Hothouse Flower (Sound of Silence #3) by Taylor Dean

I loved Jace Faraday with all my heart. I loved everything about him, from his huge smile to his fabulous laugh. Another man never caught my eye. It was always Jace and Shay, together forever.

Until it wasn’t.

He devastated me, he ruined me. I’ve never gotten over it.

But, I’m a survivor. I’m not a precious flower that can only thrive if kept safe from the perils of the outside world.

Except now Jace has returned home. He’s just across the street from me, so close I swear I can actually feel his presence.

I can’t avoid him forever. At some point I have to face him. And when I do, I know sparks will fly.

To redeem himself for his past actions, I need major remorse. I need a profuse apology and maybe even a little begging for forgiveness. I won’t settle for anything less.

However, when the truth behind our break-up is revealed, I’m stunned. It leaves me reeling—and yearning for the six years that have been lost to us.

The thing is, once the truth is known, there’s nothing to keep us apart.

Absolutely nothing.

(Dear Reader: This book deals with a sensitive issue.)

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I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this series.  Getting to this last book in the series is bitter sweet.  Bitter to think I'm at the end but ever so sweet to read Shay's story.  The people in these books have become familiar to me.  I feel that I'm a part of them and that is exactly what I look for as a reader- a real connection to the characters, real emotion.  You cannot have a heart and not feel something reading these books.

Jace and Shay have a history.  A very powerful, love-filled history.  Then things changed and life moved on.  But now?  Jace is back home and Shay is filled with mixed emotions while Jace seems to be on the pursuit.

I found this whole book terribly romantic.  I love second chance at first love stories and this one just might be one of my favorites.  My heart was so filled with emotions!  I was confused, frustrated, hopeful and my tummy was filled with butterflies as Jace and Shay reconnect and reconcile.  Yup, it's love from me for this book.  Lots and lots of love.

If you haven't started this series yet, now is a good time.  The first book, Stone Silence is FREE on Amazon starting today.  It was my favorite of the whole series, even though I loved all three.  AND if you haven't ever read anything by Taylor Dean, you REALLY need to.  I promise you won't regret it.

Content:  This book deals with a very sensitive issue and there are some details explained, after the fact, regarding it that may be tough for some readers.  Kissing.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Jailbird (Sound of Silence #2) by Taylor Dean

My hometown decided to rename me Jailbird.

Every day I silently scream out, “My name is Mia Faraday!” My time in jail does not define me. I am so much more than one heated mistake.

And yet, my slip-up weighs on me. There’s so much more to the story than anyone realizes. I must face Stony, my ex, and confess everything.

I don’t want to. I’d rather have five teeth pulled. While I’m awake. Without anesthesia.

But this is something I have to do, something I need to do. Not just for Stony. I need to do it for me. Especially for me. I can’t move forward with my life until I gain closure from the past.

When I meet Grayson Elliott, I am easily pulled into his orbit and it’s exactly where I’d love to stay. He makes me laugh and not take life so seriously. He makes me want to live again.

But I don’t love me right now, and that healing needs to come first. I’m not relationship-ready or marriage material. My mind is focused on redemption. I want it. I need it.

Besides, when Grayson hears about my colorful past, I’m sure he’ll be gone before I have time to utter the word goodbye.

After all, who could ever love a jailbird?

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This book can be summarized in just a couple words for me.  Redemption and forgiveness.  Maybe two of the toughest words in the English language.  For Mia, it is what her life is all about in this book.  

Mia carries the weight of mistakes and secrets on her shoulders.  That weight is heavy and burdensome and because of this, she feels unworthy of happiness and love.  Guilt has a way of doing this.  After a year of hiding away, Mia has come home to care for her sick mother and is forced to face the demons of her past.  The road to redemption is difficult for Mia and as a reader I found great satisfaction in her journey.  I was rooting for her even when I had no idea what her big secret was!

I could feel Grayson's happiness through the pages of this book.  Genuinely happy people are so fun to be around and Grayson's charm was a shining beacon in this book.  I love how he was sincere while still being playful and light.  He was the perfect person to bring light and hope back to Mia's dark world.

Even though this book is full of weighty issues, it never became overwhelming to me as a reader.  I felt the hope, the love and the forgiveness through all the difficult things.  I love Taylor Dean's style of writing.  The first person narrative pulls me right into the character so I feel like I know them intimately.  So good.  And while I really enjoyed this book, it didn't top the first book for me.  I'm completely in love with Stone Silence.

This book is the second book in this series and really needs to be read in order.  We first learn about Mia in the first book, Stone Silence.  I'm so glad that Stony and Spencer were in this book because I just love them.  Having a continuation of their love in this book was perfect.  I am SO looking forward to the next book!  Only a month to wait!

Content:  clean romance, kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Stone Silence (Sound of Silence #1) by Taylor Dean

Great big beautiful love.

Does it really exist?

Everyone tells me it does. They say, “Spencer Elliott, don’t worry, you’ll find it one day. You just have to find the right man and when you do, it will surprise the heck out of you.”

I’m still waiting for that heck of a surprise to hit. It has proven to be elusive thus far. I’m pretty sure the entire world is lying about love and the joke is on me.

I know I want a man in my heart and in my life. Unfortunately, most men immediately push my OFF button and I lose interest quickly.

Feeling pressure to prove I’m trying to find my soulmate, I finally give in and agree to a date. Huge mistake. Afterward I find myself abandoned in the middle of nowhere, in desperate need of help.

That’s when I meet Stony by chance.

He’s a silent and unsmiling man who intrigues me with his ability to keep going after life has knocked him down. Suddenly the abstract notion of love becomes tangible and within my reach. Once I experience it, I wonder how I ever lived without it.

That’s when I stay with Stony by choice.

But when Stony’s hidden past and present-day reality collide, his silence is broken. And the truth about his life nearly brings me to my knees. I can’t compete with ghosts from the past.

I refuse to fight for a man’s love. He either loves me or he doesn’t. It’s as simple and as complicated as that.

My only hope is . . . he does.

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Oh man.  I will always read everything Taylor Dean writes with no hesitation.  Right now I'm feeling like one lucky girl that I get to read and review for her.  I LOVE Taylor Dean books.  If you have never read anything by her, you really must.

This book was full of those emotionally charged moments that I crave as a reader.  It's more than just chemistry and physical attraction, although that is there in abundance as well.  There is a building intensity throughout the book and I was so caught up in it.  I honestly could not put it down.  [This is where I freely admit how annoyed I was at EVERYTHING that pulled me away from this book the day I was reading it.  I only wanted to sit and read and I wanted everyone and everything else to go away.  That sounds horrible but hey, I'm a reader and that's what happens when you find a book that consumes you.  The struggle is real.]

A well told story in the first person is especially attractive to me.  I feel like I'm right there experiencing the thoughts and feelings myself.  Watching Stony through Spencer's eyes was especially yummy because, well, Stony is hot.  Spencer thinks so, so therefore, I think so too.  He's got so many layers of mystery surrounding him which he doesn't really give up easily but when he does?  Hold on to your heart.

I want to go back and read this book again.  Right now.

This book is part of a three book series, each about a different character that connects with part of a story line.  You need to read the books in order but there are no cliffhangers.  Thankfully the books will be released just one month apart so the waiting time will be minimal.  I've been waiting for this book for what feels like forever.  I'm so glad I don't have to wait too long before the next book!  Watch for my review of Jailbird, Sound of Silence #2 on December 1st!

Content:  kissing

- I received a copy of this book from the author.  All opinions expressed are my own.