Book Review: TIDAL by Emily Snow

*New Adult Romance*

Now that Willow Avery is out of rehab, she’s got one chance left to prove herself before she’s officially on every producer’s shit list. At least, that’s what her parents and agent are claiming. She doesn’t really give a damn if she never makes another movie or not—she just wants to get on with her life, get back to her friends, and find her next escape. But Willow is broke. And whether she likes it or not, acting is the only job she knows how to do.

When she accepts the lead in a beach drama, Willow finds herself in Hawaii. And in Hawaii, she finds Cooper, the gorgeous surfer hired to train her for her new role. With the bluest eyes she’s ever seen and the sexiest Australian accent she’s ever heard, Cooper’s different from the men she’s used to. He doesn’t want to use her. And he refuses to let her fail. But when an old friend re-enters Willow’s life—a friend whose toxicity she’s been drawn to time and time before and whose presence brings about the painful memories she’s tried so hard to suppress—Willow will have to choose between the girl she was and the person she’s becoming. The lifestyle that helps her forget the pain and the guy she’s falling hard for.

Tidal. What an apropos name for this book. Not because it takes place in Hawaii with an hot Australian surfer, but because this book had me riding a bitchen wave of emotions! Seriously, I had no idea. This book has an epilogue that I can’t shake. The ending was simply the BEST ending of any book that I’ve read. Yes, of all the books that I’ve read… This. Is. My. Favorite. Ending.

Willow Avery is the Hollywood starlet with a tainted past. Sounds like a predictable character does it not? Oh Willow is anything but, she is an amazing multi layered individual with issues. She’s imperfect and riddled with self doubt. She craves approval. She’s been wounded, she even believes she’s damaged beyond repair, but she refuses to be broken. Through her, we experience the unfamiliar side of Hollywood and the life of a celebrity not depicted in tabloids.

Cooper Taylor hates everything Hollywood, and isn’t afraid to let his feelings be known. He is that straight forward, a pull-no-punches kind of man. We are completely aware of how he feels and what he wants, Cooper plays no games. He isn’t perfect, but in my opinion, he is damn near. He realizes early on that Willow is so much more. He falls for her, and he falls hard. He refuses to let her fail and continue to go through life alone.

Emily Snow you have capsized me and I love you for it!! What a seamless story you have written. I adore the fact that you’ve given us a wounded heroine that refuses to become another statistic. I love that this story deals with real life issues with class and utmost compassion. I love that you’ve presented us with complex characters and an oh-so-hot romance. I love that you’ve given us a smoking male lead who is willing to fight for his girl, a man who believes and sees the good in her when others do not.

The end of this book slayed me. Utter perfection. If I wasn’t in love with Cooper prior to the epilogue (which I was), I didn’t have a chance. Are you KIDDING ME??!! I have read and re-read the conclusion too many times to count! Could that have been any more perfect??? Uhm… NO!!!!! I cried. I cried a whoa big ugly cry, not because I was sad… but because oh my, really?? What a flawless way to end the tale of an amazing love.