Wednesday, July 9, 2014

ARC Book review: No Apologies by Sybil Bartel



ARC eBook provided by publisher through Netgally

Available now! 

Never apologize

Hard-edged rocker Graham Allen has it all. He's flush with cash from playing bass in a band by night and restoring classic cars by day. And there are plenty of women willing to share his bed for a night, complication-free. Perfect, because if there's anything he learned from his past, it was to never get attached—to anything. So when bartender Carly Sullivan flashes her innocent smile, Graham isn't prepared for what happens next.

Never fall in love

Two rules, that's all Graham has—never apologize and never fall in love. He knows Carly is everything he should avoid. Cheerful and sweet, she has "relationship" written all over her. But Graham can't stay away from her probing questions and concerned blue eyes.

When Graham discovers Carly is hiding a crushing secret, he's prepared to risk it all. Until in one single moment, everything changes and Graham's past threatens to collide with his future. His life is crumbling down around him, and soon no apology in the world can save him.

He should've known to walk away.



I believe this is Sybil Bartel's debut book. If she was looking to come out with a bang she has accomplished it with this book. In reading the blurb i knew that Graham had something bad happen to him that involved a woman. I also knew that something bad also happened to Carly so i was expecting some angst, some denial and some pain for both characters. What i got was a lot more than i bargained for. Pretty much all the characters in this book are damaged emotionally in some way. I liked Graham at first but as i got to know him it became harder to like him. He is very destructive with himself as well as those around him and couldn't seem to appreciate anything good that came into his life. When he meets Carly she becomes a bright ray of sunshine in his life but it doesn't take long for him to figure out something is off with her. Carly has her own secret tragedy she has struggled with, but she does have a great supportive family if she needs them. Both Graham and Carly had decided they weren't meant to love and to get married but the more and more time they spend together it seems like maybe it's possible. Every time it seems they are making headway in that direction something happens to knock it all down. Through the whole story we're told that Graham's mother is coming to see him and he doesn't want to see her. He hates her. When she finally shows up and passes out drunk and high and he takes her back to her hotel he gets the surprise of his life which seems to kickstart him finally in the right direction to possible happiness. This book pissed me off at times. I thought i might have to quit reading it but i kept hoping there would be something coming to make it worth while to keep reading. A friend who also read it encouraged me to keep with it, that it was worth it. It seems she was right. It is a very intense emotion driven book with a lot of heart in the end. 

Want to know more? Find out on Sybil Bartel's website here www.sybilbartel.com

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