Review: Stone Silence by Taylor Dean

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Great big beautiful love.

Does it really exist?

Everyone tells me it does. They say, “Spencer Elliott, don’t worry, you’ll find it one day. You just have to find the right man and when you do, it will surprise the heck out of you.”

I’m still waiting for that heck of a surprise to hit. It has proven to be elusive thus far. I’m pretty sure the entire world is lying about love and the joke is on me.

I know I want a man in my heart and in my life. Unfortunately, most men immediately push my OFF button and I lose interest quickly.

Feeling pressure to prove I’m trying to find my soulmate, I finally give in and agree to a date. Huge mistake. Afterward I find myself abandoned in the middle of nowhere, in desperate need of help.

That’s when I meet Stony by chance.

He’s a silent and unsmiling man who intrigues me with his ability to keep going after life has knocked him down. Suddenly the abstract notion of love becomes tangible and within my reach. Once I experience it, I wonder how I ever lived without it.

That’s when I stay with Stony by choice.

But when Stony’s hidden past and present-day reality collide, his silence is broken. And the truth about his life nearly brings me to my knees. I can’t compete with ghosts from the past.

I refuse to fight for a man’s love. He either loves me or he doesn’t. It’s as simple and as complicated as that.

My only hope is . . . he does.

My Review

I knew after reading Chasing Fireflies by Taylor Dean that she would be one of those authors that I didn't pass on. I wasn't particularly compelled by the cover and description of this book, but I spotted some 5 star and rave reviews on Goodreads from friends that got me curious... and once I started reading it I blew through it in one morning. (One of those amazing mornings where the kids play so well together that I was granted the privilege of reading a book all the way through!) There's something about the author's writing style that brings the characters and their thoughts to life for me, and I loved it. I was seriously mad for Spencer when she gets abandoned by the jerk date she was with, I was apprehensive for her while she was searching for help in the middle of nowhere, I was relieved for her when the person she came across was a decent human being and gentleman. The dynamics of Spencer and Stony were intriguing and I especially loved their chemistry together amid the embarrassing missteps and wondering and yearning. They bring out the best in each other and their journey to happiness, while not without conflict, was enjoyable to read about. (Especially when they finally get to that first kiss! Worth the wait!) It's the best when I genuinely like both main characters and feel for them as they navigate difficult circumstances. Can't wait to pick up the next two books in this series!!! 

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)