Don't Be Afraid

by C.A. Harms

Beautiful, Breathtaking An Epic Love Story! Have you ever looked at someone and just knew, knew that they were put in your life for a reason? The one person that would be not only your best friend, but would be your absolute everything? That’s how I felt the first time I saw him. That one day when a few little words changed our entire lives forever… Don’t be Afraid, he said. Life can change so quickly. One moment you can be smiling and feeling as if you're walking on clouds and the next, everything you love, everything you treasure crumbles at your feet. I told him to fight, I told him I needed him. We needed him. But there are just some fights that can't be won… He was my angel then, and he’s still my angel now. In a way, I believe he’s still looking out for us, giving us a future. Sometimes it’s as if I can still feel his presence, guiding us and keeping us safe. So, I won’t be Afraid. I'll live. I’ll fight. It’s what he would have wanted. I’ll do it for him…

Genres: Romance, Friends To Lovers, Emotional, Contemporary Romance, New Adult, Contemporary, Death

182 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 7, 2018

About the author

✯❤✯FOLLOW ME✯❤✯

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❤ One Sizzling Romance at a Time ❤

Reviews

[❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

DON’T BE AFRAID: Is a standalone contemporary romance full length novel by C.A. Harms. Spoken in 'Dual Perspectives’ In this we meet Sawyer, Patrick and Gabe. This is broken down in two parts.

Ignore that title and be very very afraid, afraid you’ll wake your partner in the night from sobbing, afraid the next morning when you look in the mirror and a scarecrow looks better!! The ‘Prologue’ sets you up on a collision course of soggy tissues, think you’ve cried before over factional characters think again!! I am not a crier in life generally so when an author comes along and rips my heart out and tears it to shreds you know it’s going to destroy you, nothing and I mean nothing prepared me for this story.



Reading the ‘Prologue’ we find out that Patrick’s body is being overtaken by that killer disease we call cancer, no cure, the day he finds out it’s moving through this body rapidly is also the day he finds out from his wife that he’s going to be a father. But the odds are against him, he only has a short time to live.

“Fight for me and our baby. You have to. We need you."

These two loved each other from the moon and back, soul mates who met by chance but fell in love in an instant, you could feel their love pouring off the pages.

The time he has left he wants to live without reservations, to live the days fully, to love each other more so with what time he has left.

I felt like we were living on borrowed time, like I was watching the sand fall through the hourglass and another piece of my soul was fading away with each grain.

Patrick's illness hits everyone to the core, including his best friend Gabe, a man who he sees more as a brother, a close knit friendship.



At this point it’s hard to carry on reading you know the outcome is going to be heartbreaking.

Patrick tries his hardest to stay on for the birth of his daughter, he chose her name, got the nursery set up with the help from Gabe, now it's a race against time hoping that he can hold on for her birth.

I’m always after books that bring untapped emotions out of me and I can honestly say that ‘Don’t be Afraid’ definitely did, god I felt every single emotion down to humankind, this story broke me into little pieces not even a band-aide would fix the heartache I felt, but ever so slowly as I progressed into Part Two of this book my heart slowly started to mend.

This had all the feels, angst, heartbreak, love, such an emotional journey that put me through the wringer, I can't convey into words with how much I loved this book, definitely an author I will be keeping an eye on.

     

[Alex ♈ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 – 4.5 stars

Very emotional read. Deep, tragic, and very beautiful.

I cried, I sobbed, I wept till 60% and then some.
God, Patrick’s destiny broke my heart!
Patrick was everything! Strong, caring, sweet, faithful – one of the best heroes I ever read.
Life is unfair. Why do good people hurt? Why?!

I loved Patrick so much, that I couldn’t spare much feelings for Gage. Sorry. He was a good man, but he wasn’t Patrick.

Sweet strong heroine. I felt for her. But despite all her pain and loss she was a happy woman to love and to be loved by an incredible man!

I won’t spoil what happened. But I understood the storyline / the twist from the blurb, I knew what I get with this story.

It deals with illness, loss, grief, love for the family, love for the friends, second chance in love.

It’s not a book for ‘in between’. You’ll cry, you’ll even howl.

There is a HEA, but I would have preferred a miracle. Who read it, will get me.

“Today we’ll fall apart,” Patrick assured me. “Today we’ll blame God, we’ll hate our fate, we’ll yell, cuss, and scream. We’ll be angry and sad. Today we’ll do all that.” I nodded because I could do that. In fact, I already was.

“But tomorrow, we live.”

[Dri ✰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

★ 5+++++ ALL THE FEELINGS stars!!! ★

When a book/author finds the way to your heart... ❤️

“You’re my adventure... Our life, our journey, it’s all my adventure.”

Bem, fale-me sobre sentimentos à flor da pele...

Que história mais linda, emocionante e de partir o coração!
Esse é aquele tipo de livro que eu amo ler e quando termino a leitura, fico com a enorme vontade de abraçar e guardar pra sempre.
Aquele que me encontrou na hora certa, que me fez sentir um turbilhão de emoções, que partiu meu coração em pedaços e depois colou os caquinhos.

“Let’s not be afraid, together.”

Foi extremamente impossível não sentir, não ter empatia e amar os personagens da maneira que cada um merecia. Assim como foi inevitável não compartilhar a dor, chorar junto, se revoltar... e voltar a sorrir e ter esperança de dias melhores.

“Don’t Be Afraid” tocou meu coração profundamente. Não sei explicar a conexão que tive com esse livro, me falta palavras, porém, transbordo de emoções.

A autora fez um belo trabalho, construiu personagens apaixonantes. Criou uma história de amor inesquecível e que terá pra sempre um lugar no meu coração e mente.

Esse livro é amor!
E eu me sinto grata por ter lido!❤️❤️❤️
Já está na lista dos meus favoritos e melhores do ano!😍😍😍

[warhawke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Multiple
Rating:




Sawyer Cooper was lucky to have found her soul mate at a young age. For five years she lived a blissful life with her husband Patrick. As a young couple they had plans and dreams for the future, but sometimes fate had a way to challenge even the strongest love.

“Today we’ll fall apart. Today we’ll blame God, we’ll hate our fate, we’ll yell, cuss, and scream. We’ll be angry and sad. Today we’ll do all that. But tomorrow, we live.”

I wanted an ugly crying book, I surely got it in this one. The first half of the book was heart wrenching. I love when characters were forced to deal with difficult situations. I love feeling their sadness, pain and anger and see how each of them dealt with it.

I’d heard about things bringing a grown man to his knees, yet until that moment I never really understood how something so simple could do just that.

However, I'm a little let down for the second half of the story. After all the love and the pain of earlier part, this part felt too easy and clichéd. For me, it needed extra intensity for it to be believable/acceptable to stand up against the all consuming feelings of the first half of the story.

I knew in the end that our grief would only make us stronger.

Don't Be Afraid is a story of coping and healing. It would appeal to readers looking for an emotional romance.



🔸 ✨ 🔸. . . (F)BR With Loyda . . . 🔸 ✨ 🔸



For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Well, that annihilated me, totally. In all the books I've read, and I've read a lot, I don't think I have ever ugly cried so much. I started crying in the prologue and didn't stop until after half way through. And in all the books I've read I don't think any could measure up to the feelings Don't Be Afraid pulled out of me (she says after going through a box of tissues reading this!)

This book!! I wish I could sum up just how much I loved it, I couldn't find fault even if I tried. I adored Patrick, Sawyer and Gabe, their absolute and total love for each other was .... gah I have no words. This isn't a menage, that's definitely not for me, nor is it a triangle. Also, there is NO CHEATING, none whatsoever - not in thought or deed. What it is is an epic love story and romance between Patrick and Sawyer, and an EPIC story of friendship and love between Patrick, Gabe and ultimately Sawyer. Dear god, everyone needs a Gabe in their lives, that man was just phenomenal.

Damn, I'm tearing up just thinking about them whilst writing this review so I'm going to stop here. I can't see this morning my eyes are so puffy, and I know I'm going to think about this one for weeks.

Highly recommend this to anyone who wants not one but two love stories for the ages and a lot of heartbreak and tears to get through it to the happy.

[✵Damjana✵ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like it. Why? Because I didn't buy it!

First half was really heartbreaking. It was explained, step by step, how her husband was dying due to cancer. Second half was sugarcoated and sweetened all over and that was just too much. Everything seemed so artificial, new love with old friend happened immediately -wham bam here we are all really happy at the end! Really??? It was rushed and too polished. Same (too) sweet facts and statements were repeating through whole story.

[Leo (Queen of the Rants and Spoilers) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Patrick stars


God this book put me through the ringer. I cried so much.
I've stop reading this author's books because one way or another there's always OW drama or the hero is a manho. But I'm glad I gave this one a chance.
Patrick, Patrick was just amazing. I fell in love with him through the heroine's eyes. His POV just gutted me. I don't think I've ever cry that much reading a book.
There was no room for anyone else, I just couldn't fall for someone else, he stole my heart and never gave it back. Oh god when he met his baby girl and his letter to Sawyer. I was ugly crying.

[Dora Koutsoukou · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 💔💧💔💧💔💧💔 devastated ⚡️⚡️✨✨✨✨s❣️❣️❣️❣️

I am trying to find words as to describe the author’s writing since I was crying my heart out solid from the prologue until chapter 22!!!
C. A. Harms didn’t waste any time but delved into the present situation, establishing Patrick and Sawyer’s epic love and further on loss...💔
My heart broke into thousands of pieces, I was devastated.
The characters were exceptional and the story remarkably emotional.

I would have given 5 stars but the second half of the book didn’t bring out the emotions as the first!
To be honest I stood before a great surprise as I witnessed the feelings unfolding between Cage and Sawyer.

It was a great read, yet tough, heart wrenching and spellbinding. Still beautiful❣️

[Lo Bookfrantic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved first 50% but can't say the same about the other half.... Might have rolled my eyes the last 20%....I had very high hopes for this story but because the first half made me feel so much I still overall enjoyed it.

[Heather❀Kiss The Pages❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book felt like someone took a hammer to my heart and shattered it into tiny little pieces. From the beginning of this book, the prologue sets the stage for the devastation that awaits this couple. I ached so much for Patrick and Sawyer. Their love was what most people only dreamed of and I cried for the unfairness of their fate.

"You're my adventure." I cupped his face in my hands and looked at him with all the intensity I felt. "Our life, our journey, it's all my adventure.

Oh Patrick! I loved this man so much! He suffered so much and still his goal was to make sure Sawyer was taken care of. His love for her was so selfless. Towards the end of the book we learn just how much Patrick went through to ensure Sawyer was loved and cherished and I just completely lost it. This man stole my heart!

So let me confess, by about 30% into the book I had a gut feeling that the story was going to go a certain way. So yeah, I cheated and skipped to the end to see if I was right. I had to see if there was a HEA because I was just a complete mess. So I won't spoil the story for you. I will say that there are many, many moments that you will need to bring out the tissues but the characters are able to find peace in the midst of their grief by the end of the book.

This is a heartbreakingly, beautiful love story that I highly recommend.

5 Stars
Contemporary Romance
POV: Multiple
Heat Level: Mild
HEA: Depends on how you look at it

COME FIND ME!

[DJ Sakata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite Quotes:

I’m scared… I don’t know how to be me without you.

Miss him, fall apart. I’m here to pick you up, I promise.

He knew I couldn’t help but fall in love with you. How could anyone not see the beauty inside you and be weakened by it?

I promised her pancakes and eggs… There may have been a mention of chocolate chips too… What? Isn’t it in the aunt handbook that I should spoil my one and only niece every single chance I get?

My Review:

While the premise was relevant and predictable, the exceptional quality, depth, and poignancy of Ms. Harm’s writing, as well as the complexity of the explored emotions shared by the characters, were not; and those were the unexpected treasures I gleaned from this heartrending tale. The storylines were robust with all the feels, agony, fear, love, grief, satisfaction, levity, despair, elation, and completion. Tears were often close and on more than one occasion my eyes stung while my throat constricted and burned, and my chest tightened with threats of an ugly cry. And while I typically prefer to eschew that phenomenon, this thoughtfully written and engaging story was more than worth my distress.

[Syndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is perfection. The writing style really can make your emotion up and down. I am rooting for Patrick to get better. I also feel the pain of Sawyer. How she navigate her life from perfect happy mother to be becoming a single parent.

The character development is actually minimum. There is also a gap of 3 years after Patrick passed away. I do not see in depth the emotional struggle of Sawyer after she becomes a widow. The moral of the story is life continues on its course. Finding courage to find another love story. It is a very powerful message.

This is my first book by C.A. Harms. Looking forward to listen to her other books.

5 stars

[Amber’s reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the idea of the plot, but felt that the short length of the book and the author’s writing style left something to be desired. While I cried at the beginning of the book when Patrick was dying, the rest of the book didn’t evoke much emotion. I never felt Gage and Sawyer’s connection or attraction. The book was very much “tell” and not “show.”

However, the cover is absolutely gorgeous and the main reason I was drawn to the book.

[hugsandcookies · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 amazing heartbreaking tearful stars...

If I could rate this story over and over and over I would, cause when a story like this hits, there's no way that you'll ever forget it, trust me this story will impact all the feelings you cannot believe so prepare for the ugly cry the sniffling and just the deep overwhelming heartache. Seriously and it’s my first book by this author.

Tbh, I never ever ever expected this story cause judging sometimes get you wrong. The blurb I was more curious about and the cover image didn't really give me much but I thought okay hopefully it's good, wrong IT'S SO FREAKING GOOD!!!!

[trestitia ⵊⵊⵊ deamorski]

kapağı görüp aşık oldum çok merak ettim gittim indirdim sonuna baktım ve tahmin ettiğim gibi çıktı.

bıktım aq büyük aşkla evli olan çiftten birinin ölüp (erkek olur hep nedense) eşini başka adama bırakmasına. yani eşi yalnız kalmasın fln. hep de bilirler kim olduğunu ve bıraktığı kişinin de eşini seveceğini fln ki niyeyse bu yine hep çok yakın arkadaşı olur o kişi.
eşin kendi yaşantısında spontane gelişmelerle ikinci baharı yaşamasına bile nefretle bakıyorum ben (ortada dediğim gibi büyük, sizi salya sümük ağlatan ve hayata lanet ettiren bi aşk varsa) bu olaydan komple nefret ediyorum. yani aradan bayağı bi yıl geçer o başka. salt ve saf ve yek aşk seviyorum ilişki ve yaşantıları istediği kadar karmaşık, aykırı olsun. hayatlarına ya son versin ya da yaşayan ölü olsun istiyorum. werther'le, nejat'la, heatcliff'le büyümüş biriyim ben. bana ne.

içimi döktüm gidiyorum.

[Livros A Go-Go ~Joyci ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 - 4
Eu adoro livros com o tema e talvez por ter lido alguns outros, esse não me impactou tanto.
Gostei da divisão do livro, dos personagens principais, mas aquela ex- mulherzinha aparecer para assombrar foi totalmente desnecessário.😑

[Jena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Powerful plot, poorly executed.
There was a whole lot of telling but not showing in this book. It also lacked character development so I barely connected with the MCs.


Emotional read but it could’ve been better.


If you like tear jerkers try A Thousand Boy Kisses instead.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (10/4/2019)! 🎁

[B.E.Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't write a review for this book right after I finished it because of the effect it had on my. The only way I can describe it was I was gutted. This book still now a week later makes me want to weep. Which is exactly what I did through pretty much this entire book. When I say weep I actually mean I wept as in I woke up with eyes swollen still from the other night. This book was one of the hardest books I ever read and yet one of the best and most beautiful books I have ever had the privilege of reading. I was recommended this book(thanks dasm) and didn't actually know anything about it but her love for the book and the description and I'm so glad I didn't because knowing I may have passed this book over is something I can't imagine.

The writing in this book is nothing short of amazing, the feelings both indescribable pain and such great joy are palpable when you read this book. The characters and their lives are something I will never forget. I only wish everyone had the privilege of reading this book. If your on the fence or if you think after hearing what this book is about that you want to skip over this one I implore you to take a chance this book is something that will change how you see things, you will want to tell the people you love just how important they are. It will make you realize how blessed you are. That this author made this book work for me just shows how talented of a storyteller she truly is.

10 stars this is one of the best book I have ever read.

[SiKReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is highly emotional. You WILL cry. You will fall in love with characters. You will want to call the author nasty hateful names for making you cry so hard. You will never want to put it down.

That being said, before you read this book, you will need the following:

1. Tissues: This is Imperative!!! I am not talking a little pack you put in your kids' back packs, I am talking, full flu-sizes box. Maybe more than one.

2. Woobie: You will want to be comfortable because you will not be going anywhere until the book is read.

3. Order Dinner in or send the family out: This is for their health, safety, and sanity. Seeing a grown person ugly cry and hiss that they are being bothered for such trivial things as food is not good.

4. Turn off your phone: You won't want the interruptions.

5. Alcohol: You might need something to take the edge off.

[Andrea Fleury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two lives and two loves

I absolutely love this author. I loved all her books. Each and every one different. That's why she's that great. This book will make you very sad and then very happy. It's a story of two men who are brother's in every way thermodynamic a beautiful woman who makes them happy.

[Natalia Parker Cahill · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

I found the beginning sad because the H had an illness. Now I liked the way the book continued. And the ending . It was very insta but loved it .

[Sammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect

I’m not used to reading a story that starts out very emotional in a heartbreaking way, but I have to say that combined with the ending it was perfect! This was definitely a bittersweet love story! I couldn’t put it down without wanting to pick it right back up!

[Katerina · Rating 3 out of 5]

With a hero dying, imo there are two ways around it.

A. Reading about them falling in love from the first meeting point etc, until the bomb shell drops on readers that he has been diagnosed with "x" condition and has "x" amount of time to live.

Or

B. Having an equal share time with the prospective future hero and flash backs to the old hero who is already dead. Therefore a story centred around moving on and getting the feels from the current hero.

Because I will tell you this now, I mainly root for the first guy THAT WE AS A READER MEET. Sans of course considering he hasn't done anything wrong. But that is always going to be the direction I take.

And immediately in chapter one, we find out Patrick is dying, so trust me when I say automatically I know not to get invested which is why Group A books actually kill me because they are so damn sneaky. And 2. When we find out the Patrick conveniently has a bff called Gage who Patrick tells to look after Sawyer whilst she's going through this, obviously I know where it's going, but I felt zilch cause he doesn't fit into GROUP B either.

And no I didn't mind them being together. It was fine for me. But at the same time, they kind of did Patrick dirty even though he wanted it? And honestly Gage, the guilt SHOULD eat you alive because should this story have been written in the reverse with a wife dying and her hubs falling in love with her best friend. BITCH SWEEERVEEE. At least I would have wanted it to take longer than nine months. For Sawyer to try her had at dating before he returned. It was too soon for me time scale wise because imagine sleeping with someone who was your husbands best friend. Like her resistance to the situation wasn't really there at all. I would have liked some internal drama/conflict/ "can I really feel like this" "this is sick" etc, before they got together.

But I can't lie, I'm never really satisfied with most romances so imo, this might just be a me thing.

[Tina H · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 “Forever my girl.” Stars



"I’d spend the rest of life thanking my angel above for the love he shared and the life he gave me."

I am not sure I can write a review right now so I am just going to say that this book shattered me. Me though the entire book….







But dammit, I loved every minute, every tear and every emotion of this story. It is absolutely heartbreaking but so f*****g beautiful! This one will be with me forever!!



Merged review:

The 2nd time was a good as the 1st!

[ach · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried through the whole thing even when there were happy moments. It was beautiful, heartbreaking and overwhelming because it was so much relatable.
I loved all characters and the story itself, i cried for Patrick and Sawyer and mumbled how it wasn't fair to lose the people you love just like that, how can anyone survive through that?
I loved it so much and i'm too overwhelmed right now to write more than this.

[Karla✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Preparen sus pañuelos por que de inicio a fin van a llorar 🥺❤️

[Lydia's Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH. MY. GOSH. This book has ruined me in the best way possible.

The rumors were true. You NEED TISSUES for this one. Tons and tons of tissues. I cried practically the whole time! For sure I cried the entire first 70% of this book consecutively. Then, even as I felt my shattered heart healing, I still cried!

Patrick. God, what a MAN. Seriously. I still feel like crying just thinking of him!!! He was PERFECT. Everything he did for Sawyer and his daughter... From housework to the letters!!!! OMG. *sigh* My heart...... THE FEELS, you guys!! THE FEELS.

Then, we also had Gage, Patrick’s best friend. So understanding, patient, kind, and LOVING. Now, of course I NEED a romantic HEA in my books so I was super happy to see Gage and Sawyer find comfort in each other. C A Harms developed this slow burn flawlessly. They had so much to work through and it all went at the perfect pace. The guilt they felt was understandable and seeing them work through it, seeing them open up that side of them that was in many ways broken was beautiful.

Guys, seriously, READ THIS BOOK.

An emotional, heart-shattering book that will have you smiling and sighing with content by the time you’re done reading.

A top 2018 Favorite.
SIX STARS

[✰ Charlie ✰ Chisholm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I told him to fight, I told him I needed him.
We needed him.
But there are just some fights that can't be won…

I truly do not have the words to review this book. I was trying to read through my tears at 6% this book is a great book just so heartbreaking. I had to keep taking breaks and putting the book down I cried so hard in this book.

[Julyana Galvão · Rating 5 out of 5]

Não sei muito o que dizer desse livro...
Existem outros disponíveis falando sobre o assunto tratado, e muitos eu evito...
A escrita dessa autora, que não conhecia, é tão boa e fluída. E eu senti tanto... rsrsrsrs muitas lágrimas.
E como adoro um drama bem escrito: 5 stars