Title: Come To Me Softly
Author: A.L. Jackson
From the New York Times bestselling author of Come to Me Quietly comesa scorching new adult romance in the Closer to You series.
A second chance at life…
A second chance at love…
Jared Holt never thought he deserved either—until he found both in the arms of Aly Moore. Aly has loved Jared for as long as she can remember, and she’s more than ready for the future they’re making together. But Jared can’t help remembering his own family. And he’ll never forgive himself for what happened to them. How can he allow himself the very happiness he once destroyed? To live a life worthy of Aly, Jared knows he has to stop running and finally put his past to rest. But when he decides to face his demons head on, he encounters more than he bargained for: a dangerous mix of jealousy, lies, and dishonest intentions. When those intentions threaten Aly, Jared loses all control, giving into the rage that earned him his bad boy reputation years before. And he’ll fight to protect her no matter what it costs…even if he destroys himself in the process.
“I always knew his destination would lead him back to me.”
I’m pretty sure if it were possible A.L. Jackson’s books would burst into flames if they could. They are that HOT! Like blush worthy to the infinity power and beyond. But the best part is underneath all the scorching bedroom scenes, she can craft a good story for both sides of the romance, too. I really loved what she did here; letting go of the past to create a new future.
We have seen in book one, Come To Me Quietly how Aly and Jared fought for their love. Jared never had an easy life growing up. He made mistakes in the past that caused him to be the way he is now. Self-destruction. Self-denial. He feels that there is something fundamentally bad within his life, within his very soul, and that this part of his existence needs to be kept under strict control, hidden from everyday life at all costs. It just took all of that to come to a screeching halt, to get to the point of having nothing.
“I’d lost the right to be loved.
Leaving me to rot.
I’d accepted it because that’s what I deserved.
My life as a penance.
A due.”
But Aly’s love for him is so powerful that she refused to give up on him. Constantly reminding him that he, too deserves to be happy, to be loved, to be needed.
“Jared is a good man.
I’d always seen it.
Without him, our live would never be so full.
He was important.
Needed.”
And now that they are back in each other’s arms, their life will change in an exciting and surprising way, adjusting to new responsibilities and expectations as a couple, as future parents.
Will Jared finally break his walls and let Aly in completely?
Will Aly have enough time to make Jared realize his true worth before he goes to his usual ways of self-damaging?
“This isn’t going to be easy.
Promise me you won’t run when it gets ugly, Jared. Because life always does, and I can’t bear the thought of living without you in mine.”
“Won’t ever let you go, Aly. I promise, I won’t ever let you go.”
I totally adore this story about the true meaning of love, and the ultimate message that it is for sure a cure to all emotional wounds and voids. Love is not a magic stick, but it is not anything less than that even. If you just let love wash over you, it will heal you, brings you genuine happiness and makes you whole again.
Everything about Jared and Aly’s transition from friendship to relationship felt natural. Jared needed a dose of Aly’s responsibility and, in turn, Aly benefited from Jared’s sense of adventure. But they both have a lot of work to do to accomplish their happy ending.
I truly admire A.L. Jackson, definitely as a person, but she constantly blows me away with her writing. I have read all of her books and each book I think, there’s no way she can meet or exceed the previous one. But each time, she does, and I think I need to stop wondering how she does it. I have certain authors that no matter what they write, I always enjoy their work and Amy is one of those authors. Her writing is sharp, I love her dialogue, and even the other situations she folds in fit in so naturally. Words are so beautifully written, so carefully chosen, I really had a hard time putting it down.
Come To Me Softly is about a lot more than two people coming together…it’s about finding the strength in yourself to make appropriate and necessary changes in your life. Amy also does a great job of slipping in family issues and solid friendships; for such a compact book, I had a great grasp on Jared and Aly’s separate lives and each subplot was given an appropriate amount of attention and detail. I really appreciate that kind of attention in a romance novel. I haven’t found it super often and I love that Amy never fails to give me those. I was so invested I actually wouldn’t have minded if the story was a little longer, and certain situations were explored more deeply. It’s that addicting!
If you’re looking for a touching read that will tear at your heartstrings then you should give this book a go. It made me cry before putting a smile on my face but that’s the way I like it and I loved the confirmation of what I believe to be right as much as A.L. Jackson does in this story. 5 beautiful stars.
A.L. Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of
Take This Regret and Lost to You, as well as other contemporary romance titles, including
Pulled, When We Collide, If Forever Comes, and Come to Me Quietly.
She first found a love for writing during her days as a young mother and college student. She filled the journals she carried with short stories and poems used as an emotional outlet for the difficulties and joys she found in day-to-day life.
Years later, she shared a short story she’d been working on with her two closest friends and, with their encouragement, this story became her first full length novel. A.L. now spends her days writing in Southern Arizona where she lives with her husband and three children.
Look for Come to Me Softly and When We Met: Behind Her Eyes coming soon.
Other books in the series:
Come to Me Quietly (Book #1)
Aleena Moore is content with her life. She has goals and dreams and an easy smile. She also has a secret she holds locked inside. Jared Holt believes he doesn’t deserve to love or be loved. He destroys everything he touches. Haunted by the mistake that shattered his life, he’s fled from the memory of that pain. Jared doesn’t know why he’s compelled to return, but finds himself drawn back to the place where it all began. The exact place where it ended. When he runs into his childhood best friend, Aleena’s older brother Christopher, he agrees to share Christopher and Aleena’s apartment while he looks for a place of his own. Aleena is no longer the little girl Jared remembers from his past and evokes feelings in him he never wanted to feel again. Terrified of destroying her, he fights to keep her away. But her touch is something he can’t resist—the touch that sealed his fate. Their pasts are intertwined and their futures uncertain. The only truths they know are the secrets they whisper in the night.
Be sure to join us for the Come to Me Softly Read Along Party!
We’re kicking off the celebration on June 24th with a ton of prizes, then the read along begins.
Daily prizes all the way up to grand prize on July 2nd!
Grand Prize: Coach Bag stuff with A.L. Jackson Goodies!
Come to Me Softly Release Celebration Giveaway!
Grand Prize: Coach Bag, Kindle Paperwhite, and A.L. Jackson Swag
Second Prize: Come to Me Quietly Custom Charm Necklace
Third Prize: A.L. Jackson Swag Pack
A second chance at life…
