But I Love Him by Amanda Grace

But I Love Him by Amanda Grace (Mandy Hubbard)

Pages: 245
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Flux
Publication Date: May 8, 2011
Source: Publicist

Overall:

Tonight was so much worse than anything before it. Tonight he didn't stop after the first slap.

At the beginning of senior year, Ann was a smiling, straight-A student and track star with friends and a future. Then she met a haunted young man named Connor. Only she can heal his emotional scars; only he could make her feel so loved — and needed. Ann can't recall the pivotal moment it all changed, when she surrendered everything to be with him, but by graduation, her life has become a dangerous high wire act. Just one mistake could trigger Connor's rage, a senseless storm of cruel words and violence damaging everything — and everyone — in its path.

With But I Love Him written backwards, Grace perfectly captures the intensity, emotions, and heartbreak that the characters in her story go through. Readers are opened to a different level of compelling issues that Grace has dived into; both physical and emotional abusive relationships, family issues, and losing yourself.

I found Grace's writing extremely powerful, raw, and evoking. Her writing really brought out the emotions within and her prose was brimming with emotional depth. Grace's use of storytelling will help readers understand and truly know the characters. She started from the end, which was when it was the height of the abusive relationship and went backwards from there.

Ann was so trapped with Connor's love. She was always so emotionally and physically down-- she was ultimately broken. I was so gripped, but yet haunted with Ann's story. She's trying to figure out and realize how everything suddenly just went all wrong with her relationship with Connor. And, even though Connor's actions were completely unacceptable, I still felt some sort of sympathy for him because his past is a part of him… and his past was somewhat sort of like Ann's.

Beautifully-written with harsh issues effortlessly tackled by Grace, But I Love Him is a startling but yet remarkable story.

Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler

Playing Hurt by Holly Schindler

Pages: 303

Format: Paperback
Publisher: Flux
Publication Date: March 8, 2011
Source: Publicist

Overall:

Star basketball player Chelsea "Nitro" Keyes had the promise of a full ride to college-and everyone's admiration in her hometown. But everything changed senior year, when she took a horrible fall during a game. Now a metal plate holds her together and she feels like a stranger in her own family.

As a graduation present, Chelsea's dad springs for a three-week summer "boot camp" program at a northern Minnesota lake resort. There, she's immediately drawn to her trainer, Clint, a nineteen-year-old ex-hockey player who's haunted by his own traumatic past. As they grow close, Chelsea is torn between her feelings for Clint and her loyalty to her devoted boyfriend back home. Will an unexpected romance just end up causing Chelsea and Clint more pain-or finally heal their heartbreak?

Compelling and beautifully written, Playing Hurt is an absorbing story of loss and love. With alternative perspectives, Schindler was able to portray heartfelt feelings and perceive each character in more depth.

The premise of Playing Hurt was very original and intriguing-- two characters whose love for sports is shattered and is struggling to find themselves complete. Moreover, the setting of Minnesota was perfect. Schindler was clear-cut with rich and vibrant detail, especially with the adventures in Minnesota with Chelsea and Clint.

Chelsea and Clint's past was unfortunate and Schindler clearly evoked their pain and emotions. With both their emotional and physical distress, and being haunted with their fears, they helped each other in many ways. Clint was sweet and obliging, he pushed Chelsea to accept the past and heal from it. The chemistry and attraction between them was startling because they start to realize that what they loss will start to heal as their friendship grows.

With multi-dimensional and realistic characters, deep emotions, and beautiful romance, Playing Hurt tackles issues of loss, love, healing, and acceptance.