Review: Not Over by Leigh Ann Lunsford

Dustin Parker had life and love in his grasp until the moment she disappeared without a good-bye. He has watched his sisters struggle, fall in love, and find a happily ever after. He thought it was his turn, but fate had other plans. Leaving the family again, this time to attend school across the country, he will play soccer, and try to keep her off his mind. All of a sudden in walks someone to occupy his bed but not his heart. Why is he promising her forever?

Teryn Hall has suffered years of abuse, held a prisoner in her home by the one man who should have nurtured and loved her. Her scars run deep, and when her pain bubbles to the surface she can’t control the memories and the anguish. She thought she was doing the right thing when she walked away. She thought he would wait for her. Didn’t he promise her forever? Right when she thinks things are back on track, the news of Dustin moving on could derail her.

Can love really survive anything?

**This is fourth book in series**
***Due to strong language and sexual content not intended for anyone under age of 18***
****This book does reference abuse****

4.5 Gut Wrenchingly Beautiful Stars Review by Lisa Kane This latest installment to the Parker Siblings series is the last one. The previous ones were about the females in the family-Brielle and Colby in Not Enough, Addison and Tyler in Not Leaving and Cambree and Max in Not Hiding. We were also introduced to Mitch and Kayleigh. Mitch is the illegitimate son of the Parkers' father, but this cop is as much a part of this family as the legitimate members. Not Over is Dustin and Teryn's story. Dustin is the youngest sibling and due to health concerns when he was younger, he has been babied all his life by his sisters. But in the last book, he found out that his less than useless parents have been hiding activities about their political ally, Brent, to the detriment of his family. Brent abused Brielle when she was younger and has terrorized Cambree. He vows to change that and to man up for them. During the course of trying to take down Brent, he discovered Brent's daughter, Teryn, who had been held captive by her father all her life and was physically and sexually abused. He is in love with her and wants to do anything he can to save her. What he has yet to discover is that the only person who can save Teryn is herself. In spite of who her father is and what he did to the Parker's they are all behind Teryn and want to help her. Counseling on an out patient basis does not seem to be helping and Teryn is having a tremendous amount of anxiety coping with loud noises and the jubilant behavior of the Parker family. She has no basis for affection and has a hard time with intimacy with Dustin. Although she is a virgin, she was sexually abused in other ways and for her sex has always been dirty and painful and wrong. She has guilt issues and just can not cope with this new world.  "You mean I need to fix me?" I clarify. "No, you are not broken, beautiful girl. You are wounded, you are hurt, but you are whole. You have to fight to heal. " At Cambree's wedding the physical feelings she has for Dustin are awakened and the two make love. This act alone is the catalyst for a Teryn's breakdown and some decisions are made. These will have life altering repercussions for Dustin and Teryn, as well as the other Parker members.  My new bachelor pad where I can go back to the days before Teryn. One night stands only. Get the beaver and leave her. That will be the first rule I implement, no sleepovers, and no falling in love.   Dustin is devastated and feels betrayed. Teryn knows she has to get better for herself or she can never be with Dustin. But she never tells him her feelings; she just seeks the mental help she needs, far away from Dustin and his family. Months go by without communication between them. Dustin reverts back to his old manwhore ways and is bitterer than ever. "Who was the random girl you banged last night?" Damn, she isn't going to quit. "If I knew, it would defeat the purpose of being random. I can describe her..." "I prefer the term ejaculate and evacuate." There just may be a new she- devil he involves himself with and I wanted to punch this character's lights out! Can Teryn finish her therapy and come back to start a life with Dustin? Or will she be way too late as he has moved on as best he can and is making a new life with the Satan's spawn? This last installment was bittersweet for me, I think this one is the most heart wrenching with the exception of Not Enough (the first book) That one tore me apart too. In the other books there wasn't such a long separation, as the characters openly declared war on each other in many cases and were vocal while working through their problems. Here, there was no communication and only heart ache. But the story was so good and tied up all the ends so beautifully. Again, Lunsford uses music as the thread to expressing the emotions that the characters may not be able to verbalize. I adore epilogues and this one, which gives us a glimpse into all the lives of the Parker Family years down the road, is one of the best. I have to admit to shedding a few tears; I have come to love these characters as I have spent hours reading their four stories. It is hard to say goodbye. "When I envision our future, the only think I am sure of is that you will be by my side through it all, and for that I am the luckiest man alive. I love you with all that I am, and I will never let you forget that." Amazon Not Enough Amazon Not Leaving Amazon Not Hiding Amazon Not Over Nook Not Enough Nook Not Leaving Nook Not Hiding Nook Not Over