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Wrecked and Ruined #1
Changing Course
I met Sarah Kate Erickson when I was twenty-one years old. I was lucky enough to keep her for seven years before a tragic accident stole her from me. She didn’t die, but sometimes I think it would have been easier if she had.
I lived in a haze for those four years after the accident. Catering to her every need, even though she hated the very sight of my face. I tried to hold on to her and the future that we were supposed to build together. But you can’t hold on to someone who doesn’t exist anymore.
It wasn’t until I met Jesse Addison, a barista at the local coffee shop, that I realized I didn’t just lose Sarah that tragic night, I lost myself as well. Jesse taught me how to let go of the past and learn to love again. But what happens when your past haunts your present, and the woman you used to love refuses to accept the woman you can’t live without?
*Intended for readers 18+. Each book in this series can be read as a standalone.*
I lived in a haze for those four years after the accident. Catering to her every need, even though she hated the very sight of my face. I tried to hold on to her and the future that we were supposed to build together. But you can’t hold on to someone who doesn’t exist anymore.
It wasn’t until I met Jesse Addison, a barista at the local coffee shop, that I realized I didn’t just lose Sarah that tragic night, I lost myself as well. Jesse taught me how to let go of the past and learn to love again. But what happens when your past haunts your present, and the woman you used to love refuses to accept the woman you can’t live without?
*Intended for readers 18+. Each book in this series can be read as a standalone.*
259 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 29, 2014
524 people are currently reading
7,612 people want to read
About the author
Aly Martinez
54books8,031followersOriginally from Savannah, Georgia, USA Today bestselling author Aly Martinez now lives in South Carolina with her four young children.
Never one to take herself too seriously, she enjoys cheap wine, charcuterie boards, and her mildly neurotic golden retriever. It should be known, however, that she hates pizza and ice cream, almost as much as writing her bio in the third person.
She passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a super-sized tumbler of wine by her side.
Never one to take herself too seriously, she enjoys cheap wine, charcuterie boards, and her mildly neurotic golden retriever. It should be known, however, that she hates pizza and ice cream, almost as much as writing her bio in the third person.
She passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a super-sized tumbler of wine by her side.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 938 reviews
June 4, 2016
4 stars!
Every book I’ve read by Aly Martinez I’ve loved. Her stories and writing are always so good and I’m never let down. Changing Course was different than anything I’ve read by her. It was a very�. stressful read. I still loved it, though! Much more angsty than I was excepting, but still made me laugh, swoon and feel.
This is not your traditional romance story. And it’s not a love triangle either� Brett was married and in love with Sarah. When Sarah’s best friend died in a car accident, Sarah may have well died too. Everything changed. She and Brett aren’t together and haven’t been for years, but she’s still in the picture. He still feels responsibility for her. Brett never thought he would or could be with anyone else. And then he met Jesse and everything changed for him.
I loved Brett and Jesse. Brett frustrated me at times, but truly he was a really great man just trying to do the best he could. Sarah completely infuriated me. I know she has issues but dang. I wanted to slap her more times than I could count. Anytime she showed up I knew the angst was going to go through the roof! I did love watching Jesse and Brett’s love grow. He deserved that kind of happiness more than anyone.
This year, I have a list of authors who I want to read every single book they’ve written. Aly is on that list. This is the only series of hers I haven’t read. Now that I’ve finished Changing Course, it’s on to Stolen Course! I’m actually crazy excited to read this one because Caleb was one of my favorite characters in the book and reading the blurb that the heroine is Sarah’s sister� Ugh! I can just tell it’s going to be a crazy ride and amazing!!!!
If you’re looking for an emotional read that’s sexy, angsty, and will make you smile and laugh all the same- Changing Course is one I recommend! I listened to the audiobook of this, and the narration was great!
Every book I’ve read by Aly Martinez I’ve loved. Her stories and writing are always so good and I’m never let down. Changing Course was different than anything I’ve read by her. It was a very�. stressful read. I still loved it, though! Much more angsty than I was excepting, but still made me laugh, swoon and feel.
This is not your traditional romance story. And it’s not a love triangle either� Brett was married and in love with Sarah. When Sarah’s best friend died in a car accident, Sarah may have well died too. Everything changed. She and Brett aren’t together and haven’t been for years, but she’s still in the picture. He still feels responsibility for her. Brett never thought he would or could be with anyone else. And then he met Jesse and everything changed for him.
I loved Brett and Jesse. Brett frustrated me at times, but truly he was a really great man just trying to do the best he could. Sarah completely infuriated me. I know she has issues but dang. I wanted to slap her more times than I could count. Anytime she showed up I knew the angst was going to go through the roof! I did love watching Jesse and Brett’s love grow. He deserved that kind of happiness more than anyone.
This year, I have a list of authors who I want to read every single book they’ve written. Aly is on that list. This is the only series of hers I haven’t read. Now that I’ve finished Changing Course, it’s on to Stolen Course! I’m actually crazy excited to read this one because Caleb was one of my favorite characters in the book and reading the blurb that the heroine is Sarah’s sister� Ugh! I can just tell it’s going to be a crazy ride and amazing!!!!
If you’re looking for an emotional read that’s sexy, angsty, and will make you smile and laugh all the same- Changing Course is one I recommend! I listened to the audiobook of this, and the narration was great!
May 26, 2014
First... casting for Brett ;)
SQUEEEEEE!!!!! I loved this book!!!
This was the first book to pull me out of my huge 5-day book hangover and from the moment I started it, I just couldn't put it down. It had the perfect balance of heart wrenching angst, smoking hot romance, and humor. It was emotional, swoony and had a to-die-for Alpha hero who I fell completely in love with. I've always fallen especially hard for the protective, tortured types of guys and Brett was no exception!!
Now, I'm just going to explain a little about what the story is about first because I actually had the wrong impression of the storyline before I started it. I promise I won't give anything major away, I'm just going to explain the set-up of the story.
Ok, so it's about a guy, Brett, who fell in love with a woman named Sarah... like really, head-over-heels in love and they were planning to spend the rest of forever together. Tragically, after their marriage, an accident ripped her away from him. But it only took her mind, her body was still behind... She was still alive and still fully functional, she just became a different person -- hateful and angry towards everyone, but especially Brett. But because he felt loyalty to the woman he'd given his heart to and because she was technically still his wife, he continued to care for her for four years. During these years though, they were married only on paper. The woman he loved died in the accident but her body remained leaving him clinging to the constant reminder of what they could have had and giving him never-ending false hope.
But eventually a friend of his convinces him to try to move forward... and when he meets Jesse, its the first time he's ever wanted to. She's so different than Sarah ever was but she brings light back into his world.
This is their story.
First, before anything else, you should know that despite the fact that the situation the characters are in is heart wrenching, this is not a devastating read. There is a lot of romance, swoon, and serious hotness, and this book had me laughing out loud in so many scenes. So yes, there's angst and heart ache and emotional pain for sure but it's very well balanced. There is no drama for drama's sake. I respected all of the characters' decisions and felt like each one of them reacted in ways that made sense given their situation (even their mistakes were understandable to me).
Second, this isn't a love triangle either because the woman who once was his wife ceased to exist after the accident so even though she was still alive, she was no longer the same person. So it was certainly an angst-ridden situation, and he was still dealing with the loss of a woman who he loved, but this is not a triangle. He didn't live with Sarah, didn't wear a ring, they were not in a relationship -- all of their romantic relations ended after the accident. I just want to be clear that this is Jesse and Brett's story.
I absolutely loved the writing style. It flowed so easily and kept drawing me further and further into the story while projecting all of the emotions onto me so strongly. Even from the very start, before I'd really had a chance to get to "know" the characters, I already felt like my heart was invested in their stories.
I read this book in one sitting and literally just sat there for a few hours flipping the pages non-stop. The story was just so addictive. I could not stop reading!!
Brett stole my heart. Completely. Utterly. I love him SO much. Everything about him embodied the type of book hero I love most -- he was kindhearted, loyal, Alpha, sexy, romantic, protective.... and honestly, he was just a GOOD guy. I could see how hard he was trying to do the right thing even though he was put in such an impossible situation.
I think some people might question why he didn't just leave Sarah after the accident when she clearly hated him so much, but I have to side with Jesse's best friend and say that I respected the hell out of him for what he did. He stood by her and supported her even when he didn't have to and honestly, I think that says everything you need to know about him. What an amazing guy. *melt*
He was so open and honest with Jesse. I loved the way he handled everything but my heart just went out to him. This poor guy had had his life torn to shreds and his heart put through the ringer. You could really feel his conflict as he fought his love for and loyalty to a woman who was standing in front of him but who no longer existed contrasted with his growing feelings as he fell in love with the woman who so clearly loved him back and was so clearly the path to his future. Like I said before, he really was amazing.
Jesse was such a sweet woman too. A little shy and timid at first, but feisty and strong inside. I loved her. I understood her fears and doubts and admired the way she was so understanding of Brett (and Sarah too). She had a huge heart and I'm so glad that Brett was able to find someone like her.
Regarding Sarah, I really just pitied her. After the accident, she was horrid, abusive, and even dangerous, but it was hard for me to feel anything but sadness for her because we were showed the kind of person she was before the accident... I guess to me, it was as though she was mentally ill rather than a bad person.
But guys..... gah, these situations just cranked the angst to the max!!! My heart was just pounding. However, this was GOOD angst. I'll be honest, since this was my first book by this author and I didn't really know what to expect, I kept fearing the worst because there were some really epic clusterfucks that occurred... but over and over again, I had so much respect for the way these characters handled these situations. It's literally my most favorite thing in books when the author is able to create dramatic situations that make your heart race without sacrificing the integrity of the story or the characters so I was so incredibly impressed with the way this one unfolded. It was emotional overload of the best kind!!!
There were scenes where I would literally sit there just squeeing over what was happening and then there were ones that had me laughing out loud. Oh, and SOOOOO many HOT scenes that had me fanning myself like crazy. I mean wow -- the sexual chemistry, heat, and tension was just off the charts!!!
I think what I loved about these characters was that they were so human. They made mistakes, fucked up on more than one occasion, but they worked through things and found ways to fix things and heal. It was a beautiful process to watch and when I finished reading, I literally just could not stop smiling!!!
So really, truly... I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!
Was it perfect? No. I do have a few things I could nit pick about but I’m not going to because overall the way this story made me FEEL, the way it captivated my heart, made me care so deeply for these characters, and made my heart race from start to finish has easily put this book on my favorites list.
This is a standalone but the next book is a spin-off about Brett's best friend Caleb. There was actually a lot of Caleb in this book and I'm already in love with him and will be reading his book next!!
Rating: 4.5+ stars. Standalone Adult romance.
***
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May 23, 2014
3.5--Frustrating--Stars!
First things first, I did like this one. But it was verra verra frustrating.
The blurb pretty much lets you know it's going to be a bit on the angsty side. Our hero, Brett, was married to Sarah for seven years before a tragedy takes Sarah's best friend's life and essentially her life as well.
And no, Sarah is NOT okay. She is a vile, manipulative bitch. It's been four years since the accident....FOUR FUCKING YEARS and Sarah hates Brett. Yet Brett still longs for the Sarah before the accident. The Sarah he married and fell in love with.
Wake up Brett....smell the damn coffee. She ain't coming back.
Brett still visits Sarah every Thursday....favorite dinner in tow. Hoping amongst all hope that his Sarah will return.
In the meantime, Brett meets Jesse at Nell's coffee shop. They flirt and eventually Jesse asks Brett out. Hey, it's the 21st century....
Things escalate rather quickly between Brett and Jesse. And yeah, they were hot...don't get me wrong. But Sarah always lingered there in the back ground.
And let me just tell you, their tomorrows were filled with some drama. I just didn't understand why Brett continued to stay with Sarah. I mean in the beginning yes, but for four years. When not once did she show signs of trying to get help. Zero.
On one hand Jesse was a great heroine, I mean she was way more patient and forgiving then I would have been. But on the other hand, she let Brett get away with too much when it came to Sarah.
Brett wouldn't let go of Sarah, yet he couldn't (or wouldn't) commit to Jesse. I mean it took something extreme for Brett to finally let go.
I know it seems like I didn't like this one, I did. The writing was good and I did like the premise and the story itself. I just wish things would have played out a little differently...
My favorite character in the book was actually Caleb, Brett's best friend. So I will definitely be reading his book!!!
First things first, I did like this one. But it was verra verra frustrating.
The blurb pretty much lets you know it's going to be a bit on the angsty side. Our hero, Brett, was married to Sarah for seven years before a tragedy takes Sarah's best friend's life and essentially her life as well.
And no, Sarah is NOT okay. She is a vile, manipulative bitch. It's been four years since the accident....FOUR FUCKING YEARS and Sarah hates Brett. Yet Brett still longs for the Sarah before the accident. The Sarah he married and fell in love with.
Wake up Brett....smell the damn coffee. She ain't coming back.
Brett still visits Sarah every Thursday....favorite dinner in tow. Hoping amongst all hope that his Sarah will return.
In the meantime, Brett meets Jesse at Nell's coffee shop. They flirt and eventually Jesse asks Brett out. Hey, it's the 21st century....
Things escalate rather quickly between Brett and Jesse. And yeah, they were hot...don't get me wrong. But Sarah always lingered there in the back ground.
"He and I live in a perfect little world of denial. We don't talk about Sarah or our feelings. We definitely don't talk about a future together. We just exist, hanging out and talking about our days, but never our tomorrows."
And let me just tell you, their tomorrows were filled with some drama. I just didn't understand why Brett continued to stay with Sarah. I mean in the beginning yes, but for four years. When not once did she show signs of trying to get help. Zero.
On one hand Jesse was a great heroine, I mean she was way more patient and forgiving then I would have been. But on the other hand, she let Brett get away with too much when it came to Sarah.
Brett wouldn't let go of Sarah, yet he couldn't (or wouldn't) commit to Jesse. I mean it took something extreme for Brett to finally let go.
I know it seems like I didn't like this one, I did. The writing was good and I did like the premise and the story itself. I just wish things would have played out a little differently...
My favorite character in the book was actually Caleb, Brett's best friend. So I will definitely be reading his book!!!
December 21, 2014
*4.25 Second Chances Stars*
“This was never the course I intended to take, but there is no doubt it led me to where I was supposed to be.�
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Brett and Sarah Erickson had it all, love, marriage and friendship until one night everything changed for them. Injury and guilt plague Sara to hate herself and her life. Four years later, sexy, loyal and funny Brett is stuck in a pattern of loving someone who doesn’t exist when a sweet little brunette named Jesse captures his attention.
This story had great banter, hot sex, heart break and crazy�
”The kids have been missing you.�
“Wow, that’s interesting! I wasn’t aware we even had kids.�
Brett finds the strength let go of his past and enjoy a different course for his life with Jesse but Sara won’t let go. All three characters were wonderful as well as the supporting characters, Kara and Caleb. I really loved the pace and Brett’s struggle and new found love.
”He’s trapped. Torn between doing the right thing as a man and a husband, and making himself happy.�
Overall, this was an angsty, entertaining but a bit dramatic good read.
"I'm willing to try though. Something beyond my control draws me to you. You make me feel alive again, and as selfish as it sounds, I will do absolutely anything to hold on to that."
November 15, 2014
3.5 stars
You'd think with the weekend I would have more time to do reviews and updates. Nope, the working day is the day I seem to post my long-ass reviews and status updates. "Thank Fuck for the weekends" I hear some of you say!!!
I did like this one. Why not 4 or 5 stars then? I think JAnne said that it was a "frustrating" read. Yes, it was. I wanted to smack all the main characters a lot of time. Well, except for Caleb. But Brett, Jesse and especially Sarah, grow up.
Brett, I wanted you to get your head out of your ass and just live your life. Forget about her and go for it.
Sarah, I wanted you to fuck off.
Jesse, I wanted you to stop being a bit of a doormat and give him an ultimatum. You or her.
I will definitely read the next in the series, as it is about Caleb and I really want to find out how he fares.
You'd think with the weekend I would have more time to do reviews and updates. Nope, the working day is the day I seem to post my long-ass reviews and status updates. "Thank Fuck for the weekends" I hear some of you say!!!
I did like this one. Why not 4 or 5 stars then? I think JAnne said that it was a "frustrating" read. Yes, it was. I wanted to smack all the main characters a lot of time. Well, except for Caleb. But Brett, Jesse and especially Sarah, grow up.
Brett, I wanted you to get your head out of your ass and just live your life. Forget about her and go for it.
Sarah, I wanted you to fuck off.
Jesse, I wanted you to stop being a bit of a doormat and give him an ultimatum. You or her.
I will definitely read the next in the series, as it is about Caleb and I really want to find out how he fares.
Want to read
August 29, 2017Gonna give this a go...even though I said I wouldn't...because it contains some of my dreaded pet peeves....
I know, I know. I want to donkey punch myself in the girl parts too.
But after reading , I have faith that Aly can pull this out for me!
Plus FREE via amazon. Boom.
I know, I know. I want to donkey punch myself in the girl parts too.
But after reading , I have faith that Aly can pull this out for me!
Plus FREE via amazon. Boom.
February 14, 2017
This is a beautiful tale of second chances in life. I do not like second chance stories with the same person that much but it is easier for me to accept a second chance in love with a different person. This way, I do not have to try to forgive anyone for past mistakes and because I am not very good at “forgiving�, opening a new chapter in life with a new person is a more comfortable area for me. This is one of those books where you find the love of your life not once but twice.
It is an incredible story told beautifully. This is Brett's story.
You may have found your HEA and figured out the course of your life but fate sometimes screws with you and the course of your life changes all of a sudden. This book is basically about this kind of a tragedy: Love found and lost, tragic years and then finding love and hope again� Oh, by saying lost, I do not mean “death� or “cheating�, by the way�. This is some other kind of losing.
We both kissed the girls one last time, clueless to the fact that in less than two hours one of them would be dead, and the other would be lost forever.
Brett and Sarah were happily married for 7 years until tragedy struck. Their plans for future and happily ever after are ruined in an instant.
Sarah now suffers from the feeling of guilt because of the accident she caused and thus killed her best friend and she also has post-concussion syndrome, which turns their life into hell. She becomes a completely different person after the accident. The old “Sarah� is gone forever and now there is an evil bit*h in her body. Brett does the incredible. He tries everything he can do to bring her back but 4 years pass and nothing is improved. She continues to torture him for no reason.
Then, Jesse enters Brett's life, reminding him that there is still sunshine behind the fog that clouds over his miserable life.
Oh God. Here we go! Come on Jesse, the worst he can do is say no, effectively stomping on your heart and crushing your dreams. Okay, that might be a little dramatic. You can always quit your job, move to Oklahoma, and marry a rodeo cowboy. Those still exist, right? Crap! Just take a deep breath and spit it out. He's only the hottest guy you have ever met. No biggy. Do it, Jesse! Just ask him to the game!
***
“He's interested Jess, he just doesn't know what to do with that yet."
Jesse gradually becomes his sunshine, she becomes the “silence� in his chaotic world, giving him the peace of mind he desperately needs.
“When I'm with you, the world goes silent."
Jesse is a sweet, loving and caring woman. Some people may find her weak and call her a doormat because she endures a very hard time to be able to help Brett find his way but she was never a doormat or a weak person in my opinion. She was in love with him and respected how he still wanted to be there for the woman he lost and she stayed with him until he found his way out of his dilemma. She was there for him until he learned to let go of the past and love someone else again.
He and I live in a perfect little world of denial. We don't talk about Sarah or our feelings. We definitely don't talk about a future together. We just exist, hanging out and talking about our days, but never our tomorrows. Somehow it works.
Jesse is an extraordinary combination of innocent and sassy. She can be shy and soft-hearted but she can also be sassy and smart.
Jesse is unlike any woman I have ever met. She is either shy and reserved, or feisty and hilarious. It's like dating two different women.
Jesse constantly surprises Brett. She is nothing like Sarah at all. (By the way, I never ever liked Sarah at all, even at her best)
Jesse is the first and only woman Brett has had a relationship in those four years that he had to deal with his wife’s crazy.
Jesse does things to me. She makes me feel like myself again for the first time since I lost Sarah. I had no idea how good it could feel to not be consumed in self-pity.
Brett finally starts to have a good time after 4 years of hell.
"Jesse? Jesus, what are you wearing?"
"A dress," she answers shortly.
"Are you sure, because it looks like you left half of it at home," I respond as my eyes rake over the short black sweater dress with a plunging V in the front revealing most of her tits.
***
He loosens his tie and pulls his collar over to the side, revealing a quarter-sized bright red hickey.
"Oh my God! Did I do that?" I ask in horror covering my gaping mouth with my hands.
"Well, you were the only animal attacking my neck last night, so I'm assuming this little beauty is your handiwork."
However, while Brett is coming back to life with the help of Jesse, there is one constant in their lives: Sarah! Brett is still married to this woman who lost herself. While she acts as if she hates Brett for no reason, she doesn’t want to let go of him when she learns he is moving on.
And at that point, things get ugly and complicated.
Brett may frustrate you when he cannot be there for Jesse but he chooses to be besides Sarah. He is a good man and his heart is in the right place even when he makes mistakes. He feels he has to be there for his wife when she needs him even if they do not live in the same house as a couple any more.
He wants a future with Jesse but he cannot abandon Sarah, thinking she needs his help. He made me nearly lose my mind when he tolerated all the horrible things Sarah did. I would never be as patient, compassionate and forgiving as Jesse but she is an incredible woman, just the one Brett needs to find himself back because he didn’t only lose Sarah and their HEA, he also lost himself in that on-going battle with her.
“You have dreams, and the perfect little story-book life of you and Sarah in your head. How am I supposed to compete with that? I struggle every single day knowing I have to share you with her. I can't do this, I can't be her replacement."
***
Using her to replace Sarah isn't just her worst fear, it's mine as well.
***
“Do you promise to tell me if you realize you'll never be able to fall in love with me? You know...not string me along."
"I swear on my life."
"Do you promise to tell me the split second that you realize how stupid you are, and that you have loved me all along?"
"I look forward to it."
Sarah really does horrible things and there is no one from her family and friends that stay with her, only Brett. But she needs to lose him, too, to find herself back. She will never be the old Sarah but she needs to embrace the new Sarah that she has become.
Sarah’s mystery will be solved in Book 3 of the series but in this book we definitely have Brett and Jesse’s HEA.
Every few minutes Brett mumbles something I can’t quite understand. He’s not talking to me, but I can tell he’s replaying the day in his mind. When the memories get to be too much, I feel his heart begin to race just before he gives me a deep, agonizingly slow kiss. He never takes it to a sexual place. He doesn’t need that connection tonight. He just needs to feel me in his arms...
This is a painfully beautiful book with its frustrating and sad moments as well as its emotional, happy, fun and hot moments. Everything is balanced.
Book 2 in the series is about Caleb, Brett’s best friend whose fiancé Sarah killed in the accident she caused. I will definitely read it after this beautiful book but I have no intention to read the obnoxious Sarah’s full story in Book 3.
It is an incredible story told beautifully. This is Brett's story.
You may have found your HEA and figured out the course of your life but fate sometimes screws with you and the course of your life changes all of a sudden. This book is basically about this kind of a tragedy: Love found and lost, tragic years and then finding love and hope again� Oh, by saying lost, I do not mean “death� or “cheating�, by the way�. This is some other kind of losing.
We both kissed the girls one last time, clueless to the fact that in less than two hours one of them would be dead, and the other would be lost forever.
Brett and Sarah were happily married for 7 years until tragedy struck. Their plans for future and happily ever after are ruined in an instant.
Sarah now suffers from the feeling of guilt because of the accident she caused and thus killed her best friend and she also has post-concussion syndrome, which turns their life into hell. She becomes a completely different person after the accident. The old “Sarah� is gone forever and now there is an evil bit*h in her body. Brett does the incredible. He tries everything he can do to bring her back but 4 years pass and nothing is improved. She continues to torture him for no reason.
Then, Jesse enters Brett's life, reminding him that there is still sunshine behind the fog that clouds over his miserable life.
Oh God. Here we go! Come on Jesse, the worst he can do is say no, effectively stomping on your heart and crushing your dreams. Okay, that might be a little dramatic. You can always quit your job, move to Oklahoma, and marry a rodeo cowboy. Those still exist, right? Crap! Just take a deep breath and spit it out. He's only the hottest guy you have ever met. No biggy. Do it, Jesse! Just ask him to the game!
***
“He's interested Jess, he just doesn't know what to do with that yet."
Jesse gradually becomes his sunshine, she becomes the “silence� in his chaotic world, giving him the peace of mind he desperately needs.
“When I'm with you, the world goes silent."
Jesse is a sweet, loving and caring woman. Some people may find her weak and call her a doormat because she endures a very hard time to be able to help Brett find his way but she was never a doormat or a weak person in my opinion. She was in love with him and respected how he still wanted to be there for the woman he lost and she stayed with him until he found his way out of his dilemma. She was there for him until he learned to let go of the past and love someone else again.
He and I live in a perfect little world of denial. We don't talk about Sarah or our feelings. We definitely don't talk about a future together. We just exist, hanging out and talking about our days, but never our tomorrows. Somehow it works.
Jesse is an extraordinary combination of innocent and sassy. She can be shy and soft-hearted but she can also be sassy and smart.
Jesse is unlike any woman I have ever met. She is either shy and reserved, or feisty and hilarious. It's like dating two different women.
Jesse constantly surprises Brett. She is nothing like Sarah at all. (By the way, I never ever liked Sarah at all, even at her best)
Jesse is the first and only woman Brett has had a relationship in those four years that he had to deal with his wife’s crazy.
Jesse does things to me. She makes me feel like myself again for the first time since I lost Sarah. I had no idea how good it could feel to not be consumed in self-pity.
Brett finally starts to have a good time after 4 years of hell.
"Jesse? Jesus, what are you wearing?"
"A dress," she answers shortly.
"Are you sure, because it looks like you left half of it at home," I respond as my eyes rake over the short black sweater dress with a plunging V in the front revealing most of her tits.
***
He loosens his tie and pulls his collar over to the side, revealing a quarter-sized bright red hickey.
"Oh my God! Did I do that?" I ask in horror covering my gaping mouth with my hands.
"Well, you were the only animal attacking my neck last night, so I'm assuming this little beauty is your handiwork."
However, while Brett is coming back to life with the help of Jesse, there is one constant in their lives: Sarah! Brett is still married to this woman who lost herself. While she acts as if she hates Brett for no reason, she doesn’t want to let go of him when she learns he is moving on.
And at that point, things get ugly and complicated.
Brett may frustrate you when he cannot be there for Jesse but he chooses to be besides Sarah. He is a good man and his heart is in the right place even when he makes mistakes. He feels he has to be there for his wife when she needs him even if they do not live in the same house as a couple any more.
He wants a future with Jesse but he cannot abandon Sarah, thinking she needs his help. He made me nearly lose my mind when he tolerated all the horrible things Sarah did. I would never be as patient, compassionate and forgiving as Jesse but she is an incredible woman, just the one Brett needs to find himself back because he didn’t only lose Sarah and their HEA, he also lost himself in that on-going battle with her.
“You have dreams, and the perfect little story-book life of you and Sarah in your head. How am I supposed to compete with that? I struggle every single day knowing I have to share you with her. I can't do this, I can't be her replacement."
***
Using her to replace Sarah isn't just her worst fear, it's mine as well.
***
“Do you promise to tell me if you realize you'll never be able to fall in love with me? You know...not string me along."
"I swear on my life."
"Do you promise to tell me the split second that you realize how stupid you are, and that you have loved me all along?"
"I look forward to it."
Sarah really does horrible things and there is no one from her family and friends that stay with her, only Brett. But she needs to lose him, too, to find herself back. She will never be the old Sarah but she needs to embrace the new Sarah that she has become.
Sarah’s mystery will be solved in Book 3 of the series but in this book we definitely have Brett and Jesse’s HEA.
Every few minutes Brett mumbles something I can’t quite understand. He’s not talking to me, but I can tell he’s replaying the day in his mind. When the memories get to be too much, I feel his heart begin to race just before he gives me a deep, agonizingly slow kiss. He never takes it to a sexual place. He doesn’t need that connection tonight. He just needs to feel me in his arms...
This is a painfully beautiful book with its frustrating and sad moments as well as its emotional, happy, fun and hot moments. Everything is balanced.
Book 2 in the series is about Caleb, Brett’s best friend whose fiancé Sarah killed in the accident she caused. I will definitely read it after this beautiful book but I have no intention to read the obnoxious Sarah’s full story in Book 3.
July 7, 2015
Changing Course was one depressing read. There were sweet moments but overall it made me feel depressed.
The author wanted to go for heartbreaking but somehow it didnt worked for me.
Well, Officer Brett Sharp was an interesting tall, dark, handsome character. His past and his struggling is definitely sad but at the same time, he is confusing. He certainly needs to let go of his past or don't move around with someone else.
And then, there is Jess. She is strong and I loved her.
The book was steamy, that was thumbs up!
Overall, it was okie read.
Happy reading
D xo
**ARC provided for tour**
February 7, 2014
After reading the reviews of this book I was expecting a lot and was unfortunately disappointed. The main character, Brett, was an idiot. His wife has some sort of traumatic brain injury after an accident but he never really gets her any help. She treats him horribly and wants a divorce but he refuses and does everything to stop it when she initiates one. He tells her one of the main reasons he won't give her a divorce is because he doesn't want her to blow her own money on medical care. She's an adult for crying out loud - why is he deciding what's best for her? If she's not capable of making her own decisions, why isn't she in a mental hospital? He goes to see her once a week for years, even though she doesn't want him around. (I would have filed a restraining order if I were her!) Once he meets Jesse, THEN he decides to go ahead with the divorce. There were a bunch of other things about Brett that were incredibly annoying but too many to put into this review.
Jesse was pretty spineless, always apologizing for everyone else's actions. She got tiresome after about the 2nd chapter. It goes without saying that she and Brett really deserved each other.
I did finish the book and feel I deserve a gold star for that. It was an arduous undertaking but I made it!
Jesse was pretty spineless, always apologizing for everyone else's actions. She got tiresome after about the 2nd chapter. It goes without saying that she and Brett really deserved each other.
I did finish the book and feel I deserve a gold star for that. It was an arduous undertaking but I made it!
January 9, 2016
Final rating: 3.5 / 5 stars
For Brett Sharp, the only woman for him he's in love with was Sarah Erickson. As soon as they get to know each other at the bar, they hit right away. They dated, shared romantic moments and eventually married after years of relationship.
Things went downhill when Sarah and her best friend, Manda (who happens to be dating Brett's best friend, Caleb Jones) had a car accident. Unfortunately, Sarah was severely injured but her best friend didn't survived. Traumatized on such event, she became suicidal. As a husband, Brett tried his best to help her. Their relationship starts to fade away. He lost his Sarah
Years later, Brett met this attractive,kind, timid lady with a little bit sass, Jesse Addison. She works on a coffee shop he used to visit for breakfast. They are both attracted to each other especially Jesse. It's just that Brett has issues. He still can't move on about his previous relationship and tries his best to let go and love again. But, some things in the past that needs a closure. Or else, he might lose the woman he loves.
I like the writing style of this book. It's easy to get into it though it's a slow start. However, I have some issues with the characters. I don't like Brett and Sarah's story. It was an insta-love/lust. I can't help rolling my eyes on that. I know they're not going to end up for some reasons. Sarah's personality seemed a little off from the beginning. I don't know WHY Brett like this damn woman and unleash his raging hormones.
I'm not a big fan of Brett and Jesse as protagonists. These two are both annoying, whiny, overdramatic and childish. Christ almighty, I NEED LONG PATIENCE FOR THEM. Jesse might be strong and understanding but I don't like her jumping to false conclusions and apologizing every now and then. Then Brett, who is an a-hole to Jesse and still holding on to Sarah who is mentally unstable but isn't on a proper treatment facility. He needs a wake up call that he can't fix everything.
Rant over.
The only tolerable character in this book is Caleb Jones. I'm more curious about him than anyone else. He's a wonderful supportive character. I call him a hero for Jesse and Brett. Without him, everything will be messed up. I wish he'll find happiness that he deserved.
The ending was good and finally fix their shits and realized on things. I guess that's the important thing for me. I'm definitely reading the next book because of Caleb.
For Brett Sharp, the only woman for him he's in love with was Sarah Erickson. As soon as they get to know each other at the bar, they hit right away. They dated, shared romantic moments and eventually married after years of relationship.
Things went downhill when Sarah and her best friend, Manda (who happens to be dating Brett's best friend, Caleb Jones) had a car accident. Unfortunately, Sarah was severely injured but her best friend didn't survived. Traumatized on such event, she became suicidal. As a husband, Brett tried his best to help her. Their relationship starts to fade away. He lost his Sarah
Years later, Brett met this attractive,kind, timid lady with a little bit sass, Jesse Addison. She works on a coffee shop he used to visit for breakfast. They are both attracted to each other especially Jesse. It's just that Brett has issues. He still can't move on about his previous relationship and tries his best to let go and love again. But, some things in the past that needs a closure. Or else, he might lose the woman he loves.
I like the writing style of this book. It's easy to get into it though it's a slow start. However, I have some issues with the characters. I don't like Brett and Sarah's story. It was an insta-love/lust. I can't help rolling my eyes on that. I know they're not going to end up for some reasons. Sarah's personality seemed a little off from the beginning. I don't know WHY Brett like this damn woman and unleash his raging hormones.
I'm not a big fan of Brett and Jesse as protagonists. These two are both annoying, whiny, overdramatic and childish. Christ almighty, I NEED LONG PATIENCE FOR THEM. Jesse might be strong and understanding but I don't like her jumping to false conclusions and apologizing every now and then. Then Brett, who is an a-hole to Jesse and still holding on to Sarah who is mentally unstable but isn't on a proper treatment facility. He needs a wake up call that he can't fix everything.
Rant over.
The only tolerable character in this book is Caleb Jones. I'm more curious about him than anyone else. He's a wonderful supportive character. I call him a hero for Jesse and Brett. Without him, everything will be messed up. I wish he'll find happiness that he deserved.
The ending was good and finally fix their shits and realized on things. I guess that's the important thing for me. I'm definitely reading the next book because of Caleb.
May 24, 2014
3.7 stars!
This book has a lot of cliched things that I tend to dislike reading in a book;
- Angst? Check!
- Mary Sue heroine? Check!
- Love triangle? Kinda check!
- Spotty editing? Check!
But I ended up actually enjoying the whole thing. I couldn't put this book down. And there's one simple reason for that: Aly Martinez is an excellent storyteller. I was captivated at the get go and I wanted to know what happened next. I stayed up all night reading this.
The angst wasn't as bad as I had previously thought. It's there but there's it didn't take over the whole book. There were enough lighthearted moments, courtesy of Kara, Jesse's best friend and the rest of the secondary characters. And despite the sometimes cliched characterization of the MCs, I found myself rooting for them to have their HEA.
Overall, Changing Course is an enjoyable read and definitely worth staying up late for. :)
This book has a lot of cliched things that I tend to dislike reading in a book;
- Angst? Check!
- Mary Sue heroine? Check!
- Love triangle? Kinda check!
- Spotty editing? Check!
But I ended up actually enjoying the whole thing. I couldn't put this book down. And there's one simple reason for that: Aly Martinez is an excellent storyteller. I was captivated at the get go and I wanted to know what happened next. I stayed up all night reading this.
The angst wasn't as bad as I had previously thought. It's there but there's it didn't take over the whole book. There were enough lighthearted moments, courtesy of Kara, Jesse's best friend and the rest of the secondary characters. And despite the sometimes cliched characterization of the MCs, I found myself rooting for them to have their HEA.
Overall, Changing Course is an enjoyable read and definitely worth staying up late for. :)
August 3, 2016
ARC Provided by the author for an honest review (Thank you for my arc)
"4 DILL PICKLE SPEARS OF HOTNESS"
This book will play on you mentally and emotionally, so beautifully written it will captivate you and yep at times you will be sitting on the edge of your seat wondering if that HEA is just round the corner for this couple or if it will be out of their grasp..
Oh and if your partial to the word "FUCK" move along this book won't be for you!! This man is very partial to using it in near on every sentence, in my book it just made him hotter!!
So we're first introduced to Brett and Danika aka Sarah at a bar where he sees what he likes and goes after her..
Brett is a good looking guy, stands around 6'5" with brown hair and green eyes..
"Hi, I'm Brett, I like football, long walks on the beach, beer, and golden retrievers, I'm terrified of scary movies, especially the ones made by Disney. I'm a Virgo, but don't worry I act like Pisces."
Right from that first meeting Brett was enamored by Sarah, his life would never be the same again..
Eight months, two days and twelve hours after Brett first laid eyes on Sarah, he asked her to marry him..
Don't be lulled into the white picket fence and a happy ever after!!
On April 18th 2008 was the day the world came crashing down for this couple..
Things from this day forward took a turn for the worst..And things will never be the same again..
All people involved that day life stopped for them, it left scars that ran deep, blame and bitterness ran rampant, one could move forward but two were stuck in a time warp..
There was a moment of confusion "I lost my wife four years go." and I'm sitting there thinking huh?? Then as the story moves along that sentence makes a whole lot of sense..
Because this isn't yet released I don't want to give too much away, I loved it and I really can't wait to see what book 2 entails!!
Thank you for giving me an arc
"4 DILL PICKLE SPEARS OF HOTNESS"
This book will play on you mentally and emotionally, so beautifully written it will captivate you and yep at times you will be sitting on the edge of your seat wondering if that HEA is just round the corner for this couple or if it will be out of their grasp..
Oh and if your partial to the word "FUCK" move along this book won't be for you!! This man is very partial to using it in near on every sentence, in my book it just made him hotter!!
So we're first introduced to Brett and Danika aka Sarah at a bar where he sees what he likes and goes after her..
Brett is a good looking guy, stands around 6'5" with brown hair and green eyes..
"Hi, I'm Brett, I like football, long walks on the beach, beer, and golden retrievers, I'm terrified of scary movies, especially the ones made by Disney. I'm a Virgo, but don't worry I act like Pisces."
Right from that first meeting Brett was enamored by Sarah, his life would never be the same again..
Eight months, two days and twelve hours after Brett first laid eyes on Sarah, he asked her to marry him..
Don't be lulled into the white picket fence and a happy ever after!!
On April 18th 2008 was the day the world came crashing down for this couple..
Things from this day forward took a turn for the worst..And things will never be the same again..
All people involved that day life stopped for them, it left scars that ran deep, blame and bitterness ran rampant, one could move forward but two were stuck in a time warp..
There was a moment of confusion "I lost my wife four years go." and I'm sitting there thinking huh?? Then as the story moves along that sentence makes a whole lot of sense..
Because this isn't yet released I don't want to give too much away, I loved it and I really can't wait to see what book 2 entails!!
Thank you for giving me an arc
January 25, 2014
FULL REVIEW NOW UP!!!
add this book now! <3
Aly Marienz� lady you just rocked my world and I have no idea how to put into words how I feel about it. I read daily, finding new books and falling in love with them is an addiction, I get to chat with fellow book lovers and fan girl over some amazing Authors. But sometimes, its just not enough. Sometimes I'm so shocked by a book, and the need to express how much I love a book that I can't articulate what I want to say, what I want to feel. Changing Course is one of those books.
What I do know is...
THIS BOOK PUT ME THROUGH THE RINGER.
It's a journey of pain and anguish.
About losing the one person who owns you, yet coming to terms that there can be more.
About letting go and moving forward while someone holds apart of you that you're to scared leave behind.
It's more than words, it's a feeling, it's filling you with emotions and experiences that you didn't see coming but at the same time you don't know how you want to feel about it.
It was brilliant
Gahhh
Absolutely brilliant
Changing Course starts off when Sarah and Brett first meet and start dating. Their attraction was instant, the sex is hot, the connection was fast. You laugh, you swoon, you fall in love with them. Until the one night it's all taken away.
It's one of those strange situations where you know what is gonna happen, but yet your still devastated when it does. Aly is a mastermind.
She gets you to fall in love with Sarah and Brett and then rips it out. She makes you feel their anguish and while teasing you with hope.
Only to rip it away.
She Builds you up encases you with love and warmth and then right in front of your eyes she strips you of their light and covers you in darkness.
"Sarah, don't do this. Damn It! Stay with me." I reach over and gently brush the blood soaked hair off her forehead�..
You really don't think you can come back from it. And then you meet Jesse�..
Jesse is young, fun and works a the local coffee shop that Brett visits every morning. Secretly crushing on him for a while, she eventually asks him out.
It's been four years since the accident and Brett is still holding on to Sarah. But Sarah is long gone, and the woman you first meet at the start, died in that accident. While Brett knows he lost Sarah that day, he can't and won't completely walk away from the woman he vowed his life to.
When he starts seeing more of Jesse, he starts to realise he not only lost his wife, but over the years he lost himself. While giving himself permission to finally feel again, he becomes closer to Jesse and soon finds himself falling for her.
I remember thinking nooooo, I love Sarah, please I can't handle this...
But the love you feel for the full of life Sarah is soon replace with hatred. Your emotions are all over the place. She is long gone and in her place is a woman so full of guilt and anger you only feel sorry for her, until she gets in their way.. Sarah, somehow comes out of her haze and situates herself in Brett's and Jesse's life.
It was madness. It was pure and real madness.
"Can you please tell me what poison she injected into your brain? I can't be your anti-venom if I don't know what she bit you with tonight."
You go from loving Sarah and praying for her, to hating her and wanting to slap her. It a cluster fuck of emotions leaving you feel lost as to how it's all gonna play out.
Brett's struggle is raw and real in every sense because you felt them, he is lost and conflicted and you can't hate him for it, if anything you love him for it. He lost his wife, his first love to an angry, sick woman that he can't walk away from. And is falling in love with Jesse and he doesn't know how to handle it.
"I'm broken Jess, but I need you to hear these words before I go�.
I'm sorry about all of this, I truly am. Please believe me, and think about what I've said. I can't promise you anything more than tomorrow, but maybe one day, the fog will disappear leaving only sunny days ahead."
You felt his struggle his pain, his desire and when he let go, you went with them.
It was erotic and mind blowing hot. It was intimacy on a new level. Knowing his love for Sarah and then finally letting go with Jesse was powerful.
"Tell me what you want?"
"I want to make your world go silent."
I really don't want to give too much more away as it's one of those books you just have to experience yourself.
The secondary characters were strong, I loved Kara, she was great. Caleb is swoon worthy and I can't wait for his story. Brett's family were the best and I loved every moment with them in it.
I highly recommend Changing Course, Aly Marinez debut is one not to be missed. And one Author to watch out for. I can't wait for me
★★� 5 Stars ☆★�
Changing Course goes live on January 29th, 2014
Buy it
Read it
Love it
add this book now! <3
Aly Marienz� lady you just rocked my world and I have no idea how to put into words how I feel about it. I read daily, finding new books and falling in love with them is an addiction, I get to chat with fellow book lovers and fan girl over some amazing Authors. But sometimes, its just not enough. Sometimes I'm so shocked by a book, and the need to express how much I love a book that I can't articulate what I want to say, what I want to feel. Changing Course is one of those books.
What I do know is...
THIS BOOK PUT ME THROUGH THE RINGER.
It's a journey of pain and anguish.
About losing the one person who owns you, yet coming to terms that there can be more.
About letting go and moving forward while someone holds apart of you that you're to scared leave behind.
It's more than words, it's a feeling, it's filling you with emotions and experiences that you didn't see coming but at the same time you don't know how you want to feel about it.
It was brilliant
Gahhh
Absolutely brilliant
Changing Course starts off when Sarah and Brett first meet and start dating. Their attraction was instant, the sex is hot, the connection was fast. You laugh, you swoon, you fall in love with them. Until the one night it's all taken away.
It's one of those strange situations where you know what is gonna happen, but yet your still devastated when it does. Aly is a mastermind.
She gets you to fall in love with Sarah and Brett and then rips it out. She makes you feel their anguish and while teasing you with hope.
Only to rip it away.
She Builds you up encases you with love and warmth and then right in front of your eyes she strips you of their light and covers you in darkness.
"Sarah, don't do this. Damn It! Stay with me." I reach over and gently brush the blood soaked hair off her forehead�..
You really don't think you can come back from it. And then you meet Jesse�..
Jesse is young, fun and works a the local coffee shop that Brett visits every morning. Secretly crushing on him for a while, she eventually asks him out.
It's been four years since the accident and Brett is still holding on to Sarah. But Sarah is long gone, and the woman you first meet at the start, died in that accident. While Brett knows he lost Sarah that day, he can't and won't completely walk away from the woman he vowed his life to.
When he starts seeing more of Jesse, he starts to realise he not only lost his wife, but over the years he lost himself. While giving himself permission to finally feel again, he becomes closer to Jesse and soon finds himself falling for her.
I remember thinking nooooo, I love Sarah, please I can't handle this...
But the love you feel for the full of life Sarah is soon replace with hatred. Your emotions are all over the place. She is long gone and in her place is a woman so full of guilt and anger you only feel sorry for her, until she gets in their way.. Sarah, somehow comes out of her haze and situates herself in Brett's and Jesse's life.
It was madness. It was pure and real madness.
"Can you please tell me what poison she injected into your brain? I can't be your anti-venom if I don't know what she bit you with tonight."
You go from loving Sarah and praying for her, to hating her and wanting to slap her. It a cluster fuck of emotions leaving you feel lost as to how it's all gonna play out.
Brett's struggle is raw and real in every sense because you felt them, he is lost and conflicted and you can't hate him for it, if anything you love him for it. He lost his wife, his first love to an angry, sick woman that he can't walk away from. And is falling in love with Jesse and he doesn't know how to handle it.
"I'm broken Jess, but I need you to hear these words before I go�.
I'm sorry about all of this, I truly am. Please believe me, and think about what I've said. I can't promise you anything more than tomorrow, but maybe one day, the fog will disappear leaving only sunny days ahead."
You felt his struggle his pain, his desire and when he let go, you went with them.
It was erotic and mind blowing hot. It was intimacy on a new level. Knowing his love for Sarah and then finally letting go with Jesse was powerful.
"Tell me what you want?"
"I want to make your world go silent."
I really don't want to give too much more away as it's one of those books you just have to experience yourself.
The secondary characters were strong, I loved Kara, she was great. Caleb is swoon worthy and I can't wait for his story. Brett's family were the best and I loved every moment with them in it.
I highly recommend Changing Course, Aly Marinez debut is one not to be missed. And one Author to watch out for. I can't wait for me
★★� 5 Stars ☆★�
Changing Course goes live on January 29th, 2014
Buy it
Read it
Love it
April 15, 2015
4.5 Changing Stars!!
"I'm broken Jess, but I need you to hear these words before I go�.
I'm sorry about all of this, I truly am. Please believe me, and think about what I've said. I can't promise you anything more than tomorrow, but maybe one day, the fog will disappear leaving only sunny days ahead."
Oh GOD this damn series!!! I am quickly becoming obsessed with the characters Aly Martinez creates and the stories that she tells. Even though it is only March, I can already tell you with 100% certainty that this series overall, will be one of my very favorites of the year.
Changing Course was unique to almost anything else I have ever read. It's a story about four friends, friends for years and years, two couples, who's lives are irreparably changed one terrible night. A best friend. A fiance...is gone in the blink of an eye. This book doesn't really focus on the event; it's about the aftermath.
Sarah Erickson is suffering from the worst case of survivor's guilt ever. She also suffered a traumatic head injury leaving her a totally different person than the girl that got into the car that night. Ok, so pay attention because this part coming up, I think, was big in separating the people that loved this book from the people that it annoyed. Sarah NEVER gets over this. (Not in this book anyway.) She's suffering from depression, self-loathing, regret...she's got a laundry list of issues and she refuses to help herself. She's miserable and is hell bent on either pushing everyone right out of her life, or bringing them down with her. If this bothers you, don't read the book. I didn't think it was an OTT reaction at all. If my best friend, who I've talked to every single day for the last seven years, suddenly dies right next to me, I can't say that I would behave much differently. I can only imagine the what if's and the guilt that would come with an experience like that.
Brett is her husband and a fucking excellent one at that. However, by chapter 6 (which is 11% into the book) it is 4 years after the accident. Without giving anything away, I will just say this, Sarah and Brett's relationship is very, VERY different by this point. I really would NOT classify this book as a love triangle at all. Light spoiler with further explanation here --> Brett is just stuck in limbo and has not been able to move on.
Enter Jesse Addison. OMG, I LOVED JESSE SO HARD!!! Another fave heroine for the books. She's feisty, sweet, very drama-free, and the chick's internal thoughts made me laugh harder than I have with any book in a very long time!! She's this girl-next-door type that works at the coffee shop that Brett and his partner Caleb frequent when they are on duty. Yeah...because, did I mention that Brett and Caleb both are hot ass cop/detectives? Well, they are!
Brett is so freaking swoony and sexy as hell!!! He's also kind of a mess. Very unassuming. He's been out of the dating scene for years and years so on the inside, he is kind of dorky but on the outside he is fuck-HOTT!! LOL!
"Are you okay? You're making weird noises. Do you want me to go?" And just like that, my shit life comes crashing back down. I remember that I won't be stroking anyone’s nipples tonight, unless my left hand happens to wander to my own during a much needed, solo cold shower."
^^^That is just one example. The bowling scene?! Freaking hilarious and filled with sexual tension and steaminess all at the same time!
That's really all I can say. My words here, are really just the setup. The rest is an amazing story that you just have to read and watch unfold. It's not a sad story, although there are definitely some sad parts. However, I think the author does a really good job in balancing the sadness with humor, because, given the subject matter alone, this easily could've gone in the direction of depressing and to me, it really does not. It is also PLENTY steamy!! So no disappointments there.
Was it perfect for me? Not quite. I don't know if it had to do with the time jump for me or what but, Sarah's characterization didn't quite land for me. I totally understand why she felt the way she did, but some of her actions just didn't quite correlate for me. I don't know.
That was really my only thing though. Otherwise, I LOVED this book and I am diving right into next. I loved Caleb and I cannot wait to read his story next.
"When I'm with you, Jess, everything else is silent. It's magical. I can't change anything that’s happened. I can, however, try to move forward with my life."
Oh, oh... and props and a shout out to Mo for her Brett casting which was so freaking spot on, I had to steal it!!! ;)
"I'm broken Jess, but I need you to hear these words before I go�.
I'm sorry about all of this, I truly am. Please believe me, and think about what I've said. I can't promise you anything more than tomorrow, but maybe one day, the fog will disappear leaving only sunny days ahead."
Oh GOD this damn series!!! I am quickly becoming obsessed with the characters Aly Martinez creates and the stories that she tells. Even though it is only March, I can already tell you with 100% certainty that this series overall, will be one of my very favorites of the year.
Changing Course was unique to almost anything else I have ever read. It's a story about four friends, friends for years and years, two couples, who's lives are irreparably changed one terrible night. A best friend. A fiance...is gone in the blink of an eye. This book doesn't really focus on the event; it's about the aftermath.
Sarah Erickson is suffering from the worst case of survivor's guilt ever. She also suffered a traumatic head injury leaving her a totally different person than the girl that got into the car that night. Ok, so pay attention because this part coming up, I think, was big in separating the people that loved this book from the people that it annoyed. Sarah NEVER gets over this. (Not in this book anyway.) She's suffering from depression, self-loathing, regret...she's got a laundry list of issues and she refuses to help herself. She's miserable and is hell bent on either pushing everyone right out of her life, or bringing them down with her. If this bothers you, don't read the book. I didn't think it was an OTT reaction at all. If my best friend, who I've talked to every single day for the last seven years, suddenly dies right next to me, I can't say that I would behave much differently. I can only imagine the what if's and the guilt that would come with an experience like that.
Brett is her husband and a fucking excellent one at that. However, by chapter 6 (which is 11% into the book) it is 4 years after the accident. Without giving anything away, I will just say this, Sarah and Brett's relationship is very, VERY different by this point. I really would NOT classify this book as a love triangle at all. Light spoiler with further explanation here --> Brett is just stuck in limbo and has not been able to move on.
Enter Jesse Addison. OMG, I LOVED JESSE SO HARD!!! Another fave heroine for the books. She's feisty, sweet, very drama-free, and the chick's internal thoughts made me laugh harder than I have with any book in a very long time!! She's this girl-next-door type that works at the coffee shop that Brett and his partner Caleb frequent when they are on duty. Yeah...because, did I mention that Brett and Caleb both are hot ass cop/detectives? Well, they are!
Brett is so freaking swoony and sexy as hell!!! He's also kind of a mess. Very unassuming. He's been out of the dating scene for years and years so on the inside, he is kind of dorky but on the outside he is fuck-HOTT!! LOL!
"Are you okay? You're making weird noises. Do you want me to go?" And just like that, my shit life comes crashing back down. I remember that I won't be stroking anyone’s nipples tonight, unless my left hand happens to wander to my own during a much needed, solo cold shower."
^^^That is just one example. The bowling scene?! Freaking hilarious and filled with sexual tension and steaminess all at the same time!
That's really all I can say. My words here, are really just the setup. The rest is an amazing story that you just have to read and watch unfold. It's not a sad story, although there are definitely some sad parts. However, I think the author does a really good job in balancing the sadness with humor, because, given the subject matter alone, this easily could've gone in the direction of depressing and to me, it really does not. It is also PLENTY steamy!! So no disappointments there.
Was it perfect for me? Not quite. I don't know if it had to do with the time jump for me or what but, Sarah's characterization didn't quite land for me. I totally understand why she felt the way she did, but some of her actions just didn't quite correlate for me. I don't know.
That was really my only thing though. Otherwise, I LOVED this book and I am diving right into next. I loved Caleb and I cannot wait to read his story next.
"When I'm with you, Jess, everything else is silent. It's magical. I can't change anything that’s happened. I can, however, try to move forward with my life."
Oh, oh... and props and a shout out to Mo for her Brett casting which was so freaking spot on, I had to steal it!!! ;)
June 26, 2015
3.5
I really liked the first 50% of the book, but later on I couldn't shake this feeling like I am reading KA's books. In the second half literally everything reminded me of KA. Everything progresses and happens like in her books. Actually, now when I think about it, it was a lot like "Sweet Dreams".
And that first scene with her brother... Seriously... So over the top my head started hurting.
I would have rated it 4*, but I just can't shake this feeling off.
I really liked the first 50% of the book, but later on I couldn't shake this feeling like I am reading KA's books. In the second half literally everything reminded me of KA. Everything progresses and happens like in her books. Actually, now when I think about it, it was a lot like "Sweet Dreams".
And that first scene with her brother... Seriously... So over the top my head started hurting.
I would have rated it 4*, but I just can't shake this feeling off.
April 1, 2014
Changing Course by Aly Martinez was a fantastic debut novel and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series. When I was already crying by the end of the prologue, I knew I was in for a wild, crazy ride, and this book did not disappoint.
Brett Erickson was a pretty damn lucky guy. He had beautiful wife who he loved more than life itself, a great job, and a couple of pretty awesome friends. From the moment Brett met Sarah, he knew she was the woman he was supposed to spend the rest of his life with.
Unfortunately, one day everything in Brett's world comes crashing down when Sarah and her best friend Manda are involved in a car crash. Manda is Caleb's fiancee, and Caleb just so happens to be Brett's best friend and detective partnet. One night the lives of these four people are changed forever.
Four years later, Brett's still reeling from the loss of Sarah. And through flashbacks, we see the aftermath of the crash and it's utterly heartbreaking. Admittedly, I cried my eyes out for Brett, and even for Sarah as those scenes unfolded. There some pretty heart-wrenching, breath-stopping sobs going on over here.
Since the accident, Brett's vowed to never move on. Too bad for him, because cute, sweet coffee shop barista, Jesse, has her eyes on him and when she asks him out, he's unable to say no.
As they spend more time together, Brett's walls begin to crack, but can Jesse be enough to finally allow Brett to let of of the past and finally move on?
This book tore me apart from the very first page, and I absolutely loved every single second of it. Aly Martinez does an incredible job conveying all kinds of emotions, and I felt every single heartbreaking emotion right along with Brett, Sarah, Jesse, and Caleb. I'd be laughing and swooning on one page, then bawling my eyes out a short while later. Martinez has created characters that you come to genuinely care about- yes, even the 'villain.'
This was a brilliant debut novel that left me breathless, happy, and still wanting so much more. I can't wait to read all about Caleb in book two! Pick up Changing Course now. It's a heart-wrenchingly beautiful read that will stay with you for a very long time.
Aly Martinez is a debut author to look out for! She brings the feels and I cannot wait for the next book!!! Full review to come on the blog tour!
March 6, 2016
This book was okay. It suffered from some amateurish writing problems. Characters don't always have scream or bellow or whimper their words. The heroine over emoted all the time. She literally never said anything in a normal tone of voice. If someone spoke in real life as she was written, everyone would think she was a crazy person. And if you have to tell me something was said sarcastically instead of letting me infer it from the actual writing, then the writing isn't all that great and it probably wasn't all that sarcastic.
The dialog was pretty stilted. I kept thinking 'people don't really talk like that.'
There was quite a bit of angst to the story but some of it seemed forced and unnecessary. Brett was a bit of a wuss. He found out that his wife had a mental problem caused by her accident. I looked it up Post Concussion Syndrome does really exist and can cause a changes in personality. Although Sarah's change did seem overly dramatic but it's fiction. Still I think that after 4 years he should have got her some professional help and let her divorce him. He was really in denial.
And so I had a bit of a problem with a., him committing adultery which it was no matter what he said, and b., I had a bit of trouble buying that he really loved the heroine since he had stayed with his wife for years hoping she would change back into the woman he married.
And a further example of not so great writing. He tells the Jesse, when she asks if he is married after Caleb let the cat out of the bag. He says I lost my wife in a car accident 4 years ago. There is absolutely no way that a rational human being would assume from that that his wife had dramatically changed her personality and was a harridan that he only stayed with so she could use his insurance. NOPE anyone would assume as Jesse did that she had died. And yet the author tries to make us believe that Brett thought he had not told Jesse a lie. Poor, execrable writing. Find some other way to get your characters to continue their relationship. And these are just a few examples.
There were however moments that I enjoyed and I did finish the entire book.
The dialog was pretty stilted. I kept thinking 'people don't really talk like that.'
There was quite a bit of angst to the story but some of it seemed forced and unnecessary. Brett was a bit of a wuss. He found out that his wife had a mental problem caused by her accident. I looked it up Post Concussion Syndrome does really exist and can cause a changes in personality. Although Sarah's change did seem overly dramatic but it's fiction. Still I think that after 4 years he should have got her some professional help and let her divorce him. He was really in denial.
And so I had a bit of a problem with a., him committing adultery which it was no matter what he said, and b., I had a bit of trouble buying that he really loved the heroine since he had stayed with his wife for years hoping she would change back into the woman he married.
And a further example of not so great writing. He tells the Jesse, when she asks if he is married after Caleb let the cat out of the bag. He says I lost my wife in a car accident 4 years ago. There is absolutely no way that a rational human being would assume from that that his wife had dramatically changed her personality and was a harridan that he only stayed with so she could use his insurance. NOPE anyone would assume as Jesse did that she had died. And yet the author tries to make us believe that Brett thought he had not told Jesse a lie. Poor, execrable writing. Find some other way to get your characters to continue their relationship. And these are just a few examples.
There were however moments that I enjoyed and I did finish the entire book.
November 28, 2016
Holy moly. I had to go through so much to finally get my happy ending. I've read almost all of Aly Martinez' books except for this series. I know this is her first book but already here so proves what a fabulous author she is. She does characterization so well. I was so invested and intrigued by Brett, Sarah, Caleb and Jesse. They captured me immediately and the first couple of chapters were such a great introduction to these people.
I loved Brett and his beautiful heart. He was the good and supportive husband who wouldn't let his Sarah go and accepting that they weren't meant to be. It was heartbreaking at times to witness what he and Sarah went through. Thankfully he had his best friend Caleb, who was also affected by the accident that changed Sarah. Caleb definitely caught my interest too;)
Jesse was fantastic in every way. She was shy and at times insecure but Brett did everything to reassure her and she was his saving grace and light in the darkness. They were so good together and I enjoyed how much fun they had. Yes, their chemistry was terrific and so was their time together between the sheets.
Sarah was another story. Wow! She did a 180 and changed after the accident. Nobody walks away unscathed from a trauma and Sarah was proof of that. I actually felt sorry for her and I know her story is far from over but she has a long way to recovery.
I'm ready to read more about these characters. Fantastic book from Aly Martinez, her prose and storytelling was sublime. The Wrecked and Ruin series will definitely leave me feeling that once I'm finished.
5 BadAssDirtyGorgeousStars
I loved Brett and his beautiful heart. He was the good and supportive husband who wouldn't let his Sarah go and accepting that they weren't meant to be. It was heartbreaking at times to witness what he and Sarah went through. Thankfully he had his best friend Caleb, who was also affected by the accident that changed Sarah. Caleb definitely caught my interest too;)
Jesse was fantastic in every way. She was shy and at times insecure but Brett did everything to reassure her and she was his saving grace and light in the darkness. They were so good together and I enjoyed how much fun they had. Yes, their chemistry was terrific and so was their time together between the sheets.
Sarah was another story. Wow! She did a 180 and changed after the accident. Nobody walks away unscathed from a trauma and Sarah was proof of that. I actually felt sorry for her and I know her story is far from over but she has a long way to recovery.
I'm ready to read more about these characters. Fantastic book from Aly Martinez, her prose and storytelling was sublime. The Wrecked and Ruin series will definitely leave me feeling that once I'm finished.
5 BadAssDirtyGorgeousStars
June 30, 2015
It wasn't bad, but also it wasn't that good.
Yes, there are few details that remind of Kristen Ashley, but it is a far cry from any KA book.
Timeline and the way story was told annoyed be a bit.
Main female character is the kind I don't like very much in my books.
I wish it was told only from one point of view.
Yes, there are few details that remind of Kristen Ashley, but it is a far cry from any KA book.
Timeline and the way story was told annoyed be a bit.
Main female character is the kind I don't like very much in my books.
I wish it was told only from one point of view.
August 9, 2016
5 Tragic, Heart Breaking & Devastating stars
What do you do when the love of your life is ripped away from you... but you’re still forced to see them, still love them, still fight for them. What do you do when they are standing right in front of you screaming they hate you, calling you hideous names and all you can think is how much it hurts your heart just to look at them and still see how beautiful they are to you.
Changing Course starts with Brett seeing Sarah for the first time. He is attracted to her straight away and wants, no needs to meet her.
"It's just my luck the one night I decided to go out without my boys, I met a living, breathing, wet dream in heels."
Sarah and Brett hit it off straight away and can't stay away from each other. They click so well together, they laugh, have great sex, build a life together. I got attached to them and loved their relationship and how much they loved each other. Then one night it's ripped away from them...
"Shhhh, it's okay baby. I've got you now," I whisper into her blood-streaked hair."
4 years later and 4 lives ruined...
We meet Jesse, Jesse works at the diner that Brett goes to for breakfast before work. Jesse has a total crush on Brett. Brett notices Jesse but he doesn't seem to be interested in going further with her, he just knows that he is drawn to her and that's why he always finds himself at that diner every morning Jesse is working.
Caleb, Brett's best friend tries to convince Brett to ask Jesse out.
"News Flash: I'm married!"
"You might still be married on paper, but you and I both know you haven't been married for a long time."
Brett is still holding on to Sarah and it's devastating to find out why and how their relationship has changed and turned from absolute pure love to pure hatred... with guilt and responsibility weighing down their souls. You learn what's been happening through the 4 years past and it broke my heart to read Brett's heart die a slow and painful death at the hands of the one person he loves the most...
Jesse finally gets the nerve to ask Brett out and they go to the football together and hit it off straight away and Brett starts to realise that he really likes Jesse, that he likes her a lot! And finds himself not being able to get her out of his mind or system.
"She might be quiet and shy at first, but once you break her out of that invisible shell, she's unbelievable."
Jesse is equally enamored with Brett, not being able to believe that someone like Brett could find Jesse attractive and fun to be with.
Brett decides it's time to tell Sarah that he is seeing someone now. Sarah does not take this well at all.
"You are my problem, Brett! I have been asking for a divorce for years. YEARS!" she screams, only inches from my face. I slide over far enough to get up without having to touch her. She has that crazy look in her eye and I know if I sit there even a minute longer, she will slap me."
As Jesse and Brett are moving along in their relationship, Sarah decides to turn up and start causing trouble. It's confusing to put this part in to words because everyone in this situation is a victim and I could never blame Brett for trying to protect what he has loved for so long and what he thinks is his future and he feels is finally his souls peaceful place. So Brett does get caught in the middle but he does do what I think is best for everyone. Jesse struggles knowing he has that need in him to protect and look after Sarah.
"So, to answer your question earlier, that's what I want from you... to move forward. Jesse, I worry that I can't be who you need me to be. I'm hesitant to make you any promises or commitments, because I'm not sure I can back them up."
Brett realises that losing his wife 4 years ago he also lost himself and finds spending time with Jesse he is slowly finding himself again. Jesse tries to be patient with Brett, but Jesse decides to take the leap and tell Brett how she truly feels about him. Brett struggles to say how he feels about Jesse but he knows he has those feelings. He's scared to love again, he's scared to care too much again and it just makes loving Brett so much easier and had me crying for him all over again.
It hurts Jesse that Brett can't say the words back to her.
"I'm willing to try though. Something beyond my control draws me to you. You make me feel alive again, and as selfish as it sounds, I will do absolutely anything to hold on to that."
I'm going to stop there, but that is by no means the end or close to explaining how amazing and unique this story is.
Yes! This does have a HEA :D
Changing Course had me in tears, had me laughing, had me confused... because it was a unique story and I had no idea what was going to happen. My heart shattered so many times and not just for the hero and heroine, the secondary characters were just as important to this story as the main ones were. This story has so many angles it can be looked at from... for me I felt the pain, the guilt, the feeling of being caged in one stage of your life and not knowing how to move past for fear of losing something that you so clearly already lost a long time ago. But also letting go, forgiveness, moving on and finding a new path and realising it's what you were meant for all along.
If you are slightly confused by this review, don't worry I sort of did that on purpose and if you want to know why, then you need to read it :D
I am anxiously awaiting the next book as the character in the next book was a favorite of mine in this book.
I need to stop now or this will be a never ending review lol!
***ARC provided by author for an honest review***
What do you do when the love of your life is ripped away from you... but you’re still forced to see them, still love them, still fight for them. What do you do when they are standing right in front of you screaming they hate you, calling you hideous names and all you can think is how much it hurts your heart just to look at them and still see how beautiful they are to you.
Changing Course starts with Brett seeing Sarah for the first time. He is attracted to her straight away and wants, no needs to meet her.
"It's just my luck the one night I decided to go out without my boys, I met a living, breathing, wet dream in heels."
Sarah and Brett hit it off straight away and can't stay away from each other. They click so well together, they laugh, have great sex, build a life together. I got attached to them and loved their relationship and how much they loved each other. Then one night it's ripped away from them...
"Shhhh, it's okay baby. I've got you now," I whisper into her blood-streaked hair."
4 years later and 4 lives ruined...
We meet Jesse, Jesse works at the diner that Brett goes to for breakfast before work. Jesse has a total crush on Brett. Brett notices Jesse but he doesn't seem to be interested in going further with her, he just knows that he is drawn to her and that's why he always finds himself at that diner every morning Jesse is working.
Caleb, Brett's best friend tries to convince Brett to ask Jesse out.
"News Flash: I'm married!"
"You might still be married on paper, but you and I both know you haven't been married for a long time."
Brett is still holding on to Sarah and it's devastating to find out why and how their relationship has changed and turned from absolute pure love to pure hatred... with guilt and responsibility weighing down their souls. You learn what's been happening through the 4 years past and it broke my heart to read Brett's heart die a slow and painful death at the hands of the one person he loves the most...
Jesse finally gets the nerve to ask Brett out and they go to the football together and hit it off straight away and Brett starts to realise that he really likes Jesse, that he likes her a lot! And finds himself not being able to get her out of his mind or system.
"She might be quiet and shy at first, but once you break her out of that invisible shell, she's unbelievable."
Jesse is equally enamored with Brett, not being able to believe that someone like Brett could find Jesse attractive and fun to be with.
Brett decides it's time to tell Sarah that he is seeing someone now. Sarah does not take this well at all.
"You are my problem, Brett! I have been asking for a divorce for years. YEARS!" she screams, only inches from my face. I slide over far enough to get up without having to touch her. She has that crazy look in her eye and I know if I sit there even a minute longer, she will slap me."
As Jesse and Brett are moving along in their relationship, Sarah decides to turn up and start causing trouble. It's confusing to put this part in to words because everyone in this situation is a victim and I could never blame Brett for trying to protect what he has loved for so long and what he thinks is his future and he feels is finally his souls peaceful place. So Brett does get caught in the middle but he does do what I think is best for everyone. Jesse struggles knowing he has that need in him to protect and look after Sarah.
"So, to answer your question earlier, that's what I want from you... to move forward. Jesse, I worry that I can't be who you need me to be. I'm hesitant to make you any promises or commitments, because I'm not sure I can back them up."
Brett realises that losing his wife 4 years ago he also lost himself and finds spending time with Jesse he is slowly finding himself again. Jesse tries to be patient with Brett, but Jesse decides to take the leap and tell Brett how she truly feels about him. Brett struggles to say how he feels about Jesse but he knows he has those feelings. He's scared to love again, he's scared to care too much again and it just makes loving Brett so much easier and had me crying for him all over again.
It hurts Jesse that Brett can't say the words back to her.
"I'm willing to try though. Something beyond my control draws me to you. You make me feel alive again, and as selfish as it sounds, I will do absolutely anything to hold on to that."
I'm going to stop there, but that is by no means the end or close to explaining how amazing and unique this story is.
Yes! This does have a HEA :D
Changing Course had me in tears, had me laughing, had me confused... because it was a unique story and I had no idea what was going to happen. My heart shattered so many times and not just for the hero and heroine, the secondary characters were just as important to this story as the main ones were. This story has so many angles it can be looked at from... for me I felt the pain, the guilt, the feeling of being caged in one stage of your life and not knowing how to move past for fear of losing something that you so clearly already lost a long time ago. But also letting go, forgiveness, moving on and finding a new path and realising it's what you were meant for all along.
If you are slightly confused by this review, don't worry I sort of did that on purpose and if you want to know why, then you need to read it :D
I am anxiously awaiting the next book as the character in the next book was a favorite of mine in this book.
I need to stop now or this will be a never ending review lol!
***ARC provided by author for an honest review***
November 9, 2014
Wild and crazy ride!
3.5 Crazy Train stars!
I just finished this book a little while ago, and my head is spinning. So much angst and turmoil. I don't even know where to begin.
First of all let me just say that I adore Aly Martinez's writing. She has this way of creating characters that seem to just jump off the page and live and breathe in the real world. I am seriously in awe of her talent.
This book is really hard for me to wrap my head around. On the one hand I loved the intensity of the story. I loved how dark the subject matter was. But, on the other hand....i had some problems with the main characters and how they reacted to certain situations.
Sarah: I'm just going to say it flat out. I had very little sympathy for her. Yes, she went through a traumatic event, and lost her best friend. I get that. But some of her actions were just unforgivable in my eyes. And while I am probably....once again....in the minority on this, i honestly am a bit nervous to read because of my dislike for her character. All i can say is, she better be good to my Leo....or else.
Jesse: A rare find indeed...a female lead character that I didn't continually want to bitch slap! Yay! I loved how much of a little spitfire she was. I even liked how she didn't cuss. However, the speed with which she forgave Brett for his Caveman behavior was a tad annoying. Okay....more than a tad. I did enjoy her relationship with Caleb though. <3
Brett: I am all for a possessive Alpha male. But, Brett stepped over the line into asshat Caveman territory more than once for me. Plus, his whole attitude regarding Sarah bugged the hell out of me. Yes, i know he loved her. I know he felt guilty leaving her after everything she had been through...but once things progressed with Jesse, and after all the shitty things Sarah did to her....he had no business playing both sides of the fence. At all.
The entire Sarah/Brett situation was probably my biggest problem with the storyline. It seemed to drag out a bit too long, and the overwhelming angst involved was too much for my delicate constitution. LOL BUT....it definitely kept me flipping the pages as fast as my little fingers could....so that says a lot about how interesting and addictive the storyline was. I FELT while reading this book. It wasn't always positive feels...but still.
Aly Martinez has a huge fan in me. And while this wasn't as much of a perfect read for me like her was, it was still a wild ride that I'm glad i got to experience.
3.5 Crazy Train stars!
I just finished this book a little while ago, and my head is spinning. So much angst and turmoil. I don't even know where to begin.
First of all let me just say that I adore Aly Martinez's writing. She has this way of creating characters that seem to just jump off the page and live and breathe in the real world. I am seriously in awe of her talent.
This book is really hard for me to wrap my head around. On the one hand I loved the intensity of the story. I loved how dark the subject matter was. But, on the other hand....i had some problems with the main characters and how they reacted to certain situations.
Sarah: I'm just going to say it flat out. I had very little sympathy for her. Yes, she went through a traumatic event, and lost her best friend. I get that. But some of her actions were just unforgivable in my eyes. And while I am probably....once again....in the minority on this, i honestly am a bit nervous to read because of my dislike for her character. All i can say is, she better be good to my Leo....or else.
Jesse: A rare find indeed...a female lead character that I didn't continually want to bitch slap! Yay! I loved how much of a little spitfire she was. I even liked how she didn't cuss. However, the speed with which she forgave Brett for his Caveman behavior was a tad annoying. Okay....more than a tad. I did enjoy her relationship with Caleb though. <3
Brett: I am all for a possessive Alpha male. But, Brett stepped over the line into asshat Caveman territory more than once for me. Plus, his whole attitude regarding Sarah bugged the hell out of me. Yes, i know he loved her. I know he felt guilty leaving her after everything she had been through...but once things progressed with Jesse, and after all the shitty things Sarah did to her....he had no business playing both sides of the fence. At all.
The entire Sarah/Brett situation was probably my biggest problem with the storyline. It seemed to drag out a bit too long, and the overwhelming angst involved was too much for my delicate constitution. LOL BUT....it definitely kept me flipping the pages as fast as my little fingers could....so that says a lot about how interesting and addictive the storyline was. I FELT while reading this book. It wasn't always positive feels...but still.
Aly Martinez has a huge fan in me. And while this wasn't as much of a perfect read for me like her was, it was still a wild ride that I'm glad i got to experience.
January 28, 2014
Yowza! Great beginning to a new series by debuting author, Aly Martinez. Emotional roller coaster that tightens its hold on your emotions with each page you finish. A gripping storyline that includes well-developed characters, both main and secondary. This one offered up a solid differences on what has been the norm in trending lately. I look forward to reading the next installment where we'll get a deeper look into some of the secondary characters.
One small oops in this story for me, though. I'm not going to describe the problem in detail -- I want to see if others found it bothersome to them as they read. It deals with the lead male character and how he presents himself. Along with some missing words, wrong choices of words, and typos, this problem is the reason for the 4-star rating as opposed to a full 5-star rating.
One small oops in this story for me, though. I'm not going to describe the problem in detail -- I want to see if others found it bothersome to them as they read. It deals with the lead male character and how he presents himself. Along with some missing words, wrong choices of words, and typos, this problem is the reason for the 4-star rating as opposed to a full 5-star rating.
April 25, 2021
This was a quick read/listen. I believe this one is one of Aly’s first books. I’ve had this one going on 6-7 years on my kindle. I’ve practically read and love all of her books, but had yet to read this series. So anyway, I feel like since then Aly’s work have just gotten better. This is still good and you can see snippets of the Aly that writes amazing books, but I just couldn’t connect with the story and the characters. I’ll tell you why, I’m just not a fan of second best in books and this book has that in spades, the hero claims to love the heroine but he’s so hung up on the ex, like a lot. At the same time the heroine forgives him way too fast every time, she’s a little doormat-y. So, not my favorite Aly book, but it definitely kept me interested the entire time!
January 30, 2014
GET READY FOR A ROLLER COASTER OF EMOTIONS. CHANGING COURSE WILL LEAVE YOU WITH EMOTIONAL WHIPLASH AFTER THE RIDE YOUR ABOUT TO TAKE AND YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS OUT ON A SINGLE SECOND OF IT!!!!
Changing Course will lead your heart on a journey of love, heartache and hope. The hard part was trying to get through this story in one piece. Heartbreaking at best and yet filled with so much hope and raw emotion. It’s a story of Gut wrenching loss turned to clear skies and sunny days. But how long before the fog sets back in? How long before everything shatters…again.
Holy smokes where do I even begin? This book is the ultimate definition of BOOK WHIPLASH. This was a difficult story to read because before Aly Martinez makes you fall in love with Brett and Jesse� she makes you fall in love with Brett and Sarah.
Sarah- she was beautiful and funny. She was crazy and fun. She and Brett were truly meant to be together. They seemed to have a perfect life. They had a beautiful marriage, a future to look forward to, and best friends who were also in love and about to get married. Their life, their future, was destined to be a happily ever after.
Or so they thought�
Then one heartbreaking emotional night things changed.
One person left dead
One person left broken
And Two people left shattered
Maybe I say it for her, maybe just for me, but I know it is the biggest lie I have ever uttered. “Just hang on baby, it’s all going to be ok.�
Brett loves Sarah with every fiber of his being. After seven beautiful years with the love of his life his world is turned upside down and shaken to the core. He has lost his wife. She is no longer that same vibrant, wild, sexy Sarah he once knew…but she is still his wife and he intends to keep his promise of “no take backs�. He made a vow and he plans to honor that vow even if it kills him.
Jesse� Oh how I loved ‘Little Miss No Cuss� Jesse. She is so sweet and innocent. She hides inside of herself and usually allows her insecurities to take charge of her actions. Well unless she hears someone cuss- especially at her. Then feisty little Jesse emerges. She thinks cussing is rude, crass, and for ignorant people…which makes for some pretty funny moments in this book.
She’s a barista at a little restaurant where Detective Brett Sharp just happens to go for his morning breakfast every day. Her little five foot something self is completely drawn to the 6ft 5in sexy as sin detective and has her crushing. HARD. She wants him to notice her but that never really happens. So she takes it upon herself to ask him out and with the help of his best friend Caleb he agrees to go (well more like forced to go). He is pissed. He is married for crying out loud. How can Caleb think he should be dating? How can he bring himself to actually follow through with it? Even if it is a dream date for any white blooded male.
Jesse is not who he thought she was, he sees more than the tiny little brunette that serves him his granola and yogurt four days a week. Things are starting to stir in him that have been dormant for four years…ever since he lost his Sarah. He is committed to his wife and has made her promises that he has to keep. But then there is Jesse. She makes him feel things that he hasn’t felt in so long. He finally feels like he is alive again. Brett’s commitment is to his wife so what could he possibly have to offer Jesse? And will it be enough for her…and if so for how long?
“These last few days have been an awakening. I now see the sun behind the fog, and it’s a damn good feeling.
I can’t promise you anything more than tomorrow, but maybe one day, the fog will disappear leaving only sunny days ahead.�
Sarah is a shell of her former self. All she allows herself to feel is guilt and pain. She just can’t handle life anymore. She has pushed everyone out of her life even her husband. One day a week is all she allows him. He will take it but she never makes it easy on him…why would she…she hates him. But what does Sarah hate more than her husband? She hates the fact that Brett is moving on. She doesn’t want to be with him, but come hell or high water she is going to do everything in her power to keep Jesse away from her husband. And let me tell you, she pulls some crazy ass antics.
My heart broke for Jesse but I admired her behavior. I don’t think I could have been as understanding as she was throughout the book…with any of it. Knowing a man you have fallen in love with will never be able to fall in love with you because he is married and that piece of him belongs to his wife, would just be too much.
If he is a liar and a cheat, I can walk away with no guilt of my own. But I have no idea how to deal with the idea that he might still be in love with the living, breathing, ghost of his wife.
There aren't even words to describe my feelings towards Sarah. First, I fell in love with her. She was so vibrant and free. Then that turned to sadness which quickly turned to a form of hatred.
This story is a battle of mind vs. heart. All you can do is follow your heart and hopefully your mind will come along for the ride.
But when your mind and your heart are on opposite ends of the spectrum things are hard. It’s a fork in the road and you need to choose your path before you lose everything.
And for Brett and Jesse� it was one night…one word…that defined the true nature of their relationship.
Words cannot describe how crazy in love I was with this story. And better yet, we get more. This is a standalone novel but Caleb gets his own story too. I loved Caleb so much cannot wait to read more about him and hopefully get a peak of some of the other characters that were in Changing Course.
Congratulations Aly Martinez on a great debut.
Changing Course will lead your heart on a journey of love, heartache and hope. The hard part was trying to get through this story in one piece. Heartbreaking at best and yet filled with so much hope and raw emotion. It’s a story of Gut wrenching loss turned to clear skies and sunny days. But how long before the fog sets back in? How long before everything shatters…again.
Holy smokes where do I even begin? This book is the ultimate definition of BOOK WHIPLASH. This was a difficult story to read because before Aly Martinez makes you fall in love with Brett and Jesse� she makes you fall in love with Brett and Sarah.
Sarah- she was beautiful and funny. She was crazy and fun. She and Brett were truly meant to be together. They seemed to have a perfect life. They had a beautiful marriage, a future to look forward to, and best friends who were also in love and about to get married. Their life, their future, was destined to be a happily ever after.
Or so they thought�
Then one heartbreaking emotional night things changed.
One person left dead
One person left broken
And Two people left shattered
Maybe I say it for her, maybe just for me, but I know it is the biggest lie I have ever uttered. “Just hang on baby, it’s all going to be ok.�
Brett loves Sarah with every fiber of his being. After seven beautiful years with the love of his life his world is turned upside down and shaken to the core. He has lost his wife. She is no longer that same vibrant, wild, sexy Sarah he once knew…but she is still his wife and he intends to keep his promise of “no take backs�. He made a vow and he plans to honor that vow even if it kills him.
Jesse� Oh how I loved ‘Little Miss No Cuss� Jesse. She is so sweet and innocent. She hides inside of herself and usually allows her insecurities to take charge of her actions. Well unless she hears someone cuss- especially at her. Then feisty little Jesse emerges. She thinks cussing is rude, crass, and for ignorant people…which makes for some pretty funny moments in this book.
She’s a barista at a little restaurant where Detective Brett Sharp just happens to go for his morning breakfast every day. Her little five foot something self is completely drawn to the 6ft 5in sexy as sin detective and has her crushing. HARD. She wants him to notice her but that never really happens. So she takes it upon herself to ask him out and with the help of his best friend Caleb he agrees to go (well more like forced to go). He is pissed. He is married for crying out loud. How can Caleb think he should be dating? How can he bring himself to actually follow through with it? Even if it is a dream date for any white blooded male.
Jesse is not who he thought she was, he sees more than the tiny little brunette that serves him his granola and yogurt four days a week. Things are starting to stir in him that have been dormant for four years…ever since he lost his Sarah. He is committed to his wife and has made her promises that he has to keep. But then there is Jesse. She makes him feel things that he hasn’t felt in so long. He finally feels like he is alive again. Brett’s commitment is to his wife so what could he possibly have to offer Jesse? And will it be enough for her…and if so for how long?
“These last few days have been an awakening. I now see the sun behind the fog, and it’s a damn good feeling.
I can’t promise you anything more than tomorrow, but maybe one day, the fog will disappear leaving only sunny days ahead.�
Sarah is a shell of her former self. All she allows herself to feel is guilt and pain. She just can’t handle life anymore. She has pushed everyone out of her life even her husband. One day a week is all she allows him. He will take it but she never makes it easy on him…why would she…she hates him. But what does Sarah hate more than her husband? She hates the fact that Brett is moving on. She doesn’t want to be with him, but come hell or high water she is going to do everything in her power to keep Jesse away from her husband. And let me tell you, she pulls some crazy ass antics.
My heart broke for Jesse but I admired her behavior. I don’t think I could have been as understanding as she was throughout the book…with any of it. Knowing a man you have fallen in love with will never be able to fall in love with you because he is married and that piece of him belongs to his wife, would just be too much.
If he is a liar and a cheat, I can walk away with no guilt of my own. But I have no idea how to deal with the idea that he might still be in love with the living, breathing, ghost of his wife.
There aren't even words to describe my feelings towards Sarah. First, I fell in love with her. She was so vibrant and free. Then that turned to sadness which quickly turned to a form of hatred.
This story is a battle of mind vs. heart. All you can do is follow your heart and hopefully your mind will come along for the ride.
But when your mind and your heart are on opposite ends of the spectrum things are hard. It’s a fork in the road and you need to choose your path before you lose everything.
And for Brett and Jesse� it was one night…one word…that defined the true nature of their relationship.
Words cannot describe how crazy in love I was with this story. And better yet, we get more. This is a standalone novel but Caleb gets his own story too. I loved Caleb so much cannot wait to read more about him and hopefully get a peak of some of the other characters that were in Changing Course.
Congratulations Aly Martinez on a great debut.
June 28, 2014
4.5 Stars!! STRIKE-X... Changing Course BOWLED me right over!! Aly Martinez scores again! She weaves one heck of an emotional sexy HOT story!
Review to follow...
Want to read
February 27, 2016Update February 27th 2016 : I haven't read this one yet but have it in a bundle on my Kindle. But this first book is now FREE on Amazon US
May 24, 2016
Well this was a disappointment. After reading The Fall Up, I had really high expectations. I stopped at 62%. The plot line was actually good, up until a certain point but I really hated all of the characters.
Sarah is a nutjob, Jesse is a wet noodle character and Brett just did nothing for me.
With the amount of detail the author went into regarding Sarah and Brett's relationship, she should have just turned it into a second chance romance instead of introducing a significantly younger (6 years) female love interest with absolutely no chemistry with Brett.
Jesse was actually my least favorite character out of everyone. My god she was annoying. The whole no swearing aspect was a little much on top of her already innocent ways-it made her seem A LOT younger than Brett. She was uninteresting and her and Brett just didn't sell that they were in love/lust at all. And by the way, the way she was introduced seemed rushed and out of nowhere. I personally would have had him meet her while he was going through all of drama of the crash with Sarah, had them become friends while he was down, her helping him through everything with Sarah, and eventual lovers (a year or two later). The blurb made it seem like Jesse made him live life again/regain control of his life, but I didn't get that feeling at all. In order for that to have happened, the character would have had to have been A LOT stronger and have way more personality.
I just didn't find any of the relationships and characters believable or relatable.
Sarah is a nutjob, Jesse is a wet noodle character and Brett just did nothing for me.
With the amount of detail the author went into regarding Sarah and Brett's relationship, she should have just turned it into a second chance romance instead of introducing a significantly younger (6 years) female love interest with absolutely no chemistry with Brett.
Jesse was actually my least favorite character out of everyone. My god she was annoying. The whole no swearing aspect was a little much on top of her already innocent ways-it made her seem A LOT younger than Brett. She was uninteresting and her and Brett just didn't sell that they were in love/lust at all. And by the way, the way she was introduced seemed rushed and out of nowhere. I personally would have had him meet her while he was going through all of drama of the crash with Sarah, had them become friends while he was down, her helping him through everything with Sarah, and eventual lovers (a year or two later). The blurb made it seem like Jesse made him live life again/regain control of his life, but I didn't get that feeling at all. In order for that to have happened, the character would have had to have been A LOT stronger and have way more personality.
I just didn't find any of the relationships and characters believable or relatable.
Shelved as 'kindle-freebies'
December 31, 2015Kindle Freebie 12/30/15
February 9, 2014
4.5 Stars
Wow...I totally fell in love with this book. Changing Course is the perfect recipe of humor, angst, sex, grief and happiness. Author Aly Martinez has a wicked sense of humor in her writing and if she's like this in real life, I'd want her to be my best friend.
In Changing Course, Brett Sharp "loses" his wife Sarah in a car accident. Although she is physically still here, she is not the same person that she was when he met her 7 years prior. She is now physically and mentally abusive to Brett, as well as a harm to herself, trying to end her life multiple times. It's heartbreaking to watch what has happened to these 2 individuals especially after we see flashbacks into their relationship before the accident.
Fast forward 4 years, and Brett has befriended Jesse Addison, who works at a coffee shop that he frequents each morning for breakfast. Jesse is the complete opposite of Sarah, from looks to personality. Where Sarah is tall, gorgeous and outgoing, Jesse is petite, shy and sweet. Not knowing Brett's history, Jesse finally gathers the courage to ask him out on a date, and what follows is a period of ups and downs for the couple.
I liked that the situations that befell these character were realistic. Jessie doesn't just jump into bed with Brett. She has self-esteem issues like any girl would when they're with a hot guy. Why is he with me? Am I good enough for him? At one point she has a "make-out" session with Brett but jumps ups to run to the bathroom when things start wandering below the neck. Yet, once she starts drinking, she completely loosens up. Let's face it, who hasn't experienced this before?! Then adding Sarah into the "getting to know you" part of the relationship, and it definitely get's interesting.
The secondary characters were fantastic too. Jesse's best friend Kara was hysterical and I fell HARD for Caleb, Brett's partner on the police force and best friend. Needless to say, I'm dying to read book 2, Stolen Course, which is Caleb's story. Eeek!
This was an amazing debut novel by Aly Martinez, and definitely a must read. Although it's early in the year, I have a feeling this will be on my 2014 Favorites List.
An ARC was kindly provided by the Author for an honest review.
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Wow...I totally fell in love with this book. Changing Course is the perfect recipe of humor, angst, sex, grief and happiness. Author Aly Martinez has a wicked sense of humor in her writing and if she's like this in real life, I'd want her to be my best friend.
In Changing Course, Brett Sharp "loses" his wife Sarah in a car accident. Although she is physically still here, she is not the same person that she was when he met her 7 years prior. She is now physically and mentally abusive to Brett, as well as a harm to herself, trying to end her life multiple times. It's heartbreaking to watch what has happened to these 2 individuals especially after we see flashbacks into their relationship before the accident.
Fast forward 4 years, and Brett has befriended Jesse Addison, who works at a coffee shop that he frequents each morning for breakfast. Jesse is the complete opposite of Sarah, from looks to personality. Where Sarah is tall, gorgeous and outgoing, Jesse is petite, shy and sweet. Not knowing Brett's history, Jesse finally gathers the courage to ask him out on a date, and what follows is a period of ups and downs for the couple.
I liked that the situations that befell these character were realistic. Jessie doesn't just jump into bed with Brett. She has self-esteem issues like any girl would when they're with a hot guy. Why is he with me? Am I good enough for him? At one point she has a "make-out" session with Brett but jumps ups to run to the bathroom when things start wandering below the neck. Yet, once she starts drinking, she completely loosens up. Let's face it, who hasn't experienced this before?! Then adding Sarah into the "getting to know you" part of the relationship, and it definitely get's interesting.
The secondary characters were fantastic too. Jesse's best friend Kara was hysterical and I fell HARD for Caleb, Brett's partner on the police force and best friend. Needless to say, I'm dying to read book 2, Stolen Course, which is Caleb's story. Eeek!
This was an amazing debut novel by Aly Martinez, and definitely a must read. Although it's early in the year, I have a feeling this will be on my 2014 Favorites List.
An ARC was kindly provided by the Author for an honest review.
Review posted at
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September 15, 2014
Title: Changing Course (Wrecked and Ruined #1)
Series: Standalone
Author: Aly Martinez
Release Date: January 29,2014
Rating: 2.75 Stars
POV: Dual
HEA:
And for those of you that need the following answered prior to starting a book:
Any Hard Limits?
Cliffhanger: . No.
Intolerable Heroine .A bit.
Über Douchebagery .No.
Taboo Subject Matter .No.
Cheating:
Love Triangle
After reading so many reviews about how wonderful Brett is I was really excited to read this book. Unfortunately, I was pretty disappointed.
Brett has been married to his wife Sarah for 7 years when one day a tragic event causes her to change into a completely different person. Long story short, 4 years later queue the sweet and timid Jesse.
I LOVED Sarah before the accident. I love a heroine that's sexy, feisty, and little bit naughty. Jesse to me was so damn boring that I wasn't even sure what the hell Brett saw in her. I mean at one point he even says he even compares her to how a guy feels about his friends cute little sister. BOOOORING.
There were a few times when she lets out her feisty side but for the most part I felt like she let Brett dictate everything in the relationship. Also... HUGE HUGE WTF for me was Quite frankly that's a huge deal and I'm so confused as to how he never found out and it was never brought up again in the story. What was the point of that? So random.
Anyways. I felt like there were a few times when Brett was really cruel with his words and Jesse let him get away with it so easily. I hate a weak heroine and honestly I felt like she was a doormat at times.
I would have liked to have seen Brett put more of an effort into winning her over after she spent about 80% of the book putting her heart out on the line.
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