This story is extremely intense and passionate. I was swept away from the beginning. The character development is crucial to the story. Dessa is an interesting heroine, her emotions captivate every aspect of her life and everything she does revolves around them. Everything that happens to her and everything that goes on strives to move the story along

There were a few parts were the story did not seem to flow as well. There were some graphic parts but they were essential to the path of the characters and the story. Although, overall the story as a whole was extremely emotional and engaging. I am looking very forward to reading the second book in the series.

Note: I won this book from the author. ( )

Captivating and moving first-person story. Narrator Dessa is a Drum Major in her final year of college. Dessa is apprehensive about leaving the comforts of her Pennsylvania home. She has few close relationships but she is fiercely loyal and has an intense bond with her elder brother Ricky and her grown-up best friend Paola. One feature which marks Dessa out from other teenage girls is her extraordinary golden eyes.

When Dessa bumps into a strange man with disturbing eyes in a cafe she soon forgets him. But when an exciting new guy shows up at the band room - Chris is a drum major too - Dessa has the strange feeling that she already knows him.

The writing is natural. Breathless and elliptic in the style of a peppy college senior. There is a reasonable amount of angst (when strange things happen anxiety is plausible) without overpowering the narrative. It's not easy to cope with hot and cold feelings towards someone who you've only just met with equanimity.

In the acknowledgements the author discloses that some of the fictional characters are adapted from people she knows - writers commonly adapt elements of the familiar in fiction. I appreciate the bold honesty of the acknowledgements and hope the author has no subsequent cause for regret. Perhaps there is a little of Meet my magic friends! about the story - an appealing trope for fans of paranormal romance. There are a few imperfections in the writing, but it's easy to be engrossed by strong characterisation and a dramatic story.

Some siblings fight spitefully in private but put on a civil face for outsiders. Others are warm like twins. Readers who feel uncomfortable with the intensity of the Dessa-Ricky brother-sister bond depicted may be reassured by the author's disclosure that the person who fictional character Ricky is based on is her non-biological elder brother.

For me, the characters are young and Dessa is about to go away to university - you can't get those times together back. When there isn't a parent available all the time, and a younger sibling admires an elder, it's natural for a guardianship relationship to develop. The needs of a confident self-sufficient young woman may not appear great but under the surface Dessa is anxious and full of doubts - Ricky is someone she can trust to always be there for her.

The author requested reviews in an online forum. I e-mailed a request for a review copy to the author and soon received a PDF e-book.