Most days Rebecca Lindt feels like an imposter...
The world admires her as a survivor. But that impression would crumble if people knew her secret. She didn't deserve to be the one who got away. But nothing can change the past, so she's thrown herself into her work. She can't dwell if she never slows down.
Wes Garrett is trying to get back on his feet after losing his dream restaurant, his money, and half his damn mind in a vicious divorce. But when he intervenes in a mugging and saves Rebecca―the attorney who helped his ex ruin him―his simple life gets complicated.
Their attraction is inconvenient and neither wants more than a fling. But when Rebecca's secret is put at risk, both discover they could lose everything, including what they never realized they needed: each other
She laughed and kissed him. This morning she'd melted down. But somehow this man had her laughing and turned on only a few hours later. Everything inside her felt buoyed.
She felt...light.
She'd forgotten what that felt like.
Source: advance e-galley provided in exchange for an honest review
I have a special affection for the first book in the series, The Ones Who Got Away. I knew it was something special as soon as I had started it. To read a story about former high school students who survived a horrific shooting, and who are now adults but still deeply affected by their experience put some things into perspective. Mainly that the shock and pain never leave you.
In The One You Can't Forget, we get to know another survivor, Rebecca who's outward facade is that of kickass divorce attorney who can command a room and get results. She had my attention immediately with how she could read a situation and anticipate the next move. But that's what she shows the outside world. On the inside, she's still traumatized and it all comes back to her when she's the victim of a mugging. Luckily, Wes is in the neighbourhood and scares off the aggressors. He sticks around to make sure she's okay and it's during this moment of all moments that she realizes where she knows him from: she might have had something to do with his career hopes and dreams being ruined. She dreads that he'll figure it out any minute now.
Loren threw in a nice little surprise with that little bit of info. When Wes finally recognizes Rebecca it's as awkward and awful as one would expect. Wes is a good guy and is trying to make the best of a crap situation. So what if the restaurant of his dreams was from taken away from him. He's still going to make something happen even if he has to scrape by, and scrimp and save to get there. Being attracted to her and knowing that Rebecca had a hand in the state of his fortune (or lack thereof) is inconvenient and all but he still can't help how he feels. They both have their horrible pasts to overcome and maybe they can do that together.
I'm a big fan of this series. Seeing these characters living with PTSD is a reminder that there is no "normal" anymore. Each day is a mental battle to make it through. And then there's Wes who has his own battles but has remained optimistic and more importantly, kindhearted despite being handed lemons. I liked Rebecca and Wes because they're both attempting to live their lives in spite of the cruelty they've faced, and they keep their hearts open. They might have met under awful circumstances but sometimes the right people come into your life at just the right time.
~ Bel
No comments:
Post a Comment