4 Star Review by Lisa Kane
"Aundrea, I was taught when you find the person you're meant to be with, you should do everything in your power to keep them. Spend every day of your life proving to them that they're worth it. You're always by my side, helping me, wanting to protect me, and showing me that I can be the best man possible."
At the end of What's Left of Me I was a snotty, ugly mess. Truly, that book just about did me in. Parker and Aundrea got a happily for now ending and I could breath again! So I wondered what this book would do to me. Thankfully, while there are some angsty, heartbreaking moments, my kindle remained safe in my hands and not against the wall.
Aundrea and Parker have been married for several years. Aundrea is almost finished earning her bachelor's degree in physics, volunteers with her friend Amy (a fellow survivor) at the Mayo Clinic and still works some hours at For the Love of Paws. (Parker and her brother in law Jason's veterinarian practice) Parker is as swoon worthy as ever. He surprises her for their first anniversary with a piece of paper to a very important purchase. He envisions them starting their lives together in their new house and filling it with their children. Parker is ready to start the next step in their lives-a baby.
Aundrea is a little freaked out (to say the least) by the thought of having a child. She can's physically carry one, but before she started treatment while she was a teen, she had her eggs frozen. But the thought of having a child and having either her cancer come back or her cardiomyopathy ending her life, terrifies her. She's not afraid of dying, she's afraid of leaving those she loves behind. If they had a child, not only would she be leaving Parker behind, but she would be leaving a child also, without a mother.
"Is it strange that getting the news my cancer was back, or that I was diagnosed with a life-long heart condition doesn't scare me, but having the most important person in my world share the news they want to have a baby with me does? It's not that I don't want a baby because I do. But..."
Surrogacy is a complicated, expensive process and this story explains the many steps in a way that makes it a little less confusing. This is a decision that they make together and a large part of this book is about their journey to become parents.
The cast of secondary characters; Genna and Jason (Aundrea's sister and her husband), Amy (her friend and fellow cancer survivor and her husband Brandon) Jean (her best friend and her boyfriend, Kevin¦) all add humor and support to the plot.
As if things weren't full of drama already, tragedy strikes and Aundrea is left devastated and reeling with shock. So much so that her physical well being is affected and poor Parker thinks the worse is happening. This poor guy is so in love with her that he has nightmares, terrible dreams about losing her. Considering all they have been through together in the last 3 years, and how his love has never waivered despite their obstacles, he is elevated to top book boyfriend material!
Will Parker and Aundrea ever have a child? How can they live with the fear that her health issues, her real life and death issues will separate them? When we love so deeply we leave ourselves open and bare and vulnerable. How do you do that without losing yourself and your sanity with all the unknowns?
"Aundrea, I fight for you every day. To have a life with you. A future. I want to give you everything I can."
I'm terrified.
Terrified I can't make all her dreams come true. Terrified I'll let her down. Terrified I'll lose her.
Once again, Ms. Maxlyn has written a beautiful, realistic story about one young couple's choice to live their lives to the fullest. They are determined to persevere, despite the obstacles in their path, to beat the odds against those things that threaten to keep them apart. Their emotional, heart filled journey will leave you teary eyed and content.
Aundrea laughs, then she turns serious as she looks at me. "I never thought my Mr. One Night Stand would become my future."
I pull her close. "And I'm not going anywhere."
To Read the Prologue and First Chapter - CLICK HERE
Life works in mysterious ways.
Four years ago I became known as the girl with cancer. I refuse to cry. And I refuse to give in. A relationship with a man is the last thing I’m looking for right now, but one night with Parker changes everything. He is persistent, and he knows what he wants. Me. He doesn’t treat me like I’m fragile. But he doesn’t know, and I’m not ready to tell him. What if it changes everything? Tragedy found me when I was seventeen. Love found me when I was twenty-one. My name is Aundrea McCall, and this is my journey.
I am the mother of two little boys, married to the love of my life, and living in one of the smallest towns in Minnesota. When I’m not chasing or cleaning up after my boys (yes, all three), I can be found writing or snuggled up with my kindle, a glass of wine, and spending time with my fictional friends and family.
I am first and foremost an avid reader! I love to read anything romance from paranormal, young/new adult, contemporary, and even yes, (wide eyes) erotic/BDSM.
No comments:
Post a Comment