On Solid Ground

In Too Deep

by Michelle Kemper Brownlow

Gracie survived an emotionally abusive relationship that wrecked her. Her ex, Noah, systematically chipped away at her self-esteem through intimidation, humiliation and infidelity which left Gracie unable to trust her own perception of his intentions. But after falling head over heels for Jake, her best friend and the man who stood by her through it all, she is ready to experience life in the way it was meant to be lived. However, Gracie may find it impossible to simultaneously heal from the trauma of abuse while navigating a relationship with Jake. Can she put her heart on hold in order to heal her soul? The sequel to the five-star debut novel, In Too Deep, chronicles Gracie's steps toward healing as she falls deeper in love, reaches out for help, stands on her own, steps out of her comfort zone, faces her biggest fears, and reconnects with a sensual, talented soul from her past all in hopes of finding herself on solid ground.

Genres: New Adult, Abuse, Romance, Contemporary, College

426 pages, Paperback

Published November 27, 2013

About the author

Michelle Kemper Brownlow likes her music loud and prefers live concerts to digital playlists. This Penn State grad and former high school art teacher is easily distracted by colorful art supplies and Eddie Vedder's voice. She can often be found choosing her imaginary friends over housework and grocery shopping. She lives with her college sweetheart and their three kids in Amish Country, Pennsylvania.

Reviews

[Jenee -Jenee's Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful journey, uplifting, emotionally moving, sexy, passionate and incredibly HOTT!



I am excited to finally get a chance to share my thoughts on a book that I was highly anticipating. This book is close to my heart, as is it's author. This special book is On Solid Ground (In Too Deep #2) written by Michelle Kemper Brownlow. I fell in love with the pure emotion of In Solid Ground and was anxiously awaiting the continuation of Gracie and Jake's story. Michelle has an amazing ability to make you feel every emotion her characters feel. She is truly special and I am proud to call her a friend. I was given the amazing honor of reading this story as it was being developed and giving a fan's opinion along the way. Michelle is one of the most down to earth, sweet, personable authors I have ever had the pleasure of working with. And guess what?!?!? I was even given the HUGE, and I mean HUGE honor of having my short review on the COVER of On Solid Ground. I mean WOW! I have every intention of getting that book signed, framed, and mounted in my house.....no matter how many times my husband rolls his eyes and says "really..." lol

In Too Deep was a very controversial book. I absolutely LOVED it, as did a lot of other readers. But what made it controversial was the relationship between Gracie and Noah. He cheated, lied and abused Gracie for the entire novel. Some saw this as a weak heroine and were aggravated with her crying and putting up with Noah when she should have kicked him to the curb. What I felt was the deep, underlying pain and emotion that an abused girl endured thinking she didn't deserve better. There are many woman in real life who deal with this sort of abuse everyday and Michelle was able to give us an inside look into that sort of relationship. My definition of a good book is a book that can make you FEEL. I don't want to be told how the characters are feeling, I want to feel it for myself, I want it to bleed out of the characters and off of the pages. Michelle mastered this in my opinion. I read In Too Deep in less than 4 hours and my stomach dropped on the very first page and stayed there for more than 65% of the book. It was emotional and yes, sometimes I wanted to scream at Gracie to stand up for herself but the point is I felt that book. Whether is was pain, anger, sadness or frustration...that book made me feel. So if you haven't read it, I HIGHLY recommend you grab a box of tissues, put some kind of protective cover on your kindle ( in case you throw it) and make time to sit without interruptions. Plus, if you want to read On Solid Ground you kind of have to read the first book. You have got to go through Gracie's pain before you can enjoy her happiness. ;)

Alright, now on to On Solid Ground. Michelle did an amazing job continuing Gracie's journey in a completely different way emotionally. This book was not so much about pain and heartbreak but about hope and perseverance. Gracie stood up for herself at the end of the last book and is now moving forward in a direction that is building strength, confidence and love for herself and the person she is meant to become. She's been through abuse and is now slightly confused as to the right path to follow. She starts to learn that "following" a path is not what she should be doing. She needs to make her own path and stay pointing in the right direction. She still has a few issues of insecurity to deal with but she starts to focus on music and forgiving herself in order to begin to love herself.

For all you Jake lovers this book will be a welcome surprise because it's told in alternating POV. That's right ladies, you get to see inside Jake's beautiful, sexy mind and hear his inner thoughts. The last book centered more on Gracie and Noah so we didn't always know what kind of a person Jake was or where his thoughts and future plans were. That changes in this book. We get to see Jake's complete and utter devotion to Gracie and his helplessness at times when wondering what he can do to help Gracie overcome her feelings of insecurity and confusion. I think this book lets us see Jake as person rather than Jake as a support system for Gracie. We learn more about him and his thoughts, feelings, hopes, dreams and his past. It also makes him even more sexy in my eyes....if that's even possible. ;)

This book has a wonderful guide through music as well. You will find yourself downloading every song mentioned or even looking it up on youtube real fast so you can understand some of the feelings Gracie is dealing with at the time. I think this is just one more way the reader is able to connect with the story as well as it's characters.

There are also more character introductions. We still have the old gang although their relationship status's may have changed a bit... But we have a few new characters. I don't want to spoil all the fun so I will just tell you about one new character who will become intricately ingrained in Gracie's life and sometimes may be the bane of Jake's existence. Calon was the lead singer of her favorite band, Alternate Tragedy. He becomes a very close friend to Gracie in this book. Don't see the problem? Well the problem is Calon wants more from Gracie than just friendship. At a time when Gracie and Jake's relationship is at a stand still this could very likely be another thing against Jake. But don't worry, you won't ever feel like you hate Calon. He's not manipulative or scheming to get Gracie, he just cares for her more than a friend.

One of the best things about this book is the new traits we get to see first hand in Jake. In the first book he came across as almost too perfect at times....not that I'm complaining. But in this book, we see Jake's intense jealousy over the blooming relationship between Gracie and Calon. He becomes one of those alpha hero's a little more in this book. I don't know about you but a guy who fights for the girl he loves is hot in my book. I don't want a docile guy who just follows me around like a puppy dog and sits until I want his attention. Jake is understanding, loving, caring, possessive, jealous, and extremely hot. What more could a girl ask for?

I loved this book! It wasn't as emotionally devastating or intense as the first book, which some may be more happy with due to the comments of Gracie crying all the time in the first book. She is stronger in this book and Jake is more involved as well. I'd rate this book at 5 Stars and I cannot wait to see what Michelle comes up with next.

[Sandy Knox · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY FREAKIN WOW!!! I loved, loved, loved this book. What a perfect ending for this sequel. I felt such a plethora of emotions. I laughed so hard I almost peed my pants.Lol. I cried so hard I could hardly see to continue reading and I mean sometimes screaming ugly crying. Lol. There's excitement, suspence, pain, arousal,and extreme anger. The characters are great. Jake and Grace have an amazingly intence chemistry. sexual and otherwise. Jake is the man of which all men should be compared. The secondary characters in this story are also such an essential part of this story. Becki is da bomb! She is hilarious. Sam is a sweet, funny, strong and caring best friend. And then enters Calon. Such a beautiful soul inside and out.This is definitely a book I will not be forgeting anytime soon. When the contents of the dvd became known I literally felt like I was going to puke. My heart actually hurt and I screamed and cried right along with Gracie. This story is the love story of all love stories. I highly recommend this book and In Too Deep to everyone. And Thank You Michelle for writing it and sharing it with us. Bravo. But I do have one question. What was the outcome with Noah and the guys? Will it be in the next book?

[Holly Reads Xx · Rating 5 out of 5]

****Pre-ARC received in exchange for an honest review****

★★★★★

Captivating, emotional, beautiful, sexy, funny - Michelle Kemper Brownlow has surpassed my expectations with the conclusion of Jake and Gracie's story. On Solid Ground is a book that will stay with you long after you turn the last page and has instantly become one of my favourite reads of 2013.

Wow! This book, was amazing. Plain and simple. I was a fan of book #1 In Too Deep and was really looking forward to reading On Solid Ground but I was bowled over by how much I absolutely loved it! It really does have everything you need in a book and so much more. It's hard to convey the depths of emotions this book evoked in me. It was heartbreaking and beautiful all at the same time and I had a near constant stream of tears running down my face at times and I was laughing and swooning at other times, and all the while I was falling more and more in love with Michelle's writing and clear passion for story telling.

In In Too Deep, Gracie understandably cried a lot due to her abusive relationship and sometimes it came across as irritating, but in On Solid Ground she grows so much as a character. I was so proud of Gracie to the point I actually cried! She has a hell of a lot to overcome to get to a place where she is happy within her own skin and seeing her fighting her demons . . . well let's just say, Gracie is one kick ass herione and I have so much love and respect for her.

Music is a big part of Gracie's healing process in On Solid Ground and there are songs listed throughout the book that tie in to Gracie's thoughts and feelings at certain stages in her story. If you like to listen to music as you read then you should definitely take note of these songs so you get a deeper connection with Gracie, but if like me you like to read in silence, I would still suggest taking note of them to listen to afterwards because they are some of my favourite songs of all time and fit On Solid Ground perfectly.

Jake!!!!! Oh, how I love him!!!!! I'll be honest, Jake was one of the main reasons I wanted to read this book so desperately because he is just perfection! I fell for him hook, line and sinker in In Too Deep and and I now love him even more. There isn't a single thing I could say to critise him because he really is just the perfect book boyfriend. He's patient, loving, thoughtful, playful, drop dead gorgeous, and he would do anything for Gracie, even if it means it causes himself heartache. And let's not forget that he most definitely has "the moves". Fanning devices at the ready because the passion he shares with Gracie is scorching hot!

And speaking of hot book boyfriends. I have a new one!!! We were briefly introduced to rock band Alternate Tragedy in In Too Deep and we now get the chance to get to know lead singer Calon a little better and *SWOOOOOON* He's intense and sexy and has a voice that will send your panties flying! He's a tortured soul and his story is just so sad that once again the tears were flowing. Especially when it came to the lyrics of the songs he sang. I don't think heartbreaking even begins to cover it. But underneath all the angst and intensity he has a heart of gold and he plays a huge part in helping Gracie overcome her fears. I have myself a slight addiction in Calon Ridge and a little birdie tells me we may just be hearing from him again in the future. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for that one. Alternate Tragedy #1 groupie right here ;-)

We also see more from Becki (← I want her to be my best friend), Maverick and Sam who bring plenty of laughs - especially when it comes to Becki's obsession with Calon, and Sam's "squirmy worm" (← whatever you are thinking is probably right). I honestly missed this whole bunch of characters as soon as I finished reading and although Jake and Gracie's story is now complete, I hope with everything I have that Michelle keeps writing for this fantastic group of friends because I have absolutely not had my fill of them yet.

I want to say a huge thank you to Michelle for giving me the opportunity to read a pre-arc of this incredible book. I'm so sad that it's over now but it was the perfect conclusion to Gracie's story. On Solid Ground will be available to buy in December 2013 and I strongly suggest that you do. It is a book that without a doubt I will enjoy again and again.

*PLAYLIST*

Michelle Kemper Brownlow has added the playlist from On Solid Ground onto Spotify so you can now listen to the tracks that helped inspire this amazing story. Just click HERE

*QUOTES*

There are some truly fantastic quotes in On Solid Ground, and here are just a few of my favourites. (And I really do mean just a few because I have a LOT of favourites)

♡
"I live to love you, Gracie. This is it for me. You are it. I'm not going anywhere." ~ Jake to Gracie.

♡
"We're artists. We're intense, Gracie."

"No. You're the artist and I'm about as intense as your average tree-hanging sloth." ~ Calon and Gracie.

♡
"That day I saw you in the lobby and you said you fell while you were out for a run."

"Well, I did fall . . . When I ran into the side of a car." ~ Gracie and Jake.

♡
"Good grief Becki. Do you have your vibrator in your purse? It's dangerous to walk around with that much pent up sexual tension." ~ Gracie to Becki.

♡
Sam: Jake's a pussy
Me: SAM!
Sam: Sorry, that was offensive. He's a vagina. ~ Texts between Sam and Gracie.

♡
"No, Gracie, I'm not perfect, but together I think we are as close as it gets." ~ Jake to Gracie.

[Kim Person · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was my distinct honor to receive a pre-ARC of On Solid Ground by Michelle Kemper Brownlow. Words cannot convey the emotions this book ripped out of me! I read In Too Deep and was anxiously awaiting the continuation of Gracie's journey!

Before I get too involved with my thoughts & feelings on this one I have one recommendation and TRUST ME it will make reading this book all the more intense if you follow this recommendation. Throughout the book Michelle reefer's to many songs along with the band and how those songs were woven into Gracie's story! If you aren't familiar with them I suggest while reading them you pull them up on whatever music app you use and listen to them right then & there at that particular part of the story. Not only did this enhance my reading experience it gave me further insight to the depth of Gracie's pain and strength and truly made the book that much more! Michelle did a stellar job with her playlist, which I've downloaded each song, and interwoven the songs into the overall story! I totally had a few....



moments while I listened to the songs that made up Gracie's soundtrack!

When I started this book I could already tell I was going to be ....



I just knew it was going to be one of those reads for me. If you read In Too Deep then you KNOW what Gracie has been through with Noah and you know that this is the start of her coming out of an emotionally abusive relationship! I was reeling at times while I read this one. I wanted to .....



Noah over and over again! I really did spend a majority of this book..




Not all my tears were due to the pain Gracie experienced but some were for the strength she had to acknowledge that she had to find herself before she could be ready for a complete and total relationship with Jake. Ladies, Jake is the MAN ~ He had me....



and I would so certainly...



and the chemistry that Jake & Gracie had not only in the bedroom when they were involved in a ....



heck the bed sport was AWESOME but what the connection they had outside of the bedroom was enough to have me ....



they had that in spades! To me they were the ULTIMATE soul mates but what happens when one of them realizes in order to move on from a horrific past you must let go of what you have to find yourself? Well, that's when you insert me....



and all the while saying....



but I got it! I really truly did! What I loved the most about On Solid Ground was Gracie's support system! Her friends where amazing and when she runs into Calon the sexy as sin lead singer from Alternate Tragedy they have such an "intense" connection it left me....



Calon is my "new" book boyfriend! I'm crushing HARD! If he said my name I would...



there is no doubt about it! Well, Calon helps Gracie tap further into her artistic side as well as giving her the courage & support to pick up her guitar and start singing in front of her fans! All the while her crazy best friend Becki is there to support her and drool of the oh so delicious Calon! I swear the interactions that involved Becki had me....



The more Gracie found herself the more I could literally feel her growing and the joy from her literally shine through my Kindle. I was so....



her on every step of the way! I knew that Noah had to make an appearance in the story and I knew if I was standing there I would...



There were parts of this story where I was totally saying....




and then I had to .....



Oh Jake, I know your heart was in the right place but boy did I ever see that coming!!! When Calon's back story is told I was ......



I was literally heartbroken! I want to reach into my Kindle and ...



and then I wanted to ...



Oh I would so do that! Alas when he explains his feelings to Gracie I just felt another piece of my oh so battered heart breaking! I loved that Michelle stayed true to Gracie and her character and I was totally



towards the end of the book and little on campus escapade but by the end of the book this was me....



and ....



and ...



and ...



and I sat back and looked at my two dogs, with tears streaming down my face, grabbed my Starbucks and said to Michelle...



I guess you could say I was over the freaking moon! Abso-FREAKING- lutely the BEST book I've read all year!!!!! That's a huge accomplishment since I've read over 200 & something books this year!

On Solid Ground is so above & beyond a 5 ++++ star rating that I literally was shaking when I finished reading it. It was a book that when I got through I was bawling! I felt like I just left a group of my very best friends behind. I had to calm myself down before I could even begin to compose a review! If you are looking for a read that will make you cry, laugh, yell, pull your hair, jump up and down then THIS is that book! If a book makes me cry THEN that's an awesome book for me but if a book has me still crying AFTER I've finished then that's a PHENOMONAL read!

Gracie's journey was one of the most heartbreaking tales I've read in awhile. I felt like I just walked this road with her! It's a story of standing up for yourself and taking back your life! It's a survivor's story one that is oh so very real and will have you gripping your chest at times when you see how Gracie struggles with everything Noah had done to her. It was so beautifully written and so utterly gripping I couldn't put it down! To watch this beautiful spirit take back control of her life, accept who she really is and to do it all on her own totally had me....




KUDOS Michelle Kemper Brownlow! Absolutely stunningly beautifully written! For you to leave me reeling, in a good way at the end, while reading this one and plucking at my heart strings where I felt I'd have none left you've accomplished something no other book has done for me this entire year! I will always look back on my time with Gracie & Jake and the gang with very fond memories! I will add this to my short list of read over & over which admittedly there are under 5 books on this list and I will always have a huge smile when I think about Gracie and what a stunningly beautiful young women she became!

Obviously, I recommend this book but if you haven't read In Too Deep you need to start there! I promise you will thoroughly enjoy every minute of this deeply emotional story about courage, standing up and finding a love so deep & intense you too will walk away with a whole brand new set of Book BFF's!!!!!

[Tee loves Kyle Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off I have to say that Michelle blew me away with In Too Deep and I just could not get enough of that book. I have never read such emotions like that before and I was so glued to the book that everything around me stopped and it did not exist until I finished it. Then the ending had me wondering if there was going to be another one and low and behold I stalked Michelle and found out that there was indeed going to be another few books and I jumped for joy. I had to have more of Jake and Gracie and Beckie. I did not want to read about Noah anymore. I had a Noah and the shit life that comes with being in an abusive relationship really never goes away. You live life day by day but you also have so many fears and when you do find something good you are reluctant to to be with that person because your just not sure your heart can take it. But I give Gracie credit because she found her heart and Jake stood by her through all the crap and even had it out with Noah.

So in On Solid Ground we get to see Gracie and Beckie and Jake staying on at college for the summer to take classes and just figure out what they want and how they are going to be together. Beckie and Gracie are inseparable best friends to the end and not wanting to be apart from one another. Beckie is the ultimate best friend ever!

Then you have Jake oh man he is the love of my life as far as book boyfriends go because he is loving and caring and selflessness man he is all about Gracie and healing her and allowing her to find herself even thought it means being apart from her for some time that is okay because he loves her dearly and will do anything to keep her.

Then we get a few new characters in this book that I loved to death. Sarah is awesome and she gives good advice but the main character that I loved in this book was Calon. Lord I never thought I would love another like him. He is all about business as he is the lead singer in a band named Alternate Tragedy and he helps Gracie with her singing and playing. But what he helps her with the most is her healing. Gracie needed some time to heal and Calon helped her with that. He loves Gracie like a sister and will do anything to protect her and comfort her. Together they make a great team and Calon and Beckie are there for Gracie at every turn.

This is such a great follow up and the story that unfolds is about love, trust, friendship, and finding ones self amongst the rough!

[Leanne Gillings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was honoured enough to receive an arc copy of this story and what a story it was!
I just want to say a little something about the author! Michelle's clever writing and the emotion she puts into the story is beyond clever, she is so kind and fun always getting us involved with new tweets pictures upcoming characters and story lines! Always emailing and tweeting back, always having time for us and for that thanks Hun!
Now for the story..........I knew this would be an emotional one! But I couldn't wait to read my one true love Jake Rockwell, if he could get any more wonderful he certainly did in this book, amazing loving unselfish and truely adorable! His love for Gracie knows no bounds and with his timeless love and sincerity he helps her through the most difficult stages of her life!
Gracie is such a great character the strength she showed through this book was inspiring! The transition from beginning to end was a lifetime apart but she did it with help from all the people that loved her!
These characters were amazing, I can't wait for the next, hope we get to hear about them all through it! I'd love to have a story for Sam! He cracks me up!
Jakes and Gracie's story will stay with me, the emotions I felt and the characters, I was on an emotional roller coaster, I laughed cried and everything in between! The ending was just perfect :)
I just have one request can I have more Jake please Michelle I will miss him too much ;) xxxxx

[Brooke-True Story Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come very soon. What an amazing sequel to In Too Deep. It will be hard to put my thoughts and feelings into words when I get ready to write my review.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS all the way !!!

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED In Too Deep. So I was super excited to see what the future held for Gracie in On Solid Ground.

While reading On Solid Ground, you’ll follow Gracie’s journey as she searches for inner peace and holds tight to Jake’s love, which has supported her along the way. On Solid Ground is a riveting book that will captivate your heart and touch your soul.

As we already know, Gracie’s ex-boyfriend, Noah was emotionally and verbally abusive toward her. She allowed him to hurt her for way too long and he broke her in more ways than anyone knew. Gracie’s spirits were crushed by Noah, and she didn’t know who she was without him.

“I wish there was a switch that could wipe him completely from my memory.” ~ Gracie

After walking away from Noah, Gracie was broken. She needed to fix herself so she could love herself again and love Jake the way he deserved. Gracie reached out for help, and made the decision to stand on her own two feet; she found her love of music again, whether it was playing, performing, or writing. She was growing to be a stronger Gracie, one she didn’t even think could exist. Gracie had to show Jake she loved him enough to get herself back on solid ground.

Jake was Gracie’s rock. He was her best friend, and he has always been there to support her. Gracie felt as though she didn’t deserve Jake’s love because she was so broken and she thought he deserved to be loved by someone who could offer him more than what she was willing to at the time.

While Gracie was trying to find herself, Jake stood by her side. It may not have been easy for Jake to let Gracie go, but he knew he had no choice. Jake was lost without Gracie, but he knew Gracie needed to learn how to stand on her own “without” him. Jake has always been there for Gracie, but Gracie needed to do this on her own.

“Somehow I went from the pits of Hell right into the arms of the most amazing guy on the planet. And not just so he could save me, but so he could love me. And not because he felt obligated, but because he wanted to.” ~ Gracie

Gracie is learning how to express herself through her love of music. While doing so, she meets Calon, who’s the lead singer of a band, and it is obvious there’s a connection between the two of them. Calon opened a new chapter in Gracie’s life. She was finally able to turn the pages on her past shitty life and look forward to all the new chapters to come. Calon helped Gracie discover a part of her that Jake couldn’t. Calon helped Gracie put all of her hurt onto paper and helped her express herself through music. Was their connection romantic? Was their relationship just about their love of music?

Sometimes jealousy can rear its ugly head when it is least expected. Did Jake have competition with Calon? Was Gracie interested in Calon? Did Calon have feelings for Gracie?

I absolutely LOVED Jake and Calon. I fell in love with Jake while reading, In Too Deep. Calon is also a total sweetheart. I enjoyed seeing his and Gracie’s relationship unfold before my eyes. Calon seemed to be the missing piece in Gracie’s life.

Even though Gracie was finding herself, she still needed a little reassurance that Jakes still loved her. Jake was in love with Gracie and he was willing to wait for her to work on her own demons. He vowed to love her and be patient for her to figure things out on her own.

“Gracie! I’m not going anywhere.” His voice was tense but gentle. “Baby girl, when are you going to get that through your head? I am here for the long haul. You hold my heart inside yours. Listen, I love you! And that love isn’t something you have to work to keep. It’s not something you can lose. You can’t earn my love; you already have it…all of it. You can’t lose my love because it’s given to you unconditionally, it knows no end. We can go to the depths of Hell and back to piece your heart back together but nothing can negatively affect my love for you or my passion to see your smile and to hear your laugh. I live to love you, Gracie. This is it for me. You are it. I’m not going anywhere.” ~ Jake

Gracie was thrown many obstacles in her life and she managed to get through them and not allow them to define who she is. Things happened to Gracie that I couldn’t even fathom living through. Gracie wasn’t going to let anything or anyone break her again. Gracie managed to get through what life had thrown at her, all the while, Jake never left her side.

In Too Deep and On Solid Ground spoke to me on a personal level. I knew Gracie had it in her to find the “real” Gracie. She’d lost herself somewhere along the way while she was with Noah. Gracie was drowning in her relationship with him. She was in too deep. Jake was Gracie’s light in the storm. He was Gracie’s Forever. Jake was Gracie’s soul mate.

I thoroughly enjoyed both novels by Michelle Kemper Brownlow. These are books that will stay with for a long time. What Gracie went through probably happens more times than we are aware of. Gracie has a great support system. I loved seeing her grow as a character. The relationship she has with Jake was so refreshing. Jake was a total sweetheart and every man should take a lesson off of Jake. He was perfect. I look forward to seeing where the series goes, since there was other storylines developed in this book. I am curious to see what happens with them. I hope this is not the end of Gracie and Jake. I hope I get more of them in the future. (hint hint)

[Sarahdactyl ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

♥ Find my reviews here: Literary Meanderings

- - -

*Will contain spoilers for In Too Deep!*

Gracie is a survivor. She's done with her emotionally abusive ex-boyfriend, Noah, and is ready to move on with her life.

But having immediately jumped into a relationship with her best friend Jake, Gracie wonders if maybe she needs to take a step back and try to stand on her own two feet.

A gorgeous man from Gracie's past pops into the picture to stir things up. Not only does he have feelings for Gracie, but they share a connection that even Jake can't touch.

As Gracie begins to heal and step out of her comfort zone with a new confidence, she also has to sort out her feelings and let go of that last piece of herself that Noah still holds over her.

What happened to me is now a part of me; it always will be. I have scars that won't go away.

Noah stole a piece of me I don't want any part of. He stole a piece of the weak Gracie.

- - -

What a follow-up! I was daunted at first, because Gracie was still in her weakened emotional state thanks to Noah. It took a little extra patience on my part to overlook that. I had to remember that this book is about her healing, and if I was just patient, I'd get what I wanted. ;) And I so did!

After finally letting go of Noah, Gracie jumped into a relationship with Jake head-on. This alone was a bad choice. She didn't give herself room to exist beyond a man and a relationship. I was glad when Gracie made the decision to backpedal and try out life without the crutch of her relationship with Jake. She knew she had to heal herself before she could give her everything to Jake and she made the right choice. In that moment, I was so impressed with her. She is such a real character! I connected with her on a deep level and I felt her transformation every step of the way. The Gracie in the beginning of the book is not the Gracie at the end.

Not only does Gracie go through a change, but Jake as well. This book is told from a dual perspective—Gracie and Jake. This was a nice twist versus book one. Getting into Jake's head was a pleasure. It made him more solid and real, whereas in book one, he was sort of blurry for me... Anyway, Jake does some growing of his own. With Gracie out on her own, possibly getting closer to another man, Jake learns to let go of some of his own insecurities and comes to the realization that Gracie can be close with someone else and still love him at the same time.

Their relationship as a whole is taken to an entirely new level in this book. I think it's a transformation anyone would be awed by.

A blast from Gracie's past comes into the picture in the form of Calon Ridge. Calon Ridge is the lead singer for a local band called Alternate Tragedy. Awhile back, Calon and Gracie shared an intimate moment that neither of them has ever quite let go of. When they meet again, Gracie feels that old spark and her feelings begin to muddle up a bit. But the biggest thing Calon brings to the table is MUSIC. Gracie loves music. It's an escape for her. It gives her a high like nothing else ever could. With Calon's help, Gracie learns to set her creative side free. I loved this part of the story! I also think Michelle did an amazing job of portraying the feelings Gracie has when singing or playing her guitar, or simply listening to music. She gains a freedom through it and it's a palpable thing.

Not only does Gracie have Jake and Calon to help her, but her best friend Becki. Becki deserves a shout out all her own. Her antics and crazy attitude had me laughing out loud all over the place. The little surprise Michelle gave us after the epilogue was one I was praying for! Now I just have to wait... and wait... and wait...

All throughout the book, Gracie is trying to heal. One of the bigger steps she takes is going to see a therapist. With the help of said therapist, Gracie uncovers truths that she never even knew were there. New tragedies rear their ugly heads and threaten to pull her back under. The old Gracie would've lain down and died right there, but not the new Gracie. The new Gracie tackles these new developments head-on and the ending is an explosive one. The ending absolutely floored me.

All in all, On Solid Ground was everything I wanted in a sequel to In Too Deep! Gracie transforms from a weak girl with no self-esteem to a strong, bitchin' rock chick who tells people exactly what she thinks. The romance between her and Jake is as steamy as ever and definitely doesn't disappoint! The pace of the book had a bit of a lull in the middle (hence my 1-star deduction), but if you stick that out, you will not be disappointed. ;) It's an emotional whirlwind of a story you don't want to miss! Michelle Kemper Brownlow delivers a stunning picture of one girl's journey to save herself and shed the layers of pain and insecurity from an abusive relationship. Not to be cheesy, but it reminds me of a caterpillar-turned-butterfly type scenario. ;)

Do I recommend this book? YES! A thousand times YES.

- - -

Book source: From the author for review
Publisher: Self-published

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read and reviewed MK's In Too Deep earlier in the year and it was such an emotionally, heartbreaking story. Our main character Gracie has been through so much, so when I saw MK was writing a sequel my heart skipped a few beats. She has been beaten down emotionally and physically by her ex-boyfriend Noah and I hated how he manipulated her. Her self-confidence and self-esteem have been shredded to pieces by this guy. While Gracie has finally broken the vicious cycle known as Noah Foster, she is still dealing with the aftermath he has left. I was so proud of her at the end of the first book and I love that she is learning to stand on her own two feet. The best part? She doesn't have to do it alone. As I said before, she has a great support system- and her biggest cheerleader of all happens to be Jake Rockwell, Noah's former friend.

All I can say is this: JAKE. <3 Damn, I have so much love for that boy. SO. MUCH. LOVE. In the first book Jake understood that Gracie needed to be the one to take charge and cut ties with Noah. As much as it killed him to give her tough love, she really needed it in the end. Their relationship with each other is absolutely beautiful and it shows Gracie that love can be pure and healthy. This is something she never had with Noah.

Jake and Gracie's relationship is really tested in On Solid Ground. Gracie is still haunted by nightmares of Noah and she hates that she haves these nightmares while she's safe in Jake's arms. She should be able to give her whole heart to him- not one that has been fractured by Noah. This really eats away at her and she begins to question whether or not she jumped into a relationship with Jake too fast after she finally let go of Noah. She wonders if she's getting better because she has the strength to or if it's because she has Jake to constantly lean on. As much as Gracie loves Jake, she knows that she has to focus on her healing and growing stronger. In order to do that, Gracie must make some decisions regarding their relationship that will test them both in ways they never thought possible.

Watching Gracie transform from a broken, shattered girl to a strong, vibrant, self-assured woman is absolutely my favorite part of this book. She has so many good people in her corner that are there to encourage and help her along the way, but ultimately she is the one who has to make peace with her past and we see her take steps to do that in a variety of ways. Music is such a huge outlet for her. She begins playing the guitar and writing again, two things that made her happy in the past. Gracie ends up connecting with Calon Ridge, lead singer of a local band called Alternate Tragedy. Calon and Gracie actually met at a party during her sophomore year and shared a moment during one of her break ups with Noah. They shared a connection then and it is evident they still do. Calon is an intense character and he intimidates her. I was ready to despise Calon because it's clear he has feelings for Gracie, but he actually ended up being another pillar of strength and encouragement for her. Both of them can relate to one another on a creative musical level and he is the one who can help her achieve her goals of playing and learning to perform in front of others. Calon harbors some pain of his own, having lost someone very special to him. I am really proud of the fact that although he has feelings for Gracie, he sees how much she loves Jake and respects that.

Naturally, seeing Gracie spend time with Calon is not easy for Jake. He is jealous of Calon- he doesn't feel he can compete with someone like him. Gracie is still fragile and vulnerable and he is afraid Calon could sweep her off her feet and take her away from him. Both Gracie and Jake have their jealous moments, but both of them must learn to trust and believe in the other's love.

Becki is another bright spot in this story. She is a friend of Gracie's and watching them reinforce their friendship is beautiful. Becki is hyper, wild, but a good friend to her. She is the source of fun Gracie needs to help her come out of her shell and I liked watching them spend time together.

This is Gracie's story of healing and I think MK did a great job of telling it. Gracie really learns a lot about herself and her self-worth and self-confidence levels soar in this one. Jake's love for her is absolutely breathtaking and beautiful and some of the things they say to one another made me tear up. (I want my own Jake!) Gracie develops new friendships that ground her and keep her chin pointed up. But most importantly, she finally is able to confront her past and the people that made it the way it was and be able to look back on it with a sense of closure and move forward into the life she always deserved.

*Received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review.*

[Lustful Literature · Rating 5 out of 5]

**JOSIE’S REVIEW**

When I read In Too Deep, it was a continuous read and I loved every page of it, from beginning to end. The premise of In Too Deep was the violent relationship between Gracie and Noah. Noah was a cheater, deceiver and was abusive both emotionally and physically towards Gracie. Gracie was not strong and took his abuse; she cried a lot but continually put up with Noah’s ways. As a reader I felt a profound, agony and passion with what Gracie underwent and wanted better for her. Every day in this world, women, girls and even men deal with this real life issue…Domestic Abuse. I loved how the author was able to let me feel this type of raw emotion. A good book from a great writer will make you feel like you are going through the same thing as the characters in a book and that is what I took away from book 1. So when I read that there was going to be a book 2, On Solid Ground, I commenced operation stalk Michelle Kemper Brownlow, waiting and not so anxiously to see the rest of Gracie and Jake’s story.

I am known for my speed reading abilities, but I read In Too Deep in less than 3 hours. As soon as I read page 1 of On Solid Ground, I knew I had to get the Kleenex and wine ready. My heart was already racing and I was like “OH MY GOD”, so I knew it was going to be just as good as book 1. Now, on that note, it is a good idea to read In Too Deep before reading, On Solid Ground. I say this because you have understand and feel what Gracie has gone through in the first book. On Solid Ground is about Gracie’s journey of healing. There is not as much pain as in the first book. This is about courage and determination. At end of book 1, we saw Gracie stand up for herself and now she is trying to move ahead. She has more self-confident and is in love with a person that loves her unconditionally. Gracie sees that she had to choose her own path. She still has lingering self-doubt but she learns by focusing on music and pardoning herself is vital to love herself.

Jake, WOW, I loved him in book 1 but this book has his POV and reading his thoughts and feelings are so POWERFUL. This book emphasizes on Gracie and Noah; so we get to read Jakes opinions and plans for him and Gracie. I knew from Book 1 Jake loved Gracie but On Solid Ground we see his dedication to Gracie and his vulnerability when questioning what do to help Gracie deal with her feelings of uncertainty and misperception. We learn his views, state of mind, expectations, and his past.

This book uses music as a form for therapy for Gracie. We are introduced to new characters and we still have the characters from the other book. We get to meet Calon, the new lead singer of Gracie’s favorite band, Alternative Tragedy. Calon becomes complexly entrenched in Gracie’s life and a nuisance to Jake. Calon wants Grace and not just as a friend. Of course not, he wants Grace for his own. This is while Gracie and Jake’s relationship is on hold, and could go bad for Jake. What I liked was that Calon was not controlling or devious he just liked for Gracie to have a lot.

I loved Jake in this book. He was deeply jealous over the connection between Gracie and Calon. He was like in total Alpha Male Role. You know what I mean…“MINE.” He fought for Gracie, he did not just stand and wait on the side lines, for Calon to take his woman, NO CAN DO SCOOBY DOO, Gracie was Jake’s!!! (CAN YOU TELL I AM TEAM JAKE ALL THE WAY?!) In book 1 Jake was there for Gracie but in this book he so sympathetic, devoted, gentle, possessive, and so HAWT. I mean seriously what woman cannot fall for that kind of man?! I was not sure what was going to happen but I just loved the connection that was so clear between Gracie and Jake. She just needed to heal and find herself and she needed to do it alone. Thus the break in their relationship. I felt how hard it was for Jake to let Gracie go so she could find herself but also knowing she was it for him.

This is different than most of my reviews. This is because I found that both books in this series were powerful. The author deals with abuse and healing from it. These books are a must read. It is an eye opener and it shows that victims can flourish, survive, move forward and find that unconditional love not only in themselves but also from someone else. Please click and read this 2 part series, you will not be disappointed.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Lydia's Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blog Tour Stop! ➜ http://bit.ly/JcWkXT

4.5 Stars

I want to start right off by saying that I had been looking forward to this book ever since I finished book one, In Too Deep. Michelle Kemper Brownlow is an author that managed to evoke a lot of emotions from me while reading. This, along with her writing style, are just some of the reasons I’ve been a fan of hers. If you haven’t read that intense and emotional first book, you need to do so before picking up this sequel.

“It was as if Noah haunted me and still had the power to make me feel small and weak.”

On Solid Ground picks up pretty much where the first book ended. We have Gracie and Jake coming into terms with the emotional abuse Noah put Gracie through the last couple of years. We’re are basically taken through Gracie’s journey to self-healing and re-discovering who she really is. We see her make some difficult decisions in order to become the strong and independent girl she once was…the girl she wants to be again.

“I want all of you, Gracie. You’ve got my entire heart. You take up the whole thing. I want to have your whole heart, not just part of the piece Noah isn’t still holding.”

Jake. *sigh* Jake is truly wonderful. So, so patient and understanding. He truly loves Gracie enough to stand back and just be her best friend again… be what she needs him to be, even if it kills him. Giving her the space and independence she needs isn’t always easy for Jake, but loving Gracie makes it all worth it for him.

“I live to love you, Gracie. This is it for me. You are it. I’m not going anywhere.”

I absolutely, 100% LOVE Jake. He is just the guy Gracie needs in her life… in every single way. They have a few ups and down throughout the book, but you can tell their love is one that lasts a lifetime. They are truly and genuinely in love and want what is best for each other.

“The most beautiful girl on the planet, who held my heart, was throwing all caution to the wind and climbing inside my soul, where her home was.”

In this book, Michelle introduces us to Calon. Panties, meet floor. Ohmygosh. This guy. Calon is SO intense, HOT, caring, sweet, gentle, aaaaaand… did I mention he is the lead singer of a band? Oh, yeah. THAT too. *sigh* His story is one that shattered my heart into a million pieces. I desperately NEED him to get his happy ending. He surely deserves one just as much as Gracie.

Calon is responsible for a lot of Gracie’s healing just as Jake is. His friendship and connection with Gracie is what brings out her inner artist. You see, as a healing method…a therapy of sorts, Gracie starts to play guitar and eventually, sing. Calon helps her become more confident, he inspires her to actually ‘go for it’. Simply put, Calon becomes an important person in Gracie’s life.

At around 80% into the book, the plot picks up BIG TIME. I literally gasped and found myself reading with my mouth open a few times. *Total shock face* Yep. Even my husband asked what the heck I was reading that I kept whispering “oh, crap” so many times. Hahaha!! There were a few twists that I did not see coming…at all.

This book is mainly told from Gracie and Jake’s point of view with the exception of a few chapters that surprisingly enough, are told from Calon’s POV and one from Becki’s. Becki. Talk about a fun and crazy best friend. I mean, the things that come out of her mouth!! *giggles* That girl has no filter and I love that. She is real, sincere, genuine, and down to earth.

“…don’t look down ‘til you find your heart on solid ground.”

The ending of this book made me smile. I was extremely happy seeing a more confident and happy Gracie set and accomplish goals, one step at a time. On Solid Ground is a beautifully written and inspiring book that I recommend you pick up!

“You are it, Gracie, you are my forever.”

[Chelsea (Starbucks & Books Obsession) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Actual rating 4.5 Stars*

What a healing journey that Gracie has ventured on. She has come so far since In Too Deep and her emotional strength and growth was inspiring. In Too Deep was intense and emotional and it broke me. I was so happy to see Gracie was able to put the pieces back together and learn how to heal. Coming back from everything she's been through isn't easy and she faces more obstacles that threaten to hinder her healing process. However, Gracie is strong and she doesn't break that easy!

On Solid Ground starts off six weeks after Grace finally broke free from Noah for good and with the help of Jake, she is working her way towards happiness and healthiness. There's a fun loving, secure Gracie inside and she just needs to channel that girl and put the one Noah created aside. Jake was her saving grace in In Too Deep and he is her sounding board while she grows and strengthens. Jake is freaking amazing and he truly loves Gracie. He supports her in every way by giving her the space she needs and allowing her friendship with Calon to blossom and grow, despite his jealousy and insecurities about it.

I thought I would hate Calon because I was afraid he would come in between Jake and Gracie and I am all about Team Jake! Calon definitely harbors feelings for Gracie but he never tried to make a move on her and he helped pull confidence and self-assurance from her by helping her with her music. His friendship, help and support was instrumental in Gracie's healing and I was glad he came back into her life. She confides in Calon about everything that happened to her with Noah and he becomes another source of support for her. He's been through some difficulties in his life and Gracie is able to help him too and spending time with Becki helps Calon move on from his feelings for Gracie.

While Gracie is trying to heal, Noah still holds a piece of her because he embedded himself so deep in her psyche. This causes a little strain on her relationship with Jake because he loves her so completely and it hurts him to see Gracie so vulnerable each time the damage Noah caused seeps back into their lives. Each time Noah tried to weasel his way back into Gracie's life, I wanted to junk punch him and when therapy helps Gracie remember things she suppressed that Noah did to her, he instantly made my fictional hit list. That dude is seriously evil and I was so glad to see that he got his in the end.

Gracie is so creative and that side of her was suppressed in her relationship with Noah. It becomes an integral part of her healing process and as the old Gracie begins to emerge. Learning the guitar and writing music and poetry give Gracie and outlet and when she is encouraged to sing and play, she starts building self-confidence. It was so beautiful to see Gracie grow and not only get back to herself, but become a completely new person too. As much as she loved Jake, she could see that she was relying on him too much for the strength that she needed to find within and pull from herself. Taking a step back from her relationship with Jake only solidified her love for him and allowed herself to heal enough to give her heart to him completely. I absolutely loved the ending! Gracie has been to hell and back and Jake has loved her and supported her through it all. They deserve a life full of happiness together.

Michelle once again creates and emotionally intense story that pulled my heartstrings and took my breath away. Because he broke me with In Too Deep, she had to continue the story so my heart could be put back together. I loved the dual POV between Jack and Gracie, as well as the introduction of some excellent new characters, especially Calon. We also got to know Becki a lot better and I was so happy that Gracie had such a strong and supportive team behind her. This is such an inspiring story and no matter what difficulties we face in life, we are all strong enough to climb out of the darkness. We just have to find the strength within.

*An eARC was provided in exchange for a fair and honest review.*

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gracie has just survived an emotional abuse from her ex boyfriend, Noah. Now, it's time for her to heal and continue on with her life. However, it ain't that easy to just walk away from an abusive relationship, even with the help of Jake, her boyfriend, and best friend. In every move and action, she is reliving her past relationship and it is coming between her new one.

Gracie promised Jake and herself that she would get through her current situation but in doing so she needs to have a little time to herself and break things with Jake. Gracie has gone back to playing the guitar, singing and writing poetry as a way to boost her confidence. With the help of her old and new friends, it's just a matter of time for Gracie to find herself and face her nightmares.

Despite the heart ache Jake is feeling, he will see through Gracie's recovery no matter what. He believes that somewhere in all that pain, the girl he fell in love with is still there and he knows that Gracie's worth waiting for.

I could seriously say that I love this book. It's seriously better than the first one. Actually, I was panicking because I dont think I could finish reading this book and put up my review before the book tour starts. However, the great story of this book just swept me away. I actually finished this book way before my deadline and much faster than the first one.

This book is less painful to read because there is much less of drama. The last book's genre was leaning more on the drama side than this one and I seriously love it. The drama in the first book was just seriously uncomfortable. Don't get me wrong I love reading romance drama book but I just didn't like the first book's kind of drama that much.

This book is just great because you could really see how Gracie picked up all the pieces and made herself whole ones again. You could see how she surpassed each hurdle, step by step. I don't think I even have the guts or strength that Gracie has. It was like she came back from the dead. This is really inspirational in so many sense. Gracie spends much much less of her time crying now and you could actually see a different Gracie, who is way better. I love how fun she really is.

As for Jake, he actually narrated almost half of the chapters. I was actually scaried that making Jake narrate and show his insecurities would ruin the character for me, like other books. I was seriously wrong! The more and more I read about Jake's thought the more and more I fell for him. This guys is just freaking amazing! Why can't I have a boyfriend like him?!

Also, in my last review I said that no one is helping Gracie at all. Now, all her friends are actually here for her. I'm just so jealous of Gracie for having such a great boyfriend and friends. Don't get me wrong I have great friends but just not guy best friends. I think I fell in love with all of Gracie's guy friends, like Sam, Maverick and Calon.

I'm actually shock that I'm feeling sad to leave behind Gracie and Jake but the journey ends here. I seriously love this series and I think this book is a great closure for the first one. I'll miss Jake so much!!!!! :(

I would like to thank Michelle for giving me a copy of this book and for giving me a great journey and imaginative boyfriend. You've just set my standards higher!!! If I die single, it's all because of Jake. Hahahaha, kidding. ;P

[Trish at Between My Lines · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

Loved, loved, loved. This book broke my heart and made me dig deep within myself to confront some personal truths which made it a very intense, emotional read.

First Line of On Solid Ground:
"Gracie, please" Noah Foster stood unwelcome in the doorway of my apartment."

My Thoughts on On Solid Ground.

That first line was enough to scare me, surely Gracie wasn't going to fall back under Noah's spell. That would have been too much for me and I would have had to resort to banging my head off the ground. Thankfully for my head that wasn't the case. We find Gracie trying hard to get on with life, totally in love with Jake but still fragile and broken.

My one criticism with In Too Deep was that Jake was just too convenient. I mean I loved him but I felt it would have been more empowering if Gracie saved herself. In this book we see Gracie do just that. And I loved it. It shows just how hard it is to claw your way back from hard times and how much work you need to do. It also shows that your happiness comes from you alone and that as much joy as others can bring to your life, if you are not at peace within your own head nothing can make you fully happy.

The process of seeing a counsellor was described so well that I feel like the book came with a free counselling session. Hand on heart, this book moved me on a personal level. Thankfully I've never experienced abuse but I have been going through a bit of a crisis within my own life. People often say to me how great I'm doing and how well I'm coping with what was thrown at me and I pride myself on keeping going every day with a smile on my face. But these lines sent me crashing to the ground.

"Crying doesn't make you weak. It's the strong people who are brave enough to let it all out. Those who keep from crying aren't capable of processing what is going in inside their minds and hearts, so they don't let themselves feel the depth of their pain".

Those words opened my eyes and made me realise that I use avoidance tactics to avoid dealing with reality and pain it brings at times. This book made me think so much and watching Gracie recover and claw her way back to being a free spirit has given me endless hope.

Gracie and Jake are such a fantastic couple and I love that they will do anything for each other and for their relationship. No matter how difficult and emotional the decisions they make are, they are thinking long term and not just about having a good time today. But they manage that as well and they are perfect together both physically, emotionally and spiritually. A bit of me does think Jake is too good to be true but that's part of the fun of book boyfriends!

The supporting cast are great also and I'm excited to see that the next book will feature Becki and Calon. Becki is like an over excited puppy and is fun to be around and Calon is a rock God. So yes, I'm looking forward to that! And speaking of rock, or music, all the music references are another reason to love the book. They add another dimension to the story and listening to the soundtrack on spotify is highly recommended.

Overall, this is a book to make you feel. It made me laugh, cry, want to sing, want to dance and to go kiss my husband as I'm so glad I have him in my life to help me through my own struggles. It is an emotional black hole but one I'm glad I sank in to!

Who should read On Solid Ground?

If you enjoy NA books with intense, emotional storylines with a power to heal then I'd highly recommend this one to you.

[Jillian Stein · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can also find my review on my blog:
http://www.read-love-blog.com/2013/12...

On Solid Ground is the follow up to Michelle Kemper Browlow’s emotional debut, In Too Deep. I fell in love with Gracie and Jake in that debut and damn if I didn’t fall in love with them even more in On Solid Ground.
Gracie is just at the very beginning of her personal journey to become stronger and get back to the girl she once was. The girl she was before she experienced the emotional abuse at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, Noah. Luckily she has the amazing Jake by her side to help her realize the amazing and beautiful soul she is. But it won’t be an easy road for her and certainly not her and Jake’s relationship. Will they be able to weather the storm left behind by Noah?

Jake is bound and determined to make his Gracie see just how amazing she is. He needs to her to see herself through his eyes. She has been too broken and seeing her like that is killing him. He will give her whatever it takes to build her back up….even if it means time away from the woman who holds his heart.
Together Jake and Gracie have more hurdles to overcome than anyone they know. Determined to put the past in the past, and heal the hurt that has been caused, they will need to reach within to find the strength to be survivors…..together.

This. Book. KILLED. Me. Gracie broke my heart when she opened up and started the healing process. She is an amazing, strong, determined, resilient and beautiful person. Inside and out. She is an inspiration to anyone who reads this book. I think we can all learn something from her. To take the steps she knows she needs to get herself to a better place and admit that she needs help getting there is truly amazing and it is gift to be able to read. Now, let’s get to Jake….*dreamy sigh*. Damn, where to even begin? He is truly an amazing partner. He gives Gracie any and everything she could possibly need to get back to the girl he fell in love with all that time ago. He is a guy and girl would be lucky to call hers and had me crying too many times to count with his insight and caring soul.

Michelle also introduced us to Calon, the smoking hot lead singer of a local band and one that shares a deep connection with Gracie. He’s another beautiful and intense person with a story that broke my heart. I really, REALLY, hope he gets his own happy ending because that boy truly deserves one.

But beyond On Solid Ground, and In Too Deep, I have to say that I think Michelle Kemper Brownlow is one of the most truly unique and special authors I have come across these days. She writes from her heart and soul and I can feel it in every page. Rarely does a reader come across a gift like that. My wish is that my review reaches someone who may not have heard about Michelle and that person decides to read her work. Thank you Michelle, for another phenomenal story and I look forward to seeing more from you!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I give this book 5+ radiant stars! ★★★★★+

*This book should be read by those who are 18 years old or older!*

I received this book from the author for an honest review.

This book was one of my highly anticipated, must read books of the year. WOW! Michelle did not disappoint. There were so many different emotions that I felt while reading this book. I had sad tears, happy tears, moments where I had a big grin on my face, moments that made me laugh, and moments that I was in shock of what has happened. When a book can bring out all of these emotions in a reader, you know it’s phenomenal. This is a beautiful story of finding true love while healing and finding oneself.

The strength and love that Jake and Gracie have is something that you dream about finding in your own life. They are a powerful couple and I am so happy that Michelle has brought us all along on their journey.

Gracie is such a strong woman. She went through so much with Noah in In Too Deep and we continue to see how the abuse she endured in that relationship continues to affect her life. We learn some things about the past, along with Gracie, that she didn’t realize happened to her until this book. Each and every thing that happened to Gracie is enough to break a person. However, Gracie comes out stronger than before. Gracie is a very inspirational character.

Jake…oh my word! He is one amazing guy (**sigh**). No matter how hard it was to let Gracie do her own thing so that she could heal from her painful past, Jake was there. He was so supportive and understanding of Gracie’s needs. You could really tell how much he loves her. He is such a respectable guy. He is definitely one of my top book boyfriends.

We also get to learn more about Calon…the hot lead singer from the popular local band Alternate Tragedy. His story is one that you do not want to miss. I mean a hot and caring musician…how could you not want to read it? I love this cast of characters. Can someone please make this series into a movie? ☺

As soon as I thought I knew the direction the book was going in, I would be surprised with a new turn of events. This is one of those books that you just do not want to put down. Oh, and the ending…I just can’t give it away so you NEED to read it!

I need more Jake and Gracie! I would love for their story to continue. Michelle is one amazingly talented author.

Bottom line – Read this book if…

…you fell in love with Jake and Gracie in In Too Deep.
…you enjoy a love story where the characters work hard for their relationship.
…you like books with strong heroines.
…please just read this book (series)! It’s fantastic!

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

While In Too Deep broke my heart, this sequel patched it right back up. Mind you, the end of In Too Deep was already starting to get there, but this was so much more.

On Solid Ground starts soon after In Too Deep ends, and this time around, the book is written from both of their points-of-view, which I loved because it gave me a little bit of insight into what was happening from both perspectives, instead of just having the story be one-sided. In Too Deep was Gracie's story, and On Solid Ground belongs to both of them, so it really sets the tone for the book.

I have to say that Jake and Gracie are H-O-T as a couple. They really make sparks fly, and I loved getting to know them individually as well as a couple. Jake is incredibly sweet and almost the perfect guy. He was romantic, while being supportive and patient with Gracie as she healed. It was truly mesmerizing to see Gracie blossom like she did throughout this book. She was so broken when the story began and by the end she had turned into a confident, happy woman and I was thrilled for her. I loved Gracie's new-found creative outlet, and how her new friends pushed her (gently) to come out of her shell.

It seemed in places to be a little less realistic, mostly because she managed to do this transformation in such a short amount of time. She had her moments when she would totally fall apart, but she was able to quickly pick herself back up, dust herself off and move on...where I would have seen those events as things that would be set-backs to her emotional healing. Also, while Gracie and Jake are on their break, all the talking about love and their souls and everything got to be a little bit much for me - I understand that it was a romance, but it was almost like it was being beaten into my head that love each other *that* much.

The few twists that there were in the story weren't really surprising - I could see them coming, but they added to the story and I always wondered how everything would work out once the plot got there. Mostly, it was a great follow-up to In Too Deep, and I think that they should be read one after the other to get the full impact of Gracie's growth. The story itself was heartwarming and beautiful overall, and I think if you enjoy the New Adult genre, then you should give both of these books a try - it doesn't start out pretty, but what it turns into will make you smile!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

On Solid Ground IS NOT A STANDALONE!! It is the sequel to In Too Deep, if you haven't read that book you will be completely lost in this one. Also, this review will be spoilery for you. I did not love In Too Deep, I was so pissed at most of the characters I couldn't see straight. It was well written though and I knew that I had to know what happened with Gracie and Jake after all of the badness that was Noah.

I was really afraid that we were going to skate over Gracie getting help with all of the scars left from the emotional abuse that she dealt with from Jake, as seems to happen in so many books. They find the love of their life and magically are completely healed with no residual issues. It was SO not the case in this book. Gracie actually takes steps to get herself all whole and healed. It was amazing!! I loved that Michelle had her deal with her shit.

Gracie, while SO much stronger in On Solid Ground that she was in In Too Deep, was still a broken mess. Everything that she did and said was colored with the pain that was left by Noah. When she finally decides to take those steps to deal with her scars, it was a total 'HALLELUJAH' moment for me. And Sylvia was great. We didn't see a lot of her, but what we did see from her made me love her! (I'd actually like to know a little about her story!)

Gracie finds a way to help her get all of the emotions that she feels about Noah and Jake and everything in her past out. Music. And she has a great teacher, hot broken rock star, Calon. He was so good for her and I don't think that she would have been able to heal if not for him and his ability to make her put everything out there.

When we learn more about Noah and the guys from Sigma Chi I was completely livid. There are no words for how messed up everything that has to do with them is. And the sad thing is, I know that it is not far out of the realm on what actually happens in some frat houses. I was only too ecstatic when they finally get a little taste of justice!

I am VERY happy that I read this book. I think that it nicely wraps up Gracie's story and I am now completely happy with her story, I feel like I have closure and know that she will go on and be a strong, independent woman. I am, however interested in learning more about Calon, which we will, I'm sure!

[Jammie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book we meet Gracie, the survivor! She is turned in on herself, trying to figure out how to put all of the pieces back together after having them strung out all of the place. She had learned that Jake, is her strongest ally. But trying to keep her head above the water is proving to be more difficult that she realized. Gracie soon seeks out help from a counselor that at first glance she doesn’t think she will like but soon comes to find out that she will just be one more tool to recovery. But for Gracie the hardest thing she has to do is let Jake go the one thing she isn’t sure she will survive. But she is determined to make herself whole to love Jake. Again and again Gracie is shocked by things that she learns not only about herself but that she is healing and moving forward. She soon begins to heal herself with her music and writing, not realizing just how powerful those tools are. But no sooner than Gracie finds her footing once again, she is completely knocked back into the water. Learning the horrible truth of the extent of the abuse that she suffered. But with the strength she has found out she has inside herself, she not only faces off with her past demons but exorcises them.



Yes I know I broke the rule I hate to break, I spoiled this book for you. But let me tell you, if you think you know this story then pick up this book and read it because you don’t. I have only given you a small piece of the story. There are so many characters that come into play in the story of Gracie’s journey. I can’t wait to see what happens next between Becki & Calon

★Jammie

*ARC provided for an honest review*

This and other reviews can be found at 2 Bookaholics

[Bernice Hudnall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book about 2 days after I started reading it, but it has taken me so long to write a review because I needed time to process all of the emotions that this book invoked in me: hurt, pain, love, fear, joy, anger, excitement,and anxiety (just to need a few). First off, I absolutely love this series and am so excited for book 3. I am so in love with Calon. And I am hoping Sam gets his own book. Gracie and Jake are just perfect. After book one, I was hoping that there would redemption for Noah, but there was still so much that he did to Grace and allowed to be done to her that you don't discover as you read Gracie's journey to finding herself. By the end of this book I felt like it was about Gracie's story. I hurt for her and wanted to kill Noah, but I was also so proud of her and glad that she was able to find the strength to find herself, grow, and find true love. On a side note, my husband is a die hard Pearl Jam fan. Because of this I have been to several concerts including the same one that Michelle attended in October. There are a few Pearl Jam songs that I look forward to hearing at each concert that I attend because they hold a special meaning to me and it was really amazing seeing some of them mentioned in these book series. My kindle is in desperate need of book 3 ASAP.. Please

[Dawn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I don’t even know how to begin this review. This book has totally bowled me over and turned me into an emotional wreck. I cried big old nasty tears while reading Gracie and Jake’s story. On Solid Ground is powerful, painful and healing. This is a story full of characters that are just trying to live without the shadow of their pasts dictating their futures, but to do that they are forced to face the pain and trauma head on. This book will leave you breathless. It is one of those books that makes you grateful for the written word. The plot is thoughtful and almost poetic. It felt like, at times, that I was inside the heads of these characters. The author has an amazing way with words and descriptions and she also has the amazing ability to make the reader feel what the character is feeling whether good or bad. There are times while I was reading this book that I just had to step back and take a moment to breathe. i am so grateful that I had the opportunity to read this amazing book and so grateful that I got to meet Gracie and Jake. I recommend this book to everyone. Big old 5 out of 5 stars from this adoring reader.

[Stefanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's completely rare to find a book that can speak to you on level that you never expected but that's exactly what this book did for me. I really felt connected to Gracie's journey and story throughout this book. She just coming out of an abusive relationship and has lost her voice, is broken and lost and doesn't know her own self worth. Something about this dark and low time in Gracie's life resonated within my story and I was able to empathize with her character. Luckily for Gracie she had Jake and some really amazing friends that taught her she was stronger than she ever imagined...What doesn't kill you makes you stronger! They helped her find her passion and voice again. And I totally agree with Becki... I wish you could clone Jake, he was truly amazing. Music and lyrics can be very cathartic, intense and can make you feel things you never thought were possible and Gracie was about to let go of her past by allowing herself to feel the music. I'm sure this review is all over the place but it truly was an amazing rollercoaster ride that I would totally take again, so Michelle thank you for allowing for writing Gracie's story...it truly came full circle.

[Desiree Mosley - A Love Affair With Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's what I know about this book.....Emotionally gripping, inspiring, beautifully written and an absolute must read for any young woman about to start her life away at college, a new city, anything that brings with it a chance to possibly get overwhelmed and make decisions with your heart.

With Michelle's first book "In Too Deep" we met Gracie, Noah, Jake, Becki and a host of other characters. Gracie was a naive and sheltered college student, deeply in love with Noah, who was emotionally and verbally abusive. She finds the strength to break up with him for the last time. She also finds this strength to recognize real love and devotion in the form of Jake, her best friend and someone who's been in love with her for awhile.

To read the rest of my review, please visit the blog at A Love Affair With Books.

[CeCe · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was emotional and intense read. I did not know what to expect when I started reading. It was a rollercoaster of emotions. First, I was not sure what direction the story was going to take or where it was going to go. Gracie has good and very supportive people by her. Gracie is loved so like I said I was not sure where the story was going to go.
Initially, I was not sure how strong Gracie was on her own. Michelle Brownlow did a great job writing a sequel which can be tricky. We see Gracie deal with things after all that happened with Noah and she was able to overcome issues by herself without using Jake as a crutch, but more of a support. Jake is still there for her, but if we are going to get through things we need to find strength within ourselves.
Nonetheless, I do not want to say too much. I was a good read, a good sequel. You need to read In Too Deep before you read On Solid Ground.
A copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Luvtoread45 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle ,thank you for letting me read this early....WOW! ....a very emotional book....Gracie was such a strong willed women in this book,determined to live her life after all the trauma she had experienced with the emotional abuse of her ex boyfriend Noah....Gracie is a lucky girl to have such great friends..Becki...Sam and Calon..LUV Calon...wasn't sure what was gonna happen there....Jake,well there are not enough great things I could say about him...every woman would give anything to be loved and cherished the way he is with Gracie ,he's absolutely stunning!!!
Gracie is a perfect example of how woman that are in a mentally or physically abusive relationship can get out of it and live their lives happily....I can't wait to read the next one Michelle....this is such an inspirational book for women who want to walk on solid ground.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was quite lucky to receive the chance to read this story in the making and let me tell you, it's good.
Gracie and Jake are a couple to root for and the continuation of their story was done beautifully. This story embodies the complexities that life and love bring our way and I think it continues to shed light on the recovery process after experiencing emotional abuse.
I sincerely encourage everyone to give this book a read. Laugh, cry, hope and love every word of it.

[Deanna Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. There are no words to describe this very intense book. Again Gracie has shown how to overcome it all. Then you have Jake, a definite Prince Charming who learned how to overcome it all right by Gracie's side. Gracie had a true support system and met more along the way. Can wait to read her best friend Beckie and Colan's story.

[Dj · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. So much love and heartbreak and anger and sadness and growth and friendship all wrapped up in one story. Gracie was so broken down but with amazing friends and the earth shattering jake she becomes a strong beautiful fun life loving girl. Noah I just want to kill! How can anyone do the things he did to a sweet girl who loved him like she did? Just sickening!

[Juli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved!

Loved the ending to Gracie and Jake's story! This is a fantastic series! Do not miss out on reading In Too Deep and On Solid Ground! Your heart will be touched and you will admire Gracie's strength to pull herself up from the emotional abuse she endured from Noah. Ms. Brownlow is awesome!