Review for Torn (Torn Heart #1) by Annie Brewer!!

Skylar McKenzie is a serious artist with a plan. She'll graduate high school, travel around Europe, then leave her life in Texas and move to New York. She'll also leave her feelings for the boy she's known her whole life, behind and move on. Or so she hopes.

Jackson Cruz is ready for a future as a star quarterback once he graduates high school. It's the path he's been leading for years now. But when his cheerleader girlfriend cheats on him, and a teammate causes a lot of drama, he wonders if this is really the life he's wanted, or if there's something more.

They thought they had it all figured out-their futures. But life doesn't always go as planned. With feelings revealed, their dreams on the line, this is a year for changes, choices, and a love that might or might not overcome all obstacles.

Told in Jackson and Skylar’s POV, this is a story about acceptance, first love, embracing your passions and finding your way, even if it’s not the way you had planned.

 

 

AMAZON / AMAZON UK / AMAZON CA / BARNES & NOBLE

MY REVIEW

When I find myself reading until the wee hours of the morning, I know it's a good book.  This is what happened to me until one this morning.... 

Skylar is in love with Jackson.  Has been for most of her life.  The problem?  Jackson has stopped talking to her completely.  She's still best friends with his older brother Jared, but her heart has always belonged to Jackson.  Despite the fact that she hates his horrible girlfriend Amber, she manages to stay out of their way.

If only Amber could leave her alone.  Soon, his girlfriend makes it known of her hatred for Sky.  The girl goes out of her way to make Sky's days at school awful.  Also, Jackson is starting to talk to her again and be the guy she loves.  She's confused as to what changed, but she doesn't complain.  She's just happy to have her friend back.  When he sees for himself how horrible Amber is being to her, that's the start of the end for him and Amber.  Sky doesn't like seeing with a girl who treats him like garbage, and says as much to him.

What she doesn't know is that there is a reason Jackson is with Amber.  His mother left him, his brother and his father when he was just a young boy.  He has massive abandonment and trust issues. He feels like he doesn't deserve to be with someone as wonderful as Skylar.  He loves her completely, and is scared of his love for her.  

When Sky finally tells Jackson her true feelings, he's over the moon happy.  It takes him a little bit to return the feelings, because of Amber, but he does come around.  He is in love with her, and doesn't want anything to screw it up.  When Sky tells him of an opportunity she has to go to art school in New York, his feelings of abandonment resurface; leaving Sky to wonder if he'll ever come back to her.

I really loved this book, and the ending.... WOW!!!  Totally wasn't expecting it...

I really loved Jackson.  He did seem to be his own worst enemy, but his feelings for Sky are absolute.  Everything he does in life is with her in mind.  He gets a job to earn money for an apartment for the both.  When he thinks she's dating his older brother, he's consumed with jealousy.  She isn't.... because she just see doesn't Jared that way.  He doesn't know that though...

I can not wait to read the second book in this series... because I know I'm going to want to slap some sense into Jackson... I just know it.... 

“Jackson?” Skylar’s voice is a breath of air.

“Hmm?”

“Do you think your dad will ever date again?” Her question surprises me, but I’ve wondered that myself. He just makes an excuse that he’s too busy.

I move my head so I can look at her, “I’d like to think he’ll meet someone. But he doesn’t seem interested.”

“My mom’s the same way. She works too much so she claims she’s too tired.” Absentmindedly, I run my fingers up and down her arm. “I think she’s still scared of the idea.” I can relate. “Sometimes I can still hear my dad’s voice, telling me what to do.” Her voice takes on a haunted tone. My hand reaches her fingertips, slowly tracing the length of her newly manicured fingers. “Does the pain ever go away?”

I stop moving; wracking my brain for an answer but come up short. “I don’t know, honestly. We've both lost a parent in a different way. I imagine it’ll get easier. You know why?”

She pivots her body so she’s on her side, facing me. “Why?”

I lean close to her, reach out to touch her face and say, “Because I’m gonna remind you of all the memories I have of him, to make you smile, laugh and feel grateful for the time you got to spend with him. Because that’s what he’d want.” A tear falls from her eye. My head dips slightly, kissing it away.

She wraps her arm around my waist. “That would really help, Jackson. And I’m sure he’s watching us from wherever he is, smiling and happy that his daughter is happy with such an incredible guy.”

It brings a smile to my face and I hope her dad knows how grateful I am to him for bringing such an amazing girl into the world. I’ll do my best to show her how special she is. I can be that guy for her. I will be. I hold her tight against me, massaging her back. Our legs are tangled together. There’s no such thing as perfect; in a perfect world, maybe. But this is anything but a perfect world. However; this night, this moment, is as close to perfect as you can get. I close my eyes, soaking up the warmth emanating from her body, listening to her steady heartbeat.

GOODREADS / FACEBOOK / WEBSITE

Annie Brewer leads several lives. At home she's a caring mother of two with a heart of gold. Online, she's a best friend to several and puts a smile on her many fans every time she utters a word. In her own world, she's a dreamer. But the biggest part of her is made of books, books, and more books. It's not a surprise she's turned out to be such a talented young author. Some of her many hobbies include reading, drooling over Ian Somerhalder, Channing Tatum,and Christian Grey (etc.), reading, reviewing, reading, watching Vampire Diaries, reading, and last but not least WRITING like a maniac. She currently resides in Texas, where she dies of heat-strokes every few seconds, with her many books and book-boyfriends, and her two adorable little girls.

 

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