Author: Sigal Ehrlich
Publication Date: November 6th 2014 by Author Sigal Ehrlich OU
Plot: Nia Martins believes a fresh start will help her leave her traumatic past behind. Moving to a different country, she seeks to shake off her demons by doing the one thing that sets her free from her destructive thoughts – teaching dance. But change doesn't come easy, and all Nia really wants is to take the next breath without the perpetual suffocation that follows.
Reeves Mitchell has looked death in the eyes so many times it’s become habitual. That is, until his best friend's life was on the line. When the one thing he feared the most turns into reality, all he can do is pick up the pieces of his loss. As Reeves tries to live with the constant thought of “what if” gnawing at the back of his mind, he persistently and steadily builds a thick wall around himself.
Their solitary lives are all they have—until fate brings them together. Nia and Reeves’ new friendship helps make life, shadowed by the ghosts of their past, more bearable. But as their relationship deepens and new, suppressed feelings emerge between them, are they willing to retrace their steps back to where wounded hearts can be broken once more?
☆✮ My Review ✮☆
Before I start my review:
To my buddy Sigal, my lovely “kindred spirit”: Thanks a bunch for sending over the ARC for Retrace to me! I really "adore the shit out of you friend”!! Thank you!!
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Two lives forever entwined...
One looking for justice and atonement—
Reeves Mitchell is a man torn between revenge, duty, and honoring the memory of a loved one. Former military operative, turned FBI agent, Reeves witnesses his biggest nightmare come true when an undercover assignment goes wrong and tragedy ensues.
Now, split between avenging his kin and doing what's right, Reeves is an empty shell of what he once was, but is loyal to a fault for all those he cares about.
He is described as devilishly good looking, strong and intelligent, as well as charming; but, completely blind to what's right in front of him.
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
And the other looking for absolution a foreign land.
Nia Martins is a Brazilian native looking for a new start in the good U.S. of A. She moves into an apartment next door to Reeves’ and works as a dance teacher at a local dance studio where she gets to live out her passion for dance.
Nia, like Reeves, holds a calamitous load of grievance on her conscience, but keeps her past firmly under wraps.
She is described to be breathtakingly beautiful (*in the eyes of Reeves' of course*), kind, generous, and good natured.
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
When these two individuals' paths cross, it is pure magic! What started as a casual, friends-neighborly sexual exchange turns out to be something more. Tensions will rise, feelings will be tested. And yet, will it be enough? Will they be each other’s saving grace into salvation and redemption? Or each other’s path to destruction? And “are they willing to retrace their steps back to where wounded hearts can be broken once more?” Read and you will find out!
My thoughts: I LOVED this story!! Retrace had a multitude of layers to its story line and characters. From dealings of loss, guilt, self- blame and hatred, doubt, and coming to ends of foreclosure, this novel had a deep array of emotions to it.
While I feel Reeves’ anguish and helplessness to help one of the people he loved the most, I could immensely feel myself more so relating to Nia’s back story as it struck a topic so exactly close to home. As much as I would like to go into what that back story entails, I can’t. It would cause for MAJOR spoilers.
I can say this though, the pain Nia and (even Reeves) experienced is of the most excruciating type. It will never truly go away and the burden will always be there. But, as time goes on, it will lessen and perhaps heal...maybe even not. I'm still trying to come to terms on that one myself.
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Wrap-up: So, over all, a compelling, sensual, yet heart wrenching tale that directly hit the nail for me for what I was looking for in a read. It had: real life characters and events, a couple hilarious and sarcastic moments as well as: themes of self-discovery, new found and even unrequited love, new beginnings, and letting go of the past and making a go for the future.
It just was the connection to Nia's Brazilian roots is all. I just couldn't link her with being from there whatsoever. Perhaps if, from time to time, she expressed herself by speaking Portuguese (since that's the official language there) every once in a while… or maybe ate or made some traditional Brazilian cuisines I may have believed it. But sadly, no, on that respect. :( Everything else was good though. :)
I'm now hoping that Jake and Carmie will get their own story!! I was really curious as to what the heck what going on with them and their, uh, *special* relationship. So strange yet intriguing!!
Until then my reading buddies, so long and fare well!!
Before I start my review:
To my buddy Sigal, my lovely “kindred spirit”: Thanks a bunch for sending over the ARC for Retrace to me! I really "adore the shit out of you friend”!! Thank you!!
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
“Our scars and wounds are a great part of who we are…Without the baggage you bring with you, you wouldn’t have been the you I’m totally crazy about.”
Two lives forever entwined...
One looking for justice and atonement—
Reeves Mitchell is a man torn between revenge, duty, and honoring the memory of a loved one. Former military operative, turned FBI agent, Reeves witnesses his biggest nightmare come true when an undercover assignment goes wrong and tragedy ensues.
Now, split between avenging his kin and doing what's right, Reeves is an empty shell of what he once was, but is loyal to a fault for all those he cares about.
He is described as devilishly good looking, strong and intelligent, as well as charming; but, completely blind to what's right in front of him.
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
And the other looking for absolution a foreign land.
Nia Martins is a Brazilian native looking for a new start in the good U.S. of A. She moves into an apartment next door to Reeves’ and works as a dance teacher at a local dance studio where she gets to live out her passion for dance.
Nia, like Reeves, holds a calamitous load of grievance on her conscience, but keeps her past firmly under wraps.
She is described to be breathtakingly beautiful (*in the eyes of Reeves' of course*), kind, generous, and good natured.
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
When these two individuals' paths cross, it is pure magic! What started as a casual, friends-neighborly sexual exchange turns out to be something more. Tensions will rise, feelings will be tested. And yet, will it be enough? Will they be each other’s saving grace into salvation and redemption? Or each other’s path to destruction? And “are they willing to retrace their steps back to where wounded hearts can be broken once more?” Read and you will find out!
My thoughts: I LOVED this story!! Retrace had a multitude of layers to its story line and characters. From dealings of loss, guilt, self- blame and hatred, doubt, and coming to ends of foreclosure, this novel had a deep array of emotions to it.
While I feel Reeves’ anguish and helplessness to help one of the people he loved the most, I could immensely feel myself more so relating to Nia’s back story as it struck a topic so exactly close to home. As much as I would like to go into what that back story entails, I can’t. It would cause for MAJOR spoilers.
I can say this though, the pain Nia and (even Reeves) experienced is of the most excruciating type. It will never truly go away and the burden will always be there. But, as time goes on, it will lessen and perhaps heal...maybe even not. I'm still trying to come to terms on that one myself.
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
Wrap-up: So, over all, a compelling, sensual, yet heart wrenching tale that directly hit the nail for me for what I was looking for in a read. It had: real life characters and events, a couple hilarious and sarcastic moments as well as: themes of self-discovery, new found and even unrequited love, new beginnings, and letting go of the past and making a go for the future.
It just was the connection to Nia's Brazilian roots is all. I just couldn't link her with being from there whatsoever. Perhaps if, from time to time, she expressed herself by speaking Portuguese (since that's the official language there) every once in a while… or maybe ate or made some traditional Brazilian cuisines I may have believed it. But sadly, no, on that respect. :( Everything else was good though. :)
I'm now hoping that Jake and Carmie will get their own story!! I was really curious as to what the heck what going on with them and their, uh, *special* relationship. So strange yet intriguing!!
Until then my reading buddies, so long and fare well!!
“I think I’ve just fallen deeper in friendship with you." ;)
My Rating:
-Overall : 8.75
-Plot : 8.5
-Writing : 8.75
-Characters : 8.5
-Cover : 8.75
☆✮ About the Author ✮☆
By teen age, Sigal already lived in three different continents where she was lucky enough to experience and visit varied places, meet unique people, which only helped fuel her overly developed imagination. Currently, Sigal calls Estonia home where she lives with her husband and three kids.
Not exactly sure where they will end up next…
☆✮ Buy Links ✮☆
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