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cyndibecker 's review for:
Body
by Audrey Carlan
5+++ #Superman Stars ~ I HIGHLY recommend BODY and Audrey’s “Falling” series.
This is one of those stories where as a reviewer, I have spent a fair amount of time contemplating exactly why this is a 5++ star read. Sometimes I think too much. It comes down to this. This is one of those reads where you feel everything and you know as your hitting the words “The End” that you’ll be reading it again and that alone makes it a 5++ star read.
BODY (Trinity Trilogy - Book 1) is the first book in a new series by Audrey Carlan and although I think it lands squarely in the erotic romance genre, I feel like I’m short changing it. Yes it is erotic and romantic, but Body is also a mystery and it tackles far more complex and sensitive subjects than the typical angsty romance.
When the story opens, we are immediately transported to a hotel bar in Chicago. My first impressions were so easy to get as Audrey’s writing is very descriptive, a true show not tell style. Which makes this a read that I call easy - you simply become a voyeur. So, there we are in Chicago, with one Gillian Callahan as she is trying to enjoy a simple glass of wine and unwind from her travels from San Francisco. Gillians inner dialogue gives us a great amount of information on her life, we learn that she works as a Fundraising manager for a non-profit organization and that she is currently single. But there's so much more to Gillian, and we spend the rest of the book getting to know her and how she feels - I felt that she’s a very transparent character and one that is easy to want to know.
We are also immediately introduced to one Chase Davis. Again with Gillians appraisal, we get a clear physical picture of Chase (YUM), but Gillian also picks up on something that is simply Chase Davis’s “superman” pheromones. Chase is all Alpha male and Gillian has caught his eye. Immediately it feels as if these two are pre-destined. So the story goes on where we watch their present and pasts entangle as they are set off on a path that unites them. Their story is definitely fun to watch, but it's countered with moments of pure heartbreak and a central theme that is not always easy to digest, that of the effects of domestic violence.
Audreys depiction of domestic abuse and the effects are handled by her with great sensitivity. Gillians non profit work is for a program supporting victims of domestic violence. The main reason she works for this organization, that she wanted to work for this organization, Safe Haven, is that she herself is a survivor and Safe Haven is the reason. Throughout the story, Gillian experiences flashbacks that are simply heart wrenching. Again, Audrey handles this with an amazing amount of grace and I don’t think this is an easy thing to do. It’s not glossed over and it’s not melodramatic. It feels like a very true picture of what one woman experiences at the hands of a monster. With Gillian’s character, Audrey touches on multiple aspects that the survivor of domestic abuse feels; guilt, shame, and self-doubt. But Audrey gives us a Gillian that has fought her way back to normalcy & stability and is giving back and finding her own peace.
With Chase now embroiled in Gillian's life, she goes from a now relatively drama free existence to a life filled with escapades that only a bazillionaire boyfriend can offer. But Chase also brings a new element of danger. His pure Alphaman-ness challenges Gillian. She has to fight for control of her life and Chase is not one to easily back down - he “owns” her safety. At times he’s smothering, but also very, very sweet. I adore some of Chase’s habits (cookies for breakfast), but he also has a bad habit if sending sending mixed signals. He does one thing and says another and these moments made me particularly anxious and quite frankly I was wholly annoyed and angry with him at times. But he does have charm and a way to make all the heartache go away *wink wink*. Gillian matures a lot throughout the story’s timeline and she valiantly tries to push back on Chase’s need to control everything. She succeeds a few times we made me immensely happy.
I have no doubt their road toward together is going to have more rocky moments than not. As a couple they are constantly challenged by his family, their work connection and a nearly matching pair of psychotic "his and her" ex’s. There is also a mystery element in the story-line when Gillian is threatened. This causes a chain reaction that is not uncommon with anyone who has been victimized, the need to lock-down and live in fear. Chase’s task of keeping her safe is now much bigger.
Finally, this story is nothing without Gillian's wonderful group of “BESOS” ( see the books special acknowledgements for full description) that keep their “Gigi” balanced. There is a lot of camaraderie and as we get to know her friends its very apparent they have developed a small family with each other and that these girls and “guy” have each others back.. Because of this, Gillian doesn't necessarily need a superman to protect her from the monsters in this world, but he’s a lot of fun to have around.
The story does end on a cliffhanger but book 2 ,which is called “Mind”, is expected to release in December.
This is one of those stories where as a reviewer, I have spent a fair amount of time contemplating exactly why this is a 5++ star read. Sometimes I think too much. It comes down to this. This is one of those reads where you feel everything and you know as your hitting the words “The End” that you’ll be reading it again and that alone makes it a 5++ star read.
BODY (Trinity Trilogy - Book 1) is the first book in a new series by Audrey Carlan and although I think it lands squarely in the erotic romance genre, I feel like I’m short changing it. Yes it is erotic and romantic, but Body is also a mystery and it tackles far more complex and sensitive subjects than the typical angsty romance.
When the story opens, we are immediately transported to a hotel bar in Chicago. My first impressions were so easy to get as Audrey’s writing is very descriptive, a true show not tell style. Which makes this a read that I call easy - you simply become a voyeur. So, there we are in Chicago, with one Gillian Callahan as she is trying to enjoy a simple glass of wine and unwind from her travels from San Francisco. Gillians inner dialogue gives us a great amount of information on her life, we learn that she works as a Fundraising manager for a non-profit organization and that she is currently single. But there's so much more to Gillian, and we spend the rest of the book getting to know her and how she feels - I felt that she’s a very transparent character and one that is easy to want to know.
We are also immediately introduced to one Chase Davis. Again with Gillians appraisal, we get a clear physical picture of Chase (YUM), but Gillian also picks up on something that is simply Chase Davis’s “superman” pheromones. Chase is all Alpha male and Gillian has caught his eye. Immediately it feels as if these two are pre-destined. So the story goes on where we watch their present and pasts entangle as they are set off on a path that unites them. Their story is definitely fun to watch, but it's countered with moments of pure heartbreak and a central theme that is not always easy to digest, that of the effects of domestic violence.
Audreys depiction of domestic abuse and the effects are handled by her with great sensitivity. Gillians non profit work is for a program supporting victims of domestic violence. The main reason she works for this organization, that she wanted to work for this organization, Safe Haven, is that she herself is a survivor and Safe Haven is the reason. Throughout the story, Gillian experiences flashbacks that are simply heart wrenching. Again, Audrey handles this with an amazing amount of grace and I don’t think this is an easy thing to do. It’s not glossed over and it’s not melodramatic. It feels like a very true picture of what one woman experiences at the hands of a monster. With Gillian’s character, Audrey touches on multiple aspects that the survivor of domestic abuse feels; guilt, shame, and self-doubt. But Audrey gives us a Gillian that has fought her way back to normalcy & stability and is giving back and finding her own peace.
With Chase now embroiled in Gillian's life, she goes from a now relatively drama free existence to a life filled with escapades that only a bazillionaire boyfriend can offer. But Chase also brings a new element of danger. His pure Alphaman-ness challenges Gillian. She has to fight for control of her life and Chase is not one to easily back down - he “owns” her safety. At times he’s smothering, but also very, very sweet. I adore some of Chase’s habits (cookies for breakfast), but he also has a bad habit if sending sending mixed signals. He does one thing and says another and these moments made me particularly anxious and quite frankly I was wholly annoyed and angry with him at times. But he does have charm and a way to make all the heartache go away *wink wink*. Gillian matures a lot throughout the story’s timeline and she valiantly tries to push back on Chase’s need to control everything. She succeeds a few times we made me immensely happy.
I have no doubt their road toward together is going to have more rocky moments than not. As a couple they are constantly challenged by his family, their work connection and a nearly matching pair of psychotic "his and her" ex’s. There is also a mystery element in the story-line when Gillian is threatened. This causes a chain reaction that is not uncommon with anyone who has been victimized, the need to lock-down and live in fear. Chase’s task of keeping her safe is now much bigger.
Finally, this story is nothing without Gillian's wonderful group of “BESOS” ( see the books special acknowledgements for full description) that keep their “Gigi” balanced. There is a lot of camaraderie and as we get to know her friends its very apparent they have developed a small family with each other and that these girls and “guy” have each others back.. Because of this, Gillian doesn't necessarily need a superman to protect her from the monsters in this world, but he’s a lot of fun to have around.
The story does end on a cliffhanger but book 2 ,which is called “Mind”, is expected to release in December.