Review: Wrecked and Ruined Series by Aly Martinez

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

I met Sarah Kate Erickson when I was twenty-one years old. I was lucky enough to keep her for seven years before a tragic accident stole her from me. She didn’t die, but sometimes I think it would have been easier if she had.

I lived in a haze for those four years after the accident. Catering to her every need, even though she hated the very sight of my face. I tried to hold on to her and the future that we were supposed to build together. But you can’t hold on to someone that doesn’t exist anymore.

It wasn’t until I met Jesse Addison, a barista at the local coffee shop, that I realized I didn’t just lose Sarah that tragic night, I lost myself as well. Jesse taught me how to let go of the past and learn to love again. But what happens when your past haunts your present and the woman you used to love refuses to accept the woman you can’t live without?

**Intended for readers 18+. Each book in this series can be read as a standalone.**

4 Smoldering Stars

 

Review by Jen Hagen

 

I have had Changing Course on my Kindle since February and did not realize that there was another book in the series coming out until it was released this week.  I figured now was a good time to check out what the story is about, and if you have Changing Course hiding on your Kindle bring it to the front of the line and read it. 

 

Brett and Sarah were the epitome of a perfect couple.  They had humor, playfulness and competitiveness along with lots of love and respect for each other in their relationship.  They have given been together for 12 years and after 4 years of dating they were married, but for the past 4 years Brett has been married only on paper.  For all intents and purposes, he lost his wife the night of a car accident that claimed the life of her best friend.  All that remains of Sarah is the body of the woman he used to love – the person she used to be no longer exists.  Sarah is now withdrawn, moody, mean, and full of hate.  Brett  keeps hoping a glimmer of the previous Sarah will emerge through all the darkness.

 

I miss my wife, even though she is sitting directly in front of me.  I can’t reach out and hold her like I so badly long to.  She won’t even let me touch her anymore.

 

Jesse is a waitress at a coffee shop – the same coffee shop where Detective Brett Sharp and his partner come for breakfast Monday through Thursday.  And the reason they don’t come on Friday?  Jesse doesn’t work on Fridays.  Brett likes Jesse but isn’t comfortable seeking out anybody while he is still married.  Jesse is timid but has a vibrant roommate who is able to convince Jesse to step out of her comfort zone and ask Brett out.  Their initial date doesn’t go well but their interaction following that progresses to a comfortable friendship and it is easy to see that they would be a great couple, but Brett can’t forget that he is married and has responsibilities to Sarah. 

 

“I’m sorry about all of this, I truly am.  Please believe me, and think about I’ve said.  I can’t promise you anything more than tomorrow, but maybe one day, the fog will disappear leaving only sunny days ahead.”

 

Jesse and Brett go back and forth in this relationship/non-relationship status.  Jesse is willing to give all of herself to Brett, but Brett holds back knowing that he is committed to Sarah.   Sarah is the unspoken elephant in the room and can Jesse and Brett be classified as a couple knowing that he is a married man?

 

I have an obligation to her.  I married her once. I vowed for better or worse, but I didn’t just get worse.  I got nonexistent.  My Sarah is gone, but that doesn’t release me from my responsibilities to her though.

 

Can Jesse continue to live in Sarah’s shadow or will she force Brett to make a decision choosing either his past or his future?  Can Brett let go of the past?

 

I was completely shocked by the amount of emotions I felt while reading this.  While part of me was cheering for the old days of Brett and Sarah and hoping beyond hope that she would miraculously revert back to old Sarah, the other part of me was screaming “cut your losses” and move on!  Brett was a saint for taking his marriage vows so seriously and maintaining some semblance of normalcy between he and Sarah.  The second book will be based on Caleb whose fiancé was killed in the car crash.  Caleb still carries around a lot of anger and hatred towards Sarah as it is likely she was the driver of that crash, although no proof was ever established based on contradicting reports.  Caleb and Brett have had their share of differences over the wreck and the fact that Sarah survived, but underneath Caleb’s anger is a hurting man who cannot move past the deep love he felt for his fiancée. 

I fell in love with Manda Baker eight years ago, and I loved her to the core of her soul. We were supposed to have that elusive happily ever after and spend a lifetime together. But that was all before she was STOLEN from me.

Her best friend, Sarah Erickson, killed her. It wasn’t intentional. It was far worse. Everyone claims it was just an accident, but I can see through the lies. Even if it’s with my dying breath, I will make her pay for what she did.

Fate hates me. It robbed me of my first love and left me to navigate through this world emotionless and numb. Then, one day, spiteful fate gave me a woman to fill my shattered soul and make me feel again. It gave me Emma Jane Erickson. Now I spend my days searching for the answers that will ruin Sarah and my nights falling in love with her sister—the one person who is bound and determined to save her.

But what happens when everything you know to be true explodes around you? Who will be left to pick up the pieces, and who will need to be saved from the wreckage?



4.25 Wonderful Stars!

Review by Jen Hagen

 

Caleb’s life was destroyed the night that his fiancée was killed in a car accident 5 years ago.  Caleb and Manda had been together for 3 years and had been engaged for 6 months.  They constantly fought as to when they would get married, with Manda being content to never marry.  The night of the accident was another instance of Caleb wanting a definitive answer and Manda wanting to talk about it when she got home…she never made it home.   The night of the accident still leaves Caleb wanting answers as to the cause and why there are disputes as to who was driving the car?  Was it Manda?  Or was it Sarah, her best friend?   Sarah and her husband, Brett, had their story featured in "Changing Course," but now it’s time to hear from Caleb.

 

Caleb feels a lot of hate towards Sarah.  In fact, I don’t think hate is a strong enough word for what he feels.  Her name is like venom flowing through his veins.  Just the mere mention of her name reminds him of what he’s lost. 

 

Manda was stolen from me.  Stolen from herself…She lost her life, and it’s all Sarah Erickson’s fault.

 

"Stolen Course" picks up where "Changing Course" ended.  Sarah is hospitalized for mental evaluation following her little stunt she pulled with Brett.  Sarah has a younger sister, Emma, who moved away a few years ago after realizing that she couldn’t watch Sarah self destruct anymore.  Emma will be returning to make certain that she is available to Sarah and wants to help Sarah find her way out of the darkness that has enveloped her for the past 5 years. 

 

Caleb has taken it upon himself to give status reports concerning Sarah’s medical stay to Emma, as Emma has gone back home to pack up her things.  With their nightly calls Caleb and Emma have developed an easy flirtatious friendship and both of them are looking forward to when Emma moves back and they can see where this new-found friendship will take them.   One thing remains the same though – Caleb’s intense hatred for Emma’s sister.

 

"Sarah, I’m going to destroy you the same way you did me, even if it’s the last thing I do in this life."

 

How can one even begin to start a relationship when there is such pain evolving around Sarah when the reason Emma returned is for Sarah?  Their relationship is doomed before it even had a chance to begin.  Can they call a truce when it comes to Sarah?

 

"Something is going on here, and I know you feel it too.  I want this.  I want to see where it goes and what we can be together."

 

Caleb is determined to put Sarah behind bars for her actions that night.  He has a box of evidence including photos that he studies relentlessly trying to find the one clue that will put the case to rest.  Caleb cannot let go until he finds his answer.  Will his determination to find answers be the final roadblock that pushes Emma away from him?

 

"Love me more than you hate her.  Please."

 

Caleb is a tough man inside and out.  He has a difficult time conveying his thoughts without sounding like a complete asshole, but yet my eyes held many tears for this man who had so much pain and hate holding him back from letting go and moving forward.   Caleb can fight dirty with his words, but yet he can make you forgive him in the next breath. The author threw in a few surprises for the reader and oh what enjoyable angst it filled me with.

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