Reviewed by Emma-Louise on behalf of KFF
What a read. What a book. What a whole lot of emotional wasteland. I shouldn’t be surprised though, this is a Sam Towle book after all. This author really does know how to crank up the temperature and the pressure in a way that feels natural, and realistic.
Every time I read a book penned by this writer I realise how much of a student of the human condition she is. Never once has she taken the easy way out, staying true to the characters. That’s not to say that they’re all perfectly formed and everything comes easily to them. For some sure do have talent. Whilst others are enduring survivors, and when they’re really special people they have both. Talent and creativity is their saviour when the world is so dark and black it appears as if the sun has fallen out of the sky and the world feels as if it will never smile or hold hope again.
Ari is attempting to rebuild her life after many years of bad choices. Her addiction weighs heavily on her; getting through each day is a Herculean effort. I won’t go into her addiction more, purely because I want every reader to explore Ari’s story with new, fresh eyes. I will say that she's hard on herself. More than just guilt-ridden, she really does dislike herself. And I’m not just talking about her bad choices. Her skeletons in the closet are old and unwise. They hound her continuously day in and day out. If only she could figure out how to separate herself from her demons and live a freer life. Can she move past her nightmares and come out the other side healthy and happy?
Ares is, of course, still a hothead and extremely judgemental. Having read Ruin, I can surely understand why, but his hang-ups aren’t a weapon to batter other people with. He’s a big softie of a guy when you get through his concrete exterior, family is the most important thing to him, above all else. He is larger than life, just like his big brother Zeus. Knowing how much he gave up providing for his younger siblings just makes him easier to love. He’s a dedicated athlete, much like Zeus, and is harder on himself then anyone else will ever be. To me, Ares appears to be a man who prefers to be isolated. He doesn’t like discussing his private life or his past, knowing where he comes from I can’t say I blame him.
Okay, so. I’ve discussed the characters and my opinion of the story, which leads me breathlessly into the best part of Rush. The romance. As is in the style of this author, the reader spends plenty of frustrated time wondering how long it’ll take before these two fall on to each other like starving wolves after a kill. They are exactly what the other needs to begin the healing process. Plus the smexy is as hot as a naked flame.
‘I’m picked up and pressed against the door by a hot, hard football player as he kisses me.
And it’s the wettest, dirtiest kiss I’ve ever had in my life.
“I’ve been wanting to do that all night,” he rumbles against my lips.
“Feel free to keep doing it,” I say breathlessly.’
Knowing Ares the way we do, of course he doesn’t make things easy. I wanted so badly to knock some sense into him, the amount of pain and anguish he dished out to Ari was so hard to swallow for me. I had a conversation earlier with someone about his behaviour and their comments made me see Ares’ point of view better. However, being the reviewer that I am, I need to mention one small, tiny issue. This doesn’t even detract anything from this book for me; I just feel it warrants mentioning. When of course there’s a meeting of the minds and the sun comes back out to shine. I just feel that perhaps that the sun came out a little too quickly and didn’t just allow the clouds to glide across the sky a little more.
Pick almost any works by Ms. Towle and you’ll find addiction and broken pieces though, to this reviewers mind, it isn’t used for shock or awe, not at all. This speaks of talent and when an addiction or problem is there the storytelling moves fluidly, taking on an almost lifelike shape. Research so evidently has been done, how else could someone create characters so realistic and three dimensional.
You can be sure of a tearjerker and so many conflicting emotions you’re as confused and broken, at times, as the people on the pages are. The best art imitates life and with that purity of character and being steadfast are oftentimes not enforced. In some really great reads, I’ve seen authors take the easy way out so that they don’t appear cruel or disgusting. Ms. Towle doesn’t sugar coat anything, she isn’t Willy Wonka, she isn’t creating confectionery, and I thank my lucky stars she’s in the business she’s in.
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Popular Highlights in this book
“You were right yesterday…when you said we were done…because I don’t trust you with my heart anymore. The one time I really needed you, Ares…needed you to believe me, and you let me down.”Highlighted by 329 Kindle readers- “I was going to say”—his minty breath brushes over my skin—“that you look pretty when you wear glasses.”Highlighted by 255 Kindle readers
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- Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2021
Top reviews from other countries
- MLM 66Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 13, 2018
Emotional and brilliant..!! 5+*
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