ARC Review: The Story of Us by Dani Atkins♥

The Story Of Us

Dani Atkins

• Publisher: Ballantine Books (June 9, 2015)
• ISBN-13: 978-0804178549
• Genre: Contemporary, Adult
• Pre-order: Amazon | Barnes & Nobles
• Source: Review Copy was sent free of charge via Ballantine Books. Thank you Alex.
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• Synopsis: Emma is just days from marrying her childhood sweetheart, Richard. But what should be the happiest time of Emma’s life takes a turn for the worse when, on the night of her bachelorette party, tragedy strikes. Thanks to some quick thinking from a stranger, Emma is pulled free from a totaled car before it goes up in flames. But another passenger is not so lucky. The wedding is postponed as family and friends deal with their shock and grief. 
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• But soon, secrets come to light that have Emma questioning her relationships—and her engagement. Making matters more complicated is the emotional connection she feels with Jack, the mysterious man who saved her life. It’s a crisis no bridal magazine has ever covered: What do you do when, on the eve of your wedding, you find yourself in love with two men?

• Emma is out on the night of her bachelorette party with her two best friends Caroline and Aimee. Emma is soon to get married to her childhood sweetheart Richard. Tragedy strikes, when she is a car accident with her two best friends. One of the best friends doesn't survive, and Emma is ultimately saved by Jack. Now, Emma feels an emotional connection and a bond with Jack, she looks at him for comfort and relief because he was there when everything happened, he tends to understand the most. Emma and Richard both agree to postpone their wedding to a later date. Soon, hidden secrets surface and now Emma is questioning all of her relationships. Emma is in love with two men, and she finds herself conflicted.

• Before everyone freaks out about the premise, let me just clear it that the heroine does not cheat, and she does not run back and forth between two guys. At first, I assumed that is what The Story Of Us would contain, but imagine my surprise when it didn't. This was a pleasant read overall, I'm surprised I liked it so much. I'm not the biggest fan of the cover though, I preferred the previous cover much more. Although, this is one novel someone can lose themselves into - it had my attention since the very first chapter. I did enjoy this book beginning to the end.

• Emma and Jack are both brilliant characters, there's nothing about them that I actually disliked. I wasn't the biggest fan of her fiance Richard though, so of course the team I was rooting on was for Jack! There is no instant love in this novel at all, Emma and Jack's first meeting was at a car accident, so they barely glanced twice at each other's faces. Although, there is an instant connection with them, I can understand why though. Jack saved Emma's life, and he was there for her when the tragedy occurred. She was on the verge of dying, stuck in the car where the petrol was leaking as well. She couldn't escape, but Jack choose to help her instead of walking away, and he was a complete stranger. I wonder how many people would risk their lives for STRANGERS? More people like Jack should exist please, yes to humanity! I wonder if the name Jack was chosen because of Jack from Titanic, they both pretty much do the same thing. Even though Emma and Jack are complete strangers, and they don't even know each other - that connection exists and it's fantastic. I didn't mind at all, I would make an exception because in these circumstances I would totally understand. Once again, Emma does not cheat, she stays loyal and faithful to her fiance. I laughed and giggled at many conversations between Emma and Jack. I also loved how they began their relationship with genuine friendship. The female friendship aspect was intriguing as well, true friendships usually win me over. Furthermore, Emma's mother has Alzheimer disease so the mental illness awareness was fantastic as well, and how Emma chose to cope with it. I have so much respect for Emma, many children leave their parents in nursing homes but she takes care of her mother at her parents house.

• The plot was interesting when the hidden secrets come to surface, now Emma is questioning all of her relationships. I couldn't wait to find out what happens next. The writing and dialogue of the novel was wonderful, there's nothing about this book that I actually disliked besides the fiance Richard. I do wish the pace at times was more faster though, the book is quite long otherwise it's a gem. This novel has romance, family drama, mental illness, and also true friendships.

Thank you for reading this! Have an amazing month of June - Leave your blog links in the comments & I'll be sure to check them out & drop by :) Stay in tuned pretty creatures..

“Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” —Nora Ephron 

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