to get a reaction out of her but that’s hard. Bea has shut down completely – until she doesn’t want to be a victim anymore.
Beas strength and Liams persistency are immense. Their deep, undeniable love for each other after years of separation is such a beautiful thing to observe. And together they can conquer everything.
A beautiful story about true love, strength and courage. A story about horrible abuse and it’s consequences. And a reminder that sometimes you need to take a closer look and be there for others. Even if they push you away.
Some stories need to be written and this important topic should never be forgotten!
Love it
Wow! This was a heartbreakingly beautifully written romance and I couldn’t put it down! Liam and Bea’s story is heartbreaking and yet perfect! I must warn you before reading this that this book will be a trigger for some. Liam and Bea met when they were younger. They fell in love until one day Liam left and Bea was heartbroken. Six years later Liam comes back but Bea isn’t the same girl he left behind. Can he get back the girl he once loved or has to much damage been done to save her? The things poor sweet Bea had to endure was devastating. She is a true survivor after all she endured. Bravo S.M. Soto, this is one book that will stay with me. Everyone deserves finding that one person that will help you through whatever you had to endure and still be there in the end. It’s never to late! “One day I’ll give you the universe, Bea…..you already have.”