From best-selling author, Kristy Marie, comes Rebellious, the highly anticipated love story of star-crossed lovers, Aspen and Bennettโcharacters from the international best-selling novel, IOU.
Beyond the Roses was one of my most anticipated reads this year, yet, when it came time to sit down and read it, I was scared. I had heard all the hype and had read the blurb almost a million times and I wanted it. No, I needed this book in my life, but was afraid of what Monica is going to pull out of me. I finally found the courage to dig in after supplies were sufficiently stocked. You know the usuals, tissues, chocolate, and a drink, particularly a rum and soda.
BTR is everything you have ever hoped to achieve in writing/reading a book. The character development was beyond anything I have read. The storyline flowed from beginning to end with ease and Monicaโs plotline was top notch. While reading, it was evident that she did her research and did this well, because the first tear fell at 5% (approximately).
These characters, Roman, Lola, Sadie, June, and others were gripping and real. I was so invested into these characters, that I was one of them. I could feel everything they were going through, everything they were experiencing and everything fearful of what might happen, because I have been there and could empathize. As I am sitting there bawling my eyes out, I still had hope that things would turn out well for the gang. The closer I got to โThe Endโ, the more emotionally invested I had become. I felt my world splintering into a million pieces with the hope that I will be fixed at the end. Let me just say, I do not know if I will ever be ok again. Beyond the Roses, has set a new gold standard for future books. You know, those books that want to make you feel. The ones that stir up all kind of emotions. It has been three days since I read BtR and I am still shedding a few tears. Monica James has emotionally and spiritually changed me, and I am ok with that.
As I mentioned earlier, Beyond the Roses revolves around Lola Van Allen and Dr. Roman Archibald. They develop a relationship that may be unconventional but is perfect for them. As time passes, they realized that they have found โtheir personโ that fills their heart perfectly. Two individuals who have become one.
Lola is a 25-year-old, who has decided to spend her summer at camp named Strawberry Fields, where she will be a camp counselor. Without going into detail, let me just say, that this is where she needs to be. Where she feels, she would be the most needed and wanted.
โNever underestimate your impact on the world. You just may be someoneโs reason for livingโ.
Dr. Roman Archibald, (insert water works), is the staff physician at the camp, while working at a hospital as well. He feels that his lifeโs work is to work and keep himself busy. Out of everyone, he is the person that I found was the most emotionally invested. He had a horrible amount of weights on his shoulders and a wall eclipsed so high that even a pole jumper could not reach the top. Roman has his own individual story and it was delightful to see this big guy fall.
Beyond the Roses is so much more than an emotional dirty bomb that is thrown in your lap waiting to go off and fill your life with the emotions of the character/situation. It is about love. A rare love found in the most unconventional places. The acceptance of situations and surroundings, despair, sacrifice and most notably hope.
โI would rather live a day being loved by Roman, than live a lifetime without him by my side.โ
I feel like I need to apologize. I feel and fear, that no matter what I write, it will never be enough to express the greatness and multitude of emotions that bounce off the pages when reading Beyond the Roses. I will reiterate, you will need Kleenex and something comforting to you, whether that be a blanket, a pet, or a special reading area. Monica James has not only hit this one out of the park, but she has also won the Super Bowl and effortlessly raised the Stanley cup above her head after winning. This one will truly stay with you and permanently take up residence within your soul!
โLead with your heartโฆand youโll find me. Always.โ
This book is not for everyone and I get that I really do, but if there is one book that you should take a chance on, I believe, this is the one. Roman and Lolaโs story is not one you would easily forget.
***PSโฆI really thought I was going to make it through this whole review without crying. WRONG! I read a passage I had highlighted and, BAM, instant crying.
Iโm young and rich, and some may even say Iโm beautiful. But I would give anything to be somebody else because after being extraordinary all my life, all I wish for isโฆsilence.
My name is Lola Van Allen, and thereโs no easy way to say it, butโฆIโm dying.
When my doctors reveal all hope is lost, I decide to spend the time I have left sharing my experience at Strawberry Fields, a summer camp for terminally ill children. No matter my fate, I yearn to make a difference.
Things are quiet and slow-moving until I meet him.
Dr. Roman Archibald.
From the moment our lives entwine, he pushes me until breaking point. But for someone who has nothing left to lose, I push back twice as hard. Roman challenges me in ways I never imagined, revealing things arenโt always what they seem.
This is my storyโฆand how I got a second chance at life.
Monica James spent her youth devouring the works of Anne Rice, William Shakespeare, and Emily Dickinson.
When she is not writing, Monica is busy running her own business, but she always finds a balance between the two. She enjoys writing honest, heartfelt, and turbulent stories, hoping to leave an imprint on her readers. She draws her inspiration from life.
She is a bestselling author in the U.S.A., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, and the U.K.
Monica James resides in Melbourne, Australia, with her wonderful family, and menagerie of animals. She is slightly obsessed with cats, chucks, and lip gloss, and secretly wishes she was a ninja on the weekends.
From USA Today Bestselling Author Cora Kenborn comes a dark and twisted enemies to lovers retelling of Anastasia.
They call me America’s Sweetheart.
Hollywood royalty. The last of an era.
Sole survivor of LA’s most infamous crime.
I’m not any of those things.
He forced me into the spotlight.
The liar with a perfect smile and cold blue eyes.
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But Alexandra Romanov’s fate won’t be mine.
I’ll speak her lines. I’ll hit the mark. I’ll strike a pose.
And when the past and present collide, I’ll become their worst nightmare.
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They told me to preserve the legacy.
Be careful what you ask for. . .
You just might get it.
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**Please be aware this book contains dark themes and sensitive subject matter essential to the storyline that may bother some readers.**
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Cora Kenborn is a USA Today Bestselling author who writes in multiple genres from dark and gritty romantic suspense to laugh-out-loud romantic comedy. Known for her sharp banter and shocking blindsides, Cora pushes her characters and readers out of their comfort zones and onto an emotional roller coaster before delivering a twisted happily ever after.
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Cora believes thereโs nothing better than a feisty heroine who keeps her alpha on his toes, and she draws inspiration from the sassy country women who raised her. However, since the domestic Southern Belle gene seems to have skipped a generation, she spends any free time convincing her family that microwaving Hot Pockets counts as cooking dinner.
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Oh, and autocorrect thinks she’s obsessed with ducks.
I have always been intrigued with historical โcold caseโ files. For instance, the Black Dahlia and in this scenario, The Romanov empire and Anastasia. Going along those lines, Cora wrote a book that was accurate and researched yet gave it her own spin.
Overall, I loved the concept of this book and the seamless way that Ms. Kenborn weaved the true Romanovโs, Angel, and the final surprise. She wasnโt afraid to make this one her own. The added twists, turns, and whoaโs, will leave you second guessing everything.
Now, unfortunately, I do have something to mention that may be less popular. The pacing of the book felt off. The pace continued to flow even with the twists and turns. However, some of the early sections felt to drag for me. I read every single word of this book but found myself โspeed readingโ in these couple of sections. Despite this, I would whole-heartedly read another book of hers. She seems like my kind of author.
