Wednesday, June 3, 2015

ARC Review: The Story of Us by Dani Atkins♥

Wednesday, June 03, 2015



The Story Of Us
Dani Atkins

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  • 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.

  • 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. 

  • 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 
femmmefatalee@gmail.com


32 comments:

  1. Great review! I haven't read of this one before nor have I seen it around, but it does sound interesting. Glad you pointed it out that the main character isn't back and forth between the love interests. That would have irked me :) But I do love the sound of the characters, especially Jack.

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    1. Thank you Magen & I agree, I was so rooting for Jack all the way :) ♥

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  2. This sounds like a wonderful story! Just by reading your review, I'm team Jack too!!! I love a story with strong friendships and am really curious about the hidden secrets that come to surface. I hope Jack doesn't have any upsetting secrets! I'm guessing it's Richard who does, since he sounds like a douche bag! Great Review Benish :)

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

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    1. Thank you Lindy, you will have to read the story to see who's keeping what secrets :)

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  3. Ahaha this book does sound pretty cute. I like how you immediately reassured us that this is a clean love triangle - or at least that is what I call it. I think it is good that it is, and the idea of Jack putting himself out there for a stranger is such a nice one. The premise doesn't grab at me much, but your review and rating does. I would have to think about this one some...

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    1. Thank you Olivia, I'm glad my review made you think ♥ I do hope you check out the novel eventually, happy reading :)

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  4. Wonderful review! So glad this isn't a story where she runs back and forth between two great guys, those are really starting to grate on my nerves lately.

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    1. I agree, I really hate the cheating type of novels. Thank you!

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  5. Oh my goodness. I'm glad it wasn't the worst kind of romance (cheating, love triangle...etc). I'm intrigued, and would love to see what almost made it perfect for you!

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    1. I agree I can't stand cheating most of the time, thank you ♥

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  6. Aww wow, this actually sounds pretty amazing! I don't think this would have ever been on my radar if not for your lovely review, but I like the sound of it. Emma sounds like she is dealing with a lot of things that really DO happen in real life, and I am curious to see how she does it! Thanks for sharing this one, I am adding it to my TBR for sure!!

    Shannon @ It Starts At Midnight

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    1. I agree, I thought it might be an average read when I first read about it but it was actually quite fantastic and I really did like reading this book♥

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  7. A good friendship will definitely win me over. This actually sound pretty good. And I agree with you about the cover.

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    1. It could have used a better cover, the previous cover was gorgeous.

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  8. I haven't seen this one before but it sounds like something I would love! I'm glad there is no cheating or obnoxious insta-romance. Plus I love a focus on friendships in books. Great review!

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    1. Yeah true friendships always wins me over, thank you Grace ♥

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  9. Interesting premise. I've not seen this one before. Thanks for the great review. I'll put it on my list.

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    1. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I have ♥

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  10. Okay, good, thanks for clearing that up because otherwise that would be a no no no. Haha, yeah, indeed, world would be a much better place because of it. AND YES. Seriously though, I love romance that's built on friendship, it's just so much more believable and real and is just <3

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    1. Haha yes everyone seems to be appreciating that, so on quite glad I put that in just to clear any doubts :) Thank you for dropping by Kristy ♥

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  11. This sounds interesting. I'm just not sure it's for me. Great review, Benish :)

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  12. I love this sort of lighthearted romance for the summer. This is the first time I have seen it. Thank you for the review and for the heads up about not avoiding it for misconceptions based on the synopsis.

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    1. You welcome Suzi & thank you for dropping by! I agree, I adore these kind of romances as well for the summer. ♥

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  13. I like that there's no cheating or instalove - thanks for pointing that out! The concept sounds pretty intriguing - I'm always in the mood for family-drama type books!

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    1. You welcome, this was a really good drama novel :)

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  14. I haven't heard of this book before now but I must admit I'm not a fan of that cover at all! the premise sounds interesting and when I read the synopsis cheating instantly sprang to my mind so I'm pleased that this wasn't the case in this book. I am very curious to read this one.

    A lovely review! Sharon – Obsession with Books

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    1. I agree, I don't like the cover at all either. The previous one worked much better in this case, I hope you end up liking this novel though ♥

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  15. I love books with life changing moments, when the reader is put in the position of wondering what they'd do in that situation. Thankfully she doesn't act on it though, if not for your review I would have assumed she would be flinging back between the two as well. This sounds like a great beach read, real death but while still being fluffy on the romance aspect. Wonderful review Benish, so glad you enjoyed this one <3

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    1. Thank you Kelly ♥ & I agree, the premise hints at cheating but the heroine does not cheat at all. She stays loyal, thank you for dropping by :)

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  16. This book is soooo right up my alley. I love romances like these. :D Wonderful review, Benish~

    Blessie @ Mischievous Reads

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