Logan excitedly encourages Phoenix as she grabs the rope swing and runs to the edge of embankment and releases her grip to land in the water below. She is twelve years old and enjoying the day with her best friend. Until Kyle grabs her from below.
Phoenix hated to be in crowds and being touched since her night of horror four years ago. But, what nobody knew was that it hadn't been an isolated event. She was eleven when HE started sneaking into her room at night and used her love for Logan and her parents to get his way. She wanted him to stop hurting her, but she didn't want them to be hurt.
Her father must have heard her crying because her door came flying open before Kyle could finish buckling his belt. When her dad saw her broken and crying on the bed he grabbed Kyle by the throat and started punching and kicking him. When he grabbed the scissors from her desk and kept slamming them into Kyle's neck, she started screaming.
They took me to the hospital and my father to jail, but it was the look on Logan's face that devastated her. Logan and she had been best friends since birth, but if she only knew then what she knows now. She thought he would always be there for her. But, after they moved away his letters stopped, but only after he told her he hated her and blamed her for what happened.
During therapy it was suggested she find an outlet to channel her feelings and emotions. She found that in dance. She still has her distrust, but it's not as disabling as before. Her dad's trial was a nightmare and filled her with shame. Everyone saying that she had lied and wanted it, she just didn't want to get in trouble. She still hears whispers behind her back after all these years.
Best friend Angel gives her a hug before running off to find her place. They've spent the last six months of grueling work practicing for this dance. Despite the disturbance at the edge of the stage she stays focused like she was trained, but as soon as the number is finished she is pulled aside by two police officers to let her know her mother died in an accident at work.
What's going to happen to her? Her only family is in prison for protecting her. When she finds out from her dad who her guardians will be for the next year she flips out. And then he tells her that he and his parents kept the reason for what happened from Logan. If he doesn't know then why does he hate her so much? And what does he want to punish her for?
After her mom's funeral Logan's parents, Kayla and Max, packed her up for her journey to the United States. She vowed as soon as she graduated high school she was returning to Australia.
Logan loads up in his truck with his friends Caden, Ricky, and Stryker to go home. His mom texted to let him know they were able to catch an earlier flight and were now home. Four years ago he had his cousin and his best friend and then he had nothing. His cousin was dead and Phoenix would soon wish she was.
No one would tell him what was going on until finally his aunt and uncle told him that the girl he loved had been sleeping with his cousin and when they were caught she cried rape. No one had any idea...but he planned to get his revenge.
This is a very emotional book so be prepared to cry. This book is very well written and played on all my emotions. I love all the characters and they are all fully developed and relatable.
Phoenix has suffered the worst kind of betrayal and trauma that a young girl can suffer on top of her father serving time in prison for protecting his daughter. And then the one she counted on the most turned his back on her.
Logan is full of rage. His aunt and uncle told him that the girl he loved was sleeping with his cousin and was the reason he was dead. When her mother passes away and she has to move in with his family for a year he makes it his mission to make her life a living h3ll.
This book is full of action and triggers. Phoenix is raped and then bullied at her new school. It has been four years since her rape and although she still has issues with crowds and being touched she is amazed at her reactions to Logan, Skylar and Jonah. Is it possible to like more than man?
Highly recommend this book! If you don't like trilogies then this book is not for you. This is not a stand-alone novel. This is book one of a three book series, but I promise you won't be disappointed!
No comments:
Post a Comment