Monday, December 2, 2013

If You Leave (Beautifully Broken, #2) by Courtney Cole

Source:  Bought eBook copy

26-year old Gabriel Vincent is a badass hero. Or he used to be, anyway. As an ex-Army Ranger, Gabe never thought he needed anyone. But after one horrible night in Afghanistan scars him in a way that he can't get past, he needs someone who can help him heal...even if he doesn't realize it.

25-year old Madison Hill doesn't need anybody...or so she thinks. She grew up watching her parents' messed-up abusive relationship and she knows there's no way in hell that she's ever letting that happen to her.

They don't know it in the beginning, but Gabriel and Madison will soon develop a weakness: Each other.

But Gabriel's got a secret, a hidden monster that he's afraid Maddy could never overcome... And Maddy's got issues that she's afraid Gabe will never understand. They quickly realize that they need each other to be whole, but at the same time they know that they've got demons to fight.

And the problem with demons is that they never die quietly.


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17454088-if-you-leave
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DG8ZY68?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00DG8ZY68&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/if-you-leave-courtney-cole/1115703326?ean=9781455582266


My Thoughts:



5 stars - Gabriel is all alpha male and I fell hard.

I was totally in love with Pax from book one, If You Stay.  He's a classic broken boy and I fell hard.  So I was really excited to read the next book, If You Leave.  Man did Gabriel surpass my broken boy expectations and I fell for him even harder.

Courtney Cole can write broken people.  Or maybe it's that she's good at exposing the weaknesses in people.  Both Madison and Gabriel have issues.  Madison's aren't as easy to see as Gabe's are but together they are far better than apart.  I like that combination.  It really makes characters feel real.

Of course, Gabe is my favorite.  He's carrying guilt over something that happened in Afghanistan.  I can see why he feels guilty but this boy is a protector.  He's brave and bada$$.  When a jerk is harassing his sister, he's there protecting, being the tough guy.  He's all male and I love his protective ways; he's a total alpha male. When it comes to Madison, he protects too but he's also just what she needs to face her demons.  He's known fear and he gets it.  Together he helps her face her fear.  Together they are stronger.  I love that.

The story is fast paced and yummy.  I read it in two evening never wanting to put it down.  The story is a great balance of sexy story and real.  Secondary characters play a role and I was so happy to see Mi and Pax some.  Getting to know Maddy's best friend, Jacey, was great.  All of that just added to the story and I never felt like there was just too much going on.  Nicely done.

If you read the first book in this series, then you must make time for this one.  I do think this book could stand alone so if you missed If You Stay, don't miss this one.  I think I actually loved this one more.  If you love the New Adult genre or contemporary romance, then this book is a great choice.


About the author:


Courtney Cole is a novelist who would eat mythology for breakfast if she could. She has a degree in Business, but has since discovered that corporate America is not nearly as fun to live in as fictional worlds. She loves chocolate and roller coasters and hates waiting and rude people.

Courtney lives in quiet suburbia, close to Lake Michigan, with her real-life Prince Charming, her ornery kids (there is a small chance that they get their orneriness from their mother) and a small domestic zoo.


https://www.facebook.com/courtneycolewriteshttps://twitter.com/Court_Writeshttp://courtneycolewrites.com/https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3112212.Courtney_Cole



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11 comments:

  1. I completely agree! This one is easily my favorite in the entire series and Gabe is the best! I just adored him! Great review!

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  2. I really need to get to this one!! :D

    Great review!

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  3. I want to read it because you have never mislead me about a great book. If you say it is 5 stars then I definitely need to read it! =D

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  4. I loved the first book and want to read more!

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  5. This is a totally fabulous series. :) I devoured and totally loved If You Stay and I am reading If You Leave right now. And yes, it's totally can't-put-it-down.

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  6. I want to read this book because of all the good things I've heard about Cole's books. They sound like such good reads, so of course I have to check them out. Thank you for the giveaway!

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  7. This is definitely my favorite in the series! I love Gabriel so much, and Madison too. I'm glad you felt the same!

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  8. I agree, Courtney can write broken people. I loved her first book in the series. I still need to read this one, but I am reading Before We Fall right now, haha. It's def intense so far and I know I'm in for a ride. Great review!

    Vi
    AKA Vi3tBabe
    Deity Island

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  9. I love romance and reading books from authors I've never read before!

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  10. I knew you would like Gabe. He is pretty fantastic! Great review, Pal!

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