A SOLID 4 STARS!
*Review copy gifted by author in exchange for an honest review*
In Running from Destiny we meet Alexandra (aka Ally) and Jackson (aka The Suit). Ally is extremely self-conscious about her weight and size, which is most likely made worse due to her model best friend, Heather, who, in Ally’s eyes, is perfection personified. Heather tells Ally she’s beautiful all the time, but Ally doesn’t believe her. Jackson is aggressive, persistent, and completely “alpha male”.
Jackson spots Ally in a Miami bar during a fashion show. Heather dragged the reluctant Ally with her to Miami in order to try to get Ally to loosen up and have some fun. Ally is really flustered and untrusting when Jackson pursues her in Miami. He turns downright stalker-ish when he catches the flight back to Atlanta with the girls. He refuses to accept “no”, and Ally is extremely stubborn. Jackson is gorgeous and she just can’t figure why he’d want a short, chubby girl when he had models draped over him in the bar. He only has eyes for her, but she is extremely resistant to his charms. He interferes with her job, which is annoying.
Through most of the book I wanted to slap them both. Ally is pigheaded to the extreme, and while I can understand her esteem issues (I’m a big girl myself), she really gave him a merry chase. Ally had been played and abused by men before, so I understand her reluctance to trust a gorgeous man like Jackson, but at some point she has to realize that he is serious. Jackson? He needed to realize that “no” means “no”. Seriously, I’d have slapped a restraining order on him. I’ve never read of such a relentless pursuit before. He would not give up! It’s sexy while he’s a billionaire, but if he were some trailer park guy it wouldn’t be so sexy, would it? Double standards... Anyways, they both could have used a few slaps.
Things happen in the book that I won’t divulge. You’ve got to read this for yourself! I will say that while I was happy with the ending, the book ended abruptly. I soon realized there is a sequel, but still, one minute there was dialogue and the next, the book was over. No epilogue, no “sneak peeks” at future books.
One thing I hated about the book was that Ally is a size 12 and that’s considered plus size. Way to kill my self esteem. That’s not the author’s fault, though. One thing I liked about the book is the author’s quirky, tongue-in-cheek writing style. Ally likes to joke around, and the tone of the book is pretty cute at first, before things get serious. I will admit that in one portion of the book, when Ally is heartbroken and thinks all is lost, I shed a tear or two for her. That’s the mark of a decent book. :)