3.5 STARS
I think Dylan Allen has a long writing career ahead of her. I would have never thought this book was her debut book. Just…WOW!…CONGRATS!
Rise by Dylan Allen has everything a seasoned author’s book has and more. I’m proud of her and I don’t even know her.
I’m going to keep this one pretty, pretty.
First, a word from the author. . .
Synopsis
As a girl, I saw my father destroy the family he claimed to love. I watched my mother waste her life dreaming of a man who left her without a second glance.
As a woman, I don’t dream, I work. I don’t fall in love, I focus. I would never let anything as frivolous as love distract me.
Until I meet Simon. A gorgeous, brilliant young architect with dark eyes, a sweet smile, and a dirty, dirty mouth. He sets me on fire, and suddenly all I can do is dream…of his hands, his lips, his body. Of a heart good enough and a love strong enough to make me believe in happily ever after.
But Simon has secrets that are even deeper than mine. Will our pasts destroy everything we’ve worked for? Or will we find the courage to rise to the challenge and fight for the love we share?
*************************************************************
What a beautiful story! You have a beautiful, mocha, fierce and sexy woman. Now, let’s add a sexy as hell, sex on wheels chocolate man. I mean come on. What more do you need? – Well, of course, we need some damn good writing. Hello, folks, let me introduce Rise.
“We called you Rise for the first three years of your life because there was not a single challenge you didn’t rise to.” – Mother
Addie’s life wasn’t easy or normal, it was hard and gritty. Addie had to face challenges that others couldn’t imagine. With a father who broke her heart and a mother she saw as weak, she made it her mission to never depend on anyone. And, love? That was out of the question. A life without love and family isn’t really a life, but a life that mimicked her mother’s was out of the question. She never wanted to love a man so much and risk him leaving her the way her father left. To her, her mother was weak, Addie never wanted to be weak.
“You do not know what I have suffered through. But, I had children who needed me. So, I didn’t let them see me cry. Do you really think I didn’t cry? Yes, I loved him. Yes, I still do. I always will.” – Mother
On the outside it looked as though Simon had everything but in truth, his world was spiraling out of control. With new responsibilities colliding with those of the past, the possibility of love didn’t fit into his new world. Simon didn’t want to be like his father, who abandoned him as a child. He wanted to be better, which is great. . .but not enough.
Balance is the key to life. Both, Addie and Simon got a hard dose of that in this book.
When Simon first saw Addie, he knew there was something special about her. Not to mention, she was fucking gorgeous.
“I think you might be the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. I feel tormented by it.” – Simon
Simon didn’t want to want Addie just as much as Addie didn’t want to want Simon. Instead, they both must choose what is more important. Is it love or loneliness?
Simon is so beautifully broken. It’s impossible not to love him. I just wanted to jump into the book and cuddle him. . .okay, it won’t be for cuddles. I mean, we can cuddle after if that’s his thing. I’m not really into that. But, I can get into it for a 10 inch, thick, velvet penis. You don’t come across those everyday. Trust me, I know. I could go on and on about his Mr. Happy but I have a review to get back to.
Where was I? Oh, yes. Love or loneliness.
Let’s just say that these two couldn’t make up their minds to save their lives. At times, it was so fucking frustrating. With Addie on the left screaming, “Independent me! Independent me!” And Simon on the right screaming, “I won’t fall in love! I won’t fall in love!”
One might wonder. . . If I love this book so much, why am I only giving it 3.5 STARS? I don’t know really. I just never connected with the characters. It’s not because of poor writing or lack of chemistry between Addie and Simon, it just is what it is. I think it may have been the stubbornness of the two. After a while their, “I want you, I don’t want you” thing started to get on my nerves.
Do I recommend this book? Yes, I truly do. It was a good read.
Will I read more books by Dylan Allen? Yes, I will. The best part is that I look forward to it. I mean, think about it. If her debut book was this good, the next will be amazing.
I kept it pretty, as promised. I don’t think I was messy at all.
TTYL, lovers. . .
Stalk all things messy…
You probably gave it three stars for the same reason I considered it…there were overly dramatic/sappy points of view even though you didn’t mind because they were so entertaining! The there was also too much non communication and foolishness. I am just going to say the moment she described him in a Beyonce shirt I was like “Yasss! New favorite!”
Their relationship was frustrating from time to time. I just couldn’t connect with that kind of behavior from two adults. The Beyoncé thing was too funny! 😂
I was like if y’all dont just speak to each other?!?!?! 90 percent of the conflict in the book was avoidable, but idk I still love the book. I am excoted to read the one about her sister.