Sunday, June 2, 2013

Review: Love Love by Beth Michele


Synopsis

Gabrielle Willis is smart. She's funny. And oh yes, she's a bit klutzy.

When Gabrielle left sunny California bound for the energy of Manhattan, she was willingly leaving the life she had known for the new life she would create. But was she really leaving something behind or was she running away?

On the outside, Gabrielle Willis has it all under control. A new life in Manhattan, a great roommate, and a good job. But she is haunted. Haunted by a memory she's tried to forget and by a family who's abandoned her. But what happens when what's on the outside is only an illusion and in perfect contradiction to what's buried deep within?

Enter Dane Rhodes. He's gorgeous, smart, and sexy as hell. Just what Gabby wants, or so she thinks. But when she meets Brad Dixon, the sweet guy with the crooked smile, he begins to make her see that the very thing she is trying to run from is the very thing that just may push her to see the light.


4 star review

It’s Gabrielle Willis’ college graduation day and all is perfect. As perfect as it can be for Gabby with her snotty mother’s belittling remarks and her apathetic father and his latest girlfriend. At least her best friend Fran is there and her boyfriend Clark is beside her. She and Clark have been together since she was a sophomore in high school. He is her first love and she knows he will be her last. After the party for her graduation, she and Clark go to his house for a little private celebrating of their own. Clark pops the question and life is perfect.
 

“You’re it for me Gabby. There will never be anyone else. I don’t want anyone else. I want to wake up to every single sunrise with you, and at the end of my day, I want you to be my sunset.”
 

Clark gets a call to pick up his drunken sister... I’ve read enough books to know where this is headed…
 

“God, I love you Angel, I can’t wait for you to be my wife.” That was the last time she ever saw him.
 

Three years later, Gabby is living in New York City with Fran and is an assistant designer. She has steered clear of romance and protects her heart well; the heart that still belongs to Clark. She is far from over his death, and in spite of Fran’s best matchmaking efforts, she plans on staying that way.  She tries out a new coffee house, the Brew House and is charmed by Brad behind the counter. Gabby is a bit of a klutz and manages to create a little mayhem while she is in there. Brad takes it all in stride and Gabby can’t help but notice this little hot barista. On the way out, her eyes meet a gorgeous hunk of flesh and she is mesmerized by his emerald eyes. Maybe she is starting to feel attraction for men again.
 

Life is routine and a little boring for Gabby. She gets her morning java fix (Salted Caramel Mocha) at the Brew House and runs into Mr. Dark and Sexy again. She may not be looking for love, but maybe she is ready for sex. She lets Fran drag her out to a club and while she has a good time, maybe she is out of her element?
 

“I wonder why anyone would go looking for love in a bar, I mean, let’s be real, this isn’t the place to find the key to your heart. The key to your vagina, maybe.”
 

Turns out Dane, the green eyed Adonis, is a new client at her design company. And guess who is assigned the renovation of his apartment? Seems he is just as attracted to her as she is to him and after a few dinners –it’s game on! Gabby likes Dane, but Dane seems to be a little self -centered and secretive. She never saw herself as a booty call, but as long as she’s enjoying it- why not? Meanwhile her friendship with Brad is warming up and she finds they have lots of things in common. And he is far from self-centered. He shares a past of loss too and can finds she can share her memories of Clark.
 

When she finally decides to break off the not so much friends as it is sex buddy thing she has going on with Dane, it turns out Dane had a little secret agenda of his own.
 

Gabby lets her fear get the better of her and makes a foolish decision. When she finally sees what has been in front of her this whole time will it be too late? I really enjoyed this book. It’s light and funny and yet at the same time there are some heart wrenching scenes. Everyone has experienced loss in their lives and Gabby’s reluctance to let go and to move on is so familiar and so real. Beth Michele has beautifully written this novel about a vulnerable woman who is trapped by her pain but finds the strength and resolve to give herself permission to love again. A very good read.
 

 “Let yourself feel, let yourself love, be happy”

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