Publisher: self-published
Format: e-copy, provided by the author and AToMR Tours in exchange for an honest review
Genre: mature YA/new adult paranormal romance
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble
Rating: 4 STARS
(From Goodreads) Secrets…
They weigh you down. I’ve kept a secret all my life. It’s my mother’s secret, too. I inherited it from her along with a unique ability that only we possess. She’s gone now, another victim of addiction. If her death isn’t enough to bring me to my knees, her betrayal flays me to the bone. Because the secret my mother and I have been keeping is just one of many she’d kept. She never told me I have an older brother. And now he’s here, eager to be my guardian.
There is no one else. So I move across the country to live with this stranger, my brother. But experience has taught me that most situations are temporary and forming attachments only leads to hurt in the end. That’s why I’m determined to keep to myself in this new place, struggling to seem aloof while I’m quietly breaking apart.
Then I meet Lucas…
His magnetism is hard to resist, and most girls at school aren’t resisting. I don’t fall so easily though, especially not for guys who use their good looks as a weapon. From the start, our interactions are tense and volatile. I know it’s because I’m denying the unwelcome desire that grips me when he’s near. I think he feels it, too. He looks at me with an intensity that threatens to unhinge my resolve. Soon he’s trying to break through the walls that past hurts have built.
But I’m not what I appear to be, and it wouldn’t be fair to get involved with him. At least that’s what I tell myself. Until a terrible act of violence reveals that Lucas has a secret, too. It’s a secret that links us together and ties us to an evil history I could never have imagined.
Before I talk about the book, can I just talk about the cover? It's so eerie and freaky and kinda beautiful. I freaking love it.
Keep You From Harm was unexpected in many ways. I honestly didn't realize ahead of time that there was a paranormal aspect to it. I love that that took me by surprise. I also didn't realize how much I was getting all in one package. It's like a a three-fer. It's a little contemporary romance, a little paranormal and a little crime/mystery. What a fun combination.
Raielle is sent to live with the brother she never knew she had after her mother is murdered. Not used to having anything - love, food, companionship - it's a bit of a tough transition. Luckily, she is able to make a few friends, which help. And then there's Lucas - the hottest guy in school who runs very hot and cold when they're together. To complicate matters, Raielle has a unique ability to heal injuries of all types. It's both a blessing and a curse, as she's about to find out.
Raielle and Lucas are pretty awesome characters. Raielle doesn't trust easily, with good reason. It makes it all that more challenging for Lucas to get close to her. She is strong and resilient, and that shows through in the decisions she makes. With her healing ability, she gives of herself without thought or consequence, but if an injury is going to eventually take a life, she has to walk away.
I really loved Lucas. He's a guy who tries to do the right thing. He's got it bad at home, which colors his views of others. Many in the town are suspicious, and even fearful, of him. And, yet, he keeps his head down, gets good grades and plays on the local baseball team. Lucas is determined and really brave.
You put these two together, and they have some pretty amazing qualities between them. But, a relationship between them isn't easy. There's so much push and pull. Stop and start. And stop. And start. Lucas would react a certain way, and Raielle would shut him down because she didn't like his reaction and was afraid to unguard her heart. Raielle would do something, and Lucas would misinterpret it and push her away. It was a vicious and frustrating circle. The lack of communication between these two was staggering for awhile. But, once they got it together, the romance was so sweet.
I really loved the paranormal aspect. Raielle's healing abilities were pretty cool. I like that there were limits placed on her and what she could do. Power without consequence is always so annoying. The mystery woven into the story was a good addition too. We're trying to find out who killed Raielle's mother and what that has to do with the bigger picture. The culprit wasn't too surprising, but the motives were.
There were times in the middle where the story seemed to stall just a little. I got a little tired of all the back and forth between Raielle and Lucas. But, the beginning started off with a bang and the ending was super exciting. Keep You From Harm was a fantastic paranormal with a sweet romance and a dose of freak out.Give it a try.
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