Booted

Well, this final book was most definitely NOT what I thought it would be, but definitely everything I needed in the final book of a series. This is my first series by Pam Godwin, and I am so glad I finally jumped into her words. I have to say that I love the way she closed this one out. It really sealed the deal for me on an otherwise tumultuous and emotional story for this family. ____ ____ . I think the best point for me, was the realization that while Godwin was telling us their story, I was able to formulate my own emotional attachment to the characters based on how she gave me the characters' backgrounds and how she insinuated certain events. She led me to them, but let me fall in love with them on my own terms. It was very apparent to me and I loved that aspect of it. I think that is what made the story work really well for me. Raina was not the sum total of the outward appearance she projected and "lived" through. It made her depth that much more interesting to me. I read her character with wonder, not only because of her heritage and the way she believed, but also how she managed to be Lorne's necessity without him actually realizing it until it was too late. I really liked her character. The same could be said about Lorne. His strength was never questioned. His gruffness was never challenged. But his emotions? They were never confronted for what they were, instead they were encouraged and welcomed by Raina, and the way she helped him get through it all was unreal. Again, I read her with awe. I really liked Raina.....if you couldn't tell. I can appreciate that Godwin obliterated my preconceived notions about her, which also made their love that much more raw and emotional for me.

"I hear you" means I loved these characters! This is the story of two completely broken down people, who don't even realize they are, and they don't want to change. It oozes darkness from every pore, and yet, the cracks let in a light, that has you hoping our couple can find their way, can get the peace they so richly deserve. Lorne is recently released from 8 years in prison. Raina is recently released from 2 years with John Holsten. Both had good reasons for why they were where they were. Both didn't deserve to be where they were. Both don't want the attraction that is sparking, simmering, and boiling between them. Neither can resist pushing the others buttons. Neither can resist the pull together I was completely immersed in the world with Lorne and Raina, they had me hooked from the beginning, and I didn't want to see their story end!

This being the final book in this series was a perfect conclusion. These four wonderful friends who are in every sense of the word family, have dealt with unthinkable tragedy and have done terrible things for all of the right reasons. Booted is, in my opinion, a story of the most damaged of the kids. Lorne has had to deal with scary, serious issues that could have impacted him in such a horrible way that he could have turned into a person unable to love and do the right thing. His character just doesn't allow that, but he needs the help of Raina, who is also dealing with her our horrible past. Great story, great characters and a serious page turner!