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Souls of Chicago #4

Renewing the Soul

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Rocko earned and loved his reputation as the wild child of the rock band, Carter’s Creed. His bandmates dubbed him Animal, not only for his skills on the drums, but because he was always looking for the next thrill. Sex, drugs and rock and roll were what he lived for. That was until one night when his wild ways nearly cost him his life.
As the owner of Golden Entertainment Studios, Lachlan Edwards had a vested interest in his newest clients, the members of the band, Carter’s Creed. He wasn’t surprised when they quickly rose to the top of the music charts, given their talent, but he was concerned with how their drummer, Rocko, seemed to be spiraling out of control. When Rocko seemingly hits rock bottom, Lachlan decides to step in and offer him a chance to recover.
Will Rocko accept Lachlan’s offer even if it means facing the past he’s tried so hard to run away from, or will it all prove to be too much and send him spinning out of control once again?

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 4, 2017

121 people are currently reading
226 people want to read

About the author

Annabella Michaels

34 books564 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
Profile Image for Dia.
534 reviews151 followers
November 21, 2018
3,5 rounded down actually
I know it has a huge rating on GR and I first rounded up my rating, but the more I think about it, the more I realize I just liked it. I didn't get to really like it 😔
This book was sweeter than honey! So many sweet scenes!!! Sometimes I like it. Sometimes it's too much. This book felt like too much.
I ended up enjoying it because the writing is good and the characters are great, complex, with a lot of ghosts/scars from their past.
I love angstier book. Angst in books is a must for me. I rarely enjoy a book without any angst. Relationship angst. But I enjoyed this one enough.
If you love sweet books with no drama then this is for you. Wish I could say I loved it more.
My first book by this author. Not sure I will read more because I have a feeling I won't get the angst I need. But it's good writing, so who knows.
Profile Image for Cadiva.
4,015 reviews446 followers
April 5, 2017
My favourite one yet

Finally we get Rocko's story and discover the painful upbringing which hides behind the outwardly brash and sexually confident drummer.

I loved this one, it had limited angst, more a case of Rocko going back to his roots as Riley, having arrested twice when a drugs overdose put him at rock bottom. There were no annoying misunderstandings or plot points at 70% just to ramp up the tension.

Lachlan was a perfect partner for Riley, steady, willing to be patient and strong, having dealt with his own demons after the death of his brother, captured by insurgents and killed while serving in the Royal Air Force.
I'd been wanting Lachlan's story since we found out more about him in Mitch and Landon's book.

This one was a delight, as two men who'd been wounded found the perfect partner to help them restore their souls and give them the strength to live each day in the best possible way.

The sex is gorgeously written, switching between stupendously hot and heart-meltingly sweet, these two knew how to turn on the tension and the heat. The poolside escapade was probably my favourite.

Great addition to the series and now I'm intrigued by the lead in to book five featuring Landon's right hand man Akio and one of the many Greene family members.
Profile Image for Candice.
2,955 reviews134 followers
June 30, 2017
This book pissed me off so much. I'm a recovering addict. I've been clean for going on 15 years now and still to this day, after being married for 13 and having 2 kids, there's no way in hell I'd be able to turn down a ball of blow if it was put in front of my face with such ease. That's with 15 years sobriety and not 2 months or however long Rocko was sober for what that happened. Then I'd be itching for more and it might even set me back a bit. Then there's the whole ultimatum that Lachlan threw down and you bet your ass I'd be walking out the door. You have to want to get sober for YOU, not because of a band. That's not how it works. When you hit rock bottom, you don't care about your friends, your family, yourself-your life. You just want a fix and you don't care where it comes from or how you get it. There is no thinking about your bandmates.

ARGH! This is why I hate addiction books, because they rarely get it right.
Profile Image for The Reading's Love Blog.
1,340 reviews190 followers
February 1, 2020
RECENSIONE QUI: https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/...

description
La "Souls of Chicago" è una delle mie serie di conforto. Quando lessi "Un'anima da sfamare", il primo libro della serie, fu un vero colpo di fulmine e da allora fino ad oggi ogni storia è una conferma di dolcezza e sensualità, di protagonisti belli e positivi e sentimenti buoni e propositivi. Se non conoscete la serie vi consiglio di recuperarla perché anche se le storie sono autoconclusive sono tutte collegate tra loro dal rapporto familiare e di amicizia tra i protagonisti, in più non potete non conoscere i fratelli Green e le loro anime gemelle! Ve ne innamorerete. "Un'anima da purificare" ha come protagonista Rocko, il batterista della Carter's band. Sono passati due mesi da quando è andato letteralmente a fondo e la droga, l'alcol e il sesso lo hanno quasi distrutto. Due mesi da quando ha deluso i suoi unici amici, l'unica famiglia che abbia mai avuto; due mesi in cui è stato lontano da ogni tentazione possibile ma è arrivato il momento di tornare alla vita vera e sta solo a lui decidere se combattere o fuggire. Lachlan ha creduto nel talento della Carter's band dalla prima volta che l'ha sentita suonare e messa sotto contratto, tiene al suo investimento e al benessere dei suoi clienti e il batterista che lo ha da sempre affascinato e incuriosito ora ha bisogno di un aiuto importante se non vuole perdere tutto. Questi due protagonisti mi hanno affascinato fin da subito per le loro peculiarità e il loro background personale, entrambi hanno preso un pezzetto del mio cuore. Rocko è lo stereotipo della rockstar festaiola, la droga e l'alcol sono stati il mezzo per fuggire dai ricordi del suo passato, il sesso un mezzo per trovare un contatto che gli è sempre mancato. Si nasconde agli altri, nessuno conosce nulla di lui e persino i suoi unici amici non hanno idea di chi sia in realtà. Lachlan è un uomo serio e dedito al lavoro, generoso e gentile, vive solo per il lavoro da quando una grande perdita lo ha gettato nella solitudine e tristezza. L'evoluzione narrativa ci porta a conoscere le luci ed ombre dei protagonisti, la loro crescita personale in un percorso non semplice ma affrontato senza scossoni emotivi o angosce nonostante i temi importanti. Rocko e Lachlan sono due anime ferite che si avvicinano nonostante la paura, che si scoprono e si mettono a nudo rivelando i loro lati positivi e i sentimenti belli, due persone che si aiutano e curano a vicenda e che si rendono felici. L'evoluzione di Rocko verso la guarigione e la riscoperta di sé è molto bella ma anche quella di Lachlan è importante e commovente. Ogni pagina, gesto e parola trabocca di dolcezza e romanticismo, i protagonisti come i personaggi secondari hanno sentimenti buoni e intenzioni nobili, tutto è quasi troppo da sembrare irreale eppure l'autrice, - non riesco a spiegarmi come faccia -, ha la capacità non solo di farmi apprezzare cotanta dolcezza ma di trasformarmi in una romantica con gli occhi sognanti e i sospiri felici. Una storia d'amore dolcissima con tanto sesso bollente e passionale, sentimenti belli e passione travolgente, il tutto in un mix perfetto che mi appaga sempre totalmente e inesorabilmente...

CONTINUA SUL NOSTRO BLOG. VENITE A TROVARCI
https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/
Profile Image for ~BookNeeds~.
799 reviews16 followers
March 24, 2020
I can’t decide which book I like the best. All of the books in this series are so good and sweet. This one was extra endearing. I’m so glad Riley got his happy ending.
Profile Image for Aղցela W..
4,542 reviews326 followers
May 30, 2019
This was book 4 in the "Souls of Chicago" series. Drummer Rylie "Rocko" Anderson's life is a mess after overdosing and dying twice on the way to the hospital the puts their foot down either he go to rehab or he is out of the band. When he gets out of rehab the driver takes him to Lachlan Edwards house. Lachlan Edwards is the owner of Golden Entertainment Studios he tells himself that he is just looking out for his investment into Carter's Creed the band that Carter Greene started and Rocko is the drummer. Rocko was a foster child who was abused as a child he was unloved and used drugs, alcohol and sex to cope with the demons of his past. Lachlan who is best friends with Micah they met when Micah went to tell him that his little brother Spencer was dead he died when they were both held captive. Lachlan went through a depression have Spencer's death and begin working with Hudson who he ask to work with Rocko. I really liked Hudson he let Rocko set the paste for their sessions meeting him right were he is comfortable. I loved how Rocko changed he realized that the band and his life were worth fighting for. As these two begin to get closer they both begin to fall in love. Lachlan knows that in order to get Rocko to trust him he has to open up to him and he does. When these two begin hooking up Rocko knows that it was time that he tell Lachlan his secret and when Lachlan tells him that he loves him after sex Rocko is sure that Lachlan isn't going to want him after he tells him turns out he was sexually abused by one of his foster mothers and when the husband finds out they beat him and lock him in closet for a week and then they send him away. This was a really good read that I liked Rocko didn't realize that he was basically raped as a kid he thought it was his fault. It makes me sad that people in this world treat kids this way. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Profile Image for Valeria  DePaula.
1,087 reviews6 followers
December 17, 2019
✔ Letto! E siamo di ritorno a Chicago a sapere del destino del nostro Rocko, il batterista del gruppo e di Lachlan il proprietario della casa discografica della Carter’s Creed.
Due ragazzi che hanno tanto in comune anche se non lo sanno. Tutti due in modi diversi sono stati abbandonati dai genitori, l'unica differenza era a chi sono stati affidati. Dove uno cresceva nel lusso e riempito con regali riparatori per compensare l'assenza dei genitori, cresciuto praticamente dai suoi domestici, persone amorevoli che gli ha fatto da genitori. Rocko invece è stato affidato allo stato, che lo sbatteva da una casa all'altra, crescendo dove l'unico interesse di quelle persone erano riscattare l'assegno dello stato per tenerlo li, crescendo nella indifferenza e nell'abuso anche fisico oltre che psicologicamente. Questo ha segnato i due uomini, dove Lachlan è uscito vincitore, un uomo forte nonostante i dolori. Rocko ne è uscito rotto, perso. Che si riempiva di droghe e alcool per dimenticare...
Ripresa, Riscatto e Riscoperta questo è il percorso che Rocko dovrà seguire per ricomporsi come una melodia, con ogni nota al posto giusto.
Ripresa dopo essere morto due volte.
Riscatto quando ha accettato di farsi curare e cominciare a accettarsi, dandosi il suo giusto valore e delle giuste opportunità.
Riscoperta, quando accetta l'amore della sua vita, quando sa che ha più motivi per vivere che per morire. Quando ama se stesso come Rylie Anderson e sta bene anche con gli altri.

«
Profile Image for Melissa Mcentyre.
299 reviews21 followers
March 28, 2017
Renewing the Soul: Souls of Chicago series book 4 by Annabella Michaels is a dealing with your demon’s standalone story. But you will have a fuller understanding if you have read the first three books of the Souls of Chicago series. Rocko and Lachlan Edwards have appeared in the other stories.
Rocko, the drummer for Carter’s Creed, has fully adopted the “Sex, drugs and rock & roll” lifestyle. But this last scare for the band is too much.
Lachlan Edwards, the owner of Golden Entertainment Studios, decides to step in and offer Rocko a chance to recover. But will the demons of each man’s past bring understanding or destruction.
Renewing the Soul is a great read that followers of this series have been waiting for. The confessions by Rocko & Lachlan with twist you don’t see coming will tear at your heart. The exploring of their pain & possible involvement will keep you hooked. Again, Annabella Michaels gives us a story to enjoy with the right balance of heat & twists— I was given an ARC of this. If you read this as a standalone you will enjoy it but I encourage you to go back and red the Greene brother’s stories. I can’t wait for the next Story of this series from Annabella Michaels.
Good Writing Annabella Michaels & Thanks
Profile Image for Lara Di Iorio.
492 reviews10 followers
December 9, 2019
4.5 🌟🌟🌟🌟✨ Questa serie io l'adoro perché è romantica, dolce dolcissima ma senza diventare smielata, è bontà di sentimenti, emozioni positive e avvolgenti. Dolcezza e sessualità bollente in un mix che appaga totalmente.
https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/...
Profile Image for Alessandra Magagnato.
224 reviews22 followers
November 25, 2019
I libri di questa serie sono zuccherosi, romanticissimi, pieni di buoni propositi e personaggi positivi. Famiglie supportive. Amici sempre presenti. A volte sono surreali, perché è un po'... troppo, ma li adoro proprio per questo. Per la favola, per la bontà dei personaggi, perché anche quando ci sono dei risvolti duri, e qui ci sono eccome, molto di più rispetto ai precedenti, tutto rimane positivo.
Sono le mie favole, e li amo per questo.
Profile Image for Denise H..
3,250 reviews271 followers
December 20, 2017
*** Deep thoughts, sexy M/M romance, and true love ! ***
Lachlan, a rich, British owner of a recording company,

brought Rocko/Rylie to his home in Chicago after rehab.
Rocko, awesome long haired, tatted, drummer

for Carter's Creed, needs to truly be dedicated to refresh himself and takes all the necessary steps to complete the transition. These two men are attracted to each other, but must keep it a business deal. Which it is, until they cross the line. Their feelings grow and their torrid sexy times are abundant.
We learn about each man's pasts, weaknesses, and wants. Rocko's troubles run deep and the therapist Lachlan hired, is helpful. We see the connections to the other characters; how they are progressing, but these tales can stand alone.
This is a deeply thought filled, very intense and wonderfully loving. Our hearts break for Rocko's childhood of crappy foster homes, and also for Lachlan's absent parents in his childhood.
Marvelous guys, deep emotion, and a happy ending.
Highly recommended. ENJOY !
==========
It's tough to know about the horrible foster care treatment, and the drugs and consequences.
=============
Profile Image for Claudia.
3,033 reviews108 followers
April 19, 2017
I really liked the first three books ... and I liked this one as well. but it was not as good. it was just a nice story
Profile Image for Shannon.
2,163 reviews46 followers
July 11, 2017
I just had to start this one right after finishing the last one because we left off with Rocko/Riley leaving rehab after dying twice on the way to the hospital after taking way too many drugs and still needing some serious help. In steps Lachlan, the man who gave the band their big break. The guy bought a mansion in Chicago just so he could bring Riley home to recover for crying out loud. Now that's dedication. I'm so glad their miscommunication didn't last too long or that would have been super annoying. They had some fantastic sexy times and no real drama. Really enjoyed this one but I hope it's not the last one!
Profile Image for Romanticamente Fantasy.
8,002 reviews237 followers
January 11, 2022
Be65 - per RFS
.
Fenici, questo libro della serie Souls of Chicago è a mio avviso il più intenso di tutti, in cui si affrontano temi scottanti come l’alcolismo, la dipendenza da stupefacenti, il sesso, i comportamenti autodistruttivi e gli abusi su minori.

Questa volta i protagonisti sono Rocko, il batterista della band, e Lachland Edwards, il proprietario della casa discografica con cui il gruppo è sotto contratto.

Una coppia insolita, che non ero riuscita a mettere a fuoco nel romanzo precedente; si perché vedete l’autrice, già alla fine di ogni libro, ci fa capire chi sarà il protagonista di quello successivo e questo è intrigante, perché mi ha fatto ripensare alla storia antecedente per carpire indizi su chi poteva essere il partner di Rocko, e niente non avevo capito.

Una coppia interessante, due uomini completamente diversi, sia per il vissuto che per come affrontano i problemi, però questo legame funziona benissimo.

È incredibile quanto Rocko mi abbia preso, ho sofferto e gioito per lui, mi sono trovata trovo a incrociare le dita affinché non fallisse nella sua riabilitazione.

Purtroppo, come accade a tante persone, il nostro batterista ha dovuto toccare il fondo del pozzo prima di ammettere che aveva bisogno di aiuto, ma per fortuna i suoi amici della band erano lì per lui; il suo amico più grande Steve, con cui passava la maggior parte del tempo, ora però non si fa più sentire.

Lachland non ha avuto una vita felice, ha perso il fratello in guerra, una figura molto importante per lui e la sua morte lo ha devastato; ora non può permettere a Rocko di distruggersi, sarà lui a prendersene cura, anche se l’attrazione che prova è molto forte.

Mi è piaciuto molto questo mix di bisogno e aiuto, che non ha niente di malato, ma permette ai due uomini di scoprire i loro veri “io”, che nascondono al mondo.

Un amore che nasce poco a poco, con una forte passione, mai volgare che mi è entrata sotto pelle.

Che dire, leggetelo e amatelo.

Profile Image for WMD.
163 reviews7 followers
April 16, 2017
two guys move in together and fall in love.

I found it hard not to make my whole review be a spoiler, because not a lot of...well, anything occurs in this very very straightforward A to B romance in the Chicago Soul's series. Maybe it's more A to A. OH wait, there is sufficient sex. So, it does avoid the usual plethora of miscommunication and intimacy fears or at least they seemed very temporary to me (there are a couple but since a therapist is basically on site, they deal with them). Unfortunately for me these romantic roller coaster tropes aren't really replaced with anything else. As has happened in other Annabella Michaels' Souls books, the most interesting current event (the overdose by the rock star) occurred at the end of previous book. I am fine with end of book teasers, but I think would be good if she started re-writing her 'end of book' teases with more details/other point of view, as prologue to the next book.

In Renewing the Soul, the rock star is coerced with the threat of getting kicked out of his band in order to get him to stay at his producer's vast mansion and undergo therapy for drug addiction. We know from the previous book in the Souls' series that the producer loves the long haired rock star. Once the rock star realizes that this mansion gig is boring and lonely, and therapy is hard, he decides he loves the producer. And so they do a few very ordinary daily activities for a lot of the book and have a lot of sex. I list the ordinary activities here as spoilers since they are pretty much the only things that happen in the book.
They (and have sex). The billionaire producer guy works all day (but we don't learn anything about it) and rock star has therapy, and we learn very little about that, too. No rock star-specific activities are explored in the book (e.g. no drum playing details, no collaborating and creating with band members,no concets). They do have a few interactions with their servants and friends we met in earlier books.
Sex explicitly occurs intermittently between and (sometimes) during all these exciting actions. Paint dries. There are some past hurts to deal with (we know the producer's from earlier books, so the only secret is the rock star's) and love continues on. The servants start kissing (each other). And then the final crises of the book: The end.

I don't recommend this one unless you are all about the love and emotional bonding, and are satisfied without additional story/characters/context. It is sufficiently edited, with a few extra/missing/misspelled words. The dialogue is very formal at times. The first person POV changes back and forth between the two MCs. The 'style of thought' for the two MCs was a little stilted and formal as well. I will be done with this author, unless the blurb makes it clear there is some other action/context going on besides the romance. I find she is good on the foundation (sex and steady couples) but not so interested in character building, story building, context. Protecting The Soul, of this series, was more interesting.

Sexy scale 1-5:3
They have sex a lot, and love each other a lot, and it changes up (at least in location) so isn't always repetitive. Explicit, multi-page mm sex scenes all over the place. Basically why the book got a bonus star rating from me.
Likable MCs scale 1-5=2
These guys are kind and supportive to each other and have matching dreams for the future. They are very sweet when comforting. Man, they did not engage my interest, though.
Humor Scale 1-5=1
Not a silly or humorous book.
Angst Scale 1-5: 3
Although we are in rock star's head half the time, knowledge of what he experienced is kept from reader until finally he shares with the producer and the therapist. But he is pretty miserable, and he has a big hurt on. Producer's trauma was shared with us in previous books. See below for possible triggers/ spoiler. Oddly the rock star has some extensive physical scars that I think are never explained. Did I miss something? They do have a therapist on site, basically, so trauma and turmoil dealt with thoughtfully (why don't more billionaires in romances have a therapist on site? think of the angst and intimacy fears that could be avoided)

Possible trigger:

The author does a nice job of supporting therapy as potentially effective and positive (though the fictional therapist does too much talking about the therapy to others).

A Problem for me with the story:

Other recommendations
If you like happy couple lite, I recommend Grounding Griffin, by Lucy Lennox. Similarly solely about the emotional relationship between mm couple and sex, with very little else to deal with.

Protecting the Soul was my favorite in the Soul series by Annabella Michaels, there is more stuff going on in that one.

For other contemporary lite romance with more detailed context/characters, I recommend:
Only the first three of Lucy Lennox's Made Marian series.
A.E. Ryecart's Urban Love series
Tara Lain's Love in Laguna series.
L.B. Gregg's Men of Smithfield series
Profile Image for Jamie.
2,112 reviews97 followers
April 20, 2023
So I enjoyed this book for the most part. It was definitely a lot lighter than I thought it would be.

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about Rocko/Rylie. I didn't have much of a connection with him in the prior book. It's very clear that he had some things going on in his past that were causing his downward spiral. I was a little shocked at what it was when it came out. I expected something much darker I guess. Not that what he went through wouldn't be traumatic, but I don't know, the lead-up was that it was going to be so much worse.

Lachlan was a little bit of a surprise for me. The L word was used way sooner than I anticipated, but maybe I should've known. The connection he had with Rylie seemed really flimsy to be so attached so quickly. Although, these books do tend to be on the "sweeter" side. Either way, I do think they make a good couple.

I hated the epilogue though. Epilogues should be used to bring together the book with the couple we just read about. We got none of that. Instead, this epilogue is preparing us for the characters in the next book. I have no clue who Akio is and now we are throwing in another character we've not met but is related to Landon. Almost makes me not want to read it.
844 reviews2 followers
April 7, 2017
*I received an advanced ecopy*
Another great addition to a great series by a wonderful author. This book deals with addiction, recovery and that love can be found between 2 people from different worlds. Rocko hit rock bottom in book 3 so he had just finished his rehab and moves in with owner of the record company as he maintains his recovery. Lachlan intrigues him and makes him feel safe but knows that he is only a pity case or is he finally someone special to somebody. Lachlan lends a helping hand to Rocko, the sexy drummer, from the band he represents. He is intrigued and watched him from afar never having the courage to make a move on him. Now he has offered Rocko a place at his home and tries his best to be professional because he cannot let himself get close for fear of being hurt by a man he had grown feelings for. These 2 men scarred from the past have connection but not sure how to move forward. I loved the flow of the romance and the therapy Rocko went through to assist in his recovery. The epilogue that leads to book 5 was intriguing and I hope for a lighter and naughty scenes with that couple.
*I received an advanced ecopy*
Profile Image for Melissa.
635 reviews4 followers
April 5, 2017
Since all the Greene brothers found their happily ever afters, I didn't expect to like this as much as the previous books. Now, I know better than to doubt Michaels. I was blown away by how much Lachlan and Rocko made sense as a couple in this book. I loved Terry and Benjamin in the book. By the way, didn't Benjamin's mannerisms remind you of Alan Rickman as Professor Snape or was it just me? As soon as Benjamin and Rocko met, he was so cold and indifferent to Rocko. I knew eventually everything would work out but Benji was something else. Another thing that surprised me was the epilogue. I thought for sure this was conclusion of this series but it's not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for xxoabbey.
437 reviews11 followers
April 5, 2017
A good continuation..



A good continuation in the series but I was left wanting more from Rocko and Lachlan. Chemistry was intense and was cool catching up with the previous characters - I just felt the drama was missing, there was no big moment which could be pivotal to a will they won't they feel.

I enjoyed it, no disputing that - the sex scenes were hot, I just feel a bit unsatisfied afterwards.. teaser to the next book, spot on.
5,704 reviews39 followers
April 20, 2017
amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing.. oh i hope there are more.. i really really hope so lol
Profile Image for K.M. Neuhold.
Author 100 books3,322 followers
April 9, 2017
Amazing

This was a beautiful story about love and having a second chance at life. Wonder characters and so many feels. I absolutely loved this book
Profile Image for Katie Townsend.
1,276 reviews20 followers
September 28, 2023
Loved

Renewing the soul was wow

Rocco and Lachlan's journey was a beautiful one but also a emotional one I laughed I cried I fell in love so hard

There were times in renewing the soul where my heart broke and then put back together

I felt like I was there alongside Rocco and Lachlan going through there ups and downs with them I couldn't put the book down

Watching Rocco fight his demons were so amazing but it hurt my heart too

Renewing the soul was the hardest one to read but not in a bad way but in a beautifully emotional way I felt like I really connected with Rocco and Lachlan

Thank you Annabella Michaels for another beautiful written installment of the souls of Chicago series can't wait to see what's next
Profile Image for Debbora.
1,173 reviews25 followers
April 20, 2017
Perfect. Loved it. Rocko and Lachlan story was emotional for me I freely admit to crying for both their characters. Annabella Michaels know how to wring out the emotions.
Profile Image for Letture Sale e Pepe.
1,714 reviews47 followers
May 11, 2021
Hi lettrici e lettori Sale e Pepe,

Oggi vi parlo del libro “Un anima da purificare”, il quarto volume della serie Soul of Chicago di Annabella Micheals, edito da Quixote edizioni.

Ho letto anche i volumi precedenti della serie, ma questo è il primo che recensisco per il blog, voglio però dire due parole anche su gli altri libri, perché credo che tutta la serie meriti di essere letta, ogni volume racconta la storia di uno dei membri della allargata famiglia Greene, la prima coppia è formata da Caleb Greene e Giovanni Romero, la seconda da Carter Greene (gemello di Caleb) e il terzo da Landon Greene (fratello maggiore dei due) e Micah.

Tutte e tre le coppie, anche se molto diverse tra loro, sono unite da un sentimento fortissimo e rappresentano l’idea di anima gemella l’uno dell’altro.

Per la prima volta in questo volume non ci sono membri di sangue della famiglia Greene come protagonisti, ma dei loro amici fraterni, Rocko, il batterista della band di Carter, e Lachlan, il loro capo discografico nonché migliore amico di Micah.

I due personaggi sono apparentemente uno l’opposto dell’altro, Rocko è la pecora nera, il combina guai mentre Lachlan è serio, posato e dedito solo al lavoro, la domanda sorge spontanea cosa avranno in comune ? in realtà più di quanto ci si possa aspettare, entrambi hanno un grande desiderio nel profondo, ovvero, essere amati.

Per Lachlan la scintilla scocca subito, portandolo a prendere decisione azzardate del tutto distanti dal suo carattere rigido, preciso ed organizzato, quel “qualcosa” – chiamatelo colpo di fulmine, pazzia – lo spinge a rivoluzionare la sua vita, per far spazio al nuovo, anche quasi inconsapevole.

Per Rocko invece è più graduale cedere al sentimento e si interseca con il profondo cambiamento che avviene in lui durante la sua guarigione, subito dopo aver toccato il fondo, in lui vediamo una svolta nel pensiero ed una trasformazione netta dalle prime pagine fino all’ultima, una crescita incredibile.

Infatti, le esperienze vissute da Rocko hanno lasciato cicatrici visibili, ma anche alcune più profonde e molto più dolorose, che l’hanno portato verso l’autodistruzione.

Sarà Lachlan stesso all’inizio con l’amicizia e poi con l’amore a fargli che capire che non merita questo odio per se stesso e che è degno della fiducia e dell’amore che ha sempre voluto e desiderato.

Una storia semplice, di seconde possibilità, rinascita e amore puro, ecco cosa troverete leggendo questa storia.

Un po’ di romanticismo, un po’ di sofferenza e la giusta sensualità, che l’autrice sa mixare bene, rendendo anche le parti più sofferte, leggere e non soffocanti.

Se siete degli eterni romantici non potete che leggere questa serie e amarla, per questo vi consiglio assolutamente di conoscere le anime dei ragazzi di Chicago, ognuno di loro vi lascerà qualcosa di suo.

- Payne
Profile Image for Cherry Pie.
930 reviews21 followers
February 11, 2020
4,5*

Una semplice, romantica e dolcissima storia d’amore, di buoni sentimenti, di seconde possibilità e di amicizia, quella vera. Un racconto molto intenso ma non troppo lungo su quanto un’anima nobile e sensibile abbia bisogno di apprezzamento, comprensione totale e amore incondizionato per poter brillare.

Molti pensavano che la dipendenza da stupefacenti fosse semplicemente una scelta egoistica di qualcuno, che se avesse voluto smettere avrebbe potuto farlo in qualsiasi momento.
Ma avevo fatto un sacco di ricerche e avevo conosciuto la mia dose di tossici durante la mia carriera, quindi sapevo che la dipendenza era di fatto una malattia, che teneva le sue vittime in una morsa stretta, contro la quale chi ne è vittima deve combattere giorno dopo giorno, a volte anche minuto dopo minuto per resistere al suo richiamo seducente.
Le persone che cercano di riprendersi da una dipendenza non sono deboli, anzi sono forse i più forti tra noi perché combattono i propri demoni, ogni giorno, e portano i segni della battaglia a dimostrarlo.


E una volta di più un romanzo serve a ribadirci l’importanza dell’altro, per ognuno di noi. Perché, e perdonatemi il gioco di parole, se è vero che nessuno è felice da solo, è anche vero che nessuno sta bene con gli altri se prima non impara a star bene da solo.

Rocko è apparentemente una star di successo, pieno di soldi, groupie, talento e vizi. Un uomo capriccioso e leggero, che ha deciso di rovinarsi la salute con droga e alcol. Lachlan è un uomo d’affari e di successo, che decide di salvare quella causa persa di Rocko.

Ma Rocko è davvero una causa persa? Un inutile vizioso che gioca con la vita e intanto sorride ai fan e ai compagni di band?

In realtà è un pesce che nuota in superficie e ha una paura folle dell’acqua alta. Sotto la superficie sono nascosti i suoi segreti, i suoi incubi, il suo passato orribile. E Lachlan potrebbe riuscire a scoprire quanto Rocko vale davvero…

Piansi per il bambino che non era mai stato amato, per il ragazzo fiducioso la cui innocenza era stata fatta a pezzi, e piansi per l’uomo che era stato così perduto da giocarsi quasi la vita. Piansi per tutte le parti di me stesso fino a quando non ebbi più lacrime.


Una storia che, ripeto, pur nella sua grande semplicità, ci porta solo verso buoni sentimenti e sane considerazioni, mentre ci narra di piccoli ma grandi uomini. Un’ottima prova.

Navillus.
https://thedirtyclubofbooks.it/unanim...
Profile Image for Incantalibri Francesca Sala.
160 reviews8 followers
December 8, 2019
"Un'anima da purificare" è sicuramente una storia più introspettiva e difficile rispetto ai precedenti capitoli della serie. La storia di Rocko, e il suo percorso di riabilitazione, sono un cammino difficile e irto di sofferenza, affrontarne la lettura porterà spesso in superficie sofferenza e commozione. Percepire il suo dolore, la solitudine e le ferite che lo accompagnano da sempre creano momenti di forte intensità emotiva che l'autrice riesce sempre a sfumare attraverso una battuta o l'erotismo. Sicuramente dei quattro volumi è il più oscuro e tormentato, quello che riesce a trasmettere inquietudine e incertezza. A differenza dei precedenti capitoli non incontriamo scene di pericolo o suspense, ma l'impatto emotivo con il passato è intenso e complesso. Rocko è sicuramente uno dei personaggi più sfaccettati dell'intera serie, colui che accentra, e focalizza, su di se quasi tutta l'attenzione del lettore. Lachlan è un uomo dolcissimo, un uomo dal cuore buono che ha perso ciò che amava di più al mondo, una perdita che lo ha portato a chiudersi e seppellirsi nel lavoro, smettendo completamente di vivere, sentire e amare. Le loro paure, le loro ferite e le loro interazioni ci vengono raccontate con delicatezza e un ritmo fluido che scivola con intensità attraverso moltissime emozioni. Rocko e Lachlan non potrebbero essere più diversi, ma entrambi nascondono lo stesso dolore, una solitudine soverchiante che ne ha avvelenato la vita. È sorprendente come l'autrice sia riuscita a creare due personaggi così agli antipodi e condurli lentamente, e con estrema naturalezza, ad amalgamarsi insieme, a scivolare in una trasformazione che li renderà inseparabili.

Ancora una volta Annabella Michaels riesce a dar vita a una storia che cattura e ammalia il suo lettore, una vicenda vibrante e realistica grazie ai suoi personaggi originali e corposi, sfaccettati e complessi. In attesa del prossimo volume non mi resta che consigliarvene la lettura.
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