About the book:

 

Title: Always (Two Hearts, One Soul Duet: Book One)

Author: London Saint James

Published: Expected April 6th 2017 by LSJ Romance

Source: ARC received in exchange for review from Reading Alley

Format: .mobi

Blurb:

International bestselling author London Saint James’ first installment from Two Hearts, One Soul Duet is the epic tale of abiding love, heart-wrenching loss, and an astonishing bond that will find a way to endure.

Winter Perri never truly understood love until she met Austin Carlyle—the man who would rock her world to its foundations and give her something to believe in. But the night before they were to be married, the fairytale shattered.

Thirteen years later Winter is pulled out of her seclusion only to have a painful past confront her, and when it does, she’s left questioning reality, because the impossible is looking back at her with the face of a destroying angel, and piercing eyes in too familiar shades of blue.

Find the book on Goodreads and Amazon.

 

My Review:

 I must say I’ve read this book in one day – so that must say something. I did enjoy it very much, especially towards the end. This emotional story about knowing love, loss and healing is breathtaking. Though I have to admit there were some parts that were not to my taste, I hereby offer my 4 stars.

The romance developed between our main character – whose POV we’re offered – and Austin. She feels this instant attraction and need to have him close. They develop something that many of us would only dream of having: a perfect life, next to our soul mate. When one life altering event occurs, she is lost; she cannot find reasons to keep going. But sometimes, things have a way of arranging themselves in the proper way. Full of emotions of all kind, this book is truly a complex work.

Speaking of complexness, aside from the romance, there are also other themes present in the book and I think this is what motivated me to keep the rating. First we have a near-rape scene – a traumatic event which can be overcome only with the help of the loved ones. Second, we have family – the idea of building a future, being with the person one loves and being able to find that balance between career and family. Being able to share every moment with the most important person in your heart. Last, but not least, the struggles that even famous people have, with the constant intrusions in their private lives. Definitely, the most important aspect is the equivalence as base of life and love. Some things might just never die. Read about it till the end, and you’ll understand what I mean.

The book is divided in three parts. First one deals with how Winter and Austin meet, how they fall in love and how they plan a life together. Part two is much more emotional and will definitely make you shed a tear. Part three brings a turnaround and here I could also feel some small glimpses into our author’s life. I somehow could feel her presence through Winter’s eyes and actions.  While I enjoyed much more the second and last parts, for the first one I felt the action was dragged and with too many unnecessary descriptions. I would have wanted a little more emphasis on some scenes, and less on some others. This is my reason for one star less.

To summarize, I do believe this was a great read. If you prefer emotional stories, this is a great choice. If you are into a love that can last beyond tragedy – this is also a perfect book for you.

 About the Author

 London Saint James has lived in many places, but never felt “at home” until she met the real-life man of her dreams and settled down in the beautiful Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. London lives with her husband and their fat cat who thinks he owns them.

As an award-winning, bestselling, multi-published author, London is living her childhood dream. She knew all the scribbling she did, that big imagination of hers, and all those clamoring characters running around in her head would pay off someday.