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Magdalene #2
Soaring
American heiress Amelia Hathaway needs to start anew.
Her husband cheated on her, and when everything she wanted in life slipped through her fingers, she fell apart. When she did, she took another heart wrenching hit as she lost the respect of her children.
When her ex took her family from California to live in the small town of Magdalene in Maine, Amelia decided it was time to sort herself out. In order to do that and win her children back, she moves to Cliff Blue, an architectural masterpiece on the rocky coast of Magdalene.
Her boxes aren’t even unpacked when she meets Mickey Donovan, a man who lives across the street, a man so beautiful Amelia takes one look at Mickey and knows she wants everything from him.
The problem is, she finds out swiftly that he’s friendly, he’s kind, but he doesn’t want everything back.
Amelia struggles to right past wrongs in her life at the same time find out who she wants to be. She also struggles with her attraction to the handsome firefighter who lives across the street.
But Amelia will face a surprise when her friendly neighbor becomes not-so-friendly. As Amelia and Mickey go head to head, Amelia must focus on winning back the hearts of her children.
She soon discovers she also must focus on winning the heart of a handsome firefighter who understands down to his soul the beautiful heiress who lives across the street is used to a life he cannot provide.
Her husband cheated on her, and when everything she wanted in life slipped through her fingers, she fell apart. When she did, she took another heart wrenching hit as she lost the respect of her children.
When her ex took her family from California to live in the small town of Magdalene in Maine, Amelia decided it was time to sort herself out. In order to do that and win her children back, she moves to Cliff Blue, an architectural masterpiece on the rocky coast of Magdalene.
Her boxes aren’t even unpacked when she meets Mickey Donovan, a man who lives across the street, a man so beautiful Amelia takes one look at Mickey and knows she wants everything from him.
The problem is, she finds out swiftly that he’s friendly, he’s kind, but he doesn’t want everything back.
Amelia struggles to right past wrongs in her life at the same time find out who she wants to be. She also struggles with her attraction to the handsome firefighter who lives across the street.
But Amelia will face a surprise when her friendly neighbor becomes not-so-friendly. As Amelia and Mickey go head to head, Amelia must focus on winning back the hearts of her children.
She soon discovers she also must focus on winning the heart of a handsome firefighter who understands down to his soul the beautiful heiress who lives across the street is used to a life he cannot provide.
596 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
862 people are currently reading
5504 people want to read
About the author
Kristen Ashley
139 books39.5k followersKristen Ashley was born in Gary, Indiana, USA. She nearly killed her mother and herself making it into the world, seeing as she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck (already attempting to accessorise and she hadn't taken her first breath!).
Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.
Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).
Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.
And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.
Kristen grew up in Brownsburg, Indiana but has lived in Denver, Colorado and the West Country of England. Thus she has been blessed to have friends and family around the globe. Her posse is loopy (to say the least) but loopy is good when you want to write.
Kristen was raised in a house with a large and multi-generational family. They lived on a very small farm in a small town in the heartland and existed amongst the strains of Glenn Miller, The Everly Brothers, REO Speedwagon and Whitesnake (and the wardrobes that matched).
Needless to say, growing up in a house full of music, clothes and love was a good way to grow up.
And as she keeps growing up, it keeps getting better.
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March 19, 2015
:::: FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED :::
Soaring was a beautiful story of second chances, rebuilding family after messy divorces, finding yourself again, and realizing that sometimes the best things come later in life. I've read almost every single book KA has written and I have to say that I think this is the quietest of them all. It's a slow build, and a slow burn, but the story has all the depth and heart that we've come to love from Kristen Ashley's books.
This book is a standalone telling Mickey and Amelia's story. We first met Mickey as a secondary character in The Will (the first standalone in this series). While this book, Soaring, can indeed be read as a complete standalone, I would still personally recommend reading The Will first just because I loved it so incredibly much and because the background characters' stories do build with every book.
Amelia was an American heiress who once had the perfect life -- she had a husband she loved, was raising two beautiful children, and her life was filled with everything she ever could have wanted. But all that came crashing down when her husband threw away their 16 year marriage when he cheated on her with a woman half her age, promptly divorced her, and then re-married almost instantly to the same woman he cheated on her with. Needless to say, the pain of this betrayal tore her apart. Unfortunately, the people in her life also encouraged her to try react in an unsavory manner and so she made some public scenes she wasn't proud of and consequently lost her children's respect -- which was for her, the biggest blow of all.
When her douchebag ex husband then moved her kids across the country, it served as her wake up call. She realized that she'd lived her life for too long being the person everyone else wanted her to be and this was her last chance to be her -- to find herself and win back the hearts of her children. So she packed up her life and moved after them, willing to do whatever it took to heal her relationship with them.
What she didn't count on was her smoking hot, fire-fighter next door neighbor, Mickey Donovan. She met him one day not long after she moved in when her ex-husband had taken it upon himself to give her a less-then-pleasant welcome to the town. Mickey seemingly came out of nowhere and defended her.
He lived across her street and was also divorced with two kids. While his story was very different than hers it was no less painful. It wasn't an easy road for either of them them -- they came from completely different worlds. Her inheritance insured that she was loaded, he worked three jobs and barely had a free moment. She didn't care, even though he worried he wouldn't be able to fit into her world. But their feelings for each other were strong enough to over come that. And this is their story of second chances.
I have to say that I think the reason I love KA books so incredibly much is the way she really GETS people. If you've read her writing, you know exactly what I mean. It comes across so strongly in everything she writes. She just gets interactions, emotions, perspectives, and relationships of all kinds on a very deep level. She makes you able to see each side of the story regardless of whether you identify with it, she makes you genuinely connect with all the characters, and more importantly, she mades you care for them.
Every single time I read a Kristen Ashley book, I'm reminded of why I love her writing so much. It just speaks straight to your heart and soul. She truly is an absolute genius with character development.
Side note: For the love of all that's holy I hope KA starts to include recipes with these books because OMG I swear I wanted to eat every single thing Amelia cooked and baked. I was reading half the scenes drooling over the meals she prepared! Recipes. I need recipes!!!!!!
But back to talking about the book.... I will say that Mickey's frustration at being attracted to Amelia but not feeling like he was good enough for her, plus her frustration at being attracted to him but not caring even remotely about his financial situation led to some pretty awesome angry banter between them...
As I mentioned, their romance was a slow build and a slow burn, but like with all KA books, it was worth every word. With these books, you don't just get the highlights of these characters' lives, instead, for the duration of the book, you live their lives with them in full detail. You go shopping with them, decorate their houses, pick up kids from activities, and all the normal every day stuff.... and you also fall in love.
All in all this was a really great but also really quiet KA book. It was a story of two single, divorced parents with kids getting a second chance at love together while trying to rebuild and heal what was left of their families. It tackles what happens when the life you planned gets ripped away, how you can heal and find happiness again. I would have ideally wished that it had had a little but more intensity to it -- as much as I enjoyed so much of this book, I also found it easy to put down. Luckily, it was just as easily to pick back up again and it was filled with many deep emotions -- caring, romance, family, love, siblings, self healing -- and all the heart that KA's writing never fails to capture. I can't wait for the next standalone in the series!
Rating: 4 -- 4.5 stars.
_______________________________________
For more of my reviews, book news and updates:
✦ Main blog: Aestas Book Blog
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✦ Subscribe by email
Soaring was a beautiful story of second chances, rebuilding family after messy divorces, finding yourself again, and realizing that sometimes the best things come later in life. I've read almost every single book KA has written and I have to say that I think this is the quietest of them all. It's a slow build, and a slow burn, but the story has all the depth and heart that we've come to love from Kristen Ashley's books.
This book is a standalone telling Mickey and Amelia's story. We first met Mickey as a secondary character in The Will (the first standalone in this series). While this book, Soaring, can indeed be read as a complete standalone, I would still personally recommend reading The Will first just because I loved it so incredibly much and because the background characters' stories do build with every book.
Amelia was an American heiress who once had the perfect life -- she had a husband she loved, was raising two beautiful children, and her life was filled with everything she ever could have wanted. But all that came crashing down when her husband threw away their 16 year marriage when he cheated on her with a woman half her age, promptly divorced her, and then re-married almost instantly to the same woman he cheated on her with. Needless to say, the pain of this betrayal tore her apart. Unfortunately, the people in her life also encouraged her to try react in an unsavory manner and so she made some public scenes she wasn't proud of and consequently lost her children's respect -- which was for her, the biggest blow of all.
When her douchebag ex husband then moved her kids across the country, it served as her wake up call. She realized that she'd lived her life for too long being the person everyone else wanted her to be and this was her last chance to be her -- to find herself and win back the hearts of her children. So she packed up her life and moved after them, willing to do whatever it took to heal her relationship with them.
What she didn't count on was her smoking hot, fire-fighter next door neighbor, Mickey Donovan. She met him one day not long after she moved in when her ex-husband had taken it upon himself to give her a less-then-pleasant welcome to the town. Mickey seemingly came out of nowhere and defended her.
I’d seen him move, I had to. Yet it happened so fast, it almost seemed like I didn’t.
But it happened and there he was, this stranger unknowingly standing between me and my [ex husband].
Protecting me.
I’d never had that. Not in my… life.
He lived across her street and was also divorced with two kids. While his story was very different than hers it was no less painful. It wasn't an easy road for either of them them -- they came from completely different worlds. Her inheritance insured that she was loaded, he worked three jobs and barely had a free moment. She didn't care, even though he worried he wouldn't be able to fit into her world. But their feelings for each other were strong enough to over come that. And this is their story of second chances.
“I had to figure out what I wanted.
I had to figure out who I was.
I had to create a home.
I had to win back my children…
I had to let go of the old.
I had to pull myself together and start anew."
I have to say that I think the reason I love KA books so incredibly much is the way she really GETS people. If you've read her writing, you know exactly what I mean. It comes across so strongly in everything she writes. She just gets interactions, emotions, perspectives, and relationships of all kinds on a very deep level. She makes you able to see each side of the story regardless of whether you identify with it, she makes you genuinely connect with all the characters, and more importantly, she mades you care for them.
Every single time I read a Kristen Ashley book, I'm reminded of why I love her writing so much. It just speaks straight to your heart and soul. She truly is an absolute genius with character development.
Side note: For the love of all that's holy I hope KA starts to include recipes with these books because OMG I swear I wanted to eat every single thing Amelia cooked and baked. I was reading half the scenes drooling over the meals she prepared! Recipes. I need recipes!!!!!!
But back to talking about the book.... I will say that Mickey's frustration at being attracted to Amelia but not feeling like he was good enough for her, plus her frustration at being attracted to him but not caring even remotely about his financial situation led to some pretty awesome angry banter between them...
“You need to get checked,” I snapped. “You clearly have an overabundance of testosterone in a way it’s harmful to your health.”
“Not sure that can even happen,” he replied smoothly.
“The harmful to your health part is me murdering you.”
As I mentioned, their romance was a slow build and a slow burn, but like with all KA books, it was worth every word. With these books, you don't just get the highlights of these characters' lives, instead, for the duration of the book, you live their lives with them in full detail. You go shopping with them, decorate their houses, pick up kids from activities, and all the normal every day stuff.... and you also fall in love.
“I’ll warn you, might make me crazy, might make me a dick, don’t give a shit, but I get off on goin’ head to head with you. So if you feel like keepin’ your gloves up, baby, bring it. ‘Cause I know after doin’ it for a while and then gettin’ that kiss from you, you keep doin’ it, when I finally fuck you it’s gonna,” he leaned keep into me, “wreck you.”
“Have dinner with me,” he whispered.
All in all this was a really great but also really quiet KA book. It was a story of two single, divorced parents with kids getting a second chance at love together while trying to rebuild and heal what was left of their families. It tackles what happens when the life you planned gets ripped away, how you can heal and find happiness again. I would have ideally wished that it had had a little but more intensity to it -- as much as I enjoyed so much of this book, I also found it easy to put down. Luckily, it was just as easily to pick back up again and it was filled with many deep emotions -- caring, romance, family, love, siblings, self healing -- and all the heart that KA's writing never fails to capture. I can't wait for the next standalone in the series!
Rating: 4 -- 4.5 stars.
_______________________________________
For more of my reviews, book news and updates:
✦ Main blog: Aestas Book Blog
✦ Facebook Blog Page
✦ Subscribe by email
March 22, 2015
3.5 Broken Umbrella Stars.
On reflection, I am going to give it 3.5 Stars - why? Well, the main reason is that she writes about older characters, which is solely lacking in many of the romance books out there. The Hero was the same age as me and the Heroine a year younger. I wish authors would write more for us "mature" ladies ...
Yikes, it pains me to rate this 3 stars. Wanted to love it. LOVED The Will. This one just did not do it for me ... at all. I should have been swooning with the sexy Irishman... I mean I married one. It should have been just up my street. Sadly, this was not the case.
This book was released on March 16th, a Monday. I usually buy from the US Amazon site, but decided to buy this one on the French site (I can do this as I live in Belgium) so that I would have it in my greedy little paws at midnight on Sunday night/Monday morning - it was there.... Merci beaucoup Amazon FR.
I think my expectations were way too high.... I loved THE WILL. Loved it. Loved Jake, loved Josie.
Mickey was an alpha asshole but i couldn't warm to him.... no idea why. Amy was nice.
I had a problem with her relationship with her kids. It was non- existent, then it was so fucking lovey dovey that I thought I would develop diabetes.... C'mon, you don't just turn like that and all is hunky dory.
There is a scene about 80% - not sure if it is supposed to be a bit of a shock factor but color me fucking pink... saw that coming a mile ago.
Was waiting for something to happen. Some angst.
Maybe it was me....
Maybe not ...
You know me. If I absolutely LOVE book I am on Pinterest and usually post a long, pictorial review. I haven't the energy to do this for this book....
As I said, I am in the minority... Most of you loved it and the rest of you will probably love it too.
On reflection, I am going to give it 3.5 Stars - why? Well, the main reason is that she writes about older characters, which is solely lacking in many of the romance books out there. The Hero was the same age as me and the Heroine a year younger. I wish authors would write more for us "mature" ladies ...
Yikes, it pains me to rate this 3 stars. Wanted to love it. LOVED The Will. This one just did not do it for me ... at all. I should have been swooning with the sexy Irishman... I mean I married one. It should have been just up my street. Sadly, this was not the case.
This book was released on March 16th, a Monday. I usually buy from the US Amazon site, but decided to buy this one on the French site (I can do this as I live in Belgium) so that I would have it in my greedy little paws at midnight on Sunday night/Monday morning - it was there.... Merci beaucoup Amazon FR.
I think my expectations were way too high.... I loved THE WILL. Loved it. Loved Jake, loved Josie.
Mickey was an alpha asshole but i couldn't warm to him.... no idea why. Amy was nice.
I had a problem with her relationship with her kids. It was non- existent, then it was so fucking lovey dovey that I thought I would develop diabetes.... C'mon, you don't just turn like that and all is hunky dory.
There is a scene about 80% - not sure if it is supposed to be a bit of a shock factor but color me fucking pink... saw that coming a mile ago.
Was waiting for something to happen. Some angst.
Maybe it was me....
Maybe not ...
You know me. If I absolutely LOVE book I am on Pinterest and usually post a long, pictorial review. I haven't the energy to do this for this book....
As I said, I am in the minority... Most of you loved it and the rest of you will probably love it too.
August 20, 2015
Today (3/19/15)is last day of the SOARING Blog tour and Rafflecopter giveaway! Here's the link, as promised! There's also a very cool excerpt! http://blithelybookish.blogspot.com/2...
5 "I had to pull myself together and start anew" stars!!
Full review now posted...
By now you all know I adore Kristen Ashley's stories. It's not just the stories themselves, but also the way she tells them. She's got a unique "voice", a voice I can't help but love, making Soaring another 5 star winner!
Blurb...
American heiress Amelia Hathaway needs to start anew.
Her husband cheated on her, and when everything she wanted in life slipped through her fingers, she fell apart. When she did, she took another heart wrenching hit as she lost the respect of her children.
When her ex took her family from California to live in the small town of Magdalene in Maine, Amelia decided it was time to sort herself out. In order to do that and win her children back, she moves to Cliff Blue, an architectural masterpiece on the rocky coast of Magdalene.
Her boxes aren’t even unpacked when she meets Mickey Donovan, a man who lives across the street, a man so beautiful Amelia takes one look at Mickey and knows she wants everything from him.
The problem is, she finds out swiftly that he’s friendly, he’s kind, but he doesn’t want everything back.
Amelia struggles to right past wrongs in her life at the same time find out who she wants to be. She also struggles with her attraction to the handsome firefighter who lives across the street.
But Amelia will face a surprise when her friendly neighbor becomes not-so-friendly. As Amelia and Mickey go head to head, Amelia must focus on winning back the hearts of her children.
She soon discovers she also must focus on winning the heart of a handsome firefighter who understands down to his soul the beautiful heiress who lives across the street is used to a life he cannot provide.
My thoughts...
The Magdalene series is Contemporary Romance at it's best, and it's stories like Soaring that make it so.
Mickey is the kind of hero I adore, and I make no apologies about it. He's rough, gruff, crass (but not as crass as the Colorado Mountain men). He's caring, giving, and sexy as all get out, and yep, despite his attempt to protect his kids from further hurt so acting an ass - or maybe because of it - I adore him.
Amy is a great heroine, and my heart broke for her as she struggled to make right her wrongs. She had done things that, had I been reading her story while she did them, would have put me off big time. But she recognized those lapses in judgement for what they were - a shattered dream she was mourning the loss of. She set about making things right, and making things right, she did! She's loving, generous, compassionate... she's the perfect 'other half' that Mickey had been missing -
- And that was all either of them needed.
An ARC was generously provided to Blithely Bookish Reviews as part of the Soaring Blog Tour. More information on the blog tour will be posted closer to release date....
March 22, 2015
4-4.5 stars!
It’s no secret that Kristen Ashley is hands down my favorite author. When she has a new release, it doesn’t matter how busy I am with other books, with work, family, real life whatever- I read her books. There was so much I loved about Soaring. Both of the main characters were fantastic. I loved the kids. Overall, I just loved the story. It was a little on the long side (which normally I never complain about) and some of the length made it feel a little long. Which is the ONLY reason it’s not a full 5 star read for me.
Amelia Hathaway needs a fresh start. She needs a new beginning. With her kids, her life, to find herself and finally be the woman she wants to be. Her ex-husband destroyed her life. And she let him. She let him turn her into someone she never wanted to be, and worst of all, she let her kids see it. Now she is moving past all that and moving on.
Mickey Donovan lives across the street from Amelia. He’s a single dad, works construction and is a volunteer firefighter. Mickey and Amelia just click. She becomes close with his kids. She becomes close to him. Things aren’t easy, but they get each other. Both are at a stage in their life where a second chance might be just what they need.
Amelia grew up privileged and rich. Her new life, she tries to make a difference. She volunteers at an old folks home. She makes an effort to have good friends. She’s good to Mickey’s kids and she’s slowly but surely building with hers. I admired Amy and all her strength. I can’t imagine all she went through- plus the stuff with her kids. My poor heart… that would just destroy a person. She knew she made some mistakes, but she’s doing so much to correct them and to be the person she is deep down.
This thing between Mickey and Amelia wasn’t insta love. It was slow developing and a beautiful romance between two people who just happened to find a second chance at love. Kristen Ashely has a way with words. She is the ultimate story teller. You don’t just read her books, you experience everything. I really loved Amelia’s story. Her growth and her perseverance. Moving on, forgiving and falling love again isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. I can’t wait for the next installment of this series.
It’s no secret that Kristen Ashley is hands down my favorite author. When she has a new release, it doesn’t matter how busy I am with other books, with work, family, real life whatever- I read her books. There was so much I loved about Soaring. Both of the main characters were fantastic. I loved the kids. Overall, I just loved the story. It was a little on the long side (which normally I never complain about) and some of the length made it feel a little long. Which is the ONLY reason it’s not a full 5 star read for me.
That’s what I needed. That’s why I was there. To start anew.
Amelia Hathaway needs a fresh start. She needs a new beginning. With her kids, her life, to find herself and finally be the woman she wants to be. Her ex-husband destroyed her life. And she let him. She let him turn her into someone she never wanted to be, and worst of all, she let her kids see it. Now she is moving past all that and moving on.
Mickey Donovan lives across the street from Amelia. He’s a single dad, works construction and is a volunteer firefighter. Mickey and Amelia just click. She becomes close with his kids. She becomes close to him. Things aren’t easy, but they get each other. Both are at a stage in their life where a second chance might be just what they need.
Amelia grew up privileged and rich. Her new life, she tries to make a difference. She volunteers at an old folks home. She makes an effort to have good friends. She’s good to Mickey’s kids and she’s slowly but surely building with hers. I admired Amy and all her strength. I can’t imagine all she went through- plus the stuff with her kids. My poor heart… that would just destroy a person. She knew she made some mistakes, but she’s doing so much to correct them and to be the person she is deep down.
“The mistakes we make in life don’t define us, Amy. The way we handle ‘em after makin’ ‘em do.”Mickey was your typical KA alpha in some ways. He was alpha, protective, and hot! He was also a great dad and a really great man. Did he frustrate me at times? Yes. But I got over it quickly.
This thing between Mickey and Amelia wasn’t insta love. It was slow developing and a beautiful romance between two people who just happened to find a second chance at love. Kristen Ashely has a way with words. She is the ultimate story teller. You don’t just read her books, you experience everything. I really loved Amelia’s story. Her growth and her perseverance. Moving on, forgiving and falling love again isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. I can’t wait for the next installment of this series.
“I am who I am. I have what I have. And one of the things I got that I wanna keep is you.”
“There is nothing guaranteed in life. But the only leaps really worth taking are leaps of faith on love. So look where you leap, beautiful, and happy landing.”
March 20, 2015
Amelia Hathaway is a 47 years old lost woman. She lost what she loves the most, her beloved children. After she found out her husband cheated on her, she fell apart. She was angry, she was bitter and she was hurt. She lost not only her husband of 15 years, she also lost her children, their love and their respect. Her life is shattered when she loses their custody and her ex moves in Magdalene, a small town in Maine. Amelia decides is time to sort herself out, so she moves in Magdalene as well to be close to her children. She is worried about them. She wonders if she can win them back, if she can create a comfortable and safe home, is she is strong enough to be the mother she was and the mother they need. She’s scared, but she’s determined to become a mother her children can be proud of, not ashamed, a mother who they can love and respect.
Amelia not only lost herself, but she also lost her self-respect as well. With an ugly divorce, an ex who didn’t love and respect her and parents who had and still have certain expectation from her, Amelia doesn’t know who she is anymore. But she wants to find out, she wants to discover herself.
“I was going to be me.
I had absolutely no idea what that me would turn out to be.
I just knew whoever she was, for the first time in her life, she’d be real.”
Mickey Donovan (48) is a good man. With an alcoholic ex he tries to be there as much as he can for his two children, to care for them, to give them what they need. He loves them more than anything, always coming first. Amelia is Mickey’s new neighbor. From the very first moment she knows she could be with a man like him. But it doesn’t matter, because all she wants is to get her children back. Neither of them wants to be in a relationship. Both of them struggle with their attraction for the other, but as the time passes they can’t deny the strong connection and the strong chemistry between them.
“Then his tongue touched my lips, I opened my mouth, it slid inside…
And I tasted Mickey.
He was the most beautiful taste to ever touch my tongue.
Because of that, I wanted more.
And I took it, in doing so receiving the best kiss I’d had in my life.
It was deep, wet, blazing.
So much of all that I forgot everything.”
Even if this was not my favorite book by KA, I must say this was a good, solid read. As always I enjoyed the writing which once again was flawless and addictive.
For some reason I expected the heroine to be a little bit of a b*tch. She’s presented and characterized later as a redeemable character, but I expected ‘the change’ to be a little later. Anyways, I don’t have any complains about her character. I really liked Amelia. She’s strong, yet she has moments when she's vulnerable. She has flaws, she knows she made a lot of mistakes, but she’s determined to win her children back. She loves them, she’s kind-hearted, sweet and caring. Despite the fact she’s a wealthy woman, she’s not spoiled. She knows all about money not bringing happiness. One of the things I really enjoyed about her is how her sassy she is. I love a heroine who gives as good as she gets. And Amelia certainly did. Needless to say I enjoyed tremendously her characterization.
While I really liked/loved Amelia’s character, I only liked Mickey. Mickey is the usual KA hero. He’s a great man and a great father. He respects women and he can be a gentleman when he wants. He also can be a very sexy alpha-male. He’s protective with the women in his life and he's caring, loving, supportive, patient, attentive. Overall, yeah, he was pretty great. But like I mentioned above I only liked him. I can’t say I have a good reason for that, but this is how I felt. Maybe because he was too nice?!?
“All my life,” I whispered, “I was the girl who everyone thought had everything or could get it. But the only thing I ever wanted was a man like you. You’re the best man I’ve ever met, Mickey Donovan.” I felt another tear and the words trembled when I finished, “And you’re mine.”
The internal conflict is very well done her and it felt real to me. I really felt for Amelia. Also, I totally understood Amelia and Mickey’s reluctance to get involved in a relationship. In my opinion they both have good, solid reasons not to want that. Despite all that, they can’t stay away from each other. Their chemistry was fantastic and I loved their bickering. I also liked how slow they relationship progressed. It really worked for me.
The side characters as always in a KA book are fantastic, likeable, relatable. I loved Amelia’s new friends, and I adored Amelia and Mickey's children. Even if at times I didn’t agree with their behavior, they felt real. It was great to see how Amelia’s relationship with her children changed. It progressed naturally and in a very realistic way. I was really happy for all of them. I also loved the family drama. It wasn't overwhelming at all. The interactions between the characters were great, entertaining and felt real.
What I didn’t like was the fact that at times the story dragged a little bit. Also, I can’t say I enjoyed all the decorating details. I like KA’s descriptive style (most of the time), but this time I felt they were a little too much. I really didn't care about all the carpets and all the bowls.
All in all, “Soaring” was a great read with likeable, relatable characters, solid plot and fantastic writing. Not my fav book by this author, but a great addition to the series nonetheless. Can't wait to read the nest book/s in the series!
“There is nothing guaranteed in life. But the only leaps really worth taking are leaps of faith on love. So look where you leap, beautiful, and happy landing,...”
March 24, 2015
4 Soaring Stars.
Amelia went through a bad divorce with a cheating ex-husband and in the process she lost the custody and respect of her children.
Now, finally awaken to life again she wants to do everything to get her kids back, so she goes to Magdalene trying to win their love back.
When she gets there she meets her neighbor, broody, sexy Mickey. A single father with his own problems. They can’t resist each other, but with their problems continuously keeping in their way, can Mickey give Amelia the life he thinks she wants?
Let me start by saying that a Kristen Ashley rarely disappoints, even when it’s not one of her best. This was the case with this book for me.
The story was sweet, sexy, heartwarming and heartbreaking at some moments. Amelia kid’s indifference towards her in the beginning almost killed me.
My problem with this book was the length: IT WAS SO FREAKING LONG… especially because the problems were dragged for too long and it had too much furniture shopping. Had it had two hundred pages less, less dragging and less furniture and it had been almost perfect. Nonetheless, this is a KA’s book and she’s like pizza: Even when it’s not the best one… it’s still pretty damn good!
Rating: 4 Stars.
Characters Development: Mickey was a bit of an asshole in the beginning, but he got way better after that. He wasn’t a Jake, but it was also impossible not to like him. Amelia was pretty good too, especially when she was in “fight bitch mode”. The kids were nice (although in the beginning they were not so nice.) and it had some good supporting characters.
Steam: Some hot scenes.
Sensible Subjects:
Love Triangle:
Cheating:
HEA:
Amelia went through a bad divorce with a cheating ex-husband and in the process she lost the custody and respect of her children.
Now, finally awaken to life again she wants to do everything to get her kids back, so she goes to Magdalene trying to win their love back.
When she gets there she meets her neighbor, broody, sexy Mickey. A single father with his own problems. They can’t resist each other, but with their problems continuously keeping in their way, can Mickey give Amelia the life he thinks she wants?
Let me start by saying that a Kristen Ashley rarely disappoints, even when it’s not one of her best. This was the case with this book for me.
The story was sweet, sexy, heartwarming and heartbreaking at some moments. Amelia kid’s indifference towards her in the beginning almost killed me.
My problem with this book was the length: IT WAS SO FREAKING LONG… especially because the problems were dragged for too long and it had too much furniture shopping. Had it had two hundred pages less, less dragging and less furniture and it had been almost perfect. Nonetheless, this is a KA’s book and she’s like pizza: Even when it’s not the best one… it’s still pretty damn good!
Rating: 4 Stars.
Characters Development: Mickey was a bit of an asshole in the beginning, but he got way better after that. He wasn’t a Jake, but it was also impossible not to like him. Amelia was pretty good too, especially when she was in “fight bitch mode”. The kids were nice (although in the beginning they were not so nice.) and it had some good supporting characters.
Steam: Some hot scenes.
Sensible Subjects:
Love Triangle:
Cheating:
HEA:
March 17, 2015
3.75 ~ 4 Stars
I enjoyed this story but sadly KA totally lost me with the furniture shopping/decorating details (I’m just not a huge shopper and sadly not an heiress).
The length of the story could have been cut down a bit without losing any of the story line. However, I loved that the main characters were mature, all the family drama, Alyssa, Josie and of course fight night.
Mickey was a good guy but on a scale of one to Jake (with Jake being a 10) he was like a 4 for me. I loved Amelia's strength and adore all of their children. I'm totally looking forward to the next book in the series because the word 'Denver' was dropped and I caught it.
“I am who I am. I have what I have. And one of the things I got that I wanna keep is you.”
I enjoyed this story but sadly KA totally lost me with the furniture shopping/decorating details (I’m just not a huge shopper and sadly not an heiress).
The length of the story could have been cut down a bit without losing any of the story line. However, I loved that the main characters were mature, all the family drama, Alyssa, Josie and of course fight night.
Mickey was a good guy but on a scale of one to Jake (with Jake being a 10) he was like a 4 for me. I loved Amelia's strength and adore all of their children. I'm totally looking forward to the next book in the series because the word 'Denver' was dropped and I caught it.
“I am who I am. I have what I have. And one of the things I got that I wanna keep is you.”
March 29, 2024
“All my life, I was the girl who everyone thought had everything or could get it. But the only thing I ever wanted was a man like you.”
To encapsulate all the feelings that a Kristen Ashley novel stirs up in me is always an ambitious feat in itself, her stories being an extraordinary emotional journey beginning to end, and this book did not disappoint. Mickey and Amelia’s story moved me deeply, just as I expected it would, but the sheer beauty of their romance caught me by surprise. I never expected to relate so completely to two characters representative of this particular point on the age spectrum, and while their sizzling chemistry is truly something to behold, the emotional aspect of their connection, specked with just the right amount of heart-pricking angst, took my breath away on more than one occasion. This is a story about life, about the unexpected journeys that life takes us on, about the curveballs, about the direct hits and the pain they bring, but it is first and foremost a story about second chances at finding happiness, about finding the strength to be whole again and fighting for what matters the most in life. A truly splendid example of this author’s inimitable style of storytelling—I walked in these characters’ shoes, I felt all they felt, my heart roared every time they ‘soared’, and in the end, I did not want to say goodbye to them.
“There is nothing guaranteed in life. But the only leaps worth taking are leaps of faith on love. So look where you leap, beautiful, and happy landing.”
Amelia Hathaway is a woman in her late forties, an heiress, a mother, a scorned wife. The unexpected demise of her marriage made her lose herself in her anger and pain, turning her into the kind of vindictive individual her privileged upbringing taught her she should be, but while reeling in self-pity and fury, Amelia lost herself along the way, the ultimate cost being the affections and respect of her two beloved children. In a desperate attempt to start anew, to beat back the anger and bitterness that poisoned her mind for too long, and to give her children the kind of mother they could not only love again, but also be proud of and learn from, she moves to Magdalene, the small coastal town her ex-husband and their children made their new home.
“No matter what it took, no matter how much time, no matter that it made me bleed, no matter what it cost me, no matter that it would take everything I had and force me to find more, I had to do what I’d come to Maine to do.”
But a new house, new friends, a new purpose in life mean little when one’s confidence has hit rock bottom, and Amelia’s wake-up call arrives in the form of a handsome firefighter neighbour, whose striking looks and protective demeanour make her wish he’d see her the way a man sees a woman he wants in his life. But she soon realises that before anyone can see her that way, she needs to like what she sees in the mirror.
“He didn’t need me in his life. I didn’t even like me in my life. Alas, I couldn’t escape me.”
Mickey Donovan is a single dad, a natural provider, a man who works two jobs in order to give his kids the life they deserve, even when doing what he loves means living a more modest life than the one he was born into. The slow downfall of his marriage has made him question all he can offer a woman, especially a woman like Amelia Hathaway, knowing he could never give her all that she has been accustomed to having in her life. But Amelia’s insecurities put a different spin on Mickey’s reluctant behaviour.
“He didn’t want me, plain and simple. I was just his…‘attractive’ neighbor.”
When they finally take a leap and give in to their attraction, they inevitably connect on every level, but they don’t rush—they take their time, they show consideration for the people in their lives such a union would affect the most, and they give themselves time to get to know one another. The true beauty of these characters is that they are two formed, adult individuals who know what they’d gain by taking a chance on such a love, what they risk missing out on if they don’t, and who are now prepared to work their hardest to hold onto the rare magic they found in each other. The slow evolution of their relationship is as it should be, gradual and organic, each emotional milestone sinking deeply into our hearts and making us smile in delight. And there is so much to smile about in this story!
“… there is no safer place than in my arms and when you’re here, Amy, you can give me anything.”
This is the tale of a woman who always had a lot in life, and yet all she ever wanted was a loving family and a man to stand by her and accept her for all that she is. And it is the tale of a hard-working man coming to terms with the fact that some women are not looking for glitz and gold in life, but the simple joy of loving and of being loved by a man who understands them and provides for them in ways no money could ever buy. With so many aspects of this story designed to tug at our heartstrings, this was not a book I was able to read in one sitting, taking my time to fully absorb the magnitude of some particularly emotional scenes in the story. While this might be in essence a love story, this is also a tale of broken families, of healing families, of new families. And it is a story of redemption, showing that we are not defined by the mistakes we make, but by the steps we take to correct them.
“I am who I am. I have what I have. And one of the things I got that I wanna keep is you.”
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March 18, 2015
3.7 to 4 stars!
I am so happy I read this book. I didn't read The Will and it's no secret that the last three or four KA titles I've read were disappointing but Soaring managed to hold my attention. I ended up enjoying it.
I liked Amelia. She was the perfectly flawed KA heroine. Her heroines to me have always been a perfect blend of ballsy and vulnerable, and Amelia perfectly embodies that. She's made a lot of mistakes that she's now paying for. Gawd, my heart broke for her. She was in a very bad place when the book started out. This book was very much about Amelia taking back what she lost.
Mickey was the usual KA hero. Gruff, protective, and very alpha. He's been burned too and he had his moments in this book where I just wanted to hit him upside in the head but unlike his predecessors, he actually says sorry.
This book was slow building. The first part focused more on Amelia's deteriorating relationship with her kids. The romance started out slow but then it just kept building and building and building. I liked that their conflicts were more organic rather than caused by other people. The insecurities, the fear, the communication problems that Amy and Mickey had to navigate in their relationship were very real to me. And this is the only book from KA where I felt there were no evil exes trying to keep the couple apart. Yes, both Mickey and Amy have a tenuous relationship with their ex, but it wasn't because they were evil and they're out to get our main couple. Nope.
The only thing that really bothered me or threw me off were the usual KAisms. Honestly, I've come to expect them, so I was kind of prepared for it. But it still threw me off when an American heiress use words like "fuckovalot" in a sentence. It's weird. Of course, the honeys, the babe, the blossoms, the kiddos were present and accounted for. Plus, I've lost count at how many times Mickey flipped Amy during sex. But like I said, I went into this book expecting it. As much as I wish these quirks would disappear, I have a feeling that KA fans would actually miss reading them.
Overall, very solid story and quite enjoyable.
I am so happy I read this book. I didn't read The Will and it's no secret that the last three or four KA titles I've read were disappointing but Soaring managed to hold my attention. I ended up enjoying it.
I liked Amelia. She was the perfectly flawed KA heroine. Her heroines to me have always been a perfect blend of ballsy and vulnerable, and Amelia perfectly embodies that. She's made a lot of mistakes that she's now paying for. Gawd, my heart broke for her. She was in a very bad place when the book started out. This book was very much about Amelia taking back what she lost.
Mickey was the usual KA hero. Gruff, protective, and very alpha. He's been burned too and he had his moments in this book where I just wanted to hit him upside in the head but unlike his predecessors, he actually says sorry.
This book was slow building. The first part focused more on Amelia's deteriorating relationship with her kids. The romance started out slow but then it just kept building and building and building. I liked that their conflicts were more organic rather than caused by other people. The insecurities, the fear, the communication problems that Amy and Mickey had to navigate in their relationship were very real to me. And this is the only book from KA where I felt there were no evil exes trying to keep the couple apart. Yes, both Mickey and Amy have a tenuous relationship with their ex, but it wasn't because they were evil and they're out to get our main couple. Nope.
The only thing that really bothered me or threw me off were the usual KAisms. Honestly, I've come to expect them, so I was kind of prepared for it. But it still threw me off when an American heiress use words like "fuckovalot" in a sentence. It's weird. Of course, the honeys, the babe, the blossoms, the kiddos were present and accounted for. Plus, I've lost count at how many times Mickey flipped Amy during sex. But like I said, I went into this book expecting it. As much as I wish these quirks would disappear, I have a feeling that KA fans would actually miss reading them.
Overall, very solid story and quite enjoyable.
March 27, 2015
2.5 Completely Underwhelming Stars.
Gosh, it pains me to do this but I simply can't rate this book any higher. I've never rated a single Kristen Ashley book under four stars but this one is an epic fail for me. In fact, I'm quitting at...get this...89%. Um, 89% in this marathon of a book is 16.5 hours of my time (and 9 reading days) GONE...so it's equivalent to three full length books. I almost never rate a DNF but with the time I spent reading this (time I'll never get back) I'm giving it a rating.
There's a million reviews out there that give the gist of the book. I won't bore anyone with that. I'll just explain what didn't work for me.
******************************
1- The hemorrhage of details. Holy shit on a shingle, I knew KA likes her deets but come on already. I think I know every single detail of the woman's house...furniture, bedrooms, overall room set up...I think the only thing she might've left out is the color of the porcelain she had for toilets. Couple that with details right down to the shoes she wears, how many inches her heels are, Mickey's "fire-fighter not fighting a fire" outfit and I was DROWNING in a sea of deets!
2- Mickey is not my favorite KA alpha. His language reminded me of hick-ish more than her typical Alpha clipped dialogue. I will say I liked him early on when he was a major dick because, hey, who doesn't love an asshole hero? But he just didn't do it for me.
3- The length is god awful long. That seems synonymous with the insane details but the storyline also dragged on and on. I was soooo bored.
4- Completely anti-climatic for me. It was like reading her diary. Day to day events in the life of two divorcee people. Then enter the teen drama on Thanksgiving and I about lost my shit. I spent over 30" reading teen drama about bullying and, well, some people may find that interesting and realistic, it's TOO realistic to me. Having two teens the exact age as Amy's, I can get that from my own children to excess anytime I want. Calgon, take me away from teen drama. There's a reason I don't read YA.
So, at 89% I give up. I really don't care at this point how things turn out because, according to my kindle, that requires another 1 1/2 hours of reading this!
January 30, 2015
This book is why those of us who love Kristen Ashley, LOVE Kristen Ashley!
Review to be posted during the blog tour.
March 18, 2015
3.75-4 Stars
In Soaring, you will find the classic KA formula. Alpha male, new friends, and TONS of shopping/decorating/fashion descriptions. I enjoyed Amelia's character and the family interactions were great, but the romance fell a little flat, Micky annoyed me a bit... I was expecting an epic romance, don't get me wrong, there were great moments, I just would have liked more.
“The mistakes we make in life don’t define us, Amy. The way we handle ’em after makin’ ’em do.”
Amelia is an heiress in need of a fresh start. Since her divorce she has went a little off the rails, , but when her ex, Conrad, moves to Maine, taking their two children, she decides its time to pull herself together.
I was tired of being bested.
I was tired of allowing myself to feel less than I was.
I was tired of being what others wanted me to be and not being me.
She finds a beautiful home of the coast of Maine and tries to start over, learning about herself and making amends with her children. What she wasn't expecting was the protective, firefighter that lives across the street.
"All my life, I was the girl who everyone thought had everything or could get it. But the only thing I ever wanted was a man like you."
In my opinion, Soaring is Amelia's story, it's her redemption, and her romance with Micky was just a part of that. I enjoyed this one, but its so LONG, it definitely could have used some condensing.
In Soaring, you will find the classic KA formula. Alpha male, new friends, and TONS of shopping/decorating/fashion descriptions. I enjoyed Amelia's character and the family interactions were great, but the romance fell a little flat, Micky annoyed me a bit... I was expecting an epic romance, don't get me wrong, there were great moments, I just would have liked more.
“The mistakes we make in life don’t define us, Amy. The way we handle ’em after makin’ ’em do.”
Amelia is an heiress in need of a fresh start. Since her divorce she has went a little off the rails, , but when her ex, Conrad, moves to Maine, taking their two children, she decides its time to pull herself together.
I was tired of being bested.
I was tired of allowing myself to feel less than I was.
I was tired of being what others wanted me to be and not being me.
She finds a beautiful home of the coast of Maine and tries to start over, learning about herself and making amends with her children. What she wasn't expecting was the protective, firefighter that lives across the street.
"All my life, I was the girl who everyone thought had everything or could get it. But the only thing I ever wanted was a man like you."
In my opinion, Soaring is Amelia's story, it's her redemption, and her romance with Micky was just a part of that. I enjoyed this one, but its so LONG, it definitely could have used some condensing.
Want to read
May 25, 2017I am tempted to buy this and crack it open coming off my Ride Steady high...but reading my friends' reviews has reminded me of the biggest reason why I should probably stay away:
I hate shopping.
And I heard that takes up like 40% of this mammoth, so...maybe next week...
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I said KA was no longer an auto-buy after the disaster that was Wild and Free, but I just can't seem to help myself...
I just don't know if I feel like chin-lifting and "baby"-ing myself to death while a midst all the characters' probable cute, beauty, badass-ness...
A conversation on Soaring:
Laura Elizabeth: I just read teaser chapters. They are good in the way the other teaser chapters for the last few books were. Already, I can see this guy is rehash of Tack however. Also in first four chapters we have 20 "babe's" and two "Awesome's!" Grrrr my hope sinking...And Val's....... nails on a chalkboard endearment "HONEY!"
Miss Val *Shameless, Bitchy, Skanky & Not Sorry*:
Ah, fuck.
See the reviews of the above mentioned disappointments below if interested.
The Promise
Deacon
Wild and Free
Fingers crossed this one ends my KA slump!
I hate shopping.
And I heard that takes up like 40% of this mammoth, so...maybe next week...
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I said KA was no longer an auto-buy after the disaster that was Wild and Free, but I just can't seem to help myself...
I just don't know if I feel like chin-lifting and "baby"-ing myself to death while a midst all the characters' probable cute, beauty, badass-ness...
A conversation on Soaring:
Laura Elizabeth: I just read teaser chapters. They are good in the way the other teaser chapters for the last few books were. Already, I can see this guy is rehash of Tack however. Also in first four chapters we have 20 "babe's" and two "Awesome's!" Grrrr my hope sinking...And Val's....... nails on a chalkboard endearment "HONEY!"
Miss Val *Shameless, Bitchy, Skanky & Not Sorry*:
Ah, fuck.
See the reviews of the above mentioned disappointments below if interested.
The Promise
Deacon
Wild and Free
Fingers crossed this one ends my KA slump!
April 2, 2024
-SAY WHAT? NOW KINDLE UNLIMITED!!!
4 Getting Everything You Need Stars
* * * * Spoiler Free
It can seem from the outside looking in, a person "has the life". They have wealth, status, ease of life... they seem to have it all. But as we know, everything is never as it appears to be...and this is the lesson which is the core of Soaring, in my opinion.
Oh, there are so many other focuses and life lessons in this book... all laid out for us to see coming and experience...and we get to in the unique style of Kristen Ashley.
Now, here is where I take a moment to share my take on this specific series she has created. This is not the Kristen Ashely of Rock Chick, The Burgs, Colorado, Dream Men or Unfinished Heroes.All of those books had either some type of action, threat or intrigue of some kind... like car chases or kidnapping or illegal activity. This series has none of that. This series has the main focus on Human Relationships... how they work, how they can go bad, and how the people in them handle the everyday grind of life.
There is one thing, I've noticed to allow KA to "do her thing"...so far all of the main female characters have "means or wealth". They are not warped by it and it is used as a means to color the story with details...and we know KA knows how to do details... (more on that later). But it also gives her the freedom to write whatever she wants without having to contemplate other things which would make an entirely different tale.
In this installment, she also did something which was brave, in a way. She made the main characters older than the usual demographic; Amelia is 47 and Mickey is 48. As a person of the older demographic... Woo Hoo! and you go KA... thank you. But I won't be surprised if there are others who may not be as enthusiastic.
But in my mind, these two characters had to have lived lives before meeting. They had to have depth of pain, hurt, and mistakes to understand what they needed and who they were. One of them finally figured it mostly out first. The other was on a path of redemption and discovery. In order to be able to have the growth and understanding of it all... all of the impact of the decisions they made over the years... there needed to be years, hence the age group. It also gave them children of ages who have their own troubles and confusion...all of these elements were critical to the overall theme and story.
To try to "basically give you the lay of the land" on this is tricky, but I will try. You have a woman who made serious errors in acting out against her ex and his new wife, not keeping this behavior from the kids and this caused her to lose custody and when they moved to Maine, she was allowed only one weekend a month. She realizes what happened; how she can not live without her children and she is determined to start fresh, regain their trust and love.
There is so much more; she was raised in one of those uber-wealthy families which used nannies and decorum. Her mother is "frosty" and comes from a serious Shipping lineage. Her father is cold, cutting and is from Oil... big Oil. She has a brother Lawrence who turned away from the family business and became an attorney. He is saddled with a horror of a wife... as Hathaways do not divorce.
Except when they are blindsided by a cheating neurosurgeon who took 16 years of Amelia's life only to turn and engage then marry one of the nurses days after the ink was dry on the papers. It is allowed and encouraged to act out, embarrass, and be pushed to the brink as the Hathaways do not stand for divorce... No, Amelia received no help in working this through, receiving loving guidance to process the hurt, the betrayal, and then move through it to be done and finished. Instead, she had constant pressure from her parents causing her to be bitter and twisted much longer than she should have.
When she lost her children, she could not continue. This need caused her to see what she needed to do to get them back. She made plans; found a house, bought it, and made the move. We are there on the second day to settle in surrounded by all of the remnants of her past life in La Jolla, CA. She is looking out at the sea through floor to ceiling windows in the main room when there is the first door chimes ringing and then banging on the door. She can see through the stained glass it is her ex. As she stands listening to him scream, curse, and yell at her because she followed them to Maine, Mickey Donovan comes up behind the ex and informs him he needs to stop.
Mickey Donovan is a volunteer fireman. He is a contractor/roofer with a company whose owner is questionable in his practices at best. Mickey lives across the street from Amelia with his daughter (13/14) and young son (10ish). This vision of a Real Man's Man is telling her cheating pig to back off because that is not how you treat any woman, PERIOD. The essence of Mickey is not lost on Amelia. She sees the eyes clear and true. She sees the way he moves and swaggers...and she sees the way her ex's balls shrink and he slithers away. A quick conversation happens (Amelia can hardly remember what was said) and then Mickey...this vision of Man goes to his home across the street. She closes her door and is stunned.
So, here you have a woman who has seen a man who is everything her ex wasn't. This brief experience has a profound effect on her. She moves through this multi-million dollar home on the cliffs of Maine... seeing all the beauty and vows to take this time to be a person worthy of that man, Mickey, and her children. She isn't sure as to how she is going to do it... but there is no going back to past behavior...no going back to being exactly like her mother and father demanded. There is no going back- there is only going forward...and that is what she is going to do.
This is the setup. The mother wants to be back in her children's lives. Because of past behavior and no proper direction to be respectful to their mother from the ex and new wife, the children are awful to her. They are cold, empty, cutting if they speak, and basically ignore her during her allowed weekend. Amelia maintains; she holds on and takes it. She understands she must earn their love and trust back. She sees it is going to be a long process and doesn't care. She will succeed.
Because she is learning for the very first time to trust herself. In the past, she did as was guided by years of rules.... groomed and directed in what to wear, how to behave, and even what fragrance is acceptable. No calling anyone after 9 PM....it isn't done... So many rules, so many ways of not living when all she ever wanted was a loving family...
This story is a very classic KA. We receive minute detail in everything... from all of the inner thoughts of Amelia and Mickey (he has a few POV chapters) to the mind camera capturing every scene set up.... panning and describing all of the furniture, clothing, and atmosphere. This is a huge plus but also can be a minus... for as much as it gives us in the minute insight on the emotional level, the continued practice can sometimes feel a little excess at certain times when it comes to the decorating.
We are given a woman who was never allowed to follow her own instincts freely from birth. This easily would cause insecurity about many things others have gotten over years earlier. Keeping this in mind while reading is important because her only experience with men, relationships, etc. was so controlled. Trying to find her way with her children, purpose, and also Mickey was all there for us to see. She was so determined to succeed and did. She was fearless in throwing herself out there; making new friends... taking the shit dealt her by her children and even handling the roller coaster of Mickey's interest in her. She fought for her stand to be free from her parents and to find a way to have a life she would love.
The children of both Mickey and Amelia were the perfect combination of conflict, charm, and interest. Each of them had distinct personalities that revealed over the course of the story. Although I sensed what some of the issues were early, it did not detract my being in the moment during critical scenes... and these scenes were perfectly paced. All of them were important; highlighting the past mistakes by the parents, the negative actions they did themselves, and the humor and the ability to bounce back from hurt...to renew again. I also foresee in the future possible interest that could provide other books or storylines.
The romance between Amelia and Mickey followed the usual way of a strong commanding fella shows the woman how she is worth all the goodness in life...and not to settle for less. Mickey was a man who fought his own insecurities...his ex was someone who gave him great pain. He needed to have everything a certain way to hold it all together...and when he realized all his rules needed to be broken because the draw to Amelia was too much... the sparks and steam were palpitating. Together they worked.
The added bonus was revisiting Josie, Jake, Alyssa, and all of the other characters from The Will. They gave so much to this...having us immediately connect and see how Amelia was becoming part of the community.
Overall Soaring did...in so many moments. It was part of the KA legacy; lengthy, detailed with women strong, Men true and love abound.
There is another book coming for the character Coret... and I will be ready to dig in and learn more.
The Will (Magdalene, #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Soaring (Magdalene, #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Time in Between (Magdalene, #3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
~~~~~ BEFORE READING ~~~~~
This is a new series which has roots in all of her usual writing... but there is a different perspective... of a life lived with some regrets...
At 47, we sometimes can be accomplished, capable yet if "trained from birth" to behave a certain way....it is not unusual to also be unsure, insecure and a little lost, too....when attempting to find your true self.
It will be interesting to see where Kristen Ashley goes with this.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
4 Getting Everything You Need Stars
* * * * Spoiler Free
It can seem from the outside looking in, a person "has the life". They have wealth, status, ease of life... they seem to have it all. But as we know, everything is never as it appears to be...and this is the lesson which is the core of Soaring, in my opinion.
Oh, there are so many other focuses and life lessons in this book... all laid out for us to see coming and experience...and we get to in the unique style of Kristen Ashley.
Now, here is where I take a moment to share my take on this specific series she has created. This is not the Kristen Ashely of Rock Chick, The Burgs, Colorado, Dream Men or Unfinished Heroes.All of those books had either some type of action, threat or intrigue of some kind... like car chases or kidnapping or illegal activity. This series has none of that. This series has the main focus on Human Relationships... how they work, how they can go bad, and how the people in them handle the everyday grind of life.
There is one thing, I've noticed to allow KA to "do her thing"...so far all of the main female characters have "means or wealth". They are not warped by it and it is used as a means to color the story with details...and we know KA knows how to do details... (more on that later). But it also gives her the freedom to write whatever she wants without having to contemplate other things which would make an entirely different tale.
In this installment, she also did something which was brave, in a way. She made the main characters older than the usual demographic; Amelia is 47 and Mickey is 48. As a person of the older demographic... Woo Hoo! and you go KA... thank you. But I won't be surprised if there are others who may not be as enthusiastic.
But in my mind, these two characters had to have lived lives before meeting. They had to have depth of pain, hurt, and mistakes to understand what they needed and who they were. One of them finally figured it mostly out first. The other was on a path of redemption and discovery. In order to be able to have the growth and understanding of it all... all of the impact of the decisions they made over the years... there needed to be years, hence the age group. It also gave them children of ages who have their own troubles and confusion...all of these elements were critical to the overall theme and story.
To try to "basically give you the lay of the land" on this is tricky, but I will try. You have a woman who made serious errors in acting out against her ex and his new wife, not keeping this behavior from the kids and this caused her to lose custody and when they moved to Maine, she was allowed only one weekend a month. She realizes what happened; how she can not live without her children and she is determined to start fresh, regain their trust and love.
There is so much more; she was raised in one of those uber-wealthy families which used nannies and decorum. Her mother is "frosty" and comes from a serious Shipping lineage. Her father is cold, cutting and is from Oil... big Oil. She has a brother Lawrence who turned away from the family business and became an attorney. He is saddled with a horror of a wife... as Hathaways do not divorce.
Except when they are blindsided by a cheating neurosurgeon who took 16 years of Amelia's life only to turn and engage then marry one of the nurses days after the ink was dry on the papers. It is allowed and encouraged to act out, embarrass, and be pushed to the brink as the Hathaways do not stand for divorce... No, Amelia received no help in working this through, receiving loving guidance to process the hurt, the betrayal, and then move through it to be done and finished. Instead, she had constant pressure from her parents causing her to be bitter and twisted much longer than she should have.
When she lost her children, she could not continue. This need caused her to see what she needed to do to get them back. She made plans; found a house, bought it, and made the move. We are there on the second day to settle in surrounded by all of the remnants of her past life in La Jolla, CA. She is looking out at the sea through floor to ceiling windows in the main room when there is the first door chimes ringing and then banging on the door. She can see through the stained glass it is her ex. As she stands listening to him scream, curse, and yell at her because she followed them to Maine, Mickey Donovan comes up behind the ex and informs him he needs to stop.
Mickey Donovan is a volunteer fireman. He is a contractor/roofer with a company whose owner is questionable in his practices at best. Mickey lives across the street from Amelia with his daughter (13/14) and young son (10ish). This vision of a Real Man's Man is telling her cheating pig to back off because that is not how you treat any woman, PERIOD. The essence of Mickey is not lost on Amelia. She sees the eyes clear and true. She sees the way he moves and swaggers...and she sees the way her ex's balls shrink and he slithers away. A quick conversation happens (Amelia can hardly remember what was said) and then Mickey...this vision of Man goes to his home across the street. She closes her door and is stunned.
So, here you have a woman who has seen a man who is everything her ex wasn't. This brief experience has a profound effect on her. She moves through this multi-million dollar home on the cliffs of Maine... seeing all the beauty and vows to take this time to be a person worthy of that man, Mickey, and her children. She isn't sure as to how she is going to do it... but there is no going back to past behavior...no going back to being exactly like her mother and father demanded. There is no going back- there is only going forward...and that is what she is going to do.
This is the setup. The mother wants to be back in her children's lives. Because of past behavior and no proper direction to be respectful to their mother from the ex and new wife, the children are awful to her. They are cold, empty, cutting if they speak, and basically ignore her during her allowed weekend. Amelia maintains; she holds on and takes it. She understands she must earn their love and trust back. She sees it is going to be a long process and doesn't care. She will succeed.
Because she is learning for the very first time to trust herself. In the past, she did as was guided by years of rules.... groomed and directed in what to wear, how to behave, and even what fragrance is acceptable. No calling anyone after 9 PM....it isn't done... So many rules, so many ways of not living when all she ever wanted was a loving family...
This story is a very classic KA. We receive minute detail in everything... from all of the inner thoughts of Amelia and Mickey (he has a few POV chapters) to the mind camera capturing every scene set up.... panning and describing all of the furniture, clothing, and atmosphere. This is a huge plus but also can be a minus... for as much as it gives us in the minute insight on the emotional level, the continued practice can sometimes feel a little excess at certain times when it comes to the decorating.
We are given a woman who was never allowed to follow her own instincts freely from birth. This easily would cause insecurity about many things others have gotten over years earlier. Keeping this in mind while reading is important because her only experience with men, relationships, etc. was so controlled. Trying to find her way with her children, purpose, and also Mickey was all there for us to see. She was so determined to succeed and did. She was fearless in throwing herself out there; making new friends... taking the shit dealt her by her children and even handling the roller coaster of Mickey's interest in her. She fought for her stand to be free from her parents and to find a way to have a life she would love.
The children of both Mickey and Amelia were the perfect combination of conflict, charm, and interest. Each of them had distinct personalities that revealed over the course of the story. Although I sensed what some of the issues were early, it did not detract my being in the moment during critical scenes... and these scenes were perfectly paced. All of them were important; highlighting the past mistakes by the parents, the negative actions they did themselves, and the humor and the ability to bounce back from hurt...to renew again. I also foresee in the future possible interest that could provide other books or storylines.
The romance between Amelia and Mickey followed the usual way of a strong commanding fella shows the woman how she is worth all the goodness in life...and not to settle for less. Mickey was a man who fought his own insecurities...his ex was someone who gave him great pain. He needed to have everything a certain way to hold it all together...and when he realized all his rules needed to be broken because the draw to Amelia was too much... the sparks and steam were palpitating. Together they worked.
The added bonus was revisiting Josie, Jake, Alyssa, and all of the other characters from The Will. They gave so much to this...having us immediately connect and see how Amelia was becoming part of the community.
Overall Soaring did...in so many moments. It was part of the KA legacy; lengthy, detailed with women strong, Men true and love abound.
There is another book coming for the character Coret... and I will be ready to dig in and learn more.
The Will (Magdalene, #1)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Soaring (Magdalene, #2)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Time in Between (Magdalene, #3)https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
~~~~~ BEFORE READING ~~~~~
This is a new series which has roots in all of her usual writing... but there is a different perspective... of a life lived with some regrets...
At 47, we sometimes can be accomplished, capable yet if "trained from birth" to behave a certain way....it is not unusual to also be unsure, insecure and a little lost, too....when attempting to find your true self.
It will be interesting to see where Kristen Ashley goes with this.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
March 19, 2015
4.5 Soaring Stars
“The mistakes we make in life don’t define us, Amy. The way we handle ’em after makin’ ’em do.-Mickey
Soaring is the second book in the Magdalene series. It has the ideal KA formula. It has "the Alpha Male", beautiful heroine, amazing side kicks, a strong family focus on the family, and colorful text.
Amelia Hathaway has just moved across the country to make amends with her children. She is on a journey to recreate herself. She has made some mistakes and yet has the resiliance to do whatever it takes to make things right in her life.
"I had to figure out what I wanted. I had to figure out who I was. I had to create a home. I had to win back my children. I had to build a life. I had to get some self-respect. I had to stop acting like an idiot, weak and selfish and stupid. I had to start looking out for me."
It doesn't take long for Amelia to find her way in the small town of Magdalene. Upon her arrival, she meets her neighbor Mickey. While her ex makes an unexpected visit to Amy's door, Mickey is there to offer her support. Things had not ended well between Amy and her ex husband. The confrontation was ugly and for the first time in her life Amelia felt safe because of Mickey.
"This stranger, unknowingly was standing between me and my gravest mistake. Protecting me. I’d never had that. Not in my forty-seven years of life."-Amy
Despite the ugliness with her ex husband, Amy makes a plan. She volunteers to raise money for the local boxing club, she makes friends with Josie (our heroine from The Will) and Alyssa, and she is decisive about making amends with her children.
Things are not easy for Amy. No matter how hard she tries (and she is trying really hard), her children continue to brush her off and treat her with such ugliness and disdain. I found this to be the most painful of Amelia's plight. Although I understand that children can be ugly due to their lack of maturity, it was quite extreme. Although Mickey and Amy seemed to be headed directly into each other's arms, the puzzle pieces don't quite fall into place right away. In fact, an awkward kiss between the two turns Mickey running in the other direction.
"I’d come out to Maine to do the latter, and within a few weeks, ended up kissing my handsome, good guy neighbor, in one fell swoop killing a promising relationship of friendship and camaraderie and turning it into an awkward relationship of avoidance and unease."-Amy
What is so amazing about this heroine is that she doesn't give up. After a few good cries, this girl gets it together. With the help of her new girlfriends, she gets a makeover. She tightens the reigns on her children. She goes out on a few dates. She makes her new house a home. Amy is one fantastic heroine. I love that she owns her mistakes and forges forward with out batting an eye.
While Amy is moving forward, Mickey is keeping a close eye on her. Amy continues to spend time with his children and the "non-relationship" continues to build. The dialogue between Mickey and Amy was both hilarious and frustrating. It was so nice to see a KA heroine dish it back as fast as it was being "dished out". The combination of Amy's sass and Mickey's anger issues equal one fire hot connection. Once Mickey and Amy connect "for real" it was HOT!
Things were not easy between Mickey and Amelia. They both have brought emotional baggage that needed to be sorted with care. Comparing Mickey to other KA heroes, he was not my favorite. Although likable, he was slightly annoying with his "money" issues and inability to lock his feelings for Amelia down sooner. However frustrating his actions were, it kept the focus on Amy. She didn't cower away from what she wanted. She didn't fold just to make him happy.
“You have absolutely no idea what I need. And the sad part about that is that you didn’t notice you’d already given me everything I’d ever need just letting me sit at your dinner table with your family.”-Amelia
It was her strong will and the help of her friends that allowed her to keep going.
Overall, I found Soaring to be a great read. Compared solely to other KA books, I would probably rate it a 4. As I stated earlier, at times I found myself very frustrated with Mickey. The back and forth between Amy and Mickey might have gone on a little too long for my liking.
BUT:
Did I enjoy it? Every second!
Was it long? YES
Did I care? No, not really.
The truth is KA is my absolute favorite author. I haven't read anything by her that I don't enjoy in some shape or fashion. Soaring has an amazing heroine at the center, a lovely scenic background, amazing supporting characters (both Mickey and Amy's children especially), and it is a beautiful story of self growth. Not to mention the most important message of all: You are never too late to find love.
“The mistakes we make in life don’t define us, Amy. The way we handle ’em after makin’ ’em do.-Mickey
Soaring is the second book in the Magdalene series. It has the ideal KA formula. It has "the Alpha Male", beautiful heroine, amazing side kicks, a strong family focus on the family, and colorful text.
Amelia Hathaway has just moved across the country to make amends with her children. She is on a journey to recreate herself. She has made some mistakes and yet has the resiliance to do whatever it takes to make things right in her life.
"I had to figure out what I wanted. I had to figure out who I was. I had to create a home. I had to win back my children. I had to build a life. I had to get some self-respect. I had to stop acting like an idiot, weak and selfish and stupid. I had to start looking out for me."
It doesn't take long for Amelia to find her way in the small town of Magdalene. Upon her arrival, she meets her neighbor Mickey. While her ex makes an unexpected visit to Amy's door, Mickey is there to offer her support. Things had not ended well between Amy and her ex husband. The confrontation was ugly and for the first time in her life Amelia felt safe because of Mickey.
"This stranger, unknowingly was standing between me and my gravest mistake. Protecting me. I’d never had that. Not in my forty-seven years of life."-Amy
Despite the ugliness with her ex husband, Amy makes a plan. She volunteers to raise money for the local boxing club, she makes friends with Josie (our heroine from The Will) and Alyssa, and she is decisive about making amends with her children.
Things are not easy for Amy. No matter how hard she tries (and she is trying really hard), her children continue to brush her off and treat her with such ugliness and disdain. I found this to be the most painful of Amelia's plight. Although I understand that children can be ugly due to their lack of maturity, it was quite extreme. Although Mickey and Amy seemed to be headed directly into each other's arms, the puzzle pieces don't quite fall into place right away. In fact, an awkward kiss between the two turns Mickey running in the other direction.
"I’d come out to Maine to do the latter, and within a few weeks, ended up kissing my handsome, good guy neighbor, in one fell swoop killing a promising relationship of friendship and camaraderie and turning it into an awkward relationship of avoidance and unease."-Amy
What is so amazing about this heroine is that she doesn't give up. After a few good cries, this girl gets it together. With the help of her new girlfriends, she gets a makeover. She tightens the reigns on her children. She goes out on a few dates. She makes her new house a home. Amy is one fantastic heroine. I love that she owns her mistakes and forges forward with out batting an eye.
While Amy is moving forward, Mickey is keeping a close eye on her. Amy continues to spend time with his children and the "non-relationship" continues to build. The dialogue between Mickey and Amy was both hilarious and frustrating. It was so nice to see a KA heroine dish it back as fast as it was being "dished out". The combination of Amy's sass and Mickey's anger issues equal one fire hot connection. Once Mickey and Amy connect "for real" it was HOT!
Things were not easy between Mickey and Amelia. They both have brought emotional baggage that needed to be sorted with care. Comparing Mickey to other KA heroes, he was not my favorite. Although likable, he was slightly annoying with his "money" issues and inability to lock his feelings for Amelia down sooner. However frustrating his actions were, it kept the focus on Amy. She didn't cower away from what she wanted. She didn't fold just to make him happy.
“You have absolutely no idea what I need. And the sad part about that is that you didn’t notice you’d already given me everything I’d ever need just letting me sit at your dinner table with your family.”-Amelia
It was her strong will and the help of her friends that allowed her to keep going.
Overall, I found Soaring to be a great read. Compared solely to other KA books, I would probably rate it a 4. As I stated earlier, at times I found myself very frustrated with Mickey. The back and forth between Amy and Mickey might have gone on a little too long for my liking.
BUT:
Did I enjoy it? Every second!
Was it long? YES
Did I care? No, not really.
The truth is KA is my absolute favorite author. I haven't read anything by her that I don't enjoy in some shape or fashion. Soaring has an amazing heroine at the center, a lovely scenic background, amazing supporting characters (both Mickey and Amy's children especially), and it is a beautiful story of self growth. Not to mention the most important message of all: You are never too late to find love.
March 20, 2015
4.25 Soaring stars!
Heiress Amelia Hathaway has recently moved to Maine after following her ex husband, her children, and their new stepmom there. You see, Amelia's husband left her after almost twenty years of happy marriage for the woman he was cheating on her with. And Amelia? Well, she:
LOST
HER
SHIT.
But wouldn't you? After all those years of happiness thrown away by a woman 15 years younger than you? Well unfortunately, Amelia lost her shit and dragged her kids into it, which then turned them against her. Now, Amelia is working on getting herself back together, and getting her kids back.
Mickey is Amelia's new neighbor. He's a volunteer fireman and works in construction. Divorced with 2 kids (like Amelia), he's for lack of a better word, hot. And its because of this that Amelia wants Mickey to learn nothing of her past horrible behavior and does her best to stay away from him. But we all know this book wouldn't be 600+ pages if that were the case.
I really, really enjoyed this book. Kristen Ashley is one of those authors where 9 times out of 10 I end up loving or enjoying her book, even if there are way too many descriptions of furniture and clothing (yes it's in this one too, deal with it the book is great).
There wasn't a lot of romantically based angst, but there was a bit when Amelia was trying to win her kids back and I just felt so damn bad for the woman. She was in the wrong, and yes she behaved badly, but damn she got shut out cold for her bad behavior. I wanted to smack her kids at a few points! Amelia and her journey of finding herself is really what made this book as good as it is.
Mickey, while he is good, he's not the most memorable of the Kristen Ashley alpha males. He fits the mold of the KA hero but wasn't very distinct on his own. I did love his kids, and the story line with his daughter and her struggles at school really pulled on my heartstrings. Plus I now need to find a way to watch this movie Dogfight and see what all of the fuss is about.
Is this the best Kristen Ashley book? No. But honestly, it's still pretty damn good so if you're hesitating to read this one, stop right now and pick up this book! But read The Will first. Not that you need to, I'm just a stickler for reading series in order ;-)
Heiress Amelia Hathaway has recently moved to Maine after following her ex husband, her children, and their new stepmom there. You see, Amelia's husband left her after almost twenty years of happy marriage for the woman he was cheating on her with. And Amelia? Well, she:
LOST
HER
SHIT.
But wouldn't you? After all those years of happiness thrown away by a woman 15 years younger than you? Well unfortunately, Amelia lost her shit and dragged her kids into it, which then turned them against her. Now, Amelia is working on getting herself back together, and getting her kids back.
Mickey is Amelia's new neighbor. He's a volunteer fireman and works in construction. Divorced with 2 kids (like Amelia), he's for lack of a better word, hot. And its because of this that Amelia wants Mickey to learn nothing of her past horrible behavior and does her best to stay away from him. But we all know this book wouldn't be 600+ pages if that were the case.
I really, really enjoyed this book. Kristen Ashley is one of those authors where 9 times out of 10 I end up loving or enjoying her book, even if there are way too many descriptions of furniture and clothing (yes it's in this one too, deal with it the book is great).
There wasn't a lot of romantically based angst, but there was a bit when Amelia was trying to win her kids back and I just felt so damn bad for the woman. She was in the wrong, and yes she behaved badly, but damn she got shut out cold for her bad behavior. I wanted to smack her kids at a few points! Amelia and her journey of finding herself is really what made this book as good as it is.
Mickey, while he is good, he's not the most memorable of the Kristen Ashley alpha males. He fits the mold of the KA hero but wasn't very distinct on his own. I did love his kids, and the story line with his daughter and her struggles at school really pulled on my heartstrings. Plus I now need to find a way to watch this movie Dogfight and see what all of the fuss is about.
Is this the best Kristen Ashley book? No. But honestly, it's still pretty damn good so if you're hesitating to read this one, stop right now and pick up this book! But read The Will first. Not that you need to, I'm just a stickler for reading series in order ;-)
December 31, 2025
4 Stars (Originally read 3/27/2015)
3 Stars (1st Re-Read 11/2/2016)
3.5 Stars (2nd Re-Read 1/15/2021)
Overall Opinion: I'm bummed to say that this rating is going down for me. I had it originally as a 4 star rating, but I'm going to put it as a 3. This pains me, because I had some fond memories of this book and I think the overall premise is one of the best KA has! I appreciated the fact that the h is trying to mend her relationship with her kids, and is struggling at the beginning to find her identity without them. I also loved the "Brady bunch" aspect of bringing kids together from 2 divorced families. Both the h and H had their own issues with their exes that was ongoing, and so that added to the mix some reality (since a lot of divorces aren't all that honkey-dorey). So with all of that, I would think that this could be an amazing book! Unfortunately, I think the ideas were all there -- but there were some parts about the actual execution that drowned them out. There was way too much talk about interior decorating, clothes, shopping, shopping, and more shopping! We get it!! She had a TON of money! But did we really need to have her shopping all the time?!? It made the story drag for me. I'm used to some of the design/clothing descriptions because let's be serious here -- this is KA and she does that. Often. But it normally doesn't bother me in her books! In this one, it honestly felt like filler that wasn't necessary in the first place. Maybe if she actually made a (*gasp*) shorter book and cut all that out, it might've come out better...just my 2 cents ;)
2nd Re-Read Note: I actually liked this better and enough to raise my rating from the last time I read it. I skimmed the decorating/shopping and overly descriptive inner thoughts to make it more tolerable. I think that actually helped a ton! If only she had some kind of editor that helped do that for her 🤔
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Amelia and Mickey's story. Amelia moved to Magdalene, Maine to try to mend her broken relationship with her children after a nasty divorce. She happens to move across the street from divorced father, Mickey. The attraction is instant, but Amelia finds quickly that Mickey isn't interested in creating more drama in his life by dating his neighbor. They dance around each other for a little while -- but after spending more time together, they can no longer deny their connection. They work through some big family and personal obstacles, have some sexy times, fall in love, and get a HEA.
POV: This was told in Amelia's POV (with a few short parts in Mickey's).
Overall Pace of Story: Slow. I am used to the sometimes excessive details included in KA books, and I usually just take them in knowing that it just is KA's style. This, however, felt like it lagged at times because of it. I skimmed through a good bit of the interior design descriptions that seemed to be in excess (and used as filler) in this book.
Instalove: No, they take a while to develop stronger feelings.
H rating: 3.5 stars. Mickey. I really wanted to love him, but sadly I didn't -- But, I didn't hate him either. He was a little better than "just ok" for me. I got frustrated with his hang-ups about her wealth (even though I know that a lot of men would have issues with this), and his hot-headedness at times.
h rating: 4 stars. Amelia. I liked her. I felt bad for her situation with her ex and children, but I appreciated how she tried to make up for her past mistakes.
Sadness level: Low/moderate. I teared up a few times, but never needed any tissues.
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Moderate. They have some good chemistry and scenes.
Descriptive sex: Yes
Safe sex: Yes. Condoms are used, and after birth control talk they go without. I don't remember any mention of STD statuses or past practices.
OW/OM drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: Yes, but not with the mcs
Separation: No
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had good closure with some jump ahead moments and a HEA. I would've liked to get a way down the line picture, but that's just me being greedy ;)
How I got it: I got it with my scribed subscription.
Safety: I'd say this one should be Safe for most readers.
3 Stars (1st Re-Read 11/2/2016)
3.5 Stars (2nd Re-Read 1/15/2021)
Overall Opinion: I'm bummed to say that this rating is going down for me. I had it originally as a 4 star rating, but I'm going to put it as a 3. This pains me, because I had some fond memories of this book and I think the overall premise is one of the best KA has! I appreciated the fact that the h is trying to mend her relationship with her kids, and is struggling at the beginning to find her identity without them. I also loved the "Brady bunch" aspect of bringing kids together from 2 divorced families. Both the h and H had their own issues with their exes that was ongoing, and so that added to the mix some reality (since a lot of divorces aren't all that honkey-dorey). So with all of that, I would think that this could be an amazing book! Unfortunately, I think the ideas were all there -- but there were some parts about the actual execution that drowned them out. There was way too much talk about interior decorating, clothes, shopping, shopping, and more shopping! We get it!! She had a TON of money! But did we really need to have her shopping all the time?!? It made the story drag for me. I'm used to some of the design/clothing descriptions because let's be serious here -- this is KA and she does that. Often. But it normally doesn't bother me in her books! In this one, it honestly felt like filler that wasn't necessary in the first place. Maybe if she actually made a (*gasp*) shorter book and cut all that out, it might've come out better...just my 2 cents ;)
2nd Re-Read Note: I actually liked this better and enough to raise my rating from the last time I read it. I skimmed the decorating/shopping and overly descriptive inner thoughts to make it more tolerable. I think that actually helped a ton! If only she had some kind of editor that helped do that for her 🤔
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Amelia and Mickey's story. Amelia moved to Magdalene, Maine to try to mend her broken relationship with her children after a nasty divorce. She happens to move across the street from divorced father, Mickey. The attraction is instant, but Amelia finds quickly that Mickey isn't interested in creating more drama in his life by dating his neighbor. They dance around each other for a little while -- but after spending more time together, they can no longer deny their connection. They work through some big family and personal obstacles, have some sexy times, fall in love, and get a HEA.
POV: This was told in Amelia's POV (with a few short parts in Mickey's).
Overall Pace of Story: Slow. I am used to the sometimes excessive details included in KA books, and I usually just take them in knowing that it just is KA's style. This, however, felt like it lagged at times because of it. I skimmed through a good bit of the interior design descriptions that seemed to be in excess (and used as filler) in this book.
Instalove: No, they take a while to develop stronger feelings.
H rating: 3.5 stars. Mickey. I really wanted to love him, but sadly I didn't -- But, I didn't hate him either. He was a little better than "just ok" for me. I got frustrated with his hang-ups about her wealth (even though I know that a lot of men would have issues with this), and his hot-headedness at times.
h rating: 4 stars. Amelia. I liked her. I felt bad for her situation with her ex and children, but I appreciated how she tried to make up for her past mistakes.
Sadness level: Low/moderate. I teared up a few times, but never needed any tissues.
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Moderate. They have some good chemistry and scenes.
Descriptive sex: Yes
Safe sex: Yes. Condoms are used, and after birth control talk they go without. I don't remember any mention of STD statuses or past practices.
OW/OM drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: Yes, but not with the mcs
Separation: No
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had good closure with some jump ahead moments and a HEA. I would've liked to get a way down the line picture, but that's just me being greedy ;)
How I got it: I got it with my scribed subscription.
Safety: I'd say this one should be Safe for most readers.
March 16, 2015
5 Soaring Stars
ARC received from author in exchange for an honest review
Soaring was an amazingly fantastic, ridiculously sexy, feel good read that proved once again why Kristen Ashley will forever remain my literary queen of romance. This love story embodied everything KA spoils me with - a unique and descriptive writing style, brilliant dialogue, an incredibly strong heroine, super hot dominant Alpha, a cast of secondary characters that stole my heart and passionate moments that set my kindle ablaze. But words sometime fail me when trying to put together my review because it’s so difficult to fully describe what I experience and how truly touching her romances are. Once stepping into Amelia and Mickey’s world, I became totally overwhelmed and consumed. My emotions were constantly ebbing and flowing as their joys thrilled me, their fears filled me with worry, and their despairs flooded my heart with sorrow. And in the end, I hated leaving this couple, their friends and family behind. I needed to savor this story over and over again before gathering my thoughts.
Amelia (Amy) is a woman who has all the money in the world, yet missing everything she needs for a happy life. A bitter divorce set her life on a downward, negative spiral - leaving her shattered, miserable, lacking self-confidence and losing custody of her children. In an effort to regain their love and respect, she decides to reinvent herself and begin a new life in Magdalene, Maine.
Her character wrecked me - I ached for all her pains and cried tears over all her sorrows. Seeing her lonely life and dealing with the children’s indifference, sliced right through the very heart of me. Starting over at the age of 47 takes courage and BALLS – I just love how brave she was. Amelia’s endless struggle to find fathomless inner strength and discovering her self worth left me awestruck. She is my new all-time favorite kick-ass heroine.
Fortunately for Amelia, along with her new life comes a very handsome neighbor. A knight in shining armor of sorts…Michael Patrick Donovan. The mere mention of his name makes me quiver in all the all the right places.
Oh, Mickey you’re so fine…and you REALLY blew my mind…I’m in love with you!
He’s the sinfully sexy, outrageously macho construction worker/volunteer fire-fighter/boxer that had my head spinning. One minute I adored his sweet and tender ways; a single dad who melted me seeing the way he loves his children. In the next, I wanted to strangle him for all his stubbornness! My feelings for Mickey yo-yoed throughout most of this read as he found difficulties dealing with Amy’s wealth. Fighting off his attraction brought out a callous side to Mickey, and boy did this couple really go toe-to-toe.
The more he battled his feelings, the more sexual tensions escalated, until it deliciously exploded in some of the most sizzling sex scenes ever. It frayed my nerves to no end, but I loved every lust filled moment of it. For me, the more ‘jerk-like’ the KA hero, the deeper I fall in love with them as they struggle to find their way to redemption. It’s crazy, but absolutely true, and Mickey fights hard to win Amy’s (and my) love and trust. Mickey has a noble heart and feels deeply for his woman. He was an emotionally driven, compelling character whose gentle and protective side had me soaring, feeling all gushy inside. I now have a new Alpha-hero to obsess and drool over.
Amy and Mickey’s romance was inspiring as well as beautiful. Soaring was a powerful love story of passion, hope, mending broken hearts, bringing together of families and self-discovery. Kristen Ashley never ceases to wow me with her flawless story telling talents, which always leaves me hungry and wanting more from her imagination. Each one of her tales claims a little piece of my soul. I love that this series focuses on main characters that are more mature in age. It’s a rarity to find steamy romances evolving around older main characters that not only I can relate to, but readers of all ages can also appreciate. Ashley has that magical touch bringing such characters to life. Soaring easily became another ‘must reread’ favorite of mine.
For more reviews please visit www.sizzlingpages.com
http://angelas-sizzling-pages.blogspo...
ARC received from author in exchange for an honest review
Soaring was an amazingly fantastic, ridiculously sexy, feel good read that proved once again why Kristen Ashley will forever remain my literary queen of romance. This love story embodied everything KA spoils me with - a unique and descriptive writing style, brilliant dialogue, an incredibly strong heroine, super hot dominant Alpha, a cast of secondary characters that stole my heart and passionate moments that set my kindle ablaze. But words sometime fail me when trying to put together my review because it’s so difficult to fully describe what I experience and how truly touching her romances are. Once stepping into Amelia and Mickey’s world, I became totally overwhelmed and consumed. My emotions were constantly ebbing and flowing as their joys thrilled me, their fears filled me with worry, and their despairs flooded my heart with sorrow. And in the end, I hated leaving this couple, their friends and family behind. I needed to savor this story over and over again before gathering my thoughts.
Amelia (Amy) is a woman who has all the money in the world, yet missing everything she needs for a happy life. A bitter divorce set her life on a downward, negative spiral - leaving her shattered, miserable, lacking self-confidence and losing custody of her children. In an effort to regain their love and respect, she decides to reinvent herself and begin a new life in Magdalene, Maine.
Her character wrecked me - I ached for all her pains and cried tears over all her sorrows. Seeing her lonely life and dealing with the children’s indifference, sliced right through the very heart of me. Starting over at the age of 47 takes courage and BALLS – I just love how brave she was. Amelia’s endless struggle to find fathomless inner strength and discovering her self worth left me awestruck. She is my new all-time favorite kick-ass heroine.
Fortunately for Amelia, along with her new life comes a very handsome neighbor. A knight in shining armor of sorts…Michael Patrick Donovan. The mere mention of his name makes me quiver in all the all the right places.
Oh, Mickey you’re so fine…and you REALLY blew my mind…I’m in love with you!
He’s the sinfully sexy, outrageously macho construction worker/volunteer fire-fighter/boxer that had my head spinning. One minute I adored his sweet and tender ways; a single dad who melted me seeing the way he loves his children. In the next, I wanted to strangle him for all his stubbornness! My feelings for Mickey yo-yoed throughout most of this read as he found difficulties dealing with Amy’s wealth. Fighting off his attraction brought out a callous side to Mickey, and boy did this couple really go toe-to-toe.
The more he battled his feelings, the more sexual tensions escalated, until it deliciously exploded in some of the most sizzling sex scenes ever. It frayed my nerves to no end, but I loved every lust filled moment of it. For me, the more ‘jerk-like’ the KA hero, the deeper I fall in love with them as they struggle to find their way to redemption. It’s crazy, but absolutely true, and Mickey fights hard to win Amy’s (and my) love and trust. Mickey has a noble heart and feels deeply for his woman. He was an emotionally driven, compelling character whose gentle and protective side had me soaring, feeling all gushy inside. I now have a new Alpha-hero to obsess and drool over.
Amy and Mickey’s romance was inspiring as well as beautiful. Soaring was a powerful love story of passion, hope, mending broken hearts, bringing together of families and self-discovery. Kristen Ashley never ceases to wow me with her flawless story telling talents, which always leaves me hungry and wanting more from her imagination. Each one of her tales claims a little piece of my soul. I love that this series focuses on main characters that are more mature in age. It’s a rarity to find steamy romances evolving around older main characters that not only I can relate to, but readers of all ages can also appreciate. Ashley has that magical touch bringing such characters to life. Soaring easily became another ‘must reread’ favorite of mine.
For more reviews please visit www.sizzlingpages.com
http://angelas-sizzling-pages.blogspo...
March 22, 2015
Check out this and my other reviews at My Blog
★Book Basics★
Genre : - Cont Romance
Series : - Book 2 in the series.
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Would I read more by this author/or in this series? - Yes
Rating 3 stars
I have to say, overall, this is so far not my favourite series of hers.
In both this and book 1, I have struggled with the heroine. And while I loved Jake in The Will, I did not love Mickey as much here, although he was a likeable enough character for me.
However, the main issue I had with the heroine, was her complete inability it seemed, to take responsibility for her own actions. Yes, her ex is awful, and he had an affair, and her parents seem toxic, but it was just excuse after excuse, it seems to be caused by any number of people either being some sort of trigger, bad influence or goading her into retaliating so much she drove her children away! She is a 47 year old women, she should take some damn responsibility.
But, I got over that (sort of) and I did enjoy it. Mickey, as can be with KA hero's was a bit of a dick to start, but he did actually explain his reasons.
The relationship with her kids seemed to go from non existent to awesome in a matter of pages.
Lots of pages about Mickey and Amelia trying to juggle their life, discussing the juggling of their lives, trying to blend their life, discussing blending their lives etc...
While it gave that part of it, a realistic portrayal of trying to blend 2 families, it was just a bit - boring in the end.
But, in the end, I did enjoy it, and I did end up liking Amy (if I ignore her unable to take any responsibility pity party of the first 25%) and I finished the book with a smile on my face.
But not my fave KA.
★Book Basics★
Genre : - Cont Romance
Series : - Book 2 in the series.
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Would I read more by this author/or in this series? - Yes
Rating 3 stars
I have to say, overall, this is so far not my favourite series of hers.
In both this and book 1, I have struggled with the heroine. And while I loved Jake in The Will, I did not love Mickey as much here, although he was a likeable enough character for me.
However, the main issue I had with the heroine, was her complete inability it seemed, to take responsibility for her own actions. Yes, her ex is awful, and he had an affair, and her parents seem toxic, but it was just excuse after excuse, it seems to be caused by any number of people either being some sort of trigger, bad influence or goading her into retaliating so much she drove her children away! She is a 47 year old women, she should take some damn responsibility.
But, I got over that (sort of) and I did enjoy it. Mickey, as can be with KA hero's was a bit of a dick to start, but he did actually explain his reasons.
The relationship with her kids seemed to go from non existent to awesome in a matter of pages.
Lots of pages about Mickey and Amelia trying to juggle their life, discussing the juggling of their lives, trying to blend their life, discussing blending their lives etc...
While it gave that part of it, a realistic portrayal of trying to blend 2 families, it was just a bit - boring in the end.
But, in the end, I did enjoy it, and I did end up liking Amy (if I ignore her unable to take any responsibility pity party of the first 25%) and I finished the book with a smile on my face.
But not my fave KA.
March 24, 2015
Story Rating ~ 4 Stars
Hero Rating ~ 4 Stars
Heroine Rating ~ 4.5 Stars
Romance ~ 4 Stars
Heat Level ~ 3.5 Stars
Ending ~ 4 Stars
Overall Rating ~ 4 Stars
While I did enjoy this book, I have to say it was not my favorite Kristen Ashley book. Half the time they were eating which made me hungry too LOL. I also felt that there was just a bit too much drama that seem to go on and on. Some of the drama was done really good and then some I felt was not necessary.
What really worked for me was I felt like I was back in Magdalene meeting my old friends and making some new ones. As always Kristen Ashley’s does a phenomenal job on creating original characters.
My emotions were engaged in a HUGE way. YES I’m one of those people that cries when something bad happens but there were also some funny things that had me laughing too.
It took a while for the heat to kick in between Amelia and Mickey but once it did these two were at it whenever they could find time alone. These scenes were done with some good heat but for me I wished they would have been just a bit more.
In the end, everything works itself out and the epilogue gives us a happily ever after. I have to say that KA usually adds the best epilogues but this one could have been done better.
Overall this was a good read for me and of course now I’ll be waiting again for the next book in this series to be released.
Hero Rating ~ 4 Stars
Heroine Rating ~ 4.5 Stars
Romance ~ 4 Stars
Heat Level ~ 3.5 Stars
Ending ~ 4 Stars
Overall Rating ~ 4 Stars
While I did enjoy this book, I have to say it was not my favorite Kristen Ashley book. Half the time they were eating which made me hungry too LOL. I also felt that there was just a bit too much drama that seem to go on and on. Some of the drama was done really good and then some I felt was not necessary.
What really worked for me was I felt like I was back in Magdalene meeting my old friends and making some new ones. As always Kristen Ashley’s does a phenomenal job on creating original characters.
My emotions were engaged in a HUGE way. YES I’m one of those people that cries when something bad happens but there were also some funny things that had me laughing too.
It took a while for the heat to kick in between Amelia and Mickey but once it did these two were at it whenever they could find time alone. These scenes were done with some good heat but for me I wished they would have been just a bit more.
In the end, everything works itself out and the epilogue gives us a happily ever after. I have to say that KA usually adds the best epilogues but this one could have been done better.
Overall this was a good read for me and of course now I’ll be waiting again for the next book in this series to be released.
February 8, 2017
**** 4,5 stars ****
August 14, 2021
#1 The Will — 3.75 Stars
#2 Soaring — 3.75 Stars
Loved this for not following the usual KA template while still being in the KA lane (??), but damn if it wasn’t the quietest, ‘chill-est’ KA book ever! And if I never read about characters baking, decorating, and going shopping ever again, that’d be too soon (unless it’s a KA’s book of course, cause I can tolerate pretty much anything from her ;)).
How was it not ‘following the usual KA template’?
Idk if you even get what I’m trying to say, but if you’ve read KA’s books, you can see the difference in her portrayal of these older characters VS. her younger ones who are in their late 20s and their 30s. This isn’t my favorite series by her, but I heartily appreciate what these books offer because it just shows how eclectic and versatile KA is as an author.
Lastly, the audio performance of this book was . . . not the best. I can’t remember if this narrator was the same one like in The Will, but here she was just reading out loud without giving any feelings to what she was narrating and hardly made an attempt to manipulate or diversified her voices so we’d know which character was speaking. Anyway, I eventually switched to reading my e-copy.
#2 Soaring — 3.75 Stars
Loved this for not following the usual KA template while still being in the KA lane (??), but damn if it wasn’t the quietest, ‘chill-est’ KA book ever! And if I never read about characters baking, decorating, and going shopping ever again, that’d be too soon (unless it’s a KA’s book of course, cause I can tolerate pretty much anything from her ;)).
How was it not ‘following the usual KA template’?
➝“You have absolutely no idea what I need,” I whispered. “And the sad part about that is that you didn’t notice you’d already given me everything I’d ever need just letting me sit at your dinner table with your family.”
KA alpha males are typically the ‘I want it, I get/take it’ kinda guy. However, Mickey actually held himself back with Amelia at the beginning because he didn’t feel like he could give her the kind of life she was used to or she deserved. And he was too old to go for just flings.
➝“All my life I was the girl who everyone thought had everything or could get it. But the only thing I ever wanted was a man like you. You’re the best man I’ve ever met, Mickey Donovan. And you’re mine.”
Which brings me to my next point. While both Mickey and Amelia came from a wealthy family, Amelia was wAaAyYy more loaded and she embraced it. By that I didn’t mean she lived lavishly, but she was comfortable in the fact that she could. On the contrary, Mickey chose not to live off his trust fund.
He wasn’t struggling, but he worked hard for everything. I loved how they handled and navigated through this ‘predicament’ and came to a compromise. Because at the end of the day, the only ‘riches’ Amelia ever wanted and needed was Mickey, his love, and the family the were building.
➝I’d come out to Maine to do the latter, and within a few weeks, ended up kissing my handsome, good guy neighbor, in one fell swoop killing a promising relationship of friendship and camaraderie and turning it into an awkward relationship of avoidance and unease.
The ralationship development was actually pretty slow burn. It went from neighborly to sorta enemies to lovers. It felt realistic especially in account of what both Mickey and Amelia had been through in their previous marriages.
➝I had to figure out what I wanted. I had to figure out who I was. I had to create a home. I had to win back my children. I had to build a life. I had to get some self-respect. I had to stop acting like an idiot, weak and selfish and stupid. I had to start looking out for me.
Amelia was starting over in Magdalene in an effort to mend her relationship with her two teenage kids who lived with her ex-husband. I’ve never read about single parent heroines who don’t already have good relationship with her kids from KA before, and I truly cherished this part in the book.
➝“There is nothing guaranteed in life. But the only leaps really worth taking are leaps of faith on love. So look where you leap, beautiful, and happy landing.”
This was the most domestic or mundane of KA’s books I feel like. I mean, this series in general is like that compare to KA’s other series, but this one was the most ‘laid-back’ out of the three books—even though in all of them some dramas were involved, emotions ran high, and you might cry.
It’s like in this series, you’re presented with these older characters in their 40s, and they show you that: (1) their age don’t mean they have their life together; (2) they’ve seen and experienced things, and that makes them wiser; and, (3) it’s all about family and giving back to the community you live in.
Idk if you even get what I’m trying to say, but if you’ve read KA’s books, you can see the difference in her portrayal of these older characters VS. her younger ones who are in their late 20s and their 30s. This isn’t my favorite series by her, but I heartily appreciate what these books offer because it just shows how eclectic and versatile KA is as an author.
Lastly, the audio performance of this book was . . . not the best. I can’t remember if this narrator was the same one like in The Will, but here she was just reading out loud without giving any feelings to what she was narrating and hardly made an attempt to manipulate or diversified her voices so we’d know which character was speaking. Anyway, I eventually switched to reading my e-copy.
March 19, 2015
No review because I'm lazy :)
But gotta love me some KA. Though I'm thinking it could have been about 40% shorter without the shopping trips
But gotta love me some KA. Though I'm thinking it could have been about 40% shorter without the shopping trips
March 23, 2015
Could it be possible that I read too many Kristen Ashley’s books?
That’s the question I asked myself when I finished Soaring. Don’t get me wrong, Soaring was a beautiful read, I enjoyed most of it, and even teared up. No, I’m asking myself this question because some things in the book really felt repetitive and maybe formulaic for her to write. (Aha!) I’m usually rejoicing for long (LOOOONG) KA’s books but this one, I must admit, dragged a bit.
I waited for this book for months, you could say I was eager to start it, and eagerly I read the book in 1 day, more or less.
Eager because I knew the characters would be older than usual, KA being one of the few that doesn’t hesitate writing about lovers above 30 years, eager to get absorbed in KA awesomeness, eager to add a new very alpha male to my collection… Damn but I was ready to meet Mickey!
Soaring, if you haven’t read The Will yet, is not set differently, meaning this is a story about an older woman, who’s seeking peace and wants to start her life anew.
Youngsters, I’m not trying to scare you, older doesn’t necessary mean old like Yetta, who the fuck is Yetta? Youngsters, this is Yetta and she is awesome :
No, we’re talking mature old. In your 40’s old. Not that I would call a woman this age old. (Get off my back, older women, alright?) Amelia is 47 and Mickey is 48.
Anyway.
This is the story about Amelia Hathaway, she seeks a new beginning, she made mistakes, huge ones as it appears, and wants to get a new life for her kids’ sake and for her own.
She had a bad marriage, got cheated on, lost her children, and has lost any purpose in life. It’s time for her to get her act together, and that’s when she decides to move to Magdalene, Maine. To be closer to her kids.
She wants a new start with them, and maybe she wants a try at happiness too.
Living right across her street is Mickey Donovan. Hold on. Mickey Donovan. Donovan. As in Irish Hotness Donovan? Yeah. You get that right, right on time (almost) for St Patrick’s day, KA delivers her new alpha, an Irishman at that.
I bet KA fans, wouldn’t need more infos and would just dive in. But let me tell you a little bit more about Mickey.
Do I need to spell it out for you? Irish Alpha Badass Firefighter boxer in his spare time. What can be better than this, I’m asking you?
He’s a single dad, he’s been burned by his ex-wife as well, he’s very protective of his kids, he works in construction and is a volunteer firefighter.
First part of the story focuses on Amelia’s plan to get her kids back. Her relationship with them is non-existent, she has to build everything back. Those moments were hard to read, Kristen Ashley really pulled all the strings to make me cry. It was hard and I found myself saying out loud "FFS someone gives these kids a shake their mother can’t be that huge of a monster!"
It was truly heartbreaking, and maybe a bit exaggerated. I was expecting the reason for their behavior to be unforgivable, but not quite. Amelia acted like most of women would have, and I believe this could have been toned down.
Poor Amelia waited to be called all through the book!
Parallel to this, she get to make the acquaintance of her neighbor, Mickey. Their relationship was a long and a slow building. It started as a neighbor to lovers, then verged toward a friends to lovers, to finish as an enemy to lovers trope. All of this mixed together. I loved their banter, they were bickering NON-STOP. It made me laugh, a lot! The building was really good, it served a purpose and we get to meet many versions of Mickey, hot blooded Irishman.
Protective, charming, good dad, seductive, short fused, jerk, friendly, smart arse, caring, jerk again, insecure, repentant, beast in the bedroom.
Oh yes, Mickey was all of the above.
Something I really enjoyed, and something this author never fails to write to a perfection are the sex scenes.
Mickey most definitely kept his promises, he wrecked her.
(Not my internal dialog, but I wholeheartedly agreed!)
Amelia comes from big money, she is trying to find a purpose, something she’s good at, something she would enjoy in life. She volunteers at a retiring home, she helps getting funds for the young boxing team, she makes new friends… She truly had the redeeming act to a T. We get to say Hi again to Josie, Jake, Alyssa…
A KA book wouldn’t be a KA book without a girl posse, and yes, Amelia had hers… Getting her a make-over, hence the shopping trips, clothes, new furniture… As in every KA book, you can expect the same level of over descriptiveness. Personally, I enjoy it, it really makes me "see" myself as the heroine, and that’s a very important fact in a romance book.
Moving, on, Amelia eventually wins her kids back, I thought maybe this part was a bit rushed… They were definitively hating her, but all of sudden she was their favorite thing in the world, going from a zero talking policy to a sweet and friendly relationship… They didn’t think of sharing what was happening to them, but as in many families, a good Thanksgiving meal solved it all.
And we just reached the part where I think the book dragged… The last 20% could have been easily cut from the book. Nothing of interest is happening, or at least, nothing meaningful to the story.
Overall I really liked this story, some parts I truly LOVED, KA knows best, and she really did a great job with some good angst, the push and pull between the main characters, and I honestly think you cannot NOT like Amelia. She was strong, determined, the absolute opposite to a door mat. Only KA would insist on the fact that she (Amelia) wouldn’t let it get to her that her kids, friends, family kept on ignoring her, and this really hurt ME.
The family and friendship as usual were perfectly written, and it’s one of the few things I love about this author, it’s her way to make you feel part of the family.
A little friendly warning, you’re going to read a Kristen Ashley’s book, so you either got to have dinner/lunch/huge breakfast already, or have a snack ready on the side while reading this, because this book will get you hungry! I wish I was kidding but I am not. :)
That’s the question I asked myself when I finished Soaring. Don’t get me wrong, Soaring was a beautiful read, I enjoyed most of it, and even teared up. No, I’m asking myself this question because some things in the book really felt repetitive and maybe formulaic for her to write. (Aha!) I’m usually rejoicing for long (LOOOONG) KA’s books but this one, I must admit, dragged a bit.
I waited for this book for months, you could say I was eager to start it, and eagerly I read the book in 1 day, more or less.
Eager because I knew the characters would be older than usual, KA being one of the few that doesn’t hesitate writing about lovers above 30 years, eager to get absorbed in KA awesomeness, eager to add a new very alpha male to my collection… Damn but I was ready to meet Mickey!
“He was built. He was rough. And he was gorgeous. Men from Maine. Who knew?”
Soaring, if you haven’t read The Will yet, is not set differently, meaning this is a story about an older woman, who’s seeking peace and wants to start her life anew.
Youngsters, I’m not trying to scare you, older doesn’t necessary mean old like Yetta, who the fuck is Yetta? Youngsters, this is Yetta and she is awesome :
No, we’re talking mature old. In your 40’s old. Not that I would call a woman this age old. (Get off my back, older women, alright?) Amelia is 47 and Mickey is 48.
Anyway.
This is the story about Amelia Hathaway, she seeks a new beginning, she made mistakes, huge ones as it appears, and wants to get a new life for her kids’ sake and for her own.
She had a bad marriage, got cheated on, lost her children, and has lost any purpose in life. It’s time for her to get her act together, and that’s when she decides to move to Magdalene, Maine. To be closer to her kids.
She wants a new start with them, and maybe she wants a try at happiness too.
“And maybe I was insane to hope.
But the idea of losing hope terrified me to extremes.
So I hoped.
Living right across her street is Mickey Donovan. Hold on. Mickey Donovan. Donovan. As in Irish Hotness Donovan? Yeah. You get that right, right on time (almost) for St Patrick’s day, KA delivers her new alpha, an Irishman at that.
I bet KA fans, wouldn’t need more infos and would just dive in. But let me tell you a little bit more about Mickey.
“And those eyes. Those eyes that were angry now but I knew with one look they could be many different things. They could be warm. They could laugh. They could be frustrated. They could be impatient. They could be determined. They could be joyful. They could be heated. And I knew with that one look I wanted to see those eyes every way they could be.
…But most of all, in that moment, I found myself wanting, in a myriad of ways, to make those beautiful blue eyes HEATED.”
Do I need to spell it out for you? Irish Alpha Badass Firefighter boxer in his spare time. What can be better than this, I’m asking you?
“Mickey Donovan. The Irishman. Total score.”
He’s a single dad, he’s been burned by his ex-wife as well, he’s very protective of his kids, he works in construction and is a volunteer firefighter.
First part of the story focuses on Amelia’s plan to get her kids back. Her relationship with them is non-existent, she has to build everything back. Those moments were hard to read, Kristen Ashley really pulled all the strings to make me cry. It was hard and I found myself saying out loud "FFS someone gives these kids a shake their mother can’t be that huge of a monster!"
It was truly heartbreaking, and maybe a bit exaggerated. I was expecting the reason for their behavior to be unforgivable, but not quite. Amelia acted like most of women would have, and I believe this could have been toned down.
Poor Amelia waited to be called all through the book!
Parallel to this, she get to make the acquaintance of her neighbor, Mickey. Their relationship was a long and a slow building. It started as a neighbor to lovers, then verged toward a friends to lovers, to finish as an enemy to lovers trope. All of this mixed together. I loved their banter, they were bickering NON-STOP. It made me laugh, a lot! The building was really good, it served a purpose and we get to meet many versions of Mickey, hot blooded Irishman.
“You need to get checked. You clearly have an overabundance of testosterone in a way it’s harmful to your health. The harmful part to your health is ME murdering YOU.”
“You take me out, it’s back to that toy in your nightstand and I’m thinkin’ you don’t want that.”
Protective, charming, good dad, seductive, short fused, jerk, friendly, smart arse, caring, jerk again, insecure, repentant, beast in the bedroom.
Oh yes, Mickey was all of the above.
“I’ll warn you, might make me crazy, might make me a dick, don’t give a shit, but I get off on goin’ head to head with you. So if you feel like keepin’ your gloves up, baby, bring it. ‘Cause I know after doin’ it for a while and then gettin’ that kiss from you, you keep doin’ it, when I finally fuck you it’s gonna WRECK YOU.”
Something I really enjoyed, and something this author never fails to write to a perfection are the sex scenes.
Mickey most definitely kept his promises, he wrecked her.
“I wanted to be wrecked.
I wanted to be wrecked by Mickey.
Needed it.”
(Not my internal dialog, but I wholeheartedly agreed!)
“I was soaring, arching, moaning, shuddering and coming.”
Amelia comes from big money, she is trying to find a purpose, something she’s good at, something she would enjoy in life. She volunteers at a retiring home, she helps getting funds for the young boxing team, she makes new friends… She truly had the redeeming act to a T. We get to say Hi again to Josie, Jake, Alyssa…
“This is just Mickey being a good guy.”
“Bet, you go ver there with cleavage, his good guy will get better.”
A KA book wouldn’t be a KA book without a girl posse, and yes, Amelia had hers… Getting her a make-over, hence the shopping trips, clothes, new furniture… As in every KA book, you can expect the same level of over descriptiveness. Personally, I enjoy it, it really makes me "see" myself as the heroine, and that’s a very important fact in a romance book.
Moving, on, Amelia eventually wins her kids back, I thought maybe this part was a bit rushed… They were definitively hating her, but all of sudden she was their favorite thing in the world, going from a zero talking policy to a sweet and friendly relationship… They didn’t think of sharing what was happening to them, but as in many families, a good Thanksgiving meal solved it all.
And we just reached the part where I think the book dragged… The last 20% could have been easily cut from the book. Nothing of interest is happening, or at least, nothing meaningful to the story.
Overall I really liked this story, some parts I truly LOVED, KA knows best, and she really did a great job with some good angst, the push and pull between the main characters, and I honestly think you cannot NOT like Amelia. She was strong, determined, the absolute opposite to a door mat. Only KA would insist on the fact that she (Amelia) wouldn’t let it get to her that her kids, friends, family kept on ignoring her, and this really hurt ME.
The family and friendship as usual were perfectly written, and it’s one of the few things I love about this author, it’s her way to make you feel part of the family.
A little friendly warning, you’re going to read a Kristen Ashley’s book, so you either got to have dinner/lunch/huge breakfast already, or have a snack ready on the side while reading this, because this book will get you hungry! I wish I was kidding but I am not. :)
March 25, 2015
4 STARS
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I’ve been waiting for this book for-freaking-ever. Needless to say Kristen Ashley is one of my go-to, favorite authors. And The Will, which is the first book in the Magdalene series was absolutely fantastic. So where does that leave us here?
Soaring is book two, and definitely in second place. While I really liked the story, I found the delivery a bit slow and uneventful. I didn’t dislike it in any way… in fact quite the opposite. But it just didn’t have that certain joie de vie that was overflowing in The Will.
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This is Mickey Donovan’s story. Our lovely pin-up fireman from Magdalene. His painful divorce has left him struggling as a single Dad in small-town Maine where he grew up. The pickings are slim in a town like this, where everyone knows everyone else’s business, and there are so few single people in the dating pool.
Then someone new blows into town, right across the street. A woman whose ex is chewing her a new one, right at the front door of her own home. Sounds like something to steer clear of… or maybe not.
”I don’t shit where I live.”
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Amelia Hathaway had come in search of a new start in life. A new beginning. And she must make amends for her past mistakes. She has come to Maine to be near her kids, who she lost in her divorce. But in doing so, she also had to follow her cheating ex-husband and his new wife. But she must make things right, she must earn back their love and trust. It is pertinent to her survival.
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But things didn’t go so well in the beginning. At least she didn’t think so. But he all too unpleasant reunion with her ex-husband has brought a new face into her field of view.
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A face that is not too hard on the eyes. But she soon finds that all of her hopes are just that… hopes.
“He didn't need me in his life.
I didn't even like me in my life.
Alas, I couldn't escape me.”
But she does find she has made some new and valuable friends in her new town. Friends that will change her life forever.
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“I was no longer young.
"But I'm not dead yet,”
Mickey and Amy don’t have an easy go of it. In fact they don’t get along too well at all in the beginning. They both have major hurdles to overcome in their lives before they start seeing each other and the potential they have together.
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He started moving even as he threw a return smile over his shoulder at the same time he shot an arrow straight through my heart.
The family dynamics are at the forefront for most of the book. His kids… her kids… drama drama… drama… yes, just like real-life. So much so that it get a bit boring at times.
I wanted a man who would demonstrate he wanted me so much, he’d do anything to have a shot with me.
He’d buy me a drink.
He’d walk over and speak to me.
He wouldn’t give one thought to “shitting where he lived” because he was my neighbor. Instead he’d throw caution to the wind just for a chance to be with me.
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But in the end, I really liked Amy. She was a bit of a doormat in the beginning, but really found herself again, and most importantly she learned how to fight for what she wanted.
"I love fight night."
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”You give good date. You give fuckin’ awesome holiday.”
Mickey was a bit of a dick most of the time. And for some reason, he just didn’t give back quite enough good to win me back. I did end up liking him, don’t get me wrong. But he was no Jake Spears if you know what I mean. He was always a bit distant with a wall of protection around his feelings. I felt like Amelia was always putting herself on the line with no guarantee. Sound familiar?
”No.”
“You see, in three months, you’ve made me feel unattractive, undesirable, unwanted, and unneeded and it took two decades for Conrad to make me feel all that.”
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Of course all’s well that ends well as these stories mostly go. But this one was long and mostly uneventful. The kids were cute and endearing, but took up waaaay too much of the story…. which I guess, is typical of any middle-aged person’s ‘real’ life. I’ve got enough of that in my own life… don’t want to read about the teenage drama too! “Waiter… where’s my wine?”
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Mickey was it for me. He had my heart in a way I never wanted it back, not even if he didn’t want it anymore.
Anyway, enough said. Liked it… a lot. Didn’t LOVE it. But the bar was set high, so this must be taken into consideration. I am really looking forward to Coert’s book. There was a little preview in the book, and I see some serious “ANGST” ahead… can’t wait. I’ll be looking out for book three when it get’s here!
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”Flash,” he whispered.
“What?” I asked sleepily but still managed to inject tartly.
“Of really fuckin’ happy.”
I wasn’t going to cry. I was NOT going to cry.
I didn’t cry. I pushed up even closer, kissed my guy’s throat and whispered, “Night, honey.”
“Night, Amy.”
I closed my eyes, settled into Mickey, and experiencing my own flash, I fell asleep.
I’ve been waiting for this book for-freaking-ever. Needless to say Kristen Ashley is one of my go-to, favorite authors. And The Will, which is the first book in the Magdalene series was absolutely fantastic. So where does that leave us here?
Soaring is book two, and definitely in second place. While I really liked the story, I found the delivery a bit slow and uneventful. I didn’t dislike it in any way… in fact quite the opposite. But it just didn’t have that certain joie de vie that was overflowing in The Will.
This is Mickey Donovan’s story. Our lovely pin-up fireman from Magdalene. His painful divorce has left him struggling as a single Dad in small-town Maine where he grew up. The pickings are slim in a town like this, where everyone knows everyone else’s business, and there are so few single people in the dating pool.
Then someone new blows into town, right across the street. A woman whose ex is chewing her a new one, right at the front door of her own home. Sounds like something to steer clear of… or maybe not.
”I don’t shit where I live.”
Amelia Hathaway had come in search of a new start in life. A new beginning. And she must make amends for her past mistakes. She has come to Maine to be near her kids, who she lost in her divorce. But in doing so, she also had to follow her cheating ex-husband and his new wife. But she must make things right, she must earn back their love and trust. It is pertinent to her survival.
But things didn’t go so well in the beginning. At least she didn’t think so. But he all too unpleasant reunion with her ex-husband has brought a new face into her field of view.
A face that is not too hard on the eyes. But she soon finds that all of her hopes are just that… hopes.
“He didn't need me in his life.
I didn't even like me in my life.
Alas, I couldn't escape me.”
But she does find she has made some new and valuable friends in her new town. Friends that will change her life forever.
“I was no longer young.
"But I'm not dead yet,”
Mickey and Amy don’t have an easy go of it. In fact they don’t get along too well at all in the beginning. They both have major hurdles to overcome in their lives before they start seeing each other and the potential they have together.
He started moving even as he threw a return smile over his shoulder at the same time he shot an arrow straight through my heart.
The family dynamics are at the forefront for most of the book. His kids… her kids… drama drama… drama… yes, just like real-life. So much so that it get a bit boring at times.
I wanted a man who would demonstrate he wanted me so much, he’d do anything to have a shot with me.
He’d buy me a drink.
He’d walk over and speak to me.
He wouldn’t give one thought to “shitting where he lived” because he was my neighbor. Instead he’d throw caution to the wind just for a chance to be with me.
But in the end, I really liked Amy. She was a bit of a doormat in the beginning, but really found herself again, and most importantly she learned how to fight for what she wanted.
"I love fight night."
”You give good date. You give fuckin’ awesome holiday.”
Mickey was a bit of a dick most of the time. And for some reason, he just didn’t give back quite enough good to win me back. I did end up liking him, don’t get me wrong. But he was no Jake Spears if you know what I mean. He was always a bit distant with a wall of protection around his feelings. I felt like Amelia was always putting herself on the line with no guarantee. Sound familiar?
”No.”
“You see, in three months, you’ve made me feel unattractive, undesirable, unwanted, and unneeded and it took two decades for Conrad to make me feel all that.”
Of course all’s well that ends well as these stories mostly go. But this one was long and mostly uneventful. The kids were cute and endearing, but took up waaaay too much of the story…. which I guess, is typical of any middle-aged person’s ‘real’ life. I’ve got enough of that in my own life… don’t want to read about the teenage drama too! “Waiter… where’s my wine?”
Mickey was it for me. He had my heart in a way I never wanted it back, not even if he didn’t want it anymore.
Anyway, enough said. Liked it… a lot. Didn’t LOVE it. But the bar was set high, so this must be taken into consideration. I am really looking forward to Coert’s book. There was a little preview in the book, and I see some serious “ANGST” ahead… can’t wait. I’ll be looking out for book three when it get’s here!
”Flash,” he whispered.
“What?” I asked sleepily but still managed to inject tartly.
“Of really fuckin’ happy.”
I wasn’t going to cry. I was NOT going to cry.
I didn’t cry. I pushed up even closer, kissed my guy’s throat and whispered, “Night, honey.”
“Night, Amy.”
I closed my eyes, settled into Mickey, and experiencing my own flash, I fell asleep.
March 20, 2015
5 SOARING STARS
“…falling in love didn’t feel like falling. It felt like soaring.”
This book has all that is wonderful about Kristen Ashley. If you are KA fan, you will LOVE this book. I’m soaring!!!
It's been a while since I've read KA so this was like visiting a BFF. It was so easy to kick back, grab a glass of wine, have a few laughs and feel great. Yes, it was long but we know KA is and there was a lot of detail to every scene but it's KA so what else would you expect? But in all, this was a beautiful tale of two families coming together...
and navigating the danger zones of the past, the bumps in the road of the present and paving the way for the future.
Mickey Donovan was your classic KA Alpha. I really liked him even though he had his moments.
But who grabbed my heart was Amelia Hathaway. LOVED her. Yes, she wasn’t perfect but fuck, who is? She was human and she was no doormat. She was just so entertaining and endearing.
I felt EVERYTHING in this story and had a blast even with the sad moments when Amelia couldn't catch a break. And of course, the chemistry between Mickey and Amy was sizzling and their bickering was a hilarious and a total turn on!
“I wanted to be wrecked. I wanted to be wrecked by Mickey. Needed it.”
“No safer place than in my arms and when you’re here, Amy, you can give me anything.”
“The mistakes we make in life don’t define us, Amy. The way we handle ‘em after makin’ ‘em do.”
“You like fight night?” he rumbled low.
“Oh yeah,” I gasped. “You always gonna want your fight night fuck?” “Absolutely,” I breathed.
“Jesus, you’re a smartass.”
“Bitching about me being a smartass is not fucking me, Mickey.”
“…falling in love didn’t feel like falling. It felt like soaring.”
This book has all that is wonderful about Kristen Ashley. If you are KA fan, you will LOVE this book. I’m soaring!!!
It's been a while since I've read KA so this was like visiting a BFF. It was so easy to kick back, grab a glass of wine, have a few laughs and feel great. Yes, it was long but we know KA is and there was a lot of detail to every scene but it's KA so what else would you expect? But in all, this was a beautiful tale of two families coming together...
and navigating the danger zones of the past, the bumps in the road of the present and paving the way for the future.
Mickey Donovan was your classic KA Alpha. I really liked him even though he had his moments.
But who grabbed my heart was Amelia Hathaway. LOVED her. Yes, she wasn’t perfect but fuck, who is? She was human and she was no doormat. She was just so entertaining and endearing.
I felt EVERYTHING in this story and had a blast even with the sad moments when Amelia couldn't catch a break. And of course, the chemistry between Mickey and Amy was sizzling and their bickering was a hilarious and a total turn on!
“I wanted to be wrecked. I wanted to be wrecked by Mickey. Needed it.”
“No safer place than in my arms and when you’re here, Amy, you can give me anything.”
“The mistakes we make in life don’t define us, Amy. The way we handle ‘em after makin’ ‘em do.”
“You like fight night?” he rumbled low.
“Oh yeah,” I gasped. “You always gonna want your fight night fuck?” “Absolutely,” I breathed.
“Jesus, you’re a smartass.”
“Bitching about me being a smartass is not fucking me, Mickey.”
May 3, 2015
Wow that was a long one. I guess I shouldn't be surprised right. KA books are normally long.
I enjoyed it but found it a tiny bit predictable. And as much as I enjoy the way KA describes every beautiful detail of places, people and things I found myself thinking a little less would have been better.
Minor details. :) I love all things Kristen Ashley So I will be looking forward to the conclusion of the Magdalene series with Coert's story.
Full review to come.
I enjoyed it but found it a tiny bit predictable. And as much as I enjoy the way KA describes every beautiful detail of places, people and things I found myself thinking a little less would have been better.
Minor details. :) I love all things Kristen Ashley So I will be looking forward to the conclusion of the Magdalene series with Coert's story.
Full review to come.
March 19, 2015
5 Flash Stars
I was so excited to read this book after falling for Mickey Donovan in The Will. Once again Kristen Ashley did not disappoint. It's a simple life in Magdalene. I love the simplicity of peoples lives there and the only threat being that of drama not real danger. And since KA drama is so fun to read, bring it on.
The story of Mickey and Amelia truly embodies easy love. There's a connection, you feel it between them and you feel it for them thanks to KA's unique and beautiful storytelling. KA takes through a gambit of emotions as you learn the beauty of Mickey and Amelia separately building up to an explosion of passion between the two. It takes a minute to get there but once you're there she gives it all she has.
Mickey Donovan, ladies. Mickey freaking Donovan. KA alpha extraordinaire. Trust me.
There were a lot of funny moments for me in Soaring. The banter between these two kept me laughing. The children in this book are funny and as with any KA kids they're crucial to the plot. Themes of family and overcoming your own mistakes and love with judgement are prevalent.
I've gotten in the habit of saying one line in all my reviews of Kristen Ashley's work:
Kristen Ashley makes the ordinary, extraordinary.
And that's not less true for Soaring. A KA MUST READ.
December 18, 2015
This is like diving into a warm pool, welcoming and all consuming in its comforting perfection. It feels like a throwback to Kristen Ashley’s earlier books. Long, sweeping, and enthralling. Gah! I know I’m gushing, but I just can’t help myself. The all-consuming alpha male is KA’s masterpiece. She knows how to write it and she never fails to up her game with the men she creates. Mickey has been added to my short list of book boyfriends for sure.
Soaring is all about a woman that took a ride on the crazy train and is working her way back into redemption. It was a refreshing to read a book where the heroine is flawed. Amelia Hathaway was broken by a man and decided that being petty, bitter, and using any opportunity to lash out was the way to go. Even at the expense of her kids. She has moved to this small town of Magdalene to try and restore her relationship with her kids and get herself together. Taking a good hard look in the mirror is a difficult thing to do, and taking ownership for bad decisions can be even harder. Amelia will take her hits and learn to be better.
Mickey Donovan is a single dad who makes sure his kids always come first. He is the kind of guy that will have you swooning. He’s a door opening, chivalrous, sexy, swaggering, hard working, straight-talking piece of alpha male goodness! (Is it hot in here?)
From friends, to avoidance, to kinda-sorta enemies, to ‘OMG need you now!’ is the best way to describe these two. I loved every moment Amelia and Mickey were together.
Ultimately, for me, this was Amelia’s story. I was tearing up over and over again with her. The feelings of being alone, undeserving and of embarrassment is heartbreaking. There is just something so moving about watching a person’s emotional growth and self discovery. The poignancy of Amelia’s need to create her own space is beautiful and powerful.
A Soaring 5 star read for the second installment in the Magdalene series.
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Soaring is all about a woman that took a ride on the crazy train and is working her way back into redemption. It was a refreshing to read a book where the heroine is flawed. Amelia Hathaway was broken by a man and decided that being petty, bitter, and using any opportunity to lash out was the way to go. Even at the expense of her kids. She has moved to this small town of Magdalene to try and restore her relationship with her kids and get herself together. Taking a good hard look in the mirror is a difficult thing to do, and taking ownership for bad decisions can be even harder. Amelia will take her hits and learn to be better.
Mickey Donovan is a single dad who makes sure his kids always come first. He is the kind of guy that will have you swooning. He’s a door opening, chivalrous, sexy, swaggering, hard working, straight-talking piece of alpha male goodness! (Is it hot in here?)
From friends, to avoidance, to kinda-sorta enemies, to ‘OMG need you now!’ is the best way to describe these two. I loved every moment Amelia and Mickey were together.
Ultimately, for me, this was Amelia’s story. I was tearing up over and over again with her. The feelings of being alone, undeserving and of embarrassment is heartbreaking. There is just something so moving about watching a person’s emotional growth and self discovery. The poignancy of Amelia’s need to create her own space is beautiful and powerful.
A Soaring 5 star read for the second installment in the Magdalene series.
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August 2, 2017
I’ve had this book on my kindle since the day it released. It’s a long book, you know what’s longer? The AUDIO version. YUP I listened to all 22 hours of this baby.
Listening to Soaring is like running a marathon. You go into it really strong. You feel like you can defeat it, but towards the middle you get really tired and you want to quit, but you keep on telling yourself you can do it! Then when you are about to quit, towards the end you get your second wind and you feel like you are on top of the world when you finish.
Soaring wasn’t an easy book to listen to, correction, the actual listening part like the narrator was AMAZING! She was the EXACT person I imagined for Amelia. It was the actual book I struggled at times with.
The beginning was great. I got a sense of Amelia’s situation and I felt for her. Was I too keen that she was an heiress with flaws? Not really. Did I like that her kids were horrible to her? No. Did I like that this was kind of a redemption book? Yes.
I love Kristen Ashely’s writing style, but it’s like what a lot of the reviewers say, the book was kind of boring. There are some good parts and that is why I stuck with it, but I mostly put the book on as background noise while I worked. It wasn’t one of those books where you really wanted to go back to.
It took me several months to finish this sucker, but in the end I am glad I did.
AMAZON - http://amzn.to/1bc6ZQl
Listening to Soaring is like running a marathon. You go into it really strong. You feel like you can defeat it, but towards the middle you get really tired and you want to quit, but you keep on telling yourself you can do it! Then when you are about to quit, towards the end you get your second wind and you feel like you are on top of the world when you finish.
Soaring wasn’t an easy book to listen to, correction, the actual listening part like the narrator was AMAZING! She was the EXACT person I imagined for Amelia. It was the actual book I struggled at times with.
The beginning was great. I got a sense of Amelia’s situation and I felt for her. Was I too keen that she was an heiress with flaws? Not really. Did I like that her kids were horrible to her? No. Did I like that this was kind of a redemption book? Yes.
I love Kristen Ashely’s writing style, but it’s like what a lot of the reviewers say, the book was kind of boring. There are some good parts and that is why I stuck with it, but I mostly put the book on as background noise while I worked. It wasn’t one of those books where you really wanted to go back to.
It took me several months to finish this sucker, but in the end I am glad I did.
AMAZON - http://amzn.to/1bc6ZQl
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