Book Review – Letting Go by Michele Zurlo

Letting Go [Awakenings 1] (Siren Publishing Classic)
Thanks for the suggestion, guys! Overall, I enjoyed it well enough. Definitely my “genre”, and the writing was good. Unfortunately, it took me awhile to connect. I think I hit the 50-something percent mark when I finally felt a bit of that “reading excitement”. You know… that feeling when you realize you’re not going to put the book down any more? After a few starts and stops (it took me a couple of days to read it) once I hit the second half I read straight through. Considering the reader-enthusiasm when it was first suggested, I knew *something* was coming, so I didn’t necessarily mind the buildup.

Did I get to that “point of no return” with it? It had it’s moments for sure. Moments that I thought were really going to infuriate me, and finally cue the angst and drama, but it rarely hit that level for me. I savored some parts, finally able to share in some of that emotion that I had been anticipating. I appreciated the “fooling yourself” thought processes, and even more, the insistence on sticking to the plan. The denial of the obvious. But for some reason, and I can’t put my finger on it… I just wasn’t feeling them. Or maybe… they lacked chemistry. Something was missing for me, and because of that, I read it, but didn’t fully experience it.

And it appears we’re getting mixed reader reactions – many really enjoyed it, and some experienced it the way I did…

Mazie: Letting go by Michele Zurlo……Jonas is ahhh ahmmmmmm a delight….

Debra: Read it but not sure how I am feeling about it….

Maryse’s Book Blog: I’m at about a 3.5 stars on it myself. Lots of parts I liked but I didn’t connect as much as I wanted to. I only started to “feel” emotions towards the end… Strangely enough because the writing was really good. And for the life of me I can’t out my finger on it… they lived, there was detail, none of it was rushed, the writing was great, the story was definitely up my alley, but I felt distracted and it’s only once I got to 50-something percent that I clicked in. Not 100% but by then, I read straight through.

Debra: I agree Maryse I didn’t really connect.  I got lost a couple times along the way. Not sure if I will continue with the others

Jennifer: I like books that I can’t go to bed at night….it was easy to put it down…good book though.

Mazie: Jonas is no Christian or Gideon for that matter…but I would take him over Caleb anyday…. But I like it …willing to read the next one…..

Maryse’s Book Blog: Yep! Definitely interested in continuing (especially since the last book is about them again, and I gotta know more!!), but I think I’ll try something else tonight.

Nikki: Mazie, I wouldn’t take anybody over Caleb And the sentiments expressed here are exactly why I put it down at about 25%. I had a hard time connecting.

Michelle: I just finished! Loved it!!!!!!! I think Jonas is my new book boyfriend 

Christina: 69% on book 2. Good so far 

See? Half-half it seems. *shrug* 😉

What’s it about? I’m betting  the “Christian/Gideon” comparisons have probably clued you in, so you’ve already got a good idea what genre it is.

Jonas has had a recent career change (from a high school teacher to ad exec) after a painful divorce from his wife. All of his hopes and dreams (and his money!) went out the door with her, and he’s… bitter. Or maybe more like, disillusioned. He still has his fun as a popular Dom in a few certain clubs, but nothing serious in his personal life.

Sabrina is a higher up at that same agency and from a wealthy family. Trust funds and all that. She doesn’t need to work, but enjoys it, and is a control freak. Considered “cold” and “haughty” but in reality, she’s simply shy, and due to her upbringing, extremely reserved.

Sabrina didn’t want to be cold and unfeeling. She just didn’t feel anything very deeply.

And she has a big inheritance coming her way, IF she marries by a certain age (which is coming up), and stays married for at least a year. And as she contemplates her dilemma, she proposes to the cute stranger she’s been eyeing (Jonas). They make a few “deals” (namely, he wants to be able to “sleep” with his wife ;)), she agrees, and he’s in!

In less than a day, her opinion of this quiet, unobtrusive, unassuming man had completely changed. She asked him to marry her because she thought he was harmless. She agreed to have sex with him because she thought he would be sweet. Unfulfilling, but sweet.

And of course, sparks fly, and the sexual tension? Well… there is no sexual tension per se, ’cause this is erotica and they start scratching that itch right from the start. LOTS! I may even have skimmed a few scenes. LOL!! Romantic tension…yep, some of that, of course as time goes on and they get to know each other. But jaded hearts, and set-in-stone promises to one’s self get in the way.

She was quiet for the rest of the ride, pushing her hurt into a ball of anger that she could stow safely away. It would come in handy the next time he demanded a piece of her soul.

Oh and… secrets. Some of that, too!

She had never seen Jonas angry before. Annoyed, frustrated, focused, but never truly angry. His eyes darkened to olive green and the cords in his neck stood out. And then he shouted.

“You had no right!”

*nods* oh yes… Jonas may be good at helping Sabrina discover a few very important things about herself, but he has a serious lock-down on some of his own.

A journey of self discovery that isn’t too bumpy  (only ’cause wow, she’s quite… understanding, where as I, well… *hrmph* I dunno about some of that… ) ;). But it does hit a few bumps… and maybe an eventual wall (and I liked that!). That’s where I was connecting the most. Lots to feel at that point, and some very heartfelt realizations come to light.

3.5 stars!

For those of you wanting to continue the series, here is the reading order guide.

Thank you to the author for sending me a review copy.