From the New York Times bestselling author of Archer’s Voice comes an “uplifting story of two broken souls” (Corinne Michaels) in this “exquisite, beautifully written romance” (Samantha Young).
A broken woman . . . Crystal learned long ago that love brings only pain. Feeling nothing at all is far better than being hurt again. She guards her wounded heart behind a hard exterior and carries … her wounded heart behind a hard exterior and carries within her a deep mistrust of men, who, in her experience, have only ever used and taken.
A man in need of help . . .
Then Gabriel Dalton walks into her life. Despite the terrible darkness of his past, there’s an undeniable goodness in him. And even though she knows the cost, Crystal finds herself drawn to Gabriel. His quiet strength is wearing down her defenses and his gentle patience is causing her to question everything she thought she knew.
Only love can mend a shattered heart . . .
Crystal and Gabriel never imagined that the world, which had stolen everything from them, would bring them a deep love like this. Except fate will only take them so far, and now the choice is theirs: Harden their hearts once again or find the courage to shed their painful pasts.
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Title: Most Of All You
Author: Mia Sheridan
Rating: 4 1/2 Stars
Main Characters: Gabriel/Ellie
Favorite Character(s): Gabriel
Hero’s Traits: Sweet, Kind, Passionate, Considerate, Loyal and Loving
Heroine’s Traits: Kind, Troubled, Timid, Low self-esteem, Loyal and Caring
Release Date: Tuesday, October 17th
Others By This Author: Archers Voice, Leo’s Chance (and or Leo), Stinger, Becoming Calder and Becoming Eden
*All Highly Recommended*
From the first page of this story I knew this was going to be an emotional ride! Both characters have troubled childhoods, both for different reasons.
Years later Gabe has come far in his life but still feels and is tortured by the shadows in his past. His demons keep him from having a normal relationship.
Ellie’s life hasn’t gotten much better after the prologue, my heart broke for her. It seemed like life was just completely against her! Gabe coming in to Ellie’s life was the best thing to happen to her. Especially at the time he appeared. Their first encounter was so sweet and a little funny! I loved all the awkwardness and how they were bought unsure and skittish! I think that is apart of why they work so well together. Their personalities were really similar and I don’t think it would have worked any other way. The fact that they both struggled with some trauma in their lives really bonded them together.
I would have liked to have seen a few chapters that were set in the past so that we could have seen those parts of their pasts in more depth. I think that would have allowed me to feel for the characters more. Not to say that I didn’t because I actually did but with those chapters I know I would have loved them more.
I truly fell in love with every page!!! Getting to see Ellie and Gabe grow and to see their characters develop was everything! Both of them needed the other to heal and become stronger individuals! With each others love and support they also began their journey on self love. I really enjoyed how Mia Sheridan made sure to show the fact that Ellie and Gabe realized their self worth before they could be truly happy in a relationship, I believe that is super important to a story! If you don’t love your self how can you love anyone else? Both characters were extremely likable! They have a story you will be truly rooting for!
This story was captivating from start to finish. I fell in love with Eloise and Gabriel. A never give up story.
“Just sand and pressure and time.”
Most of All You is one of those unforgettable, life-changing, movie-worthy masterpieces that stays with you forever. This is one that needs to be treasured in paperback on my special collection bookshelf to gaze at and fondle occasionally with fond remembrance. Yes, most definitely one of my ‘favorites’ of all time, right up there with Archer’s Voice.
This amazing book took me on such an emotional journey that I can’t even find words to express how my heart went from being broken into a thousand pieces to being glued back together one painful fragment at a time. I admit that I’m drawn to broken characters with damaged souls. Seeing them overcome overwhelming obstacles to find love at the end of a dark tunnel gives me hope, and it’s an irresistible addiction that I can’t resist. Most of All You is so beautiful it hurts.
I won’t tell you the details, you need to read this story from beginning to end and feel every word, thought, fear, sorrow, betrayal, hope, whisper, regret, joy, insecurity and devastation yourself. It deserves to be felt and remembered.
Once my emotions are calmed and my mind is clear again, I’ll be ready for whatever the author has for me next. Whatever it is, I’ll be ready. The line forms here…
5 SOULFUL stars! This book is a roll coaster of emotions, a soulful reading that you wouldn’t want to miss. Gabriel Dalton will steal your heart. He will be your next book boyfriend!
Someone please pinch me! This book is a rare unicorn. Most of All You is a masterpiece wrapped in a cute cover. It is a must read you won’t want to miss. It’s brilliantly written from the beginning to the end. This book is like fresh air. The plot is original. The characters are complex. They are beautifully broken. The story line is well developed.
Mia Sheridan’s writing will wrap you in a roll coaster of emotions. While reading this book I felt a constant tug in my heart. I was deeply immersed in the story. This book has all the elements to make it perfect.
The heroine is a broken woman but at the same time strong. Ellie is a lost soul trying to find something precious through all the bad. Her life hasn’t been easy. She craves love. She thinks she doesn’t deserve good things. She feels abandoned. Men have taken from her but they never give her the one thing she wants the most.
“My insides twisted. God, she was beautiful. Too beautiful for this room. Too beautiful for this place.”
During her life she has been used like a doll; a pretty doll which can be disposed at anytime, a worthless toy to be played. She works in a place where men see her as a sexual object. She does not belong there but she has not many options until she receive an unusual proposal from an angel.
“I don’t want anyone else except you. You are the right girl. Please.”
Gabriel Dalton is a handsome broken angel. He can’t stand the closeness of any woman because of his past. He has reached a point in his life where he wants to start a relationship. Willing to heal he will seek help in the less fortunate place. In a place of temptation, he will find the right girl who will help him to heal; not knowing that at the same time Ellie will heal her own wounds too.
“I knew you were an angel,” I whispered. “I knew you were.” I reached my hand up and cupped his cheek, catching a tear on my thumb. “Don’t cry, my angel. Don’t cry. Not for me.” Never for me.”
Their “relationship” started as a business but the attraction will pull them together. Ellie and Gabriel are a match made in heaven. They both are broken. They are damaged soul mates who will heal together. Their scars made them peculiarly perfect for each other.
“She looked like a broken goddess, and if I knew how to paint, I’d want to paint her, to capture all her shadows and light.”
Fate will play with them. They will discover their true feelings but some people around them will see their interaction as improper because they are from different worlds. Both are damage in a different level. Ellie is a master in hiding her true colours and Gabriel is a master in staying away. She hides and he wants to find her. Ellie despises herself and believes that she is not enough for a man like Gabriel. She thinks he deserves better. Gabriel will have to work hard to make Ellie believe that they are meant to be together. He will follow his heart directions.
Gabriel Dalton has stolen my heart. He is a perfect knight in shining armour every woman would love to have. He is an artist who can create beauty with his hands. Let him be your next book boyfriend.
“Gabriel. Just like the angel. My angel. I want him to be my angel. I closed my eyes and pictured his arms as massive wings wrapped around me, protecting me from the world, and the vision brought forth a smile.”
This book is phenomenal and brilliant, a must read! It is sweet and addictive. It left me wanting more. This is one of the best books of 2017. Mia has delivered a soulful love story. There are not enough stars for this book. Let’s start with millions…
(ARC courtesy of the publisher and author in exchange for an honest review)
Crystal never had the memorable happy childhood that most have, hers was a rough journey filled with lots of disappointments and losses and now that she is in adulthood it’s much of the same. She doesn’t have faith in love, nor does she believe that she is meant to find…she doesn’t really want to look for it either. She wandered down that road once and she has no intention of ever making that mistake again, so she put an impenetrable wall around her heart and keeps everyone just out of arms reach. Then she unexpectedly meets Gabe, and all bets are off, no matter how much she tries to keep him at a distance and not let him in, he keeps finding a way to sneak under her radar, and as much as it scares the hell out of her, it also brings her a sense of comfort she has never known.
Gabe comes from a troubled world that most wouldn’t even begin to be able to understand or cope with, but somehow he has, but he is missing something and he is certain that the beautiful woman who has captured his attention can help him find it. Trouble is he doesn’t know if he can even find the courage to approach her, nor find the words to speak to her, the mere idea of it leaves him completely rattled. But he eventually wanders into the club, watches her in her element, and works up the nerve to talk to her, and as much as it scares him, he knows he was meant to be there. Now he just has to find a way to convince her to give him a chance…
Most Of All You is a breathtakingly beautiful story about two wounded souls setting out on an unexpected journey that pushes them to their breaking points, heals them, and unites them as one. As soon as I finished reading the first few paragraphs of this one I knew I had discovered something really special, almost immediately I felt the words take a hold of me, and begin to invade my soul. And before long it was all I could think about, walking away wasn’t an option, I had to devour every page and learn all there was to know about these two… and I loved every single second of it! Within the pages of this book you will find that Ms. Sheridan has created a truly beautiful and poignant love story, that is sure to leave you moved beyond words! It is a story that cannot be missed, highly recommend it!
BEAUTIFUL love story. A poignant love story of two people who find each other and help each other heal from circumstances beyond their control in their youth. There are so many beautiful passages in this story I highlighted more than half of the book as I read and listen to the audiobook. Now, excuse me while I apply some eye cream on my puffy eyes, after crying tears of joy, elation and just in my feelings. Don’t miss this epic love story.
“How extraordinary life could be: so filled with glorious beauty and heartrending despair. And so often swirled together that you couldn’t separate the two.”
-Ellie
The entire time I was reading Most of All You, two words swam through my mind; pain and beauty. The balance between those two is so fragile, yet so necessary to live life as it demands to be lived.
Mia Sheridan has brought me to my knees with Gabriel and Elosie’ s story. I cried for their suffering. I cried for the splendor these two individuals found in each other.
This is the story of two people who have each been ravaged by the worst life has to offer. It is the story of two souls who have found a way to survive despite the hell they have edured. It is the story of the rainbow which reminds us there is the sweet promise of hope after a violent storm.
The indestructiblity of the determined human spirit is exquisitely illustrated by Mia Sheridan’s well-chosen words. She has chosen and woven the words so expertly. The fabric they make flows and shimmers like the finest silk.
This book made me think, question, and marvel at the fragility and strength that exist in life. It made me appreciate that sliver of hope that shines through the darkness when you least expect it. Most Of All You is a provocative and stunning piece of literature.
Mia you did it again. I couldn’t put the book down, I had to finish it. And oh my God, my heart.
It was an emotional roller coster, and I’ve loved every single minute of it.
This is the story of two broken people, who met by accident, and piece by piece they put one another back together. I loved Ellie so, so much, and for most of the book all I wanted was to hug her and tell her that everything is gonna be okay, and that she is worth it. And Gabriel, sweet and angelic Gabriel, how strong he is, and after all the bad thing that happened to him, he remained good and kind, and with a heart full of love.
This book is one of those books that stays with you for a very long time, even after you’ve finished the story. It breaks you and then puts you all back together.
If you loved “Archer’s Voice, then definitely you’re gonna love this book.
This book was truly beautiful. It gave me hope that despite all the bad experiences we can endure throughout our life, their is a silver lining and with it, hope.
Hope that you are not broken because of your past, but that you can be whole because of what your past has taught you. No one should have to go through anything bad, but sometimes we don’t have a choice. Sometimes we just have to live with the card we’ve been dealt with and make the best of it.
This book is really good. It has the power to bring you hope that you will be okay even if you think you are broken beyond repair. This book is a gem and if I could, I’d place this book in the hands of every person going through a hard time, thinking that they won’t be able to move past whatever they are going through. Thinking that this is it for them. I wish I could give this book to those people as a symbol of hope.
Hope that even though what they are going through seems bad, we never really know what will happen. Hope that it will get better.
I believe this book delivers said hope and because of that, I highly recommend reading it.
3.0-3.5 Stars
I have some mixed feelings about this book, and although I didn’t love it, I didn’t really hate it either. I felt a sense of depression and anxiety throughout reading this, and unfortunately that feeling never went away.
For me, the story started out a little slow, and I laid it down several times before finally starting it again and finishing it. I liked Gabriel’s character and I was proud of his accomplishments after everything he suffered. I admired the fact he was able to live his life and be as positive about it as he was. Gabriel accepted what happened and made the decision to move forward and find happiness.
I wasn’t a big fan of Ellie (a/k/a Crystal). She was extremely bitter and hateful at the start, and it took a while before her character adjusted this attitude. As the story progressed and we learned more about her past, I had a little more sympathy and understood her reasons a little better for having the large chip on her shoulder. However no matter how much kindness and support Gabriel showed Ellie, she was always so negative. Ellie made every situation about her and I got sick of her self doubts and negativity. Gabriel lived through the unthinkable and yet he was a kind person who now found ways to appreciate the good things in life. He never gave Ellie a reason to doubt his feelings, yet she always found a way to do just that.
There is a happy ending and I was glad Gabriel finally found what he wanted and deserved. Sadly, the depressed tone of the entire book made it hard to feel the happiness the characters enjoyed at the end.
“Most of all you” was the story I chose to be my first by Mia Sheridan. I enjoyed every chapter this story has.
One of the things I loved the most in this book was the quality of the writing the author has. What I love in a good book is that quality the authors need to have and Mia is very good in that.
Ellie and Gabriel are two broken people trying to heal each other. Sadly sometimes you need to be apart from the person you love to fix yourself. Two beautiful people that have an amazing story that will conquer your heart.
I can’t wait to read the books I have in my bookshelf.
This amazing, heartbreaking, beautiful book was on my shelf for 2 years
I really should start reading books from my shelf and not buying new ones
This love story is so unique and tragic, but at the end so unbelievable magic, that it plays with all your emotions
Mia Sheridan has proven once again that she is the queen of romances.
This book is so damn ridiculous breathtakingly beautiful, I don’t know how to describe it.
It wrecked me beyond repair and then brought all the small pieces slowly together.
Crystal’s and Gabriel’s life is overshadowed by so many tragedies and so many brutal events, that it is a miracle that they still are mentally and physically capable to survive.
But they do, in their own ways.
She has built so many walls around herself in order not to feel anything anymore, that when she meets Gabriel it all turns into fear.
Fear of feelings that are so strange to her that she tries to run away from them. Fear of closeness with full awareness, without her walls, because it hurts to much and fear of love because she knows it is not possible for someone to love her.
Because she doesn’t deserve to be loved.
Gabriel lost all of his childhood after being kidnapped, but he never lost his faith in love.
His ability to see love in everything, in all the little things that surround him, is a gift that Crystal doesn’t understand.
How can someone be so gentle and loving after experiencing so much pain and terror.
He is someone who is not real in crystals world, a miracle, an angel.
But what happens when the demons of hers and his life mix together?
This book is the answer to that question.
An unbelievable emotional and mesmerising love story, that is so beautiful written, that you read it in one sitting.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves love story.
I’m a sucker for a dark backstory (as a writer and a reader), and both these characters have serious damage in their pasts, so I was already looking forward to the read. But I didn’t expect that the hero (who had arguably the darker backstory) to be so sweet and mostly well-adjusted. I loved that the author made unexpected choices with a number of characters and plot points. I raced through this story in about 24 hours. Definite page-turner!
Mia’s words speak to our heart and our soul. There’s poetry in each of her word.
You’ll be tempted to devore this book. BUT take your time to enjoy each sentence, each quote, each detail. I read it twice.
The first time i was too impatient. I saw Beauty, Love, Life, Strengh but also weakness. And i judged Crystal. 🙁
First Crystal seems to be strong and Gabriel seems fragile. Then we discover Gabe is extraordinarily brave and in peace. And she’s afraid and paralysed. They both survived. He escaped, she didn’t. I’m ashamed saying that but i judged her because of her weaknesses. I was angry with her choices.
The second time i read this book, i took my time. I let each word reach my heart. All the answers to my questions were in the words. And then i saw Poetry, Philosophy. Fear, LIGHT.
We’re not perfect, we are “work in progress”.
Why “one person breaks while another who’s experienced a similar trauma survives and thrives”?
Gabriel is an angel who chooses love again and again. We just can be in admiration of his bravery, of the power of his heart, of the purity of his soul.
Crystal didn’t survive the same way. But her soul is undamaged. She just needs to be unconditionaly loved and cherished. She needs to find peace and light.
Mia reunites two angels and brought them to life.
She plays with metaphors, beautiful words.
She plays with our imagination and our heart.
She finds poetry in everything, bad or good. In Hell and in Heaven.
She shows us love and hope are everywhere.
This story will break your heart but will give you hope.
This one is so emotional, my chest still gets tight when I think about it. The hero is unable to bear physical contact and…trying to work through his issues, he hires exotic dancer Ellie Cates to help him learn to tolerate human touch. The long, slow burn of their romance is wonderful.
Reading this story, the journey of these two broken souls, Gabriel and Ellie, filled me with heartache and pain and love and hope and joy.
Their story of growth and healing and finding and accepting love was beautifully written by Mia.
Loved this.
Overall I enjoyed this book, but it didn’t knock my socks off like I thought it would. I cannot put my finger on it because I really liked Gabe, but I couldn’t get on board with his love for Ellie. There was just something about her that made me not understand their connection.
Incredible story
Mia Sheridan never disappoints!
This story had some difficult topics,but some amazing outlooks.
Crystal is a woman who is doing what she has to in order to survive. It’s not who she is but it’s all she believes she can be. She’s wounded to her very soul.
Gabriel has had a tortured youth. Not what you would anticipate. But his calm, his outlook, his patience, seem so at odds with what he’s endured.
He’s her angel. She’s who he wants. The path to finding herself is traumatic and painful. The his path to love and intimacy is anxiety-provoking…until her.
His words of wisdom and quiet acceptance are something to marvel at. I honestly am amazed at his inner peace, and although he has his fears, with her at his side, he can conquer them. Her healing is much more painful and difficult.
Healing is rewarding. Healing is peaceful.
I enjoyed the audible version of their story. It brought them to life.
“I don’t create beauty, I just reveal what’s already there.”
I am always excited when I can get my hands on a book by Mia Sheridan. She is one of my favorite authors, and always delivers an emotional and original story. Most of All You was a beautiful, heartbreaking and emotional contemporary romance about two characters that have been through so much in their past. The prologue was so sad and I got teary-eyed while reading it. The blurb doesn’t really go into a lot, so I don’t want to say too much and spoil the story. Most of All You is about Gabriel and Crystal, two characters who are just existing instead of living, they meet in a very unconventional way.
“I’ve always pretended I was made of stone, but the truth is, I feel more like I was formed from sand, as if I might crumble at any second.”
I was intrigued, but wasn’t pulled in from the start. The story developed and it became a much powerful story. Crystal, who carries a deep mistrust of men, finds herself in a situation where she is depended on Gabriel. I loved how open and pure Gabriel was regardless of all the things he’d been through. The way he handled Crystal was very beautiful and warmed my heart so much. Crystal definitely doesn’t make it easy on him, but Gabriel is someone who doesn’t give up and sees the beauty and good in everything. I loved that the author took her time to develop their relationship. It wasn’t rushed and she gave the characters the opportunity to heal themselves. Falling in love doesn’t mean that your broken/wounded heart is automatically mended or healed. You have to love yourself before you can really start a healthy relationship. I really enjoyed this book and felt a deep connection between the characters. I recommend this book to any romance reader.