Review: In Spades by K. Pinson

Synopsis

Avalynn has been running from her past for a couple of years now....never very far but always extremely fast. With an alcoholic father, a void of a mother and a town full of gossip, she struggles to find her place in the world.The only thing that saved her on her path of self destruction is her beautiful little sister, her miracle. Desperately trying to save Abby from a life that Avalynn has been trying so hard to escape from, she plots to take Abby away.The plan going dangerously astray, leaving Avalynn beaten and broken in what once was the hallway mirror in her childhood home. Avalynn finally comes to in the hospital after nearly being beaten to death. Father-Dead, Mother-Missing, Abby-In foster care--Everything changing in the blink of an eye.

Avalynn immediately sets to work to get her life in order , receive custody of precious Abby and focusing every ounce of attention, giving Abby the the life she deserves. Avalynn, now a 22 year old Elementary School Teacher and New Mommy, struggling to raise a beautiful and feisty five year old whom was just diagnosed with Mild Autism Disorder. Lots of challenges for her to face in the midst. Avalynn is ready to go at them all head on if it means Abby is raised in a happy and healthy home. Abby is the only thing she cares about...not even caring about herself or her life...that is...until she meets him. The man that can shatter her entire world with one glance. Their relationship a roller coaster ride from start to finish. One that Avalynn never wants to get off of..but she may not have a choice. Her happily ever after coming to a screeching halt yet again. Heartbreak, love, loss and hope--This story has it all, In Spades.

4 star review

In Spades starts off with a scene that will rip your heart out. The person who is supposed to be there to love and protect Ava is the one that she needs protecting from.  Ava has had her share of heartache and pain.  Her childhood wasn't always a bad one, there were some good memories.  Until the day her father lost his job, began drinking and took his frustration and anger out on her and her mom.  Eventually Ava was able to escape it all when she ran away.  But when she found out that she had a sister named Abby, she refuses to let her go through the same pain and abuse that she went through.  She went home to save her and ended up being the one that needed to be saved.  She wakes up in a hospital bed and finds that her father has commited suicide and her mom is gone.  She is finally rid of the man who has scarred her, and now it is time for her to move forward, because she has a little sister that needs to be loved and protected.  She doesn't want her sister to have the childhood that she had.  She wants to give her sister a home filled with love and happiness, something that she didn't always have.  She fights for custody of her sister and wins.  

Ava worked hard to get her teaching degree and get custody of her sister.  But being young and a single "mom" and trying to make ends meet is a day to day struggle for her.  Her sister has been diagnosed with autism and has been having some issues in school.  It's a lot to handle for someone as young as Ava but she is a strong woman and will do whatever it takes.  She has been through worse in her life.  Right now Ava has what she needs to get by but is missing one thing and that is love.  Falling in love is just not in the cards right now, because right now everything is about Abby.  That is until she meets Daxton.

Ava works at a bar at night and Daxton is in the ban that plats there regularly.  Daxton is a hot and sexy musician so of course Ava notices him.  She isn't looking for love but she is still a woman.  But her first impression of Dax isn't exactly the best one, considering he has two girls occupying his time.  She decides that maybe giving in to her attraction to Dax isn't such a bad thing.  That maybe she needs to do something for herself just once, even if that something is a one stand with a hot musician.  But things become more than just sex for Dax and Ava.  She begins to see Dax as this caring, sweet and amazing man who also has a soft spot for her sister.  Things begin moving a little fast for Ava and Dax, and not matter how hard she tries to deny it, she is falling for him.  But is it too quick?  Can she trust Dax and how does she explain him to her sister?

Dax and Ava have a very sweet relationship.  Dax ends up being this amazing guy who is sweet and caring and wants to love and take care of Ava.  He's not the womanizer that he is made out to be in the beginning.  He accepts her sister in his life as well and is adorable with the little Avery.  He would do anything for the both of them. 

In Spades is the story of Ava and her little sister Avery and how she becomes a mother to the little girl that she loves more than anything in the world.  Ava is definitely a loveable character and I admire her strength and courage.  She is young but very determined and has taken on a lot of responsibility, that she handles like a champ.  I really enjoyed Dax and towards the end we got to know a little bit more about him.  In Spades is sweet and adorable and emotional at times.  You will fall in love with Ava and her little sister their relationships with Dax.  There are some twists and turns and an ending that will leave you staring at your e-reader wondering what happened, but it was definitely worth the read.  Cannot wait for the next one to see what happens!

I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.