Everything We Keep

Everything We Keep, Book #1

By Kerry Lonsdale

ISBN# 9781503935310

Author’s Website:  http://www.kerrylonsdale.com/

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Heidi

*Beware of Spoilers*

It was supposed to be a day of celebration, the day that Aimee and James would finally wed.  The two met when they were just kids, and became fast friends.  They later became high school sweethearts, neither had ever been with anyone else.  They had many obstacles to overcome, mainly James’s family.  Unfortunately, instead of the joyous day the couple had planned, this is a day of sorrow.  The day that Aimee must bury her beloved after a freak accident in Mexico that claimed James’s life.

After the funeral, Aimee goes into a long period of mourning.  She doesn’t know how to go on without the love of her life.  And, if that wasn’t bad enough her parents have decided to sell their restaurant, the restaurant that Aimee had always envisioned buying them out of and taking over.  With the two loves of her life gone, she doesn’t know how to move forward.

She eventually starts embarking on the dream that James always had for her, to open her own restaurant.  She even plans to use the logo he sketched up for it before he went on that fateful trip that changed Aimee’s life forever.

There is a new artist in town, putting his work in the very place that James had planned to open his own studio once he quit the family business.  But Ian’s medium is photography, unlike James’s painting.  Handsome Ian’s good looks draw many women his way, but he only has eyes for Aimee, but she just can’t let James go.  Therefore, she keeps Ian in the friend zone.

“I’ll make you a deal. I’ll toast to us becoming great friends if you promise to tell me when you want something more with me.”

My eyes rounded, then I tossed back my head, laughing at his deliberate word choice. When, not if.

“You’re something else,” I teased.

He shook his head. “Nah, just optimistic.”

“All right.” I lifted my glass. “You’ve got yourself a deal.”

In time, she feels the draw toward Ian, but she can’t shake the feeling that what that strange woman at James’s funeral said could be true; that James is alive!  Ian volunteers to go to Mexico with Aimee to discover the truth, even though it could take her away from him forever!

“His hands moved over my back, frantic. His lips were everywhere, my jaw, my chin, the length of my neck. His tongue traced my pulse point, making me hyperaware of every inch of skin. It was too much. I tore my mouth away. “Why are you doing this?” I panted. “Why now?”

His lips skimmed across my cheek. He nipped my ear. “I couldn’t compete with a dead guy. You worshiped him.”

“So I wouldn’t forget him,” I cried, desperate. I felt out of control.

Wow!  This was an amazing read!  I didn’t want to put it down, dang life getting in my way!  I kept rushing through my day just so I could get back to my book!

My heart broke for Aimee having to bury James on what was supposed to be their wedding day, all because his mom didn’t want her friends and family to be inconvenienced by having to change travel plans!  That woman was pure evil and I hated how she treated James growing up, leaving him to sneak over to Aimee’s to delve into his passion, his painting!  His family missed out on so much just so his mom could continue grooming him to help with the family business.

I also felt horrible for Ian.  I really liked him, but the whole book, I just felt like he was being setup to have his heart obliterated!  Especially when he accompanied Aimee on her trip to find James.

“I want to see you happy. I want you to live in the moment and smile spontaneously. Your entire face lights up. It’s beautiful.”

I was quite surprised how everything was left in Mexico.  It didn’t stick to the usual romance book formula.  I wasn’t sure how Aimee could make the decisions she did, but considering the situation, I suppose she didn’t have much choice.

But oh that epilogue!  A nice big cliffhanger that could change everything!  I’m almost afraid to read the next book in the series, to upset all the peace that had been found.  But you know I have to read it, and soon!  The good thing about reading this book a year after its release is that the sequel is already out and I MUST get my hands on it!

This was a great book that I highly recommend to anyone, like me, who loves good emotional reads, with some sweet romance sprinkled in as well.

“Fall for me, Aimee. I’ll catch you.”