Empty Me Out

by S.A. Healey

**NOW AN AMAZON BESTSELLER** Straight-laced Kelsey loathes the college party scene, despite her best friend's efforts to help her "let loose" and live a little. But one night, under rather unpleasant circumstances, she meets Mark and finds herself falling for him despite his involvement in the very lifestyle she so vehemently despises. While wrestling her own personal demons, Kelsey’s capacity for forgiveness is tested—repeatedly—as Mark plunges in and out of the treacherous waters of self-destruction and unpredictability. In time, she begins to question whether his behavior is just typical of someone living the “college experience” or if perhaps a deeper problem exists that she is not equipped to handle. Will love see them through to calmer shores? Or will their fractured fairytale ultimately leave them feeling empty?

Kindle Edition

First published July 13, 2014

About the author

S. A. Healey (aka “Sue”) is a coastal New Englander, a married mother of two, and an award-winning author of novels that typically fall into the College and New Adult contemporary romance categories. She strives to create compelling stories with complex characters that leave readers guessing until the very last chapter. Her books tend to be emotional, angst-infused, heart-first dives into relationship dynamics influenced by deeper themes. Serious moments are often balanced with humor.

Her first book, EMPTY ME OUT (The Liquid Series Book 1), is an Amazon Bestseller and Summer Indie Book Awards Top Three Winner in New Adult Fiction.

When her pen is at rest, Sue enjoys an active family life and can also often be found with her feet in the sand, a Dunks in hand, her nose in a book, and a song in her head. Or…streaming the latest bingeable TV series while curled up on the sofa with her beloved dog Sammi and a pint of Ben & Jerry’s New York Super Fudge Chunk.

Sue loves connecting with readers and invites you to stay in touch with her on social media and through her biweekly email newsletter (visit http://eepurl.com/bF6tnP to subscribe).

For more information about S. A. Healey, including current projects, latest blog posts, and links to her social media presence, visit https://sahealey.com.

Reviews

[Aidan O'Rourke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best things I have read in a long time. The story deals with both love and how a bad lifestyle can destroy relationships and lives. The writer has a very easy, economical, natural style of writing and finds just the right word or phrase for every situation. Soon you forget you are reading words and you are there, with the characters, part of the action, in the presence of real people. As one reviewer mentioned, it is not formulaic. So many stories these days, whether in book or movie form, seem to have been written according to some formula, perhaps to push the right buttons with the readers, fulfil their expectations, keeping everything within their comfort zone and providing a safe, predictable ending. Empty Me Out is not like this, it is taken from real life, it is nuanced, unpredictable and full of contradictions, frustrations, joy, tragedy, hope and despair. It's so realistic I wonder if the author must have had some personal or professional experience of the issues contained in the story, I'm not sure if she has. The interactions between the characters are superb, just like real people behave, and parts of it are verging on steamy, which is very nice. I just couldn't stop reading and completed the story in one sitting. Empty Me Out has restored my faith in contemporary storytelling. This is what should be on bookstore shelves and on screens too.

[Bev Grimaldi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best way to describe this book is an intense emotional experience. Came across it in my kindle recommendations and though I'd never heard of this author I liked the blurb and decided to give it a try. This story kept my attention from page one and I read it in a single sitting. I'm still thinking about the characters days after finishing. I'm dying for the sequel to come out and anything Ms. Healey writes will be an automatic buy for me.

[Ana Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to start by saying I love this cover. The story is well put together and written however I have mixed feelings about the subject matter. Addition is very serious and to blend it with a love story was difficult for me to embrace. I have seen so many women who fall into the "he can change" and get themselves so hurt in the process. That being said it was handled with care and things did not go perfectly which gave it a much more realistic feel. I enjoyed reading and would recommend for the romance fans out there.

[Fiona Dunlap · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some writers have something special. S A Healey is one of those writers. I loved this story. It is different. It is emotional. It's not formulatic like most romances are. This story is as much about love as it is about addiction. Parts of this story will break your heart. I won't say anymore because I don't want to give anything away. It's a fabulous read. You'll fall in love with the characters right from the start.

[Angelica Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading stories on Wattpad for a long time and this is one of the best romances I've come across. It will make you feel angry, happy, sad and everything in between. It's an easy read and a page turner. It also deals with some very serious issues so don't expect a unicorns and rainbows kind of love story.

[CeCe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The “I love you’s” felt rushed.
This couple should not be together.
Hero abuses drugs and is a cheater.
The heroine forgives the hero with a simple “sorry”.
Still curious how this will end.

[Patrick Hodges · Rating 5 out of 5]

If we are very lucky, we'll live our lives without having someone close to us, someone we love and care about, fall victim to addiction (be it to drugs, alcohol, or what have you). I simply cannot imagine what it must be like, seeing a friend or loved one fall into a downward spiral and, despite my best efforts, being unable to pull them out of it.

Correction - after reading this book, I can imagine it. And it is so heartbreaking.

Kelsey is a college senior who, on a night out, comes across Mark, who is drunk off his a**. Despite his crass behavior, she is taken in by his handsome face and (when sober) his charming personality. What follows is a relationship with more ups and downs than a roller-coaster. Told from both perspectives, we live this relationship through both their eyes, turning page after page wondering if Kelsey can pull Mark from the abyss into which he's falling, or if he will drag her down with him. It's alternatively heartwarming and heartbreaking, and it will stay with you long after you finish.

Take note - this is NOT an easy book to read. I would imagine for those who have struggled with any kind of addiction, it would be even more so. It's obvious the author has had personal experience with this subject matter, and her incredible writing style paints a vivid picture of two people so deep in the throes of love that we can almost ignore the hell that's going on around them. Almost.

I am happy to discover that the sequel to this book is due out shortly. I will be picking it up immediately upon release.

[C.D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am completely gutted. This book was a complete roller coaster ride from beginning to end. I was frustrated with the characters and their actions throughout. However, I know the path of addiction & their enablers is always a tremulous one. This book was so well written and the characters were so true. I can't be satisfied without my HEA & I'm hoping to find that with book 2. I can't wait to see how things unfold!!

[Douglas Rugambwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually read romance but I enjoyed this story and Sue's pacing. It's a very mature and real book. It's not all ponies and unicorns but real hard-core issues too. Things we bump into when we least expect it when meeting a new somebody. I think that's why I love this book. It's very real.

[Tessa Morant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not your typical story

This story shows how addiction unravels and the consequences of it, how poor decisions affect not just the addict but an extended group of people. I can't wait to read the conclusion.

[Yasmine]

I'm so sorry, but I just didn't find the motivation to finish this book. It's been two months and now I'm just going to pull the last strings. Maybe some day I'm going to finish it, but not in the nearby future. It just wasn't my cup of tea. Although the story was really cute (I read aproximately half of the book) there just wasn't enough action for me. I really am more the dystopian or fantasy novel type... I'm not going to rate this book because I feel that would be unfair because I didn't finish it.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb writing, cleverly layered story, believable key characters, imperfect humans, young and old, male and female, bonds of love and friendship, strained, exposed, in all their strength and weakness. This book much more than a romance, as much of hope and forgiveness, of temptation, of slipping in and out of darkness, of the consequence of choices. The end gives reason to the title. Hard to believe this a debut novel, S A Healey truly an accomplished writer…an author to follow.

[Paris Andren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story by S.A. Healy. The characters were so real and compelling that I felt their pain and their struggles. Very well written, delivering a gripping story that I was completely immersed in and couldn't put it down. I Can Not wait for the 2nd in the series. Well done Ms. Healy. ~PA

[Stephanie Grindle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. Can’t wait to read the next one!

I liked the twists and turns that the story went through. Also, the reality of drug/alcohol addiction was portrayed well throughout the book. S.a. Healy is now one of my favorite authors!

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. This book was all over the place. I invested enough time that I had to see it through to the end, but I don't think I'll be buying the second book in the series.

[Alexis Muñoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! This book is so good! It’s about a girl who meets a guy who is overcoming addiction and she gives him a chance but he made 1 mistake which she couldn’t help him no more but she did not give up on mark she had to let him go!

[Suzanne C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book a 4.5 star for me. Sad I have to wait for Fill me In!!