Modern-day pirates took more than Jori Virtanen’s friends; they stole his face. Not only does the twenty-four-year-old former model have to confront months of reconstructive surgery, he discovers his previous life was as superficial as his looks. Up-and-coming talk show host Olivia Howard wants an interview. She, like the rest of the press, expects a hero, but Jori knows the truth. His beauty … masks a beast.In seclusion and evading the press, Jori struggles to make a new life as an artist. But he can’t hide from himself; more than his face is damaged. How can Jori possibly make amends for all that he’s broken? When Olivia finally tracks him down, he must decide if he can trust her. Could this unlikely woman be a key to freeing his heart and healing the beast?
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Olivia was tired of the fluff pieces her producers was handing her and she wanted something more and she found it though it was not what she was expecting. Jori has been through a devastating injury that left lasting scars both on the outside and the inside. This was a totally believable story that weaves us through friendships, loss, survival, pain, joy, redemption, and love. I had a wonderful time reading this and recommend.
I revisited this book through audio and was just as captivated and moved as I was the first time through. Definitely recommend this one. The narrator was spectacular!
I love the raw emotion and depth of these characters. I was in love with the first book and I have so enjoyed seeing the story though the eyes and timelines of the different characters. This was poignant made me laugh and tear up in turn.
I hope that we get to see Olivia’s reaction to the painting of her, in the upcoming books.
I received an audiobook ARC from this author, and I am leaving a voluntary review.
Jori was a playboy and didn’t consider how his love them and leave them actions affected the women he was with until the pirate attack and destruction to his face which resulted in the end of his modeling career. He was a hero defending Elle against the pirates, but he didn’t want the attention that came from it and he still slipped back into his old ways at times in this book. The loss of his modeling career forced him to focus on his art, which was his first love and his experiences made it deeper and more meaningful. It is revealed in the book why he treated women the way he did previously. Olivia is a tough, but compassionate talk show host, who wants to use her influence for good rather than just to boost ratings. Jori and Olivia become closer through their online interactions, but he resists going on her show to talk about his experience with the pirates. This book discusses and follows up on characters and experiences in A Change of Plans and it is helpful to read that book first, but not necessary to understand the story.
In the Audible version, the narrator kept me interested in the story and did a great job with voice changes and emotional inflections in the right places.
This was the second book in this series and it was a beautiful story It brings you what has happened with Jori and everything he was dealing with after the incident in book one. You want to make sure you have your tissues ready. Donna has written such lovely stories that touch your heart and make you route for the survivors of the incident.
4 stars
I purchased Torn Canvas by Donna K. Weaver and this review was given freely.
Physically and mentally broken former model and playboy Jori retreats into himself and his art but then unexpectedly finds love, hope and purpose with talk show hostess Olivia. Olivia after years of sacrificing and trying to keep her principles questions the sensationalism needed to maintain her career and wonders if she really wants her position or if she really likes the changes in her life. This is a suspenseful, emotional and action packed full length novel brightened by irony and the spunky character of Grandma Anna.
Jori went through abuse as a child and finds that he allowed it to shape who he became. He has no close family. And so those who went through the pirate attack with him became his family. He finds himself changing and not just his career. Olivia finds out about Jori when he helped to save a family stuck on a railroad crossing. And later when he was part of the pirate attack she tried to set up an interview with him. But over the next couple of years she and Jori develop a friendship via chats online. Both of them are looking for something real. This is a sweet story of redemption and self reflection.
A story about starting over and finding hope
I read the first book “A Change of Plans”, but it was so long ago, that I only remember the general story not details. Though this book can stand alone, I think it’s helpful to read Book 1 prior to this one
Jori lived a superficial life as a model, but after his face was damaged & he almost loses his life following an assault by pirates, he is forced to reevaluate his values & priorities. It’s a very touching & tender story; and while it’s a little sobering in the first half, the ending is happily hopeful
Clean romance level: passionate kisses, some threatening menace, nothing graphic
Two broken people unexpectedly finding one another – great for those who love romance.
4 stars
I purchased Torn Canvas: Safe Harbor : Book 2 by Donna K. Weaver and this review was given freely.
Physically and mentally broken former model and playboy Jori retreats into himself and his art but then unexpectedly finds love, hope and purpose with talk show hostess Olivia. Olivia after years of sacrificing and trying to keep her principles questions the sensationalism needed to maintain her career and wonders if she really wants her position or if she really likes the changes in her life. This is a suspenseful, emotional and action packed full length novel brightened by irony and the spunky character of Grandma Anna.