Can love survive years of pain?Liam Stern lived a charmed and carefree life. Always surrounded by friends, he was the boy who could have any girl he wanted and did.Until Avery.She was pure and innocent. She was the one he never saw coming.She was the only thing that mattered, but the time came for him to fulfill his destiny. To protect Avery from a life she was not made for, he would have to give … would have to give up the one thing he loved most in this world: her.
Now the decisions made years ago come back to cost them both, dearly.
Avery Edwards was a good girl, never stepping out of line, always the obedient daughter.
Until Liam showed her everything she was missing in her life: love.
Liam was her future, or at least she thought.
Until he broke her.
That was the beginning of her nightmare.
After years apart, Liam and his family hold her future in their hands. Rebuilding a girl who no longer cares to live.
After years of hating Liam, can Avery truly give him her forgiveness?
more
-I fell in love with the Stern family when I read Gabriel and Fallon’s book. From Catherine, the matriarch to the boys. Liam and Avery’s story did not disappoint. it was sad, frustrating and so, so crazy. A book should make you feel everything and it was amazing!
Avery and Liam’s story will touch you so much. Alter everything Avery goes through it’s no wonder she’s backing away from Liam he broke her heart years ago after being the love of her life. Liam has always loved her but pushed her away for what he thought were the best reasons but were they. This is a hot read about a mob family with a mother who will do it all for her sons. This is a must read that you won’t want to put down highly recommended.
This is the second book in the Stern Family Saga series. I recommend reading Art of Seduction (Stern Family Saga #1) prior to reading this one but it is not necessary.
Liam Stern is another son of Catherine Stern. He is also known as Catherine’s angel. Liam has been in love with Avery since high school. Never letting anyone know about his feelings towards his pure, innocent Avery. On Liam’s 18th birthday he finds out about his ‘position’ in ‘the family’.
Avery Edwards has been made fun of from everyone. From class mates at school, to her mother and step-father. Having zero self-esteem, she has a hard time accepting that Liam is paying her any attention. When she feels like she has built up enough trust with being with Liam, he breaks her heart.
Now years later, the two are in each other’s lives once again. Although the pure and innocent Avery has been through the worst of times. Can she overcome what has happened to her while being on ‘vacation’? Or is she too damaged to recover and learn to live her life for her and not others.
There were parts of this story that were dark. There were parts of this story that were full of love. There were parts of this story that were sexy as all get out. There were parts of this story that truly show what a great family Catherine Stern has raised.
I enjoyed Liam and Avery’s story. Bring on Art of War – Zander’s story!!!
#BookBistroBlogApproved
This was the best book I have read in a while. You have a very powerful woman taking charge of the “family businesses” she is very powerful & respected by all, and she is a very loving person. The family loyalty is beyond belief. This story about Liam & Avery is an amazing story of true love that survives so much. I could go on and on about this amazing book, but all I’ll say is it’s a must read! Ready to start the next book, book 3 – Art of War. I just know it’s going to be awesome!
I could not put this book down after I started reading it. It had me from the start! I laughed and cried and cried some more. Liam and Avery just did me in emotionally. I love this series!
I highly recommend you read Art of Seduction (Book 1), prior to reading Art of Forgiveness (Book 2) but, it isn’t necessary. You could read this as a standalone.
This book is positively amazing. In Book 1 you get a sense of the Stern family men and they are instantly likable, more like loveable. Your introduced to these strong alpha males and even stronger alpha female, Art of Forgiveness explores the softer side due to the extreme and dark circumstances in which our heroine Avery was thrusted into.
The exploration of Avery and Liam was uniquely presented in a past and present format that I admired. We got the chance to witness their young love begin and end (a heartbreaking ending of a boy thinking he was doing the right thing), after years apart they find each other . Then comes the question can love endure, can love forgive, can love continue? These are all question that Avery has to ask herself, when she finds herself living in Liam’s childhood home while under the care of the patriarch Catherine Stern, after finding her while in search of Fallon (heroine from book 1).
While Liam’s past is exposed to his family, the hurt in which he not only caused Avery but inflicted on himself is reopened. Can Liam be the man she needs, will he liet the past repeat, can he forgive himself for his callousness? Liam has always been portrayed as the sensitive of the Stern boys, the pretty boy, the boy that could get any girl. Your given the chance to watch Liam grown from a highschool student to a man learning the family business. And this man has so much more to learn than just the business. With the guidance of his brothers, will Liam come to terms before it is too late or has Avery already moved on with Phil a man who has lusted after her for years while in college.
The growth that occurs throughout the 335 pages is impeccably unraveled. While following Avery’s and Liam journey back to each other, secrets are revealed that are both harrowing and endearing. At the same time more secrets are set into play, setting you up to fall further and further into the Stern Saga.
Towards the end of the journey of Liam and Avery we are left with the hanging questions whats is in store for the rest of the Stern Men.
So Orgeron…Please bring on the Art of War ( A Stern Family Saga, Book 4 ), because I could always use another Stern man to lust over.
Art of Forgiveness is the second book in the Stern Family Saga and OMG Monique Orgeron has done it again! I was looking forward to the other two brothers’ story more but Liam stole my heart from the beginning!
Liam and Avery have a pretty rocky history so when they do reconnect (due to very unfortunate circumstances, “unfortunate” is a euphemism btw) she wants nothing to do with him, despite what her body suggests. Liam wants badly to be with Avery but doesn’t want to bring her down by making her a permanent part of his life. As time goes on though, the connection is hard to deny.
I strongly suggest reading Art of Seduction first, but it is not absolutely necessary. However, reading them in order will make the story more cohesive and prevent spoilers. Thank you Monique Orgeron for writing such a captivating story and allowing us to dig deeper into this wonderful family!
I have fallen in love with all the characters created by this author. They are strong, determined and have an edge about them that makes them lovable bad boys. All the woman too have fought their own personal battles to be deserving of their chosen man.
Once again this author keeps us on the edge of our seats; this is Liam and Avery’s story. The angst is palpable in a “will they won’t they” ever get their act together. This book fills the gap between Gabriel & Fallon getting married and the epilogue in book one.
There weren’t as many revelations in this part of the series; this book had more of a love story, calmer feel to it. It wasn’t so much about ‘the business’ but of the ordeal Avery had been through and her rebuilding herself to be better and stronger than she was before . Once again I have laughed and I have cried with these characters. The sexual tension this author can create is ever present and she really does make you feel these characters range of emotions as the story progresses. Character development is great too as we get to see the lighter side of these characters.
This book has kept me turning pages well into the early hours of the morning. The writing flows and it’s just easy to fall in to and get immersed the lives of these characters
Wow, I mean just WOW! I would totally give this book WAY more stars if I could, I absolutely LOVED it! Amazing! I read this full length book in one sitting, I COULD NOT put it down! I can’t believe this is only this Authors second book, I am in love with the way she tells a story. It drew me right into their world, I’m half in love with Liam (only half because I’ve decided my heart belongs to Zander *dreamy sigh* can’t wait for his book!) I absolutely identified so much with Avery, she was written with such a soft heart, you really felt for her, and I feel the writer did an excellent job conveying the quiet strength within that soft heart. She had this iron resolve but she had to dig to find it within her and it was so well written. She had to really be broken to an almost elemental level to truly become whole, it was remarkably beautiful!
I loved that none of these characters are perfect, it makes them better, more real. Normally when I review a book I like to highlight a few exceptional parts, but its SO hard to do with this book because its really exceptional all the way around. Every situation was handled with dignity and grace, I don’t want to get too in depth with it because I loved it so much going on only what I’d read in the previous book I don’t want to spoil it for anyone else. It was so gritty, raw and real, all around GREAT read. I started and finished this yesterday and I couldn’t write the review or even pick up another book or anything until this morning. If I REALLY love a book I get in a bit of a stupor after a book and miss the characters, some call it a book hang over, this went beyond that, it was a book coma lol! I loved that it was a stand alone but also had a continuation of Art of Seduction with the main couple in that book as background characters in this book, and I hope it continues with the next two because this is a great family and I enjoy reading about them. I think we have a few more secrets to uncover in future books.
I think even Catherine is growing on me 😉
Art of Forgiveness by Monique Orgeron is book Two in The “Stern Family” Saga. This is the story of Liam Stern and Avery Edwards. I have read the previous book (and Loved it!!) ‘Art of Seduction’, but feel this is easily a standalone book.
Liam and Avery knew each other when they were younger. They had fallen in love and in the back of their minds would get married. Although their relationship was a secret one that only they knew about it was series between them. But then Liam learned what his family really did and turned Avery away. Now years later Avery has found herself kidnapped, hurt emotionally and physically. But Liam ends up saving her when he and his brothers where looking for someone else that was taken.
Avery is broken not wanting to go on along with hurt feelings toward Liam for his past treatment of her. But Liam knows that he has to make this right with her. But can their love withstand all that they have been though?
I am so crazy about this series! I am so happy I found this author and her books!!
Wow is all I can say. This is the second book in the Stern Family Saga and it can be read as a standalone. This is the story about Avery and Liam. Liam is the son of Catherine Stern a strong dedicated mother and business woman who doesn’t take any crap. Liam has been in love with Avery since they were kids and through horrific circumstances he saves her years later. Avery has been under her mom’s thumb and has had a terrible life till she meets Liam. He hangs out in her tree and is always there for her until things change. She instantly has a crush on him and he ends up breaking her heart that is until he rescues her from pure evil. This is a story about loving someone even if they don’t want to be loved and doing anything you can to get that love back even if you don’t think that loving you is the right thing.. Monique weaves these character into a story that has you on the edge of your seat wanting to know what is going to happen and have you rooting for them till the very end. This is one books that will stay with you. A must read for 2018 and 5 stars isn’t enough. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
Art of Forgiveness is the second story of the Stern family. Book 2 focuses on Liam and Avery’s story. Monique does not disappoint with this one! There is a trigger warning with this story. Avery has been to hell and back. She has more strength than she knows. Liam will have to work harder than ever for Avery.
I love these series!!!!
Review Title: Art of Forgiveness
Series: Stern family saga
Book: 2
Author: Monique Orgeron
Stars: 5
Art of Forgiveness is not for the faint of heart. It deals with sensitive subjects and should have trigger warnings.
With that being said I loved Liam and Avery’s story.
I love the way Monique integrated Liam and Avery’s history without actually going back there and losing the readers focus.
Art of Forgiveness just flowed for me, at no time was I ever bored.
There was tragedy, heartache,violence,love, new life, and laugh out loud moments. I cried my eyes out the first part of the story.
I just love Monique’s brand of writing style and I can’t wait for Zander’s story.
I love the characters and story line in this series. Monique portrays strong females that stand up to the alphas they love.
The writing was a little stiff at times and I found the amount of time that it took Avery to recover a little far fetched. But overall it was another great story. I’m really looking forward to seeing this author grow with each additional story.
I am so in love with the Stern Family, I wish they were real and could adopt me!! Avery goes through some much in this book and transitions into such a strong, admirable woman, what a wonderfully strong female characters! The men will love her and the women will want to be her! Liam is gorgeous, caring, sensitive, every woman’s dream! This is a must read!
Avery and Liam story it’s so amazing. The love the jealousy, all the emotions. Catherine is a wonderful and powerful woman. Avery is as strong as Catherine, all she experienced it’s hard, but makes she more and more stronger. I love get to read more about Gabriel and Fallon I love them. The Stern family are so strong and so loyal. I definitely love book 2. Now book 3 it’s waiting for me! Finally Zander
This book was very hard for me to read, but as I read it I noticed despite what Avery went through she was able to stand strong especially with the help of her loved ones. Overall it was great read, a lot of heartache but most of all a happy ending for the destined couple, giving it 5 stars.
Again another great book by Monique! Catherine is still a mom devoted to her children and their future. She opens more about her past and helps her children for their future. I read the first book within 2 days but the 2nd in 1. I can’t wait for the 3rd installment and to say I’m hooked is an understatement! if you haven’t read from this author, I suggest you do!
Avery and Liam were together secretly during high school. However, Liam was a popular jock and Avery was a bit of a loner and a nerd. To keep Avery from being verbally abused by some of their vicious classmates, they kept their relationship quiet. The verbal attacks weren’t limited to school; unfortunately, they happened at home as well. Her stepfather was every bit as mean, and her mother joined in, with good intentions, but it wasn’t helpful. Needless to say, Avery was really glad to escape her home life and leave for college at Harvard after Liam ‘cheats’ on her and leaves her heartbroken.
After Avery graduates from college and returns home, she is kidnapped, and for a time, she is held prisoner in a shack in the middle of nowhere. She is attacked and repeatedly raped, until rescue finally arrives several weeks later. Catherine Stern gives her a safe place to land and heal and the time in which to do so. After enough time had passed, Catherine starts to share her own tragic story and to ask pointed questions of Avery, in order to prod her to want to fight for her life again instead of just giving up. Avery decides to fight. Catherine gives her the skills and tools to begin to feel powerful and capable. It’s an uphill battle, but Avery finally begins the healing process.
This story touches the heart of the reader because Avery has to process so much to heal. It seemed somewhat rushed to me, as the time span from being raped to jumping into sexual intimacy was only about 6 months. That process can take years or even decades for some people, but that would have made the story drag on for too long. Regardless, Avery finally comes into her own as a woman of power and a woman of hope. She eventually finds the power within to forgive Liam for his lame choices from high school. And she uses her anger and rage at her abusers as fuel to power her healing process.
This story draws the reader in and refuses to let go! Avery experiences so much heartache and betrayal from people who claim to ‘love’ her, yet she still finds that spark that gives her the will to fight for life again. Ultimately, this is a story about forgiveness, second chances and not giving up.
The tension stays fairly consistent throughout this book. There were only a handful of grammatical errors in Ms. Orgeron’s second writing effort; fortunately, they didn’t detract from the flow of the story at all. There is something so hopeful about turning a series of bad experiences into something good and empowering. This is what Ms. Orgeron conveys in this book. Watching Avery transform from a mouse to a lion is a wonderful experience!
So Liam and Avery wow. That girl goes to hell and back. She is one strong, brave, caring girl. She fights to come back but she also fights her feeling this whole book for Liam. These two drove me crazy. They both love each other like crazy. I had a very hard time putting this book down. So easy to get sucked in. I felt like I WAS LIVING this roller coaster with them. Love this book.