Kathryn R. Biel

From the start the idea of two sets of twins born hours apart, in the same hospital, and then they grow up together sounded intriguing. The families could not have been more opposite each other. Rio and Rianne had a father who left them and a mother who was more interested in her newest man than her own children. Ian and Evan have two loving parents but Evan was born with a birth defect while Ian was born as a natural athlete and all around good child. The girls were lucky that Ian and Evan’s mother was around to help raise them. Too bad the good didn’t rub off on both girls.

I read this book in one sitting. I could not stop and was invested in the characters and the storyline. I was wishing that Rio would open up to Ian sooner and the secret between them would come out before it would explode in her face but hey… Kathryn Biel knows what makes a good story. I am a fan of Kathryn’s read everything of hers that I can get my hands on. She never disappoints and I always walk away satisfied with what I have read.… (mehr)

Live For This by Kathryn R. Biel

“What would you rather do—win the lottery or be a paraplegic?”

I think we all know what Samirah’s response to Michael would have been but his insight related to the question was an eye opener to me.

Samirah had a loving mother, absent father and a childhood that was not necessarily easy. When the rug was pulled out from under while in college she headed to the big city and in so doing set herself up to use and ultimately be abused by others. In her time of need she happens upon a “good man” and after her recent experiences meeting Michael is probably the best thing to happen to her – ever. She has some healing, physical and mental, to deal with and Michael is there for her. Michael may be neurologically impaired but a stronger, more mentally healthy and complete man would be difficult to find.

This book is at times gritty dark and very real whether telling of rape and its aftermath or of paraplegia and how it can impact lives. The story is one of strength and courage in adversity and friendship forged through fire...a friendship that ultimately leads to a HEA for two broken people that manage to be glued together into one loving couple.

Having worked as an RN in neurosurgical intensive care and also having been in charge of a nursing home for mentally alert neurologically impaired I have some insight into what life as a paraplegic is like. This book handled the subject matter with wisdom, knowledge, compassion and a sense of realness that most books never manage.

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read other books by this author? Yes
Do I recommend this book? Definitely

NOTE: I did not like Samirah in the beginning part of the story and wondered how the author could possibly redeem her to create a character I could ever like…it happened…but if I had not persevered with the story I would not have been able to write this glowing review – and glowing it truly is.

Thank you to NetGalley and KOBO Writing Life for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars… (mehr)