Rebel Hearts: Volume 1

Danny Cooney and Samantha Collins have been in love for what seems like forever. Since meeting when they were 13, separated by time and circumstance again and again, Danny and Sam have always found their way back to each other. But now Sam is hiding a secret so terrible that she's not sure that there is enough love in the world to keep them together. Oh, my goodness, the feelings that I went through while reading REBEL HEARTS. I wanted Danny and Sam to get their happily ever after so badly, and thought that this was it. It was clear from early on, though, that trouble was brewing, and that things were not going to go nicely here. I don't think that Lili Valente can write a character that I don't love. Danny Cooney, for all that he is only 20 years old, has been through one heck of a time in his young life. That he has emerged strong, whole, and full of love for his family and for Sam is pretty miraculous. He has spent the seven years since meeting and falling for Sam making a way for them to be together. All he wants is to be with her, the girl that he fell for, and the woman that he'll always love. Sam, for her part, is typical Lili heroine material. Strong, sassy, independent, and sure of what she wants in life, Sam has always lived with a take-no-prisoners attitude, even when her family fell apart, because she had Danny to lean on during the tough times. But sometimes, things are so bleak, so dark, that the light at the end of the tunnel seems too far off to reach. I love this story. I love everything about it, even the tears and the anger and the sinking feeling when things start going crazy. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lili, for continuing to amaze me with your gifted storytelling, characters that feel like family, and the blessing of your creativity that makes it all possible.

**4.5** At thirteen, Danny and Samantha's friendship bloomed into a beautiful relationship. Samantha was the girl that saw Danny as more than the troubled teen, and her compassion and love for him made him want to be a better person. Danny's support and love for Samantha helped her deal with the pain of her parents divorce. Even when Danny moved to Croatia with his family, that bond they shared could not be severed. Both always finding time to speak on the phone and seeing each other whenever they could. Nothing could break them apart, or could there be? Now, at 20, Danny is a successful business owner still living in Croatia and Samantha is a college student living in California. A terrible secret that Samantha is keeping slowly begins to chip away her future plans and she quickly realizes that she needs to escape. Secretly planning to flee the country so she doesn't have to deal with reality, Samantha meets Danny at the airport for one of his visits and tells him they are taking a vacation to New Zealand. Danny knows that Samantha hiding something but goes along with it. Samantha dislikes having to keep this secret from Danny and does whatever she has to, to keep them together. However, bad luck seems to follow them and slowly Samantha's secret brings the ugly out in the both of them. Samantha eventually decides that she cannot run from the truth and returns to California. Can Danny and Samantha find their way back to each other once the whole truth is revealed? Can their love really withstand anything? There was an innocence and vulnerability about them both, and their ability to see the best in each other and grow as a couple. Although, even the best of relationships cannot survive secrets. Can't wait to see what happens next since we are left with the question, "WHAT WILL HAPPEN NOW???"

OMG this book is soooooo good!! Took my emotions on quite the rollercoaster ride! Danny and Samantha are amazing characters and will definitely win your hearts with their long time special love, their struggles and how they balance each other out. I love the back in forth from past to present and what a great storyline this. I love Lili Valente's romcoms, but this talented lady can rock the heck out of anything she writes. I am one of those rare people who loves a good cliffy but now I absolutely cannot wait for Savage Hearts! I need to know what is going to happen next!