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Space #1
The Space Between
When Drake started the night at his father’s campaign fundraiser, he never imagined he’d end it being conned into buying drugs on the West Side. Losing high-stakes poker has its consequences, but he’d repeatedly face them just to hear Lacey Douglas sing. Drake sees Lacey light up the stage, and he has to have her. But his intentions for being on her side of town turn out to be the reason he can’t.
Chicago native Lacey has dreams of the opera, but life has its obstacles. Lacey has come to know her hardships as part of living in the real world and accepts them fully. When Lacey meets the intense and invigorating Drake, a fire is lit inside her, unleashing those dreams again.
Two paths that should have never crossed prove to create the exact pairing the other needs. But when their worlds take time to catch up, everything they have is tested. Finding the space between the two sides that challenge them will be hard, but it’s the only place that will keep them together.
The Space Between is a new adult contemporary romance.
Chicago native Lacey has dreams of the opera, but life has its obstacles. Lacey has come to know her hardships as part of living in the real world and accepts them fully. When Lacey meets the intense and invigorating Drake, a fire is lit inside her, unleashing those dreams again.
Two paths that should have never crossed prove to create the exact pairing the other needs. But when their worlds take time to catch up, everything they have is tested. Finding the space between the two sides that challenge them will be hard, but it’s the only place that will keep them together.
The Space Between is a new adult contemporary romance.
324 pages, Paperback
First published February 28, 2013
234 people are currently reading
3492 people want to read
About the author
Victoria H. Smith
51 books514 followersVictoria H. Smith has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. She puts it to good use writing romance all day. She resides in the Midwest with her Macbook on her lap and a cornfield to her right. She often draws inspiration for her stories from her own life experiences, and the characters she writes give her an earful about it.
In her free time, she enjoys extreme couponing, reading, watching Scandal, and general geekery in the form of Sherlock and DC Comics. She’s a bestselling author and the 2014 Swirl Award winner for Best New Adult Romance, as well as the recipient of the 2015 AMB Ovation Award for her new adult romance FOUND BY YOU. She writes both new adult and adult fiction in many genres, but mainly focuses in contemporary interracial and multicultural romances.
To be notified about my latest releases, sign up for my newsletter! - http://eepurl.com/MxQMj
In her free time, she enjoys extreme couponing, reading, watching Scandal, and general geekery in the form of Sherlock and DC Comics. She’s a bestselling author and the 2014 Swirl Award winner for Best New Adult Romance, as well as the recipient of the 2015 AMB Ovation Award for her new adult romance FOUND BY YOU. She writes both new adult and adult fiction in many genres, but mainly focuses in contemporary interracial and multicultural romances.
To be notified about my latest releases, sign up for my newsletter! - http://eepurl.com/MxQMj
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 186 reviews
March 3, 2016
To him, this world was a bit of fun, a place to get his weed and maybe some kicks by picking up a local chick. To me, this was life. This was my life and nothing to play around with. I wouldn't let him play around with me. I wouldn't be his source of fun, no matter what I felt upstairs.
BOOK #9 in Carmen-Downloads-20-Free-Ebooks-Onto-Her-Kindle-Day. More widely known as March 3rd, 2015.
Wow. I actually really liked this book.
What? You liked a freebie book?!!?
Yes, I know, y'all are shocked. I was also very surprised.
Truman Drake is a rich, bored son of an Illinois senator. He is immature, entitled, and a jerk from the North Shore.
Lacey is poor, hardworking, and responsible. She's West Side, and caring for her mother who is dying from cancer.
The fact that these two even meet each other is stunning. Drake sneaks out of his father's fundraiser and gets involved in a poker game with some ruffians. As a result, he gets sent to buy some pot from Lacey's best friend: the drug dealer Margot.
At first, Drake viewed Lacey as just an "exotic" girl he could spend the last month of his summer before college with. He didn't respect her or even really view her as a person.
Lacey knows Drake is "slumming it," but the shit really hits the fan once she finds out he's only in the neighborhood to buy pot from Margot. Lacey has a zero tolerance policy for drugs, and she promptly calls the cops on him.
Yeah, it's like that! So...
Drake is pissed, but he figures he'll never see Lacey again. Imagine his shock and surprise when she shows up as he and his 15-year-old sister's new "nanny."
...
This romance was really great. If I start worrying about the characters and what is going to happen to them, you know I'm hooked. If I'm actually feeling sad and worried when romance novel characters face challenges - well. This is a great sign. And this was that kind of book. My heart was pounding I was so anxious, I was turning pages like crazy. I really wanted a happy ending for these two.
HIGHLIGHTS:
1.) ASSHOLE. Drake is SUCH an asshole. Now - there's two (2) ways an author can take an asshole male lead in a romance novel. Either a.) they romanticize the man's jerkiness - as if it's sexy he's a sneering, condescending, possessive prick. These are books I DNF. Or, b.) they make the character change and grow and learn, and at the end you think the (former) asshole is a great guy. I love these types of books! And they are hard to write, so major props to Smith on this one. I mean, I went from lecturing and scolding Drake right and left to admiring him and cheering him on. That's a big turn-around! And it's so smooth and gradual.
2.) RACE. This book actually talks about race and racial issues instead of just pretending like race doesn't exist. I found this to be very refreshing.
We have Lacey - who has a black mom and a white dad - living in a poor neighborhood and working hard to take care of her sick mom. When Drake comes around, he gets threatened and beaten by men in the neighborhood who are angry with him for "stealing our women." Lacey herself has to deal with Drake's dad treating her like she's worthless because she's "the help" and acting like it's a huge affront when she sits down to dinner with them.
We have Drake - who is Korean - adopted by a white family and often faced with racism himself. His asshole father makes it clear that he only adopted him to improve his image as a humanitarian and doesn't consider Drake his "real son" the way he does his biological daughter. Even though Drake loves his (adoptive) mother and sister and is very close to them, he has to deal with his racist father every single day. Not to mention his rich, white peers who sometimes treat him as the token minority.
Now, this isn't a Book About Race, you know, message-filled and preachy. Ugh. Who'd want to read that?! Certainly not someone looking for a fun romance. BUT, so often I see books where authors pretend like racial issues just don't exist. As if we live in some world where racism has magically been erased. And I think that's fine - IN ROMANCE NOVELS, because authors are trying to provide light, fluffy escapism for their readers. But I loved, loved, loved Smith's frank and sensible handling of these topics - it was a shock to find a romance novel actually acknowledging that racism exists. The issues weren't shoved down my throat but they weren't swept under the rug either. Great. Wonderful. Extra points.
3.) REAL PROBLEMS.
Because race is just a part of this world, I felt like the characters had real-world problems. Oftentimes in romance, the conflicts the main couple faces before they can have their Happily Ever After are simply ridiculous and convoluted. You're reading the book and screaming at the characters "Just tell him! Just talk to her! Be sensible!" because it's painful to read about people who are so dense and hellbent on miscommunication that they hurt each other.
Here, this is not the case. Drake and Lacey are facing real-life problems. What will Drake's rich white parents say when they find out their only son is dating a poor, black woman who works as a nanny? How will Lacey deal with the hostile men in her neighborhood who see Jaguar-driving Drake as a woman-poacher? How can Drake convince his father that Lacey's not just a golddigger out to get his money? Or how about the fact that Lacey really, desperately needs the money from working for Drake's parents because her mom's medical bills are astronomical. She can't afford to lose her job and they will absolutely fire her if they find out she's involved with Drake.
This is infinitely better than the 'problems' that usually crop up in romance novels, which basically involve the leads inventing reasons why they can't be together that are frankly just stupid.
4.) SHE STANDS UP FOR HERSELF. Lacey is a strong woman who doesn't take any shit from Drake. At the beginning, Drake is really immature and entitled. He says and does some mean things mainly just 'cause he's bored and proud. Lacey is amazing in the way she stands up for him even though she's attracted to him. Usually in romance novels being attracted to a man means letting the man get away with anything because "he's just so dreamy; he's so hot." It's as if 6-pack abs kill a woman's brain cells, or something. Lacey doesn't mess around - she calls Drake on his bad behavior.
5.) Drake says, "Take all the time you need" at one point and those are practically the sexiest words a man can say to me in life. O.O OMG Patient men turn me on SO MUCH.
6.) Drake's funny. Some of his comments had me laughing. Oh, man. o.O
7.) THE EMOTIONS. OMG I was so emotionally wrapped up in this story and how it turned out - that rarely happens for me in romance books.
...
LOWLIGHTS:
1.) DRAKE'S 'VOICE.' Drake does not really have a North Shore, rich-boy "voice" to me. When it is his chapter(s) and he's narrating, he sounds too 'hood to me. I realize it's really hard for authors to do different POVs, and in this case Drake sounds just like Lacey - which is to say, West Side. I was having a hard time believing a private-school-going, country-club-belonging, polo-shirt-wearing, gated-community guy who spent his whole life in this environment would be acting and speaking the way he did. I expected a bit of a cultural shock when he's plunged into Lacey's world. It was unconvincing. I didn't need anything exaggerated - but what was there wasn't gelling. It just didn't add up.
2.) A LITTLE RIDICULOUSNESS. Remember when I said this was a real-world problem book? Well. There were one or two conflicts that seemed a little silly to me - most notably Drake's ludicrous idea that he and Lacey should go on a double date with other people in order to put his parents (and friends) off the scent. Yeah, these kind of shenanigans only happen in romance novels - no one in real life is stupid enough to try to pull this shit. But this was minor and infrequent.
...
ADDITIONAL NOTE
The sex was fair to middlin'. I mean, not BAD, but not amazing either.
...
Tl'dr - Set your phasers to 'stun.' I never expected to like this book, and I ended up very caught up in it. Smith did an excellent job here. This is the first in a trilogy, but it wraps up very nicely (no cliffhanger) and you can easily leave it here if you want to. I (probably) won't be reading the next book. Also, extra points to Smith for no cliffhangers, I hate cliffhangers. Grrrrrrrrr.
Honest acknowledgment of race issues, a edge-of-your-seat romance with emotions running high, and some extra laughs to give it some kick. This was a pleasant surprise.
3 REAL STARS, 4 ROMANCE STARS
P.S. I would most definitely pick up another book by Smith.
I got this for free on my Kindle by just browsing through Amazon, they were having a special. This was entry #9 in Carmen-Downloads-20-Free-Ebooks-Onto-Her-Kindle-Day. More widely known as March 3rd, 2015.
BOOK #9 in Carmen-Downloads-20-Free-Ebooks-Onto-Her-Kindle-Day. More widely known as March 3rd, 2015.
Wow. I actually really liked this book.
What? You liked a freebie book?!!?
Yes, I know, y'all are shocked. I was also very surprised.
Truman Drake is a rich, bored son of an Illinois senator. He is immature, entitled, and a jerk from the North Shore.
Lacey is poor, hardworking, and responsible. She's West Side, and caring for her mother who is dying from cancer.
The fact that these two even meet each other is stunning. Drake sneaks out of his father's fundraiser and gets involved in a poker game with some ruffians. As a result, he gets sent to buy some pot from Lacey's best friend: the drug dealer Margot.
At first, Drake viewed Lacey as just an "exotic" girl he could spend the last month of his summer before college with. He didn't respect her or even really view her as a person.
Lacey knows Drake is "slumming it," but the shit really hits the fan once she finds out he's only in the neighborhood to buy pot from Margot. Lacey has a zero tolerance policy for drugs, and she promptly calls the cops on him.
Yeah, it's like that! So...
Drake is pissed, but he figures he'll never see Lacey again. Imagine his shock and surprise when she shows up as he and his 15-year-old sister's new "nanny."
...
This romance was really great. If I start worrying about the characters and what is going to happen to them, you know I'm hooked. If I'm actually feeling sad and worried when romance novel characters face challenges - well. This is a great sign. And this was that kind of book. My heart was pounding I was so anxious, I was turning pages like crazy. I really wanted a happy ending for these two.
HIGHLIGHTS:
1.) ASSHOLE. Drake is SUCH an asshole. Now - there's two (2) ways an author can take an asshole male lead in a romance novel. Either a.) they romanticize the man's jerkiness - as if it's sexy he's a sneering, condescending, possessive prick. These are books I DNF. Or, b.) they make the character change and grow and learn, and at the end you think the (former) asshole is a great guy. I love these types of books! And they are hard to write, so major props to Smith on this one. I mean, I went from lecturing and scolding Drake right and left to admiring him and cheering him on. That's a big turn-around! And it's so smooth and gradual.
2.) RACE. This book actually talks about race and racial issues instead of just pretending like race doesn't exist. I found this to be very refreshing.
We have Lacey - who has a black mom and a white dad - living in a poor neighborhood and working hard to take care of her sick mom. When Drake comes around, he gets threatened and beaten by men in the neighborhood who are angry with him for "stealing our women." Lacey herself has to deal with Drake's dad treating her like she's worthless because she's "the help" and acting like it's a huge affront when she sits down to dinner with them.
We have Drake - who is Korean - adopted by a white family and often faced with racism himself. His asshole father makes it clear that he only adopted him to improve his image as a humanitarian and doesn't consider Drake his "real son" the way he does his biological daughter. Even though Drake loves his (adoptive) mother and sister and is very close to them, he has to deal with his racist father every single day. Not to mention his rich, white peers who sometimes treat him as the token minority.
Now, this isn't a Book About Race, you know, message-filled and preachy. Ugh. Who'd want to read that?! Certainly not someone looking for a fun romance. BUT, so often I see books where authors pretend like racial issues just don't exist. As if we live in some world where racism has magically been erased. And I think that's fine - IN ROMANCE NOVELS, because authors are trying to provide light, fluffy escapism for their readers. But I loved, loved, loved Smith's frank and sensible handling of these topics - it was a shock to find a romance novel actually acknowledging that racism exists. The issues weren't shoved down my throat but they weren't swept under the rug either. Great. Wonderful. Extra points.
3.) REAL PROBLEMS.
Because race is just a part of this world, I felt like the characters had real-world problems. Oftentimes in romance, the conflicts the main couple faces before they can have their Happily Ever After are simply ridiculous and convoluted. You're reading the book and screaming at the characters "Just tell him! Just talk to her! Be sensible!" because it's painful to read about people who are so dense and hellbent on miscommunication that they hurt each other.
Here, this is not the case. Drake and Lacey are facing real-life problems. What will Drake's rich white parents say when they find out their only son is dating a poor, black woman who works as a nanny? How will Lacey deal with the hostile men in her neighborhood who see Jaguar-driving Drake as a woman-poacher? How can Drake convince his father that Lacey's not just a golddigger out to get his money? Or how about the fact that Lacey really, desperately needs the money from working for Drake's parents because her mom's medical bills are astronomical. She can't afford to lose her job and they will absolutely fire her if they find out she's involved with Drake.
This is infinitely better than the 'problems' that usually crop up in romance novels, which basically involve the leads inventing reasons why they can't be together that are frankly just stupid.
4.) SHE STANDS UP FOR HERSELF. Lacey is a strong woman who doesn't take any shit from Drake. At the beginning, Drake is really immature and entitled. He says and does some mean things mainly just 'cause he's bored and proud. Lacey is amazing in the way she stands up for him even though she's attracted to him. Usually in romance novels being attracted to a man means letting the man get away with anything because "he's just so dreamy; he's so hot." It's as if 6-pack abs kill a woman's brain cells, or something. Lacey doesn't mess around - she calls Drake on his bad behavior.
5.) Drake says, "Take all the time you need" at one point and those are practically the sexiest words a man can say to me in life. O.O OMG Patient men turn me on SO MUCH.
6.) Drake's funny. Some of his comments had me laughing. Oh, man. o.O
7.) THE EMOTIONS. OMG I was so emotionally wrapped up in this story and how it turned out - that rarely happens for me in romance books.
...
LOWLIGHTS:
1.) DRAKE'S 'VOICE.' Drake does not really have a North Shore, rich-boy "voice" to me. When it is his chapter(s) and he's narrating, he sounds too 'hood to me. I realize it's really hard for authors to do different POVs, and in this case Drake sounds just like Lacey - which is to say, West Side. I was having a hard time believing a private-school-going, country-club-belonging, polo-shirt-wearing, gated-community guy who spent his whole life in this environment would be acting and speaking the way he did. I expected a bit of a cultural shock when he's plunged into Lacey's world. It was unconvincing. I didn't need anything exaggerated - but what was there wasn't gelling. It just didn't add up.
2.) A LITTLE RIDICULOUSNESS. Remember when I said this was a real-world problem book? Well. There were one or two conflicts that seemed a little silly to me - most notably Drake's ludicrous idea that he and Lacey should go on a double date with other people in order to put his parents (and friends) off the scent. Yeah, these kind of shenanigans only happen in romance novels - no one in real life is stupid enough to try to pull this shit. But this was minor and infrequent.
...
ADDITIONAL NOTE
The sex was fair to middlin'. I mean, not BAD, but not amazing either.
...
Tl'dr - Set your phasers to 'stun.' I never expected to like this book, and I ended up very caught up in it. Smith did an excellent job here. This is the first in a trilogy, but it wraps up very nicely (no cliffhanger) and you can easily leave it here if you want to. I (probably) won't be reading the next book. Also, extra points to Smith for no cliffhangers, I hate cliffhangers. Grrrrrrrrr.
Honest acknowledgment of race issues, a edge-of-your-seat romance with emotions running high, and some extra laughs to give it some kick. This was a pleasant surprise.
3 REAL STARS, 4 ROMANCE STARS
P.S. I would most definitely pick up another book by Smith.
I got this for free on my Kindle by just browsing through Amazon, they were having a special. This was entry #9 in Carmen-Downloads-20-Free-Ebooks-Onto-Her-Kindle-Day. More widely known as March 3rd, 2015.
May 2, 2013
So, once again, I have to rate my own book, lol. I really enjoyed writing this one. It deals with a lot of tough themes, and I hope you all enjoy it!
Book Trailer is here! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAoUkm...
Book Trailer is here! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAoUkm...
March 7, 2013
**ARC provided by author for an honest review**
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Victoria, for the ARC. I have a quite long list of books I need to read and this didn't quite fit into the plan at all... However, I just had to start it almost the moment I received it. And it was GOOOOOD! It was so good that I'd almost compare it to Abbi Glines' books (and I LOOOVE Abbi, so this comparison is not an easy one to make!).
“I’m going to ask you out now. We’ve been chatting for a few minutes. Seems safe.”
I'm almost ashamed to admit that at first I, just like Lacey, saw Drake as a spoiled rich kid who's so bored and so rebellious that he goes slumming in the poorer side of the town. I actually think that he really was a prick at first, but that does not make him a bad person. He's just cocky and believes himself to be above everyone else.
“Please don’t hate me. I’m just trying to do the right thing.”
Lacey decides to prove him wrong. She organizes an intervention and gets Truman Drake into a lot of trouble. And Drake's not happy about it.
“You’ve completely lost control, Truman. You do whatever you want, whenever you want to do it, and you don’t even care who it effects.”
Neither are his parents (mostly his mom). His mom decides to hire an at-home assistant (also known as "nanny") to keep an eye on Drake. Well, what a surprise when the nanny turns out to be younger than he is, an even bigger surprise when the nanny turns out to be the same girl who got him in trouble in the first place.
“That should be you out there you know,” she said.
Laughing, I shook my head. “Bills have to be paid.”
Lacey's only eighteen, but she's definitely more grown up than most people her age. She's put aside all her dreams to take care of her sick mom. Her mom's treatment is also the reason she needs the job as an at-home assistant.
She was something of value. She was someone to be valued who had my complete respect.
I absolutely loved who Drake became when he was with Lacey. He put her before himself, no matter what the price (and I must say that the price is H-I-G-H!).
I now, officially, would have let this nameless guy take me against the roof if he wanted.
Oh, and this book was just SCORCHING HOT! I'll never be able to wash dishes again without blushing like a crazy person... And then the scene in opera... Whew! I'm getting hot from just thinking about it.
My favorites:
Quote:
“Platonic arms leaving your body in: Three. Two. One.”
Characters:
I absolutely hated Ashley Jameson through most of the book, but it took a short dialogue with her to make me change my mind. They way she grew was impressive. She went from the slutty and cheap Ashley to someone with actual standards. I loved how Drake commented that the new look allows him to see HER more, not just her clothes. (It may have been one of my all time favorite scenes...)
I guess it goes without saying that I adored Drake...
Should you read it? It's a definite must read in my opinion. The book's well-written and memorable. It's not just a simple, fluffy read, but has some more important issues in it (however, it's not too heavy either), from discrimination to cancer.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Victoria, for the ARC. I have a quite long list of books I need to read and this didn't quite fit into the plan at all... However, I just had to start it almost the moment I received it. And it was GOOOOOD! It was so good that I'd almost compare it to Abbi Glines' books (and I LOOOVE Abbi, so this comparison is not an easy one to make!).
“I’m going to ask you out now. We’ve been chatting for a few minutes. Seems safe.”
I'm almost ashamed to admit that at first I, just like Lacey, saw Drake as a spoiled rich kid who's so bored and so rebellious that he goes slumming in the poorer side of the town. I actually think that he really was a prick at first, but that does not make him a bad person. He's just cocky and believes himself to be above everyone else.
“Please don’t hate me. I’m just trying to do the right thing.”
Lacey decides to prove him wrong. She organizes an intervention and gets Truman Drake into a lot of trouble. And Drake's not happy about it.
“You’ve completely lost control, Truman. You do whatever you want, whenever you want to do it, and you don’t even care who it effects.”
Neither are his parents (mostly his mom). His mom decides to hire an at-home assistant (also known as "nanny") to keep an eye on Drake. Well, what a surprise when the nanny turns out to be younger than he is, an even bigger surprise when the nanny turns out to be the same girl who got him in trouble in the first place.
“That should be you out there you know,” she said.
Laughing, I shook my head. “Bills have to be paid.”
Lacey's only eighteen, but she's definitely more grown up than most people her age. She's put aside all her dreams to take care of her sick mom. Her mom's treatment is also the reason she needs the job as an at-home assistant.
She was something of value. She was someone to be valued who had my complete respect.
I absolutely loved who Drake became when he was with Lacey. He put her before himself, no matter what the price (and I must say that the price is H-I-G-H!).
I now, officially, would have let this nameless guy take me against the roof if he wanted.
Oh, and this book was just SCORCHING HOT! I'll never be able to wash dishes again without blushing like a crazy person... And then the scene in opera... Whew! I'm getting hot from just thinking about it.
My favorites:
Quote:
“Platonic arms leaving your body in: Three. Two. One.”
Characters:
I absolutely hated Ashley Jameson through most of the book, but it took a short dialogue with her to make me change my mind. They way she grew was impressive. She went from the slutty and cheap Ashley to someone with actual standards. I loved how Drake commented that the new look allows him to see HER more, not just her clothes. (It may have been one of my all time favorite scenes...)
I guess it goes without saying that I adored Drake...
Should you read it? It's a definite must read in my opinion. The book's well-written and memorable. It's not just a simple, fluffy read, but has some more important issues in it (however, it's not too heavy either), from discrimination to cancer.
September 11, 2013
This book actually deserves the four stars! It is a very good novel about love, fighting for what you love, and the ignorance that people still see with color.
Truman Drake is a 19 year old Korean adopted into a white family. His father is senator and like most teens, Drake likes to break a few rules. One night his rule breaking gets him face to face with a beautiful woman from the other side of the tracks. Drake is desperate to see her again, so desperate he goes to drastic measures just to get her attention. Not only does he grab the girl's attention, but the law's as well. Drake ends up in trouble, and is pissed yet oddly enough wants to see the woman who caused it all. He does, but the situation becomes a bit complicated.
Eighteen year old Lacey Douglas is beautiful. She has a voice of an angel, face of a goddess and heart of gold. Lacey's mother is sick and her father is MIA. She works at a theater to make money to help support her mother but that's not enough. She has dreams, dreams of becoming an opera singer. She defiantly has the voice for it but with her mother's medical state, it would be wrong for her to leave her stranded. Lacey knows that taking the job she gets a call back for can help extend her mother's life, but would it be worth it if she cannot be with her mother?
With ignorant, racist, classist parents the two lovers must find a way to overcome the barriers that are placed in the way and connect the space between.
Drake (Taeyang) Lacey (Tanisha Long)
Truman Drake is a 19 year old Korean adopted into a white family. His father is senator and like most teens, Drake likes to break a few rules. One night his rule breaking gets him face to face with a beautiful woman from the other side of the tracks. Drake is desperate to see her again, so desperate he goes to drastic measures just to get her attention. Not only does he grab the girl's attention, but the law's as well. Drake ends up in trouble, and is pissed yet oddly enough wants to see the woman who caused it all. He does, but the situation becomes a bit complicated.
Eighteen year old Lacey Douglas is beautiful. She has a voice of an angel, face of a goddess and heart of gold. Lacey's mother is sick and her father is MIA. She works at a theater to make money to help support her mother but that's not enough. She has dreams, dreams of becoming an opera singer. She defiantly has the voice for it but with her mother's medical state, it would be wrong for her to leave her stranded. Lacey knows that taking the job she gets a call back for can help extend her mother's life, but would it be worth it if she cannot be with her mother?
With ignorant, racist, classist parents the two lovers must find a way to overcome the barriers that are placed in the way and connect the space between.
Drake (Taeyang) Lacey (Tanisha Long)
October 15, 2013
Interracial Couple Overcomes Obstacles
I love the New Adult genre, representing a time of life that features growth and development. Lacey and Drew, the heroine and hero of this story, definitely mature as they stumble into adulthood.
Lacey is a Biracial 18 year old who dreams of becoming an opera star, but cares for her dying mother instead.
Drew is an Asian 19 year old adopted son of a wealthy Illinois senator. Much to Mommy and Daddy's dismay, he has a penchant for hijinks.
They meet when Drew sneaks away from his father's fundraiser to find an illegal poker game. He happens to witness Lacey sing in a performance, and he's immediately enthralled.
She's not too impressed by this playboy from the North Shore "slumming' it in her neighborhood, and she promptly sets him up to get arrested! The girl's got spunk, that's for sure.
It's not looking too good for this unlikely pair until an interesting situation throws them together. For them to have a chance at love, Lacey needs to learn how to trust, and Drew needs to leave his "douchebaggery" behind. Are their differences insurmountable?
I enjoyed the character development, not only for Lacey and Drew, but also for Drew's sister, and even the "evil" Ashley.
The space between rich and poor, refined and ghetto, black and white...it might not be such a big space after all.
“Sometimes things are more complicated than they seem. Sometimes what you see isn’t so black and white.”
I love the New Adult genre, representing a time of life that features growth and development. Lacey and Drew, the heroine and hero of this story, definitely mature as they stumble into adulthood.
Lacey is a Biracial 18 year old who dreams of becoming an opera star, but cares for her dying mother instead.
Drew is an Asian 19 year old adopted son of a wealthy Illinois senator. Much to Mommy and Daddy's dismay, he has a penchant for hijinks.
They meet when Drew sneaks away from his father's fundraiser to find an illegal poker game. He happens to witness Lacey sing in a performance, and he's immediately enthralled.
She's not too impressed by this playboy from the North Shore "slumming' it in her neighborhood, and she promptly sets him up to get arrested! The girl's got spunk, that's for sure.
It's not looking too good for this unlikely pair until an interesting situation throws them together. For them to have a chance at love, Lacey needs to learn how to trust, and Drew needs to leave his "douchebaggery" behind. Are their differences insurmountable?
I enjoyed the character development, not only for Lacey and Drew, but also for Drew's sister, and even the "evil" Ashley.
The space between rich and poor, refined and ghetto, black and white...it might not be such a big space after all.
“Sometimes things are more complicated than they seem. Sometimes what you see isn’t so black and white.”
March 29, 2013
I enjoyed this book. It was about a couple who had to deal with a few issues one of them being racism, as the main characters Drake was Asian and Lacey was of mixed race, this is not normally the norm in the books that Im reading at the moment and so it was a nice change.
I liked reading from both POV. Lacey and Drake were both characters that I instantly like and warmed to, and after reading
Lacey's letter to Mr Drake I wanted to high five the girl.
Lacey and Drake were a hot couple that had a lot of drama to deal with, I was happy that they got their HEA that they so rightly deserved. However I would say I also think an Epilogue would have been good, as I would love to know what happen next.
I enjoy the writing style of the Author and will definitely read more book by her.
I liked reading from both POV. Lacey and Drake were both characters that I instantly like and warmed to, and after reading
Lacey's letter to Mr Drake I wanted to high five the girl.
Lacey and Drake were a hot couple that had a lot of drama to deal with, I was happy that they got their HEA that they so rightly deserved. However I would say I also think an Epilogue would have been good, as I would love to know what happen next.
I enjoy the writing style of the Author and will definitely read more book by her.
March 8, 2013
Really, really good book! I was pleasantly surprised to read about a lead sexy male Asian character (not many of those in books - but how I wish they were!) and a romance/attraction that occurs when he meets a woman who is of mixed race. They both come from different backgrounds, ethnicity-wise, money-wise, etc. and struggle to have a relationship because of these things. Through it all, I loved how this couple coped & fought and persevered. The love...ahhh the love. This book made me feel it from both their points of view. Really loved Laceys strength and sweetness and I loved Drakes sarcasm & humor. I have to add Drake to my list of book boyfriends - I can hear his rich velvety voice LOL!!! :p
February 25, 2013
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. What a sweet story!! I fell in LOVE with Lacey and Drake, and think they are just about the cutest couple ever! I love how nothing gets Lacey down, and their determination and love for each other really shows in this story. I would love to know how things go for Lacey and Drake in the future (hint, hint, lol)
March 9, 2013
I'm a sucker for forbidden love and this story has it in spades. Drake and Lacey are a fantastic couple and their smexy times are rawr smokin' hot. Great read!
Oh and I love the cover too!
Oh and I love the cover too!
September 19, 2014
This review was originally posted on my blog Chasing Empty Pavements
I have to say--it was my lust for the cover and blurb that made me want to read the novel. I have to say, the book was better than a lot of self-pubbed novels I've read, but I wasn't all the impressed.
The interracial relationship, financial and class status and diversity of characters were awesome. I really appreciate Smith giving readers a chance to read a story where these elements are often overlooked. I think stories involving interracial couples are far and few between and that's crazy to me seeing as it's 2013 and it shouldn't even be an issue. It's highly under represented and I commend Smith for taking on topics that many have not touched up on in the YA or NA genre.
I thought the plot was interesting even if it was under developed. Lacey and Drake were okay characters and I didn't hate them, although I didn't quite love them either.
My favorite thing about this novel though, is that it's much more than a "romance" story. I think a lot of readers kind of stereotype NA as a genre that primarily deals with relationships and sex, but this novel is a great example of the NA genre going beyond that. It's about these characters dealing with some real-life issues while learning about themselves and growing in that process. This is what NA is REALLY about. Not just sex.
My biggest complaints with this novel starts with the writing. I really think it could have used another round with an editor and perhaps it's just my personal opinion, but I wasn't fond of Smith's style of writing at all. The tone, the language...it just didn't work for me. I found several passages where I was rolling my eyes and several sentences were just cheesy and over used.
I think I could have dealt with the writing if I loved the characters which I just didn't. I came *this* close to feeling that way about Lacey but I just never connected with her the way I should have for a main character. And Drake just pissed me off a lot of the time. Not fond of him. I had a hard time getting through the novel in it's entirety, I would pick it up and read a bit and set it back down to do something and wouldn't pick it up again until a few days later. It didn't keep my interest as much as I thought it would have (or should have).
2.5/5
Overall, I thought that Smith obviously has a talent for writing, but I think it will take a little more work on the craft and editing to see it really shine through in her novels. I'm interested to see her next project and I'm confident it will be awesome. Although this book wasn't my cup of tea, I think for readers who are new to the NA genre, this would be a great book to start with.
**I received this book free from the author in return for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
I have to say--it was my lust for the cover and blurb that made me want to read the novel. I have to say, the book was better than a lot of self-pubbed novels I've read, but I wasn't all the impressed.
The interracial relationship, financial and class status and diversity of characters were awesome. I really appreciate Smith giving readers a chance to read a story where these elements are often overlooked. I think stories involving interracial couples are far and few between and that's crazy to me seeing as it's 2013 and it shouldn't even be an issue. It's highly under represented and I commend Smith for taking on topics that many have not touched up on in the YA or NA genre.
I thought the plot was interesting even if it was under developed. Lacey and Drake were okay characters and I didn't hate them, although I didn't quite love them either.
My favorite thing about this novel though, is that it's much more than a "romance" story. I think a lot of readers kind of stereotype NA as a genre that primarily deals with relationships and sex, but this novel is a great example of the NA genre going beyond that. It's about these characters dealing with some real-life issues while learning about themselves and growing in that process. This is what NA is REALLY about. Not just sex.
My biggest complaints with this novel starts with the writing. I really think it could have used another round with an editor and perhaps it's just my personal opinion, but I wasn't fond of Smith's style of writing at all. The tone, the language...it just didn't work for me. I found several passages where I was rolling my eyes and several sentences were just cheesy and over used.
I think I could have dealt with the writing if I loved the characters which I just didn't. I came *this* close to feeling that way about Lacey but I just never connected with her the way I should have for a main character. And Drake just pissed me off a lot of the time. Not fond of him. I had a hard time getting through the novel in it's entirety, I would pick it up and read a bit and set it back down to do something and wouldn't pick it up again until a few days later. It didn't keep my interest as much as I thought it would have (or should have).
2.5/5
Overall, I thought that Smith obviously has a talent for writing, but I think it will take a little more work on the craft and editing to see it really shine through in her novels. I'm interested to see her next project and I'm confident it will be awesome. Although this book wasn't my cup of tea, I think for readers who are new to the NA genre, this would be a great book to start with.
**I received this book free from the author in return for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
May 26, 2013
3.5 Stars
I really was unsure of what to expect when I started this book but in the end I was pleasantly surprised. It was refreshing to have different ethnicities featured for a change which gives different challenges to the couple besides that these two fated lovers were from the wrong side of the tracks and in all aspects of their societies should not have been together but fate and love had a different idea.
At the beginning I wanted bitch slap Lacey for being so quick to judge and not taking the time to hear Drake out.
There was something about Drake that sucked me in right from the start. I'm not sure exactly what it is but you felt for him being an outsider within his own family and he was just trying to find a place that he fit into. With Lacey he thought he found that place.
Even though Lacey was quick to judge, Drake was also just as quick to react when he didn't have the whole picture. I did like the connection between Drake and Lacey but I felt the book happened in about 5 days but in reality it was over a bit of time so the quickness of their bond got lost for a bit on me.
I can only imagine what it would be like to be under a microscope in a superficial world. Where in reality that world is supposed to be your loving family but it is all about the appearance versus actually loving someone. For Drake, Lacey was his answer to the love he never got as well was with his sister Adele. In the end after both being super quick to react, judge and be super stubborn love won.
You can also find me on:
Live Read and Breathe Facebook
Live Read and Breathe Twitter
For more of my reviews:
Live Read and Breathe
I really was unsure of what to expect when I started this book but in the end I was pleasantly surprised. It was refreshing to have different ethnicities featured for a change which gives different challenges to the couple besides that these two fated lovers were from the wrong side of the tracks and in all aspects of their societies should not have been together but fate and love had a different idea.
At the beginning I wanted bitch slap Lacey for being so quick to judge and not taking the time to hear Drake out.
There was something about Drake that sucked me in right from the start. I'm not sure exactly what it is but you felt for him being an outsider within his own family and he was just trying to find a place that he fit into. With Lacey he thought he found that place.
Even though Lacey was quick to judge, Drake was also just as quick to react when he didn't have the whole picture. I did like the connection between Drake and Lacey but I felt the book happened in about 5 days but in reality it was over a bit of time so the quickness of their bond got lost for a bit on me.
I can only imagine what it would be like to be under a microscope in a superficial world. Where in reality that world is supposed to be your loving family but it is all about the appearance versus actually loving someone. For Drake, Lacey was his answer to the love he never got as well was with his sister Adele. In the end after both being super quick to react, judge and be super stubborn love won.
You can also find me on:
Live Read and Breathe Facebook
Live Read and Breathe Twitter
For more of my reviews:
Live Read and Breathe
April 23, 2013
The Space Between is one of those books that will stay with you long after you have read it. I was pleasantly surprised by this book. When I first heard about it and read the blurb I thought okay this book sounds good I will add it to my list. Then I participated in the cover reveal and I knew I had to read this book. I was not disappointed by this book. I was kinda in a funk when I picked it up and it brought my mood up so mad kudos to Victoria for doing that for me!
Lacey is an inspiring opera singer from the ghetto. She has a voice of an angel and she can sing her heart out but being from the ghetto is hard to get out. People look at you differently and do not want to give you a chance but Lacey is strong and she is waiting for her chance to make it in the real world. But for now she is content in singing in places she can get a gig and can sing her heart out. Plus Lacey has a sick mother who she is taking care of and she refuses to leave her mothers side. Then one day Lacey sees a guy checking her out and she is determined to put him in his place because he definitely does not belong on her side of the town and that is when things change for her.
Drake is a spoiled brat always getting what he wants but he is missing something in his life and he is searching for it. He feels empty and goes to the other side of town where he is not supposed to be because he is the son of a senator and lives on the North Shore. But Drake does what he wants and when he hears Lacey singing he is hooked and can't get enough of her. He is determined to get her at all costs but what he does not realize is that coming from two different worlds and backgrounds he is going to have to fight like hell to get Lacey and keep her.
This is a story about two different people and two different races coming together to become a couple. They will struggle and be tempted and pushed and pulled but in the end if they fight hard enough they can reach the one goal they both want. Will Drake be able to get Lacey? Will Lacey let Drake in? Will their worlds tear them apart? Will Drake fight for Lacey? Will Lacey fight for Drake? This is a must read and I need book two like yesterday!
Lacey is an inspiring opera singer from the ghetto. She has a voice of an angel and she can sing her heart out but being from the ghetto is hard to get out. People look at you differently and do not want to give you a chance but Lacey is strong and she is waiting for her chance to make it in the real world. But for now she is content in singing in places she can get a gig and can sing her heart out. Plus Lacey has a sick mother who she is taking care of and she refuses to leave her mothers side. Then one day Lacey sees a guy checking her out and she is determined to put him in his place because he definitely does not belong on her side of the town and that is when things change for her.
Drake is a spoiled brat always getting what he wants but he is missing something in his life and he is searching for it. He feels empty and goes to the other side of town where he is not supposed to be because he is the son of a senator and lives on the North Shore. But Drake does what he wants and when he hears Lacey singing he is hooked and can't get enough of her. He is determined to get her at all costs but what he does not realize is that coming from two different worlds and backgrounds he is going to have to fight like hell to get Lacey and keep her.
This is a story about two different people and two different races coming together to become a couple. They will struggle and be tempted and pushed and pulled but in the end if they fight hard enough they can reach the one goal they both want. Will Drake be able to get Lacey? Will Lacey let Drake in? Will their worlds tear them apart? Will Drake fight for Lacey? Will Lacey fight for Drake? This is a must read and I need book two like yesterday!
September 30, 2015
{my thoughts} - This book is about to main people. Lacey and Drake. They come from separate worlds and in the end are torn between what world they want to be a part of.
Lacey is a smart well rounded girl that is extremely logical and knows from hard experience what it is like to be a part of the real world. She understands that life isn’t a fairytale and that you have to work hard to get anywhere.
Drake is a spoilt rich boy that has always had everything given to him. He hasn’t been forced to grow up with mommy and daddy always helping him. He doesn’t understand the cold hard facts of life. However, throughout the book he begins to learn some of the lessons in life that his parents failed to teach him.
This book all and all was alright. I struggled through the first 29 chapter because it was a bit boring to me. It picked up a lot after that point. It’s a well written book, I just think the beginning chapters could have had more to them, I suppose is what I am trying to say.
{reason for reading} - I was given a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
Lacey is a smart well rounded girl that is extremely logical and knows from hard experience what it is like to be a part of the real world. She understands that life isn’t a fairytale and that you have to work hard to get anywhere.
Drake is a spoilt rich boy that has always had everything given to him. He hasn’t been forced to grow up with mommy and daddy always helping him. He doesn’t understand the cold hard facts of life. However, throughout the book he begins to learn some of the lessons in life that his parents failed to teach him.
This book all and all was alright. I struggled through the first 29 chapter because it was a bit boring to me. It picked up a lot after that point. It’s a well written book, I just think the beginning chapters could have had more to them, I suppose is what I am trying to say.
{reason for reading} - I was given a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.
March 2, 2013
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Honestly, this book just didn't do it for me, though I'm not 100% sure why. The writing wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. It felt stiff, especially the dialogue. I felt like the characters spoke way too formally and not at all like 18-20 year olds really speak.
I could have gotten past the writing, though, if the characters had drawn me in. For some reason they just didn't. I wasn't all that invested in Lacey and Drake's relationship or their struggles, which is really rare for me. It doesn't usually take much to get me hooked on a couple.
I'm bummed because honestly I really wanted to like this book, but it just didn't happen.
Honestly, this book just didn't do it for me, though I'm not 100% sure why. The writing wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. It felt stiff, especially the dialogue. I felt like the characters spoke way too formally and not at all like 18-20 year olds really speak.
I could have gotten past the writing, though, if the characters had drawn me in. For some reason they just didn't. I wasn't all that invested in Lacey and Drake's relationship or their struggles, which is really rare for me. It doesn't usually take much to get me hooked on a couple.
I'm bummed because honestly I really wanted to like this book, but it just didn't happen.
March 6, 2013
This book was soo good ! I loved the fact that it didn't follow the typical plot pattern for NA book these days . It was a story of a forbidden love and overcoming fears . I also enjoyed the fact that Lacy wasn't your typical typewrote girl. She should up for her self , yet she had a softer side for Drake .I liked the fact that she was mixed and Drake was Asian. *they are going to have such beautiful babies ..lol* . I also appreciated the fact that this book wasn't filled with meaningless sex scenes . Some NA books these days are just filled with too much of them . This story had a great plot and it was beautifully written .
Thumbs up to Victoria for writing this great book :)
Thumbs up to Victoria for writing this great book :)
March 9, 2013
Loved the book's sexy noir vibe...and the passion of Drake & Lacey to keep finding their way back to each other...had a touch of Romeo & Juliet star-crossed lovers to it...which is always nice to see...and of course, I adored the scenes in Paris!! Cobblestoned streets, patisseries, and blankets in the park. Ooh, la la!
March 11, 2013
Originally posted at City of Books
I'm really loving New Adult at the moment, and The Space Between is no exception. It's a really beautiful story, and it does address quite sensitive issues, like racism for example. I like how Victoria H. Smith has done this - in a subtle but firm way. I fell in love with the characters in this book, and was desperately rooting for them throughout the novel.
Drake is the ultimate rich kid. His dad is the mayor of Illinois, and his family is the most influential one in the state. Everyone knows him, and because of his dad, they fear him. Drake is actually Korean, but he was adopted by a white family and brought to America. It was great to see how much he loves his sister, Adele, even though they're not related by blood. Lacey is from a completely different part of town, and she and Drake are in totally different leagues. But when they finally meet, sparks fly.
I found it funny how Drake decides to go by his last name, instead of Truman, the name given to him by his parents. Though I guess I get it, since calling himself Truman would have earned him a lot of laughs. I liked the fact that Drake isn't a typical bad boy. I've had enough of those! He's sweet and kind, and really protective of Lacey. He does have a habit of betting, but nothing that would get him in trouble. On the night of his dad's campaign fundraiser, though, he falls into some bad company and is sent off to buy himself drugs in the ghetto part of town. And that's where he meets Lacey.
Lacey works in a theatre, and her ultimate dream is to become an actress. She has the voice of an angel, at least, according to Drake. When she gets her big break in a show, thanks to her friend Margot, she realizes just how much she loves being up on the stage. But Lacey has to take care of her sick mother, and needs to get enough money to pay for her treatment. She takes up a job to become an at-home personal assistant to a rich family up at North Shore. Little does she know what she's getting herself into!
Lacey is an incredibly sweet girl, doing everything she can to help her mother. She's of mixed race (half-white and half-black), and therefore feels like she doesn't fit in anywhere. Lacey is smart and tough, and her mental strength is admirable. Even if she's tearing apart on the inside, she'll never let it show on the outside. Plus, I loved the fact that Lacey has some awesome piercings! It's usually the guy who has the piercings, so it was cool to see them on a girl. Lacey has a lip ring, a bellybutton ring, and - get this - nipple rings! Drake is of course fascinated with all of them ;)
The Space Between takes a very interesting turn near the beginning, when Lacey accepts the job to work for a rich family. She and Drake see a lot more of each other, but they can't let it slip that they've met each other before. Lacey learns what life is like for the rich, and Drake learns what it's like to be in the ghetto. Their relationship has a lot of ups and downs, but it's still oh so sexy. There were some incredibly steamy scenes between them that would make your face go all hot!
I also really liked Drake's sister, Adele. She and Drake look out for each other, and she absolutely adores him. I felt sorry for Adele sometimes, since she's fifteen and wants to do everything she can to prove herself to her friends. She has different tastes from them, and some of them only use her to get closer to Drake. But Adele is strong, and even though she's naive, she gets past it. She initially despises Lacey, because she knows she doesn't need a nanny, but Lacey soon makes a place in her heart. They become really close, and I love how Adele looks up to Lacey later on in the novel.
The Space Between really is an amazing story of love and hope, and heartbreak too. I would love to read a companion novel to this book, possibly Adele's story? I can always hope! I loved the plot of this book; there's humour and suspense amidst the sweet romance, and the characters are extremely likeable.
*Thank you to Victoria H. Smith for providing me with an ARC for review*
I'm really loving New Adult at the moment, and The Space Between is no exception. It's a really beautiful story, and it does address quite sensitive issues, like racism for example. I like how Victoria H. Smith has done this - in a subtle but firm way. I fell in love with the characters in this book, and was desperately rooting for them throughout the novel.
Drake is the ultimate rich kid. His dad is the mayor of Illinois, and his family is the most influential one in the state. Everyone knows him, and because of his dad, they fear him. Drake is actually Korean, but he was adopted by a white family and brought to America. It was great to see how much he loves his sister, Adele, even though they're not related by blood. Lacey is from a completely different part of town, and she and Drake are in totally different leagues. But when they finally meet, sparks fly.
I found it funny how Drake decides to go by his last name, instead of Truman, the name given to him by his parents. Though I guess I get it, since calling himself Truman would have earned him a lot of laughs. I liked the fact that Drake isn't a typical bad boy. I've had enough of those! He's sweet and kind, and really protective of Lacey. He does have a habit of betting, but nothing that would get him in trouble. On the night of his dad's campaign fundraiser, though, he falls into some bad company and is sent off to buy himself drugs in the ghetto part of town. And that's where he meets Lacey.
Lacey works in a theatre, and her ultimate dream is to become an actress. She has the voice of an angel, at least, according to Drake. When she gets her big break in a show, thanks to her friend Margot, she realizes just how much she loves being up on the stage. But Lacey has to take care of her sick mother, and needs to get enough money to pay for her treatment. She takes up a job to become an at-home personal assistant to a rich family up at North Shore. Little does she know what she's getting herself into!
Lacey is an incredibly sweet girl, doing everything she can to help her mother. She's of mixed race (half-white and half-black), and therefore feels like she doesn't fit in anywhere. Lacey is smart and tough, and her mental strength is admirable. Even if she's tearing apart on the inside, she'll never let it show on the outside. Plus, I loved the fact that Lacey has some awesome piercings! It's usually the guy who has the piercings, so it was cool to see them on a girl. Lacey has a lip ring, a bellybutton ring, and - get this - nipple rings! Drake is of course fascinated with all of them ;)
The Space Between takes a very interesting turn near the beginning, when Lacey accepts the job to work for a rich family. She and Drake see a lot more of each other, but they can't let it slip that they've met each other before. Lacey learns what life is like for the rich, and Drake learns what it's like to be in the ghetto. Their relationship has a lot of ups and downs, but it's still oh so sexy. There were some incredibly steamy scenes between them that would make your face go all hot!
I also really liked Drake's sister, Adele. She and Drake look out for each other, and she absolutely adores him. I felt sorry for Adele sometimes, since she's fifteen and wants to do everything she can to prove herself to her friends. She has different tastes from them, and some of them only use her to get closer to Drake. But Adele is strong, and even though she's naive, she gets past it. She initially despises Lacey, because she knows she doesn't need a nanny, but Lacey soon makes a place in her heart. They become really close, and I love how Adele looks up to Lacey later on in the novel.
The Space Between really is an amazing story of love and hope, and heartbreak too. I would love to read a companion novel to this book, possibly Adele's story? I can always hope! I loved the plot of this book; there's humour and suspense amidst the sweet romance, and the characters are extremely likeable.
*Thank you to Victoria H. Smith for providing me with an ARC for review*
April 25, 2013
**We were provided a copy of this book as part of this blog tour**
(Of course, we had already bought it back in March)
This book was amazing – cover to cover, every word – AMAZING! It gave me Pretty Woman feels, Save the Last Dance feels, wonderful heartfelt and even some terrified feels. I know I’m not making any sense. But I just can’t seem to stop gushing about Drake and Lacey.
The Space Between is a timeless love story about a country club guy who falls in love with a girl from the wrong side of the tracks. It’s the story of how they met, the circumstances that fostered their relationship, and the society that tried to break them apart. The book dives into the sometimes darker side of society and the persecution that interracial couples still face.
I have such a major book boyfriend crush on Drake. He is of Asian decent, born in Korea, but was adopted by a well-off white politicians family as a baby. He grew up with a father that never connected with him and always saw him as a charity case, a PR decision. In an attempt to gain attention from his parents, he acts out as a troublemaker. But underneath the alouf bad-boy, he is a real softy. He never gets into any “real” trouble and is always looking out for his family and loved ones.
Wanna know how I picture Drake?
Actor, Daniel Henney
Um, yes please!! *swoon*
Let’s not forget about Lacey though! She is a down-on-her-luck yet strong and independent biracial female. Her mother, a strong black woman and former actress, is succumbing to the cancer that is destroying her body. Her father ran out on them several years ago when her Mom fell ill. At the age of eighteen, Lacey is working odd jobs outside of her normal schedule at the theatre just to support the family and pay for her mother’s increasing treatment costs. Because of what life has given her, she was forced to grow up quickly and does not look kindly on people of privilege who she feels are “throwing away” their advantages.
And I couldn’t give you a picture of Drake without throwing in one for Lacey too. So here is what I picture for Lacey…
Model, Christina Santini
I mean, come on, she is adorable.
One last thought to leave you with – Chapter 29….No words. Just feels!
Check out my full review and a giveaway to win a signed copy of The Space Between over at Reviewing Wonderland
(Of course, we had already bought it back in March)
This book was amazing – cover to cover, every word – AMAZING! It gave me Pretty Woman feels, Save the Last Dance feels, wonderful heartfelt and even some terrified feels. I know I’m not making any sense. But I just can’t seem to stop gushing about Drake and Lacey.
“You’re not from around here, and you’re in way over your head.”
The Space Between is a timeless love story about a country club guy who falls in love with a girl from the wrong side of the tracks. It’s the story of how they met, the circumstances that fostered their relationship, and the society that tried to break them apart. The book dives into the sometimes darker side of society and the persecution that interracial couples still face.
I have such a major book boyfriend crush on Drake. He is of Asian decent, born in Korea, but was adopted by a well-off white politicians family as a baby. He grew up with a father that never connected with him and always saw him as a charity case, a PR decision. In an attempt to gain attention from his parents, he acts out as a troublemaker. But underneath the alouf bad-boy, he is a real softy. He never gets into any “real” trouble and is always looking out for his family and loved ones.
Wanna know how I picture Drake?
Actor, Daniel Henney
Um, yes please!! *swoon*
Let’s not forget about Lacey though! She is a down-on-her-luck yet strong and independent biracial female. Her mother, a strong black woman and former actress, is succumbing to the cancer that is destroying her body. Her father ran out on them several years ago when her Mom fell ill. At the age of eighteen, Lacey is working odd jobs outside of her normal schedule at the theatre just to support the family and pay for her mother’s increasing treatment costs. Because of what life has given her, she was forced to grow up quickly and does not look kindly on people of privilege who she feels are “throwing away” their advantages.
And I couldn’t give you a picture of Drake without throwing in one for Lacey too. So here is what I picture for Lacey…
Model, Christina Santini
I mean, come on, she is adorable.
One last thought to leave you with – Chapter 29….No words. Just feels!
“The angle we were at on the hill, the entire city could be seen in the distance; the South Side, the North Shore, and even the West end of town. There were no divisions. No separations. Every part of the city was linked and connected under the sparkling city lights.”
Check out my full review and a giveaway to win a signed copy of The Space Between over at Reviewing Wonderland
March 11, 2013
*I received this book from author for an honest review*
This book surprised me, it was nothing like I expected it to be, the storyline and characters really were different from what I had imagined.
Drake is a privileged boy from North Shore, he is a member of the country club and seems like he has everything going for him, so when he meets a girl that not only walks away, but also calls the cops on him, well he is definitely intrigued. He first seems a bit shallow, but once you learn his story, you find he has more depth than you could ever imagine. He will definitely surprise you, and he will definitely make you fall for him.
Lacey Douglas, has had a rough life, but she can't take a break. She has to be so strong for her cancer-sick mama, that she is willing to sacrafice her precious dreams. At a party she meets Drake, she immediatly feels a conncection like never before, they both hit it off, and right when everything is going great a complication arrive, Lacey finds out Drake is here to buy drugs, which Lacey does not tolerate at all, she judges him from the fact he is rich, he has everything he ever needed, and he does not need drugs, so to teach him a lesson, she leaves him after having set a trap for him, where a officer was waiting for Drake with the drugs he bought. Not knowing the consequences she has dealt Drake, she quickly finds out not to judge a book by its cover...
Misunderstandings, complications and racism, gets in the way of them reconcile...
I loved the kind of people Lacey and Drake turned to out be when they were together, it's like they were better together then they were apart, like they completed each other.
Sigh these two people had to overcome so much to be together, a bit Romeo and Juliet feeling to it, with a smash of West Side story. The theme: that they want to be together but everyone tries their hardest to keep them apart.
I really like this book, I was not ready for it to finish, I needed to read more about sexy Drake and his sweet side that he only lets Lacey see, and I needed to see more of Laceys vulnerability that she has only let herself be around Drake, because she knows he will always be strong for when she needs him to be.
Seriosuly a great book, recommend it for everyone who is in the mood for some sweet loving
This book surprised me, it was nothing like I expected it to be, the storyline and characters really were different from what I had imagined.
Drake is a privileged boy from North Shore, he is a member of the country club and seems like he has everything going for him, so when he meets a girl that not only walks away, but also calls the cops on him, well he is definitely intrigued. He first seems a bit shallow, but once you learn his story, you find he has more depth than you could ever imagine. He will definitely surprise you, and he will definitely make you fall for him.
Lacey Douglas, has had a rough life, but she can't take a break. She has to be so strong for her cancer-sick mama, that she is willing to sacrafice her precious dreams. At a party she meets Drake, she immediatly feels a conncection like never before, they both hit it off, and right when everything is going great a complication arrive, Lacey finds out Drake is here to buy drugs, which Lacey does not tolerate at all, she judges him from the fact he is rich, he has everything he ever needed, and he does not need drugs, so to teach him a lesson, she leaves him after having set a trap for him, where a officer was waiting for Drake with the drugs he bought. Not knowing the consequences she has dealt Drake, she quickly finds out not to judge a book by its cover...
Misunderstandings, complications and racism, gets in the way of them reconcile...
I loved the kind of people Lacey and Drake turned to out be when they were together, it's like they were better together then they were apart, like they completed each other.
"..it it normal to miss you like crazy when I only saw you this afternoon?" - Drake
"He crushed his lips against mine, and I cuffed his wrists while he took my lips. I embraced it all, absorbed every bit of the expression of his love to me." - Lacey
Sigh these two people had to overcome so much to be together, a bit Romeo and Juliet feeling to it, with a smash of West Side story. The theme: that they want to be together but everyone tries their hardest to keep them apart.
I really like this book, I was not ready for it to finish, I needed to read more about sexy Drake and his sweet side that he only lets Lacey see, and I needed to see more of Laceys vulnerability that she has only let herself be around Drake, because she knows he will always be strong for when she needs him to be.
Seriosuly a great book, recommend it for everyone who is in the mood for some sweet loving
April 28, 2013
You can't tell your heart what to feel or what not,but when true love is involved nothing else matters.
The Space Between is a beautiful story about a boy and a girl whom fell in love but there reasons why they had to hide that.
Lacey's life was not easy at all.Between taking care of her mother and working she ignored her dreams and never planned to fall in love.But you can't plan something like and certainly you can't ignore what your heart wants.She tried.But,honestly,it was enough that she couldn't follow her dreams,and i was glad when she finally accepted that she had to do something for her.
Drake has everything he wants-almost everything.But he needed only one night to find the one person who completed his life.Being rich doesn't mean anything if you're not loved like you want,that's Drake's problem.I liked him because he tried so hard..even if he tried to get his parents attention by doing stupid things.Everyone tries in different ways..
I can't remember how many times i held my breath while i read this book.Too many times,that i can tell.
This book was completely crazy-in a good way.And i really liked what i read..
Not everything was perfect and i admit that it drove me crazy how some things happened,but i quickly forgot about those and i focussed on the good ones-especially when Drake and Lacey were involved.
Intense.Crazy.Perfect.Happy.And the list is too long so i'll stop right now..
Between Lacey's mother's sickness and Drake's awful parents all i wished for was the torture to end.Yes,it was torture.At least it was for me.Mainly what Drake's parents did was awful.
Despite all those things the rest wasn't so bad.Some charactrers were good.Some were bad.But that's how it was supposed to be.
It's amazing how just one story made me feel so many things..
Happines when Drake and Lacey were together.Sadness because of what happened to Lacey' mother.Anger because of how blind Drake's parents were.
But in the end i was happy because after all that happened , Drake and Lacey got what they wanted.
I'm so glad that i could read this book.It was a breathtaking story with so many new things to learn.
Beautiful isn't enough to describe how Victoria wrote everything.All i want to add is :You Have To Read This Book!
The Space Between is a beautiful story about a boy and a girl whom fell in love but there reasons why they had to hide that.
Lacey's life was not easy at all.Between taking care of her mother and working she ignored her dreams and never planned to fall in love.But you can't plan something like and certainly you can't ignore what your heart wants.She tried.But,honestly,it was enough that she couldn't follow her dreams,and i was glad when she finally accepted that she had to do something for her.
Drake has everything he wants-almost everything.But he needed only one night to find the one person who completed his life.Being rich doesn't mean anything if you're not loved like you want,that's Drake's problem.I liked him because he tried so hard..even if he tried to get his parents attention by doing stupid things.Everyone tries in different ways..
I can't remember how many times i held my breath while i read this book.Too many times,that i can tell.
This book was completely crazy-in a good way.And i really liked what i read..
Not everything was perfect and i admit that it drove me crazy how some things happened,but i quickly forgot about those and i focussed on the good ones-especially when Drake and Lacey were involved.
Intense.Crazy.Perfect.Happy.And the list is too long so i'll stop right now..
Between Lacey's mother's sickness and Drake's awful parents all i wished for was the torture to end.Yes,it was torture.At least it was for me.Mainly what Drake's parents did was awful.
Despite all those things the rest wasn't so bad.Some charactrers were good.Some were bad.But that's how it was supposed to be.
It's amazing how just one story made me feel so many things..
Happines when Drake and Lacey were together.Sadness because of what happened to Lacey' mother.Anger because of how blind Drake's parents were.
But in the end i was happy because after all that happened , Drake and Lacey got what they wanted.
I'm so glad that i could read this book.It was a breathtaking story with so many new things to learn.
Beautiful isn't enough to describe how Victoria wrote everything.All i want to add is :You Have To Read This Book!
July 23, 2013
This book will give you something kind of different, if you have been suffering from a major book hangover or just need to get out a of a rut then I suggest you give it a shot because it was defiantly change things up for you.
“Sometimes things are more complicated than they seem. Sometimes what you see isn’t so black and white.”
Lacey spends most of her time looking after her sick mother, but her real dream is to sing and not just for a pop band but for opera but that can be a little challenging when you are from the Ghetto as people are less willing to give you a chance.
One day out of the blue Drake the spoiled rich kid from the nice side of town finds his way into the ghetto and this is where he catches the eye of Lacey and in turn she also catches his eye and not just for her looks but also because she is gifted with the voice of an Angel.
“I’m going to ask you out now. We’ve been chatting for a few minutes. Seems safe.”
Drake lives his life feeling empty and he knows just the thing to try and plug the hole within him, but that could be a little more challenging then at first thought because Lacey isn't the kind of girl to bow down to his good looks.
She was something of value. She was someone to be valued who had my complete respect.
Drake and Lacey are from opposite worlds and if anything is going to happen between them then they will have to fight tooth and nail to get it but sometimes fighting just isn't enough. Can these two find some common ground or will they be forced to go back to their own sides of town and forget they ever met each other?
This book is the perfect beach read for the summer and would go perfect with a cocktail.
3.5/5 Stars for this read :)
“Sometimes things are more complicated than they seem. Sometimes what you see isn’t so black and white.”
Lacey spends most of her time looking after her sick mother, but her real dream is to sing and not just for a pop band but for opera but that can be a little challenging when you are from the Ghetto as people are less willing to give you a chance.
One day out of the blue Drake the spoiled rich kid from the nice side of town finds his way into the ghetto and this is where he catches the eye of Lacey and in turn she also catches his eye and not just for her looks but also because she is gifted with the voice of an Angel.
“I’m going to ask you out now. We’ve been chatting for a few minutes. Seems safe.”
Drake lives his life feeling empty and he knows just the thing to try and plug the hole within him, but that could be a little more challenging then at first thought because Lacey isn't the kind of girl to bow down to his good looks.
She was something of value. She was someone to be valued who had my complete respect.
Drake and Lacey are from opposite worlds and if anything is going to happen between them then they will have to fight tooth and nail to get it but sometimes fighting just isn't enough. Can these two find some common ground or will they be forced to go back to their own sides of town and forget they ever met each other?
This book is the perfect beach read for the summer and would go perfect with a cocktail.
3.5/5 Stars for this read :)
May 28, 2013
Lacey that girl is on fire, "so the way I see it, the only reason you put yourself in a sketchy situation where you have no monetary gain was because you were looking for something other than money; a thrill. A chance to hang out with the thugs and pretend to be one of them." Lacey sees right through Drake at times and it's funny, "I know you're thinking about sex with that look in your eyes, Drake, and I told you: I'm not sleeping with you." Drake is quite the looker, "he really did have a swimmer's body. Long and hard, he was cut in all the right places." Drake and Lacey have a funny relationship and it was always interesting reading about those two:
After I got the blankets around him, I kiss him on the forehead.
"I have such a good nanny." He grinned.
"And don't you forget it."
He's also a possessive person when it comes to Lacey, "I see you met my nanny." I swept over to her, angling my body around hers." He's so generous, especially when he ruins something or hers, "Are you serious? Lace, I'll buy you some new panties."
After I got the blankets around him, I kiss him on the forehead.
"I have such a good nanny." He grinned.
"And don't you forget it."
He's also a possessive person when it comes to Lacey, "I see you met my nanny." I swept over to her, angling my body around hers." He's so generous, especially when he ruins something or hers, "Are you serious? Lace, I'll buy you some new panties."
September 3, 2013
The Space Between is about two people from two different social economic status and backgrounds. Lacy Douglas, half Caucasian and half African American is struggling financially to support and provide for her very ill mother. Truman Drake is Asian and adopted by a wealthy white family. Drake's father is a senator running for election.
This book focus on Lacy and Drake who had instant attraction to each other. It showcases how they come from two different backgrounds and upbringings and yet they still strive to make their secret relationship work. In the end after so many obstacles that stood in their way, its about two people loving each other and not caring what society thinks. Lacy and Drake doesn't see color, race, or social/economic status but they see the love they have for each other.
"We both had something only the other could give, and I grew sick of fighting what I felt for him. Being together was right, and resisting it was stupid."
I would give this book a 3.5 rating. Its a fresh breathe of air, to have a book focus on two multicultural individuals and their interracial relationship. It is also rare to have an Asian male lead character.
This book focus on Lacy and Drake who had instant attraction to each other. It showcases how they come from two different backgrounds and upbringings and yet they still strive to make their secret relationship work. In the end after so many obstacles that stood in their way, its about two people loving each other and not caring what society thinks. Lacy and Drake doesn't see color, race, or social/economic status but they see the love they have for each other.
"We both had something only the other could give, and I grew sick of fighting what I felt for him. Being together was right, and resisting it was stupid."
I would give this book a 3.5 rating. Its a fresh breathe of air, to have a book focus on two multicultural individuals and their interracial relationship. It is also rare to have an Asian male lead character.
March 9, 2013
At first this book kind of reminded me of an after school special, rich boy, poor girl from the wrong side of the tracks with obvious obstacles standing in the way of their love. Then Victoria H. Smith threw a little spice in there that reminded me it wasn't an after school special.
Lacey is poor but proud, working to make enough money to take care of her sick mother while putting her dreams of the opera on hold. Drake is a bored, spoiled rich kid that doesn't really know what he wants, until he meets her.
A romance blooms, but is doomed from the get go when Drake's family and friends get involved, as well as Lacey's boys from her hood that do not appreciate Drake coming around. It was an interesting read to see how these two try and overcome various obstacles to be together.
This book was well written and the first I have read from this author, I would definitely like to read more from her.
Lacey is poor but proud, working to make enough money to take care of her sick mother while putting her dreams of the opera on hold. Drake is a bored, spoiled rich kid that doesn't really know what he wants, until he meets her.
A romance blooms, but is doomed from the get go when Drake's family and friends get involved, as well as Lacey's boys from her hood that do not appreciate Drake coming around. It was an interesting read to see how these two try and overcome various obstacles to be together.
This book was well written and the first I have read from this author, I would definitely like to read more from her.
March 26, 2013
This was a freebie on Amazon for me and as usual, I had low expectations. However, besides a few typos and my aversion to insta-love, The Space Between was near flawless! This romance features two teenagers, one is a Have and the other is a Have-Not. Though the two are at opposite ends of the cultural, class, and economic spectrums, they manage to connect on an emotional level and fall in love. Great writing and I admire the author's ability to depict both sides of the poverty line: Drake's world of opulence, carelessness, and pretense, juxtaposed with Lacey's struggle for bare necessities and caring for a loved one with a terminal illness. I do wish this book had a sequel because the ending was rather abrupt. I want to see Lacey accomplish her dreams and find out what Drake makes of himself! Hope to read more from the author in the future!
April 17, 2013
I sighed a lot during this book, these characters and their romance was so wonderfully written that I even cried at the end. No, thats a lie. I blubbered with snot and ugly face.
Drake is an Asian American adopted into a wealthy and influential caucasian family. Lacey is a bi-racial girl struggling to make ends meet while her stars are aligning.
Their paths cross and fireworks start, but they end in police sirens. Can two people from very different backgrounds come togehter in the space between? Uhm, yes. And I enjoyed every word of it
Have you ever fallen truly, madly, heels behind head in love with a character? I have several times, so I'm adding Drake to my Hall Pass list. Damn he's sexy; deep voice, mahogany eyes, warm heart and a strong libido. I kinda want to be Lacey.
Fav line: "She took it like she wanted it. Like she owned it"
Drake is an Asian American adopted into a wealthy and influential caucasian family. Lacey is a bi-racial girl struggling to make ends meet while her stars are aligning.
Their paths cross and fireworks start, but they end in police sirens. Can two people from very different backgrounds come togehter in the space between? Uhm, yes. And I enjoyed every word of it
Have you ever fallen truly, madly, heels behind head in love with a character? I have several times, so I'm adding Drake to my Hall Pass list. Damn he's sexy; deep voice, mahogany eyes, warm heart and a strong libido. I kinda want to be Lacey.
Fav line: "She took it like she wanted it. Like she owned it"
April 2, 2013
I really liked The Space Between. Yes, it was New Adult. Yes, it's smoking hot. Yes, it's about modern Romeo and Juliet. But there's so much more.
I hate saying a book has a message. I don't think it was Victoria H. Smith's goal to teach us something. It was just fresh and new. There are so very few books out there (in the romance genre) that deal with racism and prejudice or feature inter-racial couples. And that's a shame because there's so much to explore, issues a lot of readers might have experienced themselves.
So yes, I really liked this book for all the reasons above but also simply because it's a very nice love story.
I hate saying a book has a message. I don't think it was Victoria H. Smith's goal to teach us something. It was just fresh and new. There are so very few books out there (in the romance genre) that deal with racism and prejudice or feature inter-racial couples. And that's a shame because there's so much to explore, issues a lot of readers might have experienced themselves.
So yes, I really liked this book for all the reasons above but also simply because it's a very nice love story.
February 6, 2014
I got this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Space Between is about Truman Drake, an adopted Korean by the influential Drake family and Lacey Douglas, a half black, half white whose dreams includes standing in an opera house singing her heart out, but due to her Mama's situation, she just can't fulfill that dream even though she has the talent. The are in a different social status so having a relationship with each other is proving to be so difficult.
It's amazing that the leads are Asian and half black. Its not common for me because I have read a lot, but the leads are always white. Maybe I just haven't really read that a lot that I don't come across books like this, but anyway this is really new for me. This book takes on a lot of family issues that are well known, but doesn't overstep each one. It was well written that it works well together. I love Truman Drake. He's a hot Asian adopted by the Drakes' in acceptance of not having their own child, but after a while they did get their own child. Even though he got everything he needs and wants, he is ready to give up everything to prove his love. He's so sweet, thoughtful, caring, a total dream guy. I also love the strong personality of Lacey. But my heartbreaks with her Mama's situation. I know it is just so hard seeing your loved one hurting and you just wanna switch places with them.
The Space Between is about Drake and Lace's love story and how they will fight for it with all their difference in lifestyle and social status.
The Space Between is about Truman Drake, an adopted Korean by the influential Drake family and Lacey Douglas, a half black, half white whose dreams includes standing in an opera house singing her heart out, but due to her Mama's situation, she just can't fulfill that dream even though she has the talent. The are in a different social status so having a relationship with each other is proving to be so difficult.
It's amazing that the leads are Asian and half black. Its not common for me because I have read a lot, but the leads are always white. Maybe I just haven't really read that a lot that I don't come across books like this, but anyway this is really new for me. This book takes on a lot of family issues that are well known, but doesn't overstep each one. It was well written that it works well together. I love Truman Drake. He's a hot Asian adopted by the Drakes' in acceptance of not having their own child, but after a while they did get their own child. Even though he got everything he needs and wants, he is ready to give up everything to prove his love. He's so sweet, thoughtful, caring, a total dream guy. I also love the strong personality of Lacey. But my heartbreaks with her Mama's situation. I know it is just so hard seeing your loved one hurting and you just wanna switch places with them.
The Space Between is about Drake and Lace's love story and how they will fight for it with all their difference in lifestyle and social status.
March 13, 2013
Very much enjoyed The Space Between! Right from the start, I was sucked into the very different worlds of Drake and Lacey, and discovering what would happen next on their journey kept me turning the pages well into the early hours of the morning. I'm tired, but ecstatic that I read this book, it is easily one of my favourite NA books of all time!
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