The Problem with Peace

The first thing I thought when I started to think about what I would write for my review was that this book was nothing that I thought it would be, and I mean nothing. Ok so I knew Heath would be amazing and love Polly with every fiber of his being, and I knew Polly to an extent but mostly through her sister and Rosie’s eyes. So seeing Polly and getting to know who she really was and seeing how Heath saw her was something new with each chapter. I went to the doctor a little while ago and he said ah this will be simple it’s this and this and this and then when things started to get going everything and I mean everything went pretty much the exact opposite of how it should have went and my doctor said I was like peeling an onion and every time he would think he got to the root there would be another layer and that is Polly as well as Heath and Polly’s story.

Polly has been in love with Heath for longer than anyone knew and Though Polly is happy and see’s the world with rainbows and friendly faces, meeting and falling for Heath changed Polly and changed the course her life went on. When Heath came back trying to stake his claim Polly had other plans that didn’t include him but no one really knew the truth. For someone who is open and happy Polly finds herself keeping more and more from the people she loves and through she is sure there is no hope for her and Heath after the devastation she faced Polly and Heath yet again come face to face and Polly is sure Heath hates her.

Keeping Polly safe Heath and Polly find themselves together more than they thought and though seeing Heath hurts being without him is worse. Polly may see the world as the cup not half full more so overflowing but the world has other plans for Polly and in turn Heath. Just when they think they finally have this thing called love figured out Polly’s world and in turn Heaths world comes crashing and burning down around them. But Heath loved Polly and has for years, she quickly became his world and a life without Polly isn’t an option.

This book was amazing there are so many twists and turns and just when you think you have Polly and Heath figured out everything you know is turned upside down. Through devastation we see Heath and Polly’s real selves as well as a the love they have for each other that is unparallel. Heath is just what you hope for and then you see that he is so much more the longer you read. He loves Polly so so much. He doesn’t care about anything but Polly and without her this world isn’t worth living in. Polly loves hard but Heath is the love of her life and through him she grows and comes to see not only what it is to truly love and be loved but to be strong. I love how different these two are and yet how much they love each other because they are so different, they both respect the other and love their differences.

Now I’m not going to lie there are parts in this book that are just heart breaking. Anne Malcom does and amazing job creating this world and taking us along for this journey both the sweet and the oh so bitter. But though this book has some really heartbreaking moments because of those moments the sweet is so much sweeter and powerful. We see the deep love these two have for one another and their family.

I loved reading about Heath and Polly but we also get to see tons of former Anne Malcom characters including Lucy and Rosie and we get to see how their lives are turning out, and these updates are great. The epilogue in this book brought me to tears, ok not just the epilogue but the epilogue in this book is really something special, right now thinking about it has me tearing up. It has become very obvious with each book I have read by Anne Malcom that she is a rare talent her books just keep getting better and better and with each book you see in leaps and bounds maturation of her writing and story telling and I am literally blown away. I can’t even guess what is to come all I know is it will be better than I could imagine and nothing I could dream of.

*Thanks Anne for this Beta book.

Michelle Claypot_Reads

2,512 reviews61 followers

favourites-2018 hot-af tissues-needed

This one was an emotional read for me. One of those books that you have to put down and have a think about. It contains aspects of life that too many women experience (myself included) and it really resonated with me how the subject was handled. Although Polly is a hearts and flowers girl, it's not a hearts and flowers story.

Everyone knows that I fangirl Anne's words pretty hard but this one was extra special. It's definitely not your average love story and there were moments I wanted to smack both Polly and Heath. But strangely for me that's why I loved it so very much. It felt genuine, complicated and especially raw for me. An imperfect love story about two people who I adored and the battles they faced to get their HEA.

It's some of Anne's most emotional writing to date. Real, painful and beautiful. Polly and Heath definitely don't make things easy on your heart - but then again, true love is rarely easy. Definitely recommend.

Beta read

Annette Brignac

203 reviews54 followers

Amber- Leave Me Alone I’m Reading

Top. Read. Of. 2018.

Absolutely, mind blowingly perfect in every broken way... Anne Malcom has managed to shatter my heart, again, and put it back together beautifully. I'm going to attempt to do this amazing story justice, but I doubt that's possible...

From the first page in the prologue I was hooked and the story didn't let me go until the final sentence. The writing of this author has a way of grabbing you and not letting you go. AT ALL. She has this way of making you feel like you're part of the story and making it all seem so real you feel like you're there...

I absolutely love the relationship between Polly and Heath. Polly's beautiful spirit and Heath's orderly, Alpha maleness balance each other perfectly. I connected to these characters on so many levels... They are in my Top 5 favorite couples EVER.

This story is my new Top Read this year and a FOREVER FAVORITE.

GO. ONE. CLICK. NOW.

Lydia

193 reviews47 followers

November 30, 2018

I'm at 68% and I don't think I can take anymore.

Main issue is that the heroine (Polly) is a doormat. I lost count on how many times she cried. She felt sorry for herself, but never did anything to change her state of mind. I don't know why she was crying over Heath. She chose to marry someone else and I don't know why she continued to let Heath hurt her.

Other issue was that the hero was mean. I understand why he was mean, but come on! This wouldn't have been an issue if the heroine was stronger and didn't take his crap.

This book was really depressing and I wasn't expecting that. Polly was pathetic

"He'd used that as an excuse to be with her every day. It was a shitty thing to do, even shittier because he treated her like dirt. But she'd still f***ing kissed him."

I can't respect a heroine like that. The book was painful to read, but I tried to finish it.

Anne Malcom

Author 56 books3,931 followers

Read

November 18, 2018

Coming November 26th...

I hope you're ready, I've gone DARK with this one. Polly and Heath go through a lot, and there are some potential triggers. I've tried to handle everything as delicately as I can, but there are some rough moments. I promise it's worth it for their HEA.

Anne
xxx

827 reviews69 followers

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Another beautiful, heart-wrenching read from Anne Malcom! I have loved every book in all of these interconnected series. I have been waiting for Polly’s story and it was perfectly tragic. It broke me down and then carefully put the pieces back together. I loved it. Definitely recommend this amazing series!

Reading

830 reviews58 followers

September 19, 2020

Okay.
I tried to like this story.
I would have one starred this hard if I hadn't read other books by this author that I enjoyed.

Strengths: Anne Malcom can write and for the most part she writes well

Weaknesses: Polly was annoying AF. How do I know this? Because the reader is stuck inside the head of this whining, never-a-bad-life-choice-not-chosen hot mess character. She wasn't a doormat. Oh no, she was the epitome of self-absorbed martyr. It was an act of cruelty on the part of the author to subject the reader to the amount of one-on-one time inside this character's head. I'm not convinced the author's new writing style will do more than annoy me. There's a concerning lack of balance and coherence

Get off the cross, Polly. We might need the wood to burn this book

Rhonda Ziglar

4,389 reviews41 followers

November 29, 2018

5+ POLLY AND HEATH STARS!! My favorite book of 2018, so far!!! This beautiful, emotional, raw story of Polly and and Heath has taken over my top spot for 2018. Their story is so beautifully written, raw and real, it will be engraved on my heart forever. Anne Malcolm words are like gold, shiny, perfect and a treasure for life. This is one book you definitely need to read, so make sure to add it to your tbr list and 1-Click it.

Hopelessly Addicted To Books

3,622 reviews151 followers

It's really hard to sum this book up, it touched on subjects that I've started to recently research and follow. One thing this book will definitely do and that's get you thinking.

Polly and Heath's story is love and life in a book and neither are easy. Both characters are infuriating at points I wanted to shake some sense into both of them. This is a story that's as real and raw as it gets, they don't half put the reader through the wringer emotionally.

Is life perfect - no
Is life hard- yes
Is any love perfect - no
Is love worth the pain- yes

Another heart wrenching fantastically written story.

reviewed by Sweet Spot Sisterhood

Maria (Ri)

5,138 reviews16 followers

There is just something about certain authors who write in a way that transcends time and causes the world to cease. This is one of those authors for me. I discovered her earlier this year and have binge read almost EVERYTHING that she has written. It doesn't matter if it is PNR, MC or even security She does it with a skill that many authors strive to achieve. She is a Goddess amongst the others. Truly. This was especially true when it came to this story.

I am trying to wrap my head around what I just read. It was beautiful and poignant juxtaposed by darkness and devastation. The skill with which this author writes with is sublime. The characters (main and secondary) made stupid decisions, they ran from their mistakes but that made them more endearing. They struggled, they cried, they were weak, and more importantly, they were real. We get glimpses of previous characters and series but even if you haven't read those you won't be lost. (You should totally read them though). If it is their first appearance for you, you will fall in love all over again for them because they truly are hilarious. The things that come out of Lucy and Rosie's mouths are epic.

Heath. Sweet Lord. Not sure how this author can keep creating these one of a kind men but I am happy that she does. This man is wise and loves with every ounce of his being. He has a way of seeing Polly that grabs on to my heart and doesn't let go. He sees her in a way that no one else does:

"I'm not here to protect you from the world. I want to give it to you. Because I know you're strong enough to handle It." /SWOON

Their road was not smooth. Even in the beginning, Heath knew he couldn't walk away:

"I couldn't resist taking you even with the knowledge of knowing I'd have to leave you, " he murmured. "Because you're the most beautiful girl who wants peace but fucks like it is war."

Polly. This little ray of sunshine. This amazing beautiful soul that is imaginary yet gives me hope that there is still magic in this chaotic world that we live in. Heath's description fits her to a tee:

"Your chaos is the single most beautiful and defining things about you. You live life wild and loud, babe. I'm not talking about the sound. I'm talking about the way you smile, the way you enter a room. The way you love."

She truly is joy. She has a gypsy soul that doesn't see things from the same perspective as most other people do. She truly is just Polly and made her that much more endearing. She has a vision of what her life should look like but this connection with Heath calls her on it as he sees her in a way that others don't:

"See, that your problem. You want something that someone's already written for you. And that ain't you babe, I'm pleased to tell you. The person that you are, the story that you live, it won't fit in a book. It's not ever going to be flattened down to love in some two-dimensional world, you're too big for that. You're too bright. You're sunshine in a life that has always been midnight." /Status update dead.

I implore you. Read this book. Read ALL the books. Do a little self-reflection at 3 in the morning during the witching hour. Find the peace in the chaos. One of the best of all of 2018, which is a huge compliment since I have read some AMAZING books this year.

Amanda

882 reviews

angsty-good-read contains-triggers-for-some dark-and-enticing

A truly epic roller coaster ride that made me feel ALL of the emotions, I completely devoured this book from start to finish. It’s a broken, somewhat ugly yet also heartbreaking beautiful love story. Polly is such a beautiful soul, full of so much kindness and empathy and Heath, I had mixed feelings for awhile but boy oh boy did he turn it around in the end! Packed full of angst, drama and suspense, this book will keep you hooked the whole way through. You won’t want to put it down!

WordStaples

282 reviews23 followers

November 28, 2018

If you have been following this series you'll have met Polly and Heath and have an idea of what you feel is going to transpire between the quintessential, carefree flower child and the brooding, hulking alpha ex-marine. But I'm going to guess you won't be expecting this!

This story is as exquisitely luminous as it is devastatingly dark. You will be torn to shreds in your emotions and allegiance for each of these characters many times throughout this book.
It is by no means a rainbows and unicorns romance, that much is brutally clear.

Ms Malcom warns of potential triggers, and this should not be heeded lightly.
I've read these type of warnings before, but in this tale the tough subject matter is so viscerally depicted that even the toughest of hearts and minds will find this confronting.
But in the wake of the brutality is some achingly beautiful healing and fulfilling soul mending lessons that it begs to be experienced at all costs.

Polly and Heath have to battle for their HEA in this story; both with each other, within themselves and with outside forces, all determined to keep them apart.
But I feel they needed this journey, this torturous road. It is true and respectful to each of them, their own hearts and the strength of their union as a couple, despite how painful it was to travel.

This is more than a love story, it's an searingly emotional work of art and a worthy 5 stars.

• Island Queen Reads • Ofa •

765 reviews90 followers

September 1, 2020

This is one of those books that make you sit back and literally question every decision you've ever made and every emotion you've ever felt. It's not a perfect love story, but it's raw, it's genuine, it hurts a whole bunch and I enjoyed every single word.

I hate that this book made me feel so much. I pride myself in being able to control my emotions, but this book basically demanded it from me, it ripped it from my soul and wouldn't let me rest. I couldn't put it down. I won't go into detail because I don't want to spoil it, but this is a classic Anne Malcom love story. A rollercoaster ride of emotions but you'll come out stronger, grateful and so much more in love, in the end.

Erin Scorpio

157 reviews8 followers

So many things come to mind. Never judge a book by it's cover, you never know what someone is or has gone through. Love is never perfect. Sometimes you have to go through hell to find heaven. All these things apply to this book. I related to a lot of things in this book, therefore it made me more emotionally involved. The one thing I would have to say about this book, is that it is okay if things aren't perfect. There is beauty in imperfection. We may not see it at the time, but when we do it makes it all worth it.

Polly and Heath meet by chance in a bar, and share a weekend that will change them forever. She was too young for him at the time and he has a life to return to, a life that while she didn't agree with violence, she understood that is part of being a marine. He left with no communication after and when she met a man she thought she loved, planned on marrying, Heath stepped back in to her life claiming she was his.
Polly being Polly made a commitment and as much as she wanted to run away with Heath she couldn't do that to Craig, her fiance.

Months into the marriage she realizes it was a mistake that the man she married isn't at all what she saw him to be. She left him and with the help of her sister, she walked away a rich woman. Heath and Polly have an occasional run ins with each other and both feel lasting effects. Both are stubborn and refuse to give in, until she just can't fight it anymore. They finally come together only to be ripped apart again.

This book is emotional, funny, intense, has you wanting to reach out to both Polly and Heath and knock their heads together to knock some sense into them. It's an up and down roller coaster. There is heartbreak, secrets, sweet moments, beautiful moments. I can't recommend this book enough. I would suggest reading at least The previous Greenstone books if you haven't already. Hell I recommend any by this author. I have loved every single word she has written.

Sally Ross

56 reviews

I think my favourite thing about fiction is the fact that it has this ability to connect with us emotionally and pull out those emotions. It also has this ability, when executed correctly, to reflect the beauty and the harshness of the world. The author achieves this beautifully in this book.

It is not a lighthearted read. It is realistic in it's portrayal of emotional struggles and the obstacles that the characters face. It will make you emotional with those characters as it is incredibly executed to make you feel what the character is feeling. It is beautifully introspective at times and utterly heart wrenching at others. It is beautiful in it's complexity of both plot and characters.

The characters are easy to connect with, especially if you have read the other books in the series. The author writes characters that reflect true humans in that everyone will find a way to relate to them in some way. The plot is full of twists and indecision on the part of the characters but will keep your heart invested in the story from start to finish.

This read may not be an easy journey but that makes the HEA even sweeter for the difficulties that you experience with the characters. It is a wonderfully compelling read with beautifully executed characters that I would recommend to anyone who loves an emotional journey. One of the best and most beautifully executed books I have read this year.

Becky Rendon

3,856 reviews81 followers

Dear God, this book is painful! It is not an exaggeration when the author says that it is not a fairytale. It isn't a bait and switch. It is not a tease. It is an utter truth. This book is the Grimm fairytale variety. It's harsh. It's ugly. It's real. It hurts like a mothertrucker!

I am a hopeless romantic. I see the happily ever after in everything. I hope against hope. I wish for magic and miracles. I know the hero is going to ride in and save the day...in my books. Not in this one. Not in Polly's world.

Polly is ever the optimist. She is everything I wish to be and a side of crazy new age. She makes my wishful, hope infused outlook seem like a b rated horror movie. She is literal sunshine and rainbows. But she's also a fraud and her own worst enemy.

So I hated this book. Not the writing. Not the characters -even when I wanted to shake them. I hurt physically from the loss of hope. I hated knowing that no matter how much I wanted to turn the page and see unicorns, it wasn't happening. I hated knowing that the knights in shining armor occasionally need time to put it on. I hated knowing the author spared no realism. The author made sure you knew exactly how bad life can be. I hated knowing it would get better but not at magical HEA speeds. I hated it. Which in a crazy way is why this book despite my hating it is so damn good. I

Yes, it's definitely worth the hurt and the soul consuming pain.

Reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood

Aimee C Wright

162 reviews1 follower

This book was a total emotional rollercoaster. Everyone thinks that Polly should be protected and sheltered because of how different she is. She always tries to see the world in a positive light and helps everyone that she can. Heath sees her for how strong she is. Their relationship is not easy - it takes a long time and a lot of tears on both sides. When the world literally comes crashing down Heath is there to help Polly rediscover herself. There are some parts that are really hard to read but there is also such positivity in the power of family and love. Polly is so caring of others that she would rather take their pain on themselves. She is magnet and strength for everyone. There were also some lovely moments in the book and I loved seeing lots more of Keltan and Lucy and Luke and Rosie. Will have to go back and re read all of the books again. Every book I read I fall more in love with the characters and Anne Malcom.

Andrea Jacobsen

102 reviews

The Problem with Peace, the title might make you think this book was going to be light and easy romance, don’t let the title fool you. This story is gut wrenching, light hearted, healing, determined, love story. Polly and Heath’s story is a LOVE story, not a fairytale which means they have to work for their HEA. They do work for it, the romantic in me was sometimes like no they have had enough they won’t make it. However they continued to persevere. I can’t more because I will want to give it away so I will say this instead Anne brings back some of my favorite ladies to help along with their alpha men.

If you love Anne Malcolm the you will LOVE The Problem with Peace but it won’t be an easy ride but real love, good happy love isn’t easy and that is why I love this book and all of Anne’s stories.

Shirley

853 reviews6 followers

I'm really not sure where to start with this one. Let me say that this book is amazing. Not in the usual boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back kind of way. It's so not typical, I think that's what makes it that much...more. Heath and Polly's story is raw, emotional, broken. From the moment I turned the first page, their story dug it's claws into me. I knew it was going to rip me open and tear out my heart. You just feel it, right from the beginning. Pain, anguish, dread, hurt, loss, wrecked, tortured. It's all there, front and center when you turn every page. By then end, you don't know exactly when it happens, because it's so minute, little drops here and there, but by the time you turn the last page, you feel it. Peace.

Kelly Williams

1,208 reviews26 followers

I received and ARC in exchange for an honest review. I have no words. This book was horrible and amazing all in one. I mean we were warned but this wasn’t what I was expecting to happen. This story broke my heart but in the end..... it was a truly amazing, epic love story. The ending was amazing. The epilogue was one of the best I have read. Now I understand why Anne said this book was so hard to write. Polly and Heath were so strong! Especially Polly. She is one of my favorite Anne’s characters. This book was epic and will be stuck with me for a while. Heath I wanted to shake him but hug him at the same time. I love this series and these characters. What a great book!!! I wanted to put an initial review out there but I just finished this book last night andI am still processing.

Katerina

358 reviews7 followers

5 Sunshine stars!!!!Another amazing book.Polly and Heath...there were times I wanted to slap them.. other timed to cry with them..i was so angry..i was wondering why they doing this to each other..but that was the beauty of this book.Life is not only hearts and roses..it's tears ,it's heartbreak,it's anger. Anne Malcolm wrote a beautiful sad love story.I highly recommend it❤❤

Christina Crow

15 reviews5 followers

Emotional, heart wrenching and beautiful.
Anne Malcoms writing in this book is out of this world.
Highly recommend definitely worth the 5 stars.

Dora

808 reviews11 followers

December 16, 2018

I think this book has to be my favorite book of 2018!! Shield and Out of the Ashes was my two absolute favorites of all Anne Malcom’s books but this one definitely surpasses them too.

Polly and Heath’s story is almost indescribable, I went through some extreme emotions reading this book. At one point I could not even really see because of the tears. I honestly could not start this book for a couple of weeks after the release because I knew it was going to be hard, and it was, but so very very beautiful. Polly’s character really captivated me. She is seen as this carefree, peace-loving flower child but she is so much more complex than that. Polly is such a selfless soul that she would bleed herself dry to take the pain away from loved ones. The kindness she shows towards others are genuine, but its how she feels about herself that was so painful. Her need to find peace for herself and the things she did and didn’t do to achieve it was what really got to me. As for Heath, he was the ultimate alpha male. When he met Polly, he was in the military and they had only a few days together. He knew she was young and he didn’t know what was in store for him overseas, but all he did know was that he needed Polly and all her sunshine.

Holy cow their love story was epic, filled with heartache, angst, regrets but the love these two have for each other and their eventual happily ever after makes it all worth it. Their first moment together was beautiful yet so heart-breaking. Polly knew from the very beginning that their time was not permanent, but she gave him her whole heart anyway. When he left they way he did, she was broken, but she was determined to move on, she was determined to continue to live for love and the fairy tale. She never expected to see him again, but then a few years later, there he was. Polly is confronted multiple times by Heath, but she genuinely believed they could not work. She pushes him away until it was too late. I was devastated with how they separated and all the consequences that resulted. Polly goes through so much turmoil and heartbreak but still gives so much of herself to everyone around her. And even how angry Heath was with and acted towards Polly, there were so many signs that he still cared so much. The roller coaster ride these two put me on was excruciating!! I had to stop at one point and post how angst-ridden I was on the Cocktails with Anne Facebook page. But I had to go on, I needed Polly to find her peace. Once Heath is confronted with how much he could no longer live without Polly, it was almost too late, but he was determined to help Polly heal to finally get to their happily ever after.

This was such a beautifully written love story that it is going to stay with me for awhile. Even two days after finishing, I’m still reeling from all the emotions. And that epilogue, all the feels!!! I know I wasn’t alone about not being quite ready to read this story, but I am so glad I finally did. Found my favorite book of the year!

5-star ku own

TheHauteBookworm

340 reviews3 followers

A beautiful, raw, and emotionally gripping story!!
I have to admit, it took me a chapter or two to get into the story. But then I COULDN’T STOP READING! It was captivating! This is an incredibly thought provoking story woven around two very flawed characters. Each exhibiting characteristics and decisions I liked and disliked. Their chemistry was however, totally undeniable!
“I’d never had such a reaction to a man in my life. Instant, visceral and almost unbearable attraction.”
“Why was kissing you a bad decision?” I asked. “Because now, I’m never gonna wanna know what it feels like to stop kissing you,”
“You’re gonna be the end of me,” he hissed. “You’re the beginning of me.” I replied.”
What happens when you find “the one” and you are only given one weekend? OMG!
The decisions they made were sometimes painful, but understandable. I continually found myself asking would I have done any differently. I was awed by the depth and complexity of the story, the author kept exposing more layers when I didn’t think there could possibly be more. Twists and turns that were unexpected, some horrifying and some glorious.
I grew to love Polly, the eternal ray of sunshine constantly putting others first while desperately looking for what would be her story in life.
“The person you are, the story you live, it won’t fit in a book. It’s not ever going to be flattened down to live in some two dimensional world. You are too big for that. You’re too bright. You’re sunshine in a life that has always been midnight.”
Some parts waxed poetic and seemed to be over discussed, but that was fitting with the characteristics of Polly, the dreamer lost in her thoughts. I began to appreciate Polly’s inner monologue. It made me reflect on my own life’s decisions and want to be a better person. It reminded me that everyone has a story. There shouldn’t be judgement, just acceptance. There was so much growth and learning throughout this story for the characters and the reader.
Painful truths, “Broken hearts sometimes crave the person that broke them. No matter how unhealthy, ugly, and painful that need is, it doesn’t go away.”
“It’s just the simple fact that we see in each other what we hide in ourselves.”
This was a beautifully told story that doesn't hide the ugly truths.
I read an ARC of this book. My fair and honest review is voluntary.

Bex_Book_Revieux

811 reviews57 followers

*I received an ARC of The Problem with Peace in exchange for a fair and honest review.*

This book is not for the faint of heart, but Anne Malcom doesn't write books for the weak. Every heroine in the Greenstone Security series a complete bada$$, capable of slaying her own dragons.

The hard thing in this book is that Polly seems so much softer that Rosie or Lucy, so the damage she and Heath put each other through appears a lot more poisonous.

"But love itself is emotional abuse, even the good versions of it. It's hard to separate that from a person that was using that love to manipulate and control you." Heath's love seems more dangerous than the man she actually marries, because they've used it to batter each other for so long. In reality, the man she marries is a monster hiding in plain sight.

Watching Polly continue to run every time Heath asks her to stick with him is heartbreaking, as is watching Heath become a colder, angrier version of himself over the years. The last time Polly ran I truly began to believe that Ms. Malcom did not have a happy ending planned for Heath.

"You expect me to ask you to stay? To not let you leave?" He hissed. To frickin demand you to stop running from this $*it because it's evident whatever is between us isn't gonna let us go, despite how much I want it to?"

Just when I believed the worst had happened, Polly and Heath take it one step further and get completely torn up.

As is the case in real life, the ending can't be seen so you have to just believe in the writer's ability to give you and ending filled with sunshine and redemption; and keep pushing ahead.

Go ahead and give The Problem with Peace a chance, I believe it is one of Anne Malcom's best yet!

Helen M.A

225 reviews22 followers

This is a story that emotionally gripped my heart, yanked it out, hurt it beyond repair, and against all hope, made it love again.
This author, this story, these characters, I don’t think I’ve ever felt as close to a character as much as I did with Polly.
So much pain she continuously endured, but constantly lied by saying she was fine; acting like she was fine. To the world, she was a beautiful being, to no one, she was slowly dying without knowing a way out.

Anne Malcolm gave us this raw, powerful, beautifully, yet flawed love story. I absolutely loved every single minute of it.
I cried so much. I felt emotions infinitely!

All Polly ever wanted in life was to find peace. But, peace without chaos doesn’t exist. And when you want to avoid chaos, you avoid living your truest life.

Whoever said that love was suppose to be easy was drinking too much of that Hallmark cool-aid. Love is rough, painful, ugly, beautiful, and inspiring. It’s not a walk in the park, it a freaking mountain terrain with dangerous areas all around.
This is what this book showed us. That is what Polly and Heath are. The brutally honest side of love no one wants to talk about.
I felt so much for those two. So much pain and anguish they continued to put themselves in. I just wanted to bear hug both of them and tell ‘em everything was going to be ok.

A well deserved five star read, more really. I NEED THIS BEAUTIFUL PAPERBACK IN MY HOUSE!
Did you see that cover???

Stephanie S

679 reviews2 followers

Sara ✨ Next Book Review Blog ✨

First off I have loved all of Anne's book that she has published and I have read them all. Broken Shelves has been my favorite one of her books, but now this one will sit beside it.

Polly and Heath's story is not all hearts and flowers but it shows that communication is important in all relationships. If you don't have it then it may not work out in the end. These 2 kept secrets from one another and it hurt them both. Polly is a loving person who tries to find the good in every situation and not let the bad into her life. That is until she feels she needs to to what society wants and not what she would typically do.

Heath is a male who is moody and battle worn from his childhood and then fighting for our country but he has a bigger battle to fight when he returns home and runs into Polly again.

The sexual tention with these 2 once reunited is off the charts but neither of them want to break and admit that they both want the same thing, eachother.

I could go on and on about this story but don't want to ruin it for others and not have them read and discover this amazing story. Some who go through trauma find it hard to express their feelings even if they have the strongest support system with family and friends. Sometime it takes just one person who will call out the BS and finally get them to open up. That is what Heath did because is love was so fierce for Polly.

To the Moon......

Cali Gal’s

1,225 reviews146 followers

November 29, 2018

Last page has been turned! Well this author has done what she does best. My chest is tight and stomach in knots from an adrenaline rush (eek). I will admit that this is the first book in this series I have read but it didn’t affect my ability to follow the storyline. It did up my interest in reading the others though (haha). To be completely honest I wasn’t sure about it initially. Maybe it was just its slower, quieter and gentler beginning. Yes I was fooled because OMG it starts upping its game and then EXPLODES! Polly our heroine also confuses me in the beginning. As I delve into the story that all changes. Her spirit represents all that is light and beautiful. Heath felt alpha from the beginning which makes him SO yummy. Ugh plan to feel his pain and anger early on in this read. Heartbreak is a big part of this story. Be forewarned it could has some possible trigger material for others. Yes it turns into a dark read. Yikes LOVE IT! It is heart racing, nail biting, leg bouncing intense, keeping me glued to my Kindle. The end of this book is AMAZING and makes my heart melt. So sweet with a wonderful message of family. Ugh I am a mess of emotions. Happy Reading!

2,119 reviews5 followers