Speakeasy is a beautiful, insightful, sweet, sexy, and utterly heart-warming story from the truly exceptional True North series by Sarina Bowen. It is redemptive, hopeful, full of humor and just enough emotional angst to keep it real. It may easily be read and enjoyed as a standalone, but I recommend reading the series in order to fully understand the perspective of important secondary characters and to appreciate how each of their individual stories contributes to the ones that follow.
Speakeasy features two characters referenced but not developed in the previous books: May. the dynamic, passionate middle child in the Shipley clan; and Alec, who owns the local bar in the small town that anchors the series. It's an unlikely pairing, for multiple reasons: May is a recovering alcoholic who needs to steer clear of all things liquor-related; she's also bisexual and on the rebound from a failed relationship with her cheating girlfriend; Alec is known to be a player; he's no fan of the Shipley's, and the feeling is mutual. But when Alec jumps in to head off a catastrophic confrontation in his bar and ends up helping May leave her ex and move back in with her family, he goes from friend to rebound lover in a heartbeat, and all bets are off.
Their chemistry is off-the-charts hot; their banter is delightful; and they are perfect together -- as long as no one finds out the truth about their relationship. And therein lies the conflict.
As their relationship grows and their feelings develop, May is determined to keep Alec at arm's length. She's afraid to let go and trust her own judgment for a variety of reasons that have nothing to do with him. He understands her reticence, and for a long time, he's patient, grateful for every stolen moment, determined not to pressure her for more. But he also fears that she is ashamed of him because of his history with her family and because of his own self-esteem issues. He feels that he doesn't deserve her, that he will never be good enough, again for reasons that have nothing to do with May. The tension between them is exquisitely painful, accurately depicting the insecurity and fear we experience when we feel unworthy to accept love, be it from within ourselves or from that special someone. And when the tension becomes unbearable, it inevitably leads them to a breaking point. But is it a point of no return? Or merely another obstacle on the path to a well-deserved HEA?
You'll have to read Speakeasy to find that out for yourself (and to understand the title of the book, too -- it's brilliant).
I didn't find May an easy character to love, so I applaud Sarina for giving me at least a dozen reasons to care enough to keep reading. The passages of the story that are told from her point of view reveal a woman of substance, compassion, honesty, and resilience. Her POV is crucial to understanding what drives her to behave as she does from beginning to end, and the same is true of Alec. Sarina is a master at using dual POV to make her characters stand out and resonate with readers. All of her stories are a joy to read, and Speakeasy is no exception; it's a perfect addition to a wonderful series.
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4.5 Snaps in the Shape of an Awesome Book
'Our rapid breathing and the breeze—those are the only two sounds I can hear. It’s beautiful.' Sarina Bowen’s True North series is an absolute favorite of mine. I’ve recommended them time and again, bought them for friends and the occasional stranger, and have never once wondered, ‘Will they enjoy them as much as I have?’ because they’re THAT good. Which is why seeing Speakeasy, the fifth book in the series, on my Kindle sent a thrill of excitement through me. May Shipley has fascinated me for a while now and seeing her story—experiencing her struggle—produced a different kind of feeling in me. One that’s really, really hard to explain. I definitely enjoyed this book. There are moments of happiness and humor—as if Alec wasn’t swoony-perfect enough, he also loves terrible jokes, just like me—but there’s also a roller-coaster of self-doubt and regret and uncertainty. It’s a heady, engaging, difficult-to-manage mix, and Ms. Bowen is gifted enough to make it work. Though I found this one a little slow to start—perhaps a side-effect of my overall mood?—the deeper into May and Alec’s story I got, the more I needed, needed, to know how it ended. And let me just say this: how it ended made my heart bounce around in my chest, battered but happy. And ready to recommend it—like the others in the series before it—to friends and strangers, alike. 'I feel a different kind of connection to her than I’m used to. As if she’s my person, and I’m hers. I’ve never had a person before. Maybe this is what all the songs on the radio are about.' ~ 4.5 Snaps in the Shape of an Awesome Book STARS ~
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Top reviews from other countries
- BananaTrickyReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 31, 2018
Charming, sexy, funny romance set in Vermont - another winner
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