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Birch County Blue #1
Kismet
What doesn’t kill you…
In the wake of an attack leaving her beaten and devastated, Maya Daniels becomes someone new. No longer meek and gentle, she’s forced to live her life in a world that has repeatedly tried to tear her down. Faced with her new reality, Maya learns to fight for the life she wants, with the man who still sees beneath her scars.
Makes you stronger…
Brian will never forgive himself for the pain Maya went through when he wasn’t there to protect her. His choices, his life, everything he believes in are all called into question when her attacker escapes justice. He finds himself struggling to prove that he deserves her forgiveness… and that he’ll never let her go.
Unless something worse than death finds you.
In the wake of an attack leaving her beaten and devastated, Maya Daniels becomes someone new. No longer meek and gentle, she’s forced to live her life in a world that has repeatedly tried to tear her down. Faced with her new reality, Maya learns to fight for the life she wants, with the man who still sees beneath her scars.
Makes you stronger…
Brian will never forgive himself for the pain Maya went through when he wasn’t there to protect her. His choices, his life, everything he believes in are all called into question when her attacker escapes justice. He finds himself struggling to prove that he deserves her forgiveness… and that he’ll never let her go.
Unless something worse than death finds you.
334 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2019
305 people are currently reading
412 people want to read
About the author
April Canavan
63 books2,037 followersUSA Today Bestselling author by day and superhero by night... Seriously, though. I write Contemporary Romance that will tear my readers apart and put them back together again.
As long I have coffee, I legit think I can conquer the world.
Find all my social media here:
geni.us/StalkApril
As long I have coffee, I legit think I can conquer the world.
Find all my social media here:
geni.us/StalkApril
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
August 27, 2020
*** SPOILER WARNING ****
Hero is a divorced from his ex wife & has 2 kids. As the story begins, he has been living with his GF of 5 years & raising his kids with her. Heroine is also divorced with no kids and has known Hero for 1 year in which he has become her BFF & confidante. She fancies herself in love with him and tells him so - expecting him to get rid of his GF! Only he doesn't. He rejects her and tells her he is committed to GF.
Then we have Hero & his GF fighting and eventually breaking up and heroine getting attacked & raped - with Hero finally realizing that he loves her only now she wants nothing to do with him.
Then 80% into the story, we still have nothing romantic happening between them and with family & friends pushing him to go after heroine, he makes a half hearted attempt to win her and she sort of rejects him. So he goes to his parent's home where his Mother & Father both tell him to go after her with everything he has because she is "it" for him and what does the dumbass do? Yeah, he fucks his ex GF KNOWING that he is betraying heroine and that this may be the final straw for him and heroine (who had a change of heart) finds him in bed with his ex and leaves.
Over & over again, heroine states that he chooses his ex over her (which he did), yet the doormat eventually takes him back - even though she too a Ho in trying to take him away from the OW when he was in a committed relationship!
So the moral of the story is once a cheater, always a cheater and one should not try to take someone's significant other 'cause it might just come back to bite you.
Fo folks who want a romance, pass on this crap. For those who like this kind of shit, then have at it....
Hero is a divorced from his ex wife & has 2 kids. As the story begins, he has been living with his GF of 5 years & raising his kids with her. Heroine is also divorced with no kids and has known Hero for 1 year in which he has become her BFF & confidante. She fancies herself in love with him and tells him so - expecting him to get rid of his GF! Only he doesn't. He rejects her and tells her he is committed to GF.
Then we have Hero & his GF fighting and eventually breaking up and heroine getting attacked & raped - with Hero finally realizing that he loves her only now she wants nothing to do with him.
Then 80% into the story, we still have nothing romantic happening between them and with family & friends pushing him to go after heroine, he makes a half hearted attempt to win her and she sort of rejects him. So he goes to his parent's home where his Mother & Father both tell him to go after her with everything he has because she is "it" for him and what does the dumbass do? Yeah, he fucks his ex GF KNOWING that he is betraying heroine and that this may be the final straw for him and heroine (who had a change of heart) finds him in bed with his ex and leaves.
Over & over again, heroine states that he chooses his ex over her (which he did), yet the doormat eventually takes him back - even though she too a Ho in trying to take him away from the OW when he was in a committed relationship!
So the moral of the story is once a cheater, always a cheater and one should not try to take someone's significant other 'cause it might just come back to bite you.
Fo folks who want a romance, pass on this crap. For those who like this kind of shit, then have at it....
nope-nope-nope
August 27, 2020Lol
July 24, 2020
***Possible Spoilers Ahead***
Also trigger warnings
An age gap story, he’s 38, she’s 25.
This book was just OK for me. There were things that I liked, things I didn’t like and one thing I hated.
Maya has had feelings for Brian for a very long time. He helped her through her divorce, he was her confidant, her best friend. But he has been in a long term relationship with his current girlfriend. The timing is never right for her to tell him the truth. When she finally gets up the guts, he rejects her. Having taken the chance, she’s done with him. But he can’t leave her unprotected when it appears she is being stalked.
What I liked.
It was a well written story. It was a bit choppy when switching POV’s, and interrupted the flow a bit. But not too bad.
I liked the characters, for the most part. They were written as your average, everyday people. Not the most handsome, or beautiful. Just real people, with real issues.
Brian was a great dad to his young sons. Always putting them first. They were cute kids.
Brian’s parents were great. Supportive yet brutally honest with their opinions.
What I disliked.
Maya. I just didn’t understand her. She came across as bratty and immature. She works with cops as their dispatcher. She knows what information they need to help solve their cases. Yet she intentionally withholds information about her stalker and her attacks. She doesn’t want to be embarrassed if everyone knows. Really? She’s more worried about getting her sleep than about relaying vital information to help find the man who attacked her. Making decisions that put her in danger.
Brian had moments where I had to keep reminding myself he was actually in his late thirty’s and not an emotional teenage boy. Again moments of immaturity, and poor decision making.
The story is told from three points of view. Brian’s, Maya’s and the bad guy’s.
It is a complete story, no cliffhanger. But there were a few unanswered questions.
There is a very explicit rape scene and a few scenes of violence against Maya.
There is cheating. When you tell a woman how you feel about her, then call your ex for a bootie call, I call that cheating. Some may not see it that way, but I did.
Overall it was not a bad story, just not one I particularly enjoyed.
**Spoiler ahead for the ending**
What I hated.
I’ve read many mysteries. And the one thing that I hate is when the bad guy is not a part of the story. He’s never mentioned anywhere. You don’t get a chance to “help solve” the mystery if you have never met the bad guy. She does a good job of throwing out clues about him, but they mean nothing. Don’t even try to figure it out. You’ll never get it.
Also trigger warnings
An age gap story, he’s 38, she’s 25.
This book was just OK for me. There were things that I liked, things I didn’t like and one thing I hated.
Maya has had feelings for Brian for a very long time. He helped her through her divorce, he was her confidant, her best friend. But he has been in a long term relationship with his current girlfriend. The timing is never right for her to tell him the truth. When she finally gets up the guts, he rejects her. Having taken the chance, she’s done with him. But he can’t leave her unprotected when it appears she is being stalked.
What I liked.
It was a well written story. It was a bit choppy when switching POV’s, and interrupted the flow a bit. But not too bad.
I liked the characters, for the most part. They were written as your average, everyday people. Not the most handsome, or beautiful. Just real people, with real issues.
Brian was a great dad to his young sons. Always putting them first. They were cute kids.
Brian’s parents were great. Supportive yet brutally honest with their opinions.
What I disliked.
Maya. I just didn’t understand her. She came across as bratty and immature. She works with cops as their dispatcher. She knows what information they need to help solve their cases. Yet she intentionally withholds information about her stalker and her attacks. She doesn’t want to be embarrassed if everyone knows. Really? She’s more worried about getting her sleep than about relaying vital information to help find the man who attacked her. Making decisions that put her in danger.
Brian had moments where I had to keep reminding myself he was actually in his late thirty’s and not an emotional teenage boy. Again moments of immaturity, and poor decision making.
The story is told from three points of view. Brian’s, Maya’s and the bad guy’s.
It is a complete story, no cliffhanger. But there were a few unanswered questions.
There is a very explicit rape scene and a few scenes of violence against Maya.
There is cheating. When you tell a woman how you feel about her, then call your ex for a bootie call, I call that cheating. Some may not see it that way, but I did.
Overall it was not a bad story, just not one I particularly enjoyed.
**Spoiler ahead for the ending**
What I hated.
I’ve read many mysteries. And the one thing that I hate is when the bad guy is not a part of the story. He’s never mentioned anywhere. You don’t get a chance to “help solve” the mystery if you have never met the bad guy. She does a good job of throwing out clues about him, but they mean nothing. Don’t even try to figure it out. You’ll never get it.
March 25, 2021
Oh my freakin' god!!! Kismet was sooooo goood!!! I loved Maya, and my heart shattered for her and all the trauma she deals with in this book, it showed how strong she is, and with the love and support of friends and family, you can survive and live again. Maya is in love with Brian, but Brian is an asshat, who won't admit to himself let alone anyone else that he may have feelings for her too...There is a glitch though, see Brian is seeing someone, he's not happy though cause she's a raging bitch who only thinks of herself. Maya decides to cut Brian out of her life, although she will have to deal with him at work since she is a dispatch, and Brian is a cop. Everything gets turned upside down when something happens to Maya. Brian can't deal, and Maya is in a kind of denial as to how serious this situation could be. because of what happens to Maya, Brian is in her orbit weather she wants it or not, of course she pushes him away...or at least tries anyway. She even tries to convince herself that she doesn't have feelings for Brian and maybe never really did. What will happen with them? Will they find their way to each other, will the person that hurt Maya be caught? This book had me on the edge of my seat, and kept me there till the end!!! And now I'm off to read the next book in this AWEMAZING series!!! Y'all need to read this book, hell just read them all!!!
September 1, 2020
Where to start? The hero was a douche. His “alpha” actions came off as clueless at best and heartless at worst. The heroine was a doormat. Her friends were not friends that anyone would want in their life. His friends weren’t much better. Who goes around punching their adult friends in the face? There was juvenile name calling - heroine was told she was an idiot or stupid several times; random and sporadic pet names that made no sense - pip squeak for an adult woman?
And the romance? There was zero chemistry between this couple. And the romantic scenes? Well, they were anything but.
I was not a fan of much in this book and I won’t be continuing the series.
And the romance? There was zero chemistry between this couple. And the romantic scenes? Well, they were anything but.
I was not a fan of much in this book and I won’t be continuing the series.
March 7, 2021
There is a lot going on in this book. The author was great with the story line and kept you on the edge of your seat. This book may cause triggers for some. There's physical abuse, kidnapping twice, rape and trying to kill her. Maya is a dispatcher and Brian is a cop with two boys. It's bad enough with the drama for Maya, but Brian's ex girlfriend was a piece of work. So hand on tight to your seats for a rollercoaster ride. HEA. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 25, 2021
This is Maya and Brian story. This book will have you crying for all that Maya goes through in this book. I hated how they both hurt one another with keeping them at arms length only to try to have a relationship then push the other way again. I loved this drama filled danger waiting to happen book. Andrew was creepy and I felt sorry for his wife. I am so glad how this book ends.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 30, 2021
This is a well written thriller with an intense story line. The author brings strong characters and weaves a suspense filled story filled with ups and downs and paints her scenes in vivid detail ,moving the story fluidly and delivering an enjoyable read.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
March 30, 2021
I actually really liked this story. I cringed at some of the things that Maya went through and was very happy she got the happy ending that she had always hoped for from the beginning. Although I could not understand why the characters were acting the way they were at some points in the story, I guess that's the way life really is and the way people in this world are too. Some times they make dumn or immature decisions. That fact alone made this book feel a little more real to me. It was a sweet but angsty romance full of danger that I really enjoyed. This was the first book by April Canavan that I've read but I definitely plan on checking out more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 21, 2021
4 stars for Kismet by April Canavan. This is book one in the Birch County Blue Series. This is my first book from this author and I am looking forward to reading more from her. This is a romantic suspense, and I loved every second of it. Maya is a dispatcher and Brian is a deputy. These two have a friendship but Maya is in love with Brian. Brian says he does not have feelings for her but he seems to be lying. Everything changing when Maya’s life is in danger when it is revealed she has a stalker. There may be some triggers in this book for some so be warned. This was a fantastic romantic suspense book. I will say this is a must read if you love this genre.
August 31, 2020
I really enjoyed this book - more so for the mystery, drama and cliffhangers that had me wanting just one more chapter. I will say there were some scenes that could upset some readers who don’t have warning about the explicit nature - but at the same time it made made me feel I was there in the pages and wanting to scream every emotion the words drew out. I would recommend this book if you’re into suspense, happily ever after and looking to fall in love with characters because you will be left wanting more of them all.
March 5, 2021
Great suspense romance.
If you like men in blue don’t miss this one. She is 911 dispatcher and he is police officers.
They talk , they are friends but one thing they can’t avoid is love.
When Maya falls into the hands of crazy stalker and almost died Brian has to choose his life path.
Wonderful families interactions , this one of blood and work one. Everyone play roles to put this two clueless people together.
Kismet....
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
If you like men in blue don’t miss this one. She is 911 dispatcher and he is police officers.
They talk , they are friends but one thing they can’t avoid is love.
When Maya falls into the hands of crazy stalker and almost died Brian has to choose his life path.
Wonderful families interactions , this one of blood and work one. Everyone play roles to put this two clueless people together.
Kismet....
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 8, 2021
*This book includes scenes of rape and attempted murder.
Dispatcher Maya does not know it but she has a stalker and he is closer than she would want. Maya is in love with Deputy Brian though she has never said anything. When she does talk to Brian, he shuts her down until the night the rapist shows up at the house she shares with her roommate Brandi. This violence in this story is horrendous but it has a HEA and is very much worth reading. Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Dispatcher Maya does not know it but she has a stalker and he is closer than she would want. Maya is in love with Deputy Brian though she has never said anything. When she does talk to Brian, he shuts her down until the night the rapist shows up at the house she shares with her roommate Brandi. This violence in this story is horrendous but it has a HEA and is very much worth reading. Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 25, 2021
Kismet by April Canavan is a wonderful story that I have loved reading very much. This is book number one in this wonderful start to a brand new series that I am hooked on and can not wait to read the rest. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about romantic suspense and small town romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 4, 2021
Kismet had left an impression on my soul. It was beautifully written and the story just touched me deep. There was heartbreak and terror but also romance and happiness. Yes, this story is about different forms of abuse and if that is a trigger for you, you maybe shouldn't read it. But I believe that this is a great book and I will be reading it again.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 18, 2020
The suspence almost got me
A fantastic read. Not for the weak as there are trigger points. This is the first April Canavan book I have read and I wasn't disspointed. More suspence than romance in my opinion but the battle they both faced was epic. I will be reading more from this author.
A fantastic read. Not for the weak as there are trigger points. This is the first April Canavan book I have read and I wasn't disspointed. More suspence than romance in my opinion but the battle they both faced was epic. I will be reading more from this author.
March 23, 2021
Amazing
Now bare in mind this is not your typical romance book and to be honest it was very refreshing. Not everyone got along and there are a lot of hard ship it's does have a happy ever after but it has a amazing plot and lots of Twists first time reading this author and I will definitely be looking at the next book
Now bare in mind this is not your typical romance book and to be honest it was very refreshing. Not everyone got along and there are a lot of hard ship it's does have a happy ever after but it has a amazing plot and lots of Twists first time reading this author and I will definitely be looking at the next book
April 22, 2021
This was an intriguing story about a dispatcher who falls in love with a man already taken. On top of that problem, she finds herself the victim of a demented man who believes they were meant for one another.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 18, 2020
I could not put it down!
I binge read this book and I can't wait to start the next one! I look forward to reading more books by this author.
I binge read this book and I can't wait to start the next one! I look forward to reading more books by this author.
May 19, 2020
Five stars!!
I thought this was a great first book in this series. I really loved having all the characters points of view. I am definitely going to read the next book.
I thought this was a great first book in this series. I really loved having all the characters points of view. I am definitely going to read the next book.
August 2, 2020
Great read
This book is a romantic suspense novel about Brian and Maya getting together with each other. HEA. This book is a great story.
This book is a romantic suspense novel about Brian and Maya getting together with each other. HEA. This book is a great story.
September 16, 2020
Wow
My God this was a good story. This was intense and beautiful and terrible and healing and traumatic and fulfilling. This was carefully constructed and respectfully executed.
My God this was a good story. This was intense and beautiful and terrible and healing and traumatic and fulfilling. This was carefully constructed and respectfully executed.
October 11, 2020
Suspenseful and addictive
Maya's story will have you on edge, and it will do things to your heart that were unexpected.
Happy reading : )
Maya's story will have you on edge, and it will do things to your heart that were unexpected.
Happy reading : )
November 27, 2022
April Canavan is a new author to me and I loved this book, the storyline felt real, the characters felt real and I am glad Maya and Brian found their HEA after what they went through
December 15, 2025
DNF for the writing alone.
Example: “Vanessa was 38, a little overweight but with a huge rack and she always dressed to impress”
WTF KIND OF SENTENCE WAS THAT 🤣 this is like a poorly written Wattpad story. The storyline was promising but this is just a glimpse of the writing. There were misspellings too.
Example: “Vanessa was 38, a little overweight but with a huge rack and she always dressed to impress”
WTF KIND OF SENTENCE WAS THAT 🤣 this is like a poorly written Wattpad story. The storyline was promising but this is just a glimpse of the writing. There were misspellings too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2024
⛔️(in notes)
February 6, 2021
TW: Rape, violence, cheating
This is a suspense/mystery romance story. It’s also an age gap story. The male main character is 37 or 38 and the female main character is 25.
Oh boy...where to begin. I’m not even sure if I should rate this as a 2 or 3 star. I really wanted to love this book, but there were a few things that annoyed me. Before we get to that, let’s jump to what I liked. The suspense was great. Honestly, I ended up finishing the book because I really wanted to find out who the villain was. The characters were described as ordinary, real people. The secondary characters were a bit more interesting and likable than the main characters. The story didn’t end in a cliffhanger which was great.
Now for the bad. The story seemed a little choppy in some places. There were three POVs throughout the book - the male main character, female main character, and the villain. I wish there were more parts about the villain. It was a little difficult to even try to figure out who the bad guy was because the author didn’t mention him that much in the story. There were a few hints here and there, but not enough to even try to come up with an idea on who the bad guy is. I wish there was a bit more details on some parts of the story. Honestly, I was kind of hoping that Maya and Brian didn’t end up together.
*Please note that there are some spoilers below.*
So the main characters, Brian and Naya, were annoying. Brian was a jerk and incredibly selfish. For a thirty seven year old, he was a bit immature and made some stupid decisions. Maya was somewhat of a weak character and allowed herself to be a doormat when it came to Brian.
Brian is divorced and has two sons. He’s in a long term relationship with a selfish woman (who he doesn’t really like). In the beginning of the story, Maya tells Brian that she has feelings for him that goes beyond friendship. He rejects her which one would think is understandable. I mean he is in a relationship. Maya, her friends, and Brian’s friends makes it seem like he’s a bad guy for choosing his girlfriend over Maya. I personally think he did the right thing even though his girlfriend was terrible.
Fast forward a few chapters, Maya is attacked and raped in her home. Brian feels guilty because the day before, he rejected her. He ends up breaking up with his girlfriend because she is a terrible and toxic person. He tells Maya that he is “choosing” her. They get into an argument and what does he go and do? If you guessed that he brings his ex to his house and sleeps with her then you’re correct! Seriously, who does that? Mind you, Maya was babysitting his kids at the time and went to drop them off at his house. Of course, she catches them in bed. She doesn’t make a scene, but she does leave. Brian does beg her for forgiveness and of course, eventually she does. Most of the secondary characters believe that Brian doesn’t deserve Maya. Brian’s kids get upset with him when they saw him in bed with his ex and how hurt Maya was.
So yes, Brian is just terrible. As for Maya, in one of the chapters, she tells a mutual friend that she is over Brian and that she is NOT a home wrecker. Well, technically she wasn’t a home wrecker because she didn’t get a chance to be one since Brian rejected her. She knew that Brian was in a long term relationship and still told him how she felt about him.
Towards the end of the story, Maya gets attacked again. They find out who is her stalker and rapist. He gets arrested. Unfortunately,the first attack left Maya unable to have kids. She really wanted to have kids while Brian did not want anymore. It seemed like Maya just didn’t get anything she wanted in the end except for Brian.
All in all, if you want to read the book for the parts of suspense then I’d recommend it. However, if you are interested in the romance, I’d probably say to avoid this one.
This is a suspense/mystery romance story. It’s also an age gap story. The male main character is 37 or 38 and the female main character is 25.
Oh boy...where to begin. I’m not even sure if I should rate this as a 2 or 3 star. I really wanted to love this book, but there were a few things that annoyed me. Before we get to that, let’s jump to what I liked. The suspense was great. Honestly, I ended up finishing the book because I really wanted to find out who the villain was. The characters were described as ordinary, real people. The secondary characters were a bit more interesting and likable than the main characters. The story didn’t end in a cliffhanger which was great.
Now for the bad. The story seemed a little choppy in some places. There were three POVs throughout the book - the male main character, female main character, and the villain. I wish there were more parts about the villain. It was a little difficult to even try to figure out who the bad guy was because the author didn’t mention him that much in the story. There were a few hints here and there, but not enough to even try to come up with an idea on who the bad guy is. I wish there was a bit more details on some parts of the story. Honestly, I was kind of hoping that Maya and Brian didn’t end up together.
*Please note that there are some spoilers below.*
So the main characters, Brian and Naya, were annoying. Brian was a jerk and incredibly selfish. For a thirty seven year old, he was a bit immature and made some stupid decisions. Maya was somewhat of a weak character and allowed herself to be a doormat when it came to Brian.
Brian is divorced and has two sons. He’s in a long term relationship with a selfish woman (who he doesn’t really like). In the beginning of the story, Maya tells Brian that she has feelings for him that goes beyond friendship. He rejects her which one would think is understandable. I mean he is in a relationship. Maya, her friends, and Brian’s friends makes it seem like he’s a bad guy for choosing his girlfriend over Maya. I personally think he did the right thing even though his girlfriend was terrible.
Fast forward a few chapters, Maya is attacked and raped in her home. Brian feels guilty because the day before, he rejected her. He ends up breaking up with his girlfriend because she is a terrible and toxic person. He tells Maya that he is “choosing” her. They get into an argument and what does he go and do? If you guessed that he brings his ex to his house and sleeps with her then you’re correct! Seriously, who does that? Mind you, Maya was babysitting his kids at the time and went to drop them off at his house. Of course, she catches them in bed. She doesn’t make a scene, but she does leave. Brian does beg her for forgiveness and of course, eventually she does. Most of the secondary characters believe that Brian doesn’t deserve Maya. Brian’s kids get upset with him when they saw him in bed with his ex and how hurt Maya was.
So yes, Brian is just terrible. As for Maya, in one of the chapters, she tells a mutual friend that she is over Brian and that she is NOT a home wrecker. Well, technically she wasn’t a home wrecker because she didn’t get a chance to be one since Brian rejected her. She knew that Brian was in a long term relationship and still told him how she felt about him.
Towards the end of the story, Maya gets attacked again. They find out who is her stalker and rapist. He gets arrested. Unfortunately,the first attack left Maya unable to have kids. She really wanted to have kids while Brian did not want anymore. It seemed like Maya just didn’t get anything she wanted in the end except for Brian.
All in all, if you want to read the book for the parts of suspense then I’d recommend it. However, if you are interested in the romance, I’d probably say to avoid this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2021
So I don't normally review books, but there are just things I need to get off my chest about this book. It was ok. The idea behind the story was good. I liked that both Maya and Brian were your average, everyday people and not supermodels. However, there were times where I didn't like them or understand them at all, more so Maya.
So Maya got divorced a year or two ago and Brian has been her best friend ever since. She "falls in love" with Brian during this time and the story starts with her telling him how she feels. Brian has a girlfriend that has been living with him for the past five years, so he tells Maya that it's not fair to his girlfriend and they can't be more than friends.
Somehow, this turns Brian into the bad guy because he chose his long-term girlfriend over his friend? Who would want a guy that would just drop his girlfriend because a friend suddenly announces that she has feelings for him?!! I will admit that I don't like the girlfriend and I am not entirely sure why he stayed with her for five years, but since they were still together at the time he did the right thing. However, Maya and all her friends and even all Brian's friends blame him. Even though Maya is the one that said they can't be friends anymore.
He decides to break up with his girlfriend because she really is an awful person. Then Maya gets attacked. Brian doesn't contact her right away after attack, in part because before she was attacked she basically told him to piss off (and not in a nice way either) and in part because he was told he would lose his job if he did.
It is clear that Brian has feelings for her, but no one is supportive of him and he is constantly being blamed for everything. Whenever he tries to reach out to Maya she blames him for everything and rejects him. Even his best friend gives him a bloody nose and says he's not good enough for her!
Don't get me wrong. He wasn't an angel. At one point in the story, after several times of him telling Maya that he wanted to work things out with her and her rejecting him because he rejected her first (when he had a girlfriend!!!!!) he ends up in bed with his ex-girlfriend and Maya just happens to walk into his bedroom and catch them together. Bad move on his part going back to the ex to get his needs met, but also kind of understandable with how Maya is treating him.
I guess that I just can't get over Maya's immaturity. First with her games she's playing with Brian and then when she's attacked she withholds important information from the police (her coworkers) because she says it would be too embarrassing for them to know, but then she blames them that they can't find the guy! I also can't get over how Brian is vilified when he's just doing the best he can. He made mistakes, but he was a good guy.
So there was enough that I liked about the story that I read through the whole thing and considered reading the next book, but in the end the negatives outweighed the positives. So I am giving it 3 stars and would not recommend wasting your time on it.
So Maya got divorced a year or two ago and Brian has been her best friend ever since. She "falls in love" with Brian during this time and the story starts with her telling him how she feels. Brian has a girlfriend that has been living with him for the past five years, so he tells Maya that it's not fair to his girlfriend and they can't be more than friends.
Somehow, this turns Brian into the bad guy because he chose his long-term girlfriend over his friend? Who would want a guy that would just drop his girlfriend because a friend suddenly announces that she has feelings for him?!! I will admit that I don't like the girlfriend and I am not entirely sure why he stayed with her for five years, but since they were still together at the time he did the right thing. However, Maya and all her friends and even all Brian's friends blame him. Even though Maya is the one that said they can't be friends anymore.
He decides to break up with his girlfriend because she really is an awful person. Then Maya gets attacked. Brian doesn't contact her right away after attack, in part because before she was attacked she basically told him to piss off (and not in a nice way either) and in part because he was told he would lose his job if he did.
It is clear that Brian has feelings for her, but no one is supportive of him and he is constantly being blamed for everything. Whenever he tries to reach out to Maya she blames him for everything and rejects him. Even his best friend gives him a bloody nose and says he's not good enough for her!
Don't get me wrong. He wasn't an angel. At one point in the story, after several times of him telling Maya that he wanted to work things out with her and her rejecting him because he rejected her first (when he had a girlfriend!!!!!) he ends up in bed with his ex-girlfriend and Maya just happens to walk into his bedroom and catch them together. Bad move on his part going back to the ex to get his needs met, but also kind of understandable with how Maya is treating him.
I guess that I just can't get over Maya's immaturity. First with her games she's playing with Brian and then when she's attacked she withholds important information from the police (her coworkers) because she says it would be too embarrassing for them to know, but then she blames them that they can't find the guy! I also can't get over how Brian is vilified when he's just doing the best he can. He made mistakes, but he was a good guy.
So there was enough that I liked about the story that I read through the whole thing and considered reading the next book, but in the end the negatives outweighed the positives. So I am giving it 3 stars and would not recommend wasting your time on it.
Want to read
May 14, 2021
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Blurb:
Never look back.
In the dark of the night, 911 dispatcher Maya Daniels becomes the one thing she fears the most, a victim. Faced with new limitations, both physically and emotionally are what prove the hardest for Maya to handle. That and one very stubborn deputy who refuses to take no for an answer.
Brian will never forgive himself for the pain Maya went through when he couldn't protect her. When he's given one more chance to make things right, he swears that he'll do anything to keep her safe. Even if it means he could lose his job as a Deputy Sheriff.
Nobody believes that Maya is safe, especially when her stalker returns with a vengeance. Maya finds herself fighting for her life once more, but this time she's not alone.
Merged review:
→ On sale for maybe a limited time. Grab your copy now! ←
→ Submit or subscribe to The DARK Newsletter! ←
[image error]
Blurb:
Never look back.
In the dark of the night, 911 dispatcher Maya Daniels becomes the one thing she fears the most, a victim. Faced with new limitations, both physically and emotionally are what prove the hardest for Maya to handle. That and one very stubborn deputy who refuses to take no for an answer.
Brian will never forgive himself for the pain Maya went through when he couldn't protect her. When he's given one more chance to make things right, he swears that he'll do anything to keep her safe. Even if it means he could lose his job as a Deputy Sheriff.
Nobody believes that Maya is safe, especially when her stalker returns with a vengeance. Maya finds herself fighting for her life once more, but this time she's not alone.
January 9, 2022
So right now I am kicking myself. I have had this book on my TBR for the longest time! Why did I keep putting if off to read? I have no idea! It was an amazing story.
One of tragedy. One of growth. One of acceptance and one of grief. It was truly amazing to read. There was times I didn't like the heroine Maya at all... the girl was so stubborn and at times so very childish. At times I wanted to strangle her with all the stupid choices she was making despite everybody trying to tell her she needed to make better, smarter choices. But I also understood some of her choices even though I didn't agree with them. She wanted control of her life back after what she had been thru and I can completely understand that... but you have to be smart about it.. and she was far from smart a lot of the time. But I did love how she saw that life could be meaningful and beautiful again if she just looked for it. Eventually she did let the grey skies part and see the beauty in life again and to fight for what she wanted.
Brian... for the first part of the book I just wanted to strangle him also.. He made a lot of stupid choices also... but he paid for those choices in heartbreak and agony also. He realized how stupid he had been and that he very well may have lost the love of his life over his stupidity.. I'm glad to say that he eventually woke up and smelt the coffee and realized he was going to have to do a lot better or he would have nobody but himself to blame when he lost the love of his life. I was glad to see his change around when he realized that their love was worth fighting for. I loved how much he fought for her and wouldn't let her fool herself into thinking that she didn't love him, that she was happy with her life. How much he pushed her to get better when she needed it. Comforted her when she was sad. Supported her when she was weak and needed somebody to be there for her.
Loved this story. I can't wait to read the next one in this series.
One of tragedy. One of growth. One of acceptance and one of grief. It was truly amazing to read. There was times I didn't like the heroine Maya at all... the girl was so stubborn and at times so very childish. At times I wanted to strangle her with all the stupid choices she was making despite everybody trying to tell her she needed to make better, smarter choices. But I also understood some of her choices even though I didn't agree with them. She wanted control of her life back after what she had been thru and I can completely understand that... but you have to be smart about it.. and she was far from smart a lot of the time. But I did love how she saw that life could be meaningful and beautiful again if she just looked for it. Eventually she did let the grey skies part and see the beauty in life again and to fight for what she wanted.
Brian... for the first part of the book I just wanted to strangle him also.. He made a lot of stupid choices also... but he paid for those choices in heartbreak and agony also. He realized how stupid he had been and that he very well may have lost the love of his life over his stupidity.. I'm glad to say that he eventually woke up and smelt the coffee and realized he was going to have to do a lot better or he would have nobody but himself to blame when he lost the love of his life. I was glad to see his change around when he realized that their love was worth fighting for. I loved how much he fought for her and wouldn't let her fool herself into thinking that she didn't love him, that she was happy with her life. How much he pushed her to get better when she needed it. Comforted her when she was sad. Supported her when she was weak and needed somebody to be there for her.
Loved this story. I can't wait to read the next one in this series.
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