jonetta's review
4.0
Originally posted on The Book Nympho
Carlisle Queen lives each day like it's her last because it just may well be. Still suffering from the after effects of injuries sustained in a bomb blast that killed her boyfriend, she knows that death is an eventual certainty unless the shrapnel remaining in her body is removed. That also means that she won't be starting any long term relationships but her handsome Spanish class teaching assistant, Mateo Butler, presents a challenge to that resolve.
I loved this story! It's not your typical new adult tale, only the ages of the couple fitting the category. Both Carlisle and Mateo are somewhat old souls who've dealt with some tough issues but are surrounded by loving, nurturing families. Their romance starts with a hot, steamy encounter that she intended as a one-time event but he had other ideas. What follows is a reluctant relationship that burns hot fast and is tested when life shows up in a bad way.
What really works here are the rough roads Carlisle and Mateo face and how they respond. I also liked how the realities of someone suffering from debilitating injuries and pain were portrayed. They were so young and learning how to communicate and manage a relationship (with no experience in how to do it) under these circumstances was portrayed honestly and without filters. Some of their decisions broke my heart but seemed true to character.
I was unprepared for the depth of this story and was pleasantly surprised, even though it's a tough one. Resilience, strength of character, love and commitment were themes that resonated loudly for me. I'm so glad I read this book.
(I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review)
Carlisle Queen lives each day like it's her last because it just may well be. Still suffering from the after effects of injuries sustained in a bomb blast that killed her boyfriend, she knows that death is an eventual certainty unless the shrapnel remaining in her body is removed. That also means that she won't be starting any long term relationships but her handsome Spanish class teaching assistant, Mateo Butler, presents a challenge to that resolve.
I loved this story! It's not your typical new adult tale, only the ages of the couple fitting the category. Both Carlisle and Mateo are somewhat old souls who've dealt with some tough issues but are surrounded by loving, nurturing families. Their romance starts with a hot, steamy encounter that she intended as a one-time event but he had other ideas. What follows is a reluctant relationship that burns hot fast and is tested when life shows up in a bad way.
What really works here are the rough roads Carlisle and Mateo face and how they respond. I also liked how the realities of someone suffering from debilitating injuries and pain were portrayed. They were so young and learning how to communicate and manage a relationship (with no experience in how to do it) under these circumstances was portrayed honestly and without filters. Some of their decisions broke my heart but seemed true to character.
I was unprepared for the depth of this story and was pleasantly surprised, even though it's a tough one. Resilience, strength of character, love and commitment were themes that resonated loudly for me. I'm so glad I read this book.
(I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review)
ipross's review
4.0
Carlisle lost her best friend and man she loved in a terrorist attack. As one of the few survivors, of the bombing, she understandably suffers from PTSD and survivor's guilt. However, she did not escape unscathed. Her body bears the scars of the attack and the after effects of multiple surgeries, so it is no wonder that she has an emotional disconnect with everyone around her. She copes by self medicating and sex. Quick one-nighters, no phone calls, no cuddling, no beds and most importantly, no expectations for the future. That is until she gives in to desire and need with the one guy she should have stayed away from. Mateo acts like your average college guy looking for a good time, but deep down he's a nice guy at heart.
She finally meets someone who understands loss and can't in good conscience just stand by without trying to stop her or change her mind and she has to push him away. Mateo has his own tragedy that he's getting over which we don't find out about until well in to the book. Which makes me question whether he could be the right person for Carlisle considering she's all but given up and decided to die. Then again, the heart wants what it wants. And maybe someone who had been through loss the way Mateo had is exactly what Carlisle needed.
I don't presume to understand why some people make the choices they do, so I won't pretend to know or get why our heroine made the decision she did. Carlisle is dying, she knows it even if no one else does yet. What I don't understand is why when faced with paralysis, she would rather chose death. That just seems like a selfish decision to me. Almost like a child who can't get what they want, she is throwing a tantrum to end all tantrums because of self pity. I get why she also made the decision she did about Mateo. But to expect that when she decided to come back, he'd be waiting for her? Seriously? Wow... full of yourself much? I loved Mateo. He was a great character who never tried to be anything but himself. Carlisle though, I had a love/hate relationship with. In the end I didn't think she deserved Mateo.
To be honest, I absolutely loved this story. It was heart wrenching and so real.
She finally meets someone who understands loss and can't in good conscience just stand by without trying to stop her or change her mind and she has to push him away. Mateo has his own tragedy that he's getting over which we don't find out about until well in to the book. Which makes me question whether he could be the right person for Carlisle considering she's all but given up and decided to die. Then again, the heart wants what it wants. And maybe someone who had been through loss the way Mateo had is exactly what Carlisle needed.
I don't presume to understand why some people make the choices they do, so I won't pretend to know or get why our heroine made the decision she did. Carlisle is dying, she knows it even if no one else does yet. What I don't understand is why when faced with paralysis, she would rather chose death. That just seems like a selfish decision to me. Almost like a child who can't get what they want, she is throwing a tantrum to end all tantrums because of self pity. I get why she also made the decision she did about Mateo. But to expect that when she decided to come back, he'd be waiting for her? Seriously? Wow... full of yourself much? I loved Mateo. He was a great character who never tried to be anything but himself. Carlisle though, I had a love/hate relationship with. In the end I didn't think she deserved Mateo.
To be honest, I absolutely loved this story. It was heart wrenching and so real.
beckymmoe's review
4.0
Wow--where to begin?
So much is packed into not a whole lot of (just under 200) pages here. I knew from the blurb that there would be a lot of intense stuff going on in this one, but I honestly had no idea just how much or how Robin would be able to get a satisfactory story out of it in such a relatively short book.
But she did...
Carlisle Queen is an amazing character. From Olympic medal-winning swimmer, to bombing survivor, to college freshman, to...well, I can't say what else she's going to become, because that would give too much away. Just suffice to say she's continuously reinventing herself, pushing through every barrier that's put in her way and being so amazingly strong through it all that it's just, well, amazing.
Mateo's got it easy by comparison ;)
Seriously, even though they share the narration and he's a great character too, it's Carlisle who steals the show here. Even when he doesn't realize it, she's the one being strong for both of them and making the hard choices that he never would. She takes a huge gamble, and it pays off.
Such. A. Good. Story.
The characters from [b:Temptation|22515508|Temptation (Nashville Nights, #1)|Robin Covington|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1406138624s/22515508.jpg|41959398] make appearances and the ones from the next book, [b:Redemption|25223720|Redemption (Nashville Nights, #3)|Robin Covington|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1428075082s/25223720.jpg|44939287], are nicely set up as well, but Salvation works just fine as a standalone.
Don't blame me if you find yourself adding two more books to your TBR when you're done, though. ;)
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
So much is packed into not a whole lot of (just under 200) pages here. I knew from the blurb that there would be a lot of intense stuff going on in this one, but I honestly had no idea just how much or how Robin would be able to get a satisfactory story out of it in such a relatively short book.
But she did...
Carlisle Queen is an amazing character. From Olympic medal-winning swimmer, to bombing survivor, to college freshman, to...well, I can't say what else she's going to become, because that would give too much away. Just suffice to say she's continuously reinventing herself, pushing through every barrier that's put in her way and being so amazingly strong through it all that it's just, well, amazing.
Mateo's got it easy by comparison ;)
Seriously, even though they share the narration and he's a great character too, it's Carlisle who steals the show here. Even when he doesn't realize it, she's the one being strong for both of them and making the hard choices that he never would. She takes a huge gamble, and it pays off.
Such. A. Good. Story.
The characters from [b:Temptation|22515508|Temptation (Nashville Nights, #1)|Robin Covington|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1406138624s/22515508.jpg|41959398] make appearances and the ones from the next book, [b:Redemption|25223720|Redemption (Nashville Nights, #3)|Robin Covington|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1428075082s/25223720.jpg|44939287], are nicely set up as well, but Salvation works just fine as a standalone.
Don't blame me if you find yourself adding two more books to your TBR when you're done, though. ;)
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
More...