Wake Up Call

by Victoria Ashley

My heart stopped and suddenly it was hard to breathe. His voice always had that effect on me. It was like a poison slowly running through my veins, killing me bit by bit. Like a drug that I couldn't get enough of, even though I was almost down to my last breath.

Jace took a step forward and grabbed my hand. He slowly trailed his fingers over my face and backed me into the wall. My heart stopped again if that was even possible. "You can't leave," he whispered. "I need you." His warm breath kissed my lips as he bit his bottom lip and placed both of his hands around my face. They were warm and soft to the touch. Too big for my fragile face; although, I wanted to bury myself in them. "Breathe. There is no one here but the two of us. Breathe," he whispered.

Avery Hale had spent her whole childhood abused by her drunken, drugged-up parents. Broken from a lifetime of hatred and pain, she grew up realizing that trust and love just didn't exist. Not in her world at least. After turning the age of eighteen, she packed up and moved far away, determined to escape her painful past and start a new life for herself. Once on her own, she comes to the conclusion that emptiness still exists. In order to survive, she found herself mixed up in exotic dancing and meaningless sexual relationships, numb to any emotion, for anyone. She was sure that her life was worthless and there was nothing left for her, this was the best it would get.

After meeting a beautiful stranger, her life suddenly is turned upside down. Everything she believed suddenly gets questioned. She is left to figure out if there is really more to her than she could ever have imagined.

Jace, having some secrets of his own, puts the pain of his own past behind to do what he can to help Avery. Can the love of another broken person be enough to help Avery, or is she already too far gone?

Avery's life is pulled in many directions as she tries to find herself, and not everyone and thing is what they seem to be in this story of love, trust, and opening up. Finding herself and learning to love herself might just be the hardest thing she's ever had to do.

Genres: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary, Abuse, Contemporary Romance, Ebooks, Amazon

Unknown Binding

First published December 13, 2013

About the author

New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author

Hey everyone!! I'm the author of the Walk of Shame Series plus many other titles! If you're into reading about sexy, dirty talking alpha males then you're in the right place!!!

Any books listed under my name that aren't Romance do NOT belong to me! They just keep appearing under my name.

Find me on Amazon!
https://www.amazon.com/Victoria-Ashle...

Find me on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaAshl...

Reviews

[Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book provided by author in exchange for an honest review

4.5 Amazing Stars

If you are looking for a book full of suffering and healing, then this is the book for you!

This story grabbed me from the very beginning since it delve right into the painful life Avery was leading.

Avery came from a childhood full abuse from her father and sometimes mother. She was programmed to think she was worthless and would never make anything of herself. Jace first sees her stripping at a "hole in the wall" bar and then rescues her from an over zealous fan.

Jace knows that Avery has been abused and makes it his crusade to save this girl from continuing to live a life in hell. Jace gives Avery a place to live, a decent job and joys of a childhood she never had.

We follow Avery growing from a life of self destruction to gaining her courage and self worth back. Even though Avery is happy, she didn't seem destined to continue this, instead she is met with painful reminders in dreams and visits from people of her past.

This is a beautiful, heart wrenching journey of two people destined to find love and happiness!

My hats off to Victoria Ashley and her first book!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite Quotes:

He looked down into the car at me as I sat there, frozen in time. "Well are you coming in or do you want me to bring my bathroom outside and clean you up?" He laughed in amusement and walked to the front door, looking confident and sexy as he let himself inside.

"Sounds good, but I get to pick the movie," I said playfully. "Okay, but nothing too girly. I'm a manly man," he said, nudging me in the side as we pulled into the video store.

He smiled at me and turned on the TV. "Are you feeling uncomfortable?" He grabbed my shoulder and gently pulled me against his body. It made my stomach flip. "You can lean against me for support. I'm pretty comfortable." He rested his head next to mine and placed his lips next to my ear. "I don't bite," he whispered.
I love you, Avery." He pressed his forehead to mine and looked me in the eye. "I truly do." I reached out and touched his soft face. It felt so good under my palm. It still felt like a dream world to me. "I love you too, Jace. More than you can ever know."



When I saw the cover of this book I went Oh yeah I have to read it. But what I found when I opened it and started reading was not what I expected. I expected a sensual story of love. Well I got that and more. I got a story about suffering, healing, forgiveness, trust, friendship and love.

Avery is a young woman who feels she cannot trust, love or allow anyone close to her. She has been through heartache and abuse both mental and physical most of her life. She ran away to get away from it. She did what she had to survive, until she meets Jace.
Jace is a man with demons also but from the first minute he saw Avery he knew he would do anything he can to protect Avery. He started with saving her life, gave her a place to live and a job. The attraction between them scared both of them but Jace knew he would be there for her and slowly realized that he would love her forever. Slowly Avery realizes that he was the man of his word and would always protect her. But would her past catch up to her and destroy what she built or would she finally find the one person she could not live without?

This was an amazing story, one that captured your attention from the beginning to end. I did not put the book down until I finished it and didn't want to. This was a story that you felt that you were part of it. She captured your attention with the interaction between the characters. The more I read, the more I wanted to go and find Avery’s mom and dad and have a long, long talk with them. Well maybe not talk but show them really show them and let them feel just what they did and how much hurt they cause Avery.


FIVE TOGETHER ANGELS

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was almost a "did not finish". But, because I have issues (OCD) with not finishing books that I start, I eye-rolled my way through and carried on.

I had this at 1 star but bumped it up to 2 because I honestly think the book had potential. I liked Jace a lot. I didn't connect with Avery but I didn't dislike her, really...I just didn't understand her or feel anything for her and I think that's a result of really choppy writing. Her story was sad, I *should* have been heartbroken for her but I just couldn't get there. There was a lot of exposition (which drives me crazy at the best of times...and yes, I know sometimes it's necessary) but there wasn't any flow.

There were some cute moments but mostly it just felt like one scene jumped to another as if there was a checklist of scenes to be included in the book:

1. Avery's in danger, Jace comes to the rescue, Avery resists his heroics 'cuz, of course, she can take care of herself but eventually caves and goes home with random stranger rescuer. Check.

2. Must create drama with potential love triangle/square...insert random scene with awkward, "make him/her jealous", voyeuristic, makeout session while leading on the people you're using to create the jealousy. Check.

3. Must include serious life threatening scene which makes the reluctant-to-love character realize the full extent of his/her feelings...as in, he/she can NOT live without the other. Check.

etc.

I get that it's tough to write a completely original story, I do. I know that there are always going to be similar patterns. Again, I just think that it was really obvious here because of the (to me) choppy writing.

I had issues with the editing too. I always do...I'm not sorry. I'll say this again so that I'm clear, I get that with self publishing there are almost always going to be *some* mistakes...it's easy to miss certain things when it's just you and maybe a beta reader or two going through the finished product...but, in this case there were little things happening all the way through the book. Names weren't always capitalized. Apostrophes were missing in a lot of possessive nouns. "Of" was used instead of "have" - "I knew that she had to of heard me." - ugh.

And then, almost everything was overly descriptive. If your readers have a vivid imagination, they're literally picturing things happening as they're reading. So...

"I stared at the pink sheet of paper held up by a rusty, metal pin. I hadn't even realized that it was already the 10th of September and I was still $400 behind from last month's rent. ...

Frustrated, I yanked the freshly printed-paper off of the door, shoved my key into the lock, and turned before running inside and slamming the wooden door shut behind me. I exhaled in defeat, leaning against the door as the thick tears began to stream down my face. I grabbed my head in both hands and allowed myself to fall to the floor..."

It's just all SO dramatic. The verbs are all so aggressive: yanked the paper, shoved the key, slamming the door, grabbed my head... which is fine, I guess...it just (to me) ends up creating a kind of comical visual. Also, she's staring at the door, so I'm assuming she was at a standstill...then, after shoving the key and turning, she "ran" inside and slammed the door behind her and ended up leaning against the door...so when she was "running inside" she ran what...? one, maybe two steps over the threshold and stopped to slam the door and lean against it? Again, with the visual. It ends up being ridiculous.

"I sat on the edge of the sink and stared at myself until my vision blurred. It had to of been for hours."

First: "It had to HAVE been for hours."

Second: the vision I have in my head of this scene is Avery straddling the sink...'cuz how else would she be sitting on the edge of the sink and staring at herself in the mirror? It could've been: "I lifted myself up to sit sideways on the edge of the sink, turning to stare at myself in the mirror until my vision blurred..." or something.

FYI: At this point we're only up to page 18.

"I began to play with the strap on my purse nervously before I finally looked up, swiveling my head to the left..."

"Turning my head...". Turning would've worked fine here...swiveling makes it seem very exorcist-like.

Then, during a "you're behind on rent, you're out of here" interaction with Avery's angry landlord: "My old landlord crossed his eyes and sighed in frustration as he reached for his set of keys and opened the door. "You have one hour to get your shit out."

He "crossed his eyes"...really?? How about he "growled" in frustration. Or just leave it as "he sighed"...you've got gigantic, menacing looking Jace with you...I can see the landlord backing down a little bit and giving in and "sighing in frustration"...but crossing his eyes?? Comical again. Not what you're looking for in this scene, I assume.

"I hurriedly hung up the phone..."

"emptied out my dresser clumsily"

"glared at me dirtily"

Way too many adverbs all the way through. It makes it seem like you're trying too hard, IMO. Sometimes less really is more. Sometimes less paints a better, albeit more vague, picture which sets the scene but leaves some things open to reader interpretation.

But, then again, maybe I'm just over thinking all of this...taking every word I read too literally? Either way, as I said, I think this had potential, I just think it was poorly executed.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Avery a girl that is shattered, crushed and without hope, she has to do what she needs to do, to survive a harsh card dealt in life to her. As she takes you on her emotional journey you'll find out that there is light at the end of her dark tunnel. She finds her solace in Jace cool; calm, collected not forgetting tall; dark, devilishly hansom he saves her in more ways than one; the only guy that she drops her metal shutters for. She rescues him right back. A story that will have you so addicted you want to keep reading on to the next chapter. Total addictive.!
Beautifully written with attention to detail, that's very alluring and breathtaking. Full of plots; twists and lots of drama. In all honesty a sign of an amazing author You will not be disappointed.
Suitable for 13's and over.xD

[Coco.V]

💝FREE on Amazon today (10/15/18)!💝

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

*ARC Given to Blog for Honest Review*

*DNF*

1 Kiss

I am really sad this book didn’t work out for me. I had heard such great things about it and was really hopeful, but when I realized within the first few pages I wasn’t connecting, I knew it probably wasn’t going to be the book for me. And I realize that not every book can, it’s illogical to think so…but I can’t help but be upset.

What didn’t work for me…I am an emotional reader and this book was lacking any emotional connection to the girl telling the story. We knew what she was doing, how she was doing it, all the little details but very little else connecting me to what she was thinking, how she was feeling, why she was doing it, the basics that I need to connect me with a book…the plot…the characters.

Another thing for me was the over detailing…everything was described, to the point of annoyance for me. It got to be redundant and over the top, where I knew that whatever was going to be described next was going to have and adjective before it giving me some sort of depiction, necessary or not. I’m really not trying to be mean but there is a way to describe something without being staccato and robotic and this just wasn’t it for me.

The point that really got me was when she decides it's a good idea...after being attacked...to go to a stranger's house that she has seen like, three times. How is that an intelligent thing to do? She knows nothing about him other than what he looks like and that he goes to strip clubs. You can go anywhere else in the world other than his house and I would have been ok-ish with it. When you cross the lines of common sense, that's when I can't be okay with the plot line.

I will blame my dislike on my personal tastes – everyone has their likes and dislikes, this book just had too many of my dislikes for me to continue reading it.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avery is a barely 19-year-old on her own and struggling day by day just to get by. Unable to find a job due to lack of experience, she has resorted to stripping to keep herself off the street. When she finds herself in a situation she cannot figure out how to get out of on her own, she relies on enigmatic and sexy Jace – though only because she really has no other choice. Avery does not trust easily, or at all, but Jace is determined to help her and will push until she cannot take it anymore.

As for the characters, Avery was really hard to like at first. Sure she had had a hard life, but when reading a book you want the character to have overcome the odds, to be different, to be kind and caring despite her past, but Avery was not like that. After the first couple of chapters I really did not like her much at all, and I was worried that her personality would bring the whole story down for me. However, she did grow on me. She was still hard and determined not to let anyone close, but she had her reasons, and she did try.

Jace was pretty awesome, though pushy at times, but I guess that's an admirable quality in an alpha male, which he definitely is. He's just really an overall nice guy, the kind of guy who when he sees someone in need he reaches out to them. This obsession with helping people has gotten him hurt in the past, but it does not stop him from helping Avery.

Overall the story was good and the writing was good, but there were many grammatical errors throughout the book, which I would not even mention if they were few and far between, but they were frequent, and having my eye catch on them and cause me to stop reading really took away from the story. There were also a couple of eye rolling moments for me in the story where I just thought, like that would really happen, and loose ends tied up too quickly or too neatly, but overall I enjoyed the story. Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of her book.

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me hooked. I wasn't much of a reader until I found this book. There wasn't a dull moment and it was easy to feel for the characters. I would recommend this to everyone who enjoys to read or even to those that don't.Victoria Ashley

[Jamie Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rate this book a solid *FOUR STARS*

Click here to see more reviews by Jamie, Morgan & Dana

This story is told in the 1st person POV from Avery’s perspective. I personally, really liked Avery’s character and I felt like I connected easily with her from page one. She comes from an extremely abusive past and still carries all of her emotional baggage with her every single day. The beginning of the book really captured my attention. I was easily drawn into her lifestyle as a stripper, barely able to make ends meet.

While working one evening, Avery makes eye contact with this new mysterious guy, but she’s never is able to go speak to him, which leaves her even more curious about who he is. She then runs into him by chance soon after inside his restaurant, The Indy Go. From that point on, they start a new friendship/relationship that differs from the friendship she currently had with her fuck buddy/friend, Caleb.

Jace is the epitome of this dream boyfriend. He willingly gives her a job at his restaurant, offers her a room at his place to stay, and freely listens to her whenever she wants to talk. Although, she has very little trust in him and constantly struggles opening up her feelings to him, Jace still holds out for her in hopes that one day she will come around and finally open up her past to him.

“When I first saw you, there was something in your eyes that told me you needed me. I needed you too.” -Jace

I really liked how the author was able to create detailed scenes from Avery’s past through Avery’s dreams. The author painted a good picture on how abusive her father was to her. The flashbacks were so well written that at times it made me physically nauseous to continue reading on.
One thing that bothered me about this story was all the sexual build-up in parts, but the author never actually wrote a full sex scene. I personally feel that including a sex scene would have helped the reader connect better with both Jace and Avery emotionally as they were building their relationship. There were a few parts that indicated they were getting ready to have sex and then the chapter would abruptly end. This really frustrated me.

Overall, I think the story was well written and is worth the read, as long as you go into it knowing this story is full of emotional drama and has a low sexual steam level. I give this story 4 star rating! I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read New Adult or Contemporary Romance stories filled with characters learning to overcome their troubled pasts and trying to move on with their lives.
¬

-XOXO

Reading, Eating & Dreaming

[Christie72 (Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Avery is a beautiful girl that is in such a dark place that she may never be able to find her way out. Life has completely shattered her, so she has turned off all feelings and emotions. She is probably one of the saddest female characters I have come across in a long time. But, I couldn't help but love her. Despite her tragic past, she is a survivor. She doesn't have friends and her only relationships are sexual. As she hits her lowest level, she meets a handsome stranger, Jace, who just may hold the key for healing for Avery.

I loved Jace and Avery. At times, I would get sooo frustrated with her as Jace would show her in every way how much he cared for her. I just wanted to shout, "What more proof to do need?" "Can't you see how much this gorgeous guy loves you?" But, I could understand how she couldn't let go of the vise she had on her heart. Victoria Ashley really did her research on abuse victims and what it takes for them to recover. Of course, I just adored Jace. He was PERFECT, and did I mention GORGEOUS???? I loved all the other characters as well (except the obvious villians) and how they all are able to help Avery's heart thaw.

Wake Up Call was so much more than a hot romance. It was a story of healing, redemption, second chances, and love. I wish that others who might be experiencing the same things as Avery will find hope through her story. And, I absolutely loved that there was an epilogue that allowed me to see how things turned out for the characters in the future. I have just added Victoria Ashley as one of my favorite new writers.

[Beth Kiamil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first found this book on Wattpad and it was the first one I managed to read. It's safe to say I was hooked from the very beginning. It has such a great plot line, and whilst it does have the fairytale happy ending; in my opinion, it is very much what real life could be like for some people. It is a book that describes all kinds of different emotions in such detail that it gets your own heart going along with the words you're reading on the page.
A short and sweet review, but what more can I say for a book and story that I fell in love with. My congratulations to Victoria on writing such brilliant piece of work!

[Amy Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love and adore this book! I've been gushing over it long after I finished reading it! This book is such a sweet book! Jace is just a absolute dream! My heart hurt for Avery and everything that she went through. I was so happy that she had Jace to pick up the pieces of her shattered life although he held his own heart ache. He selflessly but himself last and befriended Avery and gave her everything that she needed. What started out as friends quickly blossomed into something much stronger. These two were absolutely perfect for each other! I always say that this book is such a gem! One of my favorites by Victoria Ashley!

[Nikki Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read! Avery seems to have given up hope for a better life and has settled for the life she thinks she deserves until in walks Jace *swoon*. Jace has problems of his own but sometimes having another person in your life who is not perfect can help you move forward to something better. The problem is trusting not only the other person but trusting yourself and your feelings while allowing yourself to feel those feelings. Avery and Jace are two characters you will root for their HEA from the beginning.

[Roz Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this. Like truly madly deeply love this. Jace really is scrumptious and as perfect as she says he is!
I love that its a stand alone. So many authors drag out the story, making us readers wait for months. This was told with just enough details without going over the top. The epilogue was lovely, giving enough closure to make me go warm and fuzzy! Everything about this was enough, it was never too much or too little but just enough. Perfect in fact! I want what Jace and Avery have ♥

[Alyssa Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Jace (SWOON) and I loved the intense storyline. I can't wait for more from this author. Well done Victoria!:)

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avery my goodness is such a strong girl loved it this book just hadthe yeh baby recommendation from me!!

[★¸. • * ° * ༺*Blanka*༺*°°*•.¸. ♥★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this was my second time reading Wake up Call because I could't remember a dang on thing about this book! Not one thing, NADA!


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Unfortunately the second time reading it was an eye opener!





Avery....
-stripper
-not sure how old
-running away from abusive parents
-has a rick fkk buddy but doesn't take his money
-strips to pay rent, no other job, no schooling nothing
-strips only twice a week for a few minutes




Caleb...
-Avery's fkk buddy
-bi polar
-drives a red BMW
-Blonde




Jace....
-hero
-hot
-sweet
-caring
-understanding
-WAY TOOOOOO GOOD for Avery!








Anyhooo... Avery is getting her third eviction notice, doesn't mind stripping for one track a night (twice a week) but refuses to work more? UM HELLO?







You're pride is out the door girl, you're stripping and there is nothing wrong with that if you were trying to put yourself through school or whatever.. but you're not!






Get your ass on that pole and make this damn rent money, NOW!



You have a rich fkk buddy but you won't ask him for money? He fukks you for free!!!!





She is feeling sorry for herself! She doesn't have a problem staying with a guy she met on the pole 2.2. seconds ago, but the guy she has been effing for the past 10 months she won't ask?!?! There is no such thing as a classy ho!
No such thing!




The whole thing was just so sad, and unrealistic, and SAD! (repeat I know)
She is all about trying to be prideful, like working two nights make yous half a stripper but working 5 nights makes you a full one! She is rude, she is a loser, and I don't liker!




Jace is captain save a hoe, he wants to save everyone, well in this case he got himself a hoe just not worth saving!




Anddddd the end!

[Trish Mint · Rating 5 out of 5]

When reading the synopsis you know your going to get a twisted story. But it is nothing compared to actually reading this book in its entirety. WOW and WOW!! This book took me on a journey.

I could NOT but it down for one minute. I read sitting, standing, walking, eating. Yeah it was that good.

Victoria Ashley has a way with words. And it’s written beautifully. As beautiful as you can write such a horrible story, she draws you in from the first damn page; captured my attention from the beginning. At times at the end of a chapter I would say to myself, “damn, that was freakin’ intense”. Yes, I have conversations with myself!

Wake Up Call is told from Avery’s POV. She has a sad story. Abused by her parents her whole life, Avery has nobody. With no other family or friends to turn to, she leaves home to live on her own at the age of 18 and never looks back. Bold move. But she makes due; gets an apartment, a job (as a stripper which she hates) and pays her own way. Never ever wanting to let anybody near her heart. Why would she, when everybody hurts her.

Avery
“I mean, I guess that I just learned long ago that people will always hurt you even when they love you. Therefore, I decided that if I don’t let myself love anyone then they can never hurt me. No one has made me change my mind…yet.”


Then we have Jace. AAAAHHHH I LOVE Jace! He’s independent, smoking HOT, kind, caring. He has the biggest heart; every thing you would want in a man. One word for Jace comes to mind: caregiver.

“You’re not fine,” he cut in. “And I can’t promise you that everything will work out for you, but I can promise you that I will be there to pick up the pieces if they don’t. I keep my promises.”`

But of course Avery always has those walls up. Jace tries to knock them down, but she’s tough as nails.

I tell ya, reading this book, it crushed me. My chest felt tight at times and you get that lump in your throat. I LOVE when I can “feel” what a character is feeling. You really do see the connection Avery and Jace have early on because her writing is that good.

“My heart aches for you every day, but that won’t keep me away. I wouldn’t stop the suffering because I welcome the pain.”

This story has so many twists and turns, and feelings of love and hurt. Not one thing is missing from this book, “Angst”, its full of it; intensity, suspense. I swear I was on the edge of my seat reading certain scenes. Just 5 stars without a doubt.

I think that everybody should read this book. Click and buy and I promise you will not regret. Look forward to reading more of Victoria Ashley’s stories.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic book. Not going to go into loads of details because the other reviewers have already covered it but I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Enough history for it to make sense and make you feel like you know the characters. Loved Avery and Jace. Made a change for me to read a good story with a good guy in it. I tend to like the dark, troubled bad boys but this book really sucked me in. I ended up reading it in one go, it just seems to flow really well and to think I only read it on a recommendation:). Well written and well edited this was a really nice surprise. Loved that Avery was the messed up one in the book instead of the guy and I loved the end. Finshed it with a smile on my face. I hate cliff hangers so I was happy with not having to wait for a part 2. Definitely going to have a look at her other books.

[Jodi Nichols · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It was a very emotional read since it did touch on a disturbing subject, but this author really made it into a great story! Avery and Jace were amazing characters and I was totally pulling for them the entire story!! It was great to read a book by a local author :-) I had no idea I only live less than an hour away from this amazing talent!!! This book is a must read :-)

[Rvi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this on Wattpad. A must read for everyone. Its awesome!

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just started and really enjoying this book.

[Michelle [Helen Geek] · Rating 1 out of 5]

beyond stupid ...

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a struggle to make it through.

[Cindy]

I quit at 27% There is potential just all seemed rather underdeveloped. May work for some just didn't work for me.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wake Up Call is the perfect title for this story. I was completely lost to the characters as their lives twisted and turned and I couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed watching Avery grow from a wilting flower, to a beautiful blossoming rose. Wake Up Call truly is about finding yourself and letting your heart be open to love. It was brilliant.

I read Wake Up Call on my Kindle and it was purchased from Amazon UK! Not going to lie, the cover was a major selling point for me. Come on ladies, just look at that body. The description of the story was my second major selling point. I was intrigued as it's a lot longer than the usual "blurb", but it hooked me right away and I couldn't wait to begin it. This is Victoria Ashley's first novel and I'm very happy to share that this was one story I'm glad that I didn't overlook. Her second novel This Regret is due out in March, 2014 and I'm very excited to see who she'll be introducing to us next.

What shocked me most about Wake Up Call was the gritty, authentic feel to the writing. We're introduced to Avery waking up in her grimy apartment and rushing off to Taste of Poison, the club where she works as an exotic dancer. She hates it. Really, really hates it, but she's barely making enough money to stay off the streets as it is therefore, she feels she has no choice. Victoria Ashley drops you into this filthy atmosphere by putting the dirty images into your mind whilst reading.

The neon sign flashed above me. 'Exotic Dancers' it read in flamboyant pink text. It made my stomach churn and my eyes water.

"Come here", he slurred. "Damn you look so good."
His straggly, blonde hair fell over his hairy face as he rubbed a hand over his keg of a stomach. I took off in a sprint, but to my surprise, he was faster than I expected. He grabbed my arm and yanked me to a halt. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, silently praying that I would be okay.

I felt absolutely horrified for Avery. This happens not long after being introduced to her character for the first time, and at this point, I was genuinely panicking. I felt incredibly involved with the story and I honestly didn't want anything bad to happen to her. There's a constant theme of struggle and hurt, and I just couldn't cope with the dreariness and sadness that was constantly lurking within the atmosphere.

There's a reason for all the gloominess though. Wake Up Call actually begins with a flashback of Avery's childhood. It's not pleasant. In fact, it's downright awful and I can only imagine how terrifying for someone it would be for someone so young to experience. At the beginning of certain chapters, a flashback is revealed to the reader and you're allowed a small peek into Avery's history. Once you're given a glimpse of her childhood , you begin to understand why she is the way she is. She doesn't trust, doesn't love. In fact, she believes that she is emotionless, that she's just hollow inside. Growing up with parents that showed her no love and no affection resulted in Avery having no idea of what it feels like, looks like or even how to feel it for another. It's so, so sad to read, because Avery is such a vulnerable young woman and I was desperately hoping for something good to enter her dismal life and set off the spark inside of her. Although she appeared to me as being quite vulnerable, she also gives off an 'independent woman' kinda' vibe. She really doesn't enjoy accepting help or sympathy from another, which just tugged at my emotions even more! I honestly wished I could slip into the pages, wrap an arm around her shoulder and make everything better.

Jace is probably one of the most caring, genuine males that I've met in terms of fictional characters. He's incredibly kind, completely unselfish and protects the people he loves with an unyielding force. He's also got a mint body, including the flexing muscles and the dark, smouldering look that usually turns a woman's insides to jelly. I adored him, completely and utterly. Jace first sets eyes on Avery whilst she's working in Taste of Poison, and there's an instant connection. From her position on stage, Avery sets eyes on him and he gazes right back at her. My stomach flipped at this.

I opened my eyes momentarily and caught the attention of a man standing by the bar, beer bottle in hand. A blot of electricity surged through my body as he stared at me with curious eyes. He was gorgeous. He lifted his tattooed arm, tilting back his head as he took a long sip of his beer. He had those bad boy good looks with his jet-black hair, leather boots and V-neck t-shirt.

The intensity of their shared look sent shivers straight through me, and I knew, I just knew, that they'd be seeing each other again. Jace owns his own diner, The Indy Go, and eventually he gives Avery a job there to help her out. I'm not going to give any more of the story away because I really do not want to ruin it for any potential readers, but let me just say, Jace is the most kind-hearted fictional character I've come across, and if Avery didn't want him, I'd happily take him off of her hands. Not a problem.

The story itself is, like I said at the beginning of my review, gritty, real and I could even go as far as saying disturbing. It really, really puts things in perspective for you. I mean, I know it's fictional and everything's made up but damn, it hits hard. My emotions were a tangled mess and I found myself on the brink of tears during many chapters. It's incredibly raw and it doesn't just "hit" a nerve, it completely fucking destroys it. There's sad parts, there's happy parts, there's scary parts; basically, it's freaking fantastic. One minute you're smiling, the next you're biting your lip in anticipation and it drove me absolutely insane. But isn't that what a good story is intended to do? Yes, I thought so too. I'm genuinely so happy that I didn't one-click something else, because I feel this is worthy of a book-hangover. The characters are amazing. The story throws a bag over your head, kidnaps you and leaves you standing in the dirty street with Avery. Everything is absorbing and I couldn't take my eyes away from it for more than a few minutes.

Wake Up Call is being given 4/5 stars by me! FREAKING LOVED ITTTTT

[Deana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A older book by Victoria Ashley but a awesome read though! A story about a young woman Avery Hale, who was raised in a abusive home setting. Finally when older she was able to leave that home but always thought she wasn't good enough to find or give TRUE LOVE. Living in a true dump of a home, working at a strippers club, and barely getting by with the money Avery makes and trying to keep her dignity. One night on stage Avery spots a handsome young man at the bar staring into her soul watching her. She stares back but when she looks down and back up he is gone. Something about him makes her catch her breath and more but she goes on about her job.
Read this story and find out if Avery finds her mystery man and ever finds romance.

[Scandalous Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE LOVE this story, it had such depth and real emotions I totally got lost in the pages.
All Avery has known her whole life is abuse and neglect, growing up with alcoholic parents, a father that beat the shit out of her every chance got and a mother that just sat back and let it all happen while taking her own share of the beatings.
if that was you how do you think you would end up?
Completely messed up would be my guess....Avery is no exception. Now 19 years old she is working as an exotic dancer to pay her rent and stay off the streets. She has never had a real boyfriend or any sort of real relations/friendship and who can blame her she never had anyone to show her love or how to have a functional relationship with anyone. All she knew was pain, hurt, rejection and worthless. (I just wanted to give her a hug so badly). I felt so bad for the way she was living her life; Meaningless sex with no attachments or anyone getting too close. I felt like she was just a scared little girl inside just wanting someone to love her.
One night whiles dancing at the club she came face to face with a pair of eyes that took her breath way.
"His eyes were the most beautiful thing I had seen in my whole life. There was just something in them that gave me a little.....hope." ~Avery
On the surface she believes she is a lost cause, but deep down she wants someone to show her love and rescue her from the nightmare she has to endure.
Jace has endured his fair share of grief and heartache as a result shutting down emotionally just coasting by life. He runs a lovely dinner with a few great friends around him.
He missed an opportunity a long time ago to save a friend so when he see's a young women about to be sexually assaulted he rushes in and rescues her only it doesn't stop there he sees something in her eyes that draws him in and compels him to help her out when he leans she is about to be evicted.
"Thank You, You have done so much for me. I just don't know what I would do with out you."~Avery
I love the way these two got started his kindness overwhelms her, she has all these feelings that she just does not understands each time he touches her, she get all tingly. It was a joy to read their process of coming together it was not rushed all her emotions and apprehension were timed and placed perfectly.
She has never really felt at home anywhere until she stepped foot into Jace's house and into his arms all of which felt alien to her. He gave her a home a job and in the process she made a friend in Cara
"It feels so good to have you in my arms."~Jace
At night Avery relives her tramic childhood through her dreams. Now sharing a house with Jace he hears her screams at night so he does the only thing a man that loves a women does he comforts her and slowly break down her walls and defences.
"I felt Jace's hand on my back. His touch was supportive and gentle. It reminded me that he was there for me and he wasn't going anywhere. That taught alone was enough to make me smile. He was the light in the dark when I needed it he most."~Avery
Aww man Jace was so sweet and caring he has a true heart of gold and boy does he love Avery and she loves him right back she just has not woken up to that fact yet or accept it or his love.
"I have never in my life told a women that I love her. You have made me feel things I have tried to keep locked away for so long. Just the taught of never being with you hurts. Do you get that? you have to believe me. I would never lie to you."~Jace
Jace put his entire heart and love on the line but Avery had a really hard time believing that he or anyone else can truly love her and want to be with her. But then something happens to give her the wake up call she needs to see what is right in front of her.
"I felt like I was falling, but I wasn't afraid. I had Jace there to save me."~Avery
This story beautiful heart warming and well written, it flowed well and the emotions were leaping off the pages I totally fell in love with Avery and Jace LOVE LOVE LOVE the ending. They deserve all the happiness and HEA
"He was beautiful. Inside and out."~Avery
I defiantly recommend this book I look forward to more work from Victoria Ashley.

[Hetty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was instantly drawn to this novel based off the blurb. It was very appealing to me and I applaud the author for including a bit of a teaser. It grabbed my attention and I one-clicked this emotional read.

Avery’s life has been horrendous. After years of emotional and physical abuse from her parents, she finds herself dancing for small tips and hating her life. Avery doesn’t have much hope for the future and I don’t blame her. It was painful to read what she went through as child. I wanted to reach into the book and give her a big hug. Luckily Jace happens to cross paths with her and little does Avery know, her life is about to change.

Jace played the role of ‘knight-in-shining-armor’ VERY well. He swoops in and rescues Avery from the personal hell she had been drowning in. She is resistant to him at first due to her enormous trust issues but slowly allows Jace into her life. He begins to chip away at her resolve and they find much needed stability together. Unfortunately, two emotionally damaged individuals do not automatically find peace and they need to put in a lot of effort to make it work.

I enjoyed the development of Avery’s character throughout this novel. As a broken and troubled young adult, she feels utterly lost and hopeless. I appreciate the self-discovery journey she embarks on and finally determining she is worthy of happiness. The relationship between Avery and Jace was splendid. These two desperately needed one another and I am so happy they met. Jace was an excellent hero and just the type of man I love reading about.

Wake Up Call is Victoria Ashley’s debut novel and overall it was great. I look forward to what she releases next and experiencing her talent grow. The characters and storyline were solid but the editing could use some fine-tuning. The secondary cast was really awesome and very well done. Avery’s parents are terrible, horrible people but I must mention how well they were described. It isn’t easy to create those types of real monsters and it should be recognized.

4.5 Stars

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[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book!!! I think this is the first book I've loved all through out. Especially the epilogue, normally they bore me


First I'll talk about avery, for someone who grew up getting abused, she was very strong. I liked that because I didn't think I could have finished this book if she wasn't.
I think the only thing that was weird for me was the fact that she had only met Jase twice (in a strip club and at his restaurant) but she just went home with him and agreed to live with him just like that. What if he was a murderer or something?

Caleb seemed shady to me at the start and it didn't take me long to realise his job. How Avery didn't notice I don't understand, but then again she was keeping her distance from him soo...

Jace was ... WOW! I want my own Jace! He was practically a guardian angel to everyone that needed him, especially Avery and Jackie.

Normally in abuse type books, it's not only the hero/heroine that got abused, they either have a friend that did or a sister or something like that and it starts to feel like I'm reading about a meeting of people that suffered abuse and are talking about it (I'm not trying to offend anyone that has gone through abuse - it is a serious matter) which gets really depressing and I just want to stop reading the book.
But even though there were other characters that suffered from abuse (FIVE!!) it wasn't as bad as other books. It didn't turn into a huge pity fest which I was so grateful for. The only two people that we kept getting remind of was obviously Avery, and Jackie. But It felt nice, like Avery had someone to go through the pain together and help out, since Jackie was very weak.

Overall, this was a great book and I actually liked the epilogue, which I rarely do. I already started recommending this book when I was in the second chapter. I'm defiantly giving this book 5 stars out of 5!