Forever sparkling
This was the first book of this author’s that I’ve read. I will DEFINITELY be going back for more! The writing kept me captivated for the entire story! The characters were wonderful (with the exception of one to start off with), and the storyline was so interesting and full of adventure.
This story is about Dalton and Taylor – Captain America and Sparkle (I just LOVED the nicknames!). They met on an Italian nude beach of all places. He is an ex-SEAL, and was there with his friend Mack on three weeks of rest and relaxation, and she was there with friends, as a way to finish off her 18-month sojourn around Europe.
They both admired each other from afar at first, sneaking glances (or trying to at least). After watching her for a while Dalton made the gutsy first move to approach her. There was an instant attraction but Taylor was a bit nervous and indecisive. She’d recently had her heart broken and was still hurting. She wasn’t sure who she could trust. But there was something about him and the way he made her feel that had her changing her mind, placing her trust in him, and went for a walk with him.
They had one glorious night together in a beautiful spot by the sea. She left him early as he still slept, to make sure she would catch her flight home back to the States. He was hoping she’d have stayed and stuck around to spend more time together. Their time together was fleeting but they had a strong connection, and left an imprint on each other – though they didn’t know how big until a bit later.
As Taylor starts college, she accidentally (?) chooses an elective on PTSD. Dalton happens to be her professor, and she tried to disguise herself from him, so he doesn’t realise or remember who she is. He quickly works out who she is, and they both wonder if the other really didn’t feel anything from their special night in Italy.
The dramas, adventures and emotions that follow are vast! There are many ups and downs (not all in bed), and whilst I think they absolutely belong together, they make things hard for themselves – as do outside influences.
I don’t want to spoil this for other readers, but I strongly encourage you to give this book a go. It’s both heart-breaking and heart-warming. It’s sweet and it’s steamy. I absolutely LOVED it!
AND, as an avid collector of sea glass, I absolutely LOVED how it was included in the story, and how it rounded out the end of it in such an integral way! To have it features in such a major way at the start and at the end of the story was just perfect!
My only gripe with this book is that it ended! I would have loved to see what happens to these wonderful characters down the track. Other relationships were mended, and were making great headway after fractured starts. I really hope the author considers a sequel or follow-up of sorts for this one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.