Everyone expects the fairy tale from me.Because on the outside, I look like I live in a fantasy.I’m a hopeless romantic.I fall in and out of love.I change careers, zip codes and hair colors on a whim.I’m a free spirit without a care in the world.I’m the one that loves everyone and hates no one.But I’ve got a secret…I’m not a free spirit.Not really.I’m not free at all.My life is only designed to … really.
I’m not free at all.
My life is only designed to look chaotically peaceful.
I’m only designed to look like that.
Peace is lost to me.
Because I’m trying to escape something.
Trying to escape him.
My life isn’t a fairy tale.
It’s time the world saw that.
Warning: This book explores some dark themes and may contain triggers.
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“Broken hearts sometimes crave the person that broke them. No matter how unhealthy, ugly, and painful that need is, it doesn’t go away.”
That statement is so true. Anne Malcom breaks my heart with her stories, yet I crave them like an addict. The Problem with Peace made me love the darker side of Sunshine. Actually, I love all the sides of Polly. Her belief in love at first sight, her chronic tardiness, and especially her ability to care for everything and everyone, even when they don’t deserve it.
The author teased me with Polly’s secret, dangling it in front of me like a carrot but refusing to divulge the deets. I almost went crazier than I already am trying to figure things out. I loved every second of the journey. I felt…everything.
I felt the chemistry between them before I understood it. With all the people coming in and out of Polly’s life, that particular zap of energy stood out. I was so intrigued and impatient to dig into that treasure chest. Of course, Polly didn’t always make the choices that I wanted her to. It was difficult for me to go through some painful situations with her. But, that’s another thing I love about the author’s writing, her flawed and broken characters speak to me. They are so strong, and I feel stronger just surviving inside their heads as their stories evolve.
Another thing she’s perfected is her alpha males. I melt into a puddle of goo when they get all bossy and protective and sweet with their women. Yes, I’m talkin’ bout all the Greenstone Security badasses. Even those that haven’t met their woman yet, it’s in them already. Best of all is that their women are badass too and the banter between all of them is very entertaining. This series is amazing and I hope it goes on and on and on. I’m holding my breath waiting for Chaos Remains. The line forms here…
OMG, OMG, OH MY GOSH!!!
The Problem with Peace is Heath and Polly’s story book 3 in the Greenstone series. Polly is the sister to our beloved, lovable, psycho Manolo wearing Lucy.
Polly and Heath’s story started when Polly was 18 years old and had come to visit Lucy in L.A. A weekend together was not all Fae had in store for these two. This books will take you on one hell of an emotional roller coaster, with hot ups and lots of downs.
If you are a fan of Anne Malcom’s books then you know her writing style and know that she will have you on the edge of your seat with anything she writes, and this book is no exception. Polly and Heath’s book has a young forbidden weekend spent together taking away incidence, then a war coming between them, then a near death of a loved one will have them in each other’s life again for a mere few hours to being separated again, then marriage to someone else and a trip around Europe and kidnapping. This book has it all.
Than you Anne for writing another phenomenal book and bringing our past loved characters back to us in this book.
This is one of those books that make you sit back and literally question every decision you’ve ever made and every emotion you’ve ever felt. It’s not a perfect love story, but it’s raw, it’s genuine, it hurts a whole bunch and I enjoyed every single word.
I hate that this book made me feel so much. I pride myself in being able to control my emotions, but this book basically demanded it from me, it ripped it from my soul and wouldn’t let me rest. I couldn’t put it down. I won’t go into detail because I don’t want to spoil it, but this is a classic Anne Malcom love story. A rollercoaster ride of emotions but you’ll come out stronger, grateful and so much more in love, in the end.
5 Dark Sunshine Stars
The problem with peace is the third instalment in the Greenstone Security series. It tells Polly and Heath’s story and it’s DARK! Polly and Heath meet very early on but like most great loves it’s just not meant to be at the time. Fast forward years later and they meet again, but Polly is determined not to let herself go there again not only does she not want her heart broken but she feels they will never have a right time. So Polly Marries another man. A man no one really likes or trusts but they support her anyway. Up to the day she walks down the aisle Heath fights for her to come back to him.
This book was amazing, it had twists and turns that I didn’t see coming and it broke me. I cried my eyes out in parts for the hurt that Polly has to go through to find her soul mate. It was beautiful and painful, it was one hell of a ride. As always I love how Anne does her Secondary characters and we get to hear from familiar faces. I loved it and can’t wait to see what’s next in this series.
Polly Walker has always been a free spirit and hippie type that lived life spontaneously yet sometimes the actions cover what is going on in the inside that you don’t want anyone else to know about. When Polly was 18 years old she fell in love with a man almost instantly and lost her virginity to him but then he was gone for the next 4 years. Now she is trying to deal with trusting her heart to him or to the new guy interested in her, Craig, who is making promises to her that she thinks will make her happy.
Heath works for Keltan at Greenstone but he is a former marine who had to leave the love of his life and report back to duty overseas without a word to her. Yet now he is back and wants to reclaim what is his but now she is ready to move on with another man and he can’t just watch it happen.
When Polly discovers she has made a big error in judgement will she have the courage to stand up for herself? Will Polly allow herself to trust that Heath will keep her safe when he won’t even to speak to her?
Oh my goodness this series is sooo amazing and intense!!!
I loved Polly’s free spirit nature and although I was so mad at her for getting married to Craig so quickly I wanted to believe that she did the right thing but I see how wrong she was. I was horrified in the last book when I learned the things Craig did to her and in this book it is so much worse when they go into more detail. I was so proud of her for walking away yet I knew it wouldn’t be over that easy.
I thought Heath was mysterious as he knew what he wanted yet he walked away so many years ago and that cost him so much. He was so upset with Polly for marrying Craig and as much as he wanted to he had difficulty not being the one to protect her when she needed it. I had my fingers crossed that he would find a way to prove to her how much he loved her.
I was definitely surprised at the link Craig had with someone yet I understood why he was so mad after what Rosie did. That being said I was on Rosie’s side for that but I understood why Craig was in so much trouble. I was shocked at what Craig did but I was more haunted inside by the change in Polly.
I was so worried about Polly and how everything changed her inside. She was no longer the same person that she was because of all the events and I was scared for what was going to happen to her.
I loved the ending and how slowly everything came together and I jumped for joy!!!
Can’t wait to see what’s next!
By Rebecca
The Problem With Peace is one of those books that you read and either want to throw your Kindle, cry, scream in frustration, or yell at the characters. It is also one of those books that you really want to get to the conclusion because you have to see what happens, but you also want to read slowly so you can savor all the words and soak them up. Yeah, it’s one of those books. One of those books that makes you really, really glad you read it. Even days or weeks later. One of those books whose characters stay with you and make you think. One of those fantastic, amazing, wonderful books…All of the Stars!!
This is it, I’ve fallen for heath and Polly! It has taken me a while to finally get to there book and I’m so glad I read it. It’s memorable and one that will stay with you.
This book was beautiful, emotional and raw. Their story was so well written.
An imperfect love story about two people who adore one another and the battles they have to face to get to their happily ever after.
Polly and Heath story is not an easy one filled with hearts and flowers, true love is never easy. It’s raw and it pulls at your heartstrings like no other. Expect the unexpected and to be taken on an emotional ride.
Throughout Heath and Polly journey there are some times where you wanted to shake some sense into them and tell them to Wake the heck up and get their Sh*t together.
But just like Anne said when two people are in love, and I mean real tear your hair out, miserable heart wrenching love then they most definitely don’t have their Sh*t together.
The truth.
Wasn’t pretty.
Neither was love.
In the end, I feel like the battles and the rough moments they have went through, they needed to go through to get to where they are now, maybe not all the rough moments but the battles of their relationship side.
It’s really hard to sum this book up, it touched on subjects that I’ve started to recently research and follow. One thing this book will definitely do and that’s get you thinking.
Polly and Heath’s story is love and life in a book and neither are easy. Both characters are infuriating at points I wanted to shake some sense into both of them. This is a story that’s as real and raw as it gets, they don’t half put the reader through the wringer emotionally.
Is life perfect – no
Is life hard- yes
Is any love perfect – no
Is love worth the pain- yes
Another heart wrenching fantastically written story.
This one was an emotional read for me. One of those books that you have to put down and have a think about. It contains aspects of life that too many women experience (myself included) and it really resonated with me how the subject was handled. Although Polly is a hearts and flowers girl, it’s not a hearts and flowers story.
Everyone knows that I fangirl Anne’s words pretty hard but this one was extra special. It’s definitely not your average love story and there were moments I wanted to smack both Polly and Heath. But strangely for me that’s why I loved it so very much. It felt genuine, complicated and especially raw for me. An imperfect love story about two people who I adored and the battles they faced to get their HEA.
It’s some of Anne’s most emotional writing to date. Real, painful and beautiful. Polly and Heath definitely don’t make things easy on your heart – but then again, true love is rarely easy. Definitely recommend.
I think this book has to be my favorite book of 2018!! Shield and Out of the Ashes was my two absolute favorites of all Anne Malcom’s books but this one definitely surpasses them too.
Polly and Heath’s story is almost indescribable, I went through some extreme emotions reading this book. At one point I could not even really see because of the tears. I honestly could not start this book for a couple of weeks after the release because I knew it was going to be hard, and it was, but so very very beautiful. Polly’s character really captivated me. She is seen as this carefree, peace-loving flower child but she is so much more complex than that. Polly is such a selfless soul that she would bleed herself dry to take the pain away from loved ones. The kindness she shows towards others are genuine, but its how she feels about herself that was so painful. Her need to find peace for herself and the things she did and didn’t do to achieve it was what really got to me. As for Heath, he was the ultimate alpha male. When he met Polly, he was in the military and they had only a few days together. He knew she was young and he didn’t know what was in store for him overseas, but all he did know was that he needed Polly and all her sunshine.
Holy cow their love story was epic, filled with heartache, angst, regrets but the love these two have for each other and their eventual happily ever after makes it all worth it. Their first moment together was beautiful yet so heart-breaking. Polly knew from the very beginning that their time was not permanent, but she gave him her whole heart anyway. When he left they way he did, she was broken, but she was determined to move on, she was determined to continue to live for love and the fairy tale. She never expected to see him again, but then a few years later, there he was. Polly is confronted multiple times by Heath, but she genuinely believed they could not work. She pushes him away until it was too late. I was devastated with how they separated and all the consequences that resulted. Polly goes through so much turmoil and heartbreak but still gives so much of herself to everyone around her. And even how angry Heath was with and acted towards Polly, there were so many signs that he still cared so much. The roller coaster ride these two put me on was excruciating!! I had to stop at one point and post how angst-ridden I was on the Cocktails with Anne Facebook page. But I had to go on, I needed Polly to find her peace. Once Heath is confronted with how much he could no longer live without Polly, it was almost too late, but he was determined to help Polly heal to finally get to their happily ever after.
This was such a beautifully written love story that it is going to stay with me for awhile. Even two days after finishing, I’m still reeling from all the emotions. And that epilogue, all the feels!!! I know I wasn’t alone about not being quite ready to read this story, but I am so glad I finally did. Found my favorite book of the year!
Dear God, this book is painful! It is not an exaggeration when the author says that it is not a fairytale. It isn’t a bait and switch. It is not a tease. It is an utter truth. This book is the Grimm fairytale variety. It’s harsh. It’s ugly. It’s real. It hurts like a mothertrucker!
I am a hopeless romantic. I see the happily ever after in everything. I hope against hope. I wish for magic and miracles. I know the hero is going to ride in and save the day…in my books. Not in this one. Not in Polly’s world.
Polly is ever the optimist. She is everything I wish to be and a side of crazy new age. She makes my wishful, hope infused outlook seem like a b rated horror movie. She is literal sunshine and rainbows. But she’s also a fraud and her own worst enemy.
So I hated this book. Not the writing. Not the characters -even when I wanted to shake them. I hurt physically from the loss of hope. I hated knowing that no matter how much I wanted to turn the page and see unicorns, it wasn’t happening. I hated knowing that the knights in shining armor occasionally need time to put it on. I hated knowing the author spared no realism. The author made sure you knew exactly how bad life can be. I hated knowing it would get better but not at magical HEA speeds. I hated it. Which in a crazy way is why this book despite my hating it is so damn good. I
Yes, it’s definitely worth the hurt and the soul consuming pain.
Reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
I can’t even begin to describe how excited I was to get my hands on this book. I love the emotions this series brings out in me and Pollys story was no different.
Polly is all sunshine and light and she’s extremely easy to like. There’s something about her that drew me to her. An innocence and a kindness that’s not a common trait anymore. That’s not to say she doesn’t have her own issues because she does but they just help make her more ‘real’.
Polly and Heaths story is heart wrenching, it’s raw, real and really packs an emotional punch. Another fantastic book from Anne Malcom.
Holy moly! I think she broke me again! This. Book! This book shows that love is not all fairy tales and butterflies, it can be ugly and dark but that’s not real love. Real love will find you and even with its darkness, it will shed light through the sharp, jagged pieces. The hardest fought love is the one that will weather any storm and Polly’s story is a mother ducking tsunami!
This book was freaking amazing!
This story was so gut wrenching beautiful that I really don’t have the right words to describe it.
So I’m not going to even try.
The amazingly talented story weaving genius author Anne Malcom is awesome at creating amazing characters and realities so awesome that I can hardly wait for every book that she writes.
So yes I most definitely do recommend this book because I thought it was totally fantastic and I highly recommend it to anyone who’s searching for a book that completely worth climbing into and getting lost in its pages.
Finding peace amidst the Chaos
There is just something about certain authors who write in a way that transcends time and causes the world to cease. This is one of those authors for me. I discovered her earlier this year and have binge read almost EVERYTHING that she has written. It doesn’t matter if it is PNR, MC or even security She does it with a skill that many authors strive to achieve. She is a Goddess amongst the others. Truly. This was especially true when it came to this story.
I am trying to wrap my head around what I just read. It was beautiful and poignant juxtaposed by darkness and devastation. The skill with which this author writes with is sublime. The characters (main and secondary) made stupid decisions, they ran from their mistakes but that made them more endearing. They struggled, they cried, they were weak, and more importantly, they were real. We get glimpses of previous characters and series but even if you haven’t read those you won’t be lost. (You should totally read them though). If it is their first appearance for you, you will fall in love all over again for them because they truly are hilarious. The things that come out of Lucy and Rosie’s mouths are epic.
Heath. Sweet Lord. Not sure how this author can keep creating these one of a kind men but I am happy that she does. This man is wise and loves with every ounce of his being. He has a way of seeing Polly that grabs on to my heart and doesn’t let go. He sees her in a way that no one else does:
“I’m not here to protect you from the world. I want to give it to you. Because I know you’re strong enough to handle It.” /SWOON
Their road was not smooth. Even in the beginning, Heath knew he couldn’t walk away:
“I couldn’t resist taking you even with the knowledge of knowing I’d have to leave you, ” he murmured. “Because you’re the most beautiful girl who wants peace but [word omitted] like it is war.”
Polly. This little ray of sunshine. This amazing beautiful soul that is imaginary yet gives me hope that there is still magic in this chaotic world that we live in. Heath’s description fits her to a tee:
“Your chaos is the single most beautiful and defining things about you. You live life wild and loud, babe. I’m not talking about the sound. I’m talking about the way you smile, the way you enter a room. The way you love.”
She truly is joy. She has a gypsy soul that doesn’t see things from the same perspective as most other people do. She truly is just Polly and made her that much more endearing. She has a vision of what her life should look like but this connection with Heath calls her on it as he sees her in a way that others don’t:
“See, that your problem. You want something that someone’s already written for you. And that ain’t you babe, I’m pleased to tell you. The person that you are, the story that you live, it won’t fit in a book. It’s not ever going to be flattened down to love in some two-dimensional world, you’re too big for that. You’re too bright. You’re sunshine in a life that has always been midnight.” /Status update dead.
I implore you. Read this book. Read ALL the books. Do a little self-reflection at 3 in the morning during the witching hour. Find the peace in the chaos. One of the best of all of 2018, which is a huge compliment since I have read some AMAZING books this year.
I think my favourite thing about fiction is the fact that it has this ability to connect with us emotionally and pull out those emotions. It also has this ability, when executed correctly, to reflect the beauty and the harshness of the world. The author achieves this beautifully in this book.
It is not a lighthearted read. It is realistic in it’s portrayal of emotional struggles and the obstacles that the characters face. It will make you emotional with those characters as it is incredibly executed to make you feel what the character is feeling. It is beautifully introspective at times and utterly heart wrenching at others. It is beautiful in it’s complexity of both plot and characters.
The characters are easy to connect with, especially if you have read the other books in the series. The author writes characters that reflect true humans in that everyone will find a way to relate to them in some way. The plot is full of twists and indecision on the part of the characters but will keep your heart invested in the story from start to finish.
This read may not be an easy journey but that makes the HEA even sweeter for the difficulties that you experience with the characters. It is a wonderfully compelling read with beautifully executed characters that I would recommend to anyone who loves an emotional journey. One of the best and most beautifully executed books I have read this year.
So, Polly. If you’ve read Greenstone #1&2, you’ve met her. You’ve seen her flightiness. Her carefree way she floats through life. But do you know her? Because when you meet her for real, and see deep inside, you find she carries the weight of the world.
Through much of the story I was frustrated with her. JUST TELL HIM. Sounds easy, huh? And then I read these words and realized just how real, how utterly human Polly really is. Stronger than most for sure.
“The girl made the wrong decisions because she was scared and naïve and most importantly, human.”
This is one of Anne’s most emotion filled stories. She manages to address at least 7 seriously deep, real life, cut-you-down-at-knees situations, and managed to find there is peace within the chaos. Ever After can still have some happy in it, when we choose to find it.
This author simply out does herself with each new read. Each character is brought to life with care, realistic thought and the dark side no one can ever imagine. Polly and Heath’s story was so much more than what I had expected, it was touching, maddening, real, beautiful and gut wrenching. This is one of the reason’s I read Anne Malcom, she brings the real to the surface and gives it a twist and beauty like I’ve never seen. If you like this kind of angst, start reading!
5 EPIC STARS!!!!!!
Wow Wow Wow, Anne Malcom has done it again! I was hooked from the prologue. This book has seriously left me speechless and on an emotional rollercoaster ride, and what ride it was! There were times when I wanted to slap both of them and perhaps throw my kindle in a tantrum. My heart broke for them and then it was slowly put back together as their story went on.
This book isn’t a fairytale it is raw, emotional and complicated, a story of discovering self worth and the path to an imperfectly perfect love.
What I love with Anne’s writing is the ability she has to bring the characters to life, the relationships and the strong bond that the characters have with each other. Their antics keep you smiling while dealing with the pain and sadness that Polly and Heath are going through.
Just when you think that Anne couldn’t go beyond brilliant she gone to a whole other level!
The Problem With Peace is mind absolutely perfect!!!
Anne Malcom I really dont know how you do it. I have been obsessed with your writing since my first book by you. I remember reading Out of the Ashes and thinking this lady is truly talented. You have a way with words. Your ability to weave these words into a story of not only love, but heartbreak. Polly and Heath are burned into my heart. Because that is what you do, you give us these characters who will forever be part of us.