Subtle Reminders

by D.J. Pierson

The memory of when I met Joey Sullivan constantly replayed in my mind. One morning, as I patiently waited for homeroom to begin, he strolled into the classroom, and into my life. I had seen him around but, until that moment, we never actually crossed paths. Everyone knew him because of his remarkable talent on the baseball field. His name was always mentioned at school, as well as in the local newspaper. A sudden alarming wave of nerves unleashed in my chest as he sat in the desk directly in front of mine. No one had ever affected me that way. Convinced he was a typical player, I purposely kept my distance. My heart was entirely too young to be broken.
As the days turned into weeks, it became obvious I had it wrong. Joey turned out to be a decent guy. He was sweet, considerate, and smart. Not at all the bad boy I assumed him to be. His extraordinary skills didn’t make him self-absorbed or conceited in the least. For a while, we were pretty close friends, even partners in crime. Eventually, I could no longer contain my growing feelings and allowed him to kiss me. That was it. From then on, he completely owned my heart, and I didn’t want it back.
We were together throughout high school and into college. Not many people could say they wanted to be with their first love for their entire lives, but we did. That was our plan. Joey constantly spoke about getting married, living together, the children we’d bring into the world, the memories we’d make along the way. Neither of us dreamt of anything else. Our future looked so promising.
Until one night changed everything.
Joey always protected me. There wasn’t anyone or anything more important to him than me. It used to be one of the many things I loved most about him. Who knew it would also be the reason I had no choice but to let him go?

Genres: Contemporary

460 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 5, 2016

About the author

Forever Altered is my debut novel! For any future plans, please see my Facebook page!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/D-J-Pi...

Reviews

[Diz Reads 4TLOReading · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I have a small confession, until a good friend recommended this book, I hadn't heard of DJ Pierson and as always with new authors you kinda weigh up your options, but it looked good and my friend has good taste, plus you kinda know by 20% if you are gonna like it right ?!? So I gave it a shot !

Well at 20% I'm like Damn this book has me hooked, 45% DAMN that's why, 60% Damn this book is good, 80% I don't want this book to end, 100% did I really just finish that in less than a day ! Damn right I did what a ride !!! Seriously guys you need to pick this book up, I cannot recommend it enough. It ticked every box

The book centres around Joey and Brielle and the Connection that runs so deep that it seems even seven years apart can't spoil. And a love that could possibly stand the test of time, but why did Brie run and can Joey give off those subtle reminders to get her back ! With a supporting cast of strong loveable characters one in particular I hope gets his own book. (Jack) that you fall in love with along the way.

Watching this story unfold held so many feels and everything you needed from just a truly heartfelt story.

Honestly, this is why I love finding new authors especially when they floor me with their talent, when the words literally escape and flow of the page, sweeping me away leaving reality a blur just for awhile as I get lost amongst the comforting cocoon of the book.

5 beautiful stars for a firm favourite of mine this year.

[Cc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have the biggest book hangover after reading (and rereading) Subtle Reminders. Brie and Joey are such relatable characters, I feel like they are friends of mine. It is so refreshing to see a male character that is an incredibly sweet gentleman that doesn't need a woman to "fix" him or deal with the fact that he's damaged. Joey is perfectly adorable just the way he is. I also loved the way that D.J. Pierson incorporates the flashbacks. They flow effortlessly within the storyline as Brie and Joey remember why they fell in love with each other. The cover and formatting of the book are beautifully done as well.

All of subcharacters are amazing, but I really need for Jack to have his own book. He's such a loving big brother and I would love to see him settle down with the right girl. However, I'm positive I will devour anything else that Ms. Pierson writes as I adore and highly recommend the other books she has written.

[Secretly Adorkable Readers · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first book I read of this author was Forever Altered with is one of my all time favorite reads. One day, she reached out to me on my blog to ask if I wanted to read one of her books and I was so ecstatic to hear from her because I was already a fan!

Subtle Reminders is a second chance story between two best friends who fell in love when they were younger. A chain of unexpected events causes heart break. I fell in love with BC and Joey and a lot of the other side characters. I am so in love with Jack by the way ;) I would like to see if he gets his own story. Take a chance and read this book ! Don't forget to check out her others as well!

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! I love this story so much. I was gripped from the very first page-first loves is something everyone can relate to. You even made me shed a few tears!

Well done Dana-I think this is your best book yet! You just keep getting better and better. Looking forward to the next book. Maybe Jack can have his own story?? Xx

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book got me out of my book funk!!! I hadn’t read a book in 2 months and I could not find a book to make me read it in a long time until I saw this one!!!! This story is sooo sweet, and I loved the flashbacksssss!! I think those were my favorite!!!

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 star read for me! I'm not sure what lead me to this book but I'm so glad I got a chance to read it. I absolutely loved reading this journey into Brie and Joey's life. It was absolutely breathtaking watching them talk about their past together and it flowed seamlessly! Joey (sigh) was absolutely adorable and in it to win it from the beginning. Brie was a great heroine as well. And DO NOT get me started on Maddie....loved that dog! The supporting characters....Lex, Vance and Jack. I absolutely loved them being apart of this journey. I would love to see Jack move in behind their house and read about his story. He's such a sweetheart and would make for another great read.

I hated seeing this story end but I love that I came across it and read it.

[huperziaselago · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very engaging book and was overall a very enjoyable read. My main issue with it was the nickname that Joey had for Brielle: BC, the repeated mention of her nickname in his inner thoughts was annoying after the first few thousand times. This is completely my personal issue and did not detract from the story whatsoever.

[Amy Huesser · Rating 5 out of 5]

A MUST READ! I couldn't put this book down. The love Joey has for Brie is beautiful and unconditional. I love how he never gave up hope on getting her back when he thought all was lost.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

love!

[Danny Jeffery · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first D.J. Pierson book and it absolutely will not be last. I have to say, I was pulled into the story right from the get go. This is a second chances love story told between the then and now and I was thoroughly invested in and routing for Joey and Brielle's HEA.

This was a sweet story that kept me on my toes wondering how everything was going to pan out. The characters and likeable and real and the supporting characters provide an added depth to the story.

This was a cracking read and I really enjoyed it.

[Wiewi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I REALLY REALLY LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH. I always love the story about small town lives where people acknowledged each other and good relationships around them. I loved how close relationship between Joey and BC's Family. I loved how Joey,Vince, and Lex care each other as bestfriends.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Subtle Reminders was such an awesome story!! It made me cry and laugh. I absolutely loved Joey and Brielle and the side characters! I didn't want this story to end I loved it so much!! This story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming!! Pick it up!!!

[Stephanie Schmidheiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this love story!!!

[Suzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well that was just lame. While written and edited well, the story was just weak and the characters, especially h, were TSTL.

[Bella Marley · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.6