Review of I Have People!

Right now, I'm loving my reviews! That doesn't always happen, so I'm enjoying it while I can!

Image courtesy of [Stuart Miles] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Below is a great five-star review of I Have People from Mel's Shelves! Thanks Melanie! To view it on her blog, go here.

To follow along on my I Have People Book Tour, go here.

I loved this book! It starts out as a nice, sweet love story, even though you know there's something that's being kept from Holly. After Holly wakes up from an 8 month coma, Gabe is so careful with her and works hard to re-create their life before she went into a coma. Her best friend, Angela, is also there to help her out but neither of them will tell Holly how the accident happened or jog her memory--they tell her she needs to recover her memories on her own. She is happy and life is perfect and then HE comes into the story and there's a different tone. His name is Cal and he's likable enough, at first, and then reveals his true self after they get married. I really felt for Holly as she was humiliated by Cal over and over yet hung in there and acted like nothing was wrong. She tried to convince everyone she was clumsy and it got harder to make up stories as time went on. As she learns more about his dark secrets, though, she realizes that she needs to leave asap. I was frustrated that she didn't just leave but understand why she wanted to wait. At times it was hard to read how Cal treated Holly and I thought Taylor Dean did a great job of describing the abuse, where you could feel Holly's pain, without being too graphic. I'm so grateful that I have never personally had to deal with domestic abuse and I know that there are worse stories out there than Holly's and hers was hard enough for me to read. 

In the Launch Tour post, which you can read here, Taylor Dean addresses the fact that the cover looks so happy and cheery but the book deals with the sensitive issue of domestic abuse, and the overall message of the book is a great one. I also love the title and it's a bit of a roller coaster for her as she realizes she has people that care about her to wonder if they really have her best interests at heart after all.

I was excited to get this guest post, The Worth of a Soul. (View it here.) This is one of my favorite conversations from the book, too. Once Holly's memory returns, she has a hard time believing that someone as wonderful as Gabe would give her the time of day. And Gabe--Sigh!! I loved him from the beginning and he gets even more wonderful once you learn the entire story. Be sure to read all of the guest posts during the tour because Taylor Dean adds lots of extra insights into her books and characters.

This book kept my interest from the first page and didn't slow down. I highly recommend this to anyone that enjoys reading about second chances and finding real and lasting love.

Content: I personally consider this a clean romance but will alert you that there is some passion involved (but no details)! And there's some swearing (but not much).

My Rating: 5 stars

A Fabulous Five-Star Review of I HAVE PEOPLE!

Bear with me, when I receive an awesome review, I have to share it. 

Listen, reviews are tough. I've received my share of not-so-great reviews. So, when I receive a good one it's the most exciting thing in the world!!

Special thanks to Sherry of Fundinmental for reading and reviewing I Have People! To read the review on her blog, go here.

MY REVIEW

I can’t help but eat up taylor dean’s books, like the M & Ms that I love. She makes me so tense, sitting on the edge of my chair, racing through the pages. An amazing writer. She can tell a story that makes you hold your breath, as you wait in suspense for the tale to play out.

“He’d finally killed her,” went through her mind as her body struggled to bring her back to the land of the living.

“I have people, people who care about me. You two are my favorite people.”

Eight months of her life gone, but now Angela, Gabe and Holly were together. She knew they were keeping secrets, but the amnesia and her physical therapy kept her so busy, she would forget about pursuing it.

She had risen from the dead, like a modern day Lazarus. She had to learn to walk again, and she mixed up words, becoming confused. The amnesia had stripped her of memories of herself, but the memories of her love for Gabriel were still there.

She would awake in the night, alone and afraid. She knew something wasn’t quite right, but couldn’t figure out what it was. She wanted Gabriel with her, but he insisted on sleeping separately until she recovered.

Gabriel was doing his best to recreate their dates. She thought he was trying to help her remember. He made her feel like a princess, made her feel safe, warm and happy. She couldn’t keep her hands off him, so strong was the love she felt for him.

When she awoke in the morning, the first thing she thought of was Gabriel, the first thing she said was his name.

They got married, went on a honeymoon and bought a new house to begin their life together. She thought that life couldn’t get any better, except for her desire to have a child.

Gabriel kissed her goodbye as he headed off to work. She noticed a car parked across the street, but quickly forgot about it. She went to the grocery store and saw it again.

That night, she answered the door and the glass she was holding dropped, shattering at her feet. She knew the evil looking man at her door and the memories of HIM came rushing back.

   5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

I think I spent more time deleting what I wrote, than actually writing it. I did not want to give the book away, so it was very difficult to figure out what to tell you. This book may not be for everyone, but I feel everyone should read it. Sometimes all it takes to make a difference in someone’s life, is to let them know you care.

An amazing story of life and how the people around us can help us overcome the bad in our life and enable us to rise above it.

taylor dean can weave a story that will keep you on pins and needles. As Holly remembers, tears form in my eyes. The suspense and anticipation of what is to come, makes my heart beat faster, my palms sweat and chills run up and down my spine.

To write about domestic abuse cannot be easy. The fear and terror a person experiences as they are being terrorized by someone they love and trust, must be one of the worst things that can happen to a woman. taylor dean handles it with style and grace.

Gabriel is a boy scout. Squeaky clean, kind, gentlemanly, helps people, courteous and polite. He doesn’t even curse, helps her put on her coat………pulls out the chair for her.

He would pull the chair out…………………….

“You need to learn to fall gracefully.”

“Why do you always hurt yourself? You’re so damn breakable.”

This is another roller-coaster ride, compliments of taylor dean. The range of emotions she covers go from heaven to hell, and everything in between.

I can’t remember if I received this book in return for a review, but it doesn’t really matter. I want to read anything and everything she writes and I will always review it. So, stay tuned for more.

FABULOUS Review of I Have People!

This FABULOUS review of I Have People is from Kathleen of Jersey Girl Book Reviews:

Thank you, Kathleen!

My Book Review:

Every once in a while a book comes along that tugs at the heart strings, for me that book is I Have People.

Holly Sinclair has awaken from eight months in a coma after a traumatic accident that caused her extensive injuries, in fact the doctors considered her recovery a miracle of modern science. She has amnesia and the only memories she has is that of her loving husband Gabriel. Frustrated with the missing pieces of her memory and her inability to recall what happened to her, Gabe recreates their dates in an effort to make new memories and a fresh start for their relationship. But things aren't always what they seem: an attentive Gabe and best friend Angela are holding back information on the traumatic accident which causes Holly to become suspicious .... and when she does regain her memory of the accident, the shocking revelations changes everything.

I Have People is a poignant story of love, hope, domestic abuse and redemption. Author Taylor Dean weaves an emotionally charged tale about one woman's life story and how she recovers from a traumatic experience to discover the warmth of being loved and having people who really care about her. Written in the third person narrative, the author draws the reader into the life of Holly Sinclair as she recovers from a traumatic experience of domestic abuse. I was fascinated with the progression of Holly's growth: from her naivete when she awakens from the coma, to her frustration at her memory loss, to the recovery of her memory and strength to stand up for herself. You can't help but feel for Holly and what she's been through, her story will take you on a roller coaster ride leaving you emotionally spent.

Author Taylor Dean does a wonderful job of thoughtfully writing about a very serious and sensitive issue that unfortunately does occur in some domestic relationships. The storyline is told in the present day with a flashback to two years prior, and the intriguing twists and turns keeps the reader engaged as Holly's story unfolds. With realistic and complex characters; engaging dialogue and interactions; and various settings and a multi-layered storyline that is rich in detail and vivid descriptions, I Have People is a powerful and compelling read.

I Have People is an amazing story that will bring out all the emotions, and will stay with you long after the words have been read.


RATING: 5 STARS *****