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Crash
This multicultural romance begins when a young man is brutalized and raped. He finds an ally in Sophie Baxter, a reclusive writer of interracial fiction. When Sophie initially meets Lucas she believes he is a young teen and takes him under her wing. By the time she realizes her mistake it’s too late—this polite and sweet kid has found a way into her heart. Lucas wants Sophie to see that he is no child even though he has an innocent baby face. And Sophie thinks that anyone looking at them together would mistake the older black woman for being some young white boy’s care giver. She can’t fathom breaching that trust…not with her history. Pepper Pace has woven a tale of unpredictable circumstances and unlikely characters. This sweet romance deals with a difficult subject matter but is not a story about rape but about Graphic Content. For Adult readers only. All Characters are 18+
179 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 5, 2012
60 people are currently reading
672 people want to read
About the author
Pepper Pace
66 books843 followersWho is Pepper Pace?
Pepper Pace is the pen name used by the author. Born and raised in Cincinnati, she has always enjoyed creativity. At a very young age, Pepper had a gift for art and would spend most of her spare time drawing images that she later began adding stories behind. Soon writing became more important than the illustrations and though she still loved art, it took a back seat to her real love.
Pepper wrote her first novel when she was 12 years old and had written 2 more by the age of 18. Too shy to share her work with anyone, Pepper stock piled her many stories into notebooks until she came upon Literotica.com and was compelled to share her craft.
Pepper became instantly popular and won several awards each year in which she submitted a story to the site. After receiving popular feedback, she grew in confidence and created a popular blog entitled Writing Feedback where she encourages her readers to interact with her on topics concerning, music, writing, art and pop culture, and can be contacted at her blog:
pepperpacefeedback.blogspot.com/
Pepper lives in Cincinnati where many of her characters also reside.
Other Websites:
http://pepperpacefeedback.blogspot.com/
http://pepperpace.tumblr.com/
Pepper Pace is the pen name used by the author. Born and raised in Cincinnati, she has always enjoyed creativity. At a very young age, Pepper had a gift for art and would spend most of her spare time drawing images that she later began adding stories behind. Soon writing became more important than the illustrations and though she still loved art, it took a back seat to her real love.
Pepper wrote her first novel when she was 12 years old and had written 2 more by the age of 18. Too shy to share her work with anyone, Pepper stock piled her many stories into notebooks until she came upon Literotica.com and was compelled to share her craft.
Pepper became instantly popular and won several awards each year in which she submitted a story to the site. After receiving popular feedback, she grew in confidence and created a popular blog entitled Writing Feedback where she encourages her readers to interact with her on topics concerning, music, writing, art and pop culture, and can be contacted at her blog:
pepperpacefeedback.blogspot.com/
Pepper lives in Cincinnati where many of her characters also reside.
Other Websites:
http://pepperpacefeedback.blogspot.com/
http://pepperpace.tumblr.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
December 22, 2014
The paths of 42 year old novel-writer Sophie and 22 year old Lucas, who has been raped and is homeless, collide is Pepper Pace's Crash. It's a tale about unexpected love and love's ability to be color-blind and age-blind. I wanted to love this story but I didn't.
Ms. Pace made age an issue for the reader as opposed to allowing the reader to make his or her own determination about it. Sophie is 42 yet she was written to sound like someone's grandmother. There was so much emphasis on her impaired vision and her inability to keep her balance that she felt much older than she was. It didn't help that Lucas compared her to his grandmother at times and that the ways in which he had to help Sophie, he had helped his grandmother. At times, I had to remind myself that Sophie was 42 not 62. I think this emphasis defeated the purpose of the reader having an open mind. It wasn't necessary to stress age beyond them sharing and having a different level of experience. The age wouldn't have bothered me at all if it wasn't stressed with this overtone.
Lucas' love for Sophie felt like savior's love in that, he feel for the woman who saved him because she cared when no one else did. I never felt like there was a turning point where Lucas' gratitude grew into something more, something genuine that had nothing to do with why they met.
I wanted to love this story but it fell short for me.
Ms. Pace made age an issue for the reader as opposed to allowing the reader to make his or her own determination about it. Sophie is 42 yet she was written to sound like someone's grandmother. There was so much emphasis on her impaired vision and her inability to keep her balance that she felt much older than she was. It didn't help that Lucas compared her to his grandmother at times and that the ways in which he had to help Sophie, he had helped his grandmother. At times, I had to remind myself that Sophie was 42 not 62. I think this emphasis defeated the purpose of the reader having an open mind. It wasn't necessary to stress age beyond them sharing and having a different level of experience. The age wouldn't have bothered me at all if it wasn't stressed with this overtone.
Lucas' love for Sophie felt like savior's love in that, he feel for the woman who saved him because she cared when no one else did. I never felt like there was a turning point where Lucas' gratitude grew into something more, something genuine that had nothing to do with why they met.
I wanted to love this story but it fell short for me.
January 24, 2016
Aw. Where to begin....I only wish I could give this book more than 5 stars. 5 humongous gold stars! My only gripe would be that it was so perfect that I wish it was longer. I didn't want it to end. Sophie and Lucas both endured and overcame so much. This book was a true testiment to the resilience of the human spirit and the ability to find love. This book had the potential to be really dark and heavy but I laughed at several parts, and the tone felt overall optomistic. Great job Pepper Pace. Any literate person should read this.
December 29, 2012
"There was no beginning and there is no end. There is just the moment when everything comes crashing together, and that is where it started."
In the mood for something a little different I reached for CRASH. I've read several of PP's books and what I love most about them is that she brings the mundane and average to the forefront and makes them shine. She writes about romances that are unusual and real. Here we find the story of Lucas, a 22 y.o. white homeless man with a baby face, and Sophie, a 42 y.o. black woman who writes interracial romance novels. The romance between the two seems unlikely both in fiction and real life, yet they have an undeniable chemistry. However, despite that chemistry I could not see them as being more than friends. I had a hard time buying into the romantic relationship between the two. I like different, but I felt that these characters were so different that the relationship would never work. Although PP tried she just didn't delve deep enough to make their love connection plausible. So I enjoyed Lucas and Sophie as individuals and friends but the romance felt forced and fell flat.
As the story unfolds Sophie is in the process of writing a book and the story within the story became a character all it's own; and not a good one. It was unnecessary, distracting, and contributed absolutely nothing to Lucas and Sophie's story.
So, despite this being somewhat of a miss for me, I will always be a fan of PP's work. She highlights the flaws in her characters and celebrates them. Not everyone has a chiseled body, a gorgeous face, or money to burn. Sometimes people off the beaten path fall in love with ordinarily average people. And in PP's world average is not only okay.......it's beautiful.
In the mood for something a little different I reached for CRASH. I've read several of PP's books and what I love most about them is that she brings the mundane and average to the forefront and makes them shine. She writes about romances that are unusual and real. Here we find the story of Lucas, a 22 y.o. white homeless man with a baby face, and Sophie, a 42 y.o. black woman who writes interracial romance novels. The romance between the two seems unlikely both in fiction and real life, yet they have an undeniable chemistry. However, despite that chemistry I could not see them as being more than friends. I had a hard time buying into the romantic relationship between the two. I like different, but I felt that these characters were so different that the relationship would never work. Although PP tried she just didn't delve deep enough to make their love connection plausible. So I enjoyed Lucas and Sophie as individuals and friends but the romance felt forced and fell flat.
As the story unfolds Sophie is in the process of writing a book and the story within the story became a character all it's own; and not a good one. It was unnecessary, distracting, and contributed absolutely nothing to Lucas and Sophie's story.
So, despite this being somewhat of a miss for me, I will always be a fan of PP's work. She highlights the flaws in her characters and celebrates them. Not everyone has a chiseled body, a gorgeous face, or money to burn. Sometimes people off the beaten path fall in love with ordinarily average people. And in PP's world average is not only okay.......it's beautiful.
September 9, 2012
This was my second novel by Pepper Pace. Crash is 1000% better than Stranded. I recently discovered Pepper Pace and heard that Crash was good. I went into it blind and was shocked by the opening scene but the book kept my attention throughout. I loved that Lucas did not wallow in self pity although life has thrown him a terrible lot.
Sophie was not your typical heroine: she's older, overweight, legally blind and REAL. I loved how the author included a story within a story and that even kept me riveted. Lucas and Sophie are two unlikely people who found love together. This story surpassed my expectations and I would highly recommend it to others.
Sophie was not your typical heroine: she's older, overweight, legally blind and REAL. I loved how the author included a story within a story and that even kept me riveted. Lucas and Sophie are two unlikely people who found love together. This story surpassed my expectations and I would highly recommend it to others.
December 29, 2015
3.5 stars
February 11, 2014
Solid 3.75 Stars
This was a quick, but gripping read. There were times when my heart broke & soared when it came to Lucas and the loss & pain that he has known for most of his short life. It starts on a gritty raw note. And this remains when it comes to certain things concerning both of the main characters. Very heart breaking & shocking.
I loved the dynamic of how he and Sophie came into each others' lives. Very poignant. But I just never saw them together as an HEA (Happily Ever After) type of couple. I loved them both as individuals, and I thought both of their personal story & journey was quite touching. But when it came to the type of person that Sophie is, and where she is in her life vs Lucas and where he is in his life, it just didn't feel like these two would come to be together in the long haul sense. I could see & feel an attraction there, but I didn't feel it would ever go any further than that, if they were to ever have a weak moment & scratch that itch.
Also I didn't care for how the separate story concerning the book that Sophie was writing, (since this is Sophie's career, she's a writer) I didn't like how it took up a lot of time & opportunity away from the actual story of her & Lucas. I didn't really need to actually see what she was writing. There were long scenes of this. Where you are actually reading her story that she's writing. I thought this was pointless cos it adds nothing to the story. In fact, I think it took something away from their story by adding so much of this in there.
And even though I liked the close of this one, and the way things turned out for them, I still feel as though the ending would have been just as good, if not better, if it ended on a note of them parting ways but with a deep & loving admiration & loyalty for one another. I think that was the type of ending I was hoping for. Considering these type of characters, their circumstances & views; that ending would have felt much more in tune with the story we are given.
But I still liked this story, I thought it was another good read from Ms. Pace Hey, I read it in one sitting :)
I would recommend this read.
This was a quick, but gripping read. There were times when my heart broke & soared when it came to Lucas and the loss & pain that he has known for most of his short life. It starts on a gritty raw note. And this remains when it comes to certain things concerning both of the main characters. Very heart breaking & shocking.
I loved the dynamic of how he and Sophie came into each others' lives. Very poignant. But I just never saw them together as an HEA (Happily Ever After) type of couple. I loved them both as individuals, and I thought both of their personal story & journey was quite touching. But when it came to the type of person that Sophie is, and where she is in her life vs Lucas and where he is in his life, it just didn't feel like these two would come to be together in the long haul sense. I could see & feel an attraction there, but I didn't feel it would ever go any further than that, if they were to ever have a weak moment & scratch that itch.
Also I didn't care for how the separate story concerning the book that Sophie was writing, (since this is Sophie's career, she's a writer) I didn't like how it took up a lot of time & opportunity away from the actual story of her & Lucas. I didn't really need to actually see what she was writing. There were long scenes of this. Where you are actually reading her story that she's writing. I thought this was pointless cos it adds nothing to the story. In fact, I think it took something away from their story by adding so much of this in there.
And even though I liked the close of this one, and the way things turned out for them, I still feel as though the ending would have been just as good, if not better, if it ended on a note of them parting ways but with a deep & loving admiration & loyalty for one another. I think that was the type of ending I was hoping for. Considering these type of characters, their circumstances & views; that ending would have felt much more in tune with the story we are given.
But I still liked this story, I thought it was another good read from Ms. Pace Hey, I read it in one sitting :)
I would recommend this read.
August 3, 2013
www.bookdevour.blogspot.com
Crash by Pepper Pace
Ah-Mah-Zingly gifted writer Pepper Pace has awed me once again. In Crash Pepper brings together two of the unlikliest characters; Sophie and Lucas. Sophie is a middle aged writer who lives and works alone in her Cincinnati home. Lucas is a twenty something homeless man, one of Americas thousands of sham domed youth who's young lives have been filled with loss and rejection. The circumstances of their meeting is steeped in violence and cruelty, but the writer handles it well, even for sensitive readers.
The good:
Great storyline, sweet romance; it will make you think one way or another. Younger man, older woman; black, white; bisexual, heterosexual.
The bad:
I read a few reviews where the reader wasn't able to "believe" the love story ; I can see that, but when reading sometimes you have to let go of reality and let the characters speak to you.
I'm jus sayin:
I really liked this story, I think the violent scenes were handled tastefully and respectfully. Lucas is a good protagonist, though if you asked me if I could I be with a man who confessed having a consensual sexual relationship with a man my answer is HELL NO. However it didn't bother the character, so It didn't effect my critique of the book. This is a good read with some orchestra characters, I dare you to give it a go!
Crash by Pepper Pace
Ah-Mah-Zingly gifted writer Pepper Pace has awed me once again. In Crash Pepper brings together two of the unlikliest characters; Sophie and Lucas. Sophie is a middle aged writer who lives and works alone in her Cincinnati home. Lucas is a twenty something homeless man, one of Americas thousands of sham domed youth who's young lives have been filled with loss and rejection. The circumstances of their meeting is steeped in violence and cruelty, but the writer handles it well, even for sensitive readers.
The good:
Great storyline, sweet romance; it will make you think one way or another. Younger man, older woman; black, white; bisexual, heterosexual.
The bad:
I read a few reviews where the reader wasn't able to "believe" the love story ; I can see that, but when reading sometimes you have to let go of reality and let the characters speak to you.
I'm jus sayin:
I really liked this story, I think the violent scenes were handled tastefully and respectfully. Lucas is a good protagonist, though if you asked me if I could I be with a man who confessed having a consensual sexual relationship with a man my answer is HELL NO. However it didn't bother the character, so It didn't effect my critique of the book. This is a good read with some orchestra characters, I dare you to give it a go!
March 10, 2013
OMG, gave 4.5, Truly fell in love with this book, how a man and woman lives entwined with each other for a better life. I have to commend on Ms. Pace for bringing another story twined with the main story, loved it. This story hit many people around the world, and how at the end the love they had for each other was beautiful. Lucas didn't care about age, color, only how he felt towards Sophie. Sophie had her guard up for a very long time, since her past relationship was traumatic for her. Her love in the past didn't fight for her nor her baby she was about to have; She was an open book for Lucas, but all she was how young he was; But Lucas was so mature for his age, what he went through in the street and finally met his angel; In Sophie's eye, she was just simply scared of loving someone young while she was 42. I truly understand what Sophie though in her mind. Ms. Pace, please keep them coming. You one of a few author that I am that is waking people that even though your a different race, the love will conquer. Thank you.
July 3, 2016
This is my second Pepper Pace read, and I enjoyed it overall. She is a great storyteller, and I think that with a professional editor to tighten up her work, she could end up with a great Pace anthology in the future!
*SPOILER ALERT*
Now - on to my thoughts on Crash...I felt a bit squeamish with the H/h age difference at first; as I kept reading, I found that the two characters were made for each other. They were like a pair of mismatched but comfy socks. Taking into account that I actually knew a couple much like Sophie and Lucas, who were still happily married for ten years when I last saw them - the storyline here was not only possible, but real. (The couple I knew also had a twenty-year age difference, and the guy was also homeless! Now he's a producer at a local tv station)! The only part of the story that I didn't like was the pregnancy. It just didn't seem logical for Sophie, considering her age and health issues. She seemed too smart to be having a baby...
Anyway - Crash brought a smile to my face, and I loved the H/h innate sweetness. 3.5 stars.
*SPOILER ALERT*
Now - on to my thoughts on Crash...I felt a bit squeamish with the H/h age difference at first; as I kept reading, I found that the two characters were made for each other. They were like a pair of mismatched but comfy socks. Taking into account that I actually knew a couple much like Sophie and Lucas, who were still happily married for ten years when I last saw them - the storyline here was not only possible, but real. (The couple I knew also had a twenty-year age difference, and the guy was also homeless! Now he's a producer at a local tv station)! The only part of the story that I didn't like was the pregnancy. It just didn't seem logical for Sophie, considering her age and health issues. She seemed too smart to be having a baby...
Anyway - Crash brought a smile to my face, and I loved the H/h innate sweetness. 3.5 stars.
April 2, 2012
I did not think I would get past the violet subject matter in this book, but it turns out to be a very well written and wonderful love story. Granted it is NOT your typical romance by any means, but it was great all the same. The story in some instances was tragic, touching and triumphant. The author was able to weave a tale that was believable, and realistic in nature, and content. I recently discovered this author and find that her original and creative writing style is very engaging!
May 19, 2015
There was nothing before, and there was nothing after; just the silent crash of two unmovable objects finally meeting. That's my favore line in this story. And it sums up Sophie and Lucas' love story. This is my 4th story written by Pepper Pace. She always writes something that is always different always a different twist What remains the same is love is unconditional,Love and acceptance is paramount. Great job again Pepper Pace!! I highly recommend this story. 5 stars
January 19, 2015
Amazing!
This was an awesome and emotional story. My heart broke for Lucas and how I wished the men that assaulted him got what they did to him back 10 times worse.
I loved how well written and complete Crash was and how it ends with the beginning. Pepper Pace is a gifted author and other love her stories.
This was an awesome and emotional story. My heart broke for Lucas and how I wished the men that assaulted him got what they did to him back 10 times worse.
I loved how well written and complete Crash was and how it ends with the beginning. Pepper Pace is a gifted author and other love her stories.
June 19, 2020
Crash is a sweet romance between Lucas : a homeless white young male rape victim and Sophie: a fat black woman writer in her forties (Yay for french names :D ).
I know it sounds bad BUT:
- the "rape" part is well handled and it doesn't weight too much on the relationship, it actually balances out with Sophie's horrific childhood in order for them to heal together.
- The age gap, for me, is not an issue. The man is not a child even if he looks like a teen: he is of age and he proves it repeatedly through his actions.
- The beauty gap, for me, is not an issue either. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
The only part that bothered me was the end: it felt a little bit forced and very irrealistic.
I know it sounds bad BUT:
- the "rape" part is well handled and it doesn't weight too much on the relationship, it actually balances out with Sophie's horrific childhood in order for them to heal together.
- The age gap, for me, is not an issue. The man is not a child even if he looks like a teen: he is of age and he proves it repeatedly through his actions.
- The beauty gap, for me, is not an issue either. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
The only part that bothered me was the end: it felt a little bit forced and very irrealistic.
May 11, 2023
This book broke me for some reason. The male character was so broken that it seemed he didnt realize how badly. The female character was just perfect to put his pieces back together.
September 29, 2014
I avoided Pepper Pace for a really long time. A friend raved about her books, but I wasn't feeling the type of romance that was being featured. I can admit now, having gobbled down two Pepper Pace books, that I cheated myself out of excellent reading material for far too long. Pace's writing isn't traditional romance, and I am challenged to comfortably declare it part of that genre. Yes, there is a romance in Crash. Yes, the romance is inter-racial. Crash (and the other book that I read, Adaptation) are about so much more. Pace is great at building characters and creating harmony between them in full view of their flaws and weaknesses. Crash is an unlikely story and the first few pages grabbed me so hard that I was compelled to finish the book in a single three-hour marathon reading session. I was really curious to find out how on Earth she was going to pull off this story.
Crash is the story of a very young man who is, in a way, saved by an older woman after he has been raped in an alley. He's a survivor, he's learned how, but Lucas is at pretty much the worse moment in his life when Sophie looks out her kitchen window to see him resting on the curb on the other side of her back yard. Despite the risk, she invites him into her home and what happens over the remainder of the novel is the beautiful unfurling of hearts damaged by life. Sophie ends up needing Lucas as much as he needs her. It's a gentle kind of story. The characters are interesting and compelling, the plot is a complete surprise. Despite the insularity of the novella (this book focuses only on the two leads), I was always engaged. That's a hard thing to accomplish with such a limited cast and such a narrow plot. But it works SO WELL here. It works because Pace is a gifted writer and nuances a story about people and character!
This was a lovely and surprising read which I very promptly recommended to my Best Friend. I think it's definitely worth the read.
Crash is the story of a very young man who is, in a way, saved by an older woman after he has been raped in an alley. He's a survivor, he's learned how, but Lucas is at pretty much the worse moment in his life when Sophie looks out her kitchen window to see him resting on the curb on the other side of her back yard. Despite the risk, she invites him into her home and what happens over the remainder of the novel is the beautiful unfurling of hearts damaged by life. Sophie ends up needing Lucas as much as he needs her. It's a gentle kind of story. The characters are interesting and compelling, the plot is a complete surprise. Despite the insularity of the novella (this book focuses only on the two leads), I was always engaged. That's a hard thing to accomplish with such a limited cast and such a narrow plot. But it works SO WELL here. It works because Pace is a gifted writer and nuances a story about people and character!
This was a lovely and surprising read which I very promptly recommended to my Best Friend. I think it's definitely worth the read.
February 22, 2015
Ok, so this is my first time reading a Pepper Race book and I must say I loved it! Sophie's character has such a background, her story is really deep and I felt that it needed to be more explored. Lucas is a sweetheart, I fell in love with him instantly. But I did felt everything was rushed towards the end, this book has so much potential, it needed to be longer! Also, the pregnancy also seemed waayyy to rushed, Lucas is still a young men and although he's very mature, I think he and Sophie just needed more time to keep healing each others wounds. But in general this book was awesome, outside the normal romance books. I really liked it.
November 2, 2012
Okay this should have been more… there also should be another story or a clear and real plot. They met and fell in love. The author did a good job but I
was disappointed by the lack of story and felt that we needed to know more about the Hero. I also had an issue with the age of the Heroine I think that
putting someone that is older with a younger mate is fine but she just did not seem to fit with what he needed in his life.
January 30, 2015
AWESOME!
Pepper Pace is gritty, raw and in your face with real-life situations; this book is no different! I was pulled in from the very beginning and held on for dear life till the beautiful ending.
I've said it before but it bears repeating; if Pepper Pace writes fortune cookies, I would read them!
Pepper Pace is gritty, raw and in your face with real-life situations; this book is no different! I was pulled in from the very beginning and held on for dear life till the beautiful ending.
I've said it before but it bears repeating; if Pepper Pace writes fortune cookies, I would read them!
May 15, 2020
What Can I Say.....
I would have been more inclined to believe this book of the age difference were a little closer. Even 10 years I could see them having more in common than writing. That is not going to sustain a marriage for long. I like the fact that 2broken hearts were able to heal. Just wished it was more believable
I would have been more inclined to believe this book of the age difference were a little closer. Even 10 years I could see them having more in common than writing. That is not going to sustain a marriage for long. I like the fact that 2broken hearts were able to heal. Just wished it was more believable
April 29, 2020
The only thing that kept this book from receiving a 5 star rating from me is Ms. Pace's overemphasis of the 20 year age difference. Sophie is 42 and acts and carries herself more like a 72 year old. and Lucas is 22 and could pass for 15. I felt all of that wasn't necessary.
June 6, 2020
The plot is good. Writing really sloppy. Basically it’s like reading an old desperate lady’s dream she had the night before but edited.
August 28, 2018
Lucas Reider has lost all hope. He is a nobody. A person without a home, job or even the will to survive. But he knows one thing, if a person offers him something it comes with a terrible price.
Sophie Baxter is too old and too fat (according to her) to be writing a story for 25 years old girls. She is frustrated that her contract with her publishing agency seems to be snuffing out her creativity. She is too old for romance and love. Either way she is far from interested.
When Sophie tries to help boy sitting in the sidewalks of the back lane in her house after midnight, she has no idea that a help of one night will land her with a guy permanently living in her house. She is too old to get into a relation with him . Yet, Lucas seems to do be doing everything in his power to break her defenses.
She can only resist that much.
A beautiful tale of two loners finding love. It has everything from the darkest side of humanity to the brightest corner of it. It moves like a spectrum of light, starting with the darkest shade and then going towards the brighter sides. It is not only a romantic story, it is also a story about healing,hope,wishes, and finding oneself...
Click on the link below for the full detailed review of this book
http://arielbookblog.blogspot.com/201...
Sophie Baxter is too old and too fat (according to her) to be writing a story for 25 years old girls. She is frustrated that her contract with her publishing agency seems to be snuffing out her creativity. She is too old for romance and love. Either way she is far from interested.
When Sophie tries to help boy sitting in the sidewalks of the back lane in her house after midnight, she has no idea that a help of one night will land her with a guy permanently living in her house. She is too old to get into a relation with him . Yet, Lucas seems to do be doing everything in his power to break her defenses.
She can only resist that much.
A beautiful tale of two loners finding love. It has everything from the darkest side of humanity to the brightest corner of it. It moves like a spectrum of light, starting with the darkest shade and then going towards the brighter sides. It is not only a romantic story, it is also a story about healing,hope,wishes, and finding oneself...
Click on the link below for the full detailed review of this book
http://arielbookblog.blogspot.com/201...
December 31, 2025
OH MY GOD! Why nobody talk about this book??? I got everything i need: angst, reverse age gap, hero in pursuit, wholesome love story, good plot.
There’s spoiler ⚠️
Love:
🩷angsty. The book starts with mmc raped by some men. I cry for him, his life was so sad. But at the same point he kinda gets karma bcz he was slept with a married man (poor wife 😩).
🩷He pursued her. He likes her, ofc he’s insecure bcz of his situation. But after that, he never scared to chase her. Even when she always pushed him away.
🩷big reverse age gap. Big applause to the writer, she’s brave enough to write big reverse age gap (20 years), which is rare i don’t know why. We always get big age gap with older man since harlequin books era. I need older woman now.
🩷well written fmc. I’m soooooo glad fmc never act like a horny teenager. She keeps pushing him away until the end, so he needs to work for it. And her doubts are realistic. She’s wise, act her age, sweet but still she has her own dark secrets which make her story interesting.
Don’t like:
💢 rushed ending. There’s writer could write 600 pages book and i still gonna read it. No need to rushed anything, really 💖
There’s spoiler ⚠️
Love:
🩷angsty. The book starts with mmc raped by some men. I cry for him, his life was so sad. But at the same point he kinda gets karma bcz he was slept with a married man (poor wife 😩).
🩷He pursued her. He likes her, ofc he’s insecure bcz of his situation. But after that, he never scared to chase her. Even when she always pushed him away.
🩷big reverse age gap. Big applause to the writer, she’s brave enough to write big reverse age gap (20 years), which is rare i don’t know why. We always get big age gap with older man since harlequin books era. I need older woman now.
🩷well written fmc. I’m soooooo glad fmc never act like a horny teenager. She keeps pushing him away until the end, so he needs to work for it. And her doubts are realistic. She’s wise, act her age, sweet but still she has her own dark secrets which make her story interesting.
Don’t like:
💢 rushed ending. There’s writer could write 600 pages book and i still gonna read it. No need to rushed anything, really 💖
August 20, 2017
This story tugged at my heart strings and just kept pulling until it unraveled into a puddle. I absolutely felt so much love for Lucas. That poor man endured some heavy stuff. The fact that he continued to smile and have a positive outlook and never gave up on love was amazing.
I get how Sophie felt about getting involved with him, but was so happy when she finally opened herself up to the possibility of love.
I enjoyed the scene where they took a vacation to Gatlinburg. The author's depiction was spot on. I have been there many times and rented cabins on the mountains as well. There is a calm quiet up there and it makes you feel closer to God. My memory was jarred when they went to the Ripley's museum. No trip to Gatlinburg is complete without going there at least once.
Lucas and Sophie hold a special place in my heart. Their story speaks to the human's ability to overcome adversity and find their true happiness.
I get how Sophie felt about getting involved with him, but was so happy when she finally opened herself up to the possibility of love.
I enjoyed the scene where they took a vacation to Gatlinburg. The author's depiction was spot on. I have been there many times and rented cabins on the mountains as well. There is a calm quiet up there and it makes you feel closer to God. My memory was jarred when they went to the Ripley's museum. No trip to Gatlinburg is complete without going there at least once.
Lucas and Sophie hold a special place in my heart. Their story speaks to the human's ability to overcome adversity and find their true happiness.
March 8, 2025
Wow....
A lot of realistic ugliness here. This was a hard read for me like Baby Girl and the Mean Boss.
Both languished in my library for I believe two years at least. But I didn't delete them like I did
Miscegenist Sabishii and Juicy. With those I started to read them several times but I was so turned off I finally gave up and deleted them. But with this one and Baby Girl....I kept them and finally I read them both today. There is a lot of pain and ugliness..real world type and my own story mirrored so much of these tales. I can't accept the age gap here..too wide. But the hero is wise beyond his years because of his experiences. I didn't feel "romance" here but their life stories grabbed at my heart and attention. Once again...Well Done Ms. Pace..👏🏻
A lot of realistic ugliness here. This was a hard read for me like Baby Girl and the Mean Boss.
Both languished in my library for I believe two years at least. But I didn't delete them like I did
Miscegenist Sabishii and Juicy. With those I started to read them several times but I was so turned off I finally gave up and deleted them. But with this one and Baby Girl....I kept them and finally I read them both today. There is a lot of pain and ugliness..real world type and my own story mirrored so much of these tales. I can't accept the age gap here..too wide. But the hero is wise beyond his years because of his experiences. I didn't feel "romance" here but their life stories grabbed at my heart and attention. Once again...Well Done Ms. Pace..👏🏻
September 9, 2021
Older black lady and super young looking white man - this could work, but sadly in this story it just didn't click. I also didn't like the way it was written, I wanted more depth, more insight of them as people. It seemed he moved pretty quickly after the abusing and all his past experiences, without a mix of psychology I didn't even feel it to be true love. More like bonding due to harsh circumstances, but that's just me. Also a fair warning at the beginning would be nice, since it starts with a scene of brutal raping.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2018
Another masterpiece
I love how Pepper Pace writes romans that deal with really gritty topics. Some sections were hard for me including the first few pages which I think I skimmed after the first or second sentence. The only portions that made me role my eyes was when Sophie finally confessed her feelings and the sex scene between the fictional heroine and hero in the book being written, except for the hero's speech at the end. Totally heart thumping.
I love how Pepper Pace writes romans that deal with really gritty topics. Some sections were hard for me including the first few pages which I think I skimmed after the first or second sentence. The only portions that made me role my eyes was when Sophie finally confessed her feelings and the sex scene between the fictional heroine and hero in the book being written, except for the hero's speech at the end. Totally heart thumping.
December 3, 2024
I read this first when I was 16 i definitely shouldn’t have been reading it but I’m so glad that i came back to it and read it again it’s such a beautiful story and I forgot how much I love pepper paces stories I love that she is able to write romances that showcase the things that no one wants to talk about this book was even better then I remember and I’m glad I got to read it with my adult eyes
August 18, 2023
What can I say at this point? If you want a book that will have you feeling all the feels then read Pace's books, she never misses.
Two characters, Sophie and Lucas have gone through some very traumatic situations only to find each other and love each other regardless. I will never not recommend a Pace book, haven't come across a bad one yet.
Two characters, Sophie and Lucas have gone through some very traumatic situations only to find each other and love each other regardless. I will never not recommend a Pace book, haven't come across a bad one yet.
March 15, 2019
Intriguing
Book was interesting. For a short novel the author managed to develop the characters quite well. 'Beast' was the first novel I read from this author and its by far my favorite. However I did enjoy this story as well.
Book was interesting. For a short novel the author managed to develop the characters quite well. 'Beast' was the first novel I read from this author and its by far my favorite. However I did enjoy this story as well.
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