There are wounds that never show on the body.For twenty-nine years, Colbie Bennington does as expected with an eternal smile stained on her lips. The biggest chances she’s ever taken can be counted on one hand, three fingers to be exact—her battered red chucks, painting her toenails a vibrant blue, and her wedding dress. Always the dutiful daughter and a Stepford fiancée, she has never acted on … has never acted on impulse, never been in love.
She’s never lived.
On her wedding day, Colbie ends a toxic relationship, drops the fake smile, and says, “I can’t do this anymore.”
Navy SEAL Zander Serrano returns home broken and burdened with a volcano of remorse. Too trapped in a mental war to be at peace and too damaged to be at war, he shuts the world out. The last thing he expects is to feel, especially for a runaway bride with her own baggage.
Two empty hearts marred in different spots find themselves drawn to one another. Each with their own scars. Some, the world can see. Others, unseen to the naked eye.
They say two broken people should not be together. But for Colbie and Zander, their attraction is undeniable, unexpected.
Can two souls with fractured parts be the best cure for each other’s wounds?
Starting over is never easy, but sometimes in life, everyone needs somewhere to begin.
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AMAZING BOOK DEALING WITH REAL LIFE ISSUES!
Colbie Bennington crashed into Zander Serrano’s life, literally. Her in a wedding dress, running from a life she could no longer quietly tolerate. One she refused to commit herself to; permanent unhappiness and abuse. Zander caused the crash because he was blacked out; living an existence that only the truly depressed can understand, suffering from PTSD, flashbacks, night terrors, Survivor’s Guilt and enormous pain from his injuries. He was only a shell of the man he was before he went to Afghanistan.
This beautiful story is about two lost and broken souls who find healing and love in each other’s hearts. What they can’t do for themselves, they can do for another. The compassion shown, not just for each other, but for William, the homeless veteran whom Colbie befriends, is so heartwarming. My heart was touched so many times, as were the tears that slid down my cheeks, when I read what these two had endured. The slow burn between Colbie and Zander was so beautiful and like experiencing a flower blossom. The fragrance was as tangible as the picture as I read.
This book was pure heart and soul and I commend Mika Jolie on another great book. She definitely hit this one out of the park and I hope this resonates with everyone about the plight of the Veterans. I am a Veteran and I am proud to have served my country but I am ashamed at how our country has served our Veterans. I have also survived domestic abuse. Thank you Ms. Jolie for a job well done
Beautifully written!
Buckle up and brace yourselves because this amazing story will tug at your heartstrings. It was gritty, heavy, heartwarming and humbling.
Zander the war vet returning home from Afghanistan battered and broken; scarred physically and mentally, suffering from PTSD. He is no longer the vibrant fun loving Zander that we had met in Need You Now. Colbie was nice, too nice but just as damaged. She had endured physical abuse at the hands of her fiancé that took a toll on her mentally and it took a lot of guts when she decided to leave him standing at the altar on the day of their wedding.These were two people so badly scared by misfortunes, trying to adjust to the changes in their lives.
Mika Jolie with awesome writing style, did a great job creating these lovable characters and telling a story about two tough topics such as, PTSD and domestic violence. It was down-to-earth and very believable. It had enough details, and moved at the right pace which allowed the story to flow freely. I was spellbound. This was an amazing read. Just what I have come to expect from this author. This is a book that I won’t easily forget and that is one of the many reasons why I will recommend it because I think it’s a MUSTREAD! That being said, I think I may need therapy now 😉
If ever two characters were wounded and in need of healing it was Colbie and Zander. Each with scars on the outside, each with even deeper wounds on the inside. Neither capable of healing themselves but as they open their hearts to one another they find a different healing.
I loved this couple so much. They are probably my favorite of all the characters I’ve read by this author. The fact that they were each broken and resistant to allow anyone inside their hearts was tragic. The transition from isolation to togetherness didn’t happen overnight and I appreciated the gradual change not only in Colbie and Zander individually but in their growing relationship.
Zander, even while suffering from his issues, was still very much a strong hero. Watching him struggle against his past experiences was painful and heartbreaking. But when he finally allowed himself to open up to Colbie my heart overflowed. Colbie did not have a family history of love and support and I was flabbergasted at the direction her family took with her. She also has lived years in fear, pain and torment. That she never saw herself as strong bothered me. But in the end, she knew what she had to do and despite my heart feeling sick for her, I cheered her at the conclusion.
Overall, this is an amazing read of damage, pain, healing and the scars that are left behind. While all of that seems like this would be a high level angst read, I would actually consider it mild. However, the steam level is definitely high and the romance was natural and beautiful and perfect for these two characters.
I’m very curious to see if or how the rest of these characters will get their stories. For someone who does not like to commit myself to a series, I’ve loved every one of these books.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Somewhere to Begin is a great story dealing with PTSD and Abuse. Colbie and Zander are two souls just trying to get through the day when they find each other by accident. Supporting each other through their day to day struggles they find the love they have always craved but thought never to find. I found this to be a great story that had me feeling happy for them and the love they have for each other.
Somewhere to Begin by Mika Jolie was an emotional journey in the best way possible. Some people are so broken, even when there are no visible scars. This is the story of two such people. You heart will break, soar and cheer for Colbie and Zander. I was completely consumed by their story.
Colbie Bennington has always done what is asked of her, even if it was not what she wanted. Ready to marry a man she thought she loved, but who repeatedly hurt her, because it was what was expected. But on the day of her wedding, she decides enough is enough and makes a choice for herself. She is determined to finally be her own woman.
Zander Serrano is a man broken. The war veteran carries the guilt of losing his friends and at times, it is too much to bear. He was barely living. Instead choosing to remain closed off and dealing with the pain and loss on his own.
Neither expected the other, much less the explosive chemistry they would feel. Even so, what they had slowly blossomed and I loved every minute of it. Each was battling their own demons, but found something in each other. Somewhere to Begin by Mika Jolie was a beautiful and touching story of second chances, but also so much more. It was about healing, forgiveness and love.
4.5 stars! Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!