Sam Taylor Mullens

4 stars!



I'll admit that if the author hadn't contacted us to read this book I would have passed on this story. I am so glad that I didn't! I do judge books by the cover and this is a case where the cover does not do the story any justice! I would compare this book to Tracy Garvis-Graves' Covet or Amy Harmon's Making Face and a little bit of Jane Harvey Barrick's The Education of Caroline. Very emotional, very well written.

Liz is unhappy. Her marriage is dead, her children take her for granted and she's developed serious health problems. She has no idea how much her life is about to change the morning she laces up her pink running shoes and takes off for a morning jog.

Jake, a Marine from a Special Ops unit is home from his latest tour in the Middle East and is suffering from PTSD. No one can seem to help him. He is at a crossroads, he must figure out a way to get well or let the suffering in his head take him down. He makes a split decision to kidnap Liz while she's out for her morning jog. He instantly regret his actions but it is too late to send her home for fear of the legal repercussions.

He takes Liz to a remote cabin in Canada. He means her no harm and she soon realizes that. Her heart goes out to him as she starts to witness his PTSD episodes. Through it all she needs him as much as he needs her. How is it possible that she has fallen in love with her kidnapper? Suddenly she doesn't want to be anywhere in the world but with Jake.

"Jake, you see yourself as broken, when all I can see is everything that you are, have been and could possibly become." Liz

My heart hurt for Jake and I loved him instantly. It was an accurate account of living with someone suffering from PTSD. I grew up as the child of a Marine so I can relate.

Why not 5 stars?

First, the cover and title. Second, as a mother I couldn't understand how Liz didn't seem to miss her kids all that much to stay away as long as she did but then again I'm a helicopter mom so what do I know. I would have felt terribly guilty. As much as I wanted to hate her husband for being a selfish jerk, I couldn't fault some of his thought and actions. I could even see a glimpse of maybe the person she loved when they first got married. I also thought Liz was being a bit selfish too. Worth a read, a story to take your time with and enjoy!
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