Lord y'all, this book. Oh my gosh, how freaking good it is!! Not that I have ever read anything bad from ARR, but this series, talk about heartbreakingly beautiful.
Normally, we are used to the hot, dirty talking alphas from Aurora, and while we certainly get that with Zach, there is SO much more to his story with Shelby. The history between these two- it will gut you. The gut-wrenching decision that they had to make as children themselves, all for the love of their own child, it broke me. I cried. Hard. Adoption is never an easy decision, I can imagine, but to see ARR talk about it, after experiencing it herself so recently- that takes some balls. But, the woman did it- perfectly.
After giving a beautiful history of how Zach and Shelby are connected, she was able to give us the exact reason WHY they were destined to be together. There was never any choice as to whether these two would find their way back to each other. It just had to happen. Regardless of the ways that they had lived their lives after they split- the people that they moved on with, the children they had with those others- it still led them back to each other.
Everything happened for a reason.
One thing I also ADORED about this book- the re-appearance of the characters from the first book- I mean, more Austin and Lea!!! Yes, please!!
With Wide Open Spaces, I feel that Aurora has shown again how well she is able to write about a diverse array of topics. She is able to tackle some very difficult things, and handle them with grace. Being able to capture the emotions of each character, is something that not every author can do- but she has clearly done in all of her works.
5 stars!!!
“Zach
Watters has made a lot of mistakes in his life. But when he sees Shelby Calder
looking more beautiful than ever standing outside her childhood home, he
promises himself that letting her go won't be a mistake he ever makes again.”
Wide Open
Spaces by Aurora Rose Reynolds is LIVE!
NOW AVAILABLE!
Blurb
That moment your life changes.
That moment that changes your life.
That moment you love someone more than
you love yourself.
That was the moment we gave our son up
for adoption and the moment I was left bare. A wide-open space that would
forever be empty.
There are moments that define you as a
person, moments that prove just how strong you are, moments you push yourself
to keep going forward when all you really want to do is give up. It was in one
of those moments when I reached out and found him waiting for me.
When Shelby Calder left home fifteen
years ago, she never planned on returning to the Alaskan town she left behind.
But after the death of her grandfather and a bitter divorce, she hopes going
home will be a fresh start for her and her ten-year-old son.
Zach Watters has made a lot of mistakes
in his life. But when he sees Shelby Calder, looking more beautiful than ever,
standing outside her childhood home, he promises himself that letting her go
won't be a mistake he ever makes again.
Some things never change and love is one
of them.
Excerpt
“Then why did you marry her?” I ask, wondering if I’m
really ready to go there with him, but it’s too late to change my mind. The
question is out, and as much as I don’t want to know the answer, I need to know the answer.
“I wanted my kids to have what I didn’t. I believed that,
with time, we could find a way to be happy.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t talk about this,” I say, changing my
mind as nausea and jealousy turn my stomach.
“You loved your ex, baby. I know you did. I didn’t have
that. I wanted it but never had it with her or anyone else since you.”
“Please stop.” Feeling tears burn the back of my eyes for
him, I close them tight. Max and I were happy and in love in the beginning, and
I hate knowing Zach never had that… the kids didn’t see or feel that.
“I wish my past didn’t hurt you so much. I’m sorry for
hurting you the way I have. If I could take your pain away, I would.” He
gathers me against him and tucks my head under his chin.
“As sad as it makes me, I wish you would have had that
with her or someone else,” I say, and his arms tighten so much that my lungs
compress.
“I don’t,” he growls.
“What?” I wheeze, and he loosens his grip just enough for
me to take a breath.
“I don’t want to think about what would have happened if I
had been with her or someone else when you came back. I don’t want to face that
demon inside of me that knows what I would have done.”
“Zach—”
“I’ve been in love with you for almost eighteen years. I
carried your missing pieces around inside me for that long, Shelby. I know it
would have made me an asshole, but there is only one you. You’re the only place
I’ve ever called home.” His voice is thick with emotion, and that wound inside
of me fills up a little bit more. I hate his words, but a part of me is
relieved he feels that way, that he feels so deeply for me.
“There’s been a wide open space inside me since we placed
Samuel and I left you behind. But, from the moment I came back, it’s slowly
been filling up.”
He goes quiet at my words. Several moments pass before he
speaks again. “One day, that space will be full. I swear, with everything I
have in me, I will make sure it’s overflowing and that you never feel empty
again.”
About the
Author:
Aurora Rose Reynolds is a navy brat who's
husband served in the United States Navy. She has lived all over the country
but now resides in New York City with her Husband and pet fish. She's married
to an alpha male that loves her as much as the men in her books love their
women. He gives her over the top inspiration everyday. In her free time she
reads, writes and enjoys going to the movies with her husband and cookie. She
also enjoys taking mini weekend vacations to nowhere, or spends time at home
with friends and family. Last but not least she appreciates everyday and
admires it's beauty.
GIVEAWAY
$50 Amazon Gift Card
