A review by merlin_reads
Down Shift by K. Bromberg

3.5

 I've only read a total of, I think, 3 books from this series, but I've enjoyed them all. Down Shift surprised me. While reading the first few chapters I wasn't quite sure I would like it all that much and then the story broke and we got to the heart of the journey and I was sucked in.

"Just jump"

From what I've gathered, Zander is from the first book in the series. Since I started on book 5, I didn't have the pleasure of meeting Zander when he was a kid. When I met him, he was an angry young man having just uncovered some horrible truths about his childhood that his own mind had locked away. My first impression was not a kind one. Here was a man throwing away his career and family over anger. He chose not too talk about it, to find the truth in the lies, but instead lost sponsors and was fired from his racing team - by his own father.

We then jump to Getty. A very timid and cautious young woman hiding out on a coastal island. What she's running from we don't know yet. She's the complete opposite of Zander's harshness. She's working at a local bar and staying at a cottage owned by an old friend of her mothers when she suddenly gets an unexpected houseguest - Zander.Both having been told they could stay there - one from the wife and one from the husband- they must learn how to live together with their secrets.

One thing that I do like from Bromberg is nothing is instantaneous. Yes, there's attraction - but attraction happens instantly. Relationships need to be built, both friendship and more, and Bromberg recognizes this. Especially with two characters who have such messed up pasts. They begin as just two people cohabiting, then slowly a friendship emerges, trust is built until suddenly there are stronger feelings. But as we all know, with these stronger feelings comes more problems.

Getty's past catches up with her forcing her to finally stand up to the people who held her down. With Zander's help, she's able to see that it wasn't all in her head and she had a good reason for running. I really liked how Zander didn't swoop in and make everything all right, instead he helped her become string enough to stand on her own. In return, Getty showed Zander that it's ok to be vulnerable and that sometimes the past isn't what we thought it was. Letting go and moving forward, while it may be hard, is the best thing to do.

A story about coming to terms with the past and moving ahead toward the future. Down Shift is drama, pain, and sweetness all rolled into one.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.