Challenge Corner discussion

Kacey Cleary’s whole life imploded four years ago in a drunk-driving accident. Now she’s working hard to bury the pieces left behind—all but one. Her little sister, Livie. Kacey can swallow the constant disapproval from her born-again aunt Darla over her self-destructive lifestyle; she can stop herself from going kick-boxer crazy on Uncle Raymond when he loses the girls’ college funds at a blackjack table. She just needs to keep it together until Livie is no longer a minor, and then they can get the hell out of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

But when Uncle Raymond slides into bed next to Livie one night, Kacey decides it’s time to run. Armed with two bus tickets and dreams of living near the coast, Kacey and Livie start their new lives in a Miami apartment complex, complete with a grumpy landlord, a pervert upstairs, and a neighbor with a stage name perfectly matched to her chosen “profession.” But Kacey’s not worried. She can handle all of them. What she can’t handle is Trent Emerson in apartment 1D.

Kacey doesn’t want to feel. She doesn’t. It’s safer that way. For everyone. But sexy Trent finds a way into her numb heart, reigniting her ability to love again. She starts to believe that maybe she can leave the past where it belongs and start over. Maybe she’s not beyond repair.

But Kacey isn’t the only one who’s broken. Seemingly perfect Trent has an unforgiveable past of his own; one that, when discovered, will shatter Kacey’s newly constructed life and send her back into suffocating darkness.

Is it okay to start this a little early?!

Anyone else reading this ?

We moved it to May, but since we had it originally started in March, you can go ahead and read it now.

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RESTARTING SEPTEMBER 22nd, 2023

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Prologue- Chapter 3: (view spoiler)[So far, I am not really a huge fan of this one but I sympathise with Kacey and Livie for all that they've lost. Lizie is a bit too goody two shoes for me wanting to go back to her aunt and uncle and not finding fault in anyone. I am liking the friendship between them and Storm, Livie is genuinely fond of spending time with Mia. Curious to see what Trent's scandalous past is and what is he running from (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 4-6: (view spoiler)[I want to find out what exactly happened to Kacey and her parents so badly because the way she reacts to anyone touching her arms is so unnatural, I can't even think of the trauma she must have went through. I do not like that Storm always keeps persuading her to become a stripper, it worked for her that doesn't mean everyone should give it a chance. Trent sometimes seems like a stalker to me the way he keeps watching Kacey but I understand I am meant to find it sweet and carigh ugh (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 7-11: (view spoiler)[Kacey's pain is enormous, not only did she lose her parents , her boyfriend and best friend were in the car as well. I am highly suspicious that the remaining survivor from the other car could be Trent and he feels some sort of guilt over the accident. So far that's the only theory I can come up with. Storm's ex husband is the worst kind of scum and I am happy that she has got Dan now, I did like the guy honestly. I feel like Trent overstepped with sitting in during the support group meeting , he had no right to do so (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 12-16: (view spoiler)[I KNEW IT I knew Trent was the last survivor. Him disappearing that way after Kacey revealed she was adamant on never wanting to meet Cole made him look hella suspicious and I am not a fan of him rn, he lied straight through his teeth to Kacey , just had this grand idea in his head that this was the way to help her yikes. I know Kacey would obviously eventually forgive him for it all but I don't like this tbh. I can't even imagine how betrayed and heartbroken she must be feeling rn, I just want to find out how Trent/Cole knew she was moving to Miami (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ I surely felt uncomfortable with the narrative of drunk driving being just a mistake for which everyone suffers, I mean it's a conscious decision on one's part to drive in an inebriated state putting themselves and everyone else at risk and I can't stand by it personally honestly. I did not like the fact that Kacey so easily excused whatever Trent did, stalking and following her, lying to her constantly and simply chalked it up to his guilt or whatever. This book wasn't for me honestly and I liked Storm and Dan's story much more than the main one (hide spoiler)]

I'll read this this month.

I plan to get this this one sometime next week.

Melanie wrote: "I plan to get this this one sometime next week."

We can push this one too if you want.

Ashlyn wrote: "Melanie wrote: "I plan to get this this one sometime next week."

We can push this one too if you want."

Sure. How about Dec. 20th?

Sounds good.

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RESTARTING DECEMBER 20TH, 2023

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Will start this next week.

Actually started this now 😂

Chapters 1-3 (view spoiler)[Well I wonder what this guy next door is up to. He seems nice, but definitely something creepy must be going on. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 4-8 (view spoiler)[I’m glad that Casey is opening up finally. And glad she can hold Trent’s hand. I have a feeling that Trent was the person who walked away from the car accident. (hide spoiler)]

Chapters 9-12 (view spoiler)[Well I’m glad that Trent wants her to get help. I still feel like he was the person who walked away. (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[I knew it!! I’m actually really happy with the ending and how she got help and forgave him. (hide spoiler)]

I will be picking this one up next week.

Read this tonight.

Chapters 1-6
(view spoiler)[
I'm really enjoying this so far. Kacey is a mess but it seems like she's found a good group of people and might start to get better? The connection between her and Trent so far is nice and I'm looking forward to seeing that develop.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 7-13
(view spoiler)[
I'm glad Kacey is starting to let people in but man do I have a feeling Trent is this Cole Reynolds who walked away from the accident. I don't know how she's going to take that.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapters 14-20
(view spoiler)[
Got to be honest, I don't love that Trent was Cole. I don't know, it feels too convenient. I'm glad Kacey is getting help because she definitely needs it. But since this is a romance it's going to end with her forgiving Trent and I just don't see that being realistic yet.
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 21 - Epilogue
(view spoiler)[
Ok I'm glad they didn't get back together right away, that helped with the believability. I did overall enjoy the book and the romance, it just feels like so much was crammed in at the end there.
(hide spoiler)]

I definitely want to continue with the series, I'm interested to see Livie grown up and finding love.