Consolation - Book Review

By Corinne Michaels

Synopsis

Liam wasn’t supposed to be my happily ever after.
He wasn’t even on my radar.
He was my husband’s best friend—forbidden.

But my husband is dead and I’m alone. I ache for him and I reach for Liam.

One night with Liam changed everything. Now I have to decide if I truly love him or if he’s just the consolation prize.

Review

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I absolutely love this cover. It’s so simple yet so beautiful and this is exactly how I picture Natalie and Liam. Although a topless shot of Liam wouldn’t go astray either. I’m just saying.

I had this ARC on my Kindle for days before I started reading it as I really had to get in the right frame of mind. When I finally started reading CONSOLATION one night, I woke up the next morning to six scrunched up tissues beside my bed. Yeah, I love a book that can rip my heart out and bring out such strong emotions in me and Corinne did not disappoint.

Natalie is a grieving widow by the age of 27 and a single mother to her unborn child. Her husband and ex-Navy SEAL, Aaron, was killed by an IED in Afghanistan while working for Cole Security Forces. She spends six months mourning the loss of her husband while taking care of their little girl, trying to pretend to everyone that she’s fine. But she’s not fine, she’s barely existing. Until one day Aaron’s best friend, Liam, arrives after being transferred to SEAL Team Four in Virginia. His loyalty to his best friend has him helping Natalie with anything she and Aarabelle needs.

Natalie and Liam have known each other for years, but they have never thought about each other in that way. Natalie was totally devoted to Aaron and given that Liam’s job is dangerous, he prefers not to have a family waiting back home for him to return. But as they spend more time together, their feelings change and grow into something more. They both fight it, afraid they’re betraying Aaron for even thinking about seeing where this could go. Natalie also struggles with the idea of a relationship with another SEAL, while Liam adjusts to the idea of having an instant family.

Natalie: I think of the letter he wrote urging me to love again. Could I give another man a chance to hold me like this? Right now…I don’t know. But being in Liam’s embrace makes me want to be open to the idea.

My heart broke for Natalie at the beginning of the book, but my heart broke for Liam at the end. Liam is a definite winner in this book. He’s so sweet, caring, loyal and patient. Liam’s love for both Natalie and Aarabelle shine through and the ending absolutely broke my heart for him.

Liam: “When we make love for the first time, when I claim you, it’s not going to be because you want to forget. It’s going to be because you want me.”

This book will have you crying right from the start. Most of my crying was done in the first 30% of the book. I cried when Natalie is told that Aaron has been killed. I cried at his funeral. I cried over that damn letter from Aaron so much it took me several attempts just to get through it. It was that beautiful.

CONSOLATION is book 1 of the Consolation Duet, with CONVICTION coming out May 27, 2015. Fair warning, this does end with a cliffhanger that will leaving you wanting to pull your hair out while you silently rock in a corner of the room. You’ll hate the fact that you’ll have to wait until the end of May to find out what happens. But I’m told good things come to those who wait. To be honest, fuck the good things, I just want to know what happens right now. I don’t think my heart can take a two month wait.

Liam: “I love you. I love every part of you. I wanted to fight it, but I can’t fight you. You’re supposed to be mine and I won’t lose you.”