(#1 of Over Duet)
Author: J.A. DeRouen
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Rating: ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
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I fancy myself a purveyor of truth, a sifter of lies, a cutter of bullshit. It’s not a gift, but rather, all skill, honed to a razor’s edge after one too many trips down the rabbit hole.
Some may dismiss my talent as misplaced and misguided cynicism, but they’d be wrong. Cliches about hope and faith in mankind are concocted unicorn farts, an effort to keep the dreamers dreaming. Experiences don’t lie—people do.
While I’m not proud of the circumstances that led me to this way of thinking, I respect the journey. The road to enlightenment can be dark and foreboding, but the destination makes it all worthwhile.
But funny thing about the past—it’s a defiant child refusing to stay in time out. No matter how deeply buried, it can always pop up when least expected, and sink its fucking claws into the flesh of your heart. No, not my heart—I no longer have one. I foolishly gave it away years ago, but I still feel the ripping in my chest as I fist the crumpled note left on my porch.
I’ve avoided this day, ran from it, for the past eight years.
And still we meet again.
But to truly understand … to feel my dread and fear my future as I do, it’s important to know what happened in my past.
Or who…
My name is Marlo Rivers, and this is my story of corrupted love.
Excerpt . . .
When his teeth lightly tug on my bottom lip, he owns me. I swear, my shirt almost flies off of its own accord.
Of course, I keep my cool despite his lovely lips … sort of. His tongue slides gently against mine, and I inch closer to him. He pulls away to taste my upper lip, and I grip his shirt with both hands. Maybe my hands slide under the shirt to touch his hot skin, but only an inch or two. When he lets out a long sigh, and his fingers brush the sides of my cheeks just so, I slide my legs between his. I want to pull his ribs loose and burrow deep inside of him, and even then, I’m not sure if it’s close enough.
He slows the kiss, still tasting me, sucking my lips, teasing me with his tongue. When I open my eyes, he’s right there with me, hazy eyes and parted lips. I run a hesitant finger over the freckles on his nose, and he runs his thumb across my swollen mouth. I finger his hair, tugging playfully, and he kisses my dimple, poking me with his tongue.
We explore each other slowly, thoroughly, and my thumb runs over his stomach to the thin line of hair trailing below his belly button. He shivers, and I swear the bulge pushing into the back of my thigh isn’t a banana in his pocket. It makes me feel powerful—that I can turn him on that way. This is the first time I can remember wanting that power. Boy’s erections were always a nuisance to me in the past.
He doesn’t expect me to do something with that, does he? Nuh-uh.
Let me be clear, those are not the thoughts running through my mind as I bend my knee and push my thigh more firmly into Ever’s hard-on. Not even close.
His hips raise to my pressure, and he drops his forehead to mine with a long sigh.
“I knew kissing you would be good, Low, but that was … I don’t know what that was,” he says with a chuckle, stealing another kiss.
“We should try it again. You know, figure it out.”
And we do.
Playlist . . .
Firstly, the feels. So many feels!!! Marlo and Ever are incredible characters that have experienced far more than people their age should. Marlo at first prefers to see the best in everyone. Ever only sees the worst. And who could blame him? He has only experienced people at their worst and keeps them at arms length. Which is why Marlo and Ever's first encounter is explosive. And not in the fireworks of magic and love we would expect. They are not best friends. And yet, the more time they spend together, the closer they become.
For me, there is a sense of danger as a soft undercurrent in the story. I couldn't help but feel something was going to happen and feared for both Marlo and Ever. It was as if there was a shadow lurking and before you know it, it consumes you. Both Marlo and Ever face dark times and your heart bleeds for them.
The ending, gah! I so desperately want to say something about it but it will spoil it for you! So my lips remain sealed but I will say this, I utterly loved it and can't wait to see where it leads in the next story. The second part can't come soon enough!
Words cannot fully describe just how wonderful this story is. Ms. DeRouen has crafted another spell binding, heart clenching, tear jerking tale. So many emotions will run through your heart and mind. And before you know it, you'll reach the end and want more! The only way to fully experience it is to read it for yourself and feel the words wash over you as you are swept away by the story.
Giveaway . . .
About the Author . . .
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Also in the series . . .
Title: Hope Over Fear
(#1 of Over)
Amazon
Goodreads
Title: Wings Over Poppies
(#2 of Over)
Amazon
Goodreads
Title: Storms Over Secrets
(#3 of Over)
Amazon
Goodreads