Emily’s life was hell growing up, her only solace was the Donovan brothers, the loves of her life. When the older brothers rejected her love and her heart, the younger brother, angry with his brothers came to her declaring his love and devotion. It’s been just over 21 months since the death of my Shanny and I find myself still going back to books I have read repeatedly. I am revisiting these books because they are books I know I can totally submerse myself in (temporarily bury my head in the sand) and enjoy rather than taking a chance on a new book only to be disappointed in not finding a temporary reprieve from the reality that there is now a gaping hole in the hearts of my family. Everyday its fight to get out of bed and the only things holding me together is my family. I am telling you this so you understand what I am going to say next. I normally really enjoy this story when I read and it is one of my favorites but thinking it would be a comfort book under the circumstances was not level headed thinking. It was a gut wrenching read this time and sadly I am not sure I will ever be able to read it again and that just makes me want to cry more because I love this book. Sean’s murder took a devastating toll on Emily and the fog she lived in probably would have killed her to if Taggert and Greer had not put on their big boy panties and gone after her. Now normally I would focus on the hot steamy sex if there is any or the dynamics between the characters or the edits of which I only found one in Songbird, but this time I can’t because even as I write this review I have to fight back the tears. Maya Banks did and amazing job of describing the grief that Emily was going through, someone murdered her husband as he was protecting her. The man that did that stole an entire future from her that she can never get back, yes, she finds love that was in reality always there but deep down that hole that was created will always be there even as a bitter sweet memory. Emily’s sadness matches my own sadness and this time, as I read this story, that is what I connected with and its not something I was really prepared for when choosing to read Songbird for the umpteenth time. So, in truth I focused very much on the heart ache of the characters which I think made everything else including the bedroom scene pretty subdued. I know my first readings of Songbird were in a different time and place and my feelings of the story were very different and I am hoping that someday I can pick this book up again and read it in that light and give you a better review. This review posting contains the body of the review, which is only a portion of the original review which is posted here http://lauralusbookreviews.blogspot.com/2017/04/songbird-by-maya-banks.html ( )

I love Maya Banks. She's done it again! This was well written and a wonderful story. Have some tissue ready. I can't decide if I like this better than or just as much as her Colter's books. This is the story of a woman learning to love and live again and of two brothers learning to love despite societies view on "normal and acceptable". ( )

Typical Maya Banks. Fast read. Just fluff ( )

While this story is short, Ms Banks packs a lot into it. I would also suggest that you keep some tissues handy because their are several moments that will have you crying. I do wish there had been a little better explanation for why the bad guy did what he did. I know that in real life there isn't always a reason but in fiction it is nice to know why. I enjoyed this book very mush. Ms. Banks is a wonderful writer and all her work reflects her amazing talent. ( )