Book Review – Roam by Kimberly Stedronsky

Roam (Roam Series, Book One
A great start to what I anticipate will be a tumultuous series loaded in angst, action and personal agony. My kind of read! And it was so good, with two twists that I didn’t even see coming. One had me gasping halfway through the story thinking… NO. WAY!! Totally clever!

Very cool, indeed. And that’s what I love about paranormals. The surprise reveals that are so hard to accept at first but then make so much sense as the story progresses. This is one of those.

And as many of you here already know, our own MichelleS was the “finder” and the BIG TIME *squee-er* over it. This girl went NUTS! Check out this post and you’ll see. As I time-lined her progress updates, I knew I was missing out. And so many jumped in as she was reading and went crazy for it too. So obviously… I had to find out what the fuss was all about.

MichelleS: I am a freakazoid. That is just embarrassing. When you put it all together like that I am borderline manic! Let me just explain to others that those were over MANY days!!! LOL!!! Hope you love it like I did, Maryse. It’s for the Maryse that loved Bella & Edward and Kat & Bones and even Perry & Dex. THAT Maryse will love it! The ‘After Hours’ (one book has everything) Maryse – no, not so much. Definitely need to read the whole dang story!! Can’t wait to hear your review.

Kelly: Seeing this made me click Roam and I am hooked. Almost finished book 1. Anxious for book 2

Fab: …I read Roam on MichelleS’ recommendation and agree with her that it’s really good. So crazy twisted.

Amy: Believe me, MichelleS…you’ve sold me on Roam.

Kelly: Maryse, did you start Roam yet?

Maryse: I sure have! Should finish it tonight.

Kelly: Started series Monday. Am already 1/2 way through book 3! Soooo good.

MichelleS: if you are in a PNR mood, go Roam (best PNR for me in YEARS) and if you are in a NA mood, go Movie Trilogy…. now if there was only an MC club book I’d have a coronary!!! LOL (you know I get nutty when I find a true 5 star read for me, so pardon my lunacy)…

Ashley: Roam is, without a doubt, one of my favorite series! I even convinced my husband to read it and he liked it!

Lisa: Kimberly Stedronsky rocks, love all her books!

SEE? Seeeeeeee? Who can possibly resist all of that enthusiasm? Not I.

And like most “starts” to a series, this one was just an intro so I’m in the “liked it very much” category. And by that I mean, I’m not yet attached to the characters, and the foundation was just laid down and it’s still a little fresh. A little loose. And this happens to me for all series that have a continuing story that develops further and further with each book. I only get attached as I go. I become more involved with each new installment. I become the main character and fall for heroes (or the bad guys). And I freak the heck out by about book #3 or #4 (which I hear are the gut-kickers in this series, too). YAY ME!!

So what’s it about?

Okay… in a nutshell (I went into this one blindly, just on Michelle’s recommendation alone – didn’t even read the blurb), so I don’t want to give too much away (so leave this review now if you like going in blindly like I do),

but…

Roam is a 17 year old super-book-smart girl headed for an Ivy-league college. Her boyfriend has been her best friend since they were kids. She’s got a supportive family, friends, an all-around good life. And now she’s got a crush on her new hottie history-teacher (West). But when her history teacher accidentally touches her… a searing connection happens between ‘em. But it’s not what you think. Well… sorta.  It’s so much more than that.

“I am not your enemy.”

Bested, I finally glowered at him. “Then who… are you?”

He took a step forward, and I stayed bravely where I was. “I’m someone you’ve known throughout six lifetimes. I’ve found you each time you were born again, and explained this to you six times in the past. This time marks the seventh.”

I stared at him blankly

An “end of the world” type of connection and a prophesy indicates that only THEY can save it. Together. Maybe. They’ve done this before… again and again. In previous lives. And this is their last chance.

He is certifiable. It was time to search for another weapon.

LOL!!!

Yep. Try explaining THAT to a seventeen year old that had her whole life ahead of her… and her boyfriend. LOL!

And that’s where the fun begins!

“You are too young to have to deal with this. The dreams are terrifying. They have the potential to drive you insane. Literally,” he clarified “Your burden is the dream. Mine is failure. Watching you die.”

To me? It had a sort of “Providence by Jamie McGuire” feel to it (but not the same story). The writing, the story, and the connection. Just not as angsty (yet) as Jamie’s book #1 was. But I can feel it coming. I think I’m definitely headed for a love triangle heartbreak (in two different ways, in fact).

So it was good! I DID find the er… emotional and intimate interactions between Roam and West a little awkward. Rushed. Too quick. Too intense for two people that have just met. BUT BUT BUT!!! To be fair, their souls know each other and have for hundreds of years, so even if she’s a different woman each time… inside? She’s still the one he’s known forever. But for me? I only JUST got to know them, and we were already headed for that BIG connection before I was ready to be there.

I think that’s my only complaint. The big emotional connection that to me, as a reader, felt too new for me to feel it, too. I was experiencing “their past” through her dreams, but mostly in the scary moments, and not so much in the loving… so I wasn’t in love yet.

Will I continue? You bet. Good writing, good buildup, good story, crazy circumstances, an awesome twist or two, and considering how our fellow readers are loving each book more than the last one, I know I’m in for a wild reading-ride!

4 stars!

Tagged as: 4 stars, paranormal romance, time travel, urban fantasy