Short Review: Unexpected by Faith Sullivan

Title: Unexpected

 

Author: Faith Sullivan

 

 Series: Stand Alone

 

Publication Date: April 2, 2013

 

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

 

Source: e-book provided by author in exchange for my honest thoughts and review

 

Description from Goodreads:

One day forever changes the destiny of college overachiever, Michelle Rhodes.

Shattered, confused and alone, no one understands the trauma consuming her until she meets Connor Donnelly.

A native New Yorker, he believes he can aid in getting her life back on track. But what if he's even more broken inside?

Offering her a chance at a fresh start, Connor convinces Michelle to move in with him. Hiring her to waitress at his bar, their mutual attraction only complicates matters.

As more details surrounding Connor's past emerge, Michelle uncovers the full magnitude of the loss he's trying to hide. Refusing to let her feelings for him hinder his recovery, she makes a decision that winds up hurting them both.

By sacrificing her heart, Michelle thinks she is helping Connor come to terms with his grief. Little does she know, Connor is gambling everything for the sake of having a future with her.

What happens is truly unexpected.

 

Add Unexpected by Faith Sullivan to your TBR Pile-->Goodreads

 

Buy Unexpected by Faith Sullivan:

Amazon  ~  B&N  ~  Smashwords  ~  Kobo

My Thoughts:

 

I longed for some sense of security, but there was none to be found.

Unexpected is the second book I've read from Faith Sullivan- I've read Heartbeat during the summer and really liked it-and all I have to say is that I LOVED Unexpected! I loved the story, the characters, and I loved the way Faith Sullivan included 9/11 into her story. I know some people might not want to read a book that has this event in the book, but Faith Sullivan did such an amazing job that it was just beautiful and respectful the way she did it.

The story begins with this tragic event that we all experienced and remember. I felt like I was reliving the whole thing all over again-that is how much Faith Sullivan was able to impact me. The main character Michelle is in her apartment  when this happens, and she goes into a state of shock, because she lives by herself and doesn't know anyone in New York.

My moping, my fear, my insecurities- he must want to scream at me to snap out of it already.

The 9/11 event emotionally affects Michelle's life. The happy, out-going, dream-seeker, independent, and successful college student she was before 9/11 is gone. Michelle becomes depressed, fearful, doesn't want to complete her education, and has become insecure about everything she does in her life. Her character is an example of every person who wasn't related to the people that lost their lives, but she was still affected by how many Innocent people lost their lives in a matter of minutes. Michelle's character does overcome some of her insecurities and a little bit of her fear with the help of Connor. 

 

"We all need a light in the darkness to show us the way out."

We first meet Connor at a party Michelle goes to, and he is the mysterious and sexy guy. Connor is the guy that you wouldn't consider having a serious relationship with, because he has a reputation of a womanizer. But I absolutely loved Connor's character! What did I love about him? He is sexy, mysterious, deep, respectful, hardworking, and he is just an amazing guy. Connor was also affected by the 9/11 event and I can't say much more about this, because I don't want to ruin the book for all of you! Connor's character also overcomes his own emotional problems with the help of Michelle.

"I'm starting to feel like a stalker, but I'm not giving up on you, Michelle."

I'm such a fool. I can't stay away from him. It's pointless.

I loved how the relationship of Connor and Michelle develops in the story. At first I thought he was a jerk for what he did to her when they got to New York, but late on in the novel I understand what he did. If I can describe Connor and Michell's relationship in one word it would be anchor. They are both each others emotional anchor. They both bring each other out of the darkness that they've been emerged in since 9/11. Connor and Michelle have become one of my favorite couples, and yes I do find myself thinking about them :).

"Yes, we. It's you and me from here on out." He says it with so much conviction that I'm slightly taken aback. "Where you go, I go."

Unexpected by Faith Sullivan was a beautiful contemporary romance story. Faith Sullivan did an amazing job in adding the 9/11 event into her story, because it made it that much more emotional and beautiful. 

 

 

Final Verdict: 5 Stars

 

About the Author:

I really hate talking about myself. My goal is to have the shortest author bio imaginable. I would much rather have a conversation with my readers.

Are you able to escape within my pages?
Does my writing make you feel something?
Are there characters that you can't get out of your head?

Let me know!

Email me at faithsullivanwrites [at] hotmail [dot] com

Follow me on Twitter at @_FaithSullivan_

Read my blog at http://faithsullivanwrites.blogspot.com

 

Find Faith Sullivan:

Website

Twitter 

Goodreads

 

Review: HeartBeat by Faith Sullivan

Title: HeartBeat

 

Author: Faith Sullivan

 

Series: HeartBeat #1

 

Publication Date: February 5, 2013

 

Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

 

Source: arc was provided by author for my honest opinion/review

 

Description from Goodreads:

Katie and Adam are afraid of love.

She carries the scars of a first kiss gone terribly wrong.

He uproots his life to flee the stinging betrayal of an ex.

When trust is no longer an option, all romance is suspect.

As a young paramedic, Adam rescues people for a living but cannot save himself. Katie, just out of high school, struggles with a tortured home life she cannot escape.

Everything changes when Katie hops into the front seat of Adam's ambulance. Overwhelmed by what they are feeling, neither possess the confidence to make the first move. They walk away from each other, full of regret.

To find her, Adam risks his future. To be with him, Katie sacrifices her security.

Little do they know, what little time they do have, is being measured by a heartbeat that is slowly dying out.

 

Add HeartBeat by Faith Sullivan to your TBR Pile--->Goodreads

 

My Thoughts:

Well, sometimes paradise isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Where do I begin? Heartbeat by Faith Sullivan was totally different from the other New Adult contemporary romance books I've read. It is just full of unexpected events. I loved the story, because it is just so different from what I've read. There is your typical helpless and broken girl falls in love with the sweet and caring boy, but the story itself does not make it seem like that. I know I am getting ahead of myself here, but the ending left me shocked. I had to re-read it twice to comprehend what had just happened.

Everything he does seems to draw me in.

There's some invisible force pulling me toward this girl. I can't explain it, but I can definitely feel it.

The two main character's, Katie and Adam, meet in a very unexpected circumstances. Who would ever think that you would have an instinct attraction and connection to a paramedic? The moment they lay eyes on each other, there is an instant connection that they can't explain. I enjoyed reading from both Katie and Adam's POV, but there were times in the story that it just felt that it was a repetition from the others POV. I mean it is obvious that they are feeling the exact same connection and emotions towards each other, but I really didn't like re-reading the same thing over.

It is second nature for me to shut people out.

I liked Katie's character :). At first she does come off as being snarky, because this girl doesn't live in a perfect world. Her mother is not in her life, her father is way overprotective and obsessive with having her be in his house, and the only hope she has in her life is her grandmother. I seriously hated her father, because he is just creepy, violent, and possessive of her life. I would have loved to know what happens with Katie's mother, because we really don't know a lot about her. As the story progresses, Katie starts getting courage and being a little bit more independents. But she is just so fragile that she can't live without having someone to take care of here. I loved that she stood up to her father, but I did not like how weak her character was.

I wanted a fresh start, free from any entanglement.

Adam's character is a whole different story. I also liked his character, and I think I liked him more than Katie. At first, his character did not interest me much, but as I kept reading I found out that he is a guy that any girl would fall for. Adam is just your typical good boy-protective, caring, loving, and would jump in front of a bullet to protect the girl he loves. But of course he has a few skeleton in his closest that catch up to him in the new life he is building with Katie.

She is mine, and I am hers. It's as simple as that.

Faith Sullivan delivered a story of love between two people that have an instant connection and attraction towards each other the first moment they lay eyes on each other. But there are a lot of obstacles and situations they have to face in order to be together. Katie and Adam's story is how one guy can help a girl conquer her fears by helping her bring her heartbeat back to life. HeartBeat is just one of those books that you can sit down and read in one sitting. You will never know what to expect and the ending is just one of those 'what just happened here' moments. 

 

Final Verdict: 4 Stars

 

 

Favorite Quotes:

"You don't need more heartache in your life. Just let him go. If he wants you, he'll make a move."

 

 Please turn around. Meet me halfway. Give me the courage I need to make this work.  

 

The sadness in her eyes rocked me to my core. All I want to do is kiss all that pain away. 

 

I'm all in, and I want her to know that I'm playing for keeps. 

 

Buy HeartBeat:

Amazon (Ebook & Paperback)

 Smashwords

Barnes & Noble

About the Author:

I really hate talking about myself. My goal is to have the shortest author bio imaginable. I would much rather have a conversation with my readers.

Are you able to escape within my pages?
Does my writing make you feel something?
Are there characters that you can't get out of your head?

Let me know!

Email me at faithsullivanwrites [at] hotmail [dot] com

Follow me on Twitter at @_FaithSullivan_

Read my blog at http://faithsullivanwrites.blogspot.com

 

Find Faith Sullivan:

Website 

Twitter 

Goodreads 

Swoon Thursday #9: Heartbeat & TRAGIC

It's Swoon Thursday, hosted by  YA Bound. This is a weekly meme, which I will be doing every single Thursday :D! Here is how it works:

From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog. We want to know!

 

This week I am swooning over Heartbeat by Faith Sullivan and TRAGIC by J.A. Huss :D!

 

Swoon #1:

 Before I can even blink, his mouth is on mine, soft at first, then with more intensity. I melt into him, weaving my fingers through his hair as he wraps his free arm around my waist.

 

 

Swoon #2:

I shriek as he picks me up and carries me toward his bedroom.
    "Adam, the water on the stove is going to boil over!" I yell.
    "Let it," he says, not even hesitating for a moment as we collapse on
    his bed. "I've been waiting for this all day. I...want...you," he utters     between kisses, "so...badly..."
    And without another word of protest, I give in...because I want him, too. 

Swoon #1:

He leans all the way down into my ear, so close that my eyes shoot open when his breath tickles the sensitive skin. "Do me just like that, Rook. Please."

 

Swoon #2:

He eases up to let me turn, but as soon as I'm settled he presses against me again, only this time his chest is touching my breasts instead of my back, and his hands slip under my hair and begin to caress my neck. 

What did you think of my swoons? Have you read these books yet?

 

Leave a link to your swoon thursday post in the comments!

Cover Reveal: Take Me Now by Faith Sullivan

Take Me Now (Take Me Now #1)

by Faith Sullivan

Release Date: 07/16/2013

Summary from Goodreads:

How do you survive the internship from hell?

Don't fall in love.

Ivy thought being a reporter-in-training at the Independent Gazette would be her dream summer job. Little did she know, interviewing Eric, a landscaper with a heart of gold, would derail her plans. It turns out Ivy's boss, Lauren, has been eying his chiseled physique for quite some time.

But at twenty-four, Eric already has a tragic past, one that he is still reeling from. Even though his ordeal turned him into some sort of local celebrity, it's been a while since he's shared his bed with anyone. When he comes to Ivy's rescue out of the blue, it's not long before the two of them start seeing each other behind Lauren's back. When they get caught, Ivy's journey toward a college degree is jeopardized and her relationship with Eric is severely put to the test.

Career versus love? In the end, a shocking turn of events provides Ivy with a revelation she never saw coming.

Get to know Erik and Ivy!

***Author Links***

  

Teaser Tuesday #10: Heartbeat by Faith Sullivan & My Unexpected Forever by Heidi McLaughlin

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along :D! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
 
This week I will be sharing two teasers from HeartBeat by Faith Sullivan & I will be sharing from the first and third teasers of My Unexpected Forever by Heidi McLaughlin :). 

 

 Teaser #1:

I've never cyber-stalked a guy before. This is the point of no return.

 

Teaser #2:

 Leaning down, I pull her into my arms. I will never let her go. Not now, not ever.

 

 Teaser #1:

“When did you and Mason start dating?”

Katelyn pulls back a little and looks at me. Her head moves from side to side. She pulls her lip in between her teeth. I reach out and pull it out with my thumb and place a kiss where she was biting it.

“You don’t have to answer.”

“It’s not that. Do you really want to know?”

Teaser #3:

I step forward, pulling her slightly so I can shut the door and lock it. I turn up the volume on my mp3 player so the kids can’t hear us talk. “My shower is being remodeled so I had to use Quinn’s.”

 

“Makes sense.”

 

“Why didn’t you run out of here when you saw me?” I ask just loud enough for her to hear me.

 

“I don’t know,” she whispers, her eyes penetrating into mine. I can’t take it anymore. I lean back against the counter and pull her between my legs.

 

 

  What did you guys think of the teasers? Have you read Heartbeat by Faith Sullivan?

Leave a link to your Teaser Tuesday post in the comments :)!