Today is the release day for Now That I Found You. That’s a novella in the Heart’s Compass series. The author recommends reading Where I Found You before the novella, so I thought I would post my review of this before my review for the novella comes online tomorrow!
WARNING: This book is intense and discusses sexual assault and kidnapping. I know that can be hard to read!
How do you protect your heart?
Build a wall.
Lock it away.
Let no one in.
Everyone should have a childhood worth remembering. Only I remember mine for all the wrong reasons. Starting over in a new town is hard enough. When you are running from your past, it doesn’t get any easier.
I was ready to say goodbye to the burdens I have carried. The pain I’ve experienced is more than anyone should have to face.
Then I met him…
He takes my breath away. I can’t ignore the way he makes me feel. I know he has the power to destroy me.
And that’s what scares me the most.
Author’s Note: This is Book One in the Heart’s Compass series. It can be read as a standalone and has a HEA. Due to strong sexual content, coarse language and mature subject matter, this book is not suitable for under the age of 18.
Review
After reading Until I Found You, I knew I needed more of this series. Seeing as they’re standalones, it didn’t really matter where I started. But with the release of the novella in this series, I needed to read Where I Found You first. This was such an intense and emotional story, but so worth reading!
Ellie is trying to start a new life. It’s clear from the first few chapters that she needs to get as far away from her past as possible. She wants to stick to herself, so if she needs to move again it won’t be hard. She never expected meeting Callum though. Before he bus ride, they literally run into each other. Ellie thinks she’ll never see him again, but the town she moves to is smaller than she thinks.
Ellie lost a lot of her family and horrific things have happened to her. Luckily, the man behind those events will be in jail for a couple more years. Her past definitely makes it hard for her to settle down and really trust new people. I think Arbor Creek was the best thing that could’ve happened to her though. This small town opened their arms to her and made her feel welcome. I love seeing her open up and start letting herself live during this story. Ellie finally starts to heal a bit and she never dreamed of that.
Callum is definitely a family man and a hard worker. His father didn’t treat his mother all that great and because of that their relationship is a bit tricky. After meeting Ellie though, he knows she’s the one. Callum just needs to make sure Ellie realizes this. Callum is such a sweet guy and very protective of the ones he loves. When it comes to safety he won’t take no for an answer and he is a swoon-worthy book boyfriend. While slowly getting Ellie to trust him, Callum learns to let himself realize he’s not his father and he can have a healthy relationship.
Of course, things don’t stay easy and there are some really intense moments in this book. The way this author writes them makes you feel like you’re right there with Ellie and Callum. I even had that creepy feeling of wanting to look over your shoulder. No one should have to go through what Ellie lives through. These moments really leave you on the edge of your seat.
The reason I gave this book four stars is because even though I loved the suspense and moments where we didn’t know how the story was going to end, I would’ve loved to have just a bit more time between Ellie and Callum. It’s clear there’s a connection and they really care, but I think it would’ve been just a bit more fitting to have some more moments of them together.
If you’re looking for a book that keeps you on the edge of your seat, steamy romance, humor, amazing characters and a small town that welcomes you with open arms, definitely pick up Where I Found You!
I am really starting to enjoy romantic suspense stories! Do you have any suggestions of books I need to give a go? Let me know in the comments!
