Genres: Contemporary, Military, Romance
Everyone told me to leave him, but I can’t. He won’t let me.
The moment I wanted to give up on myself and any form of hope, Kemper—a tall, sexy Marine just home from Afghanistan walked into my bar. With one look in his eyes, I saw pain that mirrored my own.
At first, I thought maybe he would be my prince charming, riding in to save me, but all it took was one tragedy for me to remember…fairy tales don’t exist in real life.
*The content in this book discusses domestic violence and is suitable for readers over 18*
Every once in a while to a readers delight you open a book, read the Prologue, and know this book is going to affect you in some way. I’m not one to judge a book by the cover, and generally in reviews I don’t mention the cover. However, I fell in love with Ravel’s cover. It’s absolutely beautiful and I could see so vividly the cover models as the characters. Between the beautiful cover and the Prologue I knew I had found a book that I’d devour.
Daphne first met Trent on summer break from college and they started dating. Daphne’s never had a good example of what a relationship looks like because her parents can not stand each other. They fight all the time. Before her senior year of college Trent changes and turns into the most horribly terrifying person. Thus begins years of abuse and threats of death if she leaves him. She’s terrified. Who wouldn’t be? Daphne loses herself due to this relationship, but still holds out hope for something better.
Kemper is a Marine who shows up one night at the bar Daphne works at. He’s so hurt and lost and grieving his best friends death while on a tour of duty in Afghanistan. Daphne makes a toast to his deceased friend Rex and a friendship is born. They bond quickly, are supportive of one another, and instantly attracted to each other. Is Kemper just who Daphne needs in her life to finally see her relationship for what is is? Can Daphne help Kemper to grieve and find peace in this world? Can their love survive with so many odds stacked against them?
I devoured this book. I just could not seem to put it down. When I had to I couldn’t stop thinking about the story. The story of Kemper and Daphne is both heartbreaking and beautiful. I loved both these characters with all my heart. They both have had such rough lives yet still somehow they find the beauty in moments. I’ll never look at the man in the moon the same way again. I’ll forever think of Kemper and Daphne when I do. Their story is one that grabbed my heart and didn’t let go. I rooted for them. I cried several times for both of them. I wanted to have a little talk with Trent with a baseball bat. I’ve never despised a character like I did him. It may sound odd to say a book about an abusive relationship and a lost Marine is beautiful but I promise you it is. Shari J Ryan has done the most amazing job with such a difficult topic. Such a good job in fact you’ll swear your there with Kemper and Daphne.
Don’t miss this book. Shari J Ryan has you in a place of comfort then BAM rips it right out from under you.
I am a huge fan of Shari Ryan’s writing, so I was very excited to be able to read and review her latest creation. Once again, she rocked it!
When Daphne first met Trent, she thought he was a pretty good guy, As time went on, she soon realized that he was a monster. Like many women, Daphne found herself in an abusive situation, and she felt trapped. She knew if she left him, he would kill her, so she stayed. As a result, she ending up losing herself. However, her outlook on life and love changed the day a tortured marine showed up at the bar she worked at.
Kemper just returned home from Afghanistan where he watched his best friend die. He goes to a local bar with a group of his fellow marines to try and forget if only for a while. When he first sees the sexy and beautiful bartender, he feels an instant connection to her. Fearing Trent’s reaction, Daphne tries her best to resist Kemper’s charms. As they spend more time together, they each realize that neither one of them can deny the connection that they share. Can their love survive two crazy ex lovers and a dangerous deployment or will these obstacles prove to be too much for them to overcome?
This is a great and heartwarming love story. However, this book does deal with the topic of domestic abuse, so if that is a trigger for you, this might not be the book for you. In my opinion, Shari Ryan did a fabulous job at shining the spotlight on this serious issue! This is a book that I would highly recommend!
“I guess so,” I mutter, falling a little deeper into his gaze.
His thumb runs down the length of my nose, and while most of me is feeling pain, that sensation still drives quivers through my body. “Does that hurt?” he asks.
I shake my head, “Not too much,” I say, noticing a slight ache in my neck.
His thumb moves over to my right cheekbone and he presses gently. “How about that?” All I feel is the warmth from his skin. I shake my head again. He does the same for my left cheekbone. This time I wince. It hurts. I clench my eyes and I hear him yell to someone to grab ice. “Is this the first time he’s hit you?” Kemper’s brows are bowed toward his nose while his thumb continues to trace small circles around my cheek. I’d rather lean into his hand than respond.
In truth, I just don’t want to answer him, but he’s still staring at me, waiting for a response. I look down, away from his gaze. The ache in my chest, mixed with feeling like a weak woman, makes me want to cry, but I won’t cry in front of all these people. His finger curls under my chin and he tilts my face back up to look at him. His eyes are kind and caring, yet pained at the same time. The light is hitting them at the perfect angle, giving them the slightest shimmer in the center of each pupil. Then there are his lips—I can’t stop looking at those either. They’re full and capable. They look like they have the ability to kiss in a way I’ve definitely never been kissed. I want to touch his lips, but I belong to Trent—the asshole that just hit me.
International Bestselling Author, Shari J. Ryan, hails from Central Massachusetts where she lives with her husband and two lively little boys. Shari has always had an active imagination and enjoys losing herself in the fictional worlds she creates.
When Shari isn’t writing or designing book covers, she can usually be found cleaning toys up off the floor.
To learn more, visit her at: www.sharijryan.com.
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