TILLIE COLE PUBLICATION ANNOUNCEMENT!

When Ellis Earnshaw and Heathan James met as children, they couldn’t have been more different. Ellis was loud and beautiful – all blond hair, bright laughs and smiles. Heathan was dark and brooding, and obsessed with watching things die.

The pair forged an unlikely friendship, unique and strange. Until they were ripped apart by the sick cruelty of others, separated for years, both locked in a perpetual hell.

Eleven years later, Heathan is back for his girl. Back from a place from which he thought there was no return. Back to seek revenge on those who wronged them.

Time has made Heathan’s soul darker, polluted with hatred and the thirst for blood.

Time has made Ellis a shell of her former self, a little girl lost in the vastness of her pain.

As Heathan pulls Ellis out of her mental prison, reviving the essence of who she once was, down the rabbit hole they will go.

With malice in their hearts and vengeance in their veins, they will seek out the ones who hurt and destroyed them.

One at a time.

Each one more deadly than the last.

Tick Tock.

Dark Contemporary Romance. Contains explicit sexual situations, violence, disturbingly sensitive and taboo subjects, offensive language and very mature topics. Recommended for ages 18 and over.

Tillie Cole hails from a small town in the North-East of England. She grew up on a farm with her English mother, Scottish father and older sister and a multitude of rescue animals. As soon as she could, Tillie left her rural roots for the bright lights of the big city.

After graduating from Newcastle University with a BA Hons in Religious Studies, Tillie followed her Professional Rugby player husband around the world for a decade, becoming a teacher in between and thoroughly enjoyed teaching High School students Social Studies before putting pen to paper, and finishing her first novel.

Tillie has now settled in Austin, Texas, where she is finally able to sit down and write, throwing herself into fantasy worlds and the fabulous minds of her characters.

Tillie is both an independent and traditionally published author, and writes many genres including: Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance, Young Adult and New Adult novels.

When she is not writing, Tillie enjoys nothing more than curling up on her couch watching movies, drinking far too much coffee, while convincing herself that she really doesn’t need that extra square of chocolate.

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BLOG PROMO: A Veil of Vines by Tillie Cole

A Veil of Vines is moving to Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon

FREE on KU

To most people, princes, princesses, counts and dukes are found only in the pages of the most famous of fairytales.

Crowns, priceless jewels and gilded thrones belong only in childhood dreams.

But for some, these frivolous fancies are truth.

For some, they are real life.

On Manhattan’s Upper East Side, people have always treated me as someone special. All because of my ancestral name and legacy. All because of a connection I share to our home country’s most important family of all.

I am Caresa Acardi, the Duchessa di Parma. A blue blood of Italy. I was born to marry well. And now the marriage date is set.

I am to marry into House Savona. The family that would have been the royals had Italy not abolished the monarchy in 1946. But to the aristocrats of my home, the abolition means nothing at all.

The Savonas still hold power where it counts most.

In our tight-knit world of money, status and masked balls, they are everything and more.

And I am soon to become one of them.

I am soon to become Prince Zeno Savona’s wife…

… or at least I was, until I met Achille.

And everything changed.

I opened the window beside me and stared at the illuminated entrance. I swallowed hard and placed my empty glass on the bar. Metal groaned, breaking through the twilight, as the massive black wrought-iron gates began to open. The limo slowly pulled onto the property’s lane, and I drank in the thick forest that shielded the estate. I inhaled the freshness of the lush green trees. The unpolluted sky was thick with stars—not a single cloud in sight.

A few minutes later, the thick woods cleared, and I gasped. Acres and acres of gold and green vineyards covered the landscape. The scents of plump grapes and damp soil permeated the warm air. I closed my eyes. It reminded me of being a child. It brought me back to the days before I was taken to New York. I could still feel the heat of the Emilia-Romagna sun on my face, the deep smell of olives, grapes and flowers drifting in the breeze as I ran around our Parma estate.

I smiled a nostalgic smile and allowed my eyes to drift open again. I rested my arms on the window and leaned my chin on them as the limo drove on. There were several small villas peppered over the landscape, their lights twinkling in the distance. They must have been the winemakers’ residences. It was not only the Bella Collina merlot that was made on this land; other reds were too—particularly the Chianti from the region’s finest Sangiovese grapes. The Bella Collina olive oil was also up there with the best. But nothing compared to the famed merlot.

The limo turned right, and my breath caught in my throat. I lifted my head and stared disbelievingly at the property ahead. Bella Collina was a veritable Palace of Versailles tucked away in the Umbrian wilderness.

“Mio Dio,” I whispered as I took in the imposing stone structure, the sweeping steps and the vast number of windows set in the building’s walls. Large pillars of red-veined marble flanked the entrance. Cypress trees framed the estate as if it were the shining star of a fine Renaissance painting. Sculptures of famed Savona monarchs of old stood proudly on the manicured lawns, and strategically placed lighting illuminated the sheer perfection of every piece of topiary.

As a child, I had been to the Palazzo Savona in Florence. It was widely regarded to be one of the finest estates in all of Italy, if not western Europe. But this . . . this . . . there were no words. It was perfectly placed, as if it had always been there. As if it had grown naturally from the Umbrian earth just as sure as the vines and woods that kept this architectural treasure hidden from view.

Tillie Cole hails from a small town in the North-East of England. She grew up on a farm with her English mother, Scottish father and older sister and a multitude of rescue animals. As soon as she could, Tillie left her rural roots for the bright lights of the big city.

After graduating from Newcastle University with a BA Hons in Religious Studies, Tillie followed her Professional Rugby player husband around the world for a decade, becoming a teacher in between and thoroughly enjoyed teaching High School students Social Studies before putting pen to paper, and finishing her first novel.

Tillie has now settled in Austin, Texas, where she is finally able to sit down and write, throwing herself into fantasy worlds and the fabulous minds of her characters.

Tillie is both an independent and traditionally published author, and writes many genres including: Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance, Young Adult and New Adult novels.

When she is not writing, Tillie enjoys nothing more than curling up on her couch watching movies, drinking far too much coffee, while convincing herself that she really doesn’t need that extra square of chocolate.

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Books I loved in 2015

Happy 2016! I hope everyone survived the holiday season and got some good books along the way! It's only two weeks into the new year and I've already read some great stuff. It's going to be a great year, isn't it? 

It has taken me forever to come up with this list, but better late than never, right? And this post may be a bit lengthy, but I read 208 books in 2015 and so many of them were amazing. Narrowing it down was extremely difficult and when I looked at the list of books I read, these are the ones that jumped out at me. 

Hopefully you will agree with me or maybe even find your next great read. 

If you are a Goodreads member and want to check out ALL the books I read/reviewed in 2015 you can click here. Feel free to add me as a friend as well.  

HAPPY READING!

Note: These are in no particular order.

Vivid by Jessica Wilde

Merrick Thatcher went through a hell that no one could possibly imagine. He fought to protect his country, his family, and the men standing at his side, but it wasn't just being a soldier overseas that changed him. He watched his friends die in front of him, felt indescribable pain, and lost his sight in the very same moment.

Badly injured, blind, and angry, he's done with war, but now he’s fighting his own battle. So, he’s waiting for it to end, spending his days and nights in a thick darkness no light can penetrate. Until Grace walks into his life and his broken eyes open to a woman that changes everything for him.

A story about two flawed souls finding love amidst the grief. A love that shines vividly, even in the dark, and discovering that sometimes being broken is how the light gets in.
My thoughts

I read a few books in 2015 that just knocked me on my ass and made me want to stand on a mountain top and yell "EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ THIS BOOK!!" Vivid is one of those books. 

Once I started, I couldn't put it down. I highlighted the crap out of it and as soon as I was done I immediately reached out to the author to tell her how much I loved it. I even went as far as to make some of my own teasers to help promote the book. 

I could go on and on about this book, but I think I said it best in my review: "This a story about healing (physically and emotionally), moving on and living. Both Grace and Merrick went through situations that almost destroyed them and they fought their way back...together. I've read plenty of books about people in the military. Books about soldiers who were injured, but this one felt different. It's an emotional read. I cried a lot and pretty much felt all the feelings. Keep the kleenex handy because you will need it."  

To read my full review of Vivid and see those aforementioned teasers I made can be found here.

Buy Links: Amazon US  Amazon UK  B&N  iBooks

Something Real by Ariadne Wayne

Olivia Grant’s husband left her and their two children without even a backward glance. In an attempt to find herself, she turns to an old love. Writing.

Publishing erotic novels in secret, she finds a muse in her neighbour and friend, Logan. She’s not his type, but Logan makes her burn with the desire she conveys in her novels. When her secret is exposed, Logan feels betrayed and used. More than anything, Olivia needs to regain his trust and prove to him that what they have is something real.

I read a few books by Ariadne last year, but this was my first and you know what they say...You always remember your first!  

This is a wonderful story about starting over and learning to love again. Olivia meets Logan when she suddenly becomes a single mom to two adorable children. Turns out he is her next door neighbor and the two strike up a friendship. He immediately takes a liking to her kids and before she knows it, Olivia finds herself in a new relationship. 

I loved Logan. That dude was amazing and made the jump onto my book boyfriend list before I was done reading the book. I just loved everything about it. 

Since finishing this book I have read some of Ariadne's other books and they are all so good! Do yourself a favor and look 'em up!

Read my review of Something Real here.

Buy links: Amazon  B&N  Kobo  Smashwords

Getting Lucky Number Seven by Cindi Madsen

What's your lucky number?

Lyla Wilder is done being the shy, chemistry nerd extraordinaire. While every other college student is out having fun, Lyla is studying. With her cat. Well, she's played it "safe" quite enough, thank you. So she creates a "College Bucket List"―with item #7 being a night of uninhibited, mind-blowing sex...

But she needs some help from her man-whore best friend.

Hockey player Beck Davenport thought Lyla's transformation would be subtle. Man, was he wrong. With every item she ticks off, Beck finds himself growing seriously hot for his sweet, brainiac best friend. And if he's not careful, he'll end up risking their friendship in order to convince Lyla that he might just be her lucky #7...

I love a good friends to lovers book and this was one of the best I read last year. Beck and Lyla complement each other perfectly. They had a wonderful friendship to build their relationship one. They tell each other corny science jokes and send each other funny cat photos. It is a match made in heaven! 

And Beck. It didn't take me very long to know that he would be on my book boyfriend list. He's a tad nerdy, funny, a fantastic friend, a good brother, extremely sexy AND a hockey player. 

Read my review of Getting Lucky Number Seven here.

Buy Links: Amazon  B&N  iTunes  Kobo

The Air He Breathes by  Brittainy Cherry

I was warned about Tristan Cole.

“Stay away from him,” people said.
“He’s cruel.”
“He’s cold.”
“He’s damaged.”

It’s easy to judge a man because of his past. To look at Tristan and see a monster.

But I couldn’t do that. I had to accept the wreckage that lived inside of him because it also lived inside of me.

We were both empty.
We were both looking for something else. Something more.
We both wanted to put together the shattered pieces of our yesterdays.

Then perhaps we could finally remember how to breathe. 

This is a book I picked up to read for myself and didn't actually write a full on review. I was intrigued by the blurb and saw that it was on sale, so I bought it.

Holy emotional batman! I cried like a baby multiple times while reading this.. At the beginning of the book, the two main characters are about as broke as a person can get. They are dealing with MAJOR personal losses, but they slowly discover that they can heal other. What starts as a VERY unhealthy way of coping, turns into a fantastic love story.

If you are going read this one, make sure to keep the kleenex handy.

Buy Links: Amazon US  Amazon UK 

Laid Out by Sidney Halston

Growing up an Army brat, Violet Channing could never meet her dad’s high expectations. But in the eyes of her best friend, she could do no wrong. He even insisted that he should be her first kiss. Now Cain Sorensen is all grown up, hardened by years in special ops and always looking for a good fight. Tall, with striking blue eyes and impossibly blond hair, he’s a modern-day Viking warrior. Of course, Violet’s all grown up, too, and she’s ready to surrender to his every command. 

Cain knows he’s bad for Violet. His work is dangerous, and his hobbies are downright deadly. As a private mercenary and a mixed martial arts fighter, he could never let such an innocent soul into his world. And yet his most grueling combat training is no match for Violet’s killer curves, hot touch, and suggestive glances. Now all of Cain’s most explosive fantasies are coming true—but once they cross the line between friends and lovers, there’s no turning back.

This is another friends to lovers book (I really like those), but it was a bit darker than what I usually read. Cain and Violet always had feelings for each other, but life got in the way. When things finally fall into place, Cain and Violet have to decide if moving their relationship forward is worth it. 

From the very beginning of this book, it is painfully obvious that Violet and Cain belong together. They go through a lot during the course of their relationship and at one point I was ugly crying so hard I had to stop reading to compose myself. It's just so good! He wasn't a man of many words, so when he talked, you listened. He came off as kind of cranky most of the time, but when alone with Violet he was the sweetest guy. Cain was a man of many contradictions. 

This was another book that I highlighted like crazy and then made my own teasers. The whole Worth the Fight series is great, but this one is definitely my favorite.

Read my review of Laid Out here.

Buy Links: Amazon   B & N   iTunes   Kobo

Sweet Soul by Tillie Cole

One shy lost soul.
One silent lonely heart.
One love to save them both.

Life has never been easy for twenty-year-old Levi Carillo. The youngest of the Carillo boys, Levi is nothing like his older brothers. He isn’t dark in looks or intimidating to everyone he meets. In fact, he’s quite the opposite. Haunted by a crippling shyness and the tragic events of his past, Levi spends his days with his head buried in his books, or training hard for his college football team. Too timid to talk to girls, Levi stays as far away as possible and completely on his own… until he saves the life of a troubled pretty blonde, a troubled pretty blonde that might just be the exception to his rule.

Elsie Hall is homeless. Or at least that’s all anyone ever sees. Everyday is a fight for survival on the cold streets of Seattle, everyday a struggle to find food and keep warm. Alone in life—a life that’s dangerous and cruel—her will to keep going is an ever-losing battle. In her world of silence, Elsie has given up hope that her life will contain anything but constant struggle and pain… until the beautiful boy she has severely wronged comes to her rescue at precisely the right time.

I pretty much cried my way through this book. While it was mostly a happy cry, but I cried for the past (both Levi's and Elsie's) and for the future (EPILOGUE GOODNESS). 

Our boy Levi is all grown up. All the previous books in this series has led up to this one. We have been there for all the ups and downs (mostly downs) and now Levi gets his happily ever after. 

The title is perfect. Levi and Elsie are perfect for each other. The story is perfect. It's a perfect way to end the series. 

Read my review of Sweet Soul here.

Buy links: Amazon  B&N  Kobo  iBooks  

Bringing Home the Bad Boy by Jessica Lemmon

Evan Downey needs a new beginning. Since the death of his wife five years ago, the brilliant tattoo artist has shut himself away in a prison of grief that not even his work can break him out of-and what's worse, Evan knows his son Lyon is bearing the brunt of his seclusion. Moving back to the lake town of Evergreen Cove where he spent his childhood summers is his last chance for a fresh start. 

Charlotte Harris knows she owes it to her best friend's memory to help Evan and his son find their way again, but she can't stop her traitorous heart from skipping a beat every time she looks into Evan's mesmerizing eyes. Charlotte is determined to stay strictly in the Friend Zone-until a mind-blowing night knocks that plan by the wayside. Now, if they're brave enough to let it, Charlotte and Evan might just find a love capable of healing their broken hearts . . .

Did you see the cover? I've spent a lot of time just staring at it. Go ahead. Take a second (or a few minutes) and just appreciate it. 

Done? Okay. So this is a fantastic friends to lovers story that brought the heat. There's this scene with a giant canvas and paint and a naked Charlie and Evan...yeah. The two of them have known each other for years, but it isn't until Evan moves back home and they reconnect that the sparks fly. 

This was my first Jessica Lemmon book and it remains my favorite. The rest of the series is great and can't recommend it enough. 

Read my review of Bringing Home the Bad Boy here. 

Buy links: Amazon   B&N   GooglePlay   Kobo

Unlikely Allies by CC Koen

What happens when a single mom’s four-year-old daughter falls in love with Mr. Right and she doesn’t?

Maggie Tyson’s rule: no bad boys. Her incarcerated ex-husband broke her of that attraction. Needing to escape his threats and the scrutiny of the people in her hometown, Maggie relocates to New York City. Determined to not make the same mistakes, she has a mile-long list of dos and don’ts. Unfortunately, her daughter, Cecily, doesn’t like to follow them. When Cecily wanders away from her and right into Rick Stone’s office, Maggie knows he’s the exact type she’s been trying to avoid. Can she resist him or will she succumb to his willful charm?

Rick Stone’s rule: bed them don’t wed them. Running a multibillion dollar business doesn’t leave him with much time to do anything else, particularly with an overbearing grandfather breathing down his neck. But when a man works hard, he needs to play even harder. Voted America’s most eligible bachelor, Rick doesn’t have any problems getting women into his bed—except one.

Two auburn beauties stumble into his life.
One will break his heart.
The other—heal it.
Will he love or leave them?

When I read the synopsis of this book, I knew I had to read it. I was only about 1/2 way done with it when I posted in a author's FB group that I was going to gift someone a copy. I loved it that much and I wanted others to read it.

For me, the real story in this book is between Max and Cecily. Sure he fell for the little girl's mother, but from the first moment he met Cecily, he was a goner.  Despite Maggie's reluctance to start a relationship with Max, he immediately fell into the father figure role model with Cecily. It was very heartwarming to watch unfold. 

Read my review of Unlikely Allies here. 

Buy links: Amazon  B&N  Kobo  iBooks  Smashwords

Make Me by Tessa Bailey

Construction worker Russell Hart has been head-over-work boots for Abby Sullivan since the moment he laid eyes on her. But he knows a classy, uptown virgin like her could never be truly happy with a rough, blue-collar guy like him. If only she'd stop treating him like her personal hero—a role he craves more than oxygen—maybe he could accept it.

With the future of her family's hedge fund on her shoulders, Abby barely has time to sleep, let alone find love. And her best friend Russell acting like a sexy, overprotective hulk any time their Super Group goes out in public definitely isn't helping her single status. But after a near-tragedy lands Russell in her bed for the night, Abby's suddenly fantasizing about what he looks like shirtless. Chest hair and tattoos—who knew?

As Russell struggles to keep Abby at a safe distance, she begins to see through his tough-talking exterior—and acknowledge her own feelings. Now she's ready to turn the friend-zone into foreplay…and make him lose control.

Russell is a dirty talking, over protective, Alpha male construction worker that has made me look at construction workers in a whole different light. (Thanks Tessa!) After friendzoning each other, Abby & Russell become best friends. They are both oblivious to each other's feelings and basically becomes best friends. The rest of the gang knows how they feel about each other but they just sit back and watch. And just like I did, they found it to be very entertaining.

The sexual tension between Russell and Abby was ridiculous. When they finally do give in to their desires, it is HOT. You will either need to change your panties or take a cold shower. Or maybe both. 

Read my review of Make Me here. 

Buy links: Amazon   B&N   iTunes   Google Play

Cherished by You by Steph Nuss

“Move in with me,” he said.

Being cherished is how Tessa Wilder always imagined falling in love. But for years, she’s always gone for the wrong guys. Now that she’s fallen for one of the good ones, she fears rejection.

“I can’t,” she replied.

Justin Jameson quit looking for a woman after being used so many times for his brains. A bit of an introvert and completely oblivious to women’s advances, he can’t even see that his friend cherishes everything about him.

When Tessa needs a place to stay, Justin’s the first to offer her a room. Hearts are opened; feelings are ventured. They’ll finally know what it’s like to be cherished in the city until one moment threatens the relationship they’ve built.

“I can’t lose you."

I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK. Friends to lovers ya'll. It's like my own personal form of catnip. 

It's always the quiet ones. Justin was the one in the group that I knew had a secret sexy side to him and I couldn't wait to see that unleashed. In all the previous books he was the one listening and doling out advice to his friends and never getting the girl. Finally in this book he takes some of his own advice (that his friend throw back at him) and gets the girl that he had been ! Yay! 

As always the whole gang is there and we get some of that A+ banter that I love so much. Justin and Tessa's story is not to be missed and as I'm writing this I am thinking that it is almost time for a re-read!

Read my review of Cherished By You here. 

Buy links: Amazon  Barnes & Noble  Kobo  iTunes

Unsung by Shannon Richard

Harper Laurence has been jilted on her way to the altar. Desperate for some time away from her friends and family, Harper takes off for Nashville—only to meet a hot, scruffy, tattooed stranger. A man she liked a little too much, and who left her the teeniest bit . . . well, pregnant.

Liam James is an up-and-coming country musician, who just found his muse. Ever since their weekend together, Liam hasn't been able to forget the curvy, vivacious woman who left him wanting more, even as she inspired some of the greatest songs he's ever written. He's determined to convince Harper that he's the guy for her . . . and that the best love songs can never be unsung.

The premise of this book seemed so simple. Harper goes away for the weekend, has a one night stand, disappears in the morning and ends up pregnant. Sounds simple enough, but that is definitely not the case. Harper went away because it was the weekend she was supposed to get married (her ex-fiance dumped her). She finds out that her one night stand is a famous musician who also happens to be the brother in law of one of her best friends! And when they are finally reunited, it is only by coincidence and that's when the book gets REALLY GOOD. 

As couple Liam and Harper were pretty much made for each other. Liam charmed anyone he came in contact with and did everything he could to make things work with Harper. It wasn't the smoothest road to their happily ever after, but it was definitely entertaining. 

Read my review of Unsung here. 

Buy links: Amazon  B&N  iBooks  GooglePlay Kobo

When We Fall by Marquita Valentine

The last time Piper Ross saw her best friend’s sexy older brother, Jase Simmons, he was being taken away in handcuffs. Seven years later, two things haven’t changed: Piper is still head-over-heels in love with him . . . and Forrestville’s chief of police—Piper’s dad—still hates his guts. So when Piper sees a chance to get close to Jase, she makes her move—literally. As his new roommate, and as the office manager of his tattoo shop, Piper won’t be satisfied until Jase knows that she wants to be his.

The quintessential good girl, Piper is pure temptation for Jase. The only reason he’s always kept his distance is because she’s the last person he’d ever want to hurt. But once he realizes that Piper is ready to take the leap, everything just makes sense. Suddenly Jase feels like a new man—until nasty rumors start swirling and Piper’s heartless father stirs up even more trouble. Now Jase must convince Piper that she wasn’t wrong about him . . . because falling in love never felt so right.

Who doesn't love a good girl/bad boy story? Then add in the fact that the bad boy is the brother of the good girl's best friend and she has been pining over him for years and you got yourself a book. A very good book.

Piper grew up always seeing the good in Jase and not just the punk everyone else saw. Jase saw Piper as a woman who was unattainable to him. But now they are older and wiser and at a place where them getting together just made sense. 

I am such a fan of Marquita's and this book is such a good example of why I love her books so much. 

Read my review of When We Fall here. 

Buy links: Amazon  B&N  iBooks  Google Play  Kobo

BLOG TOUR & 5 STAR REVIEW: Sweet Soul (Sweet Home #4) by Tillie Cole

Title: Sweet Soul

Series: Sweet Home #4

Author: Tillie Cole

Age group: New adult 

Genre: Contemporary romance 

Release Date: 15th December 2015 

Goodreads

One shy lost soul.

One silent lonely heart.

One love to save them both.

Life has never been easy for twenty-year-old Levi Carillo. The youngest of the Carillo boys, Levi is nothing like his older brothers. He isn’t dark in looks or intimidating to everyone he meets. In fact, he’s quite the opposite. Haunted by a crippling shyness and the tragic events of his past, Levi spends his days with his head buried in his books, or training hard for his college football team. Too timid to talk to girls, Levi stays as far away as possible and completely on his own… until he saves the life of a troubled pretty blonde, a troubled pretty blonde that might just be the exception to his rule.

Elsie Hall is homeless. Or at least that’s all anyone ever sees. Everyday is a fight for survival on the cold streets of Seattle, everyday a struggle to find food and keep warm. Alone in life—a life that’s dangerous and cruel—her will to keep going is an ever-losing battle. In her world of silence, Elsie has given up hope that her life will contain anything but constant struggle and pain… until the beautiful boy she has severely wronged comes to her rescue at precisely the right time.

New Adult novel—contains sexual situations and mature topics. Suited for ages 18 and up.

My Review

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

If you are new to the Sweet Home series please stop reading and go back to the beginning, Sweet Home.

It's here! We finally get to read about the man Levi Carillo has grown up to be. And holy crap! I'm not sure how to describe this book, but let me start by saying that I have about two hours of total commuting every day and I read during that time. I had to stop reading this in public because I was constantly crying. Not necessarily a full on cry, although that did happen a few times, but there was pretty much a constant leakage of tears. Sometimes it was because my heart was breaking for Levi and/or Elsie and sometimes it was because Levi said or did something that was the sweetest thing. (The title for this book couldn't be more perfect.)

Elsie and Levi "meet" when she follows him to football practice and steals his wallet from his locker. He catches her just as she grabs it, but runs out before he can catch her. Days later Levi overhears a girl being harassed in an alleyway and he realizes it is the girl who stole his wallet. He discovers she is not only homeless, but also quite sick. Levi tries to help her, but she once again runs away. Fast forward a few more days and their paths cross again. This time Levi and the rest of his family are there to help and they take a very sick Elsie back to their house.

Elise is alone in the world. Her mother, who was completely deaf, has passed away and Elise has no other family. Thanks to her hearing loss, she been bullied her whole life and feels as though she can't trust anyone. When she wakes up at the Carillo house, Lexi is there to assure her that she doesn't have to stay, but is she does they can help her get back on her feet. Elsie agrees and that starts her path to her new life.

I can't even begin to tell you how amazing Levi and Elsie are as a couple. Drawn to the other person in a way neither of them have felt before, they do not know how to explain it or what to do with those feelings. They have both lived extremely difficult lives and while things may seem better for Levi, he is still struggling. He is extremely shy around people, especially women, but he sees something in Elsie that eases his fears and allows him to be comfortable around her. The same goes for Elsie. She spent years hiding her voice from the world in fear of being judged, but she knew she could trust Levi. 

I could go on and on about the Elsie and Levi (I highlighted A LOT of this book), individually and separately. I could talk about Elsie's transformation to a timid, mute homeless teenager to a strong, vocal, woman. Or Levi's journey in learning to let go of the past and open himself up to being loved, especially from someone outside his family. But what it comes down to is this: Late in the book Levi says that he and Elsie have "twin souls." That the two of them were meant to be together and I couldn't agree more.

It was nice to see the rest of the Carillo clan in this story. Readers  will know how tenuous Levi's relationship was with Axel and there were these moments in the book where it was just wonderful to see them getting along. There is a great scene with all three Carillo boys that made me not only cry like a baby, but also made me so happy that they could come together in a crisis and help make the situation better. Earlier in the series the chances of something like that happening were slim to none and it showed just how far the Carillo boys had come. 

And of course the epilogue brought a smile to my face. I love when the author gives us a little glimpse into the future so we can see how well everyone is doing, especially when I love the characters as much as I loved Elsie and Levi. 

This book is one of the best I have read this year. It's just absolutely beautiful. Thanks to the author's amazing writing, I felt everything that Elsie and Levi went through.  I laughed with them. I cried with them. I was proud of their achievements just as much as everyone else. I didn't just read their story, I felt like I was walking right along side them. 

And the title is PERFECTION. One could use a lot of adjectives to describe Levi, but Sweet Soul just sums it up. Don't believe me? Just read the excerpt below.....

EXCERPT

Elsie grabbed her pen and paper; I took her hand. I walked her out of the pool house to the kitchen door. I opened the door, and Elsie walked through. When she glanced over her shoulder, I said, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Elsie smiled and walked up the stairs to her room. Just as I was about to shut the door, Lexi appeared from the darkened dining room, a sleeping Dante in her arms.

I opened my mouth to say something when Lexi beat me to it. “Dante woke up for a feed a while ago. I was in the dining room when I saw Elsie run by and leave. I panicked at first thinking she was running away, then I saw you by your pool house. Saw you let her inside.”

My face was on fire as Lexi spoke, rocking my nephew in her arms. I didn’t say anything, but I clearly didn’t need to. “You like her. A lot,” Lexi stated. Unable to lie to my brother’s wife, I nodded my head.

Lexi moved closer. “You’re taking her out tomorrow?”

“Yeah.”

Lexi nodded, then went to walk back up the stairs. Before she did, she turned round, and looked like she wanted to say something, but stopped herself. Needing to know what it was, I questioned, “What?”

Lexi looked in the direction of the stairs, in the direction Elsie went, and she said, “I think she’s been through more than we can understand, Lev. I’ve tried to talk to her every day, but she avoids conversation completely.” Lexi sighed and added, “I think she’s really broken inside. Severely. I think there’s something dark in her past that’s haunting her.”

My heart ached, and just as I turned to go back to my room, I whispered, “Then we’re the same. That’s what makes her so special to me.”

“Lev…” I heard Lexi hush out softly, but I was out of the door and into the pool house before she could react.

My mind raced with what Lexi said, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t already see. Elsie didn’t speak, she was too timid and shy. She’d lost her mamma, like I had lost mine. And I could see she was lonely, just like me.

Taking off my jacket, I walked to the table to clear away the mugs, when I saw a piece of paper was lying on the top. I wondered what it was. Suddenly I recognized Elsie’s handwriting.

Moving round the table, I dropped to the seat. The paper was folded in two, my name written across the top.

My heartbeat picked up speed as I opened the paper. At first I was confused by the centralized column of words, then my heart burst apart when I read a poem that Elsie had written:

Alone and lost, appeared this saint,

With pretty gray eyes, darkness can’t taint.

He stole her from cold, from blustering storm,

Kind and gentle, he took her from harm.

Fearful of dark, he created her light,

A jar of gold, chasing demons of night.

Telling stories of love, he brought to her life,

A moment by his side: no pain, no strife.

He gifted her poems, a gesture on whim,

With every word read, she could see only him.

She counted the days until he returned home,

The boy with his light, the girl not alone.

Invisible to all, a shade wandering in dark,

He brought back her faith, with his pure kind heart.

I love poetry, Levi.

Thank you for the book.

Elsie x 

Amazon & USA Today Best Selling Author, Tillie Cole is a Northern girl through and through. She originates from a place called Teesside on that little but awesomely sunny (okay I exaggerate) Isle called Great Britain. She was brought up surrounded by her English rose mother — a farmer’s daughter, her crazy Scottish father, a savagely sarcastic sister and a multitude of rescue animals and horses.

  

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