***POSSIBLE SPOILERS
PRESENT WITHIN THIS REVIEW***
This
novel started off on a sad note. My heart immediately broke for young Willow
Tate. With a step-father and half-sister like that, who needed enemies? Willow,
a young woman beaten and broken emotionally, has no confidence in herself and
doesn’t see how much she really shines. She’s told repeatedly by her family,
who are cold and calculating, how ugly and overweight she is. If it wasn’t for
her two supportive friends, Kirby and Eddie, who knows just how damaged Willow
could be. Even her ex-husband was a monster with his constant verbal abusive
comments. How can one possibly think that they are worthy of love and
friendship after hearing such vilifying slanders over the years? When at last
Willow can’t take her family’s constant verbal bashings, she snaps. And, I mean
she totally has had enough and doesn’t go quietly. She loses her cool as she is
pushed to the limit. What she doesn’t realize, though, is that award-winning
actor, Kane Masters, witnesses her melt-down. This glorious male, however, feels
an underlying connection with her as they meet once again. Kane has come to her
rescue before, and this just cements the fact to him that there is something worth taking a chance on with Willow. What will
she do when he’s asked her to consider acting on this “connection” with him
when all she’s ever known is betrayal and cruelness? The man is beautiful! What
can he possibly see in her, Willow questions? He’s smart and kind and has
everything going for him. People like him just don’t associate with people like
her! Willow might think that Kane has everything, but there’s one thing that
Kane is missing. And, that’s that one special someone to share his life with. He’s
willing to take a chance on that “special” someone to be Willow, though. But, will
she give him that “chance” to show her just how extraordinary she really is?
Damn!!
I think I high-lighted half of this book. Ms. Harper writes truthfully of how
constant condescending comments can damage an individual’s self-worth. It’s sad
how your family, the ones you’re supposed to believe in and trust, can be so
mean without any conscience whatsoever. I can appreciate, without a doubt, the
note that the author included in the beginning of the book. It spoke volumes as
to Ms. Harper’s compassion and hopefulness as to people who go through this
struggle with self-image while trying to find a relatively livable path. I, for
one, enjoyed the book immensely other than one part about three-quarters
through. I just don’t know why it was included. I felt it unnecessary and just wished
the author would have just stuck to the love story. This book held an important
message to believe in yourself and that there’s sincerely someone out there for
everyone that will honor you, protective you, and love you wholly for being
yourself. As a reader I came away with a deeply moving experience that sent out
a powerful message. One book not to be missed!!
MEMORABLE QUOTES written...
“Sweet Willow. Didn’t
anyone ever tell you that life starts at the end of your comfort zone? When you
break free of the fears that have held you back, you’re going to be free to
fly, and that, honey, is when you’re going to find the happiness you deserve.
But you have to start somewhere. You have to push that fear aside and just wing
it-trusting you will never be alone should you fall.” ~ Eddie (Chap. 8)
“Hope isn’t always
something people can understand, regardless of the picture you paint. More
often than not, the promise of something better is more terrifying than the
horrible situations life can throw your way. Sometimes, they just aren’t strong
enough to believe in something so unpredictable. They aren’t capable of being
or becoming impenetrable against life.” ~ Willow (Chap. 13)
“She has to be able to show
others that the hope they need is within themselves and you are stronger than
fear tries to trick you mind into believing.” ~ Kane (Chap. 13)
“No, let me finish. There
isn’t beauty in perfection, it’s as fake as the image the word projects. Beauty
is found in imperfection, Willow, because to admit you’re not perfect means you’re
admitting you’re not whole and absolute. When I think of myself, I see someone
willing to admit he’s as far from complete as it gets because, in order to get
to that perfection, I need to find the other part of me who will make my life
better. To take all the faults I have and fill them, and only then will I be
there. You see, the way I see it, the only way to become perfect is to find
that perfectly imperfect person who brings it out of you.” ~ Kane (Chap 22)
“The magnificence that we
both see in each other will only intensify the beauty we see in ourselves.” ~ Willow (Chap. 40)
“I clap and beam up at the
man who truly has proven to the world that when you believe in the possibility
of becoming impenetrable, you can overcome anything and win. I, Willow Tate,
soon-to-be Masters, have truly won. I have the love of the greatest man and his
family. But most of all, I have the love of my own self and each and every
perfectly imperfect moment I’ve lived, loved, and won.” ~ Willow (Epilogue)
And, that cover is just
so beautiful!! Draws the reader right in...
Review Written, 11/21/15
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