Christine BraeCritiques

Christine Brae is a first-time author for me. I must say her writing grabs you on an emotional level in this book. My problem was not with Ms. Brae's writing but with her main characters Carin & Matias. Their self-absorbed attitudes are enough to make anyone angry and resentful. I understand Carin was depressed, stressed, and feeling unloved by her husband, but I just could not understand why she just did not file for a divorce like anyone else. In addition, Matias, what a jerk, he reminded me of a spoiled child when things did not go as he felt they should go. It was just very hard for me to connect with these two. I do believe this is the perfect book for someone who could relate to Carin and her actions on her level. I received a copy of this book for my honest review from Xpresso Tours.

Brief summary: Carin Frost is a wife, mother and successful business woman who is suffering severe depression following the death of her mother. She meets a man who she drops everything to be with.

I found the writing and style to be awkward. I felt that there were parts of the character development that was missing, where at times the reader was given too much and not enough info about the characters at the same time. This same problem happens with the plot of the story. A portion of the book reads as soft erotica. I did appreciate how the author ended the novel.

I understand that the author wanted to write about the symptoms and issues surrounding those that have severe depression, however I did not feel that how those in the life of the main character acted and reacted was believable..

Many thanks to NetGalley, Vesuvian Books and Christine Brae for an ARC in exchange for an honest book review of The Year I Left. My thoughts and opinions are 100% my own and independent of receiving an advance copy.

Carin is a successful business woman who is married to a good guy with a great kid. But, lately, a feeling of ennui has set over her whole life. She doesn’t know what has come over her until Matias walks into her life. As they begin to work together, Carin can’t concentrate on her job. They work so well together but gosh why did he have to be so nice and oh so handsome. As their professional relationship progresses, so does their attraction to one another. Carin refuses to act on, until, one day, they find themselves stranded on an island. The world believes they are dead. Should she take this time for herself, to explore how she feels? Can she stay and make a life with Matias? Or are they living on borrowed time?

Uch!! No, no, no. What is going on? I get that every married woman/mother dreams of taking off from her life and living on an island with some hot guy who worships her at some point in a long marriage. Especially one that is loaded and can fix shit. I mean, this guy is perfect. He wants nothing to do but talk about his feelings and make love to Carin every day forever. Yes, sign me up. When does my plane crash? And can you please make it in Hawaii.

I can’t suspend my belief for books like this. No matter how I try, I just can’t. She’s going to abandon her son to find herself? I just don’t believe that is what mother’s do. And I’ll say it again, if you aren’t happy in your marriage, LEAVE! She has all the options to do so. She is financially independent, so she can provide for herself and her son. Her husband is wonderful, just boring to her. He looks after their son all the time and is great with him. The husband is so concerned that his wife isn’t happy. JEEZ!! How many good guys does this girl get?

I can’t relate to women, who have everything, then whine and complain like spoiled brats. I think it is extremely selfish to dump your life, pretend to your husband and CHILD that you are dead, so you can frolic on the beach with some hot dude! I mean that is harsh. Why can’t she deal with her problems like an adult. Do the hard work of being alone, figure out what you want, then go after said hot guy.

I was looking forward to reading a book about “an honest look at love and marriage and the frailties of the human heart, this is a story of a woman’s loss of self and purpose and the journey she takes to find her way back.” I wanted to hear about the inside of a marriage. What to do when you want more out of life. When personally you feel lost. Like, somehow the life you built wasn’t really the life you wanted. Carin and Matias also lied to everyone on the island. They were playing house. They weren’t really married and didn’t deal with things that regular married people did. It was all fantasy.

I think I would have accepted the situation if she had left honestly. Told her husband “ I need a year to get away and find myself and I might sleep with someone, so you can too” Then the family knows what’s going on. Your kid won’t need loads of therapy. I just can’t accept the premise. I guess I have such a visceral reaction to this because it is society selling another fantasy to women. First it is the fairy tales, then it is the romance novels and rom-com movies, and now this fantasy.

I like the writing style. The whole book reads like a journal, or letter, looking back on the whole experience. So you have Carin, walking back through her memories and analyzing them as she describes what is happening. I just can’t relate to these characters. It’s a pass for me.

The Year I Left is a poignant and heartfelt novel by Christine Brae.

This is the first book of the author that I’ve read where it snatched me up and threw me in a rabbit hole to feel different kinds of emotions. I am saying that Christine Brae writes a touching story where you can relate as a woman. The narration is not slow and fast for me. It is flowing normally while letting you go with it thinking all the decisions and reasons of the character. The author has a way with words that makes you feel the story in every possible way, and I loved it.

I also loved the message on this book that was delivered through the experiences of Carin. She is courageous to take something for herself. She might look selfish, but we should not judge those people who do have the same situation as her. No one deserves to stay in a place where you are not happy just to let the people around you don’t judge you. In this world, everyone wants to feel complete and to find the missing pieces on our life, but in order to do so, some of us will undergo a different and sometimes, difficult situation just like with Carin. That is the problem of the story’s main character. Carin Frost is someone who has everything in her life – money, family, and career. But she feels incomplete even though she already has the things many women dreams to have. She has this urge to run away and leave everything she has just to look for something that will make her feel and give sense to her life. But when she met someone who takes her to a journey where she finds what she has been looking for, she contemplates because she knows the consequences of it. But, she also knows that it might be the answer to her questions about why she felt like that even though she has been living a perfect life.

The story is an excellent representation of how a woman felt loss but finds a way to save and bring herself back again. Her journey will surely make some readers relate to her. (SPOILER) This book moved me and inspired me. It broke me, yet it also fixed me. It touches me and makes me weep, so I’m telling you that no matter how you prepare yourself, you will still get yourself consumed by the story.

Though, I’d like to let you know that others might not like the story because of the characters and how they decide to do things. They are selfish, especially Carin, as she is still a wife and a mother. So, if you are avoiding this kind of character, I don’t suggest that you read this book. But, if you are willing to give this a chance and see it to the end, despite how irritated you might be with Carin and Matias, then you’ll see the reasons for their behaviors.

Overall, I liked this book! I don’t know how to describe and tell more about this novel because I felt like spoiling you. But, this story will surely make you cry and feel hundreds of emotion, and I recommend this book. I also recommend this book to anyone who wants to read an adult contemporary romance and women’s fiction.

Disclaimer: I received a reader’s copy via Xpresso Book Tours.

Find this review and others at Carlene Inspired.

They say opposites attract and with Eight Goodbyes' Tessa and Simon that is definitely the case. He's a smart, sensitive scientist and businessman, while she's best described as having her heads in the clouds. As an author Tessa is afforded the ability to travel the world, giving in to the words in her head whenever she wants and keeping everyone at arm's length. Simon, though, is persistent in winning her over and as they meet up in various locations all over the world she begins to find comfort in the consistency. They say goodbye each time, there's no promise of the future, no plan, until one day finally Tessa gives in and offers Simon everything. Life though, like love, is unpredictable and the two are set on different paths.

"Take me to the stars with you."

Oh my, the first half of this novel I cringed at each goodbye, hoping the pair would find a way to be together and yet still be their individual selves. I liked both main characters, connecting with Simon's clean way and formula style thinking and envying Tessa's ability to hop around the world embracing every new experience, though I wasn't quite a fan of her arrogance. They changed each other with each meeting, each evolving into a new version of themselves, though they seem to already fit perfectly together. Tessa gradually becomes less flippant about life and Simon becomes less rigid, more open to the unknown. We only get glimpses of their time together, relatively unaware of what goes on when they are apart. We see Tessa with new walls built around her each time they meet, unable to shake the loss from her life. Simon, on the other hand, wields emotions like a sword, working Tessa's walls down and learning to embrace her adventurous side. He keeps secrets from her though and I struggled with how much he asked of her while still not giving all of himself. Their vulnerabilities seem to be something that both attracts them to one another and pushes them apart. Finally though we see them embrace this unknown, this love, only to watch it shatter. It's difficult, the struggles they continue to face are hard, but it is realistic and Christine Brae takes you on a journey of loss, love, and rediscovery.

"His heart had been besieged with rules. Just this once. Let him keep the one thing."

There is an event in this book that is a topic I currently avoid, so when I got to that scene I set aside the book and pondered how I felt about reading about something that I had a similar experience with. I wasn't sure I'd go back in, but Simon and Tessa called to me and with a bit of apprehension I started reading again. Christine Brae deals with the topic delicately, similar to how she writes about sex, she skims the actual events, leaving us with the character's emotions and the aftermath. I found it really interesting how the timeline of the book skipped ahead after the event, revealing that the characters are still reeling from the event though their lives have moved forward. I appreciated how Christine Brae worked through the emotions with the characters, showing each having done something different. It was unpredictable and there were certainly some twists that I loved and some I hated, much like how I feel about real life sometimes.

"Up to then, the details are murky. How she let him go, how he let her go."

Eight Goodbyes is a romance novel that takes you on a journey, embracing all that life has to offer, the beautiful and the painful. Christine Brae has a lyrical writing style and while it isn't for everyone I think it worked well for this type of story. For me, this book was reminiscent of One Day by David Nichols, with the characters going about life and meeting briefly, and I generally enjoyed the unknown even if the characters didn't. I loved the various settings and the character growth Tessa and Simon go through as they discover what love is together. I absolutely recommend this novel, if anything read it just for Simon who is obviously in the running for Book Boyfriend of the year.

ARC provided.

Tessa Talaman is a romance author who enjoys not being tied down. She is based in the United States but tends to travel and enjoys it greatly. She has a little family but is close to the ones that she has. Simon Fremont is her complete opposite. He is based in England and enjoys stability. He lives close to his parents and brother and visits often. He is a scientist that runs on practical thinking and actions.

The story is written in third person narrative. There is not a lot of character development or real sequence of events. The storyline is a bit choppy but does come to complete close. There is a romance that is rushed and you can not feel a real connection to the characters or their relationship.

Yes, I would recommend this book. It has an interesting storyline, it does lack depth but the overall writing and format style is interesting. This story would be good for anyone who enjoys stories with lots of travelling.

This book is what romance and true love is all about. From the first page to the last page, I was in for the long haul. Tessa and Simon oozed passion, romance, heartache, and true love. With each passing goodbye; my heart broke a little bit more as well.

I loved that Simon would meet Tessa across the world to be with her. Even if it was just for a few days. I could feel the love grow deeper and deeper with each goodbye. Tessa found her love interest and hero from her romance books in Simon. Both of them broke out of their shells and experienced "life" when they were around each other. When tragedy struck, I almost cried out in anguish.

If you are looking for an amazing book to read, than, look no further than this book. This book will stick with you long after you have finished it.

Eight Goodbyes by Christine Brae was nice contemporary romance. Tessa is a successful romance author and she meets Simon on a plane. He is a scientist and the two start to keep in touch via Twitter and What’sApp for a few months. Simon flies out to visit Tessa on one of her book singing tours to spend some time with her. One thing leads to another and these two have great chemistry and begin a long distance fling, but each is trying to not get too attached.

I liked both these characters. I enjoy books about books and writers, so Tessa’s character was easy to like. She did however do something that I definitely thought was super inconsiderate at the start of the story but Simon, being awesome, looks past it and still wants to get to know her so that was sweet. Speaking of Simon, he is a good-looking scientist, what is not to like about that? I thought it was cute that he doesn’t do online anything, he doesn’t have Twitter or Facebook or WhatsApp but he gets these apps to be able to contact Tessa. He follows her on Twitter and as the two start to chat on WhatsApp daily their romance blossoms from there.

Like the title says, Simon and Tessa keep saying “goodbye” after they first meet on the plane, but they know they have something special so they keep trying to see each other. The story revolves around how to maintain their long distance romance and Tessa’s fear of committing and post-traumatic stress disorder plays a part of the story-line as well.

I enjoyed seeing it mentioned here. While I enjoyed Eight Goodbyes , the writing was good, the characters were well-developed and the story-line moved along nicely, I did have a few qualms with it. I know this is romance, but some of the dialogue was cheesy and I hate to say it, the story became a little overly dramatic for my tastes. The author wrote the PTSD in well and the extra drama I’m talking about has nothing to do with post traumatic stress.

Although, I felt like there was alot of drama especially towards the end of the book it does all wrap up nicely and you get the HEA. The first half of the story was a little bit slow going but then the latter half was busier and I started to wonder if it would end with a cliffie but it didn’t.

So, overall, Eight Goodbyes was solid contemporary romance, a nice beach read if you don’t mind a little extra drama in the mix and a hero who wears his heart on his sleeve. I’m more about the brooding heroes with grumpy attitudes who melt later on because the heroine shows them what love is but I can always appreciate a softie like Simon. Anway, I love the cover lots.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

disclaimer: This review is my honest opinion. I did not receive any kind of compensation for reading and reviewing this book. I am under no obligation to write a positive review. I received my free ARC of Eight Goodbyes by Christine Brae via Meryl Moss Media.

https://bookwormnai.wordpress.com/2018/07/04/eight-goodbyes-by-christine-brae/½

This story was destined to be an emotional roller coaster. The synopsis drew me in. I was all set to possibly need tissues.

The story starts out wonderfully. It pulled me in. I was intrigued. Anna and Dante's friendship was borderline crossing over from friends. It just sat there on the edge. Then she meets Jude. She is drawn to him. He intrigues her. There friendship and relationship slowly buds.

Fast-forward five years later... This is where the story fell apart for me. I just don't get the characters. None of them. The decisions they make. Their actions. They all just seemed to fall apart. I couldn't connect with them anymore. They lost their luster. I couldn't respect how they chose to let things play out.

I have mixed feelings on this book. On one hand I liked it but didn't love it. On the other hand I didn't like it but I definitely did not hate it. I am lingering in the middle with this one. I have so many conflicting thoughts about this book.

I guess I'll be the first to say that this book is just okay for me. It was just too dragging and predictable for me. I really don't want to finish reading this book at first but decided to finish it.

I guess I'll be the first to say that this book is just okay for me. It was just too dragging and predictable for me. I really don't want to finish reading this book at first but decided to finish it.

In This Life starts off with Anna Dillon and her best friend, Dante, working a medical mission in Thailand. There she meets Jude, a man of mystery, and immediately falls head over heels for him. When an emergency calls her home, Jude and Anna make promises to see each again. Five years later and Anna hasn't heard a peep from Jude. She's moved on with her life and with Dante. Then one fateful day, Jude and Anna's paths cross once again, throwing both their worlds into turmoil.

Christine Brae is a new author to me, though she's written many books. After reading the summary I was ecstatic to give this book a go. The author's writing is good and the story line was intriguing. The one thing I did have a problem with was connecting with Anna. Her reactions seemed over the top at times. She was unapologetic about her decisions and while that can be empowering, it made her seem cruel and uncaring about who she hurt.

For the most part I did enjoy reading this book. While the story did hold some problems for me, I would like to read some of Brae's other books because I did like her writing style. I'm glad I gave this book a chance even though I had mixed feelings about it.
Read more at http://www.toreadornottoread.net/2017/03/review-in-this-life-by-christine-brae.h...

OMG. Although, the word better suited for this book is probably...magnificent!

As the story progressed, I felt the strong connection involving Anna, Jude, and Dante. The love that Anna shares for both men was genuine. Yet, the relationships could not have been more different. It was like Anna was always meant to be with Jude. Even though they had only shared a short time together Thailand, the author really does a great job of displaying that Anna and Jude were like seahorses. Once, a seahorse find's its mate, they mate for life. On the other hand, Anna and Dante's relationship was formed by a long standing friendship.

I finished this book in half a day. My heart and emotions were thrown on a roller coaster as I took this journey with Anna, Dante, and Jude. There was no favorite for me as I loved them all. In fact, I actually was jealous that Anna found love not once but twice. This story did end on a high note. Nothing worse than reading a book only to have a weak ending. A recommended read! I am going to be checking out more books by this author.

I feel that the first book an author writes shows us who they are. Sets the tone for everything in the future. With this emotion packed book, Christine Brae has proved that she is here to stay. She has proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that she is an author who is a force to be reckoned with.

From the first page, you are drawn into the story of Isa. There is no easy way to sugarcoat it. Isa had a crappy childhood. All she longed for was the love of her family. Time and time again, she is disappointed and abandoned by the adults in her life. Left to fend for herself, she longs for someone to love her. To notice her. To acknowledge her.

Not long after she starts a new school, or rather, restarts it, the 2 most influential relationships of her life simultaneously begin. A first love with Jesse, and a friendship so deep with Alex. To say anything else about these two would be a disservice to anyone who hasn't read this yet. Just know that you will want to, no, NEED to read this story. You will fall in love, want to punch something or someone, be heartbroken, be healed, only to begin the cycle again.

In the end, lights shines on everything and everyone, and in time, can heal you. Fantastically written book!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Not a word is uttered, not a sound is made. And yet I clearly hear what she’s screaming out lout from her heart.

I’ve never had any doubt; she has always belonged to me.

Head pounding, heart full, the anticipation is finally over. I am going to admit; as much as I BEGGED for an Alex and/or Jess POV book, I was VERY apprehensive going into this one. Loud and proud, I am Team Alex. From the beginning of The Light in the Wound until the very last drop, it was always Alex for me. He put her first, treasured and honored not only her heart, but EVERY part of her. I would have none of the selfishness, controlling nature and all about me attitude from Jesse. No thanks. So to know that they finally had gotten their HEA at the end of book one left me leery of things to come in a new book.

Fate and circumstances-there’s no turning them back once the wheels of life have been set in motion. Nothing you do can change the direction of your destiny. You can influence your future revising your goals and adjusting your purpose, but you can’t chance what is meant to be. We are powerless to fight it; all we do is sustain it. We live for the moments of happiness and joy that are both fleeting and irretrievable.

Firstly let me state; I LOVED the triple POV’s. Christine has a beautiful way of writing that mingles every character without it being overwhelming. You simply can’t tell where one ends and the other begins. For all intents and purposes, this book is split into three parts. The first 25% belongs to Alex, Jesse gets the next 25%, and Issy has the last 50%.

We begin with Alex. Oh Alex, how I love thee. His section was by far my favorite to read. As romance books usually are in the female’s POV I consider it a treat to hear the male’s POV. I had many unanswered questions after the last book because I simply did not know what went through their heads. Putting my fears to rest, I fell in love with him all over again! Whereas TLITW, according to some standards, may have been a little tame sexually, whew…… Grab a fan ya’ll because this one is raunchy! It is H-O-T and I was NOT expecting that. I was more than pleasantly surprised. In fact, I will say it is the BEST surprise I have ever gotten in a book. There is something so erotic in hearing a male’s thoughts whilst in the throes of passion. The delicious part is that Christine doesn’t even get as illicit as I’ve read before. The beautiful way she weaves a scene and inserts you into the play allows you to infer exactly what she is saying without saying it.

I cry because I will always love Alex.

I cry because I no longer know who I am and everything I’ve ever believed in has been a lie.

I cry.

Life isn’t just hearts and flowers for our beloved characters for long though. Tragedy occurs followed by another tragedy and the whole story just tale-spins from there. Hold on to your hats dear reader, for once you read 30%, be prepared to take a ride on the emotional roller-coaster. I don’t believe my heart started beating again until I got to the epilogue (which we will get to in a minute). By this point, we, and when I say we I mean I, have flown through Jesse’s portion. I’ll be honest with you here. Full disclosure; I skimmed a lot of Jesse’s part. I read it; I just didn’t analyze and scrutinize it like I did the rest of the book. A lot of Jesse’s section was flashbacks and explanations for what happened during his years with Isa. By this point, my opinion of him was already formulated and I knew it wouldn’t change. They weren’t meant to be together and no explanation would shed any light on what he had gone through. As I said, I am NOT a Jesse girl.

Before long, we are into Issa’s part and that is when the book REALLY starts to spiral out of control. I’m talking the SHIT hits the proverbial fan, on high velocity! There were so many things that happened in the last half of the book that I NEVER saw coming. It was raw, painful, shocking, heart-wrenching, and full of angst, and I loved EVERY SINGLE SECOND! I could not get enough. Isa is on a path to finally becoming her own woman, finding herself again. The journey that she takes may be unconventional, but that is what it is. HER journey. You don’t know what works for you until you try.

Before I end, a quick word about that epilogue, because we NEED to talk about it. THE BEST one I have EVER read. Just when I thought it was over, another one. And then…..another one. I felt sucker punched throughout the book, but this epilogue healed me faster than any medicine ever could! While I look forward to future writings from CB, I am glad there won’t be any more books. Each character ended up as they should and ALL fans will go away with their cup flowing over. My heart was so FULL of love and it brought tears to my eyes. The perfect ending to a story so personally shared from her soul.

You can lose yourself a million times over, but your heart will always know who you are. In every wound and place of emptiness, love provides a light that guides you through the darkness.

It relentlessly seeks you out and stops at nothing to find you.

Love always finds you.

And when it does, it will bring you home.

While Christine knows how to break your heart don’t worry; she also knows how to put you back together. She knows how to make you wish and hope for something that you never even knew was possible. Whether you are Team Alex or Team Jesse is no matter. Each man has a happy ending all their own. At the end of the day I came to the conclusion that it really didn’t matter; I was now, and forever would be, Team Isa. His Wounded Heart was a love letter from Christine Brae to her fans. To that I say, message received. We
“It has always only been you. It will always be only you. My life didn’t begin until I met you. You have my heart. You are my soul. I love you.”