@TheJamieMagee, #Archive_Review, #Paranormal, #Romance, #Young_Adult, 4 out of 5 (very good)

Grandmother was the only parent Ember had ever had Ember’s mother had overdosed a few months after having Ember. Her mother had been sixteen and Ember’s father had been a marine and had run. Then after time went on every now and again Ember’s father showed up and Ember would see him in the distance watching her play. When Ember was seventeen her grandmother passed away and Ember never felt more alone in her life. Ember headed up to be with her father leaving behind her boyfriend. Then three months before graduation Ember had no chance to make friends  and her dad was a stranger who was her father. Her father worked in a club at night and slept days Ember and her father had a sort of bond that had formed. Ember was pretty sure her father was amazed that she turned out normal nothing like her mother or father. Her father gave her precautions as he had enemies that would use her to get to him and Ember listened pretty much. Then Ember started  working at Mrs. Lin’s family’s dry cleaning business. Ember slowly started to hate her life but she was too tired too care. Ember had seen Slayton just before dawn leaving a female’s place. Slayton was beautiful and Ember reacted to him like no other male before him. Slayton was broken under the surface that was screaming Embers name and Slayton woke Ember from the fog of her life. Ember didn’t welcome drama but felt whatever Slayton brought with him would be worth it. Slayton told Ember to kiss him and get on his bike. Ember was still a virgin. Then four men came into the unit Slayton and Ember were in. Slayton told the men that Ember was his girlfriend and Ember’s gut told her Slayton had saved her as her father’s last name was brought up as well as the daughter. Slayton claimed it wasn’t Ember. Ember asked Slayton if her father was dead and he said “ not yet”. Ember knew her father was a gambler and he battled addictions as well as PTSD. The next morning as Slayton got ready with his knives and guns. Ember knew Slayton could be deadly yet ember knew he had protected her the day before.

This was a hard book to read but never boring. Completely engrossed with this story. The plot was very good. There was surprises and twists throughout the story. There are many layers to this story. I liked that I couldn’t figure this story out unlike others I have read. This was definitely a dark story. For Ember and Slayton to stay together is definitely star crossed considering who they are but it works in this story. I didn’t really like how trusting I liked the characters and how they interacted and I like the twists in this story and I recommend.

How is it, I have never heard of this author before? That was the first question that came to mind when this book came on my radar. I was intrigued by the blurb, which prompted me to sign up for the book tour. I had no idea what I would be getting myself into but I went in with an open mind. This book delivered all that I was expecting.

The Story

The story, which is told in the 3rd person alternate POV, started out slow but then by the second half of the book the pace increased. In the first half of the book, the focus of the story was on the lives of Declan and Justice from their childhood to teen years. It dealt with the issues they had faced in the past and the plans they had for the future. This method worked for me, as it allowed me to establish a connection with them. The story was well written, although there were a few editorial issues, which I suspect is due to the fact that this is not the final publication.

The second half of the story was quite emotional. The pain, joys, and sorrow that the characters experienced permeated the pages of the book. It was gripping and it held my attention to the very end. Although I was eager to see how the story unfolded, I didn’t want it to end. I just could not get enough of the brooding alpha male and his feisty and independent counterpart.

The Characters
Justice’s childhood was filled with pain and anguish. Abandoned by her mom and abused by her dad. The only comfort she ever had was when she was being raised by her grandparents, but then that came to an end and she was forced to live with her dad who used her for his personal punching bag. Despite the trials she faced from such an early age, she was a fighter. Her actions and attitude demonstrated that even though life may deal us a heavy hand, we can rise above that challenge if we have faith and are willing to fight for what we want.

Declan is the type of person who sees everything in black and white. For him, there was no middle ground. He likes challenges and was not afraid to face them head on. He is very protective, especially of Justice and his family. He will fight to protect what is his even if it means sacrificing his freedom.

The secondary characters added to the flavour of the story. There were some I loved, for example, Declan’s brothers, and some not so much. I disliked Justice’s father, but the character that really rubbed me the wrong way was Murdock, who happened to be Declan’s nemesis. He is always looking to pick a fight with the Rawlings brothers and he was determined to get his hooks into Justice. I found him to be pathetic and a coward.

The Romance:
Declan and Justice loved each other since they were kids, however, they each never knew how the other really felt. As they got older their feelings intensified and it was not until Declan was scheduled to graduate and leave for training camp that they discovered their feelings were reciprocated. At this point, their love got tested from both inside and outside forces.

There were times when they both frustrated me with their behaviour, but eventually, they got it right. What I like was that they were not willing to give up on each other no matter what. Their love was the real deal.

Conclusion
Based on the way the story ended it evident that there will be a second book. In addition, there were some incidents that needed further clarification. I can’t wait to see what next the author has in store where the Rawlings brothers are concerned.

Boring. Not compelling enough to continue. I need something that will catch my attention.

Do I'm back to an ebook binge. And this is one of the oldest downloads I have that I have not read yet. Personally, I hold little hope I will finish it. It was freebie, I'm sick of books about girls "feeling things" or "sensing things", and I only got it for the cover. Which is much prettier than the one Booklikes shows. 4% in and I am feeling myself not really being hooked. I love the feeling of reading two or three pages and just getting that rush. This book is lacking that.