Name: ausra's review of Keepsake by Sarina Bowen
Item: Keepsake
Rating: 4
Author: ausra

Sarina Bowen

Another standalone romance in Sarina Bowen's USA Today bestselling series! Lark Wainright used to be fearless. She led her life as a series of adventures, each one more exhilarating than the last. But her last overseas adventure was one too many. She’s safe now, but her family is still consumed with worry and her nights are filled with terror. When her best friend offers her a stay at the orchard in exchange for help at the farmers’ markets, Lark jumps into her little car and heads to Vermont. But her night terrors don’t stop. Desperate to keep her fragile state a secret, she relies on the most soft-spoken resident of the Shipley Farm to soothe her when her dreams prove too much. Zachariah is a survivor, too. It’s been four years since he was tossed aside by the polygamist cult where he grew up. He’s found a peaceful existence on the Shipley’s farm. He’s good with animals, and he’s good with his hands. But getting thrown away by your own people at nineteen leaves a mark on a guy. He doesn’t always know what to make of a world where movie quotes are the primary means of communication. Before hitchhiking to Vermont, he’d never watched TV or spoken on the phone. Actually, there are a lot of things he’s never done. Zach and Lark slowly grow to trust one another. One night they become even closer than they’d planned. But Lark may still be too broken to trust anyone. When she pushes Zach away, he will have to prove to himself that he's good for more than farm labor. Praise for the True North series: “Utterly fantastic. Well-written romance that runs the full gamut of emotions. Oh, and did I mention steamy? This series has it all. ” — Red Hot & Blue Reads “I’m crazy about this series. In love with Jude and Sophie, the Shipley’s, just the whole family dynamic. EVERYTHING IS WOW.” — Angie's Dreamy Reads “A world that pulled me in and had me wishing I could read all day!” — Shh Mom’s Reading “5-stars, Top Pick! This story will break your heart and stitch it back together again.” — Harlequin Junkie “Another fantastic book by Sarina Bowen! I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.” — The Book Hookup "Smart, funny and super sexy, Bittersweet is full of the kind of writing that makes Sarina Bowen one of my favorite author crushes." —Author Sarah Mayberry For fans of: Melanie Harlow, Corinne Michaels, Meghan March, Lauren Blakely, Julia Kent, Elle Kennedy, Tijan, CD Reiss, Kendall Ryan, Vi Keeland, Penelope Ward, Jana Aston, K Bromberg, Katy Evans, Jessica Hawkins, Kristen Proby, Penny Reid, Helena Hunting, Sally Thorne, Kristen Ashley, Helen Hoang, Kylie Scott, Christina Lauren, Jana Aston, Sawyer Bennett, Lexi Ryan, Karina Halle, Skye Warren, Kennedy Ryan, Jodi Ellen Mapas, Zoe York, Kristan Higgins, Jill Shalvis. Keywords: virgin hero, survivors, cult members, kidnapping, contemporary romance, PTSD, Vermont, coming of age.

True North #3

Keepsake

ausra

There's a first time for everything. Lark Wainright used to be fearless. Her life was a series of adventures, each one more exhilarating than the last. But her recent overseas adventure was one too many. Now she's home and in one piece. Mostly. But her nights are filled with terror. When her best friend offers her a stay at the orchard in exchange for help at the farmers' markets, Lark jumps at the chance to spend fall in Vermont. But her nightmares don't stop. Desperate to keep her fragile state a secret, she relies on the most soft-spoken resident of the Shipley Farm to soothe her when her dreams prove too much. Zachariah is a survivor, too. It's been four years since he was tossed aside by the polygamist cult where he grew up. He's found a peaceful existence on the Shipley's farm, picking apples and fixing machinery. But getting thrown away by your own people at nineteen leaves a mark on a guy. He doesn't always know what to make of a world where movie quotes are the primary means of communication. Before hitchhiking to Vermont, he'd never watched TV or spoken on the phone. Actually, there are a lot of things he's never done. Zach and Lark slowly grow to trust one another. One night they become even closer than they'd planned. But Lark may still be too broken to trust anyone. When she pushes Zach away, he will have to prove to himself that he's good for much more than farm labor.

I knew I’d enjoy Zach’s book but damn this one was intense. I just felt Larks struggle and Zachs feelings and just ugh. I’m enjoying this whole series I seriously forgot how addictive Sarina Bowen’s books could be. She writes amazing contemporaries. I’m a little annoyed about May looking to not have a f/f romance in her future but I’ll judge that one when I get to it. 

This book was so therapy positive. My only complaint is it was all Lark getting help but what about Zach and his past trauma?

Becky

I knew I’d enjoy Zach’s book but damn this one was intense. I just felt Larks struggle and Zachs feelings and just ugh. I’m enjoying this whole series I seriously forgot how addictive Sarina Bowen’s books could be. She writes amazing contemporaries. I’m a little annoyed about May looking to not have a f/f romance in her future but I’ll judge that one when I get to it. 

This book was so therapy positive. My only complaint is it was all Lark getting help but what about Zach and his past trauma?

Sade A

meh.. it was okay. Two people fall in love, one has problems, they work it out eventually, have great sex and live happily ever after. The end.

Also, you learn about apples too. Apparenlty you have different types and they're not just called green and snow white apples. There's Ginger gold, Paula Red, Zester, Cortland, Honeycrisp, Haralson, Ashmead's Kernel, Keepsake and Baldwin.

Sven Test

This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.

When I read Bittersweet, I knew I needed Zach's story ASAP! He's such a quiet guy and I wanted to know more about him. Well, he was raised in a religious cult where he broke the rules and for that, he fled. He was already questioning everything about the cult so this was the perfect opportunity to leave. Fortunately, he ended up at the Abrahams family, which is a married couple who had also belonged to a cult and escaped. They suggest Zach gets a job with Griff and that's where's been all this time.

Zach wasn’t just a guy I happened to be attracted to. He was special. Zach was a better person than… well, just about anybody. He ought to be handled with care.

Lark used to love adventure. She even traveled to Guatemala to help out the non-profit organization she worked for. It is there that something happens that changes Lark completely. When given the opportunity to escape to Vermont, Lark takes the chance and ends up at the Shipley farm, where Zach works.

Zach was more than I could imagine! He's so shy and quiet, but the way he takes care of Lark was amazing. He started to let go of his own fears in order to care for her. I felt so deeply for Lark. She's a really great woman and I wish she hadn't gone through what she did. Despite being/feeling vulnerable, Lark is still a strong woman.

I'm all for slow-burn romance and this had one of the best ones yet. Lark and Zach together were magnificent. I couldn't have asked for a better couple for this story. I totally believed their swoon-worthy and caring romance. They are so good for one another and help each other out with their fears.

Overall, Keepsake is a wonderful story about healing and forgiving, with a beautiful romance that will have readers falling in love with.

I received an eARC from the publicist for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews.

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It should come as absolutely no surprise that I love love loved Keepsake. Each book in Sarina's True North series has been incredible — and special — in its own way and Keepsake is no exception. I've been interested in getting Zach's story since the start of the series. I wondered who he would be paired up with and what that pairing would bring. I wanted to get into his head and learn more about where he came from. I got all of this and more with this book... and I couldn't be happier.

I keep trying to put my finger on what is SO GOOD about Sarina's books and, while I still can't really come up with an answer aside from "Everything!" the characters are definitely one of the highlights. No matter who they are, where they came from or where they're headed, I find a common ground and fall in love with them. That's exactly what happened with Lark and Zach in Keepsake. These two just gave me all the feels. And, while I might've at first been all "Hell yeah, virgin hero FTW!" the truth is Zach was so much more than that. (Not that I still don't find virgin heroes hot. Let's not get carried away.) But he was sweet and strong and vulnerable. I am a total sucker for that combination. Lark was special in her own way and I admired her for trying to remain strong after her ordeal in Guatemala. Of course, I also wish she'd gotten some real help sooner than she did, but I get it. 

The pairing of Lark and Zach couldn't have been more perfect, IMHO. The woman terrorized by her (more recent) past and the man who struggles to this day to overcome his upbringing finding something real with each other? It was perfection. I enjoyed how their relationship developed and I was shipping them hard pretty much from their first meeting. I loved how Zach comforted her. I loved how she reassured him that he is wanted and loved, that he had a place there. It was a beautiful thing... even if it was kinda bumpy at times. Caution: feels ahead. 

I'll keep my fingers crossed that this isn't the end of the True North series. There are so many amazing secondary characters in this series and, being the greedy reader I am, I'd like to see each of them get a book of their own. If I can't have 'em all, I'd settle for a book for May... and maybe Daphne... Dylan... and maybe even Chastity. I told you I was greedy. Regardless, even if this ends up being the last book, this series has been incredible and it's an easy favorite for 2016. I hope you're reading it. If not, get ready to binge because you won't want to stop once you start.

I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

FAVORITE QUOTES

  This girl made me feel like a guilty teenager again, the one who was always praying that nobody around him could read minds.

Even the safest place in the world felt more elusive after you'd visited some of the ugliest ones. 

My body was rarely touched by anyone other than me. I was a sturdy piece of equipment, like the trucks that I often repaired. My body was good for moving things from one end of the farm to another. But it didn't provide comfort to anyone, let alone love.

I didn't even know my own name. All I knew was the ache she made me feel. The need. My hunger was like a devil on my shoulder, urging my hands to coast down her back, pulling her hips against my eager ones. 

"Remind me again, why you're a virgin?"
"Never wanted anyone enough."
"And now?"
"In my dreams, we do it every night."

"So many people look after you. You have a big fan club, Zachariah Holtz. And I'm the president."

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