Kyle Kingston-Moore has a reputation.Adrenaline seeker. Commitment-phobe. Gigolo of the skies.He’s worked tirelessly to make a success out of Sensational Skydives, on occasion providing extra services to deliver the ultimate jump experience. The adrenaline helps him forget the loneliness and the gaping hole left in his heart. When the rush wears off, he’s on the hunt again—a vicious circle of … again—a vicious circle of avoidance.
Kalani Hart knows all about avoidance.
Wide-open spaces. Social situations. Uncontrolled environments.
For years, fear has crippled Kalani’s attempts to lead a normal life after a random attack that tore her family apart. Finally, Kalani is on her way to recovery. She knows she needs to face her nightmares, but taking the plunge is easier said than done. When her therapist challenges her to take on skydiving, item number one on her bucket list, Kalani has to decide if she’s truly ready to take charge of her life.
Will one tandem jump with Kyle be the key to Kalani getting her life back, or will they both find themselves stranded in a place where their hearts decide what happens next?
When the adrenaline is this high, anything can happen.
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4 1/2 out of 5 stars
This story really was one I won’t soon forget. Kalani and Kyle have heartbreaking pasts that they are both almost scared to overcome. They are holding back from the world until their paths cross and they can’t hold back from each other.
There were several scenes in the book that I absolutely fell in love with, but one of my favorites was when she forced him to ask for a kiss. It was sweet and romantic and from his point of view, I was sold on Kyle forever! He was so sweet about wanting her to make him ask and making sure she was okay with it before he followed through.
The best quote from the story isn’t said aloud, but speaks volumes about the storyline and what I got out of it. It takes place three-fourths of the way through the novel when Kyle is trying to figure out how they came together and what their lives are to be like. His thoughts:
I don’t know what brought the two of us together, but I’m grateful that somehow, we found each other. Maybe between the two of us, we can be whole.
Really this is just the crux of the story and without giving anything away, I am happy to say that this book will be on my favorite list for some time to come!
*** I voluntarily read a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ***
Two stories of grief and anguish, two very different journeys and one absolutely beautiful story of love healing and mending two lives to make one heart.
Many authors in the romance genre will chose to introduce you to a character with real emotional issues and give you a stronger more stable character that through their love and belief rescues them or restores them.
In Tandem, Kyle Kingston-More and Kalani Shaw have both had their lives irreparably changed in dramatic circumstances with starkly different outcomes, although both are shut down emotionally, their coping strategies are at different ends of the spectrum, and this is brilliantly portrayed by the author.
In her attempt to re-enter life following a tragic event that tore her life apart Kalani signs up for a tandem skydive with Kyle unbeknownst that she had signed up for more than an adrenaline charged tick off her Bucket List.
I have to say having taken my own first ever skydive this year, Jennifer nailed the feeling of exhilaration and the absolute adrenaline rush of the experience. My pulse was racing and skin was tingling all over again!
I loved the past and present format of the book, it lent perfectly to revealing their stories as they revealed themselves to one another and us as the reader, and was superbly written and timely in it’s delivery. Likewise, the gentle transition to intimacy was respectful to each character and their needs based on their past and present, with their chemistry obvious and with plenty of heat!
I will quite often get emotional and well up when reading a story that tugs at the heart strings, but this one had me totally bawling and needing a break! Such is Jennifer’s fabulous descriptive ability, she will tear your heart out, but lovingly piece it back together!
I will need to re-read this story again at some point since I totally binged on it, and such is the impact it had on me! 5 emotionally charged stars!
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