Square One by J.J. Harper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Square One (ARC) has been graciously provided to me by the author for an honest review. I voluntarily read it and have provided my honest review.
“The Road to Happiness”
As a warmth, similar to the feeling one gets as a result of being wrapped-up snugly within the comfort of a warm and cocoon-producing blanket on a cold winters day, settles over me at the conclusion of my most recent read of an upcoming release, I feel all warm and satisfied at the conclusion of this welcomed, thought-provoking and ultimately heart-warming new story.
Square One, by J.J. Harper is a story filled with steamy and down-right sizzling moments between two firefighters, who are electrically immersed within a beautiful romance, one that had caught both of them by surprise, and as both had been simultaneously attempting to rise above various angst-filled, and at times, quickly resolved, heart-breaking moments, it was not something that either had been looking for but what had actually found them instead.
I loved this story! It had contained many wonderful moments, one of which turned out to be an extremely realistic and thought-provoking issue that I favor seeing within any type of story. I loved the main characters, Jonah and Xander, and enjoyed the natural-progression of their journey of self-discovery as they uncovered their equaled need and desire to be able to lead a happy and full-filling life through love, strength and dedication.
As Jonah and Xander took this road together, they relied on and had appreciated the support of not only each other but also of various family members as well as close friends, who as secondary characters were welcoming, loving, sweet, and, absolutely adorable.
As I am a returning reader of this author, having read and absolutely loved the previous book, Reckless Behavior, I had high expectations for any future reads. I will admit to feeling at odds with what I was initially reading, when I had begun Square One, as I wasn’t quite sure of the direction of the plot, in addition to not quite being able to figure out some of the characters, as well as needing more depth, at times, for that known emotional pull; all perhaps due to the need for another round of editing, but..it had all quickly gathered steam, pun completely intended, and, my thoughts and emotions had changed soon-there-after.
With its heart-breaking and yet heart-warming moments, its added emotionally dedicated and excellently-written characters, Square One is a story that had this reader fluctuating between needing to take a cold shower, to biting one’s nails, to cheering loudly, to needing a serious wad of tissues to soak up the waterfall of emotions, to being in total bliss. This story that while it had begun a bit slowly, in this readers opinion, it wound up picking-up speed as it ultimately became a wonderful story of strength, love, support, and, true happiness. I loved it and am so glad to have read it. 🙂
*star rating: 4.45 ‘I really liked it’ stars*
