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merlin_reads's review against another edition
3.5
“I see beauty and pain. Joy and sorrow. I see the good and I see the bad…and I love it all.”
Jared, Christopher, and Aly all grew up together. Jared and Christopher were best friends, Aly was Christopher’s little sister and secretly in love with Jared, their parents were best friends, everything was good. Then an accident takes the life of Jared’s mother and sends him on a downward spiral throwing everything into chaos. Jared disappears leaving Christopher and Aly to pick up the pieces of their torn apart families.
Time passes, Chris and Aly move into together and are going to college, successfully getting on with their lives. All that changes when Chris finds Jared in a bar and brings him back to his apartment. Jared’s arrival brings back all of Aly’s old feelings for him and she realizes that she never got over the him – the boy who protected her when she was a child, the boy who always made sure she was never left behind, the boy who made her feel safe.
I am a sucker for broken boys and Jared is definitely broken. He’s haunted by events in his past, events that he feels responsible for. And for once, I feel like his pain has a substantial base. Most tortured males in YA/NA are torn up over something that wasn’t their fault, they just choose to internalize it. What happens here is actually Jared’s fault, and even though it was something that could have happened to anyone, it happened to him. The result of this turns his life upside down and it just gets so out of control that by the time he comes back into Aly’s life, he sees no way out.
The story was told from both POV’s of Aly and Jared so that we could see what each of them were thinking. Weaved into this were glimpses of their past. I loved the little peeks into when they were children. I felt it made the bond between Aly and Jared so much more powerful and when he finally decides to let someone in, it makes sense that it’s her. Their bond is written beautifully and I reveled in their time together. However, just when it seems to be going good, everything has to come crashing down.
Now, I knew this would happen. There always has to be the big blow-up and crying and heart-wrenching pain. I expected it and it did not disappoint. Jackson’s writing style had me feeling everyone’s heartbreak, not just Aly and Jared’s. When you lose someone important, it doesn’t just affect the intermediate family, it affects everyone around them. Jackson showed loss from all sides and pain from all sides, and then she showed growth and how people move on but never forget.
This was a 4 star book for me up until the end. The author took the story to a place that I honestly didn’t expect her to take it, and I honestly felt like it wasn’t needed and took me out of the scene for a minute. After reading the plot for the next book, I’m hoping it wasn’t just added for dramatic purposes.
A great start to what seems to be a series I will continue.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Jared, Christopher, and Aly all grew up together. Jared and Christopher were best friends, Aly was Christopher’s little sister and secretly in love with Jared, their parents were best friends, everything was good. Then an accident takes the life of Jared’s mother and sends him on a downward spiral throwing everything into chaos. Jared disappears leaving Christopher and Aly to pick up the pieces of their torn apart families.
Time passes, Chris and Aly move into together and are going to college, successfully getting on with their lives. All that changes when Chris finds Jared in a bar and brings him back to his apartment. Jared’s arrival brings back all of Aly’s old feelings for him and she realizes that she never got over the him – the boy who protected her when she was a child, the boy who always made sure she was never left behind, the boy who made her feel safe.
I am a sucker for broken boys and Jared is definitely broken. He’s haunted by events in his past, events that he feels responsible for. And for once, I feel like his pain has a substantial base. Most tortured males in YA/NA are torn up over something that wasn’t their fault, they just choose to internalize it. What happens here is actually Jared’s fault, and even though it was something that could have happened to anyone, it happened to him. The result of this turns his life upside down and it just gets so out of control that by the time he comes back into Aly’s life, he sees no way out.
The story was told from both POV’s of Aly and Jared so that we could see what each of them were thinking. Weaved into this were glimpses of their past. I loved the little peeks into when they were children. I felt it made the bond between Aly and Jared so much more powerful and when he finally decides to let someone in, it makes sense that it’s her. Their bond is written beautifully and I reveled in their time together. However, just when it seems to be going good, everything has to come crashing down.
Now, I knew this would happen. There always has to be the big blow-up and crying and heart-wrenching pain. I expected it and it did not disappoint. Jackson’s writing style had me feeling everyone’s heartbreak, not just Aly and Jared’s. When you lose someone important, it doesn’t just affect the intermediate family, it affects everyone around them. Jackson showed loss from all sides and pain from all sides, and then she showed growth and how people move on but never forget.
This was a 4 star book for me up until the end. The author took the story to a place that I honestly didn’t expect her to take it, and I honestly felt like it wasn’t needed and took me out of the scene for a minute. After reading the plot for the next book, I’m hoping it wasn’t just added for dramatic purposes.
A great start to what seems to be a series I will continue.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
kara_hildebrand's review against another edition
5.0
I read an excerpt of Come to me Quietly months before the release and I immediately pulled out my calendar and wrote it down thinking I wasn't going to be able to wait that long! AL Jackson has such an amazing way with words. Her writing is so captivating that it stays with you long after the book is finished. Aly had always had a crush on her brother's best friend Jared even after he vanished from her life. She comes home one day to him asleep on her couch and all of those feelings come flooding back to her. Jared is my favorite kind of book boyfriend. He's broody, dark, broken and dangerous. I just wanted to reach out and hug him and tell him it was all going to be ok. Aly and Jared can't fight their attraction to each other, but they are hiding it from her family. The connection that they have is so strong that you get lost in it yourself. Jared doesn't feel worthy of Aly's love and he tortures himself over and over again. He can't run from his past and he doesn't want to take Aly down with him. This is a story of love, loss, pain, regret, secrets, and friendship. Can Jared let go of his demons and finally be happy. Will Aly love him for who he is or let him go to save herself? Do not miss this amazing story! It's told in my favorite way, dual POV, first person!
"Look at you...you have to be the most beautiful creature I've ever seen."
"Nothing turns out the way it's supposed to, Aly. And even if it did, I would only ruin it. You need to remember that. I warned you that you'd regret doing this…" His fingers twisted deeper in my hair and he shifted to palm my neck with the other hand. He squeezed to emphasize our friendship, so hard it almost hurt. But it was my heart that hurt.
"How could I regret you?"
But I couldn't stay there with her sweet eyes and tender hands. Couldn't allow myself to slip into her false comfort, to settle into her warmth.
Got, I wanted it.
Craved it.
Craved her.
"Look at you...you have to be the most beautiful creature I've ever seen."
"Nothing turns out the way it's supposed to, Aly. And even if it did, I would only ruin it. You need to remember that. I warned you that you'd regret doing this…" His fingers twisted deeper in my hair and he shifted to palm my neck with the other hand. He squeezed to emphasize our friendship, so hard it almost hurt. But it was my heart that hurt.
"How could I regret you?"
But I couldn't stay there with her sweet eyes and tender hands. Couldn't allow myself to slip into her false comfort, to settle into her warmth.
Got, I wanted it.
Craved it.
Craved her.
kel_bittner's review against another edition
4.0
I won an advanced copy of Come To Me Quietly from a giveaway on FaceBook!! :)
This is the heartbreaking tale of Aly and Jared. The two were the best of friends when they were little, along with Christopher, Aly's older brother. They literally grew up together. After a terrible accident that he wholly blames himself for, Jared spirals out of control. He ends up being sent away for two years, and then flees after he's released. Never telling anyone where or how he is. Six years later, he runs into Christopher. He invites him to stay at his place til Jared gets his shit together.
And that's where it all gets interesting. :) Aly has been in love with Jared for as long as she can remember, so imagine her surprise to see him sleeping on her couch after six years worrying over whether he was ok or not.
Jared, Jared, Jared. I love him. Bad boy, scars, tattoos and all. ;) I don't want to give too much away. You'll have to read for yourselves. You'll laugh, smile, squee, and yes, cry. You'll fall in love with Jared and Aly. ♥
A.L. Jackson is on my Auto-buy list. I LOVE everything she writes; the characters are always well fleshed out and lovable, and the writing is flawless. Her stories are beautiful, emotional, and angsty. CTMQ is no exception. If you haven't read anything by her yet, what are you waiting for?!
This is the heartbreaking tale of Aly and Jared. The two were the best of friends when they were little, along with Christopher, Aly's older brother. They literally grew up together. After a terrible accident that he wholly blames himself for, Jared spirals out of control. He ends up being sent away for two years, and then flees after he's released. Never telling anyone where or how he is. Six years later, he runs into Christopher. He invites him to stay at his place til Jared gets his shit together.
And that's where it all gets interesting. :) Aly has been in love with Jared for as long as she can remember, so imagine her surprise to see him sleeping on her couch after six years worrying over whether he was ok or not.
Jared, Jared, Jared. I love him. Bad boy, scars, tattoos and all. ;) I don't want to give too much away. You'll have to read for yourselves. You'll laugh, smile, squee, and yes, cry. You'll fall in love with Jared and Aly. ♥
A.L. Jackson is on my Auto-buy list. I LOVE everything she writes; the characters are always well fleshed out and lovable, and the writing is flawless. Her stories are beautiful, emotional, and angsty. CTMQ is no exception. If you haven't read anything by her yet, what are you waiting for?!
tab2004's review against another edition
2.0
I like the author's writing style but the characters and the theme ugh. Again with the pure girl and the man whore who needs saving. Add in her asshole brother who screws with girls, literally and figuratively, acting all self-righteous over his sister and I just can't. I liked Ally, I liked Jared but I just hate these books were the girl is saving herself or is only with one guy and the male is screwing anything that catches his attention. The hypocrisy I just can't handle.
nnancy25's review against another edition
5.0
Boy oh boy was I not expecting the intensity of this book. First of all, I absolutely loved the double pov. Getting to see inside both Aleena and Jared's minds was a nice touch, contrasting and comparing the things they saw and felt for each other and about the past they so closely shared. Also something I found to be quite welcome were the few chapters scattered throughout that allowed a glimpse into the childhood memories of both of them, adding to their story that connection that was present since forever. I honestly don't think I have anything bad to say about this story, at all. Aleena is a strong and independent young woman, yet has the perfect mix of vulnerability and openness that takes her beyond the typical sort of girl that is waiting for the broken boy she loves so she can fix him and they can live happily ever after, which doesn't really happen. In that sense, she reminds me a bit of Tessa from the After series by Anna Todd, although the two stories don't have much else in common. Both girls know that they themselves cannot fix these broken boys they love, all they can do is be their rock while they figure it out for themselves, battle their demons because they are capable and strong enough to do it, strong enough to save themselves and control those demons. There were some serious curveballs thrown across the entire story, Jackson does an excellent job of keeping you at the edge of your seat wondering what exactly happened to this boy, this man, that broke him so completely. I am so glad that the story doesn't end here, that there are two more books that go deeper into Jared and Aleena as they find balance in their new lives, as Jared fights to face his demons with his girl by his side encouraging and simply being there for him and to listen as he pours his heart out. If you haven't guessed by now, i have seriously fallen for these characters and i can't wait to read more of their story!
kreeps's review against another edition
5.0
This was a story about finding your way past your old demons and allowing yourself to have a bit of happiness in your life. Jared, the main male role had disappeared from Aly's life when she was younger. He was taken off to juvie and was never heard from again until he reappeared in her apartment that she shared with her brother 6 years later. She had always harbored feeling for her him, having grown up with him around as his brother's best friend. When he reenters her life she refuses to stay at arms length from him like he wants and slowly she breaks down the wall that he has erected around his heart. It was really really good. I'm not sure what made me write the little synopsis just now but I was really digging the story. Aly was so understanding and gentle with Jared and he knew that he needed her subconsciously even if he didn't want to admit it to himself. I loved them together. I loved that it was an alternating POV because I really liked to hear how Jared was handling everything. I also really enjoyed how flash backs were sprinkled throughout the story so that you could slowly figure out what happened and learn the actual depth of their relationship from when it first began. I can't wait to read the next part of their story.
francesca_rock's review against another edition
3.0
Oh good, another decent new adult novel. Thankfully, this one was not also a bucket of horse shit. Faith in this new genre somewhat renewed. Still reserving final judgement.
Overall, a sweet, if predictable story. The two characters made me happy in the end - which kind of surprised me as it is the first book in a trilogy.
I also liked that there was some mystery going on here - didn't find out until nearly the end what Jared's big secret was. That was pretty cleverly written I must say. Giving out little tidbits a bit at a time.
Overall, this story was good, if a bit draggy at parts (sometimes strictly romance just can't carry a story fast enough for me). I will certainly be reading book two when it's released (if it's not already).
Check out more of my reviews at http://whatabookbitch.blogspot.ca
Overall, a sweet, if predictable story. The two characters made me happy in the end - which kind of surprised me as it is the first book in a trilogy.
I also liked that there was some mystery going on here - didn't find out until nearly the end what Jared's big secret was. That was pretty cleverly written I must say. Giving out little tidbits a bit at a time.
Overall, this story was good, if a bit draggy at parts (sometimes strictly romance just can't carry a story fast enough for me). I will certainly be reading book two when it's released (if it's not already).
Check out more of my reviews at http://whatabookbitch.blogspot.ca
brianamaeca's review against another edition
2.0
Actual Rating: 3.8
First off let me say.... soooooo much angst in this book, and as much as I do love angsty romances.. there was just a bit too much for my taste. Also, at some parts in the book I felt like the language was a little... too descriptive? (And trust me, I LOVE descriptions, but I don't like to be choked with them). These aspects weren't as prominent as the book went on, however, and I would definitely say this book is pretty good. There were heartwrenching moments and I love the chemistry between Jared and Aly, but for a lot of the book I just wanted to be like COME ON JARED JUST UGHHHHHHH (you'll see what I mean. I do love the amount of emotion in the book and I found that the relationship between Jared and Aly was pretty unique, especially in the New Adult scene. Jared is so troubled and stubborn, and I was going back and forth between wanting to hug him and wanting to knock him on the head. All in all, this was an interesting romantic read and I look forward to reading other works by this author.
First off let me say.... soooooo much angst in this book, and as much as I do love angsty romances.. there was just a bit too much for my taste. Also, at some parts in the book I felt like the language was a little... too descriptive? (And trust me, I LOVE descriptions, but I don't like to be choked with them). These aspects weren't as prominent as the book went on, however, and I would definitely say this book is pretty good. There were heartwrenching moments and I love the chemistry between Jared and Aly, but for a lot of the book I just wanted to be like COME ON JARED JUST UGHHHHHHH (you'll see what I mean. I do love the amount of emotion in the book and I found that the relationship between Jared and Aly was pretty unique, especially in the New Adult scene. Jared is so troubled and stubborn, and I was going back and forth between wanting to hug him and wanting to knock him on the head. All in all, this was an interesting romantic read and I look forward to reading other works by this author.