{Review} Beyond Control by Karice Bolton
Title: Beyond Control
Author: Karice Bolton
Author: Karice Bolton
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Published Date: September 2, 2013
Average Rating: 4.5/5 Stars :)
Average Rating: 4.5/5 Stars :)
Synopsis
Gabby Sullivan learns in college that some things are impossible to control, and whenever life has spun out of control bad things seem to happen. She promises herself that she’ll stay a safe distance from the top three culprits:
Sex
Love
Relationships
But some things are beyond control…
Gabby handles her mom’s death and brother’s sudden abandonment just about as well as anyone could at the age of twelve. Left feeling alone, she finishes high school, developing a bit of a wild streak, and lives like there’s no tomorrow. That is until an illness stops her in her tracks. Learning to control life around her becomes her comfort. With a visible scar that reminds her and the world that she beat the odds, it’s impossible for her to put everything behind her, no matter how hard she tries.
Right out of college she begins working at her family’s company and buries herself in the safety of the corporate world. No extra time, no life, no relationships. It’s safe to say she might be a little demanding and overly ambitious, but she’s got everything under control, just how she likes it.
Jason’s been trying to piece his life together after a personal tragedy, only it’s not working. He’s thrown himself into his work, but he’s only becoming angrier. He’ll never forgive himself and doesn’t expect anyone else to either.
When the back of his vehicle is clipped by an obnoxious limo driver he can’t wait to let the driver have it until he hears Gabby’s voice coming from inside the sedan. There’s something soothing about it, something familiar.
The moment she sees him, she knows her life will never be the same. But she doesn’t know why. He’s everything she said she never wanted. He’s cocky, arrogant, and infuriating. With his dazzling amber eyes, dark hair and chiseled features she can hardly remember where she’s going, let alone where she’s been and maybe that’s a good thing. She begins to let him show her what life could be, if she really lived it.
Neither wants their past to define their future, but sometimes destiny has something else in store. It’s only as their love grows and secrets are revealed that they realize a devastating connection from their past might actually tear them apart.
My Review
First off I would like to say that I received this book in exchange for an honest review. An honest review is exactly what I will do. :)
This story is based out of Seattle, which to me was awesome. I felt I could relate even more due to the fact I live in WA. Some of the places she was mentioning I've either been to or heard of. I absolutely loved this story. It is full of tragic, love, happiness, and so much more. It will pull you in several directions like your on this crazy emotional roller coaster. Karice wrote this in a way that draws you in and has you feeling like your right there with the characters. *High Five Karice*
From the very beginning I knew this book was going to pull at my heart strings. I love love love love a story that draws you in from the first chapter. This story is well written and I can't wait to get my hands on the last 2 books of the series. (Don't quite know how to wait patiently, but I will)
Gabby: Where do I begin? This woman has been through hell and back. She helped her mom through her Cancer and had to watch her wash away. Her brother left right after her mom died when she was 12. Her dad was always working. Boyfriends cheating. UGH If it's not one thing for her it's always another (sounds like my life) Right out of college she works for her dad at his Cheese company. Her true passion is baking (LOVE LOVE LOVE baking) She puts these walls up that nobody can seem to penetrate, that is until she rear ended Jason. (My sons name! I swear I'm relating more and more with her) She tries so damn hard to fight what she's feeling with him, but in the end he wins. Love Gabby.
" Please. I'm not the one with the ego out to Switzerland."
Jason: Boy oh boy!!! If you love a man that knows what he wants and goes for it on top of a man who rides. Then Jason is your perfect book boyfriend. He was in the Marines and started up his own company. He runs an espresso shop as well. This man only does things that will make him happy. No need to just go around living life like a zombie. Go out and LIVE! He lost his fiancé which is so tragic! That's one of the reasons he threw himself into his work. He builds custom bikes. *RAWR* I love everything about him. He's perfect for Gabby in every way.
" I don't think there'll ever be a straight line for our love to follow, but that doesn't make it any less possible."
Brandy: This woman is the type of best friend you want!!! She's been by Gabby's side since College and is the perfect guinea pig for all of her goodies. :) Not to mention she can cook some delicious meals herself. She encourages her in all the right ways. Brandy is a law student that also works as Gabby's assistant. She's secretly in love with someone (I won't tell)
" You're lucky she's letting you off easy. If this makes you uncomfortable, you should see how she gets when she's really fired up. She's made grown men cry."
Aaron: This is Gabby's older brother. Yeah, the who who left when she was only 12. 10 years of no contact. My first thoughts. GRRRRR on you MR!!!!! Although getting more of the story I understood, but still had a little anger towards him. When he's around though he's the perfect brother. He also happens to be Jason's best friend. He runs the business that him and Jason started up. I'd love to hear more of his story.
" I'm not ready to only have memories of her, I couldn't do it. I'm not as brave as Jason."
Gabby's dad and stepmother are their own kind of wonderful as well. I had some anger towards her father, but you can't stay mad. Her stepmother is all kinds of wonderful. When you have a stepmother you want her to be everything Carla is. <3
Things are really Beyond Control, there is nothing we can do about it. Which sucks giant balls! I am feeling shattered right now. Karice has taken my heart with this one. It's crazy to believe how things work out in the end. We go on living our life one way and then life happens and directs it another. Gabby, I feel so deeply for her. She's been through hell, yet she is still standing and her witty banter cracks me up. She tries to take control of everything, which is her way of coping. From her mom dying when she was 12, having her brother leave her, a transplant, boyfriends cheating...she has these GIANT walls put up. That is until she rear-ended Jason, from that moment her life changed for the better. He showed her that life is too short for you to be just living life. Take chances and do what you love. It isn't all candy and rainbows for them though, it's rough. From the moment I heard Jason's story I had a feeling about what happened...however I wasn't for certain. The ending DAMN. Just DAMN. I literally had my mouth wide open and my heart beating a mile a minute. Crazy stuff. So with that said I rate this a 4.5 out of 5 stars :) If you haven't already add this to you TBR list.
Thank you Karice for an amazing read!! XOXO
First off I would like to say that I received this book in exchange for an honest review. An honest review is exactly what I will do. :)
This story is based out of Seattle, which to me was awesome. I felt I could relate even more due to the fact I live in WA. Some of the places she was mentioning I've either been to or heard of. I absolutely loved this story. It is full of tragic, love, happiness, and so much more. It will pull you in several directions like your on this crazy emotional roller coaster. Karice wrote this in a way that draws you in and has you feeling like your right there with the characters. *High Five Karice*
From the very beginning I knew this book was going to pull at my heart strings. I love love love love a story that draws you in from the first chapter. This story is well written and I can't wait to get my hands on the last 2 books of the series. (Don't quite know how to wait patiently, but I will)
Gabby: Where do I begin? This woman has been through hell and back. She helped her mom through her Cancer and had to watch her wash away. Her brother left right after her mom died when she was 12. Her dad was always working. Boyfriends cheating. UGH If it's not one thing for her it's always another (sounds like my life) Right out of college she works for her dad at his Cheese company. Her true passion is baking (LOVE LOVE LOVE baking) She puts these walls up that nobody can seem to penetrate, that is until she rear ended Jason. (My sons name! I swear I'm relating more and more with her) She tries so damn hard to fight what she's feeling with him, but in the end he wins. Love Gabby.
" Please. I'm not the one with the ego out to Switzerland."
Jason: Boy oh boy!!! If you love a man that knows what he wants and goes for it on top of a man who rides. Then Jason is your perfect book boyfriend. He was in the Marines and started up his own company. He runs an espresso shop as well. This man only does things that will make him happy. No need to just go around living life like a zombie. Go out and LIVE! He lost his fiancé which is so tragic! That's one of the reasons he threw himself into his work. He builds custom bikes. *RAWR* I love everything about him. He's perfect for Gabby in every way.
" I don't think there'll ever be a straight line for our love to follow, but that doesn't make it any less possible."
Brandy: This woman is the type of best friend you want!!! She's been by Gabby's side since College and is the perfect guinea pig for all of her goodies. :) Not to mention she can cook some delicious meals herself. She encourages her in all the right ways. Brandy is a law student that also works as Gabby's assistant. She's secretly in love with someone (I won't tell)
" You're lucky she's letting you off easy. If this makes you uncomfortable, you should see how she gets when she's really fired up. She's made grown men cry."
Aaron: This is Gabby's older brother. Yeah, the who who left when she was only 12. 10 years of no contact. My first thoughts. GRRRRR on you MR!!!!! Although getting more of the story I understood, but still had a little anger towards him. When he's around though he's the perfect brother. He also happens to be Jason's best friend. He runs the business that him and Jason started up. I'd love to hear more of his story.
" I'm not ready to only have memories of her, I couldn't do it. I'm not as brave as Jason."
Gabby's dad and stepmother are their own kind of wonderful as well. I had some anger towards her father, but you can't stay mad. Her stepmother is all kinds of wonderful. When you have a stepmother you want her to be everything Carla is. <3
Things are really Beyond Control, there is nothing we can do about it. Which sucks giant balls! I am feeling shattered right now. Karice has taken my heart with this one. It's crazy to believe how things work out in the end. We go on living our life one way and then life happens and directs it another. Gabby, I feel so deeply for her. She's been through hell, yet she is still standing and her witty banter cracks me up. She tries to take control of everything, which is her way of coping. From her mom dying when she was 12, having her brother leave her, a transplant, boyfriends cheating...she has these GIANT walls put up. That is until she rear-ended Jason, from that moment her life changed for the better. He showed her that life is too short for you to be just living life. Take chances and do what you love. It isn't all candy and rainbows for them though, it's rough. From the moment I heard Jason's story I had a feeling about what happened...however I wasn't for certain. The ending DAMN. Just DAMN. I literally had my mouth wide open and my heart beating a mile a minute. Crazy stuff. So with that said I rate this a 4.5 out of 5 stars :) If you haven't already add this to you TBR list.
Thank you Karice for an amazing read!! XOXO
Excerpt:
" On a mission to recover my bikini bottom, I searched the tub for anything lavender and finally found it being beat to death by one of the jets across from me. Snatching it up, I leaned over to my phone and panicked when I saw that Jason was going to be here in less than an hour. I scanned the patio for the towel and realized Brandy forgot to bring one out. Oh well. I'd just make a mad dash to the bathroom. I yanked the ear buds out and tossed them over the edge and dunked my head quickly in the water before standing up.
As I swung one leg over and attempted to climb out of the hot tub- holding my bottoms in one hand and leaning on the edge with the other- I heard the glass slider open up. I glanced up at the same time Jason's mouth fell open, and a little grunt escaped my throat. My one leg flailed in the air as my hand attempted to cover up things that couldn't be covered up. In an all out panic, I dropped my bottoms on the outside of the Jacuzzi and fell backwards, splashing huge amounts of water out of the Jacuzzi. Unable to even comprehend what he must have seen, I frantically attempted to regain my bearings, even though that was impossible.
"Umm. I'm so sorry," Jason said, beginning to laugh.
Laughter. Not the response I would hope for in this type of situation!
"Back away," I yelled, standing in the water hugging myself and evaluating how to dial 9-1-1 without him seeing anything else.
He put up both hands and slowly spun around, but not before his eyes coasted over me, with his lips threatening another smile. That only infuriated me more.
" What the hell are you doing in my house?" I yelled, as he continued to face the other way.
I was in a pickle. My bikini bottom was on the outside of the tub. I had no towel. I had no weapon. And for some Godforsaken reason- no matter how angry I wanted to be- I was kind of intrigued with this setup.
" Brandy let me in," he offered as if that would make everything okay.
" I don't believe it!" I argued.
" I can't help what you choose to believe," he countered, still holding his arms to the sky. " I'm guessing you didn't listen to the voicemail."
But regardless, this wasn't my fault. This was his fault."
Karice Bolton is a Young Adult/New Adult author living in the Pacific Northwest. Karice married the love of her life who she met in high school, and she still can't get over how cute and funny he is. They have two English Bulldogs that are the sweetest bullies in the world, and they use their cuteness to get what they want. Karice loves the snow and gravitates towards the stuff as often as possible! She enjoys skiing and tries really hard to snowboard, but often makes a nice little area to sit while everyone zips by on their board. She enjoys writing, and she also loves to read just about anything with print.
Karice would love if you stopped by her blog or FB page to find out the latest news on giveaways and upcoming releases, or you can just send her an email. She loves hearing from her readers and responds as soon as she can.
Karice would love if you stopped by her blog or FB page to find out the latest news on giveaways and upcoming releases, or you can just send her an email. She loves hearing from her readers and responds as soon as she can.
Follow her :)
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