encyclopediabritanika 's review for:

August Lane by Regina Black

4.0

challenging emotional sad tense slow-paced

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This story is light on plot and heavy on angst. It has a rich, beautiful writing that I wanted to wrap myself in and roll around in the ache. A second chance romance from a small town with two kids who had dreams of country stardom, or maybe just dreams of escaping each of their abusive and/or neglectful mothers. There's a whole lot of mother issues and pain. The writing has a deep ache you feel in your bones, a bruise you press on, an injury that hurts when the weather turns. That's how these two wounded folks show up and reunite over a decade later - wounded and hurting, and pressing on those bruises because they don't know how to stop. 

"They wanted Luke, the pop star who made you grab your girl and dance, not Lucas, the crooner who made you want to burrow with her under the covers and trace her skin until it didn't feel like skin anymore." I mean, COME ON! That imagery! 

I wish there had been a bit more there there - exploring issues with all the family members who have hurt them (that cousin did not get nearly enough heat) - but I will go anywhere Black takes me, even if it's round of hurt in a small town. 

Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the e-arc. August Lane is available now.