I received this complimentary copy from PR&ATR for an honest review.
I give it 5 fangs/stars.
This book is more true to life, and by that I mean rather than the plot being about a couple meeting & falling in love, it's a real look into a couple who have been together for a few years, have 2 kids under the age of 5 and they are drifting apart. They love each other but somehow during the constant stress and strains of both working full time and dealing with the two kids they have lost touch and hardly communicate to each other any more about how they feel.
For all you readers out there who have kids, partners, jobs... You will find yourself saying " hell yeah, that's so true!" the I’m too tired to have sex or no time to have it cause we all know that feeling don't we!
The scene where they are trying to get intimate with a howling dog, kids screaming outside the locked door, while they try to desperately ignore it and get some "physical relief" if you get what I mean, had me in stitches... YUP I've been in that situation.
The story line felt so true to life that the author has either done some in depth era search into how couples tend to get lost in the daily routine of work and being parents, or she's lived it herself and has written from the heart.
This story is written with two POV Jace, who is a firefighter, and Aubrey who is partners in her own candle making business,There are other characters, in the story who are quite relevant to the story and when it came to the parts where the story is told from Jase's point of view, you really got the impression that the author had either experience in being close to what it must be like to be in the inner circle of a firey's life or again she had really done her research again.
So when reading Aubrey's POV I could relate so well since I've walked in those shoes myself, when reading Jase's I was hooked by the vivid descriptions written about what it was like to be a fire fighter, the brotherhood, the family, because working in that type of job, it's a life, not a job. Jase's POV on how he felt, but how he just couldn't find the words to express these feelings was well done.
I connected with both characters right away.
We see the real side of a relationship with children too ~ the messy house, screaming kids, disastrous meal times?
The book made me laugh in the funny bits, There were times that I highlighted bits because they were such wise words or true statements.
And then there are the times when I literally had to put down the Kindle while I sat sobbing into my hands, at one point half way through I was thankful to god for sunglasses, as I was sat waiting in the car at school leaving time, in hysterics, No tissues, and people milling all around the car! Then I had to get out and try not to look like a mad woman hiccuping and sniffing while I collected my grandson!
Did I say I was highlighting passages left right and centre?
This is one part that just had me sobbing.
"When I am called to duty, God,
wherever flames may rage,
grant us the strength to save lives,
whatever be their age.
Help us embrace a little child,
before it is too late,
or save an older person,
from the horror of that fate.
Enable us to be alert,
and hear the weakest shout,
to quickly and efficiently,
put the fires out.
We want to fulfil our calling,
and be the best we can,
in guarding our every neighbour,
and protecting their property.
And if it be, while on the job,
I should lose my life,
please bless with your sustaining hand,
all those I’ve loved in life."
I decided I needed to leave it till I was on my own to continue, and there are some really sad parts, but life isn't all a bed of roses this is a real life kind of story, I was so involved, as if I was really living in the story, I cried and cried and cried. Real tears, Real pain. Not every book I've read has done that so well done to Ms Langdon for doing such a brilliant job, and I will be adding this new author to my authors to watch list... Can't wait to see what you will write next.