The end is finally here. ALL OF ME tells the rest of Sara and Chris' tale, and even puts an exclamation point on Mark and Crystal's story too. Read on for my review, an excerpt and a giveaway as we say goodbye to Lisa Renee Jones' Inside Out series.
All of Me (Inside Out #6), by Lisa Renee Jones
Published February 2, 2015
Publisher: Gallery Books
Format: e-ARC, provided by TRSOR Promotions
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble
Rating: 4 STARS
(Synopsis) Passion. Mystery. It all collides in the breathtaking conclusion to the New York Times bestselling INSIDE OUT series, ALL OF ME.
He's rich and famous, his past dark, but so is hers. Can they save each other? Or will the darkness tear them apart?
The time has come to say goodbye to Chris Merit and Sara McMillan as they embark on the rest of their lives together and we continue on in the Inside Out spin-off series. I can't think of a better way to send this couple off - it's been a very long, hard road for these two. I can't think of another couple that really deserves a little bit of happiness finally.
Sara and Chris are trying to plan their wedding and tie up loose ends from Paris while continually working to put their demons to rest for good. None of it is easy, though, as it seems like no matter what they do, there are always people trying to get in their way.
For a book not considered a full-length novel, All of Me sure felt like one. So much happens within these pages that I forgot that it's actually a novella. But, ever since the beginning, we've been working toward a happy ending for this couple, and we finally get it.
Chris, although more self-contained when it comes to controlling himself when he's distressed or sad, hasn't changed much since the first book in the series. And, that's a good thing. I've always felt that Chris was this dark avenging knight, out to save defenseless and clueless damsels from all the bad things. I know he certainly wouldn't see himself that way, but I do. Chris kind of loathes himself, especially after everything that has happened to Rebecca, Sara, and now Amber. But, Sara sees him as I do - a guy who just wants to help in his own way.
All of Me opens in Paris where Chris is dealing with the aftermath of what happened to Amber and Sara is trying to plan her wedding and still trying to find out what happened to her friend Ella. There's a lot of residual hurt and angst between Tristan and Chris regarding Amber and her life, and those encounters made my heart hurt for everyone involved.
Sara holds herself together through all this stress remarkably well. She never walks away - she's learned that standing by her man is the best way to turn his frown upside down. Bravo, Sara. I love a woman who learns from her mistakes and doesn't repeat them.
Eventually, they make their way back to the states for their wedding, and while there hook up with Mark and Crystal. I really enjoyed seeing their relationship through Sara's eyes. It made Mark seems so much more charming and endearing than he ever has before.
In the days leading up to the wedding, Chris continues to battle his past so that he can put it behind him and move forward in his new life with his wife. This guy just makes me swoon all over the place until I'm a big puddle of swoony mess. Even when he's struggling, he still thinks of Sara and how his decisions might affect her. He's come a very long way.
My only complaint is the lack of closure on the Ella situation. I sort of expected it since I know the spin-off series is about her. But, I still hoped that, since this big mystery started within this series, that it would come to some sort of end here too. But, alas - there are no answers.
Despite that, this really was the perfect ending to Sara and Chris' epic story. I hope this isn't the very last we've seen of them.
I step into the hallway and Mike is waiting, looking sharp in a tuxedo. "I have the rings." He takes my arm. "And now I have the beautiful bride."
I cling to his arm. "Thank you. I feel unsteady."
"I won’t let you fall. And I promise you, neither will Chris."
There’s a tiny pinch in my chest at his sincerity, and a wish that my father could say such things and mean them, but I quickly shove it aside. "I know," I say, eager to get to Chris.
Jacob and Blake are at the exit when I arrive, and Jacob hands me my bouquet, giving me a grand bow before he opens the door for me. I pause and kiss him on the cheek. "Thanks for taking good care of us."
"What about me?" Blake demands.
"You stole Jacob from us. You get no kiss." I walk out of the chateau with Mike, and freeze with the realization that hundreds of eyes are upon me.
Since beginning her publishing career in 2007, Lisa has published more than 40 books translated around the world. Booklist says that Jones suspense truly sizzles with an energy similar to FBI tales with a paranormal twist by Julie Garwood or Suzanne Brockmann.
Prior to publishing, Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by Dallas Women Magazine. In 1998 LRJ was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.
Lisa loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at on her website and she is active on twitter and facebook daily.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
No comments:
Post a Comment