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The Sun and the Moon
AN AWARD-WINNING, STEAMY, STANDALONE, SECOND-CHANCE/MENTAL HEALTH-RECOVERY ROMANCE I just wanted a freaking cup of coffee. After all, hard-charging lawyers like me require caffeine to survive court battles. I didn’t expect my life to change. I didn’t expect the unbelievably hot guy behind the counter—all green eyes and golden surfer curls—to tilt my world. And I REALLY didn’t expect his particular brand of laid-back alpha male style. I’d been so secure in my own little world. One with Rules about what I do—and what I definitely do NOT do. Especially in bed. Rule Number 9? No dirty talking? There’s no earthly reason why I’d want anyone to do that. I may be stuck-up, but my Rules kept me safe and happy. Okay, I wasn’t happy. Depressed and repressed is more like it. But am I ready for Mister Barista to obliterate every Rule in my book?
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 15, 2015
101 people are currently reading
1735 people want to read
About the author
Leslie McAdam
35 books1,457 followersLeslie McAdam is a California girl who loves romance and well-defined abs. She lives in a drafty old farmhouse on a small orange tree farm in Southern California with her husband and two small children. Leslie's first published book, The Sun and the Moon, won a 2015 Watty, which is the world's largest online writing competition. She's gone on to receive additional literary awards and has been featured in multiple publications, including Cosmopolitan.com. Her books have been Top 100 Bestsellers on both Amazon and Apple Books. Leslie is employed by day but spends her nights writing about the men of your fantasies.
USA Today interview: http://happyeverafter.usatoday.com/20...
Cosmopolitan: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love...
USA Today interview: http://happyeverafter.usatoday.com/20...
Cosmopolitan: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 203 reviews
December 16, 2015
Holy Hell Batman! I wasn't too sure what to expect with this book, but I LOVED LOVED LOVED IT! Amelia Crowley has come through a lot in her life, and now she's numbed herself up so she doesn't get hurt ever again. She has a specific set of rules that she goes by in the romance department, until she meets sexy surfer Ryan Fielding. Ryan looks for pleasure where ever he can find it, to keep his own demons at bay. He's stayed unattached, only chasing waves, until he comes face to face with Amelia. Ryan has a goal to smash all of her rules, and make her his. Will Amelia be able to let Ryan take control, or will she keep her rules ruining her shot at something great?!
WOW! This story is just fantastic. The character development is great, with a powerfully well written story line that flows smoothly. Secondary characters popping in were awesome as well, and I hope I get to read some of their stories. Leslie McAdam does a brilliant job writing about a sensitive subject with authenticity, and complete honestly. I can totally empathize with Amelia, down to the list. Well placed humor had me laughing until my stomach ached, and the sparks exploded out of my kindle leading to some SIZZLIN' sexy scenes that gave me hot flashes. One of my favorite parts is the bonus chapters the author added so I could see into Ryan's head a bit. I CANNOT WAIT to read more in this series, and I happily HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
WOW! This story is just fantastic. The character development is great, with a powerfully well written story line that flows smoothly. Secondary characters popping in were awesome as well, and I hope I get to read some of their stories. Leslie McAdam does a brilliant job writing about a sensitive subject with authenticity, and complete honestly. I can totally empathize with Amelia, down to the list. Well placed humor had me laughing until my stomach ached, and the sparks exploded out of my kindle leading to some SIZZLIN' sexy scenes that gave me hot flashes. One of my favorite parts is the bonus chapters the author added so I could see into Ryan's head a bit. I CANNOT WAIT to read more in this series, and I happily HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
March 22, 2016
This was this author's FIRST published novel? WOW. I am absolutely blown away by her talent!
In The Sun and The Moon, we meet Ryan and Amelia. Ryan is a fun-loving, free-spirited, surfing coffee shop manager.... or is he? Amelia is a buttoned-up, sexually repressed attorney who has battled depression for years. They meet. They click. And the scorch factor goes from zero to a hundred in very short order!
This may sound like a downer book, but it was quite the opposite, I assure you. Depression is a delicate subject, but Ms. McAdam approached it head-on with grace. And the book didn't center around that as much as it did Amelia's unwillingness to trust due to circumstances of her past (which triggered her depression).
I had SO many laugh out loud moments in this book. The writing was top-notch, intelligent and with so many great one-liners, if I'd highlighted them all, my notes page would be full. The sex scenes were scorching as Ryan slowly cut Amelia from the chains of her own sexual inhibitions and she not only began to embrace herself as woman, but to trust herself and others again.
It's sometimes scary to try a new author you haven't read before, but gosh...if you don't try Ms. McAdam, you'll be missing out. This was a top read for me so far in 2016 and in fact, I liked this book so much, I immediately one-clicked book two in this series, The Stars In The Sky.
I'll be watching for more to come from her. She's a star rising, of that there is no doubt.
In The Sun and The Moon, we meet Ryan and Amelia. Ryan is a fun-loving, free-spirited, surfing coffee shop manager.... or is he? Amelia is a buttoned-up, sexually repressed attorney who has battled depression for years. They meet. They click. And the scorch factor goes from zero to a hundred in very short order!
This may sound like a downer book, but it was quite the opposite, I assure you. Depression is a delicate subject, but Ms. McAdam approached it head-on with grace. And the book didn't center around that as much as it did Amelia's unwillingness to trust due to circumstances of her past (which triggered her depression).
I had SO many laugh out loud moments in this book. The writing was top-notch, intelligent and with so many great one-liners, if I'd highlighted them all, my notes page would be full. The sex scenes were scorching as Ryan slowly cut Amelia from the chains of her own sexual inhibitions and she not only began to embrace herself as woman, but to trust herself and others again.
It's sometimes scary to try a new author you haven't read before, but gosh...if you don't try Ms. McAdam, you'll be missing out. This was a top read for me so far in 2016 and in fact, I liked this book so much, I immediately one-clicked book two in this series, The Stars In The Sky.
I'll be watching for more to come from her. She's a star rising, of that there is no doubt.
March 16, 2016
Wow. Okay. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 because I have just found me my new book boyfriend.
I just finished this book, and I'm not even sure where to start... I'll just walk through this book and what I am feeling..
First of all, the cover is amazing. I mean, just looking at it it's nothing special. Hot, but it's just another shirtless guy. A dime a dozen, right? (ha.) The reason I loved the cover so much is because it completely fits Ryan, our Hero. It just fits the story. This cover says: beach, loving, sweet, free, playful, and hot. That's exactly what Ryan is. Of course, Ryan is also Amelia's Sun God. :)
Now Ryan is our Hero, and the author truly gave us that: a Hero. I want a Ryan. I mean, I have my husband, but in my head I'm going to have Ryan as well. I'm picky about book boyfriends so the author should be honored I'm dubbing Ryan as one of mine. Ryan owns a coffee shop and this is where our heroine, Amelia (love the name) meets him.. err.. reconnects with him. See, they went to high school together; Amelia three years his senior. She doesn't remember him, but he remembers her. They end up bumping into each other a couple times, on purpose and on accident, and this is how their relationship starts.
Okay, now we have to talk about our heroine, Amelia. I didn't like Amelia at first, or at least I wasn't sure about her. Sometimes I don't like the "broken" and vulnerable heroine, which is what Amelia was, but in the end I empathized and rooted for her. Amelia had a few traumatic events in her past that were interconnected and happened back to back; that was kind of the catalyst for her depression and suicidal ideation. When Amelia connects with Ryan she is recovering from those events and her depression. I believe she's a year into her treatment which I thought was a great time frame, not too soon but not too long after either so everything was still very relevant to the character. Amelia's biggest enemy is her mind - duh, depression/suicide. Ryan helps her see past her dark thoughts and her insecurities. He makes he feel again, not just sexually but emotionally as well.
So I started getting a little scared at the 25% point. This book starts with the h having sex with some accountant named Paul who is of absolutely of no significance (safety alert!). There is somewhat of a point to this event - it tells the reader of her "Rules", that she can't orgasm because of the Prozac she's on, and obviously informs the reader of her depression. Getting past that first chapter, past meeting Ryan, past the first kiss, but lets stop at the first time they had sex. I started freaking out. Is this book just about sex? It can't be, right? The author is talking about depression and suicide so there has to be a deeper story. I almost didn't want to read on even though I was loving the author's writing style. I'm so glad I did. Right past that? It's one of the best parts of the book. This is also the place where the characters start becoming emotionally invested in one another.
This book is light but does deal with some deeper issues: body image, sexual repression, depression, and suicidal ideation. The author does an amazing job showcasing what happens when a person is depressed, the treatment that needs to go on, the ongoing battle inside a person's head, all while telling a wonderfully written swoon worthy love story that ultimately helps the heroine fully heal and find herself again.
As a mental health professional (in-training), I loved that the author told an honest and believable story that dealt with a topic that so many people want to bury their heads about, or dismiss, or belittle (I could go on and on...).
This really is a great read and one I hope you will try after you probably did not read my long and rambling post. :D
Safety/Triggers:
OW drama:
Condoms:
Dead loved ones:
Sex scenes with OM:
I just finished this book, and I'm not even sure where to start... I'll just walk through this book and what I am feeling..
First of all, the cover is amazing. I mean, just looking at it it's nothing special. Hot, but it's just another shirtless guy. A dime a dozen, right? (ha.) The reason I loved the cover so much is because it completely fits Ryan, our Hero. It just fits the story. This cover says: beach, loving, sweet, free, playful, and hot. That's exactly what Ryan is. Of course, Ryan is also Amelia's Sun God. :)
Now Ryan is our Hero, and the author truly gave us that: a Hero. I want a Ryan. I mean, I have my husband, but in my head I'm going to have Ryan as well. I'm picky about book boyfriends so the author should be honored I'm dubbing Ryan as one of mine. Ryan owns a coffee shop and this is where our heroine, Amelia (love the name) meets him.. err.. reconnects with him. See, they went to high school together; Amelia three years his senior. She doesn't remember him, but he remembers her. They end up bumping into each other a couple times, on purpose and on accident, and this is how their relationship starts.
Okay, now we have to talk about our heroine, Amelia. I didn't like Amelia at first, or at least I wasn't sure about her. Sometimes I don't like the "broken" and vulnerable heroine, which is what Amelia was, but in the end I empathized and rooted for her. Amelia had a few traumatic events in her past that were interconnected and happened back to back; that was kind of the catalyst for her depression and suicidal ideation. When Amelia connects with Ryan she is recovering from those events and her depression. I believe she's a year into her treatment which I thought was a great time frame, not too soon but not too long after either so everything was still very relevant to the character. Amelia's biggest enemy is her mind - duh, depression/suicide. Ryan helps her see past her dark thoughts and her insecurities. He makes he feel again, not just sexually but emotionally as well.
So I started getting a little scared at the 25% point. This book starts with the h having sex with some accountant named Paul who is of absolutely of no significance (safety alert!). There is somewhat of a point to this event - it tells the reader of her "Rules", that she can't orgasm because of the Prozac she's on, and obviously informs the reader of her depression. Getting past that first chapter, past meeting Ryan, past the first kiss, but lets stop at the first time they had sex. I started freaking out. Is this book just about sex? It can't be, right? The author is talking about depression and suicide so there has to be a deeper story. I almost didn't want to read on even though I was loving the author's writing style. I'm so glad I did. Right past that? It's one of the best parts of the book. This is also the place where the characters start becoming emotionally invested in one another.
This book is light but does deal with some deeper issues: body image, sexual repression, depression, and suicidal ideation. The author does an amazing job showcasing what happens when a person is depressed, the treatment that needs to go on, the ongoing battle inside a person's head, all while telling a wonderfully written swoon worthy love story that ultimately helps the heroine fully heal and find herself again.
As a mental health professional (in-training), I loved that the author told an honest and believable story that dealt with a topic that so many people want to bury their heads about, or dismiss, or belittle (I could go on and on...).
This really is a great read and one I hope you will try after you probably did not read my long and rambling post. :D
Safety/Triggers:
OW drama:
Condoms:
Dead loved ones:
Sex scenes with OM:
March 9, 2016
Since I started reading books non-stop about 2 years ago, I've read maybe a handful of books that really resonated with me. A small number of books that truly hit me in my core. The Sun and the Moon jumped to the top of that list a few chapters in. Ms. McAdam was kind enough to give me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review and I have neglected to finish it until now because I had to stop reading it. It hurt too much. It was so beautiful and eloquent, it was so many things about myself I was afraid to admit I had gone through. So many things about myself I had been unable to find the words to express but someone else did and reading them was a new level of vulnerability. It felt like reading parts of my soul that I had kept hidden. Amelia is so broken and beautiful and strong all at once. Her desperation to keep herself safe while only alienating herself from the world around her spoke to me. I loved how honest Amelia was with herself, she knew her rules weren't working but she also knew she was afraid to live without them. I loved how she acknowledged her mental illness, embraced the treatment, she wasn't ashamed of having to have help, to varying degrees in her past. She wasn't ashamed of her story when she finally finds a person to share herself with. Ryan was amazingly beautiful and patient and everything Amelia needed. He was her other half, completing her by helping her with the healing process. Between breaking the rules, making Amelia feel cherished, touching her inside and outside her mind, he was everything she needed when she needed it the most. I can't say enough good things about this story and I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the story. If I could give this more than 5 stars I would. Keep your eyes on this author, she's going places!
June 7, 2016
The Sun and the Moon is a beautiful story about the dark subject of depression. Written with knowledge, understanding, sexy times, and fun, I sat there for a long time after I finished it just thinking wow, that was utterly fantastic!!! Don't miss this one about a Sun God and a woman coming to terms with who she is. And ps - that cover is so spot on with the story.
December 8, 2015
Before I go and share my feelings for this book, I have to give props and kudos to Leslie McAdam for writing about depression in the most honest and authentic way possible. It wasn't overly dramatized or trivialized. It was a sober portrayal but not devoid of humor. There's an optimistic tone to the way the author wrote Amelia's condition into the narrative, and the result was so well done.
The Sun and the Romance opens with Amelia in bed with an accountant, who she has been dating for quite a while, and realizing that she's not into the act and she's not into him at all but she pretends to anyway. Right there and then, readers are informed that Amelia suffers from depression and has been under medication because of it, which she blames for her lack of, um, enthusiasm.
Her thoughts during this time were hilarious. It was hilarious because I'm pretty sure most of us have done this or had been in this awkward situation before.
Later on, we find out that Amelia has Rules that she lived by. The Rules were a product of her own upbringing, and the Rules were ridiculous. It would have been so easy to get frustrated with her because of her Rules but she was so self-aware and open about how pathetic and how wrong she could be that I found myself relating to her character.
The story got even more interesting when Amelia met Ryan. Ryan is the exact opposite of Amelia. While Amelia is closed off to pleasure, Ryan glories in it. He pushes at her boundaries and as they get to know more about each other, Amelia becomes more and more comfortable in her own skin.
Don't get me wrong. Yes, Ryan helped Amelia break down her self-imposed rules but this book isn't just about a woman finding the "one" to make her let go. Before meeting Ryan and deciding on a relationship with him, Amelia was already on the path to self-realization. Ryan was just the catalyst.
The romance was excellent and the characters are relatable. It's low angst and basically drama free. Even the drama towards the end was resolved easily.
The writing was easy and very readable albeit choppy sometimes but it somehow fits within the context of Amelia's POV, so I really can't complain. The Sun and the Moon is told entirely from Amelia's POV with a bit of a bonus Ryan POV at the end. I wish I had Ryan's POV too. While I did get to learn a lot about him, I can't say that I really knew his character. It made him too perfect and too godlike in eyes.
But like I said, this was primarily Amelia's journey. I loved the ending, not just because it's HEA but again, Ms. McAdam didn't shy away from giving us the real deal about coping with depression. Amelia didn't get miraculously healed from it, which I really appreciate.
I'd definitely recommend this one. Looking forward to reading more from this author. I'm hoping Amelia's boss gets a book of his own. *fingers crossed*
The Sun and the Romance opens with Amelia in bed with an accountant, who she has been dating for quite a while, and realizing that she's not into the act and she's not into him at all but she pretends to anyway. Right there and then, readers are informed that Amelia suffers from depression and has been under medication because of it, which she blames for her lack of, um, enthusiasm.
Her thoughts during this time were hilarious. It was hilarious because I'm pretty sure most of us have done this or had been in this awkward situation before.
What's on TV later?
One of the channels was having a Harry Potter marathon.
I wish I'd gone to Hogwarts instead of law school.
Wait. Focus. Sex. We're having sex.
Later on, we find out that Amelia has Rules that she lived by. The Rules were a product of her own upbringing, and the Rules were ridiculous. It would have been so easy to get frustrated with her because of her Rules but she was so self-aware and open about how pathetic and how wrong she could be that I found myself relating to her character.
The story got even more interesting when Amelia met Ryan. Ryan is the exact opposite of Amelia. While Amelia is closed off to pleasure, Ryan glories in it. He pushes at her boundaries and as they get to know more about each other, Amelia becomes more and more comfortable in her own skin.
Don't get me wrong. Yes, Ryan helped Amelia break down her self-imposed rules but this book isn't just about a woman finding the "one" to make her let go. Before meeting Ryan and deciding on a relationship with him, Amelia was already on the path to self-realization. Ryan was just the catalyst.
The romance was excellent and the characters are relatable. It's low angst and basically drama free. Even the drama towards the end was resolved easily.
The writing was easy and very readable albeit choppy sometimes but it somehow fits within the context of Amelia's POV, so I really can't complain. The Sun and the Moon is told entirely from Amelia's POV with a bit of a bonus Ryan POV at the end. I wish I had Ryan's POV too. While I did get to learn a lot about him, I can't say that I really knew his character. It made him too perfect and too godlike in eyes.
But like I said, this was primarily Amelia's journey. I loved the ending, not just because it's HEA but again, Ms. McAdam didn't shy away from giving us the real deal about coping with depression. Amelia didn't get miraculously healed from it, which I really appreciate.
I'd definitely recommend this one. Looking forward to reading more from this author. I'm hoping Amelia's boss gets a book of his own. *fingers crossed*
December 15, 2015
Leslie McAdam has done a fantastic job on her debut novel! She did an excellent job writing about a very difficult, dark subject matter: depression. And I just have to say that after reading this, she couldn't have picked a more perfect title for this book.
Lets start with Amelia Crowley. She has been battling depression ever since going through a traumatic event. She has just been cruising through life, numb, not feeling anything. She has written a set of rules pertaining to her sexuality and what she will and won't do based on how she was brought up by her parents. The author tackles her depression and suicidal thoughts, and us as readers are along for her ride to recovery.
In walks Sex God, Ryan Fielding! He is one hot surfer/coffee house guru. I could not get enough of him and all his sensualist ways! He has set out to help Amelia break all her rules and to allow her to just feel all the pleasure he has to offer her. Ryan was definitely an easy character to fall in love with. He is a very attractive, attentive, romantic, sensualist lover, so different from Amelia. They were complete opposites, like the sun and the moon. Will Amelia allow Ryan to help her break through all her rules and boundaries, or will she cling to them and lose their chance at love?
This story was a very good, easy read! I loved the many Harry Potter references throughout the book. You could definitely tell the author was a huge fan. The book was entirely in Amelia's POV, but I love how the author included some bonus scenes from Ryan's POV after the epilogue. I love getting able to see both sides. I can't wait to read what else Leslie McAdam has in store for us later on.
Lets start with Amelia Crowley. She has been battling depression ever since going through a traumatic event. She has just been cruising through life, numb, not feeling anything. She has written a set of rules pertaining to her sexuality and what she will and won't do based on how she was brought up by her parents. The author tackles her depression and suicidal thoughts, and us as readers are along for her ride to recovery.
In walks Sex God, Ryan Fielding! He is one hot surfer/coffee house guru. I could not get enough of him and all his sensualist ways! He has set out to help Amelia break all her rules and to allow her to just feel all the pleasure he has to offer her. Ryan was definitely an easy character to fall in love with. He is a very attractive, attentive, romantic, sensualist lover, so different from Amelia. They were complete opposites, like the sun and the moon. Will Amelia allow Ryan to help her break through all her rules and boundaries, or will she cling to them and lose their chance at love?
This story was a very good, easy read! I loved the many Harry Potter references throughout the book. You could definitely tell the author was a huge fan. The book was entirely in Amelia's POV, but I love how the author included some bonus scenes from Ryan's POV after the epilogue. I love getting able to see both sides. I can't wait to read what else Leslie McAdam has in store for us later on.
March 13, 2016
Leslie McAdam knocks down walls in her debut novel, The Sun and the Moon, giving us a beautiful story that is just so intelligent and well written I was wowed! She tackles the dark subject of depression with knowledge, understanding, compassion, and a supersize serving of hot sexy fun and humor. Ms. McAdam’s voice is smooth flowing, wrapping you up in the lives of her characters from the very start. Her insights on life, love, and self-worth truly resonated with me, and I found myself relating to the main character, Amelia, on so many levels.
Amelia Crowley’s life took a turn that knocked her for a loop. Heartbreaking loss, not to mention cruelty from the one person who should have been by her side, sent her tumbling into the rabbit hole of depression. Amelia shut down her feelings, set herself up with a set of ten hard fast rules regarding sex and relationships, and just...exists. The only thing she puts any energy into is her law practice, the only person she confides in is her quirky best friend, Marie. The icing on the cake... the Prozac has hijacked Amelia’s libido. Not that there’s been any guy even remotely able to light a spark down there. Until she walks into Southwinds Coffee and is struck speechless by the gorgeous barista. The fleeting thought he seems familiar is knocked aside by intense green eyes, lush lips, blonde surfer curls, and the sexiest voice she’s ever heard. Hello, Sun God. Welcome back, libido.
Ryan Fielding has his own set of baggage stuffed with heartache and loss, but the Sun God savors each day as if it were his last. He knew back in high school that Amelia Crowley was the one for him even though she was three years ahead of him. Now, more than ten years later, she’s walked into his life again and he’s not going to let her get away. Determined to lure beautiful Amelia out of her rabbit hole, toss out those damn rules, and give in to feeling again, Ryan has all the patience in the world.
Oh Lordy, I fell in love with Ryan immediately. He’s not only gorgeous and built like a god, he’s over the top sexy. Like, set your panties on fire, SEXY. The things this man says! The things this man does to Amelia’s body! I loved that Amelia is ready and willing to let him in, allow herself to be vulnerable, and most of all, to enjoy! Ryan’s intelligence and wit match perfectly with Amelia, and these two have the chemistry that will have you panting right along with them.
The Sun and the Moon is brilliantly crafted with the perfect blend of surprises, witty dialogue, spot-on observations about life, and smoking chemistry. Ms. McAdam’s ability to convey such believable and deep emotion between Amelia and Ryan brought tears to my eyes more than once. I loved this story and am looking forward to book 2, The Stars In The Sky.
**** Reviewed for www.xtreme-delusions.com ****
December 1, 2015
Goodreads keeps asking me what I thought of my own book. That's like asking me what I think of my children. Of course I like it. I created it. Sheesh.
But thanks for asking, Goodreads. xoxo
But thanks for asking, Goodreads. xoxo
May 5, 2016
Leslie McAdam did the impossible: she made me like the heroine I would normally loathe with passion.
I think what I appreciated the most about this book is how 'real' it felt. I actually did feel Amelia's anguish, her struggles and insecurities, her reasons for doing what she did and saying what she said. The subject matter wasn't an easy one to tackle but Leslie did a great job with it. I also appreciated the humor and pop-culture references she used to break up sometimes tense situations that had to do with said subject matter.
Overall, this was a solid 4 star read for me. I am definitely looking forward to reading more books in the series and anything else this author has to offer in the future.
Cheers!
December 16, 2015
☆ I received an ARC via socialbutterflypr in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! ☆
Yes!! A hot surfer read!! *FINALLY!*
For a debut author, I didn’t know what to expect. With so many newbie authors are coming out, and each surprising me every which way—good or bad—it was a bit exciting as it is nerve-wracking. Thankfully, this one ended up in a positive light for me.
Amelia is a woman with a broken past and some major trust issues. Therefore, in order to protect herself, she distances herself from the world and from people, to the point in which there are of course, rules she lives and abides by.
She is a woman that I think most people would find justified in her actions and behaviors. When you go through something traumatic like that, you tend to react like that.
That is, until a blast from her past, Ryan, enters the picture and shakens her entire world and foundation.
For Ryan, Amelia isn’t just some girl. She’s the girl who got away, that he crushed on since high school. If he has to make some waves with her, so be it.
I think every woman and reader will find Ryan true book boyfriend material and a survivor himself. He’s sensual, understanding, and in it to win Amelia and mend her broken heart.
The Sun and the Moon touches upon themes that I feel are universal and heart rendering. I highly recommend to any of those who are dancing around picking it up or one clicking it. It was definitely a sweet read mixed in with some angst and ups and downs.
Yes!! A hot surfer read!! *FINALLY!*
For a debut author, I didn’t know what to expect. With so many newbie authors are coming out, and each surprising me every which way—good or bad—it was a bit exciting as it is nerve-wracking. Thankfully, this one ended up in a positive light for me.
Amelia is a woman with a broken past and some major trust issues. Therefore, in order to protect herself, she distances herself from the world and from people, to the point in which there are of course, rules she lives and abides by.
She is a woman that I think most people would find justified in her actions and behaviors. When you go through something traumatic like that, you tend to react like that.
That is, until a blast from her past, Ryan, enters the picture and shakens her entire world and foundation.
For Ryan, Amelia isn’t just some girl. She’s the girl who got away, that he crushed on since high school. If he has to make some waves with her, so be it.
I think every woman and reader will find Ryan true book boyfriend material and a survivor himself. He’s sensual, understanding, and in it to win Amelia and mend her broken heart.
The Sun and the Moon touches upon themes that I feel are universal and heart rendering. I highly recommend to any of those who are dancing around picking it up or one clicking it. It was definitely a sweet read mixed in with some angst and ups and downs.
December 11, 2015
4.5 stars!
Holy hot surfer alert!
There isn’t a whole lot of actual surfing in this book but there is wave after wave of pleasure. While Amelia holds her rules close to her chest, Ryan does his best to get past the rules and into her heart.
We’re introduced to Amelia – post depression. She’s been through a ridiculously traumatic event that spiraled her into a place that no one should ever go. It’s dark, awful and terrifying. Thankfully she managed to get help and align herself with the right people.
She’s still testing the waters to this new life. Is she allowed to enjoy pleasure? She struggles with whether it’s okay to throw out the ridiculously long rule book that has been thrown over her shoulders like a coat for the past fifteen or so years. She hides behind it and uses it as a shield and I was so so proud of her as she started to rip it off.
Of course, Ryan helped with that. A lot. Oh that man…he’s the book boyfriend you want to wake up next to in the morning. Open, honest, caring and in charge. He’s all about Amelia’s pleasure and I was all about his abs and his smile and his mouth. mmmhmmm…There were plenty of hot moments to keep me entertained, there was also that extra element of sweetness and warmth that only Ryan could add to this book.
There’s sensuality, and not a lot of angst – thank fuck – and a lot of laughs. The connection between Ryan and Amelia is instant but familiar, passionate but tender. I loved Amelia’s journey, her sass and her affinity for Harry Potter jokes.
There were a few scene transition issues that just didn’t fit for me and I felt that the end was a wrap of rush of information, but otherwise I absolutely adored this story.
Give me my own Sun God, please!
[I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review]
This review looks prettier on my blog: http://obsessedwithmyshelf.com/2015/1...
Holy hot surfer alert!
There isn’t a whole lot of actual surfing in this book but there is wave after wave of pleasure. While Amelia holds her rules close to her chest, Ryan does his best to get past the rules and into her heart.
We’re introduced to Amelia – post depression. She’s been through a ridiculously traumatic event that spiraled her into a place that no one should ever go. It’s dark, awful and terrifying. Thankfully she managed to get help and align herself with the right people.
She’s still testing the waters to this new life. Is she allowed to enjoy pleasure? She struggles with whether it’s okay to throw out the ridiculously long rule book that has been thrown over her shoulders like a coat for the past fifteen or so years. She hides behind it and uses it as a shield and I was so so proud of her as she started to rip it off.
Of course, Ryan helped with that. A lot. Oh that man…he’s the book boyfriend you want to wake up next to in the morning. Open, honest, caring and in charge. He’s all about Amelia’s pleasure and I was all about his abs and his smile and his mouth. mmmhmmm…There were plenty of hot moments to keep me entertained, there was also that extra element of sweetness and warmth that only Ryan could add to this book.
There’s sensuality, and not a lot of angst – thank fuck – and a lot of laughs. The connection between Ryan and Amelia is instant but familiar, passionate but tender. I loved Amelia’s journey, her sass and her affinity for Harry Potter jokes.
There were a few scene transition issues that just didn’t fit for me and I felt that the end was a wrap of rush of information, but otherwise I absolutely adored this story.
Give me my own Sun God, please!
[I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review]
This review looks prettier on my blog: http://obsessedwithmyshelf.com/2015/1...
June 16, 2018
5 The Sun and the Moon Stars
Ryan & Amelia
You know when you read a book and it just makes you feel all the feels, but it’s more than that you can connect to the characters. I have connected with other books in the past but this one just struck a chord with me it was so honest and real.
Depression is something I have dealt with at a very young age and all of Amelia’s honesty about it really hit home, how I felt in that time of my life. I don’t think you ever really get “over” depression but I think you learn to live with it and I think that is why I like this book so much. Amelia is living with it. She is also honest about it she isn’t ashamed to speak out about it.
Being that open and honest is a gift. And I really liked that about this book.
Swoon Ryan was just all kinds of delicious he was exactly who Amelia needed and I think in turn she was exactly what he needed. I loved that he pushed her out of her comforts zone, and showed her she is more than just this one kind of person.
Both narrators brought this book to life. And I loved that because this is one of the only books I have not read by Leslie and I was saving it. But I am so glad I jumped in. Tor and Charley were perfect for this book. I mean if you haven’t listened to Tor before what are you waiting for his voice is all kind of YUM, seriously. Don’t take my word for it. Listen to the sample.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
Ryan & Amelia
You know when you read a book and it just makes you feel all the feels, but it’s more than that you can connect to the characters. I have connected with other books in the past but this one just struck a chord with me it was so honest and real.
Depression is something I have dealt with at a very young age and all of Amelia’s honesty about it really hit home, how I felt in that time of my life. I don’t think you ever really get “over” depression but I think you learn to live with it and I think that is why I like this book so much. Amelia is living with it. She is also honest about it she isn’t ashamed to speak out about it.
Being that open and honest is a gift. And I really liked that about this book.
Swoon Ryan was just all kinds of delicious he was exactly who Amelia needed and I think in turn she was exactly what he needed. I loved that he pushed her out of her comforts zone, and showed her she is more than just this one kind of person.
Both narrators brought this book to life. And I loved that because this is one of the only books I have not read by Leslie and I was saving it. But I am so glad I jumped in. Tor and Charley were perfect for this book. I mean if you haven’t listened to Tor before what are you waiting for his voice is all kind of YUM, seriously. Don’t take my word for it. Listen to the sample.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
January 1, 2016
4.5 Stars
This book was written with intelligence and compassion with its
hard subject of depression. I loved Amelia she had her set of
rules and was doing everything she could to learn to live with
her depression and to keep going on with her life even after you
learn about the scars she carries she is a fighter. She's beautiful,
smart and laughs at herself but struggles with what happened to her.
Enter the sex god surfer Ryan. He was written so well,
I adored him. He was beautiful inside and out. Strong and
caring and so sexy. He sets out to change Amelia's rules and
boy does he deliver.
One of my favorite lines:
He had been through so much, and processed
it, through surfing or whatever Ryan mojo he had going on,
and now he was guiding me through it. Sun God therapy.
You learn from this book whats its like to go through depression.
Its also a book that makes you laugh with some incredible
sexy scenes as Ryan teaches Amelia to laugh, love herself and
to take a chance.
I look forward to Leslie's next book. Thank you Leslie for a
beautiful story.
This book was written with intelligence and compassion with its
hard subject of depression. I loved Amelia she had her set of
rules and was doing everything she could to learn to live with
her depression and to keep going on with her life even after you
learn about the scars she carries she is a fighter. She's beautiful,
smart and laughs at herself but struggles with what happened to her.
Enter the sex god surfer Ryan. He was written so well,
I adored him. He was beautiful inside and out. Strong and
caring and so sexy. He sets out to change Amelia's rules and
boy does he deliver.
One of my favorite lines:
He had been through so much, and processed
it, through surfing or whatever Ryan mojo he had going on,
and now he was guiding me through it. Sun God therapy.
You learn from this book whats its like to go through depression.
Its also a book that makes you laugh with some incredible
sexy scenes as Ryan teaches Amelia to laugh, love herself and
to take a chance.
I look forward to Leslie's next book. Thank you Leslie for a
beautiful story.
December 15, 2015
I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
This love story is about a woman who has been struggling with tragedy that has now led her into a black hole of despair. We get to see her pull herself up from the ashes and not just muddle through life numb but start to rebuild herself self esteem, reshape her thoughts on sexual relationships, as well as sharing her thoughts with a love interest. To me this story symbolizes strength, sexuality, being vulnerable, trust, and most of all hope. Amelia and Ryan are sweet, honest, and smoldering heat all wrapped into one. They are like ordering a pizza with everything on it. They will have you anticipating, leave you satisfied yet still yearning for more.
Amelia is a lawyer who has been suffering with depression due to a tragedy that she feels she cannot recover from. She has been aimlessly wandering through her life being numb to all the sensations, including love and sex. Her life is all about work and her best friend Marie is the only person who keeps her anchored during the storm. She is aware of her intelligence but believes that she is lacking in sex appeal and doesn’t plan on letting anyone in emotionally. She grew up in a very religious household and has put restraints on her sex life in the form of rules. When she meets Ryan all of those rules may no longer apply.
Ryan, aka Sun God to Amelia, is a coffee shop owner/surfer that is more than what meets the eye. With his rugged good looks and lithe athletic body, not many women want to get to know who Ryan is below the surface. He is strong both physically and emotionally, has a wonderful sense of humor, and believes that you should live life to the fullest. Because of tragic circumstances, he had to grow up fast and has a significant amount of responsibility. He knew from the moment he laid eyes on Amelia back in high school when she was a senior and he was a freshman that she was the one. Now that she has walked back into his life, he plans on breaking all of her rules and showing her how explosive they can be together.
This story grabbed my attention from the start and kept me engrossed. Leslie has a way of dragging you into Ryan and Amelia’s world with a perfect blend of heart, humor and sensuality. Their love story was inspiring, reading about Amelia’s bout with depression. Often times had me laughing at the interactions between Amelia and Ryan. Their text messages and rule breaking sessions were off the charts hot! I absolutely loved The Sun and the Moon and cannot wait to am so excited to start reading Marie’s story The Stars in the Sky
This love story is about a woman who has been struggling with tragedy that has now led her into a black hole of despair. We get to see her pull herself up from the ashes and not just muddle through life numb but start to rebuild herself self esteem, reshape her thoughts on sexual relationships, as well as sharing her thoughts with a love interest. To me this story symbolizes strength, sexuality, being vulnerable, trust, and most of all hope. Amelia and Ryan are sweet, honest, and smoldering heat all wrapped into one. They are like ordering a pizza with everything on it. They will have you anticipating, leave you satisfied yet still yearning for more.
Amelia is a lawyer who has been suffering with depression due to a tragedy that she feels she cannot recover from. She has been aimlessly wandering through her life being numb to all the sensations, including love and sex. Her life is all about work and her best friend Marie is the only person who keeps her anchored during the storm. She is aware of her intelligence but believes that she is lacking in sex appeal and doesn’t plan on letting anyone in emotionally. She grew up in a very religious household and has put restraints on her sex life in the form of rules. When she meets Ryan all of those rules may no longer apply.
Ryan, aka Sun God to Amelia, is a coffee shop owner/surfer that is more than what meets the eye. With his rugged good looks and lithe athletic body, not many women want to get to know who Ryan is below the surface. He is strong both physically and emotionally, has a wonderful sense of humor, and believes that you should live life to the fullest. Because of tragic circumstances, he had to grow up fast and has a significant amount of responsibility. He knew from the moment he laid eyes on Amelia back in high school when she was a senior and he was a freshman that she was the one. Now that she has walked back into his life, he plans on breaking all of her rules and showing her how explosive they can be together.
This story grabbed my attention from the start and kept me engrossed. Leslie has a way of dragging you into Ryan and Amelia’s world with a perfect blend of heart, humor and sensuality. Their love story was inspiring, reading about Amelia’s bout with depression. Often times had me laughing at the interactions between Amelia and Ryan. Their text messages and rule breaking sessions were off the charts hot! I absolutely loved The Sun and the Moon and cannot wait to am so excited to start reading Marie’s story The Stars in the Sky
December 8, 2015
Don't you love when you read a book and you immediately "get" a character? Not just relate, but identify with them. As you read their inner dialogue you nod your head, snark in agreement, and ultimately decide that the author knows you and they have written it specifically for you. If it's not you it's someone you know, or you will meet them.
Leslie McAdam doesn't know you, but she does know Amelia and she writes her beautifully. If you love sarcasm and use it in your everyday life you will love Amelia's banter. She also has filter issues. She's intelligent, successful, but when she meets a hot surfer that filter erodes and her personal barriers and rules are threatened. Rules...more on that later.
So, hot surfer boy (complete with manmeat), Ryan Kyle Fielding.
Mmmhmm. Do you like coffee? He works at a shop, makes great coffee, wears an apron.
Do you like sun kissed locks of hair and long, lean surfer abs? He has those, makes mouths water, has pouty kissable lips.
You should already be pre-ordering based on hot surfer, Ryan.
If you need more substance, it's there. Truly, a heartwarming love story that develops between a patient, but determined man and a scarred woman limited by her own boundaries. The Sun and the Moon is also a story of, maybe not complete recovery, but a story of rediscovery. Amelia's issues are challenged by Ryan. I think that's a perfect indication of love for Amelia, being challenged to feel, to experience. He makes her boundaries less rational and replaces hope and love for the safety felt behind her emotional prison bars.
Leslie McAdam has a 100% 5 Star debut (hard to believe it's her first). You can read her characters, see her characters, and feel her characters. There's nothing forced and each bit of the plot reveals itself timely. It is over before you want it to be and you can't wait for the next one. The Sun and the Moon is a must read for everyone. I would put it on the syllabus as requisite reading for Romance 101 Readers because it is so well balanced and depicts what so many women go through when dealing with relationships and sexuality. Any romance newbie is going to become a "lifer" after reading it and us "lifers" love the hot surfer sex. AND the love story, geez, but the surfer sex is remarkable. Well done Leslie!
Leslie McAdam doesn't know you, but she does know Amelia and she writes her beautifully. If you love sarcasm and use it in your everyday life you will love Amelia's banter. She also has filter issues. She's intelligent, successful, but when she meets a hot surfer that filter erodes and her personal barriers and rules are threatened. Rules...more on that later.
So, hot surfer boy (complete with manmeat), Ryan Kyle Fielding.
Mmmhmm. Do you like coffee? He works at a shop, makes great coffee, wears an apron.
Do you like sun kissed locks of hair and long, lean surfer abs? He has those, makes mouths water, has pouty kissable lips.
You should already be pre-ordering based on hot surfer, Ryan.
If you need more substance, it's there. Truly, a heartwarming love story that develops between a patient, but determined man and a scarred woman limited by her own boundaries. The Sun and the Moon is also a story of, maybe not complete recovery, but a story of rediscovery. Amelia's issues are challenged by Ryan. I think that's a perfect indication of love for Amelia, being challenged to feel, to experience. He makes her boundaries less rational and replaces hope and love for the safety felt behind her emotional prison bars.
Leslie McAdam has a 100% 5 Star debut (hard to believe it's her first). You can read her characters, see her characters, and feel her characters. There's nothing forced and each bit of the plot reveals itself timely. It is over before you want it to be and you can't wait for the next one. The Sun and the Moon is a must read for everyone. I would put it on the syllabus as requisite reading for Romance 101 Readers because it is so well balanced and depicts what so many women go through when dealing with relationships and sexuality. Any romance newbie is going to become a "lifer" after reading it and us "lifers" love the hot surfer sex. AND the love story, geez, but the surfer sex is remarkable. Well done Leslie!
September 28, 2023
MF- for a Change
Amelia Crowley is one uptight, locked down with Mental Health issues due to her upbringing and relationship trauma issues. She is also a well respected Lawyer in Santa Barbara, California, aiming for a Partnership in the near future.
Her next case has her heading further along the coast to Ventura Courthouse. With time to spare she stops at a Coffee Shop to sit and go through her notes.
For someone who is adept and talking to Judges, clients etc, she is lost for words when she looks up to the Barista who wants to take her order. Hmm, Surfer Boy vibes, and he is a dream. “Hi, Movie Star, what can I get you”. His name tag indicates he is Ryan.
When she’s moving away to a table she notices he is pressed up against the counter. He’s interested in her too, she notices. Does he know her?. He looks familiar.
All very ordinary circumstances in which to meet someone I guess, but behind every bright smile there can be oceans of hurt and pain holding back real potential. Unless of course you meet someone like Ryan Fielding who is prepared to show you the way, to help you break all your rigid rules. It also helps to have really good friends and a brilliant therapist on hand.
There are Triggering issues lurking in these pages, so read the author’s warning. I feel if I list them here they would be ‘spoilers’.
Leslie Adams has done a terrific job in character development here for both MC’s, I had no difficulty connection with either of them, even though MF had become a ‘meh’ genre since I discovered MM. Not an issue here though, there was more genuine give and take in the relationship.
There are 4 books in this series, I thought they would be a follow on from Book 1, but the Intro after the Epilogue here, appears to focus on a featured character who is the best friend of Amelia, the MC here.
I’ve downloaded all of them as I really enjoy Leslie McAdam’s other books that I’ve read. I believe ‘ The Sun and The Moon’ was her debut book which won an award. Go Leslie.
Amelia Crowley is one uptight, locked down with Mental Health issues due to her upbringing and relationship trauma issues. She is also a well respected Lawyer in Santa Barbara, California, aiming for a Partnership in the near future.
Her next case has her heading further along the coast to Ventura Courthouse. With time to spare she stops at a Coffee Shop to sit and go through her notes.
For someone who is adept and talking to Judges, clients etc, she is lost for words when she looks up to the Barista who wants to take her order. Hmm, Surfer Boy vibes, and he is a dream. “Hi, Movie Star, what can I get you”. His name tag indicates he is Ryan.
When she’s moving away to a table she notices he is pressed up against the counter. He’s interested in her too, she notices. Does he know her?. He looks familiar.
All very ordinary circumstances in which to meet someone I guess, but behind every bright smile there can be oceans of hurt and pain holding back real potential. Unless of course you meet someone like Ryan Fielding who is prepared to show you the way, to help you break all your rigid rules. It also helps to have really good friends and a brilliant therapist on hand.
There are Triggering issues lurking in these pages, so read the author’s warning. I feel if I list them here they would be ‘spoilers’.
Leslie Adams has done a terrific job in character development here for both MC’s, I had no difficulty connection with either of them, even though MF had become a ‘meh’ genre since I discovered MM. Not an issue here though, there was more genuine give and take in the relationship.
There are 4 books in this series, I thought they would be a follow on from Book 1, but the Intro after the Epilogue here, appears to focus on a featured character who is the best friend of Amelia, the MC here.
I’ve downloaded all of them as I really enjoy Leslie McAdam’s other books that I’ve read. I believe ‘ The Sun and The Moon’ was her debut book which won an award. Go Leslie.
December 15, 2015
I just finished his book and I’m sitting here just thinking about everything I just read. I spent the better part of this book on the fence.
I was 50/50 about it.
Yes…. I enjoyed the book.
But…There were also parts that I didn’t love. I don’t know if it’s just the way it was written that made it hard for me?
Or maybe it was just how the very first scene was written that didn’t grab me right away.
Amelia was a hard person to get into in the beginning of the book. I really wasn’t feeling her. I think it was how she approached things. And I really wasn’t feeling how she thought of things.
Her rules were another thing I just couldn’t wrap my head around.
It seemed like growing up catholic really messed her up in her mind. Deep rooted issues about sex.
I thought they were weird.
I felt bad for her when she was telling Ryan her story. I felt for her. And I could totally understand why she would be depressed. What she went through…. No woman should ever have to go through.
I liked how she let her walls down and really opened up to Ryan. He pushed her out of her comfort zone.
I just have to bring up their first kiss!
Omg…lol
I was pretty much thinking about her breath the whole time it was going down!…lol
It was so funny and gross at the same time!…lol
There was a mystery around Ryan early on. I mean he seemed like the perfect guy! And he was! He really took his time with Amelia. He showed her that she could let go of it all and that everything will still be ok with her. He chipped away at all her rules.
I loved that!
He really showed her that he wanted her and only her.
The sex in this book was mind blowing! Ryan was wow! He knew what he was doing!…lol
But one thing I could not stand and it was when he said this.
” I’m a sensualist, I live in the moment. I live for pleasure and I live for the now. I do it while surfing I do it while f***king.”
He said that a lot throughout the book.
He’s a sensualist.
And it got to me.
Another thing that was super hard to read was the
dinner/ Gala she went to with Ryan.
Her getting drunk was super hard to read. Why would she choose to loose control of herself in that particular moment? That had nothing to do with her depression. That had to do more with anxiety.
It seemed out of character for her. Because she had never had such a freak out like that in the book.
Overall this was a good read. I loved Ryan! He carried the book for me. I would like to read more about them. See how life has turned out for them.
*ARC provided for an honest review*
-Michelle
I was 50/50 about it.
Yes…. I enjoyed the book.
But…There were also parts that I didn’t love. I don’t know if it’s just the way it was written that made it hard for me?
Or maybe it was just how the very first scene was written that didn’t grab me right away.
Amelia was a hard person to get into in the beginning of the book. I really wasn’t feeling her. I think it was how she approached things. And I really wasn’t feeling how she thought of things.
Her rules were another thing I just couldn’t wrap my head around.
It seemed like growing up catholic really messed her up in her mind. Deep rooted issues about sex.
I thought they were weird.
I felt bad for her when she was telling Ryan her story. I felt for her. And I could totally understand why she would be depressed. What she went through…. No woman should ever have to go through.
I liked how she let her walls down and really opened up to Ryan. He pushed her out of her comfort zone.
I just have to bring up their first kiss!
Omg…lol
I was pretty much thinking about her breath the whole time it was going down!…lol
It was so funny and gross at the same time!…lol
There was a mystery around Ryan early on. I mean he seemed like the perfect guy! And he was! He really took his time with Amelia. He showed her that she could let go of it all and that everything will still be ok with her. He chipped away at all her rules.
I loved that!
He really showed her that he wanted her and only her.
The sex in this book was mind blowing! Ryan was wow! He knew what he was doing!…lol
But one thing I could not stand and it was when he said this.
” I’m a sensualist, I live in the moment. I live for pleasure and I live for the now. I do it while surfing I do it while f***king.”
He said that a lot throughout the book.
He’s a sensualist.
And it got to me.
Another thing that was super hard to read was the
dinner/ Gala she went to with Ryan.
Her getting drunk was super hard to read. Why would she choose to loose control of herself in that particular moment? That had nothing to do with her depression. That had to do more with anxiety.
It seemed out of character for her. Because she had never had such a freak out like that in the book.
Overall this was a good read. I loved Ryan! He carried the book for me. I would like to read more about them. See how life has turned out for them.
*ARC provided for an honest review*
-Michelle
March 25, 2016
Mansmell.
Manflesh.
These are my 2 new favourite words in the world. I am going to petition the Oxford dictionary to add them as new words for 2016. I predict they will become big like when google became a verb.
I appear to have lost a good hour of my Saturday checking out hot, blonde haired surf dudes with abs to die for who love coffee. I might need to lose an hour or so tomorrow too - you can't rush perfection when you are looking for a Sun God like Ryan Fielding.
Leslie made the perfect dude! He can cook! He has a heart of gold. He is thoughtful. He has a sexy body to die for. Those little dimples above a man's butt, score! Caring. Ambitious. He has a lovely pecker. Abs. Nice car. Great taste in coffee. Green peepers. I am smitten I tell you.
If I had rules, I can think of no better man to make me break them than him, and that is exactly what he does to Amelia. One by one the rules fall by the wayside.
The Sun and the Moon is a really good read. It is funny whilst still dealing with a really tough message about depression and low self esteem. Leslie deals with them with sympathy, tact and clearly a great deal of understanding; the reason for that is dealt with in the author's notes at the end.
An impressive debut. It made me immensely proud that a person who felt broken was able to pick herself up through the the joy of reading, the joy of writing and the joy of words.
"I'm not one to tell you how to feel. You feel how you feel. I'm in this life to feel everything. Pleasure and pain. So feel how you feel."
My favourite dirty ish quote:
"He got out of his chair on the terrace, and kneeled between my thighs, his bare, fuck me, bare, muscled, warm chest, right there for me, like some sort of boy blanket, and his blue, flowered swim trunks dropped below his hip bones. My thighs parted biblically to let him in. Wrapping his arms low around my waist, he pulled me forward by my hips, and he pressed his hardening oh-boy into my hoo-ha."
Fist bump for over coming body insecurities. Fist bump for overcoming religious shame. Fist bump for women rediscovering the magic of the O.
Manflesh.
These are my 2 new favourite words in the world. I am going to petition the Oxford dictionary to add them as new words for 2016. I predict they will become big like when google became a verb.
I appear to have lost a good hour of my Saturday checking out hot, blonde haired surf dudes with abs to die for who love coffee. I might need to lose an hour or so tomorrow too - you can't rush perfection when you are looking for a Sun God like Ryan Fielding.
Leslie made the perfect dude! He can cook! He has a heart of gold. He is thoughtful. He has a sexy body to die for. Those little dimples above a man's butt, score! Caring. Ambitious. He has a lovely pecker. Abs. Nice car. Great taste in coffee. Green peepers. I am smitten I tell you.
If I had rules, I can think of no better man to make me break them than him, and that is exactly what he does to Amelia. One by one the rules fall by the wayside.
The Sun and the Moon is a really good read. It is funny whilst still dealing with a really tough message about depression and low self esteem. Leslie deals with them with sympathy, tact and clearly a great deal of understanding; the reason for that is dealt with in the author's notes at the end.
An impressive debut. It made me immensely proud that a person who felt broken was able to pick herself up through the the joy of reading, the joy of writing and the joy of words.
"I'm not one to tell you how to feel. You feel how you feel. I'm in this life to feel everything. Pleasure and pain. So feel how you feel."
My favourite dirty ish quote:
"He got out of his chair on the terrace, and kneeled between my thighs, his bare, fuck me, bare, muscled, warm chest, right there for me, like some sort of boy blanket, and his blue, flowered swim trunks dropped below his hip bones. My thighs parted biblically to let him in. Wrapping his arms low around my waist, he pulled me forward by my hips, and he pressed his hardening oh-boy into my hoo-ha."
Fist bump for over coming body insecurities. Fist bump for overcoming religious shame. Fist bump for women rediscovering the magic of the O.
November 13, 2017
I really enjoyed the narration of The Sun and the Moon by Leslie McAdam, but the story itself didn't quite hit the mark for me. I did not feel an emotional connection to either the hero or heroine, though I did like Ryan more than Amelia. I also applaud the author for tackling depression in an honest and realistic way.
Amelia felt too immature at times and was too quick to jump to conclusions without actually taking the time to speak with Ryan. This didn't seem to gel with her age or profession. I understand that given her history, her confidence and worth were critically damaged, but I just wanted to see her stand more on her own, rather than be propped up by Ryan. I don't think I would have liked Amelia at all had it not been for Charley Ongel's performance. She made me sympathetic to a character I would otherwise dislike.
Ryan seemed too good to be true and probably my biggest complaint about him was his "I'm a sensualist" shtick. I understand his desire to live in the now and fully experience life, but it just felt sleazy. I was impressed though by his infinite amounts of patience when it came to Amelia and his desire to help her get rid of all of her rules. His long time crush on her, was equal parts cute as it was bizarre, given that she never knew he existed back when they were in high school. All together, as much as I wanted them together, it just felt disjointed. The highlight of the audiobook was Tor Thom's performance as Ryan. His voice was both playful and sexy and I enjoyed his parts the most. The addition of his point of view in earlier scenes at the end of the book was a fun treat.
Amelia felt too immature at times and was too quick to jump to conclusions without actually taking the time to speak with Ryan. This didn't seem to gel with her age or profession. I understand that given her history, her confidence and worth were critically damaged, but I just wanted to see her stand more on her own, rather than be propped up by Ryan. I don't think I would have liked Amelia at all had it not been for Charley Ongel's performance. She made me sympathetic to a character I would otherwise dislike.
Ryan seemed too good to be true and probably my biggest complaint about him was his "I'm a sensualist" shtick. I understand his desire to live in the now and fully experience life, but it just felt sleazy. I was impressed though by his infinite amounts of patience when it came to Amelia and his desire to help her get rid of all of her rules. His long time crush on her, was equal parts cute as it was bizarre, given that she never knew he existed back when they were in high school. All together, as much as I wanted them together, it just felt disjointed. The highlight of the audiobook was Tor Thom's performance as Ryan. His voice was both playful and sexy and I enjoyed his parts the most. The addition of his point of view in earlier scenes at the end of the book was a fun treat.
March 4, 2016
So this book was so hot, it was hotter than the dinner I burned while reading it. Cause yeah, stopping to stir was just not an option. This is one of those feel good, sexy, meaningful, profound, page turning, heart warming books. I couldn't wait till down time so I could read. The characters are diverse and funny and romantic and the writer found a beautiful way to slip in an artistic message of hope about a very serious and important topic.
The journey of the main character is a climb to victory over something so many people face! The atmosphere of the book is vibrant!!!! by the way, you feel like you're there. But the people are the same! Realistic! These are real people with real problems and fears. Real insecurities and a perfectly imperfect female lead that will have you cracking up, crying, wincing, everything! This is NOT just the sexiest and hottest romance you'll read; it's one of the most meaningful. I'm so glad it's on my kindle because it deserves a reread! I am so reading other books by this author! Her work is brilliant and enlightening! A true gift to fiction! READ!
The journey of the main character is a climb to victory over something so many people face! The atmosphere of the book is vibrant!!!! by the way, you feel like you're there. But the people are the same! Realistic! These are real people with real problems and fears. Real insecurities and a perfectly imperfect female lead that will have you cracking up, crying, wincing, everything! This is NOT just the sexiest and hottest romance you'll read; it's one of the most meaningful. I'm so glad it's on my kindle because it deserves a reread! I am so reading other books by this author! Her work is brilliant and enlightening! A true gift to fiction! READ!
May 3, 2017
Experiencing a real breakthrough in life... through love!
Learning to trust and opening yourself up when in reality you have been burned to the core and suffering from depression... it's pretty scary allowing anyone in, especially when you are so vulnerable. Suddenly out of nowhere, a man pops into your life... a sensualist whose main goal is to explore pleasure and take his time feeling and sensing things. Follow this lawyer's journey of self discovery and self acceptance and watch her break every rule she ever made in her life... gladly! Hiding behind sarcasm and fear had lead her to nowhere and it's high time this woman stopped expecting everything to end badly and start liking herself. A beautiful, heart warming story of learning to appreciate yourself and not allowing your insecurities to rule your life. 5 Soul Searching Stars for a sweet story that makes your heart beat faster from all the love.
Learning to trust and opening yourself up when in reality you have been burned to the core and suffering from depression... it's pretty scary allowing anyone in, especially when you are so vulnerable. Suddenly out of nowhere, a man pops into your life... a sensualist whose main goal is to explore pleasure and take his time feeling and sensing things. Follow this lawyer's journey of self discovery and self acceptance and watch her break every rule she ever made in her life... gladly! Hiding behind sarcasm and fear had lead her to nowhere and it's high time this woman stopped expecting everything to end badly and start liking herself. A beautiful, heart warming story of learning to appreciate yourself and not allowing your insecurities to rule your life. 5 Soul Searching Stars for a sweet story that makes your heart beat faster from all the love.
January 5, 2016
This book is more than just an average erotic romance read, but it does have some terrific eroticism in it! Amelia's experiences and struggles with her past depression and recovery are spot on, which added a level of depth and connection to the character for me. Ryan is soooo good and patient (and sensually hot) that he deserves a special award among romantic heroes. I cannot wait to read the upcoming prequel to their story. If you want a bit of Clayton mixed with Ritchie(s) and/or Martin, this will be a perfect read for you. Great first offering from a new author.
March 11, 2016
Good book, I'm looking forward to the next.
July 10, 2019
4 Star Review of The Sun & The Moon by Leslie McAdam
Audio Review:
The chemistry between Tor and Charley is immediately obvious and this makes listening that much more enjoyable.
Overall I enjoyed this story but there were times that heroine Amelia Crowley frustrated me.
I understand that she has been severely depressed and suicidal, struggling to come to terms with the devastating loss she has suffered, but even so there were times I wanted to smack some sense in to her.
When she meets Ryan Fielding whilst ordering coffee, Amelia has no idea how much her life is about to change.
Can Amelia let go of the rules she follows and let Ryan in? Will she take a chance on a relationship or is she destined to be alone?
The issues that were faced, the loss, the depression, the low self esteem, were all handled well and with care.
A passionate and at times angsty story which will draw you in.
Audio Review:
The chemistry between Tor and Charley is immediately obvious and this makes listening that much more enjoyable.
Overall I enjoyed this story but there were times that heroine Amelia Crowley frustrated me.
I understand that she has been severely depressed and suicidal, struggling to come to terms with the devastating loss she has suffered, but even so there were times I wanted to smack some sense in to her.
When she meets Ryan Fielding whilst ordering coffee, Amelia has no idea how much her life is about to change.
Can Amelia let go of the rules she follows and let Ryan in? Will she take a chance on a relationship or is she destined to be alone?
The issues that were faced, the loss, the depression, the low self esteem, were all handled well and with care.
A passionate and at times angsty story which will draw you in.
June 25, 2018
Ryan. Wow. Can he be my new book boyfriend? He's perfect. Literally, perfect. I can't think of a more perfectly attentive, beautiful, sweet, kind, alpha book boyfriend. This man is it.
And Amelia needs the kindness, the sweetness, the attentiveness of Ryan. He helps her be a better version of herself. A version she doesn't even realize exists.
This couple makes my heart happy. Ryan makes my heart happy. I cannot believe I didn't read this sooner.
Charley Ongel and Tor Thom are the fantastic narrators of The Sun and the Moon. They do a great job of giving these characters voices. They bring Amelia and Ryan to life. The dirty talk, the sweet talk, the every day boring talk, all made more special because these narrators rock!
And Amelia needs the kindness, the sweetness, the attentiveness of Ryan. He helps her be a better version of herself. A version she doesn't even realize exists.
This couple makes my heart happy. Ryan makes my heart happy. I cannot believe I didn't read this sooner.
Charley Ongel and Tor Thom are the fantastic narrators of The Sun and the Moon. They do a great job of giving these characters voices. They bring Amelia and Ryan to life. The dirty talk, the sweet talk, the every day boring talk, all made more special because these narrators rock!
December 15, 2015
Where to start with this absolutely fantastic book? Fantastic cover? Check. Realistic heroine? Check. Amazing hero? Check. Romance? Check. Life lessons? Check.
Since I've already listed the things I loved about this book, I'm going to go more in depth about them.
First of all, the cover. I think I can safely say that it needs no explanation. It is simply gorgeous. It is eye catching and you just want to stare at it all day. Plus it also piques your interest enough to stop ogling it and actually read the book. So...yeah. He he :).
Now...let's talk about Amelia. While I have not experienced anything remotely close to what she has, I could still empathize with her. She is a remarkable lady who exemplifies what it means to be strong: getting back up when life knocks you down. It doesn't matter how long you're down...so long as you eventually get up. And this IS Amelia. I LOVED reading about her journey and how she came to love herself. I love that she didn't try to fix herself (when she obviously couldn't) but sought help - which is another characteristic of a strong person. Her journey was filled with ups and downs, but she always came out swinging. Another thing I LOVED about her was that she owned up to her faults - yet another reason why she's an amazing and strong heroine. Perhaps, what I LOVED best about her (shallow, I know) was the fact that we had similar thought and speech processes/patterns. I don’t think I’ve come across this in books (at least not recently) and was very happy to have this.
Now...let's talk about Ryan. To sum him up in a nutshell...he's just a regular good guy who works hard, but also play hard. And by that I mean that he has a healthy work-life balance. He was a perfect complement to Amelia. I LOVED that he gave her space to be. He didn't try to “fix” her - even if he was tempted. I LOVED that he listened to her as well as challenged her. He was simply a great guy. He's the kind of guy you'd have no qualms bringing to your family or showing off to your friends. There was a chapter (won't tell you which but once you read it, you'll know) that just solidified him as a perfect guy/hero in my mind. After that chapter, he could do no wrong in my eyes. The way he was able to be there for Amelia with no judgement or fix-it-mentality...talk about swoon worthy!
As for the romance, I loved that it was just your regular boy-meets-girl kind of romance. No over the top and unrealistic gestures. Just your regular kind with misconceptions and arguments and reconciliations and, of course, my favorite - the HEA :).
Now, as for the life lesson, here it is: NEVER BE AFRAID TO SEEK HELP FOR ISSUES. It is NOT a sign of weakness - but one of strength. The ability and courage to admit that you can't do something and need someone else to help carry your load is one of the characteristics of great people.
I truly enjoyed this book and getting to the end and reading the author’s note really solidified the book for me in my mind. I greatly admire her for writing something that was clearly very personal and I hope that those reading the book will walk away with hope in their hearts knowing that things can AND WILL get better for them. You’ve just got to keep pushing and pushing and pushing and pushing.
Thanks for this book Leslie. I’m definitely looking forward to more from you…and oh, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention in this review that I LOVED our mention of Little Dude. Twice. Eep! He he. Okay. I’m done :).
Since I've already listed the things I loved about this book, I'm going to go more in depth about them.
First of all, the cover. I think I can safely say that it needs no explanation. It is simply gorgeous. It is eye catching and you just want to stare at it all day. Plus it also piques your interest enough to stop ogling it and actually read the book. So...yeah. He he :).
Now...let's talk about Amelia. While I have not experienced anything remotely close to what she has, I could still empathize with her. She is a remarkable lady who exemplifies what it means to be strong: getting back up when life knocks you down. It doesn't matter how long you're down...so long as you eventually get up. And this IS Amelia. I LOVED reading about her journey and how she came to love herself. I love that she didn't try to fix herself (when she obviously couldn't) but sought help - which is another characteristic of a strong person. Her journey was filled with ups and downs, but she always came out swinging. Another thing I LOVED about her was that she owned up to her faults - yet another reason why she's an amazing and strong heroine. Perhaps, what I LOVED best about her (shallow, I know) was the fact that we had similar thought and speech processes/patterns. I don’t think I’ve come across this in books (at least not recently) and was very happy to have this.
Now...let's talk about Ryan. To sum him up in a nutshell...he's just a regular good guy who works hard, but also play hard. And by that I mean that he has a healthy work-life balance. He was a perfect complement to Amelia. I LOVED that he gave her space to be. He didn't try to “fix” her - even if he was tempted. I LOVED that he listened to her as well as challenged her. He was simply a great guy. He's the kind of guy you'd have no qualms bringing to your family or showing off to your friends. There was a chapter (won't tell you which but once you read it, you'll know) that just solidified him as a perfect guy/hero in my mind. After that chapter, he could do no wrong in my eyes. The way he was able to be there for Amelia with no judgement or fix-it-mentality...talk about swoon worthy!
As for the romance, I loved that it was just your regular boy-meets-girl kind of romance. No over the top and unrealistic gestures. Just your regular kind with misconceptions and arguments and reconciliations and, of course, my favorite - the HEA :).
Now, as for the life lesson, here it is: NEVER BE AFRAID TO SEEK HELP FOR ISSUES. It is NOT a sign of weakness - but one of strength. The ability and courage to admit that you can't do something and need someone else to help carry your load is one of the characteristics of great people.
I truly enjoyed this book and getting to the end and reading the author’s note really solidified the book for me in my mind. I greatly admire her for writing something that was clearly very personal and I hope that those reading the book will walk away with hope in their hearts knowing that things can AND WILL get better for them. You’ve just got to keep pushing and pushing and pushing and pushing.
Thanks for this book Leslie. I’m definitely looking forward to more from you…and oh, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention in this review that I LOVED our mention of Little Dude. Twice. Eep! He he. Okay. I’m done :).
December 15, 2015
I just finished his book and I’m sitting here just thinking about everything I just read. I spent the better part of this book on the fence.
I was 50/50 about it.
Yes…. I enjoyed the book.
But…There were also parts that I didn’t love. I don’t know if it’s just the way it was written that made it hard for me?
Or maybe it was just how the very first scene was written that didn’t grab me right away.
Amelia was a hard person to get into in the beginning of the book. I really wasn’t feeling her. I think it was how she approached things. And I really wasn’t feeling how she thought of things.
Her rules were another thing I just couldn’t wrap my head around.
It seemed like growing up catholic really messed her up in her mind. Deep rooted issues about sex.
I thought they were weird.
I felt bad for her when she was telling Ryan her story. I felt for her. And I could totally understand why she would be depressed. What she went through…. No woman should ever have to go through.
I liked how she let her walls down and really opened up to Ryan. He pushed her out of her comfort zone.
I just have to bring up their first kiss!
Omg…lol
I was pretty much thinking about her breath the whole time it was going down!…lol
It was so funny and gross at the same time!…lol
There was a mystery around Ryan early on. I mean he seemed like the perfect guy! And he was! He really took his time with Amelia. He showed her that she could let go of it all and that everything will still be ok with her. He chipped away at all her rules.
I loved that!
He really showed her that he wanted her and only her.
The sex in this book was mind blowing! Ryan was wow! He knew what he was doing!…lol
But one thing I could not stand and it was when he said this.
” I’m a sensualist, I live in the moment. I live for pleasure and I live for the now. I do it while surfing I do it while f***king.”
He said that a lot throughout the book.
He’s a sensualist.
And it got to me.
Another thing that was super hard to read was the
dinner/ Gala she went to with Ryan.
Her getting drunk was super hard to read. Why would she choose to loose control of herself in that particular moment? That had nothing to do with her depression. That had to do more with anxiety.
It seemed out of character for her. Because she had never had such a freak out like that in the book.
Overall this was a good read. I loved Ryan! He carried the book for me. I would like to read more about them. See how life has turned out for them.
*ARC provided for an honest review*
(This same review is on my blog goodreads account)
I was 50/50 about it.
Yes…. I enjoyed the book.
But…There were also parts that I didn’t love. I don’t know if it’s just the way it was written that made it hard for me?
Or maybe it was just how the very first scene was written that didn’t grab me right away.
Amelia was a hard person to get into in the beginning of the book. I really wasn’t feeling her. I think it was how she approached things. And I really wasn’t feeling how she thought of things.
Her rules were another thing I just couldn’t wrap my head around.
It seemed like growing up catholic really messed her up in her mind. Deep rooted issues about sex.
I thought they were weird.
I felt bad for her when she was telling Ryan her story. I felt for her. And I could totally understand why she would be depressed. What she went through…. No woman should ever have to go through.
I liked how she let her walls down and really opened up to Ryan. He pushed her out of her comfort zone.
I just have to bring up their first kiss!
Omg…lol
I was pretty much thinking about her breath the whole time it was going down!…lol
It was so funny and gross at the same time!…lol
There was a mystery around Ryan early on. I mean he seemed like the perfect guy! And he was! He really took his time with Amelia. He showed her that she could let go of it all and that everything will still be ok with her. He chipped away at all her rules.
I loved that!
He really showed her that he wanted her and only her.
The sex in this book was mind blowing! Ryan was wow! He knew what he was doing!…lol
But one thing I could not stand and it was when he said this.
” I’m a sensualist, I live in the moment. I live for pleasure and I live for the now. I do it while surfing I do it while f***king.”
He said that a lot throughout the book.
He’s a sensualist.
And it got to me.
Another thing that was super hard to read was the
dinner/ Gala she went to with Ryan.
Her getting drunk was super hard to read. Why would she choose to loose control of herself in that particular moment? That had nothing to do with her depression. That had to do more with anxiety.
It seemed out of character for her. Because she had never had such a freak out like that in the book.
Overall this was a good read. I loved Ryan! He carried the book for me. I would like to read more about them. See how life has turned out for them.
*ARC provided for an honest review*
(This same review is on my blog goodreads account)
March 24, 2016
I loved this book. It’s the kind of book that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Leslie McAdams debut novel is fun, romantic, hot, yet is also deals with a very taboo subject of depression. Society has the tendency to look the other way when the topic of depression rises. This book is about two honest to goodness really nice people who are looking for something to make their lives whole.
Amelia Crowley is a kick a$$ lawyer. Good at what she does and dedicated to her profession. Reeling for her own heart break and tragedy she has become apathetic in her views of life. Recovering from the darkness of depression has been a struggle for her. As an avoidance to further disappointment she has created a whole regimen of rules to live by.
On the way to court one morning, Amelia meets Ryan Fielding working as a barista in a coffee shop. Sexy, killer smile and really friendly she found herself unexpectedly attracted to him. It was rather cute how she would make a point to stop by the coffee shop before work just to see him. Wonder where this attraction will take Amelia….
Ryan, besides being a barista is a diehard surfer. Sexy, bronzed and cut like a diamond he surfs to quiet his own demons. Ryan and his younger sister were left parentless when they were killed in an auto accident. Determined to keep his family together her jumped through hoops to keep him and his sister together. I loved the person that Ryan was, he was good to the core.
Imagine how Ryan felt seeing the girl of his dreams standing right in front of him ordering coffee? BAM! I have to laugh because it wasn’t his only feeling…you have to read the book to see what I mean?? wink, wink! Amelia has been the girl of Ryan’s dreams since high school and there she was looking right at him! Let’s just say he was determined not to let her get away from him now.
Ryan was the just what Amelia needed in her life. He was definitely the light to her darkness. He was so kind, caring and patient with Amelia. You could just see her opening up to feeling again. He pushed her, gently, to step outside the boundaries she had. Even when insecurities surfaced Ryan was the constant that kept her grounded. There was a lot for Amelia to learn about Ryan too. A revelation that will surprise you and just make him even more special too.
I applaud Leslie for this book. It’s heartfelt but at the same time eye opening for anyone who hasn’t suffered from depression. The darkness and despair of depression is crippling and finding a Ryan is truly finding your light.
Amelia Crowley is a kick a$$ lawyer. Good at what she does and dedicated to her profession. Reeling for her own heart break and tragedy she has become apathetic in her views of life. Recovering from the darkness of depression has been a struggle for her. As an avoidance to further disappointment she has created a whole regimen of rules to live by.
On the way to court one morning, Amelia meets Ryan Fielding working as a barista in a coffee shop. Sexy, killer smile and really friendly she found herself unexpectedly attracted to him. It was rather cute how she would make a point to stop by the coffee shop before work just to see him. Wonder where this attraction will take Amelia….
Ryan, besides being a barista is a diehard surfer. Sexy, bronzed and cut like a diamond he surfs to quiet his own demons. Ryan and his younger sister were left parentless when they were killed in an auto accident. Determined to keep his family together her jumped through hoops to keep him and his sister together. I loved the person that Ryan was, he was good to the core.
Imagine how Ryan felt seeing the girl of his dreams standing right in front of him ordering coffee? BAM! I have to laugh because it wasn’t his only feeling…you have to read the book to see what I mean?? wink, wink! Amelia has been the girl of Ryan’s dreams since high school and there she was looking right at him! Let’s just say he was determined not to let her get away from him now.
Ryan was the just what Amelia needed in her life. He was definitely the light to her darkness. He was so kind, caring and patient with Amelia. You could just see her opening up to feeling again. He pushed her, gently, to step outside the boundaries she had. Even when insecurities surfaced Ryan was the constant that kept her grounded. There was a lot for Amelia to learn about Ryan too. A revelation that will surprise you and just make him even more special too.
I applaud Leslie for this book. It’s heartfelt but at the same time eye opening for anyone who hasn’t suffered from depression. The darkness and despair of depression is crippling and finding a Ryan is truly finding your light.
November 19, 2015
4 3/4 stars
This is Leslie McAdams debut novel and it is really good.
Your main character is Amelia which the book is written from her POV. Through Amelia, the author tackles the issue of depression and suicidal thoughts. You as a reader are not going through her depression but you are joining her in her recovery. It is a bold topic to tackle and still make a book fun and interesting to read. And it really was an enjoyable read.
So Amelia is an interesting character. She’s a lawyer and has this preconceived view of people and sex based on how she was brought up by her parents. She also has the craziest rules of what she will not do regarding sex. Basically she took all the fun out of it probably due to those preset views of women in our society and what it means to be a strong woman.
Amelia ends up in a coffee shop. Ryan our male lead is the guy taking her order. There is an automatic attraction between the two. Ryan…gaahhh is the most amazing. Every single girl in the world (regardless of whether struggling with depression) should have a Ryan in their lives. He is that guy that lives his life to the fullest. Takes in everything around him and appreciates it down to the littlest detail.
“He plucked a petal from one flower, and fingered it. I noticed the he touched the softness of the rose while I tried to avoid the thorns.”
Women spend a lot of time berating themselves over many things from their looks to their weight. People in general walk through life with blinders not taking the time to stop and smell the roses. Ryan was this breath of fresh air that showed her how very awesome she and life were.
This is really just such a lovely story about recovery and living your life to the fullest. I really commend Leslie for approaching the topic. I think whether you have dealt with depression or not there is a lot to be learned from this book about how we choose to live our lives and how instrumental the people we come in contact with are.
This is a standalone book
This is Leslie McAdams debut novel and it is really good.
Your main character is Amelia which the book is written from her POV. Through Amelia, the author tackles the issue of depression and suicidal thoughts. You as a reader are not going through her depression but you are joining her in her recovery. It is a bold topic to tackle and still make a book fun and interesting to read. And it really was an enjoyable read.
So Amelia is an interesting character. She’s a lawyer and has this preconceived view of people and sex based on how she was brought up by her parents. She also has the craziest rules of what she will not do regarding sex. Basically she took all the fun out of it probably due to those preset views of women in our society and what it means to be a strong woman.
Amelia ends up in a coffee shop. Ryan our male lead is the guy taking her order. There is an automatic attraction between the two. Ryan…gaahhh is the most amazing. Every single girl in the world (regardless of whether struggling with depression) should have a Ryan in their lives. He is that guy that lives his life to the fullest. Takes in everything around him and appreciates it down to the littlest detail.
“He plucked a petal from one flower, and fingered it. I noticed the he touched the softness of the rose while I tried to avoid the thorns.”
Women spend a lot of time berating themselves over many things from their looks to their weight. People in general walk through life with blinders not taking the time to stop and smell the roses. Ryan was this breath of fresh air that showed her how very awesome she and life were.
This is really just such a lovely story about recovery and living your life to the fullest. I really commend Leslie for approaching the topic. I think whether you have dealt with depression or not there is a lot to be learned from this book about how we choose to live our lives and how instrumental the people we come in contact with are.
This is a standalone book
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