Review: Come To Me Quietly

Come To Me Quietly (Closer To You - Book 1) by A.L. Jackson

Publication Date: 01/07/2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: NAL (New American Library)
Genre: New Adult Fiction
Pages: 384
ISBN-10: 0451467965
ISBN-13: 978-0451467966

(Received for an honest review from New American Library)

New Adult Fiction Genre: (Here is a definition of the New Adult Fiction Genre for those of you who are new to the term.)

New Adult (NA) fiction is a developing genre of fiction with protagonists in the 18-25 age bracket. The term was first coined by St. Martin's Press in 2009 when they held a special call for "...fiction similar to YA that can be published and marketed as adult—a sort of an 'older YA' or 'new adult'.

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A.L Jackson on the WEB: website, blog, twitter, facebook, goodreads, pinterest, instagram

Excerpt from, Come To Me Quietly, courtesy of the author's website.

Synopsis:

From the acclaimed bestselling author of Lost to You and When We Collide comes a New Adult novel of one woman’s obsession: a man who’s as passionate as he is elusive—and as tempting as he is trouble…

Aleena Moore is haunted by Jared Holt. It’s been six years since she’s seen her brother’s best friend, the self-destructive bad boy she secretly loved in high school. As the years pass, she knows it’s time to move on. Time to decide between a practical nursing degree and her true dream as an artist. Time to get over Jared and give another guy a chance…

Just when she opens her heart to her friend, Gabe, Aly returns home to find Jared sleeping on her couch. The teenage boy she loved has grown into a man she can’t resist. Covered in tattoos and lost in rage, he’s begging to be saved from his demons—the memories of the day he destroyed his family. As the two reconnect, their passion is hot enough to torch Aly’s judgment. But can she risk her future for a man who lives on the edge of destruction?

Thoughts:

A.L. Jackson brings readers the first book in her Closer to You series, Come To Me Quietly. Jackson is an accomplished writer who knows how to draw the emotions, whether they are happy, sad or anything in between, from her readers with ease. She uses characters that are flawed and realistic and gets to heart of their issues in ways readers can't even fathom. In Come To Me Quietly readers will meet a tortured hero, a heroine who is kind and generous of spirit and journey with them threw the turmoil of heartbreak and loss. An exceptional read!

What I liked:

I'm not quite sure I have ever read a book like this one before. As a book blogger I read a good deal of fiction, from the emotional to the lighthearted and back again, but this book is in a whole different category. A.L Jackson was a new writer to me and thus extremely surprising. When I picked up Come to Me Quietly I had no expectations or idea of what I was in for. What an emotional read! A real journey into the heart and soul of a tortured character. I rarely ever cry when I read a book, movies yes, but not books. I think it is difficult for an author to bring out such strong emotions in a reader, but A.L Jackson certainly knew how to do it. I cried more than once during this book, it was that poignant and heart felt. It was quite literally amazing!

Aly was such a tender and good soul. She was kind and generous and had only Jared's best interests at heart. From the beginning the reader can tell there is a lot more to Aly's relationship with Jared than what meets the eye. There is something just out of reach for most of the book that the reader senses but doesn't know. Aly had a childhood crush on her brother's best friend. They all hung around together and obviously loved each other, but why was she so emotionally attached to Jared? When the reader finds that out, it will be a shock and yet so perfectly suited to the story. 

I'll be the first to admit that I am a sucker for a tortured hero, especially if he comes in the form of a bad boy gone wrong. Jared was all that and more. He is probably the most tortured soul I have read about in a long, long time. Completely devastated by his past, his actions, by who he let himself become. Six years before the story begins something tragic happens to Jared and it affects everyone around him, his family, his friends, Aly and Christopher. He may seem like a real bad boy when first introduced into the novel, but what an amazing story he has. 

Aly and Jared's story is so emotional and beautiful at the same time. I don't think the author could have done a better job with this. It had every ingredient to provide the reader an emotional roller-coaster of a ride, that kept bringing the sensations higher and higher. The end was satisfying in so many ways, but also left the reader wanting more. This is the kind of book you want to take your time with, and just experience. It was also nice to see the set up for the next book was not intrusive but flowed well and did not take over. I absolutely loved it!

What I didn't like:

I liked every single word. So there isn't an criticism to offer on any part of this novel.

Bottom Line:

If you are a fan of contemporary romance and are looking for an original and shockingly emotional story Come to Me Quietly is exactly what you are looking for. With a fantastic lead couple and a romance that defy's the odds, this is easily my favorite contemporary romance of the year so far and probably will remain so.

Come To Me Quietly is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

A.L. Jackson first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student. She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.

Years later, she shared a short story she'd been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three beautiful children. Her favorite pastime is spending time with the ones she loves. 

Giveaway Details:

If you are even half interested in this book or A.L. Jackson's writing you've got to check out this great giveaway at Vilma's Book Blog. She is giving away a complete paperback collection of A.L. Jackson's books and a signed Come To Me Quietly poster. You've still got some time, but this is a giveaway you don't want to miss.