A story of heartbreak, loss, redemption and second chances: Pocketful of Sand from New York Times bestselling author M. Leighton
Get it on Amazon | iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Google Play
Add it on Goodreads
“She’s beauty for my ashes. And I’m hope for her heartache.”—Cole Danzer
I don’t know what makes a great love story. Is it that instant attraction when boy meets girl? The passionate kisses and the fairy-tale ending? Or is it a lifetime of tragedy, paid in advance, for a few stolen moments of pure bliss? The pain and the suffering that, in the end, you can say are worth it for having found the missing piece of your soul?
The answer is: I don’t know. I don’t know what makes a great love story. I only know what makes my love story. I only know that finding Cole when I did, when Emmy and I were running from a nightmare, was the only thing that saved me. That saved us. He was more broken than I was, but somehow we took each other’s shattered pieces and made a whole. If that is what makes a great love story, if that is what makes an epic romance, then mine…ours is the greatest of them all.
Contains material that some may find disturbing. Not intended for readers under the age of 18.
Get it on Amazon | iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Google Play
Add it on Goodreads
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author M. Leighton is a native of Ohio. She relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she can be near the water all summer and miss the snow all winter. Possessed of an overactive imagination from early in her childhood, Michelle finally found an acceptable outlet for her fantastical visions: literary fiction. Having written over a dozen novels, these days Michelle enjoys letting her mind wander to more romantic settings with sexy Southern guys, much like the one she married and the ones you'll find in her latest books. When her thoughts aren't roaming in that direction, she'll be riding horses, swimming in ponds and experiencing life on a ranch, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.
Michelle has done it once again! I was drawn into the story from the very beginning. Cole, Cole, Cole....he is amazing, frustrating, smart and yet not so smart all in turns. His story was so strong even if he couldn't see the good that there still was. I was unsure of him when he was first introduced but the way he connected with Eden and Emmy was truly wonderful. I felt so bad for him when he first sees Emmy and how much she looked like his daughter. His first thought of "Who the hell was that?" about Eden shows the depth of his conflict from first sight.
Eden and Emmy are so great. They have been through so much. Eden's whole world is Emmy, which is obvious in the great care and attention Emmy receives. Emmy broke my heart, she is struggling with the after effects of her abuse and Eden's. I really loved seeing the happy and content moments for them both. Eden was such an endearing character. She has survived emotional and physical/sexual abuse but still is a kind and loving person. She is understandable cautious of people, she has to be with what she and Emmy have both been through. When Eden shares her story I had to stop and take a deep breath because it was such heartache.
All of this considered when Cole and Eden are together the chemistry is off the charts. Everyone can see their interest in each other before either one is ready to admit it. I kept waiting for my reader to go up in flames when they get together, they are on fire. Not to say there aren't issues along the way, how could there not be with each of them dealing with their own sorrows and pasts.
I did read both endings (curiosity got the better of me). The door number one was good and would have been more than enough for most readers but be ready if you choose the door number two. Door number two leads to what I am sure will be an intense series. I loved this book and look forward to where things may go from here. I give the book five stars.