The last thing Officer Max St. Stevens expects when he responds to an armed robbery at a grocery store is meeting the woman of his dreams. Now, he needs to figure out what she’s hiding and how to convince her that she belongs with him.For over five years Opal and her younger sister, Pearl, have been on the run, hiding from the dangerous people who wish them harm. Everything in their lives is a … lives is a lie, and they need help, but don’t know how to get it. One night, Opal meets Max when the grocery store she’s working is robbed. There’s an instant connection that can’t be denied. Will she trust him with her secrets that could destroy more than just her?
Author’s Note :
This is a dark new adult romance and is intended for readers 18 and up due to sensitive content, that some may find difficult to read. Please be aware, this book does contain sexual assault, as well as psychological and physical violence. Reader discretion is advised.
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3.5 Stars!!
So this was a very good mystery from a debut author and a definite fast read.
Opal first came across as meek and scared, but I really liked how her character developed. She definitely took back her power from those who hurt her and it was great to watch it all unfold. I liked her character probably the most.
I have mixed thoughts on Max. While he was very sweet and caring, I think he was a little bit of a fool for not letting Opal get her story out. But the boy grovelled and I think he could have done better. I did love his relationship with Felix. These two are bromance goals.
While the story was a solid mystery, I just think it lacked a bit of depth for being a book with such dark elements. I would have loved it more if I was emotionallly invested in the characters or the story but it didn’t really happen for me.
I definitely will follow this author to see where her stories go in the future.
Finding courage to live….
by and1515
The first time she’d meet Max, she’d been working at the local grocery store and honestly tonight had been way more exciting then she’d hoped.
All she really wanted was to make a little money and to walk home safely.
Opal would do anything for her sister Pearl she was her whole world unfortunately her sister was very fragile and totally vulnerable.
Max couldn’t get the girl from the store out of his head in fact she was absolutely all he thought about.
With the weather turning bad he’d meant well when they’d offered Opal a ride home however mother nature and horrible driving conditions had his truck in a ditch fortunately no one was hurt.
Opal knew inviting Max and his friend to crash with them while they waited for someone to pull his truck out would probably affect her sister but there really wasn’t much she could do.
Max laid there wide awake his mind wouldn’t shut up there was something about her that simply drove him crazy.
Yeah probably not the smartest idea in the world but hey he’s that kind of guy who makes questionable choices because well that’s what we do especially when you get caught by said girl mid self loving.
But wow he was definitely a lucky man tonight he’d never dreamed she’d be his this quickly and now that he had a tasted her sweetness he promised her they were not a one an done.
Opal tried to forget all about the monster she’d been married to there was nothing good about him or his family and without a doubt the people who worked for them each and everyone were cut from the same discussed cloth.
Opal felt so guilty she should have been there for her poor sister Pearl she’d been thinking only of herself and her needs.
Now Pearl was being hospitalized she couldn’t believe how bad her sister’s health had become she tried to take care of her.
Opal wished she’d found the courage to tell him the horrible truth about her life but she’d been worried he wouldn’t believe her.
And now she’d been right because apparently they’d fed him a pack of lies
that left her devastated.
He’d been so infuriated all Max ever wanted was the truth after he’d told her about his history with a lying witch who’d made a fool out of him.
Opal wanted her life back she was tired of cowering in the corner in fear she’d do anything to make them all pay.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Debut author. I really LOVED Max and Felix. They couldn’t be more perfect.
This book had great secondary characters. I Loved Pearl, Gloria and Tam. I liked the story and the twist was pretty fantastic. Dang, Talk about having too many siblings. I enjoyed everything except, Opal annoyed me a lot. Opal seems like two totally different people. Timid and scared then sexy, flirty, and adventurous. I would notice the shift and it would break my focus. She wasn’t my favorite. The slang use was confusing at times. This book was Super HOT! The epilogue was the best! I’m very impressed with this debut novel. I recommend this book to anyone who likes damaged heroines, and hot cops.
This new author certainly got my attention.
It was a heartbreaking story for me because what Opal and her sister went through is hard. The hardest for them is to believe in someone. Open up and share their story.
But in the mids of all that, they are strong and fighting women and they stick together, and when the love strikes Opal is reserved if she will trust Max or not.
But Max knows what he want’s and he will not give up until it gets it.
I loved it and can’t wait for the next book.
This is the first book she has written so I will say she has got a way to her writing. But, it is a dark romance as it’s got abuse in it, to the heroine and sister.
Opal has escaped her abusive past to make a new life for herself and her younger sister.
Until she meets a Max, a police officer, and sometimes life gives a second chance at love and life but she still remains hidden in her past to keep herself, mostly her sister, safe from the past and all it did to them. So they are living one day at a time, trying to survive.
But you can never run away from your past, you have to confront it and then life can return to normalcy, trying to find love and happiness.
This book is her first and it won’t be her last.
*I Received An Advanced Reader’s Copy for Truthful Review*