Author- BJ Harvey
Publication date- 3rd April 2013
Genre- Mystery, Romance, Thriller, Crime
Book Description- In the three years after a horrible crime claimed her family, Elise Halliwell has been alone, shut off from the world in a self-imposed emotional exile. She goes through the motions, finishes high school and moves across country to start college and begin the next step in her predestined life.
But her exile is dramatically cut short by the entrance of a dark haired, blue-eyed, smirking man who shakes her to the core, achieving what everyone else before him has failed to do, he makes her feel again.
As much as he wishes it were different, fate has not brought Braxton James into Elise’s life, or has it. Brax has to keep her safe from people in her life who have ulterior motives and may want to hurt her.
Elise has no idea the threat she faces, and Brax wants to make sure it stays that way. But as Brax struggles with getting close to her, he begins to live a lie. Unable to resist the pull that is Elise’s bright green eyes, infectious giggle, and loving heart, he finds it impossible to stay away, so the double life of being Elise’s boyfriend and keeping her safe begins.
My review
When I opened the book I realised that the writer had wrote the book in each character’s point of view, now normally I’m not a fan of this so at first I wasn’t looking forward to it. Elise’s character seemed mysterious and to be honest I thought she was going to be boring and rude, turns out shes a pretty cool down to earth character. After reading the first three chapters the book had already pulled me in, the way I had both character’s point of view was actually interesting and fun to read how they were both feeling and what they were thinking.
I love the way we have Brax and Shays (Braxtons best friend and partner) relationship and also the way all three of them (Brax, Shay and Elise) get on. Shay sees Elise as a sister which I find amazing because in some books we read how the character may have jealousy or hatred towards the lovers friends etc.
Many people said the prologue ruined the book a little for them as they knew what was going to happen. Lucky for me I never read the prologues as I find them like other people said a little bit of a devil, they ruin the book a bit. Reading the prologue after I have finished the book though I do understand why some people said it ruined it for them but it doesn’t give away the entire plot or story!
There were a few things about this book I didn’t like or understand starting with Gibbons point of view, I found that after reading his little part I knew who was behind it and what was happening, although after finishing the book I’m rather happy I read his part as the book ended so sudden I would not of known who was involved as there are so many people it could be. So I guess this bad point actually has a pro to it.
Another thing I think the writer could have done differently is the name of Harry Brimstone. One point he is referred to as Harry the next, Brimstone and then uncle Harry, after a while it gets a little confusing.
I found throughout this book I felt like there was a lot of tension building up and something big was going to happen but in fact there was not much action at all, I mean when Elise went outside to confront the guy in the Black car something could’ve happened he could’ve shot a bullet or drove at her or even kidnapped her but nothing happened he just drove of. I found that this happened throughout the book it was building up to something big but the only big thing was the ending which ended too soon!
Coming to the ending in a moment, I’m guessing I liked how we were all in suspense and maybe that was BJ Harvey’s plan all along to set us up for a big ending (Which we have to wait until September for *sob*)
Another thing I don’t understand is if Brax doesn’t trust Gibbons (One of their bosses) then why when Shay calls and says Boss man (the big boss) has told Gibbons they must leave Elise alone and they will have a back up team watching her, does Brax not call up Boss man to check with him first. If he had done that I know the story would of went the other way but still its common sense!
The ending of the book seemed so sudden, if any of my reader are from England we all know Eastenders, something happens and we are waiting to see what happens next and suddenly bum bum bummm its finished and we have to wait until the next episode. Not that I am comparing this book to a soap or even worse Eastenders, I’m just saying that is how it felt. Since I read this book on my Kindle I was reading how Elise hung up and heard a gunshot then turn the page and oh the book is finished! Leaving me with a ton of questions! Who shot the gun? Is Elise hurt? Will Brax come back? I’m not a patient person so leaving me with that cliffhanger is very mean BJ Harvey!
Turning the bad points into good now, I love how the characters have great chemistry between one and other. They are all so close and you can feel the love between them.
It is a quick easy read, not too complicated (if you can keep up with the harry and brimstone name change)
the story flows really well. I did find it a little simply written with short sentences and small words etc but hey makes it more easy to read!
As I said above the story being in different points of view really helps tell the story.
I am counting the days down until the second part is released!
I have really enjoyed this book and would recommend to any reader who is down for romance and thrills.
I paid around £2.00 on my kindle for this book but I would of been open to spending more on it after reading the book!
If you are unsure about the book I would say give it a go, you can never judge a book by its cover! Thinking of that in fact the cover is a wonderful flawless photo and I have to admit it was the reason I bought the book!
I am going to give this book 4 stars out of 5 simply because of the very few faults it had e.g spelling mistakes, quick ending and the confusion between some characters.
I hope you have enjoyed my first review as much as I have enjoyed writing it. This is my first ever book review! So please feel free to leave me some feedback on what you think I can change or what you don’t like. Send me a tweet at https://twitter.com/PaperCutsReview
Thank you very much for reading and I hope you read the book and fall in love with it just as I did!
Until next fellow readers
Stephanie
xox
papercutsreviews.wordpress.com 