February 13, 2014

BLOG TOUR REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Inner Core (Stark #2)


Welcome to my stop on the Inner Core blog tour, organized by Xpresso Book Tours! Read on for my review, then enter to win a $100 Amazon gift card. And, don't forget to check out the other stops on the tour.

Inner Core (Stark #2), by Sigal Ehrlich
Published January 25, 2014
Publisher:
self-published
Format:
e-book, provided by the author and Xpresso Book Tours
Genre: 
adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon

Rating:  3.5 STARS

(From Goodreads)
When Hayley makes a resolution to take back the control over her life, and declare their relationship R.I.P, it’s all good in theory…

That is until Daniel decides to prove her wrong and get her back.

Together, Hayley and Daniel seem to have it all. But can love ever be enough when two strong personalities collide and while reality takes the lead?

Faced with more obstacles than she could have ever bargain for when it comes to Daniel, struggling to keep her own identity while sharing a life with her man. Buds of doubt start rooting in Hayley’s confidence, making her rethink her decision.

And just when it seems that they might make it together after all, life happens. Bringing a threat that neither Hayley nor Daniel could ever anticipate, a threat that could break them apart forever .


Daniel is the sexiest, most awesome nerd ever, and I love him to itty, bitty pieces. Sigal Erlich did a fantastic job bringing him to life in Inner Core.

After he and Hayley had a falling-out at the end of Layers, Daniel is determined to get her back at all costs. He knows that nothing short of a grand gesture will do. After winning her back, Daniel thinks it's time for them to start living their lives together. But, Hayley still seems intent on putting the breaks. Is whatever is causing her mental block going to spell the end of their relationship forever?

I've got to be honest with you. Hayley made me want to throw something during most of the time I read Inner Core. She was constantly whining, waffling and wallowing in indecision. More than that, she treated Daniel terribly. 

Despite his mistakes, Daniel strives to make amends from the very beginning. He makes the necessary grand gestures we all love to see from the men in our books. He says all the pretty words and is willing to make the big commitments. Mad props to Daniel for putting up with what few men would. 

Hayley strung Daniel along in the worst way. I say the worst way, because she actually had feelings for him. She really did love him. There should've been no roadblocks to her naturally moving forward with him in their relationship. But, instead, she made excuses in order to maintain her independence, as if it's a mutually exclusive thing. Her conversations with Daniel go something like..

"I love you SO MUCH, Daniel. I never want us to be apart. I can't picture my life without you! But, wait. A commitment?? Pfftht. You must have me confused with someone else. Let me have a drawer for a few years. Then, maaaaaaybe you can talk me into a few feet of your closet. But, I really love you. I want to be together with you forever. I just don't want to marry you. Or live with you. Or have anything with you that's labeled with any sort of permanancy. But, I love you, baby."

Infuriating. 

But, once she got over her stupid hang-ups, that's when things got good. I wish it would've happened earlier in the story, but I'll take what I can get. Daniel's job gets him in a sticky situation  that causes Hayley to question how she's been going about things. Her epiphany was a long time coming and very much wanted. And then the after... it made it all worth it. The very end was pretty darn amazing and totally swoony. I loved it. 

Despite the fact that I had a hard time getting behind Hayley and her motives for doing... well, most everything... Daniel made it all worth it. Overall, it was a good ending to their story. 

About the Author

By teen age, Sigal already lived in three different continents where she had the luck to experience and visit varied places, meet unique people, which only helped fuel her overly developed imagination. Currently, Sigal calls Estonia home where she lives with her husband and three kids.

Not exactly sure where they will end up next…

When she is not hiding in her office, writing, she enjoys music, reading and taking care of her little clan.

With a great believe in "don’t wait for things to happen - make them happen," she enjoys anything exciting life has to offer.


Learn more about Sigal Ehrlich --> Facebook / Website / Twitter


Giveaway

Enter to win a $100 Amazing gift card or a signed copy of Inner Core.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

2 comments:

Kristia said...

Love your review. Can't wait to read it. Thank you for the giveaway :)

Giselle said...

Daniel sounds like someone I def need to meet! That convo made me LOL! What a turd of her. I'm glad it seemed to have worked out though! Great review, Krista!