Across the Horizon by Aly Martinez
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Across the Horizon (ARC) has been graciously provided to me by Inkslinger PR for an honest review. I have voluntarily read it and have provided my honest opinion.
A Beautiful and Uniquely Gripping Upcoming Release..
Across the Horizon by Aly Martinez was definitely a treat for this reader, as it was my first reading experience from this highly-acclaimed author. Having had multiple books, seemingly taking residence on my tbr list for what seems like an eternity, I may or may not have ran when presented with this opportunity to read this much-anticipated upcoming release. It certainly did not let me down. This is a hidden gem, as this somewhat slowly simmering romance, being heavily dowsed with heart-breaking and stressful, angsty moments, is a story that is infiltrated with so many different components, that it took me a while for all of them to settle for a complete and well-rounded experience. And, when they did, it was like a light bulb moment, or a freight train, I still haven’t decided which one as-of-yet. Regardless, it happened. And, it was brilliant.
Across the Horizon is an intrinsically beautiful story filled with unique and thought-provoking symbolism which languidly paves the way through plentiful emotional and soul-searching moments for two fated individuals. A story which morphs the two lives of Tanner and Rita into a fast-paced journey, which takes both of them by surprise, and, as each decides to either take the bull by the horns or watch life go by, the reader is able to run right alone with them as they unearth all of the intricacies of this quest for answers and for that ultimate sought after form-of-peace.
As this muted fork-in-the-road had contained so many twists and turns, as it was filled-to-the-brim with so many different intricate moments, it is one that both of the main characters seemingly sped down in their individual quest for their true self. Tanner, a lost yet determined wonderful young man, and Rita, a snarky, emotionally-starved, well-meaning, down-to-earth young woman, throughout this story attempt to make their way through all of the potholes, each having been seemingly cemented right over each of their slowly-developing paths.
My mind began spinning early as each of the aspects of the plot had presented itself early and consistently, and for this, I had become desperate for a smoother pace and plot for this beautiful storyline. The plot successfully interweaves various subplots of numerous secondary characters, with their unique and very different personalities, thereby allowing the reader to be present for the early stages of such individuals, many of whom are making squeal-worthy cameos, into the existing plot thereby allowing the reader to soak-in the lives of all of the characters, main as well as secondary.
As mentioned briefly, Across the Horizon contains many different characters. Each of them was excellently and realistically written enabling this reader to form immediate and solid connections with many of them. I immediately fell in love with Tanner as well as Porter. For this, I needed to read as much as I could about them, including their detailed backgrounds from previous books, as this present plot seems to actually work in conjunction with the beginnings of Porter’s story from a previous series. Even though this is Tanner’s story, the success of the immersion of multiple plots and characters, was a successful tasting of Porter’s story to absolutely break-my-heart and have me waiting anxiously for an opening to read his gripping story. I loved these two brothers immensely with their bantering, love and commitment for the other and their unique yet adorable way achieving common ground. I adored Tanner immensely and absolutely loved his personality and found his humor to be such a welcomed encounter throughout the story, and, had felt such pride in his consistent determination in the challenging aspects of his life and had welcomed the overall tranquility in the absolute success of this determination. I also had enjoyed reading about Rita’s ultimate growth and success in achieving an understanding of her true self and had collectively needed to join the secondary characters as they guided Tanner and Rita through the ups and downs to ultimately locate that something that was very much needed for both individuals.
That being said, however, there were a few things that drove me absolutely crazy that had prompted my need for smoothness. Throughout much of the story, I felt there was an overabundance of negativity, as in husband bashing, revenge, and a lack of actual adult communication. After awhile, it was exhausting to be able to read through this seemingly consistent aura of negativity that very often contained things which had already been said repeatedly. It is also in this readers opinion, that there exists a need for more character background and more development, in other areas, for that ultimate well-rounded connection.
Overall, Across the Horizon by Aly Martinez is an amazing read with its tremendously detailed storyline, realistic and plentiful characters, and, a plot that will have many spinning at its brilliance. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this beautiful story as its symbolism is a rarity that has left me speechless, and, I am eager for more..:)
*star rating: 4.40 ‘I really liked it’ stars*
