Ripe For Reader: Blog Tour - CHANGING COURSE by Aly Martinez

CHANGING COURSE

(Wrecked and Ruined #1)

Author: Aly Martinez

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: January 29, 2014

Hosted By: Love Between the Sheets Promotions

I met Sarah Kate Erickson when I was 21 years old. I was lucky enough to keep her for seven years before a tragic accident stole her from me. She didn’t die, but sometimes I think it would have been easier if she had.

I lived in a haze for those four years after the accident. Catering to her every need, even though she hated the very sight of my face. I tried to hold on to her and the future that we were supposed to build together. But you can’t hold on to someone that doesn’t exist anymore.

It wasn’t until I met Jesse Addison, a barista at the local coffee shop, that I realized I didn’t just lose Sarah that tragic night, I lost myself as well. Jesse taught me how to let go of the past and learn to love again. But what happens when your past haunts your present and the woman you used to love refuses to accept the woman you can’t live without?

CHANGING COURSE

(Wrecked and Ruined #1)

by Aly Martinez

ARC review

Published: January 29, 2014

My rating: 4.5 of 5 ⭐️

For four years after a car accident left his wife, Sarah, a stranger, Brett continues to hold on. No longer with hope, that disappeared long ago, but with a sense of responsibility and committment. Stuck in a promise to a woman that was only a memory to him now, making sure that the person who was left would be taken care of.

Every morning, for the past few months, Jess looks forward to the moment he walks in for his daily breakfast of yoghurt and granola. Working as a barrista while tackling her latest college degree keeps her bills paid, and her daily banter with the hot detective is a nice distraction. And then she finally has worked up enough courage to ask him out.

Brett has noticed Jess and is a little reluctant, to say the least, but once he has had the full effect of her, he feels himself starting to come alive. The strong mutual attraction takes no time flaring into full on sexual chemistry and things are suddenly moving at lightning speed. When Brett decides to finally tie off his past and move on, Sarah is not at all receptive.

It is not easy to let go of years of happy marriage and four years of stagnant dreams. It takes a few eye opening events to help Brett see who belongs in his future.

*****

O my heart!!! I may or may not have yelled out "you dumbass!!" a time or two during the reading of this book......I literally INHALED it!!

I know way back, when I read the synopsis the first time, I was intrigued by the concept and knew that I wanted to read it. But it is always a dangerous thing, because a really great synopsis can also be a huge disappointment once you have the book in your hands. Not here! Nope. It is everything it promised to be.

Brett really is the main player here, he is such a decent human being, even with his occasional temper. Standing by his wife, despite the fact that she has turned him away time and time again. He knows she needs someone and everyone else seems to have jumped ship, so he feels his committment from when they were still in love stands. But he is losing himself in the bargain, he has no life at all, he simply exists. His only lightpoint is his breakfast at the coffeeshop where Jess works. She becomes his life line.

She may seem shy and demure, but Jess is not quite the push over she looks to be. She feels way out of her league with the gorgeous Brett, and he at times can intimidate her, but he can never scare her. In fact, he encourages her to stand up for herself and speak out. So she does. She lays it all on the line for him and it scares her to death. But she is done playing it safe, nothing is gained by not going all out and she has decided that Brett is worth going all out for.

Amazing writing by Aly Martinez, a writer I am sure to keep a close eye on. A great writing style, an easy flow, fantastic dialogues and the ability to write love scenes that are both sweetly tender and five alarm hot!!! Yeah, not going to forget that name!!!

✨A gripping, insightful and sensuous knockout!!✨

**ARC provided in return for an honest review.**

"I'm broken Jess, but I need you to hear these words before I go. Trust me, I know saying this makes me a selfish bastard, because I've seen you cry three times in the five days we have been together. But for me, these last few days have been an awakening. I now see the sun behind the fog, and it's a damn good feeling.“I'm sorry about all of this, I truly am. Please believe me, and think about what I've said. I can't promise you anything more than tomorrow, but maybe one day, the fog will disappear leaving only sunny days ahead." He doesn’t stall even a minute longer. He simply walks to the corner, cleans up the broken glass, then walks out the front door.

I’m a 32 year old wife and stay at home mom to four kids under the age of five, including a set of twins. My life is crazy, which is probably why I drink entirely too much wine. Oh who am I kidding, I had a love affair with wine long before the kids came along. I was born and raised in Savannah Georgia, but we recently moved to Chicago. Let me tell you, this southern girl was not ready for the cold weather up here!

I’m an avid reader, but I haven’t always been that way. A few years ago my sister loaned me her Nook Color, and it changed my life forever. In the span of about two years, I read over 500 books. My newfound love of reading led me to start a book blog with two of my best friends. (Insert shameless plug here: WhiteZinBookends.com). Through WZ Bookends, I've had the opportunity to meet some of the most amazing authors, bloggers, and readers out there. Now that I have taken the leap into writing my own book, they’ve all shown me endless amounts of encouragement and support.

While driving home from Walmart one day in late October, a story embedded itself in my head and would not let go. It spiraled out of control until I finally opened my laptop and started writing. This journey has been a wild ride filled with tears, hand cramps, and tons of laughs. I love company, so follow me at one of the social links below and join me aboard this crazy train!