Title: Raven
Author: Ashley Suzanne
Genre: Romance
Synopsis
If I would have known then what I know now.
If I would have known that having my heart broken at thirteen by my one and only friend, Garrett Rhodes, would never compare to the empty feeling at sixteen when I buried my mother.
If I would have known that changing schools in my senior year would throw all that back in my face.
Maybe … just maybe … I wouldn’t be in the hell storm I’m living in these days. Letting my past dictate my future, allowing the best of the best male MMA fighters bully me day in and day out and knowing no matter what I do, Garrett will always be the only man that understands me. I didn’t have to live this way. One day changed the course of my life forever.
Through all this mess, the one thing that I’ve found that keeps me centered … martial arts. And I’m damn good. If only someone would give me a chance to prove my worth.
All I can do now is make the best of it and try to not let the fight consume me.
Or has it already?
My Review
This was my first Ashley Suzanne book, and I promise it will
not be my last. Man, this woman can write! I found the book flowed beautifully and pulled
on so many emotions that I honestly couldn't put it down. I read it in two
sittings.
Get ready for what feels like being on a crazy tilt-a whirl of
a ride while reading this amazing book. Like me, you will probably do the
following when reading it; gasp, cringe, smile, blush, laugh out loud, ugly
cry, fist pump and actually cheer a time or two!
The book is written though the reflective eyes of “Raven”
an amazingly strong assed woman who took the most painful journey and turned her
life into something meaningful and simply incredible.
Raven begins by reflecting on her awful childhood where she
was teased for having a boys name; Rian,
a hippy for a mother and being a bit of a loner. The only shining light for
this poor girl was her Garrett. Garrett
is honestly her other half, but of course being an army brat his family moves
away her second year in high school. Leaving
her with a broken heart and feeling alone.
At 16, Rian witnesses
and reacts to an event that changes the course of her life forever. God, chapter 3 nearly killed me, it had me so
engaged I couldn't put it down; I needed to know what the hell was going on. Just so much trauma and emotion for a 16 year
old.
Now living with her aunt and attending a new high school,
Rian bumps into none other than Garrett on her first day of class. Let the
tummy flutters begin!!! These two are soooo made for each other, you can feel right
from the second they see each other again that these two cannot simply be friends. Of course Garrett having just the right touch
of Alpha is quick to lay it out for her, after she attempts to accept a date
from another guy.
“I’d very much like to take you on a date. Ten dates. For you to not
date anyone else. I’d like you to go to the game and bonfire with me, not Eli.
I’d like to be your boyfriend, Rian.”
LOVE IT!!!
From here
their relationship only grows deeper and deeper and we are treated to some hot
and heavy petting that eventually leads to such a sweet and beautiful moment
for both Rian and Garrett.
As the book progresses Garrett is away at Army training,
Rian is left alone once again to face another heartbreaking loss. This time it’s
just too much for her, she literally breaks, and this time she bails; she doesn't tell a soul where she is going including Garrett. It’s at this point where I feel
for her so much but I’m also pissed for her doing that to Garrett who can’t help
not getting to be there to support her.
Fast forward four years…
We catch up to a 21 year old Rian who happens to be living
her in home town and has gotten herself into some trouble. Not having any
friends or family she turns to her only choice for help…Gabrielle, Garrett’s
mother, who she hasn’t spoken to in four years. Of course Garrett is the one to
show up to help, and let me tell you HELLO Garrett, this Garrett is pissed off
and brooding and you can feel the anger and tension radiating off the pages in
the initial reunion pages that follow.
This part of the book is so well written because as a reader
I was so connected and in tune with the way they were both feeling upon seeing
and speaking to each other. Just so tormented and plagued with so many unresolved
feelings and questions, I honestly just needed them to have crazy mad assed sex
here to help wean the tension. But of
course Garrett is engaged and I swear I felt it…Rian’s heart breaking at hearing
Gabriella ‘s revelation once back at Garrett’s family’s house.
But thank goodness for the power of soul mates and all consuming connections that are too strong to be broken. The next day while driving her home Garrett pulls into their spot at the lake, here we witness the crazy pull these two have over each other, but unfortunately it doesn't last and we get an awkward drop off and see ya later between Garrett and Rian. Then with a thud at her door in the middle of the night we get a reeling, take charge Garrett ready to take what's his again. What follows is a night of passion followed by another awkward morning where Rian feels the night simply gave them closure, as Garrett leaves remembering his fiance.
God!!! Why can't these two just be together yet?? I can't take the torment and angst for much longer!!
After this Rian decides she needs a place to vent her frustrations and heart ache, she's had enough, she decides its time to put herself back together. Taking the advice of a co-worker she joins the local gym and begins training to fight. She loves it and is a natural. Rian is able to convince the owner Zan to train her to fight professionally. Garrett shows up about a month later, not only is he single, but the new part owner of her gym. He agrees to train her and they finally are together because you just can't fight destiny! It's about frigging time people!!!
But this being Rian's story means that not everything can be perfectly perfect so quickly. After an amazing first professional fight there is another shockingly tragic blow for Rian. But thank goodness she had Garrett and she's the fighter she is. I absolutely loved her determination and unwillingness to give up! Rian is one amazingly strong women, and man was I cheering her on so much while reading this book. Rian's character is just so likeable and seriously I just couldn't wait for this girl to get her happy ending.
Thank goodness that Garrett and Rian's story ends on a happy note ( lucky for Ms. Suzanne, cause she and I would have had words I tell ya! lol!) I don't think I would have survived a cliff-hanger or any other ending than the one we are given!
I highly recommend taking this crazy emotional ride!
But thank goodness for the power of soul mates and all consuming connections that are too strong to be broken. The next day while driving her home Garrett pulls into their spot at the lake, here we witness the crazy pull these two have over each other, but unfortunately it doesn't last and we get an awkward drop off and see ya later between Garrett and Rian. Then with a thud at her door in the middle of the night we get a reeling, take charge Garrett ready to take what's his again. What follows is a night of passion followed by another awkward morning where Rian feels the night simply gave them closure, as Garrett leaves remembering his fiance.
God!!! Why can't these two just be together yet?? I can't take the torment and angst for much longer!!
After this Rian decides she needs a place to vent her frustrations and heart ache, she's had enough, she decides its time to put herself back together. Taking the advice of a co-worker she joins the local gym and begins training to fight. She loves it and is a natural. Rian is able to convince the owner Zan to train her to fight professionally. Garrett shows up about a month later, not only is he single, but the new part owner of her gym. He agrees to train her and they finally are together because you just can't fight destiny! It's about frigging time people!!!
But this being Rian's story means that not everything can be perfectly perfect so quickly. After an amazing first professional fight there is another shockingly tragic blow for Rian. But thank goodness she had Garrett and she's the fighter she is. I absolutely loved her determination and unwillingness to give up! Rian is one amazingly strong women, and man was I cheering her on so much while reading this book. Rian's character is just so likeable and seriously I just couldn't wait for this girl to get her happy ending.
Thank goodness that Garrett and Rian's story ends on a happy note ( lucky for Ms. Suzanne, cause she and I would have had words I tell ya! lol!) I don't think I would have survived a cliff-hanger or any other ending than the one we are given!
I highly recommend taking this crazy emotional ride!
★★☆ 4.5 Stars ☆★★
Reviewed by Gillian Grybas
Buy it
Read it
Love it
About the Author
Follow the author at these links
Ashley Suzanne is a married mother of three little boys as well as a
daughter, aunt, sister, best friend, birth mother, blogger, book whore and
author. Ashley is a native to the
suburbs of Detroit, with most of her family living in Kentucky and New
York.
You can usually find Ashley sitting in bed, with her laptop, playing on
Facebook, pretending to write, entering giveaways (she’s also a swag whore) or
on a football field with her oldest son, Tyler.
Yep, not only is she a football fan, she’s a football mom!
When she’s reading, it’s typically something to do with romance,
contemporary being her favorite genre.
She’s a total fan-girl over a few authors; Pamela Ann, SE Hall, Madeline
Sheehan, Jasinda Wilder, Maya Banks, CM Stunich, Nicole Jacquelyn and Riley
Rhea to name a few.
Ashley has no pets, unless you count her children and she is a little
OCD. Her favorite color is pink. Her favorite drink is cherry vodka and coke
and double chocolate brownies are a must.
Other
Works by Ashley Suzanne (all available on Amazon, BN, iTunes, Kobo and
Smashwords)
Mirage
(Book One: The Destined Series)
Inception (Book One 1/2: The Destined Series)
Awakening (Book Two: The Destined Series)
Façade (Book Three: The Destined Series)
Epiphany (Book Four: The Destined Series)
Sign up for Ashley’s Mailing List
Inception (Book One 1/2: The Destined Series)
Awakening (Book Two: The Destined Series)
Façade (Book Three: The Destined Series)
Epiphany (Book Four: The Destined Series)
Sign up for Ashley’s Mailing List
Follow the author at these links
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