BLURB ➞
Callie Kingston’s life as an Orange County housewife isn’t as perfect as it seems. Her husband isn’t the same man she fell in love with nine years ago, and her home is no longer her safe haven. But she’s determined to keep up appearances, especially when it comes to concealing the bruises her husband’s temper leaves behind.
Until Cole Luciano moves into her best friend’s house across the street. He’s abrasive and rude, but his steel-blue eyes tell a different story—one with dark secrets that has Callie curious.
After suffering through an unspeakable tragedy, Cole settles into his sister’s pool house until he can get back on his feet. He’s convinced that he deserves to live with the guilt he harbors from his past, and wants nothing more than to be left alone. Yet he can’t seem to stay away from his beautiful neighbor. He sees right through Callie’s carefully orchestrated lies and is desperate to help her.
Callie discovers more than an angry and bitter man underneath Cole’s hard exterior. But when Callie finally finds the courage to create a new life for herself, Cole isn’t sure if there’s enough of his heart left to give in order to be the man she deserves.
Can two broken souls heal each other, or are some just too damaged to be put back together?
But then I feel more. Like the brokenness inside me can somehow detect another lost soul. Someone who can understand me.
ARC REVIEW ➞
This book. I’m a lot of words. This review has taken me days to write. What’s Left of Me completely gutted me. The moment I started reading I knew I was in for an emotional ride and this was so much more than I expected.
Callie is full of strength. She is dealing with a husband who is beating her down emotionally and physically. She blames herself for her husband’s behavior, she thinks things will get better. They have been together since college and things haven’t always been bad, so she knows things can be great. I just wanted to hug her. In a way, I found Callie to relatable, especially when it comes to the verbal and emotional abuse. I know some of the pain she feels, the blame, so much of it. Cole is going through his own struggles, his own personal tragedy. He is experiencing pain and loss. My heart broke for him and the blame he placed on himself.
The friendship Callie and Cole formed was something they both needed. They leaned on each other for support. They had a connection emotionally and physically. There was amazing passion between the two of them and they slowly healed each other.
What’s Left of Me is an extremely emotional, moving story about hope and love. This book will gut you, it will touch your soul, it will make you feel. This story is a tough read, it won’t be for everyone, but it is a MUST READ.
