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Love Exactly (2013)

by Cassandra Giovanni(Favorite Author)

3.89 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

1482688514 (ISBN13: 9781482688511)

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Show n'ot Tell Publishing

review 1: Did you know that words hurt? That words inflict pain and leave emotional scars long after any physical scars have healed? Emma Walker can tell you that they do. She went through it and she finds it difficult to forget.Emma is a writer for a local paper, covering mundane events such as high school basketball games and other local events. She finds her work unfulfilling, ordinary and uninspired. She goes through life one article at a time, suppressing her true passion - creative writing.Enter Evan Levanesque, rock-god personified. Decked with tattoos, adorned with curly hair, structured with abs of steel, possessing enormous musical talent and patience that rivals that of Job, Evan seems too good to be true. He is instantly attracted to her, an attraction that only grows ... morestronger when he realizes that she knows exactly who he is, yet she continues to act normally around him. She is not bothered by his popularity or fame, but continues to treat him as a normal person. In spite of forced separations and a 7-year age gap, their relationship flourishes. Evan is mature and patient enough to recognize that Emma's insecurities come from a deep dark place. He gives her the time and opportunity to get to know him, to get to trust him and to realize that he is a different person than the one who hurt her. Will she see the difference?Cassandra writes a story of self-discovery, self-love, and self-awareness. Words can lift, can inspire; they can also hurt, demean and destroy. Words almost destroyed Cassandra, until she found a man who made her realize that she has the power to remove the shackles those hurtful words burdened her with.What did I like about the book? I loved that Cassandra was able to express emotions in such a simple, yet eloquent manner. For example, Emma attempts to explain why she feels drawn to the graveyard. Cassandra writes: "History, sadness and beauty all clash there ... I know we'll all spend an eternity there --"Each fighting for its share of silent relevance often times ignored."Or this exchange between Evan and Emma:"Tell me something ... tell me why it feels like you're a part of my soul?" Because you're a part of mine."What I found hard to believe was that a rock-star comes to a sleepy town, with the requisite band and tour bus in tow, and no one notices them? He is able to walk the streets unrecognized? Really? I mean, really? But I guess it was necessary in order for Emma and Evan to meet, but this scene felt forced.One thing I really did like was Emma’s talent for photography. The use of her photos for a major event should have been celebrated, but it felt like it was just swept to the side. And in the real world, Emma would have received credit for her work as well as commensurate pay.The pivotal part of the story happens after an encounter in a restaurant. Emma comes to a realization and breaks through the shackles that have bound her emotionally and creatively. Unfortunately, I felt that the plot point leading to this realization was not strong or emphatic enough to shatter through five years of self-doubt. I was hoping that she would be placed in a situation where she would stand up for herself, and take back the power her aggressor took from her. Unfortunately her epiphany was not a result of anything she had done, but was a result of Evan's actions while defending her. It just didn’t add up for me.The story was not as tightly woven, as I would have liked. A few plot points were left unresolved, namely, what happened to Evan's relationship with his parents and his record company threatening to keep them apart. Emma also mentioned her favorite stone in a conversation she had with Evan. I would have found it satisfying to see that information used as the story ended. Additionally, I also felt that there wasn’t a clear plan on how to end the story, and that the ending was contrived to end the story, which left me feeling unsatisfied.Overall, the story has a good message and is a short sweet read. My only regret is that I wish the author would have developed the plot a bit more, answered all the open plot points she integrated into the story and gave her characters a bit more depth.
review 2: A 4 .5 star gem if ever there was one. I needed a feel good love story and after reading one or two other reviews, I took the chance and was not disappointed.The story revolves around one Emma Walker (loner and recent college grad) and Evan Levanesque ( first and foremost, he should be labeled as a sweetheart, then as a hot rock God musician). We watch 2 endearing and worthy characters as they develop a relationship over a long distance, long separations, and too short reunions. I'm so glad I got to know them. The dialogue was very well done and it kept the feel of the story in the moment & very real.Kudos to the author for doing a wonderful job developing and delving into the long term impact upon self worth, trust and fear that both verbal and physical abuse impart upon the victim - we saw just how deeply Emma was held in hostage by her experience with abuse and how she felt trapped in reacting to abuse from years before. We were able to watch her evolve in both confronting her fears and move forward- and of course it was her relationship with Evan that was the impetus in her growth. She would likely have remained stuck and what was great about the story is that she realized it and did something to change it.Evans' immediate devotion to Emma and the desire to actual work on developing their relationship made him immediately likable. Their connection was instantaneous and he had the wherewithal to stay the course - BRAVO.And I just want to applaud the ending - again perfectly what I needed. less

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