Title: Love Love
Author: Beth Michele
Release Date: May 8th
Genre: Contemporary Romance
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Book Description
Gabrielle Willis is smart. She's funny. And oh yes, she's a bit klutzy.
When Gabrielle left sunny California bound for the energy of Manhattan, she was willingly leaving the life she had known for the new life she would create. But was she really leaving something behind or was she running away?
On the outside, Gabrielle Willis has it all under control. A new life in Manhattan, a great roommate, and a good job. But she is haunted. Haunted by a memory she's tried to forget and by a family who's abandoned her. But what happens when what's on the outside is only an illusion and in perfect contradiction to what's buried deep within?
Enter Dane Rhodes. He's gorgeous, smart, and sexy as hell. Just what Gabby wants, or so she thinks. But when she meets Brad Dixon, the sweet guy with the crooked smile, he begins to make her see that the very thing she is trying to run from is the very thing that just may push her to see the light.
REVIEW
I LOVED LOVED, Love Love by Beth Michele. This was one emotional rollercoaster I'd gladly ride more than once. I would NOT believe it was this author's first novel, if I had not been told so by the author herself. It was sooo well written, the characters were well developed. I started out crying, then there were times I couldn't stop my hysterical laughter, then I fell completely in love (I fell in love a FEW times, Clark and Brad AND Dane are BEYOND "swoon-worthy") but most of all this book made me think. I am going to do my best to give a review WITHOUT giving away to many details. YOU must read Love Love and experience the ride for yourself.
First Deep Thought: Dealing With Loss, Dealing With Pain
"If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever."
Dealing with loss: One of our greatest fears is that of losing someone we love. This fear plagues us from our childhood and continues to do so all through adulthood. I loved that Beth Michele introduced us to Gabby. Gabby's love and then unexpected loss, shows us just how much that loss can haunt you even years later. Letting go is easier said than done. Gabby showed us how hard it can be to get over your first love. In this case her first love was taken from her, but we all have to find ways to cope when we lose the ones we love, however we lose them. Gabby and Clark's love made me think of this quote:
“I know that's what people say-- you'll get over it. I'd say it, too. But I know it's not true. Oh, you'll be happy again, never fear. But you won't forget. Every time you fall in love it will be because something in the man reminds you of him.” ~Betty Smith
Dealing with pain: Gabby also showed us how strong women can be. She carried around such pain and heartache yet she was able to live her life and be a support to her best friend Fran as well. Normally the "supporting" cast does just that, they serve the purpose of being a support to or helping out the main characters, and Fran did play that role well, however Gabby was just as supportive of her. Fran was dealing with deep issues within her family and attempting to deal with things that happened to her while she was young. Gabby was there for her through her nightmares both literally and figuratively speaking. Gabby and Fran were equally damaged, just in different ways. These best friends needed each other to balance out the sadness in their lives. They both reminded each other how special they were, they both reminded each other of the importance of moving on and living life despite the ghosts that haunt you from your past.
Second Thought, Where Did She Find These Men?
Every man that Gabby encountered played a major role in her life, and added sooo much "eye candy" for the reader, in the process :)
Clark~It would be impossible not to fall in love with Clark. He was Gabby's first love. He gave her all the things she wasn't receiving at home: love, acceptance, self esteem, appreciation. If Gabby didn't have Clark, I don't think she would have been the woman she was. Clark showed her that being who she was was enough, that she didn't have to live up to anyone elses expectations of her, as long as she was happy with the woman she is. You gotta love a man that stands by/supports his woman. Clark was her first love, her first lover, her best friend. Clark was the standard that all men that came after him never quite lived up to.
Dane~Walking Sex Appeal. Gorgeous. Looks that belong on a GQ model. Green Eyes that are unforgettable. Through a chance encounter, this successful business man awakens Gabby's suppressed sexual desires. Gabby can't let go of Clark, yet she realizes she still has "needs" that Dane is more than willing and able to satisfy. Dane is far from her happy ending. He proved to be undeserving of her time and attention, in the end I was happy that Dane didn't make it into her heart, just her bed...and I'm not mad at Gabby about that, men use women for sex often, it was about time a heroine got to return the favor (however it would be really really hard to kick that fine specimen of a man out of bed).
Brad~Dimpled cutie. Sweet. Adorable. Kind. Supportive. Superhero. The one she didn't know she needed and end up being unable to live without. Brad was dealing with his own issues involving loss. Yet he was better at coping with it than Gabby was. However, he saw something in her that was worth the wait. Brad gave Gabby friendship, a shoulder to lean on, an ear to listen. He fell in love with all her quirkiness, klutziness, and I think I never laughed so hard until the "bathroom scene!" Brad possessed the patience of Job, from the bible. He waited...and waited...and then waited some more for Gabby to address the issues of her past so she could move forward in her life.
"You're not ready for me yet, as much as I wish like hell you were. But I'm patient. I'd wait forever to be the one who gets to hold your heart."
In the end, you have to read which of these men captured her heart. Watching the story unfold was heart warming, comical, heart wrenching, frustrating, sexy, uplifting, but most of all one of the sweetest love stories I've read this year. I must admit I loved every minute of Love Love.
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About the Author:
Beth Michele (pen name for Beth Michele Luciano)
Beth Michele is a wife, a mom, an author and a lover of all things chocolate, well, anything sweet really. While stuffing chocolate in her face, she enjoys reading young adult and new adult novels furiously, and spending time with her husband and two adorable children who keep her on her peppermint pink painted toes. Those same children who inspire her to tell silly stories that cause hysterical giggles to tumble from their bellies.
Beth loves to laugh and loves to have a good cry, especially after reading a novel that stretches her soul, the ones that make her feel, and linger in the corners of her beating heart.
Beth began writing when she was in middle school, penning anything from short stories, to poetry, and then later to write children’s books. Her debut novel, Love Love is due out May 8, 2013.
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