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Heartbeat #1
Един удар на сърцето
Стела дори не подозира, че Италия ще й даде нова причина да живее, когато решава да посети братовчедка си Лиза в Генуа…
Стела е прекарала последните десет месеца от живота си в местене от болница в болница. Лекарите казват, че са отстранили всички тумори, но не могат да бъдат напълно сигурни. След три месеца тя трябва да се завърне за профилактичен преглед, въпреки че се чувства по-добре отвсякога. Затова и не може да си прави никакви планове за бъдещето. Единственото, което иска, е да отиде някъде, където никой не я познава, където може да си почине и да забрави за всичко. Където може да се запознае с хора, които няма да мислят за нея като за момичето, загубило баща си и брат си в катастрофа. Момичето, което се бори с рак. Където ще се забавлява, дори само за няколко месеца.
Стела е прекарала последните десет месеца от живота си в местене от болница в болница. Лекарите казват, че са отстранили всички тумори, но не могат да бъдат напълно сигурни. След три месеца тя трябва да се завърне за профилактичен преглед, въпреки че се чувства по-добре отвсякога. Затова и не може да си прави никакви планове за бъдещето. Единственото, което иска, е да отиде някъде, където никой не я познава, където може да си почине и да забрави за всичко. Където може да се запознае с хора, които няма да мислят за нея като за момичето, загубило баща си и брат си в катастрофа. Момичето, което се бори с рак. Където ще се забавлява, дори само за няколко месеца.
448 pages, Paperback
First published March 31, 2013
20 people are currently reading
3583 people want to read
About the author
Teodora Kostova
28 books453 followersTeodora Kostova writes romance where every heartbeat matters. She’s an award-winning, bestselling author, a linguist fluent in four languages, and a Creative Writing graduate with a weakness for broken characters who kiss slow and love loudly. When she’s not writing, she’s probably watching anime, trying to score tickets for a musical, or analysing a friend’s natal chart over strong coffee.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
April 28, 2013
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Imagine you lose half your family in an instant. Everything you know changes the moment the ones you love most was tragically taken from you. That is exactly what happened to 14 year-old Stella. She had a beautiful family until one drunk driver took her father and brother from her. Now five years have passed and Stella is being tested again by getting diagnosed with cancer. At 19, Stella isn’t really living her life, she is tired of being known as the girl who lost her family and now is battling cancer. Stella decides to visit her best friend and mother in Italy and spend three months there to have fun, act her age, and maybe have a fun romance without anyone knowing her past or cancer diagnose. Once in Italy everything changes when she sees Max on the beach. Max is dealing with his own past and but the easy romance seems to become more series when feelings are developed. Stella doesn’t want to fall in love with Max knowing she may die but what is a life if you do not love? Is falling in love worth breaking the heart of the one who loves you if you are dying?
Max
I absolutely LOVED In a Heartbeat. It started off strong and kept getting better and better. I was glued to the pages to read the story of Stella and Max. I adored both characters but Max is something special ladies, totally book boyfriend material! He is sexy, fun, and full of love he just didn’t know he had to give until he met Stella. His own storyline was so sad; my heart broke for him as well. All the characters, including minor characters have such sad stories but over came them to become wonderful people. One of my favorite characters aside from Max was his best friend Beppe. He brought a touch of humor to this emotional book and helped get Max and Stella together when Max was being hard headed. All the characters were loveable and one of my favorite things about the book.
Max and Stella have a long build up to their relationship. They flirt like crazy and are always together but they do not take the next step until about half way in the book. I love a good romance book when it takes a while for the characters to get together and fall in love. It is more real to me when it builds up over time and makes for a better read.
"We do this my way now. I'm going to make love to you slowly until you melt in my hands." He said huskily.
I love that 95% of the book takes place in Italy. The descriptions and details did not go unnoticed and I felt like I was there with them (I wish). I could picture the setting in my head and that is how I know of a sign of a good writer when I can picture it as I read. Especially the scene when we first are introduced to Max coming out of the water at the beach…. Wowzers lady! He is really amazing and wonderful to Stella. I want a Max of my own!
The ending really pulled at my heartstrings. I understood where Stella was coming from but at the same time she had a wonderful man like Max and she was running away. I admit I cried a little during the end… I just couldn’t help it. With all the sadness the characters had I didn’t know if I would get a HEA or not. I really wasn’t sure but hoped they would be together.
I really adored In a Heartbeat and believe other readers will enjoy this book as well. Stella and Max have one of the sweetest, most real relationships I have ever read in a book and it needs to be shared with the world.
I give In a Heartbeat by Teodora Kostova 4 Stars.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review
Imagine you lose half your family in an instant. Everything you know changes the moment the ones you love most was tragically taken from you. That is exactly what happened to 14 year-old Stella. She had a beautiful family until one drunk driver took her father and brother from her. Now five years have passed and Stella is being tested again by getting diagnosed with cancer. At 19, Stella isn’t really living her life, she is tired of being known as the girl who lost her family and now is battling cancer. Stella decides to visit her best friend and mother in Italy and spend three months there to have fun, act her age, and maybe have a fun romance without anyone knowing her past or cancer diagnose. Once in Italy everything changes when she sees Max on the beach. Max is dealing with his own past and but the easy romance seems to become more series when feelings are developed. Stella doesn’t want to fall in love with Max knowing she may die but what is a life if you do not love? Is falling in love worth breaking the heart of the one who loves you if you are dying?
Max
I absolutely LOVED In a Heartbeat. It started off strong and kept getting better and better. I was glued to the pages to read the story of Stella and Max. I adored both characters but Max is something special ladies, totally book boyfriend material! He is sexy, fun, and full of love he just didn’t know he had to give until he met Stella. His own storyline was so sad; my heart broke for him as well. All the characters, including minor characters have such sad stories but over came them to become wonderful people. One of my favorite characters aside from Max was his best friend Beppe. He brought a touch of humor to this emotional book and helped get Max and Stella together when Max was being hard headed. All the characters were loveable and one of my favorite things about the book.
Max and Stella have a long build up to their relationship. They flirt like crazy and are always together but they do not take the next step until about half way in the book. I love a good romance book when it takes a while for the characters to get together and fall in love. It is more real to me when it builds up over time and makes for a better read.
"We do this my way now. I'm going to make love to you slowly until you melt in my hands." He said huskily.
I love that 95% of the book takes place in Italy. The descriptions and details did not go unnoticed and I felt like I was there with them (I wish). I could picture the setting in my head and that is how I know of a sign of a good writer when I can picture it as I read. Especially the scene when we first are introduced to Max coming out of the water at the beach…. Wowzers lady! He is really amazing and wonderful to Stella. I want a Max of my own!
The ending really pulled at my heartstrings. I understood where Stella was coming from but at the same time she had a wonderful man like Max and she was running away. I admit I cried a little during the end… I just couldn’t help it. With all the sadness the characters had I didn’t know if I would get a HEA or not. I really wasn’t sure but hoped they would be together.
I really adored In a Heartbeat and believe other readers will enjoy this book as well. Stella and Max have one of the sweetest, most real relationships I have ever read in a book and it needs to be shared with the world.
I give In a Heartbeat by Teodora Kostova 4 Stars.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review
March 3, 2019
WOW!!! Just WOW!!!
Completely overwhelmed with how much this book has affected me... It has reached in to the depths of my soul and has taken up permanent residence...
I LOVED it...
Ok...here is my Full review...
When I read the synopsis for In a Heartbeat, I knew it would be a book that I would fall in love with. What I didn't know, was that it would become A PART OF MY SOUL. It has latched on to me, CONSUMING my thoughts, causing such an overwhelming degree of ADULATION, for the story found within the pages of this book.
I started reading In a Heartbeat later in the night thinking I would read for a short bit and then pick it back up in the morning since I was out for spring break. HA!! Little did I know that I would be so enthralled with the tale laid in front of me, spelled out with the intriguing lives led by the characters in this book; that I stayed up all night just to find out what happens at the end. I am so glad that I did. It was worth every hour that night...The only thing I regret now is that as much as I wanted to KNOW the end, I DID NOT WANT it to end. I have grieved this book ending because I am so captivated by it. Don't you just love it when you come across a book that does that to you? I know I do! It is the absolute best thing in the world!!
So, I bet you are wondering...why do I love this book so much? Well, there are many things. First, it is wonderfully written. Teodora does a fantastic job of allowing the reader to connect and feel exactly what her characters are going through. Plus, she paints such a beautiful world with her words, that you actually feel like you are walking on that gorgeous beach in Genoa, Italy or walking along the streets visiting shops. Ultimately melting away the real world and entering the world found in In a Heartbeat.
Secondly, the cast of characters utterly enchanted me. From the very beginning in meeting Stella, you instantly like her. She is fun, spirited, with a strong will...which plays such a major part in the struggles and battles that she has to overcome in her life. And even though she starts out this way, by the end of this book, I was just blown away at how much she transformed. There is so much that a person can learn from Stella. She touched my heart and warmed my soul. Now, of course, what great story doesn't have a handsome guy that completely turns you in to GOO the minute he comes around? Well, no worries, In a Heartbeat has that covered too! Ahhhh...meeting Max. *sighs heavily* I mean, what a guy!! Respecting the boundaries put up by Stella to only be friends, he barrels on and by being himself...a true gentleman, passionate, caring, honest, trustworthy...he eventually breaks down that invisible wall....Allowing for a romance of epic proportions. The love shared between these two STILL fills my heart to the point of which I think it is going to explode.
But, it is not all happy times. With moments of discord and unrevealed secrets, relationships are pushed to the limits and there is no way of knowing if there is going to be an HEA...I was holding my breath, my stomach was in knots, pain in my chest...WAITING....WAITING....WAITING.....
Yeah...I'm not going to tell you how it ends...you will have to read for yourself...
So, go get this book...
You don't want to miss out on such an elaborate cast of characters: Stella, Max, Lisa, Beppe,& Gia. They fill these pages with fantastic scenes; you find yourself sitting right along with them at their dinners, bonding, creating friends...*sighs* When does the next book come out???? I miss them so much already!!
This is a DEFINITE MUST READ!!!
www.tsktskwhattoread2.blogspot.com
Completely overwhelmed with how much this book has affected me... It has reached in to the depths of my soul and has taken up permanent residence...
I LOVED it...
Ok...here is my Full review...
When I read the synopsis for In a Heartbeat, I knew it would be a book that I would fall in love with. What I didn't know, was that it would become A PART OF MY SOUL. It has latched on to me, CONSUMING my thoughts, causing such an overwhelming degree of ADULATION, for the story found within the pages of this book.
I started reading In a Heartbeat later in the night thinking I would read for a short bit and then pick it back up in the morning since I was out for spring break. HA!! Little did I know that I would be so enthralled with the tale laid in front of me, spelled out with the intriguing lives led by the characters in this book; that I stayed up all night just to find out what happens at the end. I am so glad that I did. It was worth every hour that night...The only thing I regret now is that as much as I wanted to KNOW the end, I DID NOT WANT it to end. I have grieved this book ending because I am so captivated by it. Don't you just love it when you come across a book that does that to you? I know I do! It is the absolute best thing in the world!!
So, I bet you are wondering...why do I love this book so much? Well, there are many things. First, it is wonderfully written. Teodora does a fantastic job of allowing the reader to connect and feel exactly what her characters are going through. Plus, she paints such a beautiful world with her words, that you actually feel like you are walking on that gorgeous beach in Genoa, Italy or walking along the streets visiting shops. Ultimately melting away the real world and entering the world found in In a Heartbeat.
Secondly, the cast of characters utterly enchanted me. From the very beginning in meeting Stella, you instantly like her. She is fun, spirited, with a strong will...which plays such a major part in the struggles and battles that she has to overcome in her life. And even though she starts out this way, by the end of this book, I was just blown away at how much she transformed. There is so much that a person can learn from Stella. She touched my heart and warmed my soul. Now, of course, what great story doesn't have a handsome guy that completely turns you in to GOO the minute he comes around? Well, no worries, In a Heartbeat has that covered too! Ahhhh...meeting Max. *sighs heavily* I mean, what a guy!! Respecting the boundaries put up by Stella to only be friends, he barrels on and by being himself...a true gentleman, passionate, caring, honest, trustworthy...he eventually breaks down that invisible wall....Allowing for a romance of epic proportions. The love shared between these two STILL fills my heart to the point of which I think it is going to explode.
But, it is not all happy times. With moments of discord and unrevealed secrets, relationships are pushed to the limits and there is no way of knowing if there is going to be an HEA...I was holding my breath, my stomach was in knots, pain in my chest...WAITING....WAITING....WAITING.....
Yeah...I'm not going to tell you how it ends...you will have to read for yourself...
So, go get this book...
You don't want to miss out on such an elaborate cast of characters: Stella, Max, Lisa, Beppe,& Gia. They fill these pages with fantastic scenes; you find yourself sitting right along with them at their dinners, bonding, creating friends...*sighs* When does the next book come out???? I miss them so much already!!
This is a DEFINITE MUST READ!!!
www.tsktskwhattoread2.blogspot.com
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October 30, 2020This is the first book of my New Adult contemporary series. It's recommended for readers 17+ due to language, sexual situations and incredibly hot Italian lifeguards.
It's the complete story of Stella and Max, the other two books of the series will be about different characters, so there's no cliffhanger ending. *phew*
For more info visit my Facebook page
It's the complete story of Stella and Max, the other two books of the series will be about different characters, so there's no cliffhanger ending. *phew*
For more info visit my Facebook page
April 6, 2013
Bad. Terrible. Im regretting the hours spent reading this book when I could have done anything else. Stupid me that has to finish almost every book. Rant ahead.
April 3, 2013
MY FAV LINE SO FAR : “when life gives you lemons, take out the salt and the shot-glasses and fill them up with tequila. Fight for what you really want and never, ever settle for anything less.”
“Being with Stella, having her so completely, was like waking up from a dream; all his senses were so heightened that he wasn’t sure if he was still dreaming or not.
It was perfect.
She was perfect.”
“You need this arm? If so, I suggest you remove it from my girlfriend’s shoulders.”
“Being with Stella, having her so completely, was like waking up from a dream; all his senses were so heightened that he wasn’t sure if he was still dreaming or not.
It was perfect.
She was perfect.”
“You need this arm? If so, I suggest you remove it from my girlfriend’s shoulders.”
July 16, 2017
This is more than your typical love story. It's a wonderful story of love, trust, accepting loss and friendship.
Stella has had a hard life, she has overcome a lot of heartaches and now battling her illness. She wasn't planning on anything other than friendship with Max but there is just something about him she can't forget, something that keeps pulling her to him. Max feelings for Stella is like nothing he's ever felt before. He was so loving and sweet and caring. It was impossible not to love him. You can tell that they were just made for each other!
I really like how well the emotions flowed with the characters. You feel the love and loss as all the characters including the supporting ones also had such sad stories that contributed to the storyline.
Overall, this was a fantastic read. It had moments of heartache and pain and one that will touch you so much. A definite must read!
Stella has had a hard life, she has overcome a lot of heartaches and now battling her illness. She wasn't planning on anything other than friendship with Max but there is just something about him she can't forget, something that keeps pulling her to him. Max feelings for Stella is like nothing he's ever felt before. He was so loving and sweet and caring. It was impossible not to love him. You can tell that they were just made for each other!
I really like how well the emotions flowed with the characters. You feel the love and loss as all the characters including the supporting ones also had such sad stories that contributed to the storyline.
Overall, this was a fantastic read. It had moments of heartache and pain and one that will touch you so much. A definite must read!
May 20, 2013
I absolutely loved this book. I fell in love with Max myself. I was willing to arm wrestle Stella for him....
Seriously. I beautiful story line. Once I started reading I could not put the book down. I was totally enthralled.
I never write a review in which I reveal the plot, so, you will ahve to read for yourself. But I can honestly say you will NOT be disappointed.
I told the author that I never re-read a book right after having read it. This is the first one I did. I wanted that little flutter all over again. And yes I wanted to cry again for them.
So damn beautiful.
Thank you Teo for an amazing book. So glad I could be a part of the
experience.
Seriously. I beautiful story line. Once I started reading I could not put the book down. I was totally enthralled.
I never write a review in which I reveal the plot, so, you will ahve to read for yourself. But I can honestly say you will NOT be disappointed.
I told the author that I never re-read a book right after having read it. This is the first one I did. I wanted that little flutter all over again. And yes I wanted to cry again for them.
So damn beautiful.
Thank you Teo for an amazing book. So glad I could be a part of the
experience.
April 28, 2013
When I agreed to review this book as part of this blog tour, I can say I really had no idea what I was getting into. I should have known better when I read the synopsis, but regardless I never thought I'd get swept off my feet by Max and Stella. From first to last page I was gripped not only by Stella's story but what the two of them could be like together. I gasped, I cried, I threw something at my computer, and ultimately I fell in love with these two.
We meet Stella after finishing a 10 moth stint of cancer treatments and just wanting to get away from everything, including the death of her father and brother in a car accident, she takes a vacation to Italy and tries to forget about all the "what ifs" left back at home. There she meets, Max, a gorgeous and drool worthy man who seems to have a heart of gold, and a will of iron for keeping up his wooing of Stella. He is so steadfast in breaking down her seemingly inpenatrable wall for keeping people out that he seems like the perfect boyfriend. He isn't of course, because nobody is perfect, but after secrets are revealed and feelings are FINALLY admitted, you root for these two to just give it up and be one.
Let me just say that I can completely understand where Stella was coming from. I myself am going through treatment for throat cancer and have felt a lot of things that she describes in this story. I can relate to the feelings of wanting to escape, or not holding on to hope when you could be let down. I can't imagine how someones goes through cancer AND having to deal with deaths of people that close to you, however when I was first diagnosed I didn't want to tell anyone what was going on, in fact I still don't. That feeling I get when someone finds out what I'm going through, sometimes makes me sick. It's not that I don't appreciate people sympathizing but that look or those words can sometimes feel horrible. I don't want people to think I'm sickly, or talk about "that poor girl" when I'm not around. I know it isn't coming from a hurtful place, but that doesn't make me feel better about it. I can connect with Stella simply because I am there right now, but I think anyone can relate to her in some way shape or form. I also think everyone out there needs a person like Max to pick you up and make you realize you don't have to be alone through anything.
I really loved this book from the characters to their stories to the setting. I felt like I was right in the heart of Italy traversing the beaches to the shops and standing right next to the characters. That is not an easy thing to do and this author does it WONDERFULLY. I really hope you all pick up a copy because you will captivated by everything about this story and your left having all sorts of feeling left in your heart.
Check out the original review on my blog: http://bookmarksspoilersandhappilyeve...
We meet Stella after finishing a 10 moth stint of cancer treatments and just wanting to get away from everything, including the death of her father and brother in a car accident, she takes a vacation to Italy and tries to forget about all the "what ifs" left back at home. There she meets, Max, a gorgeous and drool worthy man who seems to have a heart of gold, and a will of iron for keeping up his wooing of Stella. He is so steadfast in breaking down her seemingly inpenatrable wall for keeping people out that he seems like the perfect boyfriend. He isn't of course, because nobody is perfect, but after secrets are revealed and feelings are FINALLY admitted, you root for these two to just give it up and be one.
Let me just say that I can completely understand where Stella was coming from. I myself am going through treatment for throat cancer and have felt a lot of things that she describes in this story. I can relate to the feelings of wanting to escape, or not holding on to hope when you could be let down. I can't imagine how someones goes through cancer AND having to deal with deaths of people that close to you, however when I was first diagnosed I didn't want to tell anyone what was going on, in fact I still don't. That feeling I get when someone finds out what I'm going through, sometimes makes me sick. It's not that I don't appreciate people sympathizing but that look or those words can sometimes feel horrible. I don't want people to think I'm sickly, or talk about "that poor girl" when I'm not around. I know it isn't coming from a hurtful place, but that doesn't make me feel better about it. I can connect with Stella simply because I am there right now, but I think anyone can relate to her in some way shape or form. I also think everyone out there needs a person like Max to pick you up and make you realize you don't have to be alone through anything.
I really loved this book from the characters to their stories to the setting. I felt like I was right in the heart of Italy traversing the beaches to the shops and standing right next to the characters. That is not an easy thing to do and this author does it WONDERFULLY. I really hope you all pick up a copy because you will captivated by everything about this story and your left having all sorts of feeling left in your heart.
Check out the original review on my blog: http://bookmarksspoilersandhappilyeve...
April 11, 2013
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“Do you believe in love at first sight?”
This is a gut wrenching love story. First off, I usually shy away from sad stories, but this sucked me right in! I had to find out if Max and Stella would have their happy ever after! Could Stella open her heart up, can she realize that maybe pushing him away is worse then letting him fight with her? Max and Stella both deserved a love story like no other and I really think they got it! Max won me over at Italian lifeguard. He was funny and sweet, and instantly in love! Swoon!
“Say it, Stella, please, say it. Say you love me. Say you want me. Say you won’t leave.”
I really enjoyed the other characters as well, and hope we get more of them in the other Heartbeat series! I need more of Lisa and her broken mystery man. I also need to know what happens with Gia and Beppe.
“Don’t exist. Live. Cheers!”
Read More Reviews On Our Blog
“Do you believe in love at first sight?”
This is a gut wrenching love story. First off, I usually shy away from sad stories, but this sucked me right in! I had to find out if Max and Stella would have their happy ever after! Could Stella open her heart up, can she realize that maybe pushing him away is worse then letting him fight with her? Max and Stella both deserved a love story like no other and I really think they got it! Max won me over at Italian lifeguard. He was funny and sweet, and instantly in love! Swoon!
“Say it, Stella, please, say it. Say you love me. Say you want me. Say you won’t leave.”
I really enjoyed the other characters as well, and hope we get more of them in the other Heartbeat series! I need more of Lisa and her broken mystery man. I also need to know what happens with Gia and Beppe.
“Don’t exist. Live. Cheers!”
February 5, 2016
Честно с първите десетина страници книгата изобщо не ме спечели на своя страна, но още с първата глава тя ми допадна твърде много. Влюбих се в героите и историята. Книгата ме накара да се потопя напълно в нея, без да обръщам внимание на околния свят, подтикна мен да стоя будна до малките часове на нощта само и само да я довърша. Прекрасна книга.
April 24, 2013
I never tire to fall in love with books, with their characters, with the authors' writing... Everything.
When I picked up this book and read those first pages I knew I was in for a ride, a torturous, sad yet magical ride.
I love that the book had 2 POVs, I always have enjoyed contemporary books that are told from both the main character plus another one. It doesn't necessarily have to be the love interest, a best friend, a mother... Any can do as long as I get a double insight which means double the awesome.
The main character Stella, while not as relatable to me, I think a lot of girls out there will be able to make the connection sooner and definitely so much more deeply than I did since I've never had to go through what she has... But she was likable in a way that made me ache for her, trust her, believe her, and root for her.
-"I fight that fear every single day, because I don't want to spend my life not actually living it, but being afraid of it..."-
Stella was forced to grow up too soon, forced to suffer through things that no normal teenager has to suffer, see things that no girl her age is supposed to see but above all else she is forced to not get attached to anyone, not a single new person.
And that's not because she's a lonely person or a secluded one, on the contrary I felt she wanted to see so much more, wanted to be so much more, to become someone... But... Sometimes life isn't what we think it to be and fate always plays us some cruel jokes... and this time... Stella is the punch line.
Having her illness, I can feel why most people give up, why most simply stop fighting. Because there is so much more than just the sick person, the medics, the medicines and a clinic... There's the family, the friends, the boy/man...
And Max, what an incredible surprise to a ladies man! First of all... his looks are yummy... But it's his personality that Stella and I fell for instantly. He's real, he's not afraid to show a vulnerable side, he's not shy, and he fights... Not only the physical punch-you-bye-bye though there is that... But the emotional one, the one that involves fighting and keep going and keep rooting when the person next to you, the person you care for has given up, thrown the towel... Just, stopped.
-She looked hotter than the deepest fire pit in hell.-
But he was so much more than that.
They were both fun! Both amazing! And all the other secondary characters? TO DIE FOR!!! Specially these other 2... That if I'm right... will get their own story soon -fangirls-
Lisa, Nikki... Even Stella's brother and father and mother... But... There were 2...
That really? See, 1. Gia X_X I liked her even though she doesn't have that much protagonism in the book I still felt she played a HUGE part in certain things that at the end? Led up to that awesome ending... 2. Beppe, -stunned silence-
Yeap, when a character by name alone can stun you into silence, for me? That's as good as it gets.
All in all, I loved the change of scenery, I loved to be able to travel -whereas by imagination- to Europe, to Italy... To those gorgeous places all while sitting right at home.
And I feel ever so grateful to the author for not sugar-coating anything but also giving me what I most desired for these 2. Because, real life is already too hard to deal reading about it right? But these kinds of stories, these types of characters, these kinds of friends... Everything was completely perfect, utterly perfect. I wouldn't have done it any other way.
-Wasting precious moments and over-thinking every single step was a massive waste of time.-
While at some points I thought the book was dragging things too much... When I got to a certain scene? All those thoughts went out and through the window. Making me feel all warm inside while I was crying all at the same time.
A read that will break your heart, open your eyes, bring tears to said eyes, make you blush, make you scream, make you tear some hairs out... All while patching you heart safe back again, making you smile like a silly person, make you hot and bothered, make you appreciate and see life in a completely different way, and make you realize that...
Is better to:
-Don't exist. Live.-
A book that'll stick with me for a long while... And opened my eyes And even shook some sense into me,
I give this book;
5/5
5= Clouds In The Heavens READ IT!
When I picked up this book and read those first pages I knew I was in for a ride, a torturous, sad yet magical ride.
I love that the book had 2 POVs, I always have enjoyed contemporary books that are told from both the main character plus another one. It doesn't necessarily have to be the love interest, a best friend, a mother... Any can do as long as I get a double insight which means double the awesome.
The main character Stella, while not as relatable to me, I think a lot of girls out there will be able to make the connection sooner and definitely so much more deeply than I did since I've never had to go through what she has... But she was likable in a way that made me ache for her, trust her, believe her, and root for her.
-"I fight that fear every single day, because I don't want to spend my life not actually living it, but being afraid of it..."-
Stella was forced to grow up too soon, forced to suffer through things that no normal teenager has to suffer, see things that no girl her age is supposed to see but above all else she is forced to not get attached to anyone, not a single new person.
And that's not because she's a lonely person or a secluded one, on the contrary I felt she wanted to see so much more, wanted to be so much more, to become someone... But... Sometimes life isn't what we think it to be and fate always plays us some cruel jokes... and this time... Stella is the punch line.
Having her illness, I can feel why most people give up, why most simply stop fighting. Because there is so much more than just the sick person, the medics, the medicines and a clinic... There's the family, the friends, the boy/man...
And Max, what an incredible surprise to a ladies man! First of all... his looks are yummy... But it's his personality that Stella and I fell for instantly. He's real, he's not afraid to show a vulnerable side, he's not shy, and he fights... Not only the physical punch-you-bye-bye though there is that... But the emotional one, the one that involves fighting and keep going and keep rooting when the person next to you, the person you care for has given up, thrown the towel... Just, stopped.
-She looked hotter than the deepest fire pit in hell.-
But he was so much more than that.
They were both fun! Both amazing! And all the other secondary characters? TO DIE FOR!!! Specially these other 2... That if I'm right... will get their own story soon -fangirls-
Lisa, Nikki... Even Stella's brother and father and mother... But... There were 2...
That really? See, 1. Gia X_X I liked her even though she doesn't have that much protagonism in the book I still felt she played a HUGE part in certain things that at the end? Led up to that awesome ending... 2. Beppe, -stunned silence-
Yeap, when a character by name alone can stun you into silence, for me? That's as good as it gets.
All in all, I loved the change of scenery, I loved to be able to travel -whereas by imagination- to Europe, to Italy... To those gorgeous places all while sitting right at home.
And I feel ever so grateful to the author for not sugar-coating anything but also giving me what I most desired for these 2. Because, real life is already too hard to deal reading about it right? But these kinds of stories, these types of characters, these kinds of friends... Everything was completely perfect, utterly perfect. I wouldn't have done it any other way.
-Wasting precious moments and over-thinking every single step was a massive waste of time.-
While at some points I thought the book was dragging things too much... When I got to a certain scene? All those thoughts went out and through the window. Making me feel all warm inside while I was crying all at the same time.
A read that will break your heart, open your eyes, bring tears to said eyes, make you blush, make you scream, make you tear some hairs out... All while patching you heart safe back again, making you smile like a silly person, make you hot and bothered, make you appreciate and see life in a completely different way, and make you realize that...
Is better to:
-Don't exist. Live.-
A book that'll stick with me for a long while... And opened my eyes And even shook some sense into me,
I give this book;
5/5
5= Clouds In The Heavens READ IT!
May 27, 2013
OMG!! WOW this book is amazing and I honestly don’t think I can do justice in this review or even explain to you just how much this book has affected me deep down into my soul and will stay with me forever.
When I got asked to review this book I knew from the synopsis that I would like it but I had no idea that I would fall in love with not only the characters but the story itself. Or that I would find myself so consumed by the characters story line that it would be bring so many emotions out in me. I am not an emotional reader and can count on one hand how many books that have touched me deep into my soul and have fingers left. In A Heartbeat has been counted as one of those very rare books for me. So let me try to explain just why thus book has grabbed a hold of my heart and soul so deeply.
Teodora’s writing is so beautiful that she paints pictures with her writing and makes you feel like you are actually in Italy seeing all these beautiful sites from walking on the beach to going to a dance club and having fun. She brings out all these emotions from you right along with the characters. You feel their laughter, hurt, anger, disappointment, and love right with them as if you’re going through it.
The characters are just as amazing as the scenery of Italy. Stella is a heroine who is so real and so strong which helps her with the struggles she is facing in this story. I could see myself hanging out with her and being close friends with her. And our hero Max is just breath taking. He is truly what dreams are made of and his love for Stella just left me breathless. The connection between them is so beautiful and full of passion that it will pull at your heart and soul and leave you just sighing.
It’s not all happy in their world as secrets come out and hearts are betrayed but as I kept reading I kept finding myself holding my breath and just has Teodora had ripped out and shredded my heart and I couldn’t take anymore I kept reading to see if there would be a happy ever after but I am not going to tell you that. You have to read this amazing epic book yourself to find out. 5/5 Bats
~Sabrina
When I got asked to review this book I knew from the synopsis that I would like it but I had no idea that I would fall in love with not only the characters but the story itself. Or that I would find myself so consumed by the characters story line that it would be bring so many emotions out in me. I am not an emotional reader and can count on one hand how many books that have touched me deep into my soul and have fingers left. In A Heartbeat has been counted as one of those very rare books for me. So let me try to explain just why thus book has grabbed a hold of my heart and soul so deeply.
Teodora’s writing is so beautiful that she paints pictures with her writing and makes you feel like you are actually in Italy seeing all these beautiful sites from walking on the beach to going to a dance club and having fun. She brings out all these emotions from you right along with the characters. You feel their laughter, hurt, anger, disappointment, and love right with them as if you’re going through it.
The characters are just as amazing as the scenery of Italy. Stella is a heroine who is so real and so strong which helps her with the struggles she is facing in this story. I could see myself hanging out with her and being close friends with her. And our hero Max is just breath taking. He is truly what dreams are made of and his love for Stella just left me breathless. The connection between them is so beautiful and full of passion that it will pull at your heart and soul and leave you just sighing.
It’s not all happy in their world as secrets come out and hearts are betrayed but as I kept reading I kept finding myself holding my breath and just has Teodora had ripped out and shredded my heart and I couldn’t take anymore I kept reading to see if there would be a happy ever after but I am not going to tell you that. You have to read this amazing epic book yourself to find out. 5/5 Bats
~Sabrina
April 22, 2013
This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever read. I honestly don't know that I can give it high enough praise. To start off, it is definitely my favorite book of 2013. And I think it has a really good shot of being my favorite book of the year. I just know it.
The story is incredible. It's well written, addictive, and beautiful beyond words. Stella and Max have the most amazing chemistry. They have the love that every woman dreams of having one day. It's an earth-shattering, I'd-do-anything-for-you type of love. Teodora does it so well that your heart breaks from the incredible power of it. Their love blossoms into something so real that you can almost touch it. It's tangible. Max and Stella are the perfect pair, they were made for each other. This was a definite soul-mate pairing. I couldn't help but fall in love with them.
In A Heartbeat is a complex story. It revolves around not only a great cast of characters (each and everyone of them are a delight), but also a wonderful setting that becomes as much of the story as the characters. It's also not for the faint of heart. There is a lot of tragedy in the story, but I think that's what makes the story, and especially the ending, so special. One of the things I took away from IAH was to always have hope and to love with everything you have.
This book will reel you in completely. I couldn't get enough of it. By the end, I felt so emotionally drained, but it was so worth it.
I hope that there is another book because I would love to visit some of the other characters and see what happened with them. Okay, I also want to see Max and Stella too, but who wouldn't?
It's honestly the first time a book has destroyed me. I sobbed, I laughed, I loved every second of it. It was sexy, tragic, beautiful, powerful. Now I just want to curl in a ball and reread it again. If that's not book love, I don't know what is.
I would give In a Heartbeat ten stars if I could. I think it is that deserving. It's a book that I can see myself coming back to again and again.
The story is incredible. It's well written, addictive, and beautiful beyond words. Stella and Max have the most amazing chemistry. They have the love that every woman dreams of having one day. It's an earth-shattering, I'd-do-anything-for-you type of love. Teodora does it so well that your heart breaks from the incredible power of it. Their love blossoms into something so real that you can almost touch it. It's tangible. Max and Stella are the perfect pair, they were made for each other. This was a definite soul-mate pairing. I couldn't help but fall in love with them.
In A Heartbeat is a complex story. It revolves around not only a great cast of characters (each and everyone of them are a delight), but also a wonderful setting that becomes as much of the story as the characters. It's also not for the faint of heart. There is a lot of tragedy in the story, but I think that's what makes the story, and especially the ending, so special. One of the things I took away from IAH was to always have hope and to love with everything you have.
This book will reel you in completely. I couldn't get enough of it. By the end, I felt so emotionally drained, but it was so worth it.
I hope that there is another book because I would love to visit some of the other characters and see what happened with them. Okay, I also want to see Max and Stella too, but who wouldn't?
It's honestly the first time a book has destroyed me. I sobbed, I laughed, I loved every second of it. It was sexy, tragic, beautiful, powerful. Now I just want to curl in a ball and reread it again. If that's not book love, I don't know what is.
I would give In a Heartbeat ten stars if I could. I think it is that deserving. It's a book that I can see myself coming back to again and again.
July 18, 2013
Oh where to start on this monstrosity...
For starters there were so many problems within the first 20% of the book I gave up because I got so tired of trying to sort it out. Now that may not be fair, but if an author expects people to finish the book there are a few things that have to happen.
First of all, it should be clear who's view point the story is from. Switching view points is fine, but there was no signal to the reader when these POV's would switch. The best I can tell would be the spacing, however the line spacing was so inconsistent (and double spacing drives me insane in a novel).
Second, there are several probelms I have with the characters. Stella is supposed to have just fought off cancer, and yet she's in such great shape she can go for runs consistently? And they don't sound like short runs either. And Max, his forwardness when it comes to stating he was jealous of Rico after the club. That was so unrealistic. Guys don't just come out and say they're jealous when they're supposed to a) be staying away from said girl and b) the day after when they "run into" the girl. I just didn't find it realistic.
Third, the writing wasn't terrible, but you can tell it needs editing. There are a lot of areas where the author could use what's happening to help build on the characters. But instead the author skips over the car crash, the first initial cancer battle. Like come on, those are critical moments in the character's life, but there's little explanation. More like this happened, ok and now we're onto the mushy stuff.
I may not have finished this (which really irritates me cause I spent money on it), but I certainly have already read enough to get the jist that this book is a stop and go book in that you quickly pass over the more important parts, and drag out the not so important/boring parts.
For starters there were so many problems within the first 20% of the book I gave up because I got so tired of trying to sort it out. Now that may not be fair, but if an author expects people to finish the book there are a few things that have to happen.
First of all, it should be clear who's view point the story is from. Switching view points is fine, but there was no signal to the reader when these POV's would switch. The best I can tell would be the spacing, however the line spacing was so inconsistent (and double spacing drives me insane in a novel).
Second, there are several probelms I have with the characters. Stella is supposed to have just fought off cancer, and yet she's in such great shape she can go for runs consistently? And they don't sound like short runs either. And Max, his forwardness when it comes to stating he was jealous of Rico after the club. That was so unrealistic. Guys don't just come out and say they're jealous when they're supposed to a) be staying away from said girl and b) the day after when they "run into" the girl. I just didn't find it realistic.
Third, the writing wasn't terrible, but you can tell it needs editing. There are a lot of areas where the author could use what's happening to help build on the characters. But instead the author skips over the car crash, the first initial cancer battle. Like come on, those are critical moments in the character's life, but there's little explanation. More like this happened, ok and now we're onto the mushy stuff.
I may not have finished this (which really irritates me cause I spent money on it), but I certainly have already read enough to get the jist that this book is a stop and go book in that you quickly pass over the more important parts, and drag out the not so important/boring parts.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2013
A part of Stella feels cursed. She endured losing her father and brother in a car crash, five years later she is a cancer survivor. When Stella was initially diagnosed she was given false hope it would be easy to catch, two surgeries later Stella has three months to wait to see if the cancer has returned.
Instead of sitting home watching the time tick by, Stella leaves for Italy to stay with her cousin. She wants three months of frolicking fun and not to be recognized as "that poor girl, she has been through so much". The minute she hits the beach she sees the most mouth watering lifeguard she ever dared to meet.
Max is known as flirtatious and he is also best friends with Stella's cousin. He knows Stella is special the minute he meets her, but getting her to admit the attraction and act on it is another matter altogether. Stella doesn't want to put her cousin in the middle when the summer of fun is over, making Max off limits in her mind. As they become closer friends it is to hard to resist the connection they feel, but Stella doesn't want Max to carry the burden he will have if her cancer is back, managing to push him away in the process. What Stella doesn't expect is Max is not turning away ever, she is his happily ever after regardless of the time they have left.
This was a beautifully written story, I thought the emotions both Stella and Max had were realistic and endearing. Max is an idiot at times but he is acting out not sure what to do about Stella. Wonderful story, can't wait to read the next in the Heartbeat story.
Instead of sitting home watching the time tick by, Stella leaves for Italy to stay with her cousin. She wants three months of frolicking fun and not to be recognized as "that poor girl, she has been through so much". The minute she hits the beach she sees the most mouth watering lifeguard she ever dared to meet.
Max is known as flirtatious and he is also best friends with Stella's cousin. He knows Stella is special the minute he meets her, but getting her to admit the attraction and act on it is another matter altogether. Stella doesn't want to put her cousin in the middle when the summer of fun is over, making Max off limits in her mind. As they become closer friends it is to hard to resist the connection they feel, but Stella doesn't want Max to carry the burden he will have if her cancer is back, managing to push him away in the process. What Stella doesn't expect is Max is not turning away ever, she is his happily ever after regardless of the time they have left.
This was a beautifully written story, I thought the emotions both Stella and Max had were realistic and endearing. Max is an idiot at times but he is acting out not sure what to do about Stella. Wonderful story, can't wait to read the next in the Heartbeat story.
September 12, 2013
Es tan malo que ni ganas de escribir una reseña me quedan, aburrido, avanza lento, y como siempre excesivamente dramático, es que ya no existen protagonistas que no hayan sido abusadas sexualmente, golpeadas, o sufran una enfermedad terminal?
Es todo muy poco probable de que suceda, está enferma y viaja a otro país lo más campante... Y TUS MÉDICOS? Aparte que la protagonista no es una chica lo suficientemente grande como para poderse manejar tan fácilmente, si fuese capaz la misma trama con una heroína de 28 años por ejemplo, lo entendería, porque supondría que trabaja, estudio algo así que puede buscarse un trabajo para mantenerse en el lugar donde está de viaje, en este caso no, ya no hacen nada en estas novelas "juveniles" que sea realista? Todos son atractivos, no tienen problemas económicos, logran superar todo tipo de barrera, siento decirles que la verdad no es así.
Esta chica está siempre en perfecto estado después de 2 años de estar sometida a distintos tratamientos por su cáncer? Ojalá nadie lea este libro y se lleve la idea de que es tan simple, porque la verdad no es así.
Es todo muy poco probable de que suceda, está enferma y viaja a otro país lo más campante... Y TUS MÉDICOS? Aparte que la protagonista no es una chica lo suficientemente grande como para poderse manejar tan fácilmente, si fuese capaz la misma trama con una heroína de 28 años por ejemplo, lo entendería, porque supondría que trabaja, estudio algo así que puede buscarse un trabajo para mantenerse en el lugar donde está de viaje, en este caso no, ya no hacen nada en estas novelas "juveniles" que sea realista? Todos son atractivos, no tienen problemas económicos, logran superar todo tipo de barrera, siento decirles que la verdad no es así.
Esta chica está siempre en perfecto estado después de 2 años de estar sometida a distintos tratamientos por su cáncer? Ojalá nadie lea este libro y se lleve la idea de que es tan simple, porque la verdad no es así.
April 28, 2013
Wow this was such a heartbreaking beautiful story of love at first sight with a giant mountain to overcome :) had me a bit emotional but I read it in one sitting couldn't put it down . I loved the tension between max and Stella. It dealt with cancer which is a sore spot for me after losing dad to cancer recently. I would love to read Lisa's story and even gia and Beppe. Can't wait for the next one .
May 28, 2013
This was a very emotional story. The way she portraits Stella´s insecurities about getting involved with someone because of her condition. I loved Max caveman personality. I would have loved that Beppe and Gias story had deepened. There was just too much of them that was left hanging. Also, Beppe´s attitude towards Max at his birthday party... I just didn´t get it. I wanted an explanation too. Ohh and Lisa and Gino too.. I have deeply intrigued by those too...
April 15, 2013
In a Heartbeat ( Heartbeat #1) by Teodora Kostova
Rated: 3 - 3.5 Stars
Contemporary Romance, New Adult
"I don’t want not to be able to fall in love because I’m scared that my heart will be broken one way or another.”
I started reading this book wanting to read a good tear jerking romance. I read Talania by Crystal D. Spears a couple of weeks ago and that book is still having a lasting effect on me. The two books are only similar in the fact that both of the female heroines deal with battling cancer. That being said, I think 'In a Heartbeat" was a not so short and sweet read. What I mean by that is that it was a very sweet romance, but a very long book. At times I felt like there was a lot of extra background and dialogue that probably could have been cut out, but then I had to remember that this book is the start of a series and it seems like the author is introducing all the characters for the upcoming books in great detail.
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When Stella was 14 years old her whole world crashed before her eyes. In one single moment caused by a reckless, selfish drunk driver her brother, who was more like her best friend, and her father were taken from her. Not only that but her uncle was also taken in this tragic car accident. One moment she was waiting for them to get home to watch the football game with her, her mother, her cousin (Lisa), and her aunt (Niki), and the next moment she was receiving a phone call from the police stating that there had been an accident. Their entire family was devastated and all seemed to deal with their grief in different ways. While Helen (Stella's Mother) and Stella stayed in London with the memories of their lost loved ones, Niki couldn't bare to be around the people and places that reminded her of her loss so she moved to Genoa, Italy.
“Niki wasn’t the only one who had lost someone she loved. Her mum had lost her husband and her son – and now she had lost her best friend as well. Stella knew that Helen would be OK in time; her mum was a strong person and never ran away from her responsibilities or her problems. Her daughter was the only thing she had left to live for now, and Stella was damn sure that she’d be strong for her.
They were going to be OK.
Stella was sure that someday she’d be able to forgive Niki for leaving her best friend at the worst time of her life – but not yet.”
Four years later, Stella and her mother have been dealt another blow. Stella has been diagnosed with liver cancer. She has undergone surgery and now has to wait and see the result in another 3 months. Stella has kept in contact with her cousin, Lisa, and wants to go to Italy and visit her and her aunt for a couple of months before finding out the result of her surgery and whether or not she will have to be put on a list for a liver transplant. Stella's main reason for wanting to get away is to be someone else for just a little while. She doesn't know how much time she has left and she just wants to live and have a little fun where no one knows everything she has been through. The only person who knows about her cancer is Lisa and she wants it to stay that way. Little did she know, her life was about to change forever.
“Somewhere I can meet people who don’t think of me as the girl who has lost her father and her brother and who now has cancer. I want to have fun, even if it’s just for a couple of months.”
“Texting her mom to let her know she had arrived in France safely, Stella rolled her suitcase off the train and took her first independent step.
And just like that, in a heartbeat, her life changed forever.
She just didn’t know it yet.”
“The only thing that Stella asked had been for that information to remain between the two of them. Even Niki couldn’t know. Lisa had given her word and taken an imaginary vow of silence that had made them both laugh through their tears.”
On her first day in Italy she goes to the beach while waiting for Lisa and Niki to get home from work. That's when she sees "HIM." She doesn't know his name but she is completely slack jawed while he emerges from the ocean. Her reaction is almost comical, especially when all he does is smile a cocky smile and pass by her on the way to his post. She doesn't know his name but she ends up seeing him the next day as well while running down the beach. And once again, even though he cleans up her foot after she steps on something, they still don't exchange names.
“A horn sounded in the distance and as Stella turned towards the sea to look at the enormous ship that had produced the sound, her gaze was locked on a scene so beautiful that the picturesque beach paled in comparison. A lifeguard was emerging from the water, his orange trunks stuck to his legs and water dripping from all over him. He shook his head to get rid of some of the water in his hair and Stella felt as if everything started developing in slow motion – tiny drops of water slid from his neck down his broad chest and muscular arms, along a weaving tattoo design on his right shoulder, and continued downwards towards his chest and washboard stomach, finally getting lost in his trunks’ waist. A part of another tattoo was peeking over his trunks on his left hip, the other part hidden under them. His golden, tanned skin glistened in the sun and he moved with such grace that a panther would be deemed clumsy next to him."
Lisa has accumulated a really great group of friends that she is anxious about introducing Stella to. She only has one warning. She tells stella that her best friend, Max is an amazing guy, but a big flirt and to steer clear of him. I think she has ulterior motives for keeping them apart from the beginning of the story, but we won't really find out why until closer to the end and I don't want to spoil it for you. Of course, little did she know the lifeguard that she had become obsessed with was the one and only Max.
“Let me warn you about Max, though.”
“We found support in each other. There’s never been any physical attraction between us and never will be. But I can honestly say, besides you, he’s my closest friend.”
“But, as much as I love him, he’s a terrible flirt. So be warned – he’ll try to charm you at first, but once you’re past that you’ll see he’s a great guy.”
Max is a 22 year old lifeguard who has had his fair share of hardships in the past. He lost his father and didn't cope so well with it for the first two years, until one day he went to a grief counseling group for young people and met Lisa. They helped each other cope with the lose of their loved ones and became great friends in the process. From the moment Max sees Stella at the party Lisa throws he is instantly head over heels for this girl. He starts out being possessive and jealous right off the bat. But don't get me wrong, it wasn't one of those stories where he instantly falls in love with her, he honestly just wanted to have a summer fling at first because he was attracted to her and thought she was a really great girl. Lisa has made it quite clear that she does not approve of the two of them getting together, so they attempt to be friends only.
“When my dad died, I went off the rails, big time. I drank and partied every night, slept with every girl that showed a remote interest in me. I wasn’t interested in anything or anybody."
Right now, however, Beppe needed to move away from Stella or Max was going to make him.
“Back off, man. This is between doctor and patient. In fact, I think we should go somewhere quieter to examine you properly.”
“Max couldn’t believe his eyes when Beppe dragged Stella away to meet Rico. Girls loved Ricardo. He was charming, handsome, well behaved and easy-going. He was never known to have had a girlfriend for more than a fortnight. And still they loved him because, rumour had it, he knew how to show them a good time.
Wasn’t that what Stella was after? No-strings-attached fun? Rico was perfect for her, then.
I’m going to kill that idiot Beppe.
His friend knew all too well that Max wanted Stella for himself.
Max was jealous. For the first time in his life he felt such overwhelming jealousy that it consumed all his rational thoughts. He wanted to pull Rico away from Stella and punch him until the guy needed facial reconstruction.
When Max saw Rico kiss Stella on the back of her neck, rage boiled his blood and his fists ached to hit something, preferably Rico’s face. He wanted to rip out the bastard’s tongue and feed it back to him. Anger he hadn’t felt for a long time overtook him, and he felt his muscles tense and get ready for a fight.
Max accidentally tells Stella about the accident he and Lisa were involved in, where a drunk driver ran a red light and crashed into his car. This was the exact thing that took her family from her and it scares her to death when she thinks about how she could have lost not only Lisa but Max too. This is sort of a turning point in their friendship because they start to share their fears and feelings with each other. You can actually feel their emotions and despair for the past mistakes and hardships they have had to endure. You can also see how sharing with each other makes them fall in love just a little more each time they open up.
“My life changed in a heartbeat. Just like that” – she snapped her fingers – “everything was taken away from me. My dad and Eric were dead; my cousin and best friend, the only person who knew exactly how I felt, was moving to another country; my aunt didn’t even want to keep in touch. My greatest fear to this day is that people I care about will be torn away from my life and I won’t be able to do anything about it. I realise that’s what most people are afraid of, but I know how it feels at first hand and I never want to go through it again.
“I fight that fear every single day, because I don’t want to spend my life not actually living it, but being afraid of it. I don’t want to detach myself from the people I care about just because I’m afraid of losing them.” She paused and deliberated in her head whether she should say what came next or not. “I don’t want not to be able to fall in love because I’m scared that my heart will be broken one way or another.”
Her eyes never left his as she said those last words.”
“Getting Stella to open up to him felt like an incredible achievement. She always seemed reserved, even after he’d admitted how he felt about her.”
As their friendship starts to grow so does the love and desire they feel for each other. Max falls for her hard and fast, he goes a little caveman over her at times. He is the first one to come to the realization that he loves her and goes after her with everything he has. It's hot to watch how possessive and dominant he is where Stella is concerned.
“Listen, man, I’m not going to watch you spiral out of control again because you were a coward and didn’t go after what you wanted.” He was dead serious now, his voice hard and yet full of concern. “There’s a whole beach full of hot women. Look around. Pick one, take her home and f*** her until Stella is all but a distant memory.”
“I don’t want any of them.”
“Since when?” Max involuntarily glanced in Stella’s direction. That was all the answer Beppe needed. “Get her, then.”
“She doesn’t want me.”
“Bullshit, man. I’ve seen how she looks at you.”
“Go after her,” Beppe said, a little louder than a whisper. Max looked at him, surprised. “Look, I don’t know what’s going on and why you feel like she doesn’t want to be with you. Frankly, I don’t give a shit. But I’ve known you since first year at school, and I’ve never seen you so worked up over a girl. Go after her with everything you’ve got, man. Life’s too f***** short.”
If one thing became clear last night, it was that Max didn’t have any intention of leaving Stella alone. He wanted her and he was coming after her. Sooner or later she was going to crack.
One thing I loved about this book was that we got to watch Stella and Max fall in love after being friends. It wasn't this instant love where they were together from the first page. They had to work to get to point where they were truly happy and in a loving relationship. They didn't just jump into bed together, not for lack of trying on Max's part though, so you could actually feel the connection developing between them.
“Stella?” he said and she lifted her head of his chest. “I know Max is a dumbass, believe me. But he’s completely out of his depth here, cara. You need to help him.”
“What do you mean?”
“He’s never been into a girl like he’s into you. He doesn’t know how to handle it. He may have driven you crazy today, but it’s because he doesn’t believe you want him and he’s afraid that you’ll reject him.”
Stella didn’t say anything, but just placed her head back on Beppe’s chest. He was right. Max was afraid that she’d reject him because she already had.
“He’s a good guy. He deserves someone like you.”
“This is all f***** up. I can’t do this anymore. I’m tired of swinging back and forth with her, and just when I think we have something she goes out with someone else and kisses him in the middle of the f****** street.”
“That girl had ruined his life. He had fallen in love with her fast and hard. Stella had stormed into his perfectly normal life and scrambled it until he didn’t know what was worth fighting for anymore. All his dreams and ambitions featured her now. Every time he imagined his future life, he saw her in it, and every time that happened he had to remind himself that she didn’t want to be imagined there. She didn’t want him, not for the long run.
When in fact, Stella was all he wanted.”
All in all it was an okay story. I'm going to stop now because there are a lot of suprises at the end of the book and I don't want to give them away. The issue of her cancer will come into play at the end and let me just say that part of the story had me in tears. I loved Max, he was strong, protective, and possessive but also caring and loving at the same time. I'm interested to see who the next book in the series will be about.
Memorable Quotes:
“I believe that everything happens for a reason. People come into our lives for a reason; nothing is a coincidence,” Helen finally said, after she’d listened to Stella get everything off her chest. “I know you don’t want to get hurt, darling, but sometimes we have to take risks and explore the possibilities presented in front of us. Remember that film with Jim Carey, ‘Yes man’?”
“Yeah?”
“Try and be more like him. Say ‘yes’ to things you wouldn’t usually agree to.”
“You know, that’s terrible advice coming from a mother to her daughter!”
Helen laughed. “Probably. But I know what kind of a daughter I’ve raised. And I trust you.”
“Max, you look awful. Is everything OK?”
"No."
"What happened?"
"You happened, Stella. You."
“I tried. I genuinely tried to be your friend,” he began in a few minutes, raising his eyes to meet hers. Up close they were still black. “I can’t do it anymore. I can’t be around you and not want to touch you, kiss you ...” His voice was hoarse and he stopped talking to run his hands through his hair. Stella said nothing. She couldn’t even if she’d wanted to, because her throat was completely closed off. “I tried to keep my distance – that’s why I haven’t been around for the past week. I didn’t want to be anywhere near you, and yet I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I wanted it all to stop. I went out the other night and got hammered.
“It didn’t work. I still thought about you. I couldn’t remember my own f****** address, but I thought about you.” He paused and the way he looked at her changed from desperation mixed with anger to warm, genuine concern. Stella wondered why when she noticed that a tear had rolled down her left cheek. She wiped it away quickly, determined not to cry anymore.
Rated: 3 - 3.5 Stars
Contemporary Romance, New Adult
"I don’t want not to be able to fall in love because I’m scared that my heart will be broken one way or another.”
I started reading this book wanting to read a good tear jerking romance. I read Talania by Crystal D. Spears a couple of weeks ago and that book is still having a lasting effect on me. The two books are only similar in the fact that both of the female heroines deal with battling cancer. That being said, I think 'In a Heartbeat" was a not so short and sweet read. What I mean by that is that it was a very sweet romance, but a very long book. At times I felt like there was a lot of extra background and dialogue that probably could have been cut out, but then I had to remember that this book is the start of a series and it seems like the author is introducing all the characters for the upcoming books in great detail.
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When Stella was 14 years old her whole world crashed before her eyes. In one single moment caused by a reckless, selfish drunk driver her brother, who was more like her best friend, and her father were taken from her. Not only that but her uncle was also taken in this tragic car accident. One moment she was waiting for them to get home to watch the football game with her, her mother, her cousin (Lisa), and her aunt (Niki), and the next moment she was receiving a phone call from the police stating that there had been an accident. Their entire family was devastated and all seemed to deal with their grief in different ways. While Helen (Stella's Mother) and Stella stayed in London with the memories of their lost loved ones, Niki couldn't bare to be around the people and places that reminded her of her loss so she moved to Genoa, Italy.
“Niki wasn’t the only one who had lost someone she loved. Her mum had lost her husband and her son – and now she had lost her best friend as well. Stella knew that Helen would be OK in time; her mum was a strong person and never ran away from her responsibilities or her problems. Her daughter was the only thing she had left to live for now, and Stella was damn sure that she’d be strong for her.
They were going to be OK.
Stella was sure that someday she’d be able to forgive Niki for leaving her best friend at the worst time of her life – but not yet.”
Four years later, Stella and her mother have been dealt another blow. Stella has been diagnosed with liver cancer. She has undergone surgery and now has to wait and see the result in another 3 months. Stella has kept in contact with her cousin, Lisa, and wants to go to Italy and visit her and her aunt for a couple of months before finding out the result of her surgery and whether or not she will have to be put on a list for a liver transplant. Stella's main reason for wanting to get away is to be someone else for just a little while. She doesn't know how much time she has left and she just wants to live and have a little fun where no one knows everything she has been through. The only person who knows about her cancer is Lisa and she wants it to stay that way. Little did she know, her life was about to change forever.
“Somewhere I can meet people who don’t think of me as the girl who has lost her father and her brother and who now has cancer. I want to have fun, even if it’s just for a couple of months.”
“Texting her mom to let her know she had arrived in France safely, Stella rolled her suitcase off the train and took her first independent step.
And just like that, in a heartbeat, her life changed forever.
She just didn’t know it yet.”
“The only thing that Stella asked had been for that information to remain between the two of them. Even Niki couldn’t know. Lisa had given her word and taken an imaginary vow of silence that had made them both laugh through their tears.”
On her first day in Italy she goes to the beach while waiting for Lisa and Niki to get home from work. That's when she sees "HIM." She doesn't know his name but she is completely slack jawed while he emerges from the ocean. Her reaction is almost comical, especially when all he does is smile a cocky smile and pass by her on the way to his post. She doesn't know his name but she ends up seeing him the next day as well while running down the beach. And once again, even though he cleans up her foot after she steps on something, they still don't exchange names.
“A horn sounded in the distance and as Stella turned towards the sea to look at the enormous ship that had produced the sound, her gaze was locked on a scene so beautiful that the picturesque beach paled in comparison. A lifeguard was emerging from the water, his orange trunks stuck to his legs and water dripping from all over him. He shook his head to get rid of some of the water in his hair and Stella felt as if everything started developing in slow motion – tiny drops of water slid from his neck down his broad chest and muscular arms, along a weaving tattoo design on his right shoulder, and continued downwards towards his chest and washboard stomach, finally getting lost in his trunks’ waist. A part of another tattoo was peeking over his trunks on his left hip, the other part hidden under them. His golden, tanned skin glistened in the sun and he moved with such grace that a panther would be deemed clumsy next to him."
Lisa has accumulated a really great group of friends that she is anxious about introducing Stella to. She only has one warning. She tells stella that her best friend, Max is an amazing guy, but a big flirt and to steer clear of him. I think she has ulterior motives for keeping them apart from the beginning of the story, but we won't really find out why until closer to the end and I don't want to spoil it for you. Of course, little did she know the lifeguard that she had become obsessed with was the one and only Max.
“Let me warn you about Max, though.”
“We found support in each other. There’s never been any physical attraction between us and never will be. But I can honestly say, besides you, he’s my closest friend.”
“But, as much as I love him, he’s a terrible flirt. So be warned – he’ll try to charm you at first, but once you’re past that you’ll see he’s a great guy.”
Max is a 22 year old lifeguard who has had his fair share of hardships in the past. He lost his father and didn't cope so well with it for the first two years, until one day he went to a grief counseling group for young people and met Lisa. They helped each other cope with the lose of their loved ones and became great friends in the process. From the moment Max sees Stella at the party Lisa throws he is instantly head over heels for this girl. He starts out being possessive and jealous right off the bat. But don't get me wrong, it wasn't one of those stories where he instantly falls in love with her, he honestly just wanted to have a summer fling at first because he was attracted to her and thought she was a really great girl. Lisa has made it quite clear that she does not approve of the two of them getting together, so they attempt to be friends only.
“When my dad died, I went off the rails, big time. I drank and partied every night, slept with every girl that showed a remote interest in me. I wasn’t interested in anything or anybody."
Right now, however, Beppe needed to move away from Stella or Max was going to make him.
“Back off, man. This is between doctor and patient. In fact, I think we should go somewhere quieter to examine you properly.”
“Max couldn’t believe his eyes when Beppe dragged Stella away to meet Rico. Girls loved Ricardo. He was charming, handsome, well behaved and easy-going. He was never known to have had a girlfriend for more than a fortnight. And still they loved him because, rumour had it, he knew how to show them a good time.
Wasn’t that what Stella was after? No-strings-attached fun? Rico was perfect for her, then.
I’m going to kill that idiot Beppe.
His friend knew all too well that Max wanted Stella for himself.
Max was jealous. For the first time in his life he felt such overwhelming jealousy that it consumed all his rational thoughts. He wanted to pull Rico away from Stella and punch him until the guy needed facial reconstruction.
When Max saw Rico kiss Stella on the back of her neck, rage boiled his blood and his fists ached to hit something, preferably Rico’s face. He wanted to rip out the bastard’s tongue and feed it back to him. Anger he hadn’t felt for a long time overtook him, and he felt his muscles tense and get ready for a fight.
Max accidentally tells Stella about the accident he and Lisa were involved in, where a drunk driver ran a red light and crashed into his car. This was the exact thing that took her family from her and it scares her to death when she thinks about how she could have lost not only Lisa but Max too. This is sort of a turning point in their friendship because they start to share their fears and feelings with each other. You can actually feel their emotions and despair for the past mistakes and hardships they have had to endure. You can also see how sharing with each other makes them fall in love just a little more each time they open up.
“My life changed in a heartbeat. Just like that” – she snapped her fingers – “everything was taken away from me. My dad and Eric were dead; my cousin and best friend, the only person who knew exactly how I felt, was moving to another country; my aunt didn’t even want to keep in touch. My greatest fear to this day is that people I care about will be torn away from my life and I won’t be able to do anything about it. I realise that’s what most people are afraid of, but I know how it feels at first hand and I never want to go through it again.
“I fight that fear every single day, because I don’t want to spend my life not actually living it, but being afraid of it. I don’t want to detach myself from the people I care about just because I’m afraid of losing them.” She paused and deliberated in her head whether she should say what came next or not. “I don’t want not to be able to fall in love because I’m scared that my heart will be broken one way or another.”
Her eyes never left his as she said those last words.”
“Getting Stella to open up to him felt like an incredible achievement. She always seemed reserved, even after he’d admitted how he felt about her.”
As their friendship starts to grow so does the love and desire they feel for each other. Max falls for her hard and fast, he goes a little caveman over her at times. He is the first one to come to the realization that he loves her and goes after her with everything he has. It's hot to watch how possessive and dominant he is where Stella is concerned.
“Listen, man, I’m not going to watch you spiral out of control again because you were a coward and didn’t go after what you wanted.” He was dead serious now, his voice hard and yet full of concern. “There’s a whole beach full of hot women. Look around. Pick one, take her home and f*** her until Stella is all but a distant memory.”
“I don’t want any of them.”
“Since when?” Max involuntarily glanced in Stella’s direction. That was all the answer Beppe needed. “Get her, then.”
“She doesn’t want me.”
“Bullshit, man. I’ve seen how she looks at you.”
“Go after her,” Beppe said, a little louder than a whisper. Max looked at him, surprised. “Look, I don’t know what’s going on and why you feel like she doesn’t want to be with you. Frankly, I don’t give a shit. But I’ve known you since first year at school, and I’ve never seen you so worked up over a girl. Go after her with everything you’ve got, man. Life’s too f***** short.”
If one thing became clear last night, it was that Max didn’t have any intention of leaving Stella alone. He wanted her and he was coming after her. Sooner or later she was going to crack.
One thing I loved about this book was that we got to watch Stella and Max fall in love after being friends. It wasn't this instant love where they were together from the first page. They had to work to get to point where they were truly happy and in a loving relationship. They didn't just jump into bed together, not for lack of trying on Max's part though, so you could actually feel the connection developing between them.
“Stella?” he said and she lifted her head of his chest. “I know Max is a dumbass, believe me. But he’s completely out of his depth here, cara. You need to help him.”
“What do you mean?”
“He’s never been into a girl like he’s into you. He doesn’t know how to handle it. He may have driven you crazy today, but it’s because he doesn’t believe you want him and he’s afraid that you’ll reject him.”
Stella didn’t say anything, but just placed her head back on Beppe’s chest. He was right. Max was afraid that she’d reject him because she already had.
“He’s a good guy. He deserves someone like you.”
“This is all f***** up. I can’t do this anymore. I’m tired of swinging back and forth with her, and just when I think we have something she goes out with someone else and kisses him in the middle of the f****** street.”
“That girl had ruined his life. He had fallen in love with her fast and hard. Stella had stormed into his perfectly normal life and scrambled it until he didn’t know what was worth fighting for anymore. All his dreams and ambitions featured her now. Every time he imagined his future life, he saw her in it, and every time that happened he had to remind himself that she didn’t want to be imagined there. She didn’t want him, not for the long run.
When in fact, Stella was all he wanted.”
All in all it was an okay story. I'm going to stop now because there are a lot of suprises at the end of the book and I don't want to give them away. The issue of her cancer will come into play at the end and let me just say that part of the story had me in tears. I loved Max, he was strong, protective, and possessive but also caring and loving at the same time. I'm interested to see who the next book in the series will be about.
Memorable Quotes:
“I believe that everything happens for a reason. People come into our lives for a reason; nothing is a coincidence,” Helen finally said, after she’d listened to Stella get everything off her chest. “I know you don’t want to get hurt, darling, but sometimes we have to take risks and explore the possibilities presented in front of us. Remember that film with Jim Carey, ‘Yes man’?”
“Yeah?”
“Try and be more like him. Say ‘yes’ to things you wouldn’t usually agree to.”
“You know, that’s terrible advice coming from a mother to her daughter!”
Helen laughed. “Probably. But I know what kind of a daughter I’ve raised. And I trust you.”
“Max, you look awful. Is everything OK?”
"No."
"What happened?"
"You happened, Stella. You."
“I tried. I genuinely tried to be your friend,” he began in a few minutes, raising his eyes to meet hers. Up close they were still black. “I can’t do it anymore. I can’t be around you and not want to touch you, kiss you ...” His voice was hoarse and he stopped talking to run his hands through his hair. Stella said nothing. She couldn’t even if she’d wanted to, because her throat was completely closed off. “I tried to keep my distance – that’s why I haven’t been around for the past week. I didn’t want to be anywhere near you, and yet I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I wanted it all to stop. I went out the other night and got hammered.
“It didn’t work. I still thought about you. I couldn’t remember my own f****** address, but I thought about you.” He paused and the way he looked at her changed from desperation mixed with anger to warm, genuine concern. Stella wondered why when she noticed that a tear had rolled down her left cheek. She wiped it away quickly, determined not to cry anymore.
April 10, 2013
And just like that, in a heartbeat, their lives changed forever.
Happiness is discovering an author who's work you haven't read before and falling in love with the characters they have created and the story they have woven. So after reading In a Heartbeat, I am very happy indeed!!!
In a Heartbeat started with me having a huge smile on my face. Stella is part of a wonderful happy family. But within a few pages of starting this my face no longer contained that smile. Things fell apart very quickly. From one thing to the next Stella endures way more than any girl her age should have to deal with. Cancer being one of those things. After her latest round of treatment, Stella decides to get away for a few months and go to Italy to spend time with her Cousin Lisa and her Aunt Niki. Somewhere where she's not known as the girl with cancer.
Not long after arriving, Stella is on the beach when she catches sight of the incredibly gorgeous lifeguard Max. Stella is completely captivated by him. And it turns out that he is her cousins friend and they will be spending plenty of time together. After fighting their feelings for each other it soon becomes impossible to ignore and a beautiful romance blossoms between the two of them. But always in the back of Stella's mind is the possibility of her cancer returning.
My favourite character hands down was Max. He starts out as a flirt and readily admits to the amount of girls that he's been with. But his feelings for Stella are like nothing he's ever felt before. He was so loving and sweet and caring. It was impossible not to love him. And he's definitely going on my list of book boyfriends.
He had black shorts on and nothing else. The muscles on his chest, arms and shoulders flexed with every step he took.The tattoo on his hip moved in sync with his body and at that moment all Stella wanted to do was yank his shorts down and explore it. With her mouth.
Stella was an incredibly strong character. Once she set her mind on something she was pretty hard to sway. And while I loved that about her, it was also something that frustrated me at times. I found myself silently begging her to change some of the decisions that she made.
The supporting cast was fantastic as well. I loved Stella and Lisa's mum's. They were so supportive and loving and giving. Another character I adored was Beppe. He is Max's best friend, a complete out and out flirt but so incredibly fun and adorable!!!
Another plus for me was the inclusion of soccer (Football). Man, how much do I love that sport!!! And Liverpool like Stella to boot!!! I loved her passion for the game. Her knowledge of the sport. So wonderful to read about one of my absolute passions in a book that I loved!!
Oh and I did a little squee every time that the title of the book was used throughout the story. I love when an author does that!!
While there is an amazing amount of wonderful romance in this book. It was so much more than that. FIlled with so many deep and real situations, In a Heartbeat was such a great, well written read. I will definitely be reading book two in the series.
Fight for what you really want and never, ever settle for anything less.
Don't exist. Live.
4.5/5 I Love Max Stars!!
Happiness is discovering an author who's work you haven't read before and falling in love with the characters they have created and the story they have woven. So after reading In a Heartbeat, I am very happy indeed!!!
In a Heartbeat started with me having a huge smile on my face. Stella is part of a wonderful happy family. But within a few pages of starting this my face no longer contained that smile. Things fell apart very quickly. From one thing to the next Stella endures way more than any girl her age should have to deal with. Cancer being one of those things. After her latest round of treatment, Stella decides to get away for a few months and go to Italy to spend time with her Cousin Lisa and her Aunt Niki. Somewhere where she's not known as the girl with cancer.
Not long after arriving, Stella is on the beach when she catches sight of the incredibly gorgeous lifeguard Max. Stella is completely captivated by him. And it turns out that he is her cousins friend and they will be spending plenty of time together. After fighting their feelings for each other it soon becomes impossible to ignore and a beautiful romance blossoms between the two of them. But always in the back of Stella's mind is the possibility of her cancer returning.
My favourite character hands down was Max. He starts out as a flirt and readily admits to the amount of girls that he's been with. But his feelings for Stella are like nothing he's ever felt before. He was so loving and sweet and caring. It was impossible not to love him. And he's definitely going on my list of book boyfriends.
He had black shorts on and nothing else. The muscles on his chest, arms and shoulders flexed with every step he took.The tattoo on his hip moved in sync with his body and at that moment all Stella wanted to do was yank his shorts down and explore it. With her mouth.
Stella was an incredibly strong character. Once she set her mind on something she was pretty hard to sway. And while I loved that about her, it was also something that frustrated me at times. I found myself silently begging her to change some of the decisions that she made.
The supporting cast was fantastic as well. I loved Stella and Lisa's mum's. They were so supportive and loving and giving. Another character I adored was Beppe. He is Max's best friend, a complete out and out flirt but so incredibly fun and adorable!!!
Another plus for me was the inclusion of soccer (Football). Man, how much do I love that sport!!! And Liverpool like Stella to boot!!! I loved her passion for the game. Her knowledge of the sport. So wonderful to read about one of my absolute passions in a book that I loved!!
Oh and I did a little squee every time that the title of the book was used throughout the story. I love when an author does that!!
While there is an amazing amount of wonderful romance in this book. It was so much more than that. FIlled with so many deep and real situations, In a Heartbeat was such a great, well written read. I will definitely be reading book two in the series.
Fight for what you really want and never, ever settle for anything less.
Don't exist. Live.
4.5/5 I Love Max Stars!!
January 22, 2014
http://www.b00kr3vi3ws.in/2014/01/InA...
If life is like a card game, Stella has been consistently dealt with a bad hand! She lost her brother and her father together in a car accident. Soon after her best friend moves away and then came the cancer. Been in an out of treatment centers for quite some time, Stella wants a break after her latest surgery and decides to go meet Lisa, her best friend and cousin, in Italy – where no one knows about her past and no one would look at her with pity. Max on the other hand has had his fair share of lemons in life too and he deals with it in his own way. He is a Casanova with a baggage and even though Lisa warns Stella that he is a flirt, the connection between these two is undeniable. But will Stella and Max be able to overcome their own fears and stubbornness to find their way to each other?
The best thing about this book is its cast and characters and Stella is the shining star amongst them. I loved her character for being strong and resilient. It would have been very easy for her to break down and loose her way, but she struggled and fought on for a good life. Max is a yummy lifeguard – need I say more? Oh well, he also has other qualities that helps him warm up to the readers. He is respectful, caring with a ‘soft’ heart too. Then there’s Lisa, Gia and Beppe – they are more than just side characters in Stella and Max’s love story. They are instrumental to their story and each brings in a different flavor to the lives of our protagonists. The author’s style of narration is also rather favourable. I liked how she told us Stella’s back story in a single chapter – without dragging it. She tells a story as if she is narrating it to her friends and as such I felt drawn into the story pretty quick.
As for the plot, it is simple and almost predictable. There are a few inconsistencies, especially with regards to Stella’s health that bugged me towards the beginning. But as the story progressed, I found myself not caring about those little individual things and being caught up in the larger picture. The characters, the chemistry, the secrets, the struggles and the friendships – I loved this book as a whole and enjoyed the emotional rollercoaster ride.
If life is like a card game, Stella has been consistently dealt with a bad hand! She lost her brother and her father together in a car accident. Soon after her best friend moves away and then came the cancer. Been in an out of treatment centers for quite some time, Stella wants a break after her latest surgery and decides to go meet Lisa, her best friend and cousin, in Italy – where no one knows about her past and no one would look at her with pity. Max on the other hand has had his fair share of lemons in life too and he deals with it in his own way. He is a Casanova with a baggage and even though Lisa warns Stella that he is a flirt, the connection between these two is undeniable. But will Stella and Max be able to overcome their own fears and stubbornness to find their way to each other?
The best thing about this book is its cast and characters and Stella is the shining star amongst them. I loved her character for being strong and resilient. It would have been very easy for her to break down and loose her way, but she struggled and fought on for a good life. Max is a yummy lifeguard – need I say more? Oh well, he also has other qualities that helps him warm up to the readers. He is respectful, caring with a ‘soft’ heart too. Then there’s Lisa, Gia and Beppe – they are more than just side characters in Stella and Max’s love story. They are instrumental to their story and each brings in a different flavor to the lives of our protagonists. The author’s style of narration is also rather favourable. I liked how she told us Stella’s back story in a single chapter – without dragging it. She tells a story as if she is narrating it to her friends and as such I felt drawn into the story pretty quick.
As for the plot, it is simple and almost predictable. There are a few inconsistencies, especially with regards to Stella’s health that bugged me towards the beginning. But as the story progressed, I found myself not caring about those little individual things and being caught up in the larger picture. The characters, the chemistry, the secrets, the struggles and the friendships – I loved this book as a whole and enjoyed the emotional rollercoaster ride.
April 26, 2013
OMG!! WOW this book is amazing and I honestly don’t think I can do justice in this review or even explain to you just how much this book has affected me deep down into my soul and will stay with me forever.
When I got asked to review this book I knew from the synopsis that I would like it but I had no idea that I would fall in love with not only the characters but the story itself. Or that I would find myself so consumed by the characters story line that it would be bring so many emotions out in me. I am not an emotional reader and can count on one hand how many books that have touched me deep into my soul and have fingers left. In A Heartbeat has been counted as one of those very rare books for me. So let me try to explain just why thus book has grabbed a hold of my heart and soul so deeply.
Teodora’s writing is so beautiful that she paints pictures with her writing and makes you feel like you are actually in Italy seeing all these beautiful sites from walking on the beach to going to a dance club and having fun. She brings out all these emotions from you right along with the characters. You feel their laughter, hurt, anger, disappointment, and love right with them as if you’re going through it.
The characters are just as amazing as the scenery of Italy. Stella is a heroine who is so real and so strong which helps her with the struggles she is facing in this story. I could see myself hanging out with her and being close friends with her. And our hero Max is just breath taking. He is truly what dreams are made of and his love for Stella just left me breathless. The connection between them is so beautiful and full of passion that it will pull at your heart and soul and leave you just sighing.
It’s not all happy in their world as secrets come out and hearts are betrayed but as I kept reading I kept finding myself holding my breath and just has Teodora had ripped out and shredded my heart and I couldn’t take anymore I kept reading to see if there would be a happy ever after but I am not going to tell you that. You have to read this amazing epic book yourself to find out. 5/5 Bloody Fangs
When I got asked to review this book I knew from the synopsis that I would like it but I had no idea that I would fall in love with not only the characters but the story itself. Or that I would find myself so consumed by the characters story line that it would be bring so many emotions out in me. I am not an emotional reader and can count on one hand how many books that have touched me deep into my soul and have fingers left. In A Heartbeat has been counted as one of those very rare books for me. So let me try to explain just why thus book has grabbed a hold of my heart and soul so deeply.
Teodora’s writing is so beautiful that she paints pictures with her writing and makes you feel like you are actually in Italy seeing all these beautiful sites from walking on the beach to going to a dance club and having fun. She brings out all these emotions from you right along with the characters. You feel their laughter, hurt, anger, disappointment, and love right with them as if you’re going through it.
The characters are just as amazing as the scenery of Italy. Stella is a heroine who is so real and so strong which helps her with the struggles she is facing in this story. I could see myself hanging out with her and being close friends with her. And our hero Max is just breath taking. He is truly what dreams are made of and his love for Stella just left me breathless. The connection between them is so beautiful and full of passion that it will pull at your heart and soul and leave you just sighing.
It’s not all happy in their world as secrets come out and hearts are betrayed but as I kept reading I kept finding myself holding my breath and just has Teodora had ripped out and shredded my heart and I couldn’t take anymore I kept reading to see if there would be a happy ever after but I am not going to tell you that. You have to read this amazing epic book yourself to find out. 5/5 Bloody Fangs
May 21, 2013
Loved it!
Stella
A young woman who has survived through the fate of having half of her family is torn away from her due to an horrible accident. If that's wasn't enough, she's also diagnosed with cancer a few years later. In order to forget about her tragic life, she decides to go to Italy for one summer to forget for a while and learn how to live, before she has to face her illness again. What she doesn't expect, is that this trip will lead her to meet and fall in love with:
Max
The passionate and charming guy with his own troubled past.
When these two meet, sparks fly and so it begins. How can she let him fall in love with her? How can she let the man she fall in love with fall in love with her back, if there's a real chance she'll die and leave him? These feelings leads Stella to try denying her feelings towards Max, but how long can she deny it when he refuse to let her push him away?
I loved this story. It made me smile and it made me cry. It was amazing. I loved everything about it. I feel the author has managed to capture something truly beautiful between the to main characters, surrounded by all the ugliness and tragedy of their pasts. She also portaits Italy in such a beautiful way! One of the greatest things about this book is Max. He must be one of the greatest guys I've read about. He fights hard for what he wants and never backs down. He's passionate and intenste, with a laid-back charm to it. He's swoon-worthy and definitely made my heart swell. Geez, he's worth reading this one alone.
I sincerely recommend this one! It looks like a series too, and really hope that the next books will bring us back to Italy and Genoa for the story of the other characters: Lisa & Gino and Gia & Beppe. If so, I can't wait to read more from this author! :)
Stella
A young woman who has survived through the fate of having half of her family is torn away from her due to an horrible accident. If that's wasn't enough, she's also diagnosed with cancer a few years later. In order to forget about her tragic life, she decides to go to Italy for one summer to forget for a while and learn how to live, before she has to face her illness again. What she doesn't expect, is that this trip will lead her to meet and fall in love with:
Max
The passionate and charming guy with his own troubled past.
When these two meet, sparks fly and so it begins. How can she let him fall in love with her? How can she let the man she fall in love with fall in love with her back, if there's a real chance she'll die and leave him? These feelings leads Stella to try denying her feelings towards Max, but how long can she deny it when he refuse to let her push him away?
I loved this story. It made me smile and it made me cry. It was amazing. I loved everything about it. I feel the author has managed to capture something truly beautiful between the to main characters, surrounded by all the ugliness and tragedy of their pasts. She also portaits Italy in such a beautiful way! One of the greatest things about this book is Max. He must be one of the greatest guys I've read about. He fights hard for what he wants and never backs down. He's passionate and intenste, with a laid-back charm to it. He's swoon-worthy and definitely made my heart swell. Geez, he's worth reading this one alone.
I sincerely recommend this one! It looks like a series too, and really hope that the next books will bring us back to Italy and Genoa for the story of the other characters: Lisa & Gino and Gia & Beppe. If so, I can't wait to read more from this author! :)
April 25, 2013
OH MY...I just finished In A Heartbeat last night and I have been thinking about it all day long. It's just one of those books that you can't get out of your head.
It tugged on every emotion that I had. Happiness, sadness, excitement, joy, laughter, fear ~ it was an EPIC read. I started the book late at night and usually when the nook hits you in the head it's time to put the book away. I just couldn't do it. I needed to know what was going to happen next for Stella and Max. Just one more chapter...until it was 5am and almost time for me to get up with my kids.
Would they ever be able to find their love that was so apparent to everyone around them? Stella is a stubborn girl and she had every right to be. The girl had been through enough in her lifetime. Heartbreak over and over again. But Max oh Max. He is not one to get out of your mind. This sexy Italian with a jealous streak bigger than Texas. Boy oh boy was he hot and romantic and just...sigh. But this book is not only about Max and Stella. It's about relationships, friendships, love lost and found. Forgiveness. There is Beppo, Gia and Lisa and all of their wonderfully complicated lives that pull you into the story even more.
Teodora did a wonderful job of painting characters that were so full of life and you felt as if you had known them forever. I wanted to go and hang out with them all in Italy! I need my passport now! I was blown away by this book! I would love to see more of Max and Stella. The in between years (hint Teodora) or even stories about the other characters. They were all so memorable. Even now I have a smile on my face thinking of them. If you want to read a book that will stay with you for a while. I HIGHLY recommend In a Heartbeat!
*I was given an ARC copy of In A Heartbeat by the author for an honest review*
It tugged on every emotion that I had. Happiness, sadness, excitement, joy, laughter, fear ~ it was an EPIC read. I started the book late at night and usually when the nook hits you in the head it's time to put the book away. I just couldn't do it. I needed to know what was going to happen next for Stella and Max. Just one more chapter...until it was 5am and almost time for me to get up with my kids.
Would they ever be able to find their love that was so apparent to everyone around them? Stella is a stubborn girl and she had every right to be. The girl had been through enough in her lifetime. Heartbreak over and over again. But Max oh Max. He is not one to get out of your mind. This sexy Italian with a jealous streak bigger than Texas. Boy oh boy was he hot and romantic and just...sigh. But this book is not only about Max and Stella. It's about relationships, friendships, love lost and found. Forgiveness. There is Beppo, Gia and Lisa and all of their wonderfully complicated lives that pull you into the story even more.
Teodora did a wonderful job of painting characters that were so full of life and you felt as if you had known them forever. I wanted to go and hang out with them all in Italy! I need my passport now! I was blown away by this book! I would love to see more of Max and Stella. The in between years (hint Teodora) or even stories about the other characters. They were all so memorable. Even now I have a smile on my face thinking of them. If you want to read a book that will stay with you for a while. I HIGHLY recommend In a Heartbeat!
*I was given an ARC copy of In A Heartbeat by the author for an honest review*
September 11, 2015
The original idea is not bad. However, after ten pages I stated asking myself: What the hell?
She is supposed to be recovering from cancer, half the liver is removed, yet the girl is dragging suitcases, jogging every morning, swimming, "barely there" bikini, two surgeries and NO scars, perfect glowing skin, no hair loss, no medications, strict diet (however she refrains from alcohol only). CANCER SHOWS! If a patient fighting cancer reads this book (God forbid), they will obviously hate it.
Stella is English, but there are so many American expressions thrown in.
The writing is simple, flat, and emotionless. The female character is frustrating – all her thoughts revolving around jealousy and not hurting anybody! This girl is so so so kind-hearted, that she would rather save somebody else than herself, while she's the one needing help. No. Not realistic. And Max – massive house, wealthy family, and yet, poor boy works two jobs to save money for education? And while he was known as a sort of a sex expert, Stella had two short-term relationships which obviously made her a bedroom diva.
The dialogues: people don’t talk like that in normal life. Ever!
Most of all, I think the book is an insult to all people fighting cancer. That’s what puts me off most.
She is supposed to be recovering from cancer, half the liver is removed, yet the girl is dragging suitcases, jogging every morning, swimming, "barely there" bikini, two surgeries and NO scars, perfect glowing skin, no hair loss, no medications, strict diet (however she refrains from alcohol only). CANCER SHOWS! If a patient fighting cancer reads this book (God forbid), they will obviously hate it.
Stella is English, but there are so many American expressions thrown in.
The writing is simple, flat, and emotionless. The female character is frustrating – all her thoughts revolving around jealousy and not hurting anybody! This girl is so so so kind-hearted, that she would rather save somebody else than herself, while she's the one needing help. No. Not realistic. And Max – massive house, wealthy family, and yet, poor boy works two jobs to save money for education? And while he was known as a sort of a sex expert, Stella had two short-term relationships which obviously made her a bedroom diva.
The dialogues: people don’t talk like that in normal life. Ever!
Most of all, I think the book is an insult to all people fighting cancer. That’s what puts me off most.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2013
Max is just all sorts of yummy, "a weaving tattoo design on his right shoulder, and continued downwards towards his chest, and washboard stomach, finally getting lost in his trunks' waist. A part of another tattoo was peeking over his trunks on his left hip, the other part hidden under them." I mean he's really really yummy, "I hide that tattoos under the suit," he said and laughed as if it had been obvious. "And I remove all my piercings, including this one." He clicked his tongue piercing at the back of his teeth." Oh. My. Lord. Max experiences new feelings when he's with Stella, "never been so effing jealous in my entire life, Stella...I wanted to drag that a**hole out of the club and beat him to an inch of his life because his hands were all over you." Max never holds back what he wants to say, "it's hard enough when you look at me like you want to eat me all the time, but if you ever want to leave your bedroom again, you'd better quit teasing me," Max growled." Oh my panties! I liked this book it was different the Stella is a strong character and so isn't Max and they try so hard to steer clear of each other that it just doesn't work out.
April 10, 2013
This is my ever first book by Teodora Kostova. This kind of book you shoudn't missed. It messes with your feelings, teaches you that life can changed into a heart bit. That whatever you have right now can be gone in a split seconds. Stella's life has a full of hardship. After losing her dad and her brother in a devastated car accident after a few short months she was diagnosed in liver cancer. She decided to libed her 3 months vacations to the fullest wherein she met Massimo short for Max. They both experienced love at first sight. I'm glad knowing after Max. Known that Stella's cancer came back he stood by her for better or worse.
When life gives you lemons, take out the salt and the shot-glasses and fill them up with tequila. Fight for what you really want and never, ever settle for anything less.
Don't exist. Live. Cheers!
When life gives you lemons, take out the salt and the shot-glasses and fill them up with tequila. Fight for what you really want and never, ever settle for anything less.
Don't exist. Live. Cheers!
May 4, 2013
The thing is sometimes the unexpected is what changes you forever - That is essentially what the book stands for. Its the journey people take to find love &keep it.
"Fight for what you really want and never, ever settle for anything less. Dont exist. Live"
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! I think the topic of this book really touched me in a profound way. Its a touchy subject but I think Teodora Kostova managed to portray it perfectly.
I felt like I was falling in love myself. Max. Massimo. He was the epitome of a Italian man and due to him my new favourite word is tesoro.
Overall, I just loved the way the book was written &ALL the characters were exceptional. I want more as in the stories of Gia and Beppe as well as Lisa and Gino. They are going to be equally fabulous, I can just feel it in my bones.
"Fight for what you really want and never, ever settle for anything less. Dont exist. Live"
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! I think the topic of this book really touched me in a profound way. Its a touchy subject but I think Teodora Kostova managed to portray it perfectly.
I felt like I was falling in love myself. Max. Massimo. He was the epitome of a Italian man and due to him my new favourite word is tesoro.
Overall, I just loved the way the book was written &ALL the characters were exceptional. I want more as in the stories of Gia and Beppe as well as Lisa and Gino. They are going to be equally fabulous, I can just feel it in my bones.
April 16, 2013
I give this book a 4.5 stars. I read this book simply because I've been talking to the author and it was released on my brothers birthday. It's not my usual type as I'm more into erotic at the moment to romance but I enjoyed the time with the book. The characters are loveable and the story line is very easy to follow. It's not all happy smiles which is one reason why the story works so well. The moment you think it's all going to end fine another curve ball is thrown in and I was hating that I had to put the book down to come back to the real world so often. If your a romance lover you'll love it. Even if your not give it a try it'll surprise you. Great work Theodora I can't wait for the next one.
March 28, 2013
I was very lucky to get to read this prior to the release, and I am very grateful for that!
This book was really good, I loved it!
The story line was realistic and kept getting better as the story continued,I felt it related to real life situations.
It was well written and was easy to flow with the story and the characters were easy to connect with, which made it perfect to imagine the scenes and the emotions surrounding it.
Stella and Max have an amazing and real relationship, you will love them!
There is no cliffhanger either so you are left feeling content with the ending.
I will definitely be recommending it as a must read!
This book was really good, I loved it!
The story line was realistic and kept getting better as the story continued,I felt it related to real life situations.
It was well written and was easy to flow with the story and the characters were easy to connect with, which made it perfect to imagine the scenes and the emotions surrounding it.
Stella and Max have an amazing and real relationship, you will love them!
There is no cliffhanger either so you are left feeling content with the ending.
I will definitely be recommending it as a must read!
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