Taryn Lee's Book Blog!!: Book Review+Tour Goodies: Changing Course (#1 Wrecked and Ruined) by Aly Martinez

Title: Changing Course (Wrecked and Ruined #1)

Author: Aly Martinez

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: January 29, 2014

Synopsis

I met Sarah Kate Erickson when I was 21 years old. I was lucky enough to keep her for seven years before a tragic accident stole her from me. She didn’t die, but sometimes I think it would have been easier if she had.

I lived in a haze for those four years after the accident. Catering to her every need, even though she hated the very sight of my face. I tried to hold on to her and the future that we were supposed to build together. But you can’t hold on to someone that doesn’t exist anymore.

It wasn’t until I met Jesse Addison, a barista at the local coffee shop, that I realized I didn’t just lose Sarah that tragic night, I lost myself as well. Jesse taught me how to let go of the past and learn to love again. But what happens when your past haunts your present and the woman you used to love refuses to accept the woman you can’t live without?

Review

Changing Course by Aly Martinez

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

We meet Brett Sharp telling us all about how he met, who he thought would be his HEA: Sarah Kate Erickson, until one tragic night took her from him... But not the way you're thinking. No in her place left a bitter woman with too much guilt that she blamed Brett for everything that went wrong. 4 years after the accident, Brett still hasn't quite moved on yet it looks like his course is about to change when Jesse Edison walks into his life, or more like serves him his coffee every Monday through Thursday morning.

This is a very deep, emotional read. I enjoyed the fact that Brett has a second chance at love when the first time ended so tragically. Jesse and Brett have this instant connection, yet they take it as slow as they can because life throws them some serious obstacles, so they're very leery of what could happen in the next moment.

Overall, I'm giving this book 4 STARS out of 5 STARS because we got to view not Brett and how a male goes through heartbreak and tragedy just as much as a female does. I think Aly MArtinez has done a wonderful job of bringing these types of characters to light. There are Sarahs, Bretts, Jesses, and even Calebs out there in the world who are full of life and some not so full of life.

And it's good to remember the girl doesn't always need the HEA... sometime's the guys work pretty dang hard for it too.

I cannot wait for Caleb Jones' book... please tell me that's being written because I will definitely be reading that.

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Read by Taryn Lee on January 27, 2014
Reviewed by Taryn Lee on February 3, 2014
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Excerpt

"Shall we make a little bet?" I ask, twirling my thumbs like an evil madman.

"Aren't you sick of losing yet?" She laughs so hard at her own joke, she almost rolls out of the chair. Her reaction alone is enough to make me laugh right along with her.

This girl is drunk...and beautiful. And drunk. And sexy as hell. And drunk. And so very fuckable. Did I mention drunk? She isn't in the danger zone, where she is going to be hating her very existence tomorrow. She's in that loose-lipped-say-things-that-will-make-you-cringe-the-next-day stage. I would be lying if I said I wasn't enjoying the hell out of seeing her in this state.

Jesse always seems to have a filter when she talks to me. It's as if, she analyzes every word in her mind twelve times before actually spitting out a sentence. Since she started drinking, she hasn't stopped talking. She has officially made the leap from best friend’s little sister, to woman I want to fuck. Jesus, what the hell am I saying? Am I drunk too?

"So, is that a yes or no to the bet?" I smile, glancing down and catch a glimpse of her peaked chilled nipples. "You cold, Jess?" I ask, nodding down at her nipples noticeably showing thorough her skimpy excuse for a dress.

I watch her eyes travel down her own body and her cheeks immediately redden. Oh shit! I really am drunk! Why the fuck would I say that to her? Better yet, when the hell did I lose my filter tonight? Oh God, what else have I said to her without thinking? I frantically try to think of a way to moonwalk out of this conversation. She's uncomfortable, and I'm mortified. We both know it too. It's written all over our faces, but in our drunken states, neither one of us can think of anything to say.

About the Author

I’m a 32 year old wife and stay at home mom to four kids under the age of five, including a set of twins. My life is crazy, which is probably why I drink entirely too much wine. Oh who am I kidding, I had a love affair with wine long before the kids came along. I was born and raised in Savannah Georgia, but we recently moved to Chicago. Let me tell you, this southern girl was not ready for the cold weather up here!

I’m an avid reader, but I haven’t always been that way. A few years ago my sister loaned me her Nook Color, and it changed my life forever. In the span of about two years, I read over 500 books. My newfound love of reading led me to start a book blog with two of my best friends. (Insert shameless plug here: WhiteZinBookends.com). Through WZ Bookends, I've had the opportunity to meet some of the most amazing authors, bloggers, and readers out there. Now that I have taken the leap into writing my own book, they’ve all shown me endless amounts of encouragement and support.

While driving home from Walmart one day in late October, a story embedded itself in my head and would not let go. It spiraled out of control until I finally opened my laptop and started writing. This journey has been a wild ride filled with tears, hand cramps, and tons of laughs. I love company, so follow me at one of the social links below and join me aboard this crazy train!