Aly Martinez

I fell in love with Manda Baker eight years ago, and I loved her to the core of her soul. We were supposed to have that elusive happily every after and spend a lifetime together. But that was all before she was STOLEN from me. Her best friend, Sarah Erickson, killed her. It wasn't intentional. It was far worse.

Stolen Course

Jennifer Eggleston 

Caleb with his tattoos and his love of his dead fiance but ready to move on with his life ... did I mention that tattoos and that he is good with his hands and following through with "plans". 

Ups, Downs, Tears, and Cheers. This book was a rollercoaster - enjoyable but a rollercoaster. I loved Emma's spunkiness and sarcasm. She dished it and she can take it. 

Collin is a way better name than Gavin. #justsayin

The book answers what happened the night of the crash and it was a twist I did not expect.

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After getting to know bits of Caleb in the first book in this series, Changing Course, I couldn't wait until he got a story of his own. Caleb was a complicated man with an even more complicated past, but I still couldn't help but love him – flaws and all.

Caleb harbored A LOT of anger at the death of his fiancée, Manda. It was no secret he blamed Sarah completely. Though witnesses said Manda was driving at the time of the accident that killed her, he never believed it and, as a cop, never gave up looking at the evidence, trying to find a way to prove his theory. In addition to anger, Caleb feels a lot of guilt because he and Brett had been with the ladies shortly before the accident and he's convinced had he stayed, Manda would still be here. All this anger and guilt had turned Caleb into a very hard man. He didn't do the relationship thing because he couldn't bear to think about losing someone he cared about again.

Emma arrives in town shortly after her sister Sarah's latest episode. She's sweet and sexy and all the things Caleb doesn't need in his life (or DOES NEED, but is unwilling to admit) – especially since her sister was responsible for Manda's death. Caleb was set on making sure Sarah paid for her role in Manda's death. Emma would do anything to protect her sister. Despite all this, Caleb feels an immediate attraction to her and their friendship and flirtation blossoms over a few phone calls. When Emma moves to town, they pick up where the calls left off and, holy cow, they were combustible together. 

Caleb and Emma's relationship started pretty quickly and didn't take very long to grow incredibly intense. I thought they were a great couple, but man did they make me angry at times. I know Caleb was dealing with a lot, but he was a real dick to Emma at times and she had a tendency to be a doormat. Even through the toughest times, and trust me there were plenty of those, I still believed in them as a couple, even if I wanted to scream or shake some sense into them. There really never was a doubt in my mind that they belonged together, but their relationship was far from easy. Of course, as more was uncovered about Caleb and Manda's relationship, his insecurities and anger made more sense. It might not have excused them entirely, but I felt like I knew where he was coming from. 

This book, much like the first in the series, was big on emotions for me. I was completely exhausted when I finished it. I won't spoil the scene for you, but there was one absolutely heartbreaking scene that filled me with so many feels that I wasn't sure I was going to be able to get through it. My eyes are tearing up right now, just thinking about it. It was such a beautiful, absolutely perfect moment. There was also a HUGE twist that shocked me to no end. No way did I see it coming. But, it wasn't a twist that was so "out there" that it was unbelievable. If anything, all the pieces fell together and it completed the story. 

I don't know what the author's plans are beyond this book, but I know I will definitely be on the lookout for more from her, whether in this series or something different. I really enjoy Aly's writing style and her complicated characters. Both of the books in the Wrecked and Ruin series were unique and full of feels. The men were alpha, yet vulnerable, and the women were relatable, and the sexy scenes were super steamy. It's easy to get immersed in the world of these characters – the good, the bad and everything in between. 

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Stolen Course

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