I've read one whole book by Ms. Reiss and I have several more on my Kindle. The first book I read, Beg (Book 1- Songs of Submission) was EXCELLENT and I am constantly kicking myself about needing to read more of the series.
Enter Shuttergirl. When I hosted the cover reveal, I knew this was a book I needed to read. I was not disappointed one single bit. Not one bit.
I have a notebook that I keep review notes in and sometimes I take lots of notes and sometimes I get so wrapped up in a book, I don't. Fortunately (unfortunately?) I did not take a lot of notes on this one because this book totally ATE MY BRAIN.
From the very beginning, the connection between Michael and Laine is undeniable even after their years spent apart and living on different sides of the camera lens. Laine is the paparazza and Michael is her prey. Every time she takes a picture of him, she remembers him. She remembers the kindness he offered her when they were schoolmates. His kindness to her does not keep her from selling the pictures to the highest bidder. Laine is nothing if not a survivor and she is an INCREDIBLE character. None of this whiny, oh woe is me crap from her. Thank the baby Jesus for a well written damaged but strong and confident female MC.
Due the nature of their professions, Michael and Laine have no business orbiting in each other's worlds any closer than the already do. So I kept wondering how the heck Ms. Reiss was going to make it work. You want to know how? CHARACTER GROWTH. Shit happens you know? We make decisions and they impact our lives in all kinds of ways. Michael and Laine navigate their relationship amidst the twists, turns and pressures of their lives. Laine goes from being on one end of the camera- the paparazza, to the girlfriend of a movie star. Her professional life is thrown into turmoil in a matter of hours after a picture of her and Michael is taken. Laine's life changes as fast as the click of the shutter.
One of the signs of a good book for me is the ability of the author to keep me wondering how in the world two characters can overcome their circumstances to be together. Ms. Reiss and her raw, elegant and lyrical prose kept me riveted and her depiction of Los Angeles creates a character all on its own.
As Shakespeare so famously wrote- "The course of true love never did run smooth". Ms. Reiss gives us a raw, passionate and brave love story between Michael and Laine and I for one am glad I took the journey with them.
I stroked his hair, waist deep in peace, all worry gone for the moment, and floating in no more than an ocean of gratitude. I must have been more vulnerable than I realized, or he’d reopened some wound with his kindness, because though my sweet reverie stayed, as the minutes passed, a layer of need fitted itself on top of it.
I needed to tell him, if not the details, the outlines of who I was.
“I want you to know,” I whispered, starting somewhere small, then everything I didn’t want to say spilled out. “I have stuff. I’ve never been to jail, but you know, it’s stuff, and it’s ugly, and it scares me. Because, I mean, you’re so perfect, and I’m… I’m just a mess. I’m not whole. I’m a bunch of pieces of a person I cobbled together.” My eyes got wet when I thought of the comparisons between us and that picture in my silverware drawer. “So if you have to move on when you realize that, I’ll understand. You have an image, and if anyone understands protecting a career, it’s me. I mean, I’ll be mad, don’t get that wrong, but also.” I swallowed and blinked, shifting my head so he wouldn’t feel the tear on his forehead. “I won’t blame you.”
I waited for an answer. Anything. A change in position or a word on any subject. The weather. Sports. Something. But all he did was breathe.
I smiled so wide, tears fell into my mouth. He was sleeping.
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This review was originally posted on Straight Shootin' Book Reviews