Happy Thursday my reader friends! I have a new-to-me author to share with you all. Devin Sloane has written a trilogy called Bridgewater. The first book in the series is called Live Again, and I loved it. Devin was gracious enough to provide me with an ARC of the book, and let me tell you, I will most definitely be picking up the next two! I'm hooked.In Live Again we meet Rebecca, better known as Bex. She and Jack had met year ago at Walmart, and instantly hit it off. They were each others everything. Until the day came that Jack was diagnosed with cancer. It wasn't too long after his diagnosis that he passed. Bex was a widower, and her grief was strong. She struggled for a long time until her best friend Mara came to give some tough love. Mara, and her husband, helped Bex work through some of the grief, and at least continue on with her life. Seven years after Jack's death, Bex is contemplating selling her house and moving into something she can better manage with her fibromyalgia. Mara and Zane suggest that she contact their friend Rhys. He's a contractor and he'll be able to do the work. When Rhys shows up at her house, Bex is immediately taken. Here is this stunning man, and for the first time in a long time, she feels something. But then the guilt and the grief come back, and she doesn't think she can go there. Rhys knows what Rebecca is going through. He's been in her position, but he's walking through it with kids. Slowly but surely, Rhys is helping Rebecca live again. But can he convince her that he could be her forever? Or will she shut down again?
When I read the teaser for Live Again, I was immediately drawn to it as the main characters are my age. That is so rare in romance books, or at least in the ones that I seem to gravitate towards. It was a nice change of pace. The setting of the book was fantastic. The storyline was captivating. And the characters were relatable. I can't lie though, Mara and Olivia stole the show for me a bit. Shared experiences and all that. Witnessing Rebecca's (Bex) journey through grieving, and trying to get back out there was emotional. She was going through the motions up until she wrote that bucket list. That started to draw her out. Then when Rhys entered her life, she had someone who understood her pain, her heartache, and her journey. What started as a friendship quickly became more than that. It was nice to see her getting attached to this family, and envisioning herself with them. Rhys is an amazing character as well. He's been through so much, helped his kids through grieving as well, and has been living his life to the best of his ability. He has a group that surrounds him, and supports him. He has a business that keeps him active. And he sees something in Rebecca that calls out to him. He knows that she is his endgame. Together they can be a family, and raise the kids together. Yes, there were times that I cried like a baby. It was primarily when the flashback scenes occurred. I could feel Rebecca's emotions, and my eyes couldn't help but leak. Then when Rhys shared his story, the tears fell even more so. This was such a touching love story, and I am so glad that I stumbled upon it on Instagram.
If you are looking for older main characters, who have a bit of life experience, and are trying to start again; then go download Live Again. I think you'll enjoy it. Just have the tissues ready.
Also, I cannot wait to read Breathe Again. It's Mara and Zane's story. Yes, they are already married, but from the brief pieces I was seeing in Live Again, their marriage is struggling. I cannot wait to see how they work through it all.
Thank you for taking time to read my thoughts,
Laura
Forty-two year old Rebecca Cleaver has lost her fire. Actually, she lost it seven years ago, the moment she lost her husband Jack.
After his death, her grief, combined with deteriorating mental and physical health, led her to shrink her world down to dimensions that can only be described as pocket-sized.
Now, Rebecca is starting to wake up to the world around her, realizing she's been living little more than a half-life.
She decides to kick off her new life with a mini bucket list to get her up off her couch, a list that leads her to Rhys.
Rhys, the first man to light her fire since Jack, he thrills her and terrifies her in equal measure.
Rhys is just as enthralled with Rebecca, and keen to be an integral part of the changes she's making.
Unfortunately for Rhys, meeting a man is not on her bucket list.
Fortunately for Rebecca, he's good at editing.
The question that remains is whether Rebecca is willing to risk loving, and losing, again.
