A Life Without Living

Strega #1

by S.C. Alban

How long would you wait for true love?

Kate Martins appears to have it all; a good career, a beautiful home, and an amazing husband. What more could anyone ask for? But when Kate's recurring nightmares begin to cross over into her waking hours, she discovers her perfect life is not at all what it seems. It isn't until she meets a mysterious stranger that Kate begins to question who truly she is and where she comes from.

For the past four centuries, Giovanni Rossi has faced the dark powers of the Strega in search of the one woman who can lift his curse of immortality. The problem? His enemy always seems to be one step ahead. Desperate to be free, Gio races against the clock to find his true love. Will he find what he is looking for in Kate, or fail once more and be doomed to another lifetime of loss?

337 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 5, 2014

About the author

A California native turned Pacific Northwest dweller, SC Alban thrives in the moody Fall vibes and endless rainstorms that are the perfect backdrop for her storytelling. When she’s not writing, she’s out hiking trails, kayaking on misty waters, or chillin’ at home crocheting cozy projects. Her trusty fur baby and dedicated familiar, Mateo, is always by her side making every adventure- whether outdoors or in the world of words- that much better.

Reviews

[Rocky Rochford · Rating 4 out of 5]

When it comes to giving reviews on a book, I try to be a man of few words, as sometimes I feel a very long drawn out review can be a bit of overkill, but as far as “A Life Without Living” goes, this review will be as long as I can make it without giving anything away.

This is a story of love, one through the ages of time, lasting love, a concept lost on the latest generation living in the world today. Gio and Kate, our two protagonists have quite the past, but sadly for Gio, Kate can't remember him, or any of it, save for a few reoccurring nightmares, which makes getting Kate onside a difficulty.

More than that, this is a story that will have you worried for the safety of the protagonists, it will have you asking questions all the way through it, as you read it's pages day and night, because to be honest, this is a thrilling romance that will be very hard to put down, at least it was for me and the best part of it all, is there will be a second novel, which means that when the end does come, rather sudden I'll add, but it will be continued, so at least the end is justified, especially since it leaves you wanting for me.

In short, I really did like this book, but that's just my opinion, to find out what you'll think of it, well I guess you're just going to have to bite the bullet and give it a read for yourself.

4/5

[Mackenzie Dering · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the ultimate love story. An intuitive love that binds one to the other. Soulmates. Tragedy. Separation. Again, and again, and again, and fucking again

This is a heart-wrenching story about two lovers, Katerina or Kate and Gio who have missed their chance at true love time and time again for over four hundred years. The reason has to do with an evil villain you'll love to hate named Alex who is married to Kate. Kate has been reincarnated over a dozen times in four hundred years and meets both Gio and Alex in each lifetime.

Gio has been cursed by Alex to live an immortal life. In each of Kate's incarnations, Alex finds a way to come between Gio and Kate and he kills Kate each time, leaving Gio more and more devastated every time he loses his chance to save Kate from death and have a life with her. Which means ladies and gentleman, that the villain in the novel is really just a fucking bastard who is supposedly very insecure about getting a love life of his own, so you know, instead he just comes between two lovers are supposed to be each other. Sometimes I actually just wonder if Alex ever gets tired of this shit of coming between them for four hundred years.

Anyway, if you are looking for a fantasy romance, heart-wrenching love, and an original and intricate storyline than I highly recommend this book to you.

I received an ARC copy of A Life Without Living by NetGalley for an exchange of an honest review of the book.

[Lana Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! This is a heart wrenching story about two lovers, Katerina or Kate and Gio who have missed their chance at true love time and time again for over four hundred years. The reason has to do with an evil villain you'll love to hate named Alex who is married to Kate. Kate has been reincarnated over a dozen times in four hundred years and meets both Gio and Alex in each lifetime. Gio has been cursed by Alex, who practices a dark form of witchcraft, to live an immortal life. In each of Kate's incarnations, Alex finds a way to come between Gio and Kate and he kills Kate each time, leaving Gio more and more devistated every time he loses his chance to save Kate from death and have a life with her. The author really wrings out the emotions of both characters sufferings. You feel Gio's pain from having lost Kate so many times and his current desperation to save her from what seems to be an endless fate--being murdered by Alex. You feel Kate's desperation to figure out why she's so attracted to her husband Alex who is controlling and sometimes cruel to her and her pain and confusion when things begin to unravel between them. But when she meets Gio--wow--sparks fly. Gio's character could have possessed a little more strength for me, but I still really liked him. This book is not a stand alone in a series. That is the only thing I didn't like. I hate cliffhangers--that's just me personally. But because I liked the book so well I'd definitely read the next one.

[Molly Lovell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an amazing paranormal romance. My favorite character, by far, is Dave. It made me wish there was a book of just Kate and Dave hanging out. They were so fun to read. Where this book really shines is the secondary characters. The main characters, Kate, Gio, and Alex are all super interesting, but I loved Dave and Claire

The book is fast-paced and fun to read. I would highly recommend it and I will definitely be reading the second book.

[Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a unique read - I’ve never read anything quite like it. There’s humans being given immortality, a love story and heartbreak that span decades, and a little bit of magick. This story keeps you guessing and on your toes as you await to find out if lovers who have been forced apart are able to both make their way back to each other and be able to be with each other forever again or not. Some parts were tough to read due to my past and experiences with the triggers. TW: abuse, domestic violence, and mentions of unaliving.

[H.M. Gooden · Rating 5 out of 5]

True love will return

An absorbing read, full of heartache and history. The characters are realistically drawn and when it ended without the happy ending I was hoping for it left me wanting more (in a good way!)
Can’t wait for the next book!

[Steve Lindahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Life Without Living is a paranormal romance written from the points of view of the two main characters: Kate and Gio. The novel is a page turner, especially toward the end. Its story creates a wonderful life filled with curses and sorcery, but also brings a message relevant to life and love away from its pages.

Gio (short for Giovanni) is an Italian who has come to a small town in America in search of the woman with “...the one soul whose existence would allow [his soul] to continue instead of remaining in [an] eternal pattern...” of emptiness. Gio has been cursed with an eternal life void of any warmth and meaning. He understands this curse and the power of the man who placed it. He knows he lives in a world of witches and magic.

Kate, however, is unaware of the magic in the world around her. She's been married for nine years, to a handsome, successful man and has a good job, working for a publishing firm. She believes she is living a life worthy of envy. However, there are signs things are not the way they should be in an ideal marriage. Her husband is controlling and has a short fuse. He hasn't crossed the line to abusive, but he's close.

This mixture of two plot lines in search of each other, is what makes this book remarkable. It's a fun book, creating a world that is wonderful to think about. But it is also the story of a woman in a bad relationship who doesn't understand her own actions or lack thereof. It's about blaming yourself and your own perceived weakness for a situation that is complex and confusing. Here's an excerpt that offers a taste of this aspect of the novel:

But slowly, something was changing inside me. Something, and I didn't have a clue as to what, had began to tug on a loose thread. Gradually, cautiously, so that I didn't even know it was happening, something began to pull the strands apart. The cloth had begun to unravel.

A Life Without Living is well worth reading and the other bit of good news is that it is the first book in a series.

Steve Lindahl – author of Hopatcong Vision Quest, White Horse Regressions, and Motherless Soul

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned!!

***Some parts of this review may be considered spoilers***

This is the ultimate love story. An intuitive love that binds one to the other. Soulmates. Tragedy. Separation. Again, and again, and again.

Even though the story takes place in modern northern California, it really begins hundreds of years ago in the city of Florence. Strega Negri, workers of dark magic, are the cause. They used the darkness to curse the young couple. To maintain balance, Strega Onesto believe in goodness. Centuries ago they used their white magic to assist the lovers in fulfilling their destiny by altering the curse.

Today, we find Kate living her perfect life in the beautiful little town of Freestone, California. She is in a perfect marriage with a perfect man. Alex has been her everything for the past 9 years. There should be no reason for the nightmares. The same nightmares she’s been experiencing since she was a little girl. Kate refuses to listen to her subconscious. She is supposed to be a faithful and loving wife.

Willem, cursed long before he happened upon Gio, was truly his saving grace. I really don’t know how Gio remained sane for as long as he did before Willem walked into his life.

This book ends with a wicked cliffhanger. I am overjoyed for Willem. I am both happy and sad for Claire. I am anxious for Kate. I am terrified of Alex. I am worried for Gio.

I absolutely loved reading this book. I have the second book of The Strega Series, Barely Living Alive, ready to go!

[David Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are a lot of stories and mythologies about eternal life, and how this everlasting reward (or curse) came to be. In “A Life Without Living,” by S.C. Alban, a new scenario is presented- a new kind of immortal created through gypsy magic. The hero of the piece, Gio, was condemned to continue his existence until such time as he can recapture the heart of his true love Katerina/Kate. Her curse is continual reincarnations where she doesn’t recall Gio, and instead falls for the charms (magical charms!) of their ancient enemy, Alessandro/Alex. He has killed her in every lifetime to torment the two lovers before they can be reunited. There is additional chemistry and magic required to return Gio’s mortality and seal their love. The story starts out fast with a dream sequence, then slows as characters are introduced and fleshed out, but the author soon returns to the fast paced plot. There is a lot of internal dialog that helps the reader to connect with the characters. Ms. Alban has created a great fantasy romance, wonderfully intricate and original.

[H.L. Girton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found I enjoyed this novel. S.C. Alban is a new to me author. A Life Without Living was quite intriguing. I had a few issues with small things, like the choppy transitions from present to past/memory, but the story was interesting enough to keep me pulled into the story. There were a few proof reading errors, but easily overlooked. I'm a sucker for true love romance, and to top it off it had witchcraft! A neat way to incorporate gypsy and witchcraft into a plot that takes the reader on an emotional journey through true love. I enjoyed the characters that were involved in this story. There were some things that were given away immediately and then dragged on through the plot, but Gio and Kate were a cute couple. I much prefer Willhem and Claire's love interest though. That was a great side story. Job well done to the author. I am interested to learn what happens to the main characters in the next novel in the series (Which I already purchased).

[Ann Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Life Without Living is a well-written piece of commercial fiction. If that sounds like damning with faint praise, it’s because paranormal romance is not my usual fare. I wasn’t expecting to like this story, but I did. To my pleasant surprise, the predicament of the star-crossed lovers drew me in. I really wanted them to get together.
Alban creates a fun cast of supporting characters and a suitably loathsome villain. Lest I give spoilers, I’ll just say that the story involves love and obstacles that span centuries, good and bad witches, and some nice, steamy sex.
The story is told from two points of view, which is always fun if the writer can pull it off, and Alban does.
Alban leaves a few loose ends; I hope there’s a sequel on the way.

[Francene Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a captivating novel of love and loss. Beautifully written so that the reader feels every heartbeat, and understands each thought that occurs to both the main characters. The man who lost his love before he’d even known her has been cursed with eternal life, while seeking her in each of her reincarnations. When they meet in the present, fate intervenes in the form of a special watcher, thereby explaining events that seem incredible to mere mortals.

Even the unfinished nature of the story fails to incur a negative mark against the book. The story ends in a satisfactory manner, with the knowledge that action will be taken to correct any wrongs. In a way, I’m satisfied, while still wishing to read a further episode.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved everything about this book. I was lucky and honored to be a Beta reader for this wonderful story. If you like romance, supernatural instances and a story that actually has depth and feeling to it this is the book for you. All of the Kate and Gio feel like real people when you read the book. You can feel their loss and their love. though part of the story takes place in the past SC's extraordinary storytelling and haunting visuals make you feel like you are right there with them.

I would recommend this book to anybody who has a LOVE OF LOVE!!! I cannot wait to see what happens next with this amazing and superbly written cast of characters.

[Jeannie Zelos · Rating 4 out of 5]

(The STREGA Series Book 1)

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: General Fiction (Adult), Romance

I didn't realise this wasn't a stand- alone, but part of a series so was expecting it to end. And it didn't, but ends on something of a cliffhanger. Still, its a great story and goodreads and amazon do make it clear its not a stand alone read.

I was intrigued, its a supernatural story but different to much of whats on offer, a love story passed down through the ages.
Gio, what a fabulous man and how harrowing, always searching and never quite making it in time. Then waiting for the next lifetime. Kate, I really liked her and her friend from work, Dave. Then there's Alex, on the surface the perfect husband but when we see their relationship closer its not all that it seems, and yet despite his faults Kate is always so eager to please him. And of course there's Claire and Willem, and the way there seems an instant attraction between them.
I enjoyed the story but there were a few sections that jarred, a few oddities such as when Gio meets Kate for coffee. They're strangers, and he gets her an Americano. “ That's amazing. Its my favourite. How did you know?” Well, I guess as most coffees are the basic, Americano, it wasn't a difficult guess, but more a safe choice....

Its a story I enjoyed but didn't have me riveted to the page, wasn't one I couldn't put aside for a while. I do want to read more though, want to see how things are going to work out.

Stars: Four, an enjoyable read, good story and I'm keen to see what happens next.

Arc via Netgalley and publishers

[Marie’s Book Boutique · Rating 4 out of 5]

read full review: mariesbookboutique.wordpress.com/2017...

Firstly and most importantly I would like to thank SC Alban for approaching me and providing me with a copy of A Life Without Living to read and review.
As always I’m going to start with the cover! This cover is very striking, dark, with the lady with hair on her face; being in a wood and the big crows provide a dark effect! I think this provides a bit of intrigue into the book.
A Life Without Living which is book one in The Strega Series. The reader is introduced to Kate who has it all the home, husband Alex and job; however she has these recurring nightmares. She knows they are important and mean something but she has no idea what. Then there’s Gio who has lived for many years; 467 years to be precise. He is searching for a woman he fell in love with all those years ago, this is where the mystical part comes in because when he met Katarina she could not marry anyone out of their group; who were travellers. So Gio comes face to face with the man she is supposed to marry and he sends this punishment for falling in love with her, to keep them apart, and will live forever. He will keep them apart because the only way to stop this is for Gio to find her and for  their souls to join together. Gio try’s year after year but fails coming closer every time, he has a friend who helps him called Willam and I really liked this chap he was a nice character.
Although this book very much has a romance element to it it’s also about loss too. I thought the romance was heart reaching because as the reader I wanted them to find each other, but do they? This is a book that is a bit different to what I normally read ( I always like to start with an open mind, and will give it a go.) When I started to read I really absorbed into the story. The characters were individual and captivating by the passionate love story.
If you enjoy Fantasy and romance you will surly enjoy this story.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine finding the one you love, but they were promised to someone else. No matter how many times you choose them, no matter over how many lifetimes, there was magic at play to keep you apart. So, through the centuries you bide your time, and every time she is born again, you wait, and you look, hoping to find her. Hoping to do everything you need to do to end the curse.

That is what Gio must do to find Katarina. Her soul locked into a new body every time it is born again. Yet, Alessandro waits, stealing her for himself, and holding her life in his hands. But, this time is different. With the help of some new friends, he might just finally have found the key to getting to her and ending this cursed existence for good.

This book is about love, but also, about found family. There is no intense world to learn, although I feel the first book is only touching the surface of the magic system. I did find myself slightly wishing this book revolved less around sex, and sexual control, but it was not enough to ruin it for me. Try this book out, I swear you will get hooked.

trigger Warnings: Coercive Control, Assault, Physical & Sexual Violence

[Adriane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good it surprised me. And I honestly mean that, I've read so many books of this genre that certain tropes get tiring. This book turned it aroind and kept the characters fresh and relatable.

Spoilers ahead:


Ok, so one of my big complaints about this type of book is the main character always complaining about how plain they are while these gorgeous men throw themselves at them. In this book i saw this happening a lot at the beginning and was like "ok its this again" but it becomes clear really early on that this is her internal dialogue due to years of emotional abuse and that hit home hard. So definitely some trigger warnings for those who have been abused. The book handles it realistically, and her realizations are amazing and very genuine.


I have unanswered questions and the ending is open so there is definitely a sequel, but the kindle store doesnt have it yet and I am SAD about it. Will definitely visit this author again and see about getting more of her work in the future

[Cynthia Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Martens has a life everyone would be a jealous of. Handsome husband, beautiful home and an amazing career.

But it's a life she hasn't really lived. More like, she's been held captive.

Gio is her soulmate. Fourteen times he has watched her live a life she was forced to lead and this time he was determined it would be her last. He would break the curse that had kept them apart for four hundred years and Kate would finally be reuited with her one true love.

All he has to do is get her to remember her life with him...

The ultimate love story full of sacrafice, betrayal and fate. I was immediatly drawn into Alban's world of gypsy curses and wiccan magic. Alessandro was a villan unlike other villans because behind his rage, you could see how much he really did love Katarina. He felt wronged and betrayed by someone he loved and in his eyes, his revenge was vindicated. I'm excited to see how the story will unfold, and despite rooting for Kate and Gio, I am strangely attached to Alex and am curious to see how his future shapes out in this very fast paced, suspenseful series.

[Jodi Gallegos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate is married to a man who is handsome and sexy, though he’s also a bit controlling. She also has very vivid dreams that she’s trying to get to—and help—the man she loves, but that man isn’t her husband, and her husband may not even be who she thinks he is.

Giovanni (Gio) has been cursed with immortality. He uses every day of his life to find and save a woman he’s watched die numerous times, the woman he loves. But now there’s a timeline, it’s his last chance to save her, if only he can find her in time.

As the two plot lines converge, Kate and Gio are drawn together by factors that have been in play for generations and may drive them apart forever.

A Life Without Living is definitely outside of my usual reading habits, but I found the writing engaging and the storyline interesting and intriguing. I can’t wait for book 2!

*I received a copy of A Life Without Living from NetGalley and Foster Embry Publishing in exchange for an honest review

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of those that sneaks up on you--you know the type, 'I'll just read a few more pages' type. This story has an easy style and a languid pace the plot unfolding gently and realistically as the prose sucks you in. It is meticulously written with attention to detail.

Told from alternating points of views, you follow Gio as he searches for Katarina and soon learn that he has been doing this for 400 plus years. Gradually S.C. Alban unravels Gio's story and the magic woven through it. We meet Kate first in her dream and then see her happily married to Alex about to celebrate their 9th wedding anniversary and living in the present day. As both sets of character's stories unravel, the tension builds and so does the magic and mystery.

[Amy Proebstel · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Eternal Love Story

A Life Without Living is the perfect example of eternal love. When fate steps in and prevents Gio and Katarina from sharing the love they have found with one another, no amount of time will be too long for them to find it again. After centuries of searching and trying again and again, Gio has finally discovered Kate again. Nothing will keep him from succeeding in being reunited with his true love. When Alex’s powers of darkness are revealed to be stronger than ever before, Gio must step up his game, learn patience, and hope to win Kate’s heart all over again. This story was written with scenes from the past, perfectly timed with future events. The pacing is quick, the action is non-stop, yet the ending will surprise you.

[Kristy Fairlamb · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a riveting story.

Gio has been searching and losing his true love repeatedly over the course of 400 years and this time he won't let his enemy tear her away from him again. He's so close.

I loved this concept of a magical kind of reincarnation. For me, the beginning felt a little slow to get into. I struggled before the full motivations appeared and I clearly knew what was going on. Then I was hooked and truly invested in how things would unfold.

Of the two POVs/storylines I enjoyed Gio's more than Kate's, and I think some of that contributed to liking Claire so much.

There was so much I wanted to see at the end of this book, but I guess I'll have to sit tight until the next installment to find out what happens next...
I can't wait for book two!

[Julie Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of two people, Kate and Gio, one of romance and heartache, but it is a little different from the norm.

I enjoyed Gio's story best because of the 'older' start and his early life, which, in my opinion, is much better than the modern world...more fantasy.

It is well-written with themes such as magic, love, jealousy, loss and heartache. The characters suited the plot and the villain was great to despise and yet there was an element of sympathy for him despite his wickedness. But, after all, it is our choices that make the difference.

Overall, an interesting read and worth a look.

[Amanda Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. The writing was excellent, characters well developed, and the story was intriguing. I'm not a big fan of series and I hate having to buy another book to finish the story which is the case with this one. There is an overall conclusion but to get to the end of the story I would have to buy the next book, and I just don't feel invested enough in the characters to do this.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the storyline and how it kept unraveling with each chapter. Part of me wanted the story quicker, but in the end I'm glad it played out like it did. It left me wanting more. I wasn't ready for it to end, but I look forward to the next book.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book. Kept me pulled into it.
5 star book. Highly recommend it.
Not sure who all I'd recommend this book to but I'm sure I'll figure it out. Cover fits to what the story is about. Might come back to this book next year to reread it and add to my review but we will see about that

[Carl R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the ancient tradition of courtly love, it was conventional for storytellers to throw intense obstacles--sometimes years' long--in the path of romance. To S.C. Alban's star-crossed couple, such impediments are trivial. Giovanni and Katarina have been reaching out to one another for centuries, and their search has carried them halfway around the world. Blocking their union is a wonderfully-drawn villain, Allessandro, who sees himself as the victim when Katarina refuses to go along with their arranged marriage. The entire saga takes place amid a complex dynamic of magic formulae from multiple sources.

We don't know all of this in the beginning, of course. We meet our lovers in modern America, in a small town just off California's coast, north of the Bay Area. "Kate" works for a small publishing company, evaluating manuscripts. She's married to her dream guy, Alex, and has no clue about her romantic history. Gio, on the other hand, knows all about their situation, and has spent centuries trying to track down and hold on to his true love. After hundreds of years of failure, he still hasn't given up. He couldn't if wanted to because he's been condemned to immortality, so his search goes on and on. He finds himself in Kate's town of Freestone, the two meet by chance (but, as the song goes, not really by chance), and away we go.


Alban's tale is absorbing and exciting from first page to last. The narrative drags occasionally because of time spent on backstory and on explanations about how the various forms of magic interact, but the twists and surprises are multiple, and the closing pages are about as intense as you'll find anywhere. The near-titanic struggle between the arch-villain and the various forces of good contain a healthy measure of sex and violence, but also a goodly portion of light and love and redemption as well. The effect is both gritty and uplifting.

Finally, Albans leaves us with a perfect setup for a sequel. I hope she hurries up with that because Gio is in real trouble, and I don't know how he's going to get out of it.

[Alex Pilalis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a compelling and engaging story. The author’s handle on the joys and pains of love, and the dark side of obsession and possession were handled with an expertise and a nuanced knowledge that gave the story a deeper, more realistic feel.
The two main protagonists were well realised, flawed and interesting, but it was the supporting characters that were the most fun and entertaining for me, and you’ll love following them on their quest to restore true love.
The writing was a little wordy for my tastes, and the pacing crawled at times, but when the subject matter is this engaging, and the character’s history as detailed as this, it didn’t become such a huge problem.
There was a nice mix of fantasy within the romance, and I could tell that the author had a strong understanding of the world and characters. The trick with fantasy is to ground it in reality and make it believable, however extraordinary it is, and in that sense, the magic of this book succeeds very well.
After I finished it, I found that its morals of accepting love and fighting through the struggles of life-changing events resonated with me, and that I had really connected with the characters. The ending leaves you wanting more, especially with the dire situation that one character is in, and I look forward to reading the next book of the trilogy.
For romance and fantasy fans, it’s a highly recommended read.

[Frederick Crook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate is a woman that seems to have it all, including the perfect husband, home, job, and best friend. However, it is clear quite soon that it is merely a façade, as Alex, the husband, turns violent. Gio, a man made immortal by a gypsy, Alessandro, who has tormented him for four hundred years by killing the love of his life, over and over. She is reincarnated, only to be allowed to grow up to be killed again.
Gio spends his time searching for Katarina (Kate) with the help of a friendly magical gypsy name Willem. Together, they meet a very powerful young woman by the name of Claire, who is among a group of watchers, who are proficient in magic.
Can Gio, with the help of his old friend Willem and the newly discovered Claire, beat Alessandro? I’m not going to tell you, but I’d say it was definitely worth reading about.
S.C. Alban is a talent, and this novel is a blast to read. It’s definitely 5 out of 5 stars, and I can’t wait to read her next work.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some lovely descriptive passages in this book and the concept of a love that never dies is a romantic one. There was a lot I liked about it, the author wove the concept of past and present quite well, and the different viewpoints added extra interest but it’s a long read and I found the pace a bit slow. I felt that it wasn’t explained just why Alex was so horrible to Kate and that more could have happened in it but it’s a good debut novel.