Self Published | October 26, 2015 | New Adult Romance
Reawakened Secrets, book 1
★★★★
SOURCE: XPRESSO BOOK TOURS
Some secrets should never be kept…
Growing up in the servants’ quarters at Haven Hill, Claire Brown was a poor outcast, living in a world of money and privilege. Her only solace was best friend, Alice Sinclair, and secret desire, Jackson Montgomery. Rich and connected, they were perfect in every way and perfect for each other.
Still, Claire was foolish enough to fall in love with Jackson, and desperate enough to hide it. When Alice found out, there was a terrible accident that left her in a coma. Jackson disappeared, leaving New Haven without even saying good-bye.
Ten years later, Claire has managed to build a life without them. So when Jackson calls out of nowhere to say Alice is awake, Claire’s first thought is Thank God. Her second? I’m screwed. Lusting after Jackson destroyed her. It’s nothing compared to what she’s hiding now.
But nothing stays hidden forever.
{ about mari denae } .
My name is Mari DenaeI am a married mother of three and publishing my first novel is a dream come true. As the nerd that went to bed with a flash light to read the books I swiped from my mom’s room, I have always been an avid book lover. My favorites are hot, alpha male heroes (think Kristen Ashley), suspenseful, romantic thrillers (think Sandra Brown) and poignant, sweet love stories (think Abbi Glines or Colleen Hoover). My plan was always to be a writer of some sort, but somehow real life responsibilities got in the way. Now, I am an accountant with a night time writing obsession.
One Saturday afternoon, I took my girls to see the latest teenage movie. Four days later, I had read all four Twilight books. I was inspired by the innocent romance and ‘Edward Cullen’ (don’t judge). Once I found my way to Fifty Shades of Grey, I was a complete goner. All my spare time was spent reading, writing or blogging. After version one million, five hundred and fifty five of my series Reawakened , I’m finally ready to share it and hope that someone enjoys reading the story as much as I have enjoyed writing it. This one’s for my mother. I hope she’s looking down proud because I finally finished what I started.
{ review } .
This was one of those books that I hurt giving it a 4 instead of a 4.5 -- but I have a feeling that the other books are going to blow this one out of the park, so I have to give room for that growth.
Eleven years ago, Claire was best friends with Alice and Jackson. Claire was from the wrong side of the tracks, and often felt that Alice and Jackson simply put up with her because she was the nanny's kid. Claire knew, from a young age, that Alice and Jackson were meant for one another, so she always felt guilty for the feelings she had for Jackson.
One day, Jackson started looking at her differently. And while the guilt was there, Claire let herself believe -- but all of these events lead up to the single one that had Claire estranged from her two friends for the past eleven years.
I absolutely loved this book. I wasn't a huge fan of the time jump between the first and second chapters -- there was a huge jump of time but with it, many questions. The author chose to do a flip-flop, back and forth, type chaptering for the beginning, so those questions do get answered; I just wasn't a fan of the way they were answered.
As this is the beginning of a connected serial, this book ends with a decent cliff-hanger. It's not too bad, not too steep, but there are things that need to be said and half-truths that have come out. I am truly excited to see how it all plays out; I want Claire to feel worthy of the love she deserves, and I want everything to be out in the open and accepted. Time will only tell.
Eleven years ago, Claire was best friends with Alice and Jackson. Claire was from the wrong side of the tracks, and often felt that Alice and Jackson simply put up with her because she was the nanny's kid. Claire knew, from a young age, that Alice and Jackson were meant for one another, so she always felt guilty for the feelings she had for Jackson.
One day, Jackson started looking at her differently. And while the guilt was there, Claire let herself believe -- but all of these events lead up to the single one that had Claire estranged from her two friends for the past eleven years.
I absolutely loved this book. I wasn't a huge fan of the time jump between the first and second chapters -- there was a huge jump of time but with it, many questions. The author chose to do a flip-flop, back and forth, type chaptering for the beginning, so those questions do get answered; I just wasn't a fan of the way they were answered.
As this is the beginning of a connected serial, this book ends with a decent cliff-hanger. It's not too bad, not too steep, but there are things that need to be said and half-truths that have come out. I am truly excited to see how it all plays out; I want Claire to feel worthy of the love she deserves, and I want everything to be out in the open and accepted. Time will only tell.
Great review! This sounds like a great read and I think many would be able to relate with the "doesn't feel like she fit in" kind of character. She sounds like a well developed character, too! Thanks for hosting today! :)
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