IT’S THE END OF LIFE AS I KNEW IT, BEFORE I READ FIGHTING PRIDE!! MY HEART WILL NEVER BE THE SAME!!! ❤
Where to start????? Looking down at my keyboard, I’m finding I’m at a loss for words. Not because I didn’t like this story, but because I loved it so much. I’m trying to think of just the right words to accurately describe my love for the book and give it the review it so rightly deserves. I knew from the very beginning that Fighting Pride was different from most books and I was right.
I’m not giving spoilers in my review or at least I’ll try not to. It would be unfair for me to do so. I want you to experience what I did. You’ll thank me later for it… You’ll understand what I’m talking about just as soon as you finish reading the prologue and then turn the very last page of the book.
Tatum and Cole are so in love with each other. They are about to be blessed with a wonderful gift. Unfortunately, that gift is ripped from away them and they suffer an unimaginable loss. One so profound that it overcomes them with such grief that neither are able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Life simply stops for them. When it doesn’t appear that Tatum even has the will to begin life again, Cole makes a difficult decision that will tear them apart. A decision, that for Tatum, is the worst kind of betrayal at the very worst time of her life. She is completely shattered and heartbroken.
I must admit, was angry at what Cole did but nothing is as it seems. Turns out, Cole sacrifices everything that is important to him. Sacrifices that are necessary for Tatum to be able to refocus her attention and begin the painful journey that in the end, will hopefully allow her to heal. Cole never regrets his decision but suffered alone with his own disabling grief. So much so that he just runs on autopilot.
Fast forward 5 years. Tatum’s life has changed so much. Her work brings her and her new man, Blaine, back to her hometown and it’s there that she must face Cole and her own demons and mixed feelings towards him. The scene at the cemetery was gut wrenching, so powerful that I didn’t think I would ever stop my “ugly cries”. I love it when that happens.
Can both Cole and Tatum come together and put their shattered past behind them? If life were only that simple. What happens when certain secrets are discovered? Will they be able find the courage and healing they both need to move forward into the future without pain, together? Or will those secrets destroy them all over again?
These two broken souls rediscover what is really important. Love, faith in each other and ultimately, HOPE!!! Hope for acceptance, Hope for healing and Hope for a happy life filled with faith, friendship, family. There was not an emotion that was not covered in this book. So much pain, loss, grief. But “Hope” was always right there.
I adored all the cast of characters. Well, everyone with the exception of Jerry and that’s all I’m saying….. My favorite supporting character was Ryder, although, all of his friends are so wonderful. I’ve not read the other books in the series but I will now that that I know they exist.
There have been only a few books that left me “breathless” afterwards. Not only did this book leave me breathless, but I felt like author Jennifer Miller, wrote in High Definition and took me inside the story and kept me right there with the characters until the very end… That’s a rarity in my opinion and I thank her for that.
Do yourselves a huge favor and buy this book. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy but because I just loved it so much I purchased my own copy.