The Truth About Love

by Sheila Athens

Strong Convictions
After her testimony sent an innocent man to prison, law student Gina Blanchard vowed to spend her life righting that wrong. She passed up more prestigious opportunities to intern at a Tallahassee nonprofit dedicated to overturning wrongful convictions. But when she catches the eye of sexy green-eyed hunk Landon Vista, she realizes there’s room in her hardworking life for a little fun. Then she learns her newest case involves the man accused of murdering Landon’s mother…and possibly setting him free.

Stronger Passions
The people of Tallahassee still see Landon Vista as their golden boy and football hero…and as the man who tragically lost his mother. Yet Landon hides his emotional scars behind his handsome smile. While working for a senator who’s tough on crime, he finds himself keeping an eye on gorgeous redheaded Gina in more ways than one. But as their passion simmers, their secrets build…until Gina’s latest case collides with Landon’s heartbreaking past, threatening to tear them apart forever.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Love

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 14, 2014

About the author

SHEILA ATHENS writes smart contemporary women's fiction set where the South meets the Sunshine state. Her stories are about women seeking to find the peace we all deserve—whether they’re battling an external foe or an internal one (or both). Readers are drawn to her work because they believe that everyday heroes can make a difference in our world. Her debut novel, THE TRUTH ABOUT LOVE, was a finalist for the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart award, and her stories always have strong romantic elements. Please visit her on the web at www.sheilaathens.com.

Reviews

[Anne OK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe it had something to do with my work experiences in the legal field, but I really enjoyed the heck out of this book from start to finish. Sheila Athens’ well-developed and enthralling debut had a lot bang for the bucks! I definitely will be anxious to see what her next release offers.

Don’t judge this book by the cover – because it did a terrible injustice to the story. It gives the impression that this is just another light-weight from the New Adult genre -- like so many we find these days. It is not. Accompanying the building romance between two very agonizing and torn individuals, there is a substantive and unique plot with legal issues surrounding the wrongful conviction of prisoners playing a prominent part. The author does an excellent job keeping the interest level well-balanced between the romance and the case at issue.

I am not going to give many details directly relating to the book. It just wouldn’t be fair that each reader doesn’t experience the full impact of a tragic-based story that comes full circle to the bright side of life. Both main characters -- Landon, a former football star and highly respected member of his hometown, and Gina, who arrives in town for a summer law clerkship -- are broken and trying to move forward in their lives. Unknown to them when they first meet and the attraction is immediate, is the fact that one particular case will put them on opposite sides of the fence. What follows is a highly entertaining and intriguing reading experience.

The only downside to this story was its ending. An Epilogue would have added the finishing touch that it so rightly deserved. As it stood, there were some dangling ends that left me feeling a little cheated and wishing I could have a peek into the life Gina and Landon made together.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Gina is doing a summer internship at a non-profit that works to get wrongful convictions overturned. Landon's mom was murdered when he was 9 years old and the man convicted is in prison. Gina and Landon meet while playing volleyball and have an instant connection. That is, until Landon finds out that Gina is working for the non-profit that is looking into his mother's killers case. I really enjoyed how the relationship between Gina and Landon developed. Both these characters have been through a lot and I loved the way they connected and the chemistry between them. I also really enjoyed the whole wrongful conviction of this story and had no idea what was going to happen. My only complaint about this book is that I wish there was an epilogue. I really enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more by this author!


** ARC provided in exchange for an honest review **

[Nurhayat Turna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shelia Athens - Başka Bir Hayata || Kitap Yorumu

Kitap içerik hakkında duygu ve düşüncelerimi dile getirmeden önce kapak ve baskı hakkında gevezelik etmek istiyorum. Ba-yıl-dım! Çok tatlı ve sevilesi bir tasarım olmuş. Kapağı konu ile pek bağdaştıramasam da görür görmez arka yazıyı okumadan kasaya koşmalık bir kitap. İç tasarımı, pembe kuşe kağıdındaki kalp detayı, sayfa sonlarına alıştığımız numaraların sayfa ortası sol ve sağ köşelerde olması, bölüm sayılarının kıvrımlı şekil -adını şu an unuttum ama aklıma gelince yazarım- içinde oluşu, yine kalp detayı... Baskıya aşık oldum! Tabi ki nazar boncuğu olarak nitelendireceğim iki yerde -biri yazım biri baskı- hatası fazla dikkat çekmez ama ben pimpirikli böylesi şahane varlığı didiklerken gördüm. Ama dediğim gibi nazar boncuğu!
Sevgili Nemesis Kitap’a, böyle güzel kitaplarla biz okurları buluşturduğu için teşekkürü bir borç bilirim. (buraya bir alkış efekti eklenmeli!)

Yazarın tarzına aşık oldum. Yüreğe böyle dokunan erkek karakteri yabancı bir yazardan okumayalı uzun zaman olmuştu. Landon Vista beni kendine aşık etmekle kalmayıp hayran bıraktı. Hayatındaki karmaşaya rağmen güçlü durmasını, hala içindeki çocuğun babasına olan muhtaçlık duygusunu bastıramamasını, kendi başına birçok şeyi başarmasını buruk bir ruh haliyle okudum. Öyle ki çoğu yerde gözlerim doldu. Güldüğüm yerlerde çoktu fakat bir burun sızlaması kitap boyu devam etti.

Gina Blanchard ile yolları bir voleybol maçında kesişiyor bizim yakışıklının. Kızıl sarı saçları adamın dikkatli bakan zeytin yeşili gözlerinden kaçmıyor ve hatun ilgiyi üzerinde tutuyor. Aralarındaki çekim öyle kuvvetli ki- reklamlar! Hanımların dikkatine. Okuduğu karaktere aşık olan kıskanç okurun çekememezliği araya giriyor!

Aralarındaki çekim kuvvetli, randevulaşmalar vs konuşup, koklaşıp, öpüşüp de anlaşıyorlar. İkilinin bir de farklı konu ile karşılaşmaları var tabi. Landon’un annesi o daha dokuz yaşında bir çocukken öldürülüyor. Ve cineyet sonrası o korkunç tablo ile karşılaşıyor. Landon için bu kabus hayat boyu yakasını bırakmıyor. Ayyaş babasını sorumsuzluğu da cabası. Nefret ettim o adamdan! Fazla detaya girmeden konuyu toparlayarak yorumu düzenleyeyim.
Gine yanlış hüküm giyen mahkumların masumiyetini ispatlayan bir hukuk birosunda staj yapıyordur ve bu sefer masum olduğuna inandığı adamın Landon’un annesinin cinayetinde ifade vermesi üzerine hapse atılmış. Gerisini okuyun da siz karar verin kitabın güzel olup olmamasına.

Ben kitaba aşık oldum. Baskısından, konusuna, anlatımına bayıldım. Kitap tam benim sevdiğim tarzda. Sıkılmadan, severek bir çırpıda okudum. Çevirmeninden editörüne, düzenlenmeyi yapandan yayına hazırlayana, baskıda ter dökene, kısaca kitap üzerinde emeği olan herkese, ellerinize sağlık. Kitap çok çok çok güzeldi. Yazarın başka kitabı var mı? Varsa basılır mı? Ya da basılmış başka kitabı var mı? Hiçbir fikrim yok fakat en yakın zamanda araştırıp öğreneceğim. Yazar en beğendiklerim arasında yerini alırken benden tam puan kapıyor :D -buraya gözlerinden kalp fışkıran emoje-

http://sonsayfasiask.blogspot.com.tr/...

[Merve · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gina geçmişinde yaşadığı bir olaydan dolayı haksız yere hüküm giyen suçluları hapisten çıkaran bir firmada kısa süreliğine staja başlar.
Landon ise, annesi o küçükken öldürülmüş başarılı olan eski bir futbolcudur ki eski olduğuna bakmayın 24 yaşında 😊

Gina ve Landon bir akşam karşılaşıp birbirlerinden etkilenirler ve yemek için sözleşirler ancak Gina'nın yeni işi Landon'on annesinin katilinin suçsuzluğunu ispatlamak olunca aralarında fırtınalı bir ilişki başlar.
Acaba Landon yanlış mı görmüştür katili, yoksa Gina mı yanılıyordur?
Yorumum,
Kitap böyle, konusu güzel ama çerezlik bir kitap. Yani dün başladım bugün bitti, kolay okunan akıcı bir kitap.
Beklentilerinizi yüksek tutmazsanız sevebilirsiniz.
Benim için orta halli bir kitaptı.
Bana kattığı birşey yok dediğim gibi chick lit tarzında, çerezlik.
Sevmediğim yerleri de fazlasıyla mevcuttu kitabın,
Mesela karakterlerin ilk sayfada hemen aşık olmaları ya da ne zaman bir araya gelseler sadece fantezilerini anlatmaları, ve sürekli cinsel yaklaşımda olmaları beni sıktı açıkçası.
Kitabın yetişkin içeriği(+18) fazlasıyla mevcut.
Puanım 2/5

[Night Runner · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars for me!

My rating range of this story... 2 - 3.25 Stars
If significant, why? The H was a piece of work!

Main Character Ratings...
H = 4/10
h = 8/10

Was cheating involved? No
Any major triggers to be aware of?

Scenes with heat... Yes
What point does it start? 60%
How much of the story? 10%
Anything beyond M/F? No
If yes, explained

Heat Rating... 6/10
Clean or Fade to Black - 1 or 2
Normal to Descriptive 3-5
Detailed Descriptive Sex - 6-7
Um, Wow, Beyond Descriptive Sex - 8 or above

Was there so much sex or unrealistic sex that you rolled your eyes and/or skipped forward? No

The back story... The H meets the h at a bar after she bested him in volleyball. He later finds out that she is working to free the person convicted of murdering his mother when he was 9.

The Romance... It does build but the H kept sabotaging it.

The drama explosion... The H makes an ASSumption!

Did it feel real or contrived? Contrived
Was it OTT? Yes
Separation involved? Light
Was it resolved properly or rushed? Properly

Final Notes... The H lives in a self-induced pity party which almost caused me to DNF this story. It just went on and on. I did enjoy the rest of the story.

HEA or HFN? HEA

[Jenn C Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really, really enjoyed this book. Gina and Landon were so real. They had serious problems, but they were both doing their best given their situation. They were sweet and caring and I loved the premise. I enjoyed the intrigue of finding out who really killed Landon's mom and I liked Landon's standing up to his father. I also really liked how he challenged Gina to stop trying to make amends for something that happened so long ago. Athens could have let it go, but I liked that he wants to help her get past this.

[Sandra Hutchison]

A lively, fast-paced romance with something to say about the unreliability of witness testimony and the scourge of false conviction. The two heroes have good hearts and open minds despite their losses, though they sure manage to fit in plenty of misunderstandings about each other. (A lot of steaminess, too, and not just from the well-portrayed Florida climate.) Recommended if you think you'd enjoy contemporary romance with an interesting legal twist.

[Lea's Audiobooks Hensley]

I didn't read this one or listen to the entire audiobook. I tried to listen for an hour or so but Angela Dawe - a narrator of several of my faves - simply failed completely here. Her portrayal of the hero is not one I can buy into - at all. So, a complete DNF.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much, the story line was one I hadn't expected. I just thought the DNA would clear the man who was in prison. That's not quite the way the story went, nice twist there before the end. I would read more by this author.

[ஐ฿υκєτஐ · Rating 4 out of 5]

beklediğimden çok daha iyi çıktı kitap.

[A Reader's Heaven · Rating 3 out of 5]

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

After her testimony sent an innocent man to prison, law student Gina Blanchard vowed to spend her life righting that wrong. She passed up more prestigious opportunities to intern at a Tallahassee nonprofit dedicated to overturning wrongful convictions. But when she catches the eye of sexy green-eyed hunk Landon Vista, she realizes there’s room in her hardworking life for a little fun. Then she learns her newest case involves the man accused of murdering Landon’s mother…and possibly setting him free.
The people of Tallahassee still see Landon Vista as their golden boy and football hero…and as the man who tragically lost his mother. Yet Landon hides his emotional scars behind his handsome smile. While working for a senator who’s tough on crime, he finds himself keeping an eye on gorgeous redheaded Gina in more ways than one. But as their passion simmers, their secrets build…until Gina’s latest case collides with Landon’s heartbreaking past, threatening to tear them apart forever.

This was just a little bit "meh" for me - cardboard characters, boring storyline and a romance that was just beyond belief (in a way that makes you wonder what the author was thinking...)

Look, I can see why people raved about it - lots of ever-popular elements are present, but I am always looking for something a little different. The blurb promised that - but it didn't really deliver....


Paul
ARH

[Joan Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like riding a fast-paced roller coaster… love dives and climbs, but prevails

Reading this fun romance is like getting into a rollercoaster car, launching into a fantastic ride and finishing with a satisfying deep breath. I loved how debut author Sheila Athens switches each chapter back and forth between the two falling in love – handsome tortured former football star Landon and beautiful redhead, aspiring lawyer Gina. Switching between the two creates pace and tension between their conflicting goals that relentlessly drives toward truth – truth about a crime, truth about buried secrets, truth about a love that can’t be denied. The Truth About Love earns 5 stars. Can’t wait to see what Sheila Athens writes next.

[Gabi Coatsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable and sexy women’s fiction, as well as an intriguing mystery with enough suspense to keep me turning the pages. I was particularly impressed with the way the author wrote from two different points of view - one male and one female.
Differentiating between two styles of thought and of talking isn’t easy and this author pulls it off with apparent ease.
A great genre-bending book with plenty for book clubs to talk about (but if romantic sex scenes aren’t for you, you might want to skip the two chapters where they happen...)

[Beverly Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent romance between two people equally scarred by the loss of a family member. The beauty was the way they were able to help each other beyond the past to find a future as individuals and as a couple. I read a lot of suspense and this romance with a mystery at its heart was a welcome change of pace.

[Marina DelVecchio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me at page one. It was a lovely combination of steamy reading intertwined with realistic depiction of real life conflicts that drew me in. Great writing and page turning plot with week developed and interesting characters.

[Christa · Rating 4 out of 5]

While discovering that they've each had a hand in sending an innocent person to prison, Gina Blanchard and Landon Vista grow attached to one another and develop a relationship. Both are carrying baggage and harboring secrets that makes them afraid to move ahead.

Good characters and an interesting storyline make this one a good read.

[Mary Mccormack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honest review

This book has A LOT of emotional baggage and it is really eye opening on situations you truly hope to never be in.

[BOOKLOVER_81 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring....

[Lynne Golodner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fluid love story that kept me reading!

[Anaïs · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 out of 5 Stars

*** ARC received in exchange for a honest review ***

When she was younger, Gina Blanchard’s testimony sent an innocent boy to prison to pay for the murder of her brother. Ever since she found out, she is committed to righting the wrong by helping other innocent people to get out of jail.

Little did she know that Landon Vista - the boy she kissed the night before at the sports bar in Tallahassee - is the key witness in her newest case. Landon witnessed the murder of her mother when he was 9 years old, and his testimony sent a local called Cyrus Alexander to jail. He wants nothing more than to have his mother’s killer pay for his actions, and finding out that the redheaded girl he kissed the night before is about to pry a can of worms open that was never really closed, delivers a punch to his guts since he is convinced of what he witnessed years ago…

This is one of the stories I find difficult to review, because I liked the essence of it and found the read captivating, yet some elements would not click and make the read quite a tad confusing.

Let’s begin by stating the obvious. This is a New-Adult story with quite an unusual plot, but in the end it’s about 2 like-minded individuals who find their way together against all odds. The writing is extremely good, and the story is build on a 3rd person narration with alternating POVs. This story is not just about romance and building romantic tension that both heroines feel is better left unacknowledged. It’s also about morals, guilt, doing the rightful thing and about shedding some more truth on a murder cased closed over 10 years ago.

The murder case is going to be a very important (and suspenseful) element of the story, as well as an important catalyst between Gina and Landon - because their relationship evolves whenever the case does.

I liked the fact that the story placed both heroes on equal footing, but on opposite sides, and how gradually, they met each other halfway in their convictions and helped one another to trade off their guilt and grief.

One reviewer said that they found Landon annoyingly hot and cold, and I agree. I found it pretty weird that Landon was so deeply convinced to have identified the right man on one day, and then completely doubtful about it the other. From one day to the other, he started cooperating with Gina and encouraging her to dig deeper into the Cyrus Alexander case, while he was extremely upset about it at the beginning. And in the end, he throws a fit because Gina’s company wants to drop the case altogether.

And all along the story, Landon is given the role of the lost puppy that needs consoling, a duty that Gina is more than willing to take on. I just do not think his whole behaviour coincides with the rest of the story, especially with the achievements from his past. Despite growing up without a mom and with a dad who didn’t want him, he made a name out of himself by becoming a renowned athlete, has several good friends and a coach who almost stands in as a father figure to him. Yet, he doesn’t seem to have gotten over what happened… I don’t think this adds up with all his achievements?

Another important pillar of the story is about two opponents becoming emotionally involved and thus creating a conflict of interest. This concept was interesting, yet I believe it was discarded way too quickly. At the beginning, Gina got reprimanded by her boss and other characters in the book, when in the end, everyone seemed to be OK with it and actually encourage it. And as for Landon, he never did care in the slightest that engaging into a relationship with Gina would be bad for his career. He did in fact consider hers, but not his own…

Anyway… some of the things didn’t add up, or maybe I am just too stubborn to get hung up on details. But all in all, I liked the book - even if it wasn’t one of my faves - because it was refreshing in terms of the storyline. I’d certainly consider reading other works from this author.

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a 2.5 star read for me.

Starting with what I liked:

1. I thought the writing was excellent! There is no doubt that the author is talented.

2. I was really intrigued by the storyline. I'm all for the justice system actually doing its job, specifically putting the right people in prison. Gina's drive to help the innocent get out of prison was really admirable.

3. It seemed like Landon was genuinely interested in Gina. A lot of his thoughts were about how he just wanted to spend time with her and about a possible future. I found that sweet! A lot of the time in books, the guy is constantly thinking about getting the girl in bed and you never really know why he likes her other than that. Here, Landon occasionally thought about sex, but it wasn't all-consuming, which is refreshing.

4. There was a happily ever after for one of the side characters that really pulled at my heartstrings and got me all teary-eyed.

Now with what didn't really work for me:

1. Landon ran pretty hot and cold. While part of me understood why he was messed up, the other part of me found it annoying that he kept snapping on Gina. Based on his reactions, you would think that she was a lying, vindictive user. She was dealing with her own demons and she didn't need him to add to her pain.

2. Gina wanted to be a lawyer, but she seemed to impatient for that type of job. When they'd interview people, she'd always jump in with some question if it seemed like the witness was taking to long to get to the point for her. She was also a bit judgmental for that job. One of the witnesses, who was an abuse victim, had information that she didn't realize was important at the time of the investigation, so she never shared it. Gina was kind of judge-y about it. Maggie's withholding information about her boyfriend being in town was because she didn't want her father to know. Not because she suspected him of killing a woman and fleeing town. It didn't seem to me that she was trying to protect him or that she was purposefully interfering with an investigation.

3. While the writing was good, I was kind of bored. It took me longer than normal to get through this book because I kept losing interest.


Despite the fact that I didn't *love* this book, I would still try another book from this author.

[Irish · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC provided for an Honest Review*

  "I'm always here if you want to talk." 
"Yeah. How sad is that? Being consoled by the opposition 
because my dad let's me down again,"

This book is totally complicated. There are some parts of the book that I find really hard to comprehend and the Characters is confusing as hell. I think I was more intrigued with the Case of the murderer of Landon's mother than the love story and that has never happened before. I am solely focus on the romance and I would have to admit, it was a great feeling when the ending was what I had expected except, I didn't expect it to take too long.

Gina, at times I really don't like her. She's too driven sometimes and she's really trying so hard to get her mind out of the gutter but she just can't. I like her when she's with Landon though. She appears to be strong and composed around him and she's really showing him what life means. She's an inspiration to him just like how women should be for men.

Landon got messed up when Gina came along. Add up his dad who has no care for him and he is even more messed up. It's cute how he is with her. Even when he knew what she's doing and who she is, he still want's to be around her. Not all guys are understanding like him. Some would have just stayed away knowing the girl he liked is digging up his past but he's not some guys. If Gina didn't give him the reason to doubt or if Gina never really came along he would have just been contented with his life without knowing he'd convicted the wrong person for his mothers death. I think Landon inspired me most in this book.

Well this book had just really proved to me that not everyone in prison are worthy to be in prison. And with everything that had happened in the book, I think Destiny really put Gina and Landon together. I have a feeling 4 stars rating is enough for this book.

[Krazybooklady · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Gina and Landon meet by chance and have an instant attraction, they realize that they are on opposite sides of a very important issue. Gina is convinced that the man in prison for killing Landon's mother is innocent, and she is working to free him. Landon is sure the right man is behind bars because his eyewitness testimony when he was 9 years old is what sent him there. Landon is, of course, very upset when he finds out Gina is trying to get the man released, but he decides to stay in touch with her in case he can get to the information she has about his mother's murder. As the relationship and the investigation progress, Landon starts to have doubts about what he really saw that day.

I chose to read this book because of the plot of someone working to overturn a wrongful conviction. For the most part, I thought this was done very well in this book. Throughout the entire book, you are wondering if he did it or not and if they will be successful in getting answers. Trying to not give any spoilers, I have to say that the wheels of justice never turn so quickly in any case but especially not when the person has already been convicted. But I understand this was necessary for this story, and it didn't hurt my enjoyment of this book. Speaking of things that bothered me, I am going to point out that Key Biscayne is not part of "the Keys." No big deal, but it irked me.

Overall, I did really enjoy this book. I really liked how Gina and Landon's relationship progressed. As Landon started having doubts about what really happened with his mother's murder, Gina was there for him. She understood what he was going through because she had testified against someone and then found out she was wrong. I liked both characters and thought they were well developed. Gina was determined to help others wrongly convicted because of her mistake even though she hated going into the prisons. Landon was still just a little boy inside, feeling all alone even though he was a celebrity to most of the town, and still looking for love from his father. This story was well-written and had a great mix of romance and mystery. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a sweet falling-in-love story with a lot of suspense thrown in.

Copy was provided for an honest review.

[Romance Readers Retreat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Truth About Love is Sheila Athens’ debut novel, not that you could tell because the writing is fantastic the plot very well thought out and it instantly drew me in. It’s written in the third person and although usually I don’t like that as it feels to me like there’s less of a connection with the characters, this book doesn't do that at all, the way Sheila has written it makes sure you feel every emotion you’re supposed to while reading this tragic but beautiful story. I found her to be very descriptive and that helped me mentally picture what was happening. 
I loved the characters, Landon and Gina were clearly made for each other but obstacle after obstacle is thrown in their path. Landon is an ex-football star and still very popular in this little town and everyone likes to be able to say they know Landon Vista but in reality not many people do. Gina is the new girl in town, only here for the summer to work for Morgan’s Ladder a law firm that helps people who are in prison but have been wrongly convicted. Landon’s mom was murdered when he was a boy and it was his testimony that got her killer put in prison. Gina has shown up in town and thrown Landon’s life into turmoil, at every turn she seems to be making things worse for him or harder and the poor girl doesn’t even mean to do it. 
They both have sad pasts and now because of Gina’s past and her wanting to make amends, Landon’s reality is paying for that and his life has been turned upside down. I love that this book has two main focuses, Landon and Gina’s connection and the Barbara Landon murder case. The hunt for justice is a long arduous one and there are many conflicts to overcome but so worth every second of tension you feel about it as a reader. For me the two stories work well alongside each other and connect really well, non of the story seems forced, it flows nicely. I don’t want to give too much away so I’m going to stop there but I will say I am very impressed and can’t wait to read more from this author.

[Downward dog · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com/

I received a copy of this book to write an honest review for Cocktails and Books and Netgalley.

Sheila Athens writes a compelling story with realistic, down to earth characters that are easy to connect with. Two years ago Landon Vista was the quarterback for Florida State and even though he is now out of college, he’s still a local celebrity. Landon and Gina meet when they play volleyball together and as they become acquainted, they learn they share polar opposite political beliefs. Gina’s in Florida on an internship for the summer working for a nonprofit called Morgan’s Ladder. Morgan’s Ladder helps innocent people who are incarcerated for a crime they didn’t commit. Landon doesn’t agree with Morgan’s Ladder philosophies and thinks the laws need to be tougher on criminals. From the moment Landon meets Gina, he’s enamored with her, she’s not only beautiful, but smart as well and he can’t stop thinking about her. He’s never met anyone like Gina, she challenges him on everything and she isn’t afraid to speak her mind. Landon is used to people fawning over him, but Gina isn’t intimidated by his football hero status. In a town where football is everything and people use Landon for his name, Gina’s different she’s interested in Landon the man, not the famous football player. He finds Gina’s attitude refreshing and Landon finds himself intrigued and frustrated by Gina, because they both look at the same issue in a different way. Even though Landon and Gina are stubborn, opinionated and unwilling to bend in their beliefs, I was able to sympathize with both of them. It’s easy to understand how their pasts have shaped them into the people they are today. THE TRUTH ABOUT LOVE is engaging and Landon and Gina are two strong individuals who fight for what they believe in. Will their beliefs keep them apart?

[Princess Godoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I got this for a read to review basis and I would like to thank Montlake Romance and NetGalley)


Have you ever done anything you regret?

This is a story of some form of unrequited love. Landon’s a famous football player who had a tragic life due to his mother’s death and his drunken dad met Gina, a composed woman who dedicate her life to do something she think is right after she committed a mistake that sent someone into prison.

I like the story because it’s fresh, and it’s reality that is not cliché or too predictable. I like how the author played with the story like how she expect you to think that ‘this certain thing will happen but It will not’. The point of view of the story is third person, wherein it’s a shifting perspective between Landon and Gina which is awesome cause we get to see what both sides think. I’m hooked with the conflicting romance wherein ‘I want to get in your pants but it’s getting in our work.’ I can feel their frustration.

My cons are: First, the cover, I don’t understand the cover and it’s kinda different from how I imagined the two main characters are and the flow of the story. It’s misleading and not really exciting (unlike the story). Also, how I find Gina ‘too perfect’ like it’s hardly believable to like Gina that much (or it’s just my insecurity welling up). Last thing, for me, the latter chapters after Cyrus’ freedom isn’t that necessary or it’s just got boring for me and I don’t think the author just turned it into a shot version or kind of an epilogue.

Other than that, I like what I read even thou I’m the one who’s already tired with romance. I like this one, it’s fresh, unpredictable and contemporary.

[Janka H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romance (with a bit of mystery-solving involved) about realizing the truth, owning up to your mistakes and learning to let the guilt go and go on with life.

Landon and Gina are on the opposite sides of the barricade. She, as a part of non-protit organization fighting for justice, is trying to open up the case of Landon´s mother´s murder because maybe the innocent man was put behind the bars. He strongly opposes. They are both bearing the scars from their past. They shouldn´t feel the electricity, shouldn´t they?

Well, this is your standard Harlequin book. Hot boy, hot girl. Strong passion (or lust). They shouldn´t be attracted to each other, but they are. Would they, wouldn´t they?
The redeeming grace of the book is that some of the problems are real. I, for one, liked the final discussion Landon had with his father - this was very wise solution to the state of their relationship.
I liked the theme - the care about justice and ruined lives of these who were wrongly convicted. And also how love can grace one´s life.
I also liked Gina´s family and that she was kind girl. Because when we remove all the hotness and all, the kindness is what is important.
As for Landon - well, the guy is immature and wishy-washy. But, realistically, given his upbringing, I think maybe everybody could be that way. I just wish he owned up to his character flaws more and was able to see how wrongly he treated Gina.

For anyone who cares about his read being clean - well, this is definitely not a clean read.

[Undeniably Addicted to Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

RATING: 5 STARS

Polar opposite in career decisions, but uniquely similar reasons for following those paths... What more could be said for creating a dynamic and interesting read? Nothing, really. Sheila Athens has given us a story that is well written, has fantastic plot and character development and leaves us hooked.

Gina Blanchard is in town for the summer for an internship. She meets Landon Vista by chance at a volleyball game, when they're teams are playing against each other.They felt a connection, and attempt to act on it, while discovering small pieces of their personal lives that conflict with their career choices, but bring them together in the most interesting way. Gina has her secrets and reasons, while Landon's past is all out in the open, which gives him reason enough to want to stand back, and take a second look at the bigger picture.

I don't think I can say much more without giving the whole story away. It's fantastically written, I highly recommend this book to any reader. It's not all out romance, it's not all out mystery and intrigue. It's just a great book. Go get it and read it, now!

Keri

[Linda Dunn chilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What A Great Book

I won this book, Sheila Athens is new a new author to me and I am thrilled to discover her. When I read an excerpt from this book was intrigued, when I won the book I was very anxious to read it, when I read the book I was very glad I did. This book was very different than a lot of romance because there was so much more to it than romance. There is an intriguing, interesting story about a subject that is unique in any romance I have read.
Gina and Landon both dealt with the loss of a family member that had been murdered and both had been a witness that had lead to the prosecution of people who had done it. Through DNA evidence it was found that the young man Gina testified had killed her brother was actually innocent. Now she's helping to try to prove the man found guilty of killing Landon's mother is actually innocent. There are many reasons for Gina and Landon to not be involved d with each other but they are very attracted to each other. Sheila Athens takes you through the many emotions of Gina and Landon in such an interesting way you do not want to put this book down from the beginning to the very end.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like love stories, but I usually need something else going on to keep my interest. With this book, I'm not sure which part of the story I enjoyed more. The re-examination of the murder case brought out important backstory as well as a little mystery and a lot of questions. The love story aspect was written realistically which was an unexpected but very welcome change from typical romance novels where there's really only one point of conflict before they live happily ever after. It definitely added a lot of depth to the characters because the reader gets to see them learn and grow slowly, like real people. Nothing just happens overnight. Also, the alternating points of view were fun and helped keep things interesting (not that that was hard to do).

I was a First Read winner, and I would like to apologize to Sheila Athens for the serious delay in my review. I won multiple First Read contests around the same time, then had a baby. By the way, my son also enjoyed the book (for the few minutes I had his attention).