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Dawn of Aris
Aris Collier is chasing her dreams…at a snail’s pace. With little money and big talent, she works tirelessly to perfect her craft…even at the expense of her relationships. When Aris walks away from yet another dead-end entanglement with the hopes of finally getting her life on track, the last thing she expects is a fast friendship with her neighbor, Luke. They couldn’t be more different but soon the two become an inseparable pair, leaving Aris both surprised and disturbed that Luke understands her better than anyone else ever has…
Luke Donovan has it all—looks, career, money and status. Most importantly, he has the bold, brave and beautiful Jessica Knox, a woman he’s been building his impeccable life with since college. But as Luke continues his corporate climb, he soon realizes that the view from the top isn’t so great and the future laid out in front of him is very far from his true definition of happiness. For the first time in his life, Luke is unsure…until he meets his quirky neighbor, Aris, who just may help him discover what love and life are really all about…
Luke Donovan has it all—looks, career, money and status. Most importantly, he has the bold, brave and beautiful Jessica Knox, a woman he’s been building his impeccable life with since college. But as Luke continues his corporate climb, he soon realizes that the view from the top isn’t so great and the future laid out in front of him is very far from his true definition of happiness. For the first time in his life, Luke is unsure…until he meets his quirky neighbor, Aris, who just may help him discover what love and life are really all about…
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First published March 3, 2015
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43 people want to read
About the author
Rae Lamar
9 books27 followersRae Lamar is a mild-mannered consultant by day and fiction writer by night who calls Atlanta home. On a perfect day, she can be found on the top floor of a swanky beach resort, sitting on the balcony of an ocean-front suite with a book in her hands and food at her fingertips.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 31, 2016
Rae Lamar, you have "a cool and unique talent".
Another indie gem. This one is worth reading because, I promise you, you have not read it before. This a romance novel, but it's also kind of not. There is nothing formulaic about this story. The main character Aris is a quirky, adorable free spirit with commitment issues. She knows her attachments to men are brief and shallow, but is too focused on her avant-garde career aspirations to care much about that. Enter Luke Donovan, the super-cute stand-up guy who rescues Aris from a sticky situation involving an ex-boyfriend and the informal repossession of a car he let her drive (don't ask, just read the book). Luke lives in the same apartment complex as Aris and has seen her around but wasn't particularly drawn to her then. Now that he's gotten closer, he's aware of Aris' more subtle charms and tells himself that she's just a cool person to hang out with. And so they do ... a lot. Complicating matters is Luke's longtime girlfriend Jessica who is beautiful, ambitious and emblematic of the life Luke wants ... or thinks he does.
Rae Lamar made me fall in love with this couple--their banter, their chemistry, their complicated messy feelings toward each other and their absolute 'rightness' for each other. And I have to say, I was kind of mad at this writer, for not getting out there more. She is that good. Her writing is vivid, emotional, original and ... modern. I use that last word because her work bears none of the traditional romance tricks and devices for building intimacy--she does it through the dialogue, through the small moments that occur between her characters, and with an unhurried, realistic pace. I love that I have only read this book and one other of hers, because it means I have several more to go before the fun is over with.
Another indie gem. This one is worth reading because, I promise you, you have not read it before. This a romance novel, but it's also kind of not. There is nothing formulaic about this story. The main character Aris is a quirky, adorable free spirit with commitment issues. She knows her attachments to men are brief and shallow, but is too focused on her avant-garde career aspirations to care much about that. Enter Luke Donovan, the super-cute stand-up guy who rescues Aris from a sticky situation involving an ex-boyfriend and the informal repossession of a car he let her drive (don't ask, just read the book). Luke lives in the same apartment complex as Aris and has seen her around but wasn't particularly drawn to her then. Now that he's gotten closer, he's aware of Aris' more subtle charms and tells himself that she's just a cool person to hang out with. And so they do ... a lot. Complicating matters is Luke's longtime girlfriend Jessica who is beautiful, ambitious and emblematic of the life Luke wants ... or thinks he does.
Rae Lamar made me fall in love with this couple--their banter, their chemistry, their complicated messy feelings toward each other and their absolute 'rightness' for each other. And I have to say, I was kind of mad at this writer, for not getting out there more. She is that good. Her writing is vivid, emotional, original and ... modern. I use that last word because her work bears none of the traditional romance tricks and devices for building intimacy--she does it through the dialogue, through the small moments that occur between her characters, and with an unhurried, realistic pace. I love that I have only read this book and one other of hers, because it means I have several more to go before the fun is over with.
July 9, 2015
Refreshingly wholesome in so many ways! This novel captured my imagination from the very beginning because I instantly connected with the two main characters. Aris Collier is a free-spirited young woman who is on her own trying to develop her passion as an esthetician and potential film makeup artist. Luke Donovan is a hot and handsome guy who Aris espouses is clearly out of her league. Since Aris is obviously having male relationship problems, she is very leery of Luke’s good-guy character advances. Unlike many writers who spend chapters of pages getting the reader hooked into her main characters, Rae Lamar clearly relates these relationship and character issues in the first six pages of her book.
I was compelled to read the book’s ending after Rae Lamar made it evident that there was something special in the relationship that was developing between Aris and Luke. Was it love, friendship, mutual devotion, or just extreme physical attraction? The reader clearly learns that all of these nouns are apparent.
The problem for our heroine is also apparent. While even Aris recognizes early on the potential depth of her relationship with Luke, he has been moving up the corporate ladder attached to his college sweetheart and her father’s corporate connections. How could she contend with that picture? Well, as the story progresses, the reader starts rooting for the young struggling cosmopolitan pair to make a real commitment and love-connection.
What makes this novel so appealing are the genuine attempts on both Aris's and Luke’s part to be true to themselves as young professionals who care about every aspect of their relationship. Aris understands Luke’s desire to ascend the corporate ladder, which she cares nothing about. Luke, on the other hand, loves Aris’s zest for life, her dedication to her craft and her uncompromising devotion to friendship. They are a perfect pair for marriage, since opposites attract. Their physical relationship is fulfilling but more importantly displays genuine intimacy. As well, their temperaments, character, work ethic, and caring nature complement each other. They are soulmates.
With all of the media hype portraying the young cosmopolitan lifestyles of dysfunctionality in their relationships, betrayal in their erratic, sometimes deviant behaviors, and questionable strength of moral fortitude in their very being, this novel shows that even close comrade relationships work. Devin is a true friend to Luke, and Kim and Aris have the best friend attributes sown up.
The nuances of true love and intimacy abound in this novel. It is refreshing to see a writer able to capture the essence of friendship, love, devotion and intimacy in a relevant novel for our times. Congratulations to Rae Lamar for what will be a best seller!
I was compelled to read the book’s ending after Rae Lamar made it evident that there was something special in the relationship that was developing between Aris and Luke. Was it love, friendship, mutual devotion, or just extreme physical attraction? The reader clearly learns that all of these nouns are apparent.
The problem for our heroine is also apparent. While even Aris recognizes early on the potential depth of her relationship with Luke, he has been moving up the corporate ladder attached to his college sweetheart and her father’s corporate connections. How could she contend with that picture? Well, as the story progresses, the reader starts rooting for the young struggling cosmopolitan pair to make a real commitment and love-connection.
What makes this novel so appealing are the genuine attempts on both Aris's and Luke’s part to be true to themselves as young professionals who care about every aspect of their relationship. Aris understands Luke’s desire to ascend the corporate ladder, which she cares nothing about. Luke, on the other hand, loves Aris’s zest for life, her dedication to her craft and her uncompromising devotion to friendship. They are a perfect pair for marriage, since opposites attract. Their physical relationship is fulfilling but more importantly displays genuine intimacy. As well, their temperaments, character, work ethic, and caring nature complement each other. They are soulmates.
With all of the media hype portraying the young cosmopolitan lifestyles of dysfunctionality in their relationships, betrayal in their erratic, sometimes deviant behaviors, and questionable strength of moral fortitude in their very being, this novel shows that even close comrade relationships work. Devin is a true friend to Luke, and Kim and Aris have the best friend attributes sown up.
The nuances of true love and intimacy abound in this novel. It is refreshing to see a writer able to capture the essence of friendship, love, devotion and intimacy in a relevant novel for our times. Congratulations to Rae Lamar for what will be a best seller!
April 7, 2016
Aris Collier is a special young woman , she likes to do make up for horror movies. Luke Donovan is a businessman in a large organization. These two opposites become friends. However, their friendship expands into a complicated relationship. Luke finds that Aris has a quirky personality, can't dance and needs to have a lot of lessons from the cooking network. He also finds out she makes him happy. He's been in a longterm relationship for years but something is lacking, and he just discovers that.
Aris has been in a few non-satisfying relationships and she feels she is just not that kind of girl. She then finds out her drop dead gorgeous friend is just the kind of person she could seriously date. She has to get over that idea and just move on but can she?
The journey these two people travel is funny at times, ridiculous at times but all apart of their journey into becoming the great people they are. I loved their journey. They each discover much about themselves and what the heart wants one it finds its corresponding rhythm.
Great first time read...there is a sequel and I'm on to it..
Thank you Ms. Lamar.....I loved it..
Aris has been in a few non-satisfying relationships and she feels she is just not that kind of girl. She then finds out her drop dead gorgeous friend is just the kind of person she could seriously date. She has to get over that idea and just move on but can she?
The journey these two people travel is funny at times, ridiculous at times but all apart of their journey into becoming the great people they are. I loved their journey. They each discover much about themselves and what the heart wants one it finds its corresponding rhythm.
Great first time read...there is a sequel and I'm on to it..
Thank you Ms. Lamar.....I loved it..
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April 22, 2016An APB Perspective Review:
This is my first read by this author, I was pleasantly surprised, I enjoyed it. Aris, (I love that name by the way) was very unique, fun and easy going which fit Luke just right. I really wasn't liking Luke knowing he was with Jessica, but I can't fault him because Aris was going along with it. I enjoyed the storyline, they were both very patient with each other, but at one point he was too patient. I really didn't care for Jessica I thought maybe she was cheating but she was all about her career and nothing else. I also enjoyed how the author briefly told of both their families and the wonderful weekend they spent in Georgia. However, I do understand why he did what he did and took his time for good reason, but its seemed like he was waiting forever. Good story, I have already one-clicked The Aris Effect!!!
This is my first read by this author, I was pleasantly surprised, I enjoyed it. Aris, (I love that name by the way) was very unique, fun and easy going which fit Luke just right. I really wasn't liking Luke knowing he was with Jessica, but I can't fault him because Aris was going along with it. I enjoyed the storyline, they were both very patient with each other, but at one point he was too patient. I really didn't care for Jessica I thought maybe she was cheating but she was all about her career and nothing else. I also enjoyed how the author briefly told of both their families and the wonderful weekend they spent in Georgia. However, I do understand why he did what he did and took his time for good reason, but its seemed like he was waiting forever. Good story, I have already one-clicked The Aris Effect!!!
July 12, 2016
Captivates Your Attention
This is the first book I've read by the author. My curiosity was piqued by all the positive reviews, as well as the storyline. The author held my attention throughout the entire story. Definitely a book I recommend as well. I love the connection between Aris and Luke. I felt like the true feelings and emotions were nicely identified and expressed in the story. As well as the challenges Aris and Luke experienced. I'm looking forward to reading the next story in this series.
This is the first book I've read by the author. My curiosity was piqued by all the positive reviews, as well as the storyline. The author held my attention throughout the entire story. Definitely a book I recommend as well. I love the connection between Aris and Luke. I felt like the true feelings and emotions were nicely identified and expressed in the story. As well as the challenges Aris and Luke experienced. I'm looking forward to reading the next story in this series.
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July 12, 2016Captivates Your Attention
This is the first book I've read by the author. My curiosity was captivated by all the positive reviews, as well as the storyline. The author held my attention throughout the entire story. Definitely a book I recommend as well. I love the connection between Aris and Luke. I felt like the true feelings and emotions were nicely identified and expressed in the story. As well as the challenges Aris and Luke experienced. I'm looking forward to reading the next story in this series.
This is the first book I've read by the author. My curiosity was captivated by all the positive reviews, as well as the storyline. The author held my attention throughout the entire story. Definitely a book I recommend as well. I love the connection between Aris and Luke. I felt like the true feelings and emotions were nicely identified and expressed in the story. As well as the challenges Aris and Luke experienced. I'm looking forward to reading the next story in this series.
February 29, 2016
This for sure was interesting. And I genuinely liked the struggle of the main character it seems her personal scares lead her life. Then to see that she was willing to admit she had them and work towards overcoming them instead of just sitting in them was great. The male lead seemed a little predictable at some points but I still loved his need to be his own man as well. All in all this was a good read.
February 6, 2016
This was cute. Someone stated wholesome. Not really wholesome, but I can see how they got that feeling. She writes in a very simplistic manner,but yet able to grasp your attention. The intimacy was hot! Whew! I liked this couple. Some of the story seemed awkward and contrived at times but it ended pretty good. I'll read more from her.
February 7, 2016
Creative love
Aris came into Luke's life and interrupted his perfect little world with her creativity. With the same creativity she goes on with her life and finds herself. I love the artistic representation that is their love. Beautiful story.
Aris came into Luke's life and interrupted his perfect little world with her creativity. With the same creativity she goes on with her life and finds herself. I love the artistic representation that is their love. Beautiful story.
March 4, 2016
What a delightful surprise on to the next one by Rae Lamar!
September 27, 2016
An Emotional Ride
Aris was an extremely complicated and highly intricate character. When I thought I had a handle on her overall persona, she would show me something different. I liked her a lot. Artistically inclined people tend to recognize that aspect in others. Luke, despite the fact that he cheated on Jessica with Aris, I forgave him. I don't normally root for a cheater, but in this case, I wanted Aris and Luke to be together. I was happy when he chose wisely. This was a wonderful story.
Aris was an extremely complicated and highly intricate character. When I thought I had a handle on her overall persona, she would show me something different. I liked her a lot. Artistically inclined people tend to recognize that aspect in others. Luke, despite the fact that he cheated on Jessica with Aris, I forgave him. I don't normally root for a cheater, but in this case, I wanted Aris and Luke to be together. I was happy when he chose wisely. This was a wonderful story.
June 30, 2016
I loved this book, and its follow-up, not to mention the unique writing style. Having read several of Rae Lamar's books, Aris's story told in Dawn of Aris and then its follow-on The Aris Effect are my favorites so far. I am happy to say I'm a fan!
Luke and Aris, well, where to start? Luke was this gorgeous professional guy, and the unexpected attraction between him and his beautiful neighbor Aris was not only well-written, their intense 'opposites attract' chemistry was off-the-scale and endearing! Aris was this high-maintenance, scatter-brain creative type and although I could totally understand her, her immaturity at times was a little annoying. Luke and the rest of the fully-fleshed out characters, however, more than made up for this.
Rae Lamar is a natural writer, with a unique style, able to swiftly draw you into Luke and Aris's world for an enjoyable, engaging sexy love story. I wasn't bored by any aspect of this book. Both books are well-written, and so worthy of 4.5 stars!
Luke and Aris, well, where to start? Luke was this gorgeous professional guy, and the unexpected attraction between him and his beautiful neighbor Aris was not only well-written, their intense 'opposites attract' chemistry was off-the-scale and endearing! Aris was this high-maintenance, scatter-brain creative type and although I could totally understand her, her immaturity at times was a little annoying. Luke and the rest of the fully-fleshed out characters, however, more than made up for this.
Rae Lamar is a natural writer, with a unique style, able to swiftly draw you into Luke and Aris's world for an enjoyable, engaging sexy love story. I wasn't bored by any aspect of this book. Both books are well-written, and so worthy of 4.5 stars!
June 4, 2016
Can't Deny What's Meant To Be
This story turned out really good. I was a little torn in the beginning because the storyline was different from what I'm use to and this was a new author for me. I'm glad I continued because I enjoyed Luke and Aris's story. Starting out as friends and doing everything together you're bound to catch feelings for one another but it complicates things when you're both involved with other people. I really enjoyed the chemistry and the easy banter that Aris and Luke had. I was even happier when they finally got it together. Can't wait to read book two and see these two interact as a couple.
This story turned out really good. I was a little torn in the beginning because the storyline was different from what I'm use to and this was a new author for me. I'm glad I continued because I enjoyed Luke and Aris's story. Starting out as friends and doing everything together you're bound to catch feelings for one another but it complicates things when you're both involved with other people. I really enjoyed the chemistry and the easy banter that Aris and Luke had. I was even happier when they finally got it together. Can't wait to read book two and see these two interact as a couple.
July 15, 2016
Wow, this is an amazing love story that proves , opposites definitely attract! I finally made time to read Rae Lamar's "Dawn of Aris", and I'm about to dive into book two of this intriguing series.
May 26, 2023
Review
There gets to a point where even the most beautiful stories ( which this wasn’t if you’re wondering) need to end and this story crossed that line 50 times over. It was really a struggle to get through it.
There gets to a point where even the most beautiful stories ( which this wasn’t if you’re wondering) need to end and this story crossed that line 50 times over. It was really a struggle to get through it.
July 1, 2016
I loved the story of Luke and Aris!
Full review to come.
Full review to come.
July 19, 2016
Pretty good!
This is my 1st book by this author. It was pretty good. Kind of reminded me of a love Belvin book almost
This is my 1st book by this author. It was pretty good. Kind of reminded me of a love Belvin book almost
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January 27, 2017Awesome love story !!!!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews