Rating: ★★★★★ starsDate published: September 16th, 2013
Publisher: self published
Synopsis: NEW YORK TIMES and USATODAY Bestselling Series
There’s tortured. And there’s Garth Black.
His life has been a constant carousel of tragedy and disappointment, including his love life. Of course, applying the term “love” to Garth’s conquests is a gross misuse of the word. Some people were made to give and accept love, and others weren’t. Garth Black redefines the “others” category. He’s made a vow that the day he meets a woman who could sucker him into falling in love will be the day he runs away.
Garth’s plan has one flaw. What happens when he’s already fallen hard for a girl before the warning signs and red flags go up? What happens when the love he’s avoided his entire life brings him to his knees? What happens when Garth Black lets the dirtiest four letter word he’s ever known into his dark, lonely life?
This cowboy’s about to find out he can control some things, and he can’t control others. Number one on the what he can’t control list?
Love.
**Recommended for mature readers due to moderate content and language**
What I Thought:
Garth has loved Josie since he was five years old. He's always loved her, but he's known she's also not for him; she's too good. They had one night that caused a wonderful, strong friendship between three friends to break almost irrevocably. Garth blames himself for that night and has kept himself away from Josie since then.
This is truly Garth's story and his book. It's told entirely from his point of view and gives an intimate look at the way he thinks and why. I always knew I was going to love being in Garth Black's head. I just didn't know how much I'd love it or him. I knew Garth hadn't had an easy life and was self-depreciating, but I had no idea how much damage had been done to his psyche until I read this book. And then I wept for him and the pain and sorrow he felt. Garth may have thought him self his own worst enemy, and he was, more so than anything else or anyone else's hateful thoughts.
I liked Josie. I loved how she always stood up for Garth. She really, truly, cared for him. If I ever had any doubt about how she felt for him, it only took one scene to change to my mind. I loved how fiercely she loved him and I was slightly surprised at how Garth didn't see it. Thank goodness she was as stubborn as he is.
One of my most favorite scenes is at Jesse and Rowen's wedding. Yes, it finally happened! Garth's best-man speech is one of the most beautiful and profound passages I've ever read. I had tears streaming down my cheeks as I read it. As much as Garth loved to tease his friends, he loved them even more and almost nothing he's said or done show's it more than his speech.
This book really gave me the feels. I was torn between sadness and anger for a large part of the book, and laughter and smiling in the rest. I wanted those who hurt Garth to pay for their sins, but it didn't seem like that was going to happen. I also wanted Josie's parents to see Garth for the great guy he was and not treat him like he was diseased. It hurt my heart to know so many people knew how Clay, Garth's father, treated him, and no one stepped up to help or intervene.
Thankfully, Nicole Williams has decided to give readers more Garth and Josie. I know she'll do a great job and hopefully some of the issues I'd like to see resolved happen in the next book, Losers Weepers. It'll be great to see how Garth and Josie are doing with the challenges they've faced and those yet to come. If you're looking for a story that will wring your emotions and then put them back together, this book is for you.
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About the Author
I’m the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the CRASH series (HarperTeen, S&S UK), LOST & FOUND series, UP IN FLAMES (S&S UK), The EDEN TRILOGY, and a handful of others. I write stories about everyday kinds of people who find themselves in extraordinary kinds of situations. I tell love stories with happy endings because I believe in making the world a better place, and that’s one tiny way I can make it so. I’m one of those people who still believe in true love and soul mates, and would rather keep my head in the clouds any day over having my feet firmly on the ground. 
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