Come to Me Quietly (Closer to You, #1)

by A. L. Jackson

Aleena Moore is haunted by Jared Holt. It's been six years since she's seen her brother's best friend, the self-destructive bad boy she secretly loved in high school. As the years pass, she knows it's time to move on. Time to decide between a practical nursing degree and her true dream as an artist. Time to get over Jared and give another guy a chance...

Just when she opens her heart to her friend, Gabe, Aly returns home to find Jared sleeping on her couch. The teenage boy she loved has grown into a man she can't resist. Covered in tattoos and lost in rage, he's begging to be saved from his demons - the memories of the day he destroyed his family. As the two reconnect, their passion is hot enough to torch Aly's judgment. But can she risk her future for a man who lives on the edge of destruction?

• ISBN10: 0349403309
• ISBN13: 9780349403304
• Publish Date: 7 January 2014
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
• Imprint: Piatkus Books
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 384
• Language: English

Reviews

[Linda]

3.5 stars

Come to Me Quietly was a good story, but in some ways, I just got a little sick of all of Jared's doubts... It's hard to understand that he hadn't had any kind of counseling since he was 16 and 'disappeared'. I loved Aly and Christopher, though, and I felt like the three childhoodfriends all needed each other to fully start being adults.
I look forward to reading the rest of this series - even if I'm pretty sure there's going to be more drama than I usually enjoy.

COYER Summer 2019 Treasure Hunt - Read a complete trilogy 5 POINTS.

[kimbacaffeinate]

Told from dual perspectives along with flashbacks we gain insight and become swept up in these beautiful, complicated characters. Jared wears his scars in the form of tattoos. As Jackson peeled back his layers, we see his vulnerability and experience his pain. He is filled with rage and guilt and each day is a challenge. Aleena is strong and sweet. She can still see the boy beneath the cold hard exterior, and she slowly and carefully rebuilds their friendship while holding tight to the feelings in her heart along with her secret. The waltz they danced was sweet, painful, soft and passionate. Christopher seems like your average college boy, but I think there is more to his story. I loved that Aleena had a close relationship to her parents and sought her mother out for advice. From keywords, Jared used it is clear he had some professional help, but I wish yet again that the characters recommended it…even if Aleena was able to get Jared to open up. Since this story will continue, it is my hope Jared gets additional help.

Come to Me Quietly was beautifully written, and the characters came to life allowing me to feel their emotions and become swept up in their relationship. I loved how Jackson wrote this, from the dual perspectives to the flashbacks. She slowly revealed the tragic event and the fallout that resulted in Jared leaving town. While this was an emotional read, it was relatively low on angst and unnecessary drama. I love the friendship to lover’s trope, and it added to the depth of their relationship. Through her powerful writing I became connected to these characters, cheered their growth, mourned set-backs and desperately sought my HEA. The tale ended well, with a few reveals and developments that I am anxious to see unfold. A beautiful start to a powerful romance.

Copy received in exchange for unbiased review​. Full review originally published @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer​

[Cocktails and Books]

4.5 Stars

This was my first AL Jackson book. Despite having her Take This Regret series on my Kindle just waiting to be read, this was the first one. I have to say she blew me away with some truly fabulous characters and a storyline that had me tearing up much more than I thought I would.

Jared will positively break your heart. Plan and simple. He's a broken man trying to out run the tragedy that ripped his family apart. He doesn't believe he deserves happiness and as we follow what he's been doing, it's like he's ready for everything to be over. Even though he connects with his childhood friends, Christopher and Aly, he keeps himself closed off. He's afraid he'll poison them and he doesn't want them to be destroyed when he leaves...because he's determined he will. But you can see the pieces of Jared that crave someone loving him. Despite what he might say or do to push Aly away, he needs her. His little notes, left for her after he's sneaked out of his room, give of a glimpse of just how much he wishes he was something different so he could be the man Aly needed. And it takes Jared, almost to the very last page of the book, to realize Aly only ever wanted him...just as he is.

Aly has loved Jared forever, so when he reappears she let him in knowing she will probably get hurt. She treats Jared like a scared animal, softly coaxing him out of his angry snarl. It takes an emotional toll on Aly, especially since she had not let herself become emotional engaged with anyone since Jared had left. But she never gives up, even when it seems like Jared has. She stands firm in her knowledge that she loves him and that he'll realize that's all he needs. Aly's emotions when it comes to Jared will take their toll on the reader because they pull you right in there with her. Her sadness and hurt are almost tangible.

There is more to Aly and Jared's story in COME TO ME SOFTLY, slated for release in July 2014. I eagerly await it's release because I know the next ledge of their journey is going to be just as emotionally challenging as this one. I'm hoping when they're done, they will get the happily ever after they deserve.

This is a book that I highly recommend and has put AL Jackson on my must buy list.