Inside and Out

by Stephanie Taylor

For Cora, the pain runs deep. The man she thought she’d grow old with has disappeared from her life, and now she’s left to pick up the pieces. Only the pieces don’t fit back together the way they should. She fears she’s forever broken with no hope for herself or her future.

Then Liam marches into her life and wreaks havoc on her emotions. The chasm between them seems too wide to find a common ground, but Liam understands her more than anyone. Before long, Cora wonders if it’s possible to love again.

But first, she has to learn to love herself.

68 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 12, 2015

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Stephanie Taylor is a mommy of three by day but moonlights as a writer/editor and business owner by night. She lives in Huntsville, Alabama with her husband.

Reviews

[Carol Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cora is a divorced mother of three with a 25 year old man seeking a relationship with her. She can’t figure out why he’s interested in a 34 year old woman with stretch marks and lots of baggage. She tries telling him it wouldn’t work between them, but he is very persistent. While her body tells her to give their relationship a chance, she just can’t seem to convince her mind it’s worth a shot.

I truly enjoyed this short clean read. It is definitely a romance novel, but there’s more sustenance to it. I admire Cora for her parenting skills. Though she is depressed, she always manages to put them first. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a clean romance.

[Leslie McKee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cora is doing her best to raise her three kids after her ex-husband Sam left them. Liam cares for Cora, but she has a problem overlooking the nearly 10 year age difference between them. While he constantly tells her she is beautiful, it is something she is unable to see for herself. Liam is determined to change that. Will Cora be able to move on and find happiness, or will Liam turn out to be just a younger version of Sam? Can she learn to love herself again?

The older heroine and younger hero is a bit atypical, but it certainly works in Taylor’s latest release. The reminder that anger and insecurity from childhood can follow us into adulthood will, unfortunately, be relatable for many. Liam’s desire to show Cora that she is enough is a takeaway message for women everywhere. As Cora reminds her daughter regularly, we should all remember that we, too, are “So beautiful. Inside and out.”

Disclaimer: I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as a win from a Goodreads giveaway. This is a short novella, but I enjoyed it cover to cover. Being that I am almost 30 with 3 kids myself I can relate to to the lead female in the story. She was cheated on by her husband after 15 years of marriage and 3 kids later. It's been one year since she filed for divorce. Sam, the cheating husband, also doesn't see his kids. I can relate to that as well. Cora, the lead female, has a hot 25 year old pursuing her. He is a distant relative so her and her kids already know him. Can Cora sort her issues and give him a chance? Will the kids like him? Read and find out.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great novella love story. I love knowing I'm going to read a clean, sweet love story! Thank you for this great Goodreads win!

[Morgan Schell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jolie is supposed to be 13, but talks like she's 23 instead.