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Read the full review on Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous.
Liv and Dean are introduced to readers three years into their marriage and five years after they first met at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She was a twenty-four-year-old college junior transferee majoring in library sciences and he was a visiting professor of medieval history, nine years older than her. Falling in love with one another seemed inevitable for these two, but she was dealing with quite a number of things from her past while he kept his more hidden from view. Liv and Dean are very much in love with and fully committed to one another, but a pregnancy scare brings certain things to light, including one particular secret that leads to their marriage experiencing one stumbling block after another. Dean has always been able to fix things and keeps everything under control, but with one lie, he's at a complete loss.
This book was so frustrating at times, and it had to do with the obvious lack of communication that was happening between this couple. Let's face it, if more people actually talked openly and honestly, there would be much fewer misunderstandings. But as frustrating as these two were when it came to their reticence to discuss and be upfront with whatever was going on, their story felt real, the pain and ugliness in full display for readers to see. A relationship--a marriage--is much harder to maintain than love stories in the media will have you believe. Love is the main factor in making it work but it isn't the only one, and sex doesn't fix everything either; if anything, it's a distraction. But Liv and Dean are passionate about each other, so you cheer them on as they struggle. Arouse ends in a cliffhanger but is one worthy 4.5-star read, rounded off to five stars for Goodreads. ♥
Liv and Dean are introduced to readers three years into their marriage and five years after they first met at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She was a twenty-four-year-old college junior transferee majoring in library sciences and he was a visiting professor of medieval history, nine years older than her. Falling in love with one another seemed inevitable for these two, but she was dealing with quite a number of things from her past while he kept his more hidden from view. Liv and Dean are very much in love with and fully committed to one another, but a pregnancy scare brings certain things to light, including one particular secret that leads to their marriage experiencing one stumbling block after another. Dean has always been able to fix things and keeps everything under control, but with one lie, he's at a complete loss.
This book was so frustrating at times, and it had to do with the obvious lack of communication that was happening between this couple. Let's face it, if more people actually talked openly and honestly, there would be much fewer misunderstandings. But as frustrating as these two were when it came to their reticence to discuss and be upfront with whatever was going on, their story felt real, the pain and ugliness in full display for readers to see. A relationship--a marriage--is much harder to maintain than love stories in the media will have you believe. Love is the main factor in making it work but it isn't the only one, and sex doesn't fix everything either; if anything, it's a distraction. But Liv and Dean are passionate about each other, so you cheer them on as they struggle. Arouse ends in a cliffhanger but is one worthy 4.5-star read, rounded off to five stars for Goodreads. ♥
I'm such a sucker, can't end a book like that and make me not say ARGHHHHH WHERE'S THE NEXT... that is all. Actually, it pulled me in like nothing else, I feel so invested in the characters right now I must read everything right this second.....I even teared up a few times,whewwwwwww
3.5 Stars. I liked it a lot at parts then flipped through a majority of others because I hate reading about uncomfortable love relationship issues that I actually go through. I need fake fantasy shit
I liked that the book followed a couple already married and you learn their story from flashbacks. It was refreshingly different.
FYI - Huge cliffhanger!!
FYI - Huge cliffhanger!!
I don't know if Ok is the word for it. This was frustrating... and this is not how adults should be in a grown-up relationship.
This is the story of a couple in a marriage, the communication issues they face, and the challenges they deal with regardless of their perfect couple appearances. It's riveting and humbling. It's spicy and sweet. And overall a fantastic read.
This is my first book by this author and I loved her writing style. This story started out very promising for me. The writing is really fantastic, immediately pulling me in. I liked both Olivia and Dean's characters. I also found the story a bit too slow paced for my liking.
*ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
*ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
First off I admit that it took a little bit of time for me to get into the story line. I'd been told that it was worth persisting with, so continued. I'm so glad that I did. This is a stunning read.
The plot is refreshingly original and the writing impeccable. Dean and Olivia appear to have it all, until an incident acts as a catalyst and triggers a series of events to throw their perfect marriage into chaos.
Their once solid, loving relationship hangs in tatters as our main characters try to work their way through the ever increasing issues and feelings caused by poor judgement and communication.
The angst caused by jealousy, misunderstanding and confusion is very real, as is the physical attraction Dean and Olivia have for one another. Sparks igniting a mutual passion for one another, although this isn't enough to keep them from falling apart. The cliffhanger wasn't unexpected but still leaves me yearning for more. Beautiful.
Allure and Awaken will be in my reading future.
The plot is refreshingly original and the writing impeccable. Dean and Olivia appear to have it all, until an incident acts as a catalyst and triggers a series of events to throw their perfect marriage into chaos.
Their once solid, loving relationship hangs in tatters as our main characters try to work their way through the ever increasing issues and feelings caused by poor judgement and communication.
The angst caused by jealousy, misunderstanding and confusion is very real, as is the physical attraction Dean and Olivia have for one another. Sparks igniting a mutual passion for one another, although this isn't enough to keep them from falling apart. The cliffhanger wasn't unexpected but still leaves me yearning for more. Beautiful.
Allure and Awaken will be in my reading future.
Ever wonder what happens after the HEA? Well this story gives us our answer.
If I could sum this book up in one word I would have to say, real. This book is about a married couple who are wonderfully in love and living in their HEA until secrets start to slowly pull them apart.
This book was so emotional for me... I could feel the love between these two, and yeah, there may have been a few times I might have cried while reading this, but it was well worth it. This book didn't have a horrible cliffy but it does leave off for the second book and our couple does pull through the darkness.
~ Lydia, 5 Stars
If I could sum this book up in one word I would have to say, real. This book is about a married couple who are wonderfully in love and living in their HEA until secrets start to slowly pull them apart.
This book was so emotional for me... I could feel the love between these two, and yeah, there may have been a few times I might have cried while reading this, but it was well worth it. This book didn't have a horrible cliffy but it does leave off for the second book and our couple does pull through the darkness.
~ Lydia, 5 Stars