Most of all You age rating

Most of All You is another awe-inspiring story by Mia Sheridan. Mia is a true story-teller and always writes meaningful books that leave my heart happy. This book had the emotion, romance, and unique plot that always comes with a Mia book.

I don’t want to talk at all about Gabriel or Crystal’s story. Their pasts play a huge role in their present and I loved how that was incorporated in the story. Gabriel was such a fantastic hero. I felt for him, adored him, and fell for him. Crystal on the other hand… well, Crystal has led a life many don’t understand. She’s made choices that a lot of us would never make. What I loved about this story is that it really made me think about ‘choices’. Something being a choice is kind of subjective. Depending on your past and situation, sometimes ‘choices’ are anything but.

Choice is such a loaded word, isn’t it? Choices, though our own, were so weighted down with all the things that had come before, so stained with the messes of our past.

And, maybe, I thought, that was what love was supposed to do—peel your layers back and uncover all your tender spots so they, too, could be healed.

➳Ellie, being the main female character in this emotionally compelling love story, has characteristics in the fictional world that create such a raw intensity of understanding towards anyone in the real world. Her childhood past did not just bring her towards the negatives in life, but also the slight positives that turn into a full circle when letting upon Gabriel that one night at the stripper bar. Gabriel, being the main male character, brings aspects to this novel that bring you to tears and make you want to hug him in a way that you never want to let him go. Both characters are individuals that share a common interest towards the factual evidence of having a past that has made them towards the people they are, but also still haunt them up to the point where they need, no— they crave each other.

➳I am not going to go through the very fine details of what their pasts are because that basically spoils the whole entire book to the reader, but to say the least that this book had me emotionally bawling my eyes out and I cried a river full of salty tears is pretty accurate in every single aspect, through and through on every page being turned. Ellie and Gabriel learn that maybe healing one another may become the cure to finding their final destination towards happiness or satisfaction. Though at first it was about Gabriel finding his intimacy ways towards a woman, and Ellie (aka Crystal) helping him out to find that way of conformity, soon Ellie realizes that Gabriel’s presence is one that she acquires to help her heal as well from her past. To him, Ellie is the perfect woman that could help him come back from his monstrous thoughts and nourish a new life with him;

“I liked her. I liked the way she looked at me, the way she teased, the flash of keen intelligence behind her eyes, her quick wit, the way she seems so hard, and yet was somehow soft at the same time. I did, I liked her…”

➳Overall, this was a love story that will forever have a place in my heart and in my mind whenever I am in the mood for a good, emotionally written novel filled with everything there is to be in a romance book. I hope Mia keeps writing more NA books because this beauty was so worth it. Thank you to Mia and FOREVER ROMANCE for the chance of reading this novel, and providing me with a beautiful PB edition.

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WOW, okay so...............................

What a sad and depressing prologue, we are introduced to Eloise/Ellie as a little girl and read how she loses someone very close to her and how that will change the course of her life.

Chapter 1 starts with Ellie/Crystal (I'm just going to call her Ellie) 'dancing' at a strip club, she notices a very out of place good looking guy sitting in the back of the bar, doesn't think much of it until he approaches her.

Gabriel's childhood was traumatic as well, he was abducted when he was 9 and keep in a basement for years until he escaped. He is lonely and has trouble interacting with people and being touched, so he decides to pay someone to help him with his intimacy issues. Where better to find someone like that than a strip club.

After saying no to Gabriel's offer Ellie can't stop thinking about the honest and scared man she'd just met. She looks him up on line finding the story of his childhood, it pulls at her heartstrings (mine too) and she decides to give it a go as the extra cash would be good but after their second meeting Ellie gets scared of their connection so calls it off.

Ellie truly believes she is where she deserves to be in life, her self hatred and lack of confidence got to me a little but I see where it was coming from. Her sour aggressive attitude gets her in trouble one night when she takes on three drunk college guys.

Ellie who is now stuck in hospital with no job, money or place to live due to her injuries gives in and accepts help from Gabriel.

I have been sitting here trying to pinpoint why I loved this book so much and I just can't, it was probably the mixture of fantastic writing, the plot, the intriguing characters, the scenery and my current mood.
Sure there were things in this book that I usually hate: Lack of sex scenes, slow burn, push and pull and at times the pace slowed but it just didn't bother me in this one. I just got sucked into this story and loved every minute.

To Gabriel, finder of beauty, rescuer of souls.

ღ Reviewed on behalf of the One-Click Addict Support Group

Aww, this was so sweet. And the feels. Oh, the feels.

It was a bit overly sentimental at times, but that’s exactly what I needed. A balm for my heart which is still bruised after my last read.

Beautiful writing, beautiful story, beautiful characters.

QUICK REVIEW:

Enjoyment: 4/5
Writing style: 5/5
Storyline: 5/5
Hero: 5/5
Heroine: 4/5
Secondary characters: 4/5
Hotness/steam: 3/5
Romance: 5/5
Angst: 3.5/5
Darkness level: 2/5
Humor: 2/5
Depth of the book: 5/5
POV: dual, 1st person
Triggers: (view spoiler)[heroine was raped and abused as a child but it’s not explicitly described; she was also beaten and that is explicit in this book; hero was abducted and held in captivity (hide spoiler)]

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I enjoyed this story it’s a bit different for Mia Sheridan. I thought she did a wonderful job with the progression of love between the characters and most definitely the heroine’s evolution to become unto herself worthy of the hero’s love.

The story has just enough drama and angst to keep it for me not on the boring side and Gabriel and Eloise make a very sweet book couple.

“Our pasts-and our hearts- aligned in such a way that we were meant to heal each other”.

We touched and kissed with loving hands and open hearts, and I’d been right to think I’d never experienced anything like this before. It was tender and generous, and it was everything. Everything I’d never known.

MOST OF ALL YOU is a hauntingly beautiful love story that grabbed a hold of my heart from the start. I have been a long time fan of Mia Sheridan and this book solidifies why she is one truly gifted author. I found it hard not to highlight quotes from almost every page! Her writing is absolutely stunning! Not only is this a captivating love story but it’s filled with so much raw sadness. The Hero and Heroine may have come from different worlds but they share in common unimaginable abuse and devastating loss. Their tragic pasts have molded them into two people who are merely a fraction of the individuals they should have become because they’ve let their fears paralyze and control their lives.

I don’t want to give too much of the story away because I do think this is a story that’s best to go in to completely blind. I will say that I fell in love instantly with Gabriel Dalton. His sweet and gentle demeanor and his ability to find beauty in everyday things that we take for granted really touched me deeply. He is my second favorite Hero created by Mia. I mean he comes so very close to being as awesome as Archer!

In the beginning, I struggled with my feelings for the Heroine. She’s not an easy character to love because of the person she has become but once the author brings you to the heart of her story, I guarantee you will be falling in love with her just as I have. I actually think I ended up loving her a little more than the Hero. I saw a little bit of my younger self in her and hoped that she would find her way back to the person she was always meant to become.

There is definitely incredibly chemistry between Dalton and Ellie but honestly, if there weren't any steamy scenes, I would still give this book Five Stars because it was the story and the characters that I fell completely in love with. This is one of those books that doesn’t need the schmexy to make it entertaining. Although I did enjoy those bits too!

Here are my overall ratings on the book:

MOST OF ALL YOU is currently available. It’s an absolute must-read!!

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2uwTx3z
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2uN4spa
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2wOTzVb
iBooks: http://apple.co/2uMShIV
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2uNn5JB
Books-a-Million: http://bit.ly/2yJ7kps
IndieBound: http://bit.ly/2wAyXki

Such a beautiful,emotional and sweet story. I literally read it in one sitting.I fall in love with the story from the first pages and I couldn't put it down.Mia Sheridan completely drew me into Ellie and Gabriel's story.

Both characters were broken and they found to each other what they really needed.I loved how they met and how things started for them.It was nice watching them developing slowly a relationship.There were moments I wanted to cry and I was aching for them.

Most Olf All You is a heartworming story that will touch you in so many ways.Mom's writing was flawless and the story captivating.Get ready for an emotional journey.This is a must read!

Overall Opinion: Mia Sheridan will remain one of my favorite authors, because she always has a unique story to tell that taps into my feelings. This probably isn't my favorite book of hers, but that's just because she has such amazing stuff! I feel bad for rating this as 4 stars, but for me that is a pretty high rating. I feel like she could re-write the phone book and I'd still enjoy her take on it and eat it up! I love her perspective on life and how that shows through in her characters. She always seems to have tragically damaged characters that I fall in love with and end up rooting for their happiness and HEA. Gabriel isn't my typical type of man, but I really liked him all the same -- because he was what Ellie needed and, therefore, what I needed to feel their connection and end the book feeling satisfied. Another winner for me, and if you haven't read any of Ms. Sheridan's works -- what are you thinking?!? 😜

Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Ellie and Gabriel's story. They meet when Gabriel goes to the strip club that Ellie is working at and propositions her to help him with his struggles with "closeness" to others. He was abducted as a child but had escaped years later, and Ellie had remembered hearing his story. After some pushing away and some blatant refusals, Gabriel realizes that Ellie needs it as much as he does and doesn't give up. Something happens that puts Ellie in a vulnerable state, and Gabriel steps up to take care of her. There are a good bit of past baggage that both of them have to work through, some sweet moments, and some sad times...but they do get a HEA ending.

POV: This alternated between Ellie and Gabriel's POV.

Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed, and I thought it flowed well. Some reviewers claimed that the beginning was slow, so I was worried about this -- but I personally didn't have any issues staying engaged in the story.

Instalove: No. It does seem to move pretty quickly, but I found it believable.

H rating: 4.5 stars. Gabriel. I really liked him. He was pretty beta, and that is usually not my jam -- but I think he wouldn't have worked with the h and all her damage if he was alpha. He had zero experience with the opposite sex, so those out there that love the virgin heroes -- he's probably one of your guys!

h rating: 4 stars. Ellie. I liked her. I appreciated how she loved the H and wanted to get better for herself as well as for him.

Sadness level: Low/moderate. I teared up some, but I never needed any tissues.

Push/Pull: Yes (view spoiler)[The h pushes away a good bit because she is scared, damaged, and insecure. They both pursue the relationship at times, but I would say that the H is the main pursuer of the relationship. (hide spoiler)]

Heat level: Low. The scenes are more focused on them connecting emotionally than them being hot IMO.

Descriptive sex: Not really. I wouldn't say it was fade to black, but it was more about their emotional connection than the physical act.

OW/OM drama: Yes, but mild (view spoiler)[ The is a OW that the H was interested in before meeting the h that is around (in a friendly context) and causes the h to feel insecure and jealous. The OW backs off right away when she realizes that the H is all about the h, and is just a friend to both of them. (hide spoiler)]

Sex scene with OW or OM: Not in the usual way (view spoiler)[The h is assaulted on page. (hide spoiler)]

Cheating: No

Separation: Yes (view spoiler)[They are separated for a couple months (I think?), but there was no mention or suggestion of other partners during this time. (hide spoiler)]

Possible Triggers: Yes (view spoiler)[The h is a stripper, child abduction (off page - through memories), loss of a parent/s (off page), child abuse (on page), sexual harassment/rape/assault (on page), and rape of a child (off page - through memories). (hide spoiler)]

Closure: This and pretty good closure with a HEA ending. I still would've liked more time with them after their reunion, but I was surprisingly okay with the ending.

How I got it: I paid the $4.99 on amazon for it.

Safety: This one should be either

HOLY WOW!! This book was captivating, beautifully-written, and heart-felt! Over the last few years, I've fallen in love with many of Mia Sheridan's books and this was one of my favorites! It was a deeply healing, slow-burning love story about two incredibly damaged people who fell unexpectedly into each other's lives and helped mend each other's broken pieces. It was a story about never giving up on the ones you love and care about and holding on to that love even through the darkest of times. I highly recommend this as a top favorite!!

Even before I started reading the actual story, I'd already highlighted several passages from the author note at the beginning of the story. In it, she said that she was inspired to write this book by this quote:

“If she’s amazing, she won’t be easy. If she’s easy, she won’t be amazing. If she’s worth it, you won’t give up. If you give up, you’re not worth it. Truth is, everybody is going to hurt you; you just gotta find the ones worth suffering for.”

And I have to just share this too from her note because it set the tone for this story so perfectly...

“It’s my belief that the wisest and most sensitive souls are those who have been broken themselves and found a way to put their pieces back together. For who can know the true meaning of light unless they’ve been immersed in darkness? Who else can say, “I’ve been there, and I promise you — I promise you — there is life after this. Yes, even this.” Who else can determine with love and wisdom who’s worth suffering for? … MOST OF ALL YOU is a story about the power of love such as this. Love that comes from a place of light, of hope, of knowing. Love that says you are worth suffering for, but even more so, love that promises: Your heart will heal — it was what it was made to do.”

Even just knowing that alone was enough to make my heart squeeze and understand that this was going to be a very meaningful and emotionally charged story. Now, here is a little introduction into what this book is about...

Before leaving childhood, the heroine had already suffered so much loss and betrayal that the only way she could survive was so wall off her heart as best she could -- to steel herself against feeling that kind of abandonment again.

Years later and all grown up, her luck hadn't yet turned around and she was paying bills by stripping at a local club. She understandably had no faith or trust in men and any part of her she showed the world was just a facade that hid who she really was. But everything changed when a man named Gabriel Dalton walked unexpectedly into her life.

“I’d known a few handsome men in my time. Each one had a mean streak three miles wide. Handsome got you a big fat nowhere in the end… No, it was something more than that. I twas his eyes. His eyes held some sort of innocence I hadn’t seen before. Gentleness I certainly wasn’t used to. HIs expression was hopeful, but not desperate, and I didn’t detect lust in his eyes. He looked… sincere.”

She recognized him from the news -- when she was a child, he'd been a lost boy abducted and gone missing and had only been found around the time her own life turned to ashes. And he had a very surprising proposition for her...

“Because of my history, which it sounds like you know a little about, I, uh, find it difficult to tolerate… closeness.”
… “Okay, what is it I can do for you?” …
“You can help me practice being touched by a woman.”

He was sweet and so completely unlike any man she'd met before -- innocent in some ways and hauntingly mature in others. She believed in his sincerity and desperately needed the money so she agreed to help him out.

“I can teach you what I do when someone gets close to me. I remove myself completely, and it makes it bearable.” She bit her lip, her brow furrowing as if considering something. “I think I can teach you how to do that.”
My body stilled as I stared at her. Her words caused my heart to ache. Oh God. “That’s not what I want, though. I know how to remove myself. I know how to do that. I want to stay present. That’s what I need you to help me with. Staying.”

But a further twist pushed him into her life even more and suddenly she was in a position where she had to put her heart out on the line for the first time and trust him, even though she couldn't believe why he kept coming back to her.

“I’m not giving up on you. I’m coming back.”
She shrugged one delicate shoulder. “It’s a free country. You do whatever you want. But I suggest you get out of here and go find the right girl.”
“What if I still think you’re the right girl?”
“Then you’re wrong.” She turned and walked away.
Fuck!

I really appreciated how aware he was of everything that was happening and how deeply he read into each situation. I loved that he recognized when he made mistakes and tried to fix them. He understood on a very deep, personal, often painful level how important it was not to judge a person before getting to know them.

A stripper. God, what was I doing?
What about you, Gabriel? How would people describe you if they were only going by the few things they knew? If they only met you once, only read the newspaper articles, what would you be called?
Damaged.
Ruined.
Victim.

I loved her bravery and resilience, and yet also understood her hesitation. Her experience with Gabriel was truly the first genuinely healthy interaction with a man she'd had in her whole life. And he understood and recognized this -- you'll see when you read that his quiet patience and kindness towards her was utterly heart-melting.

It was honestly just so refreshing to read a hero who was just a regular guy. He wasn't a billionaire or an athlete or a rock star (not that I don't love those too), but he was still so quietly alpha and protective and strong -- damaged and hurting, yet willing to bare his heart to this girl who he couldn't stop himself from falling in love with.

“I’d never try to control you.” Oh God. His voice. I could hear the pain. I wanted to turn away, but I didn’t. He paused, even deeper torment skating over his expression. “Someone did that to me, and I’d never do it to someone else. I only want to help you. If there’s somewhere you’d rather be where you’ll be safe and cared for, tell me and I’ll drive you there myself. I’ll make sure you get here no matter how far away it is. I don’t ever want you to feel like I’m trying to take away your will. I couldn’t live with that.”

This is a very slow-burning love story and that made perfect sense given how much healing they both had to do. I loved that how patiently he waited for her and the way he never once rushed her into anything before she was ready. He just showed her constant, unwavering love and allowed her to heal at her own pace.

I loved the expression on her face — cautious awe — as if she wasn’t sure she should allow herself to fall in love with anything beautiful, even the sunrise.
Sometimes it hurt me to watch her, hurt me to see that she was so lonely inside, so sure that the whole world was a dangerous place for her. I longed to show her that it didn’t have to be, but for now, I offered her the sunrise and a safe place to watch it. I prayed that someday soon she would trust that she deserved this beauty.

The story is told in alternating POVs and in first person which I felt was a very welcome format for this story because given how complex both their characters were and how much they'd each been through, it was wonderful to be able to see both their sides of this story.

The writing was truly beautiful and just sweeps you away into the story. I've loved many of Mia Sheridan's books over the years. Some of my favorites include Archer's Voice, Becoming Calder & Finding Eden, Leo, Kyland, Stinger, and others. But this book really went back to her original roots and, in my opinion, was the closest in feeling to Archer's Voice. In fact I can confidently say that if you loved Archer's Voice, you will love Most of all You.

Rating: 4.5+ stars! Contemporary Adult Romance, standalone.

Buy MOST OF ALL YOU (Kindle)
Buy MOST OF ALL YOU (Paperback)
Buy MOST OF ALL YOU (iBooks)

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I don’t create beauty, I just reveal what’s already there.

Man but it's a rare occurrence that you read about such an incredible hero. He's unlike any hero I've read in a long dang while. He's sweet, shy, endearing, and his heart is so open, it makes you want to cry, especially knowing what he's been through. He's been through something so awful and life altering, that it may break any other man. But he persevered and used love instead of hate to form his future.

Crystal is a perfect example of a subject of circumstance. Her difficult and trying childhood taught her that men will only ever want one thing from her, and that's all she's really good for. Until a sweet man that watches her dance at the strip club she works for with absolutely no lust in his eyes turns her world upside down.

I was spellbound, caught once again in his gaze. No one had ever looked at me the way Gabriel was right then, not in all my life.

God, but I loved these two together. I love Gabe's sweet patience and seeing Crystal's soft side come out into the light. I loved watching their connection slowly build into something that was truly unforgettable. A low burn sort of romance that was as sweet as it was emotional and satisfying.

And you, most of all, you. You get my heart. You. And, God, I hope you want it. But if you don’t, I still won’t regret giving it to you. Even then, I won’t regret loving you because it means I win.”

I’ve always pretended I was made of stone, but the truth is, I feel more like I was formed from sand, as if I might crumble at any second.”

ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review

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I really don’t know where did it go wrong. The story sounded so good and so emotional, but for some reason it felt so lacking. The romance was so insta which was so weird to me. If there’s one trope that should’ve never worked here, it’d be the insta love trope. How could a boy who got trouble with intimacy fall so hard and so fast like that. And we didn’t even get to see the slow process of him learning to be intimate with someone. I don’t know, this was just so not done well and it ruined it all for me. Unfortunately, I just didn’t feel emotional as I thought I’d be. I know it’s a well loved book, it just felt kinda lacklustre to me.

I honestly just don't even know how to review this book. I don't mean that as a bad thing but I just don't think any words I can string together for a review will do this book justice. These pages drew me into the lives of Gabriel and Ellie and made me live with them. Mia Sheridan never fails to write something so spectacular that it encompasses my world and turns it into the one she created and it's why I will forever be a fan of hers.

These characters took me on one hell of a ride; I was sad, happy, ready to bawl my eyes out, smiling like a loon, just so many emotions were brought out of me. What I loved the best was that I felt like both of these character were equally focused on and we got to see both of them grow throughout their journey.

The bottom line is that this is a beautiful story that I highly recommend you pick up and enjoy.

ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.

Mia Sheridan brings together two lonely people in a unique story of acceptance, recovery and the discovery that love comes in all different shapes and forms, not all of them painful to experience.

I will be honest and say straight off the bat that this sort of story lately has been like reading kryptonite for me, high levels of angst and drama have definitely not been floating my boat, but something about the synopsis for this one urged me to take the risk, and although hearing lots of good things about this author, it was a double risk, because Most of All You is also the first book I have personally read by her.

"You can’t fix me you know…"

As you can see from my rating the reward was worth the risk for me on this occasion, because although Gabriel and Crystal/Ellie’s story is dark, gritty, raw and a little uncomfortable to read in parts, it is also balanced out with lots of light, sweet, unexpected moments as well.

He needed someone warm and caring. Someone who would nurture him and piece back together the broken parts. Someone who would look in his eyes and be his calming spirit. I was not that girl…

Yes the drama and angst is very present in this story, and lots of it, there is no escaping the fact that this is a couple that have been through the ringer separately in their childhoods, and upon coming together as adults pretty much go through a whole new set of problems as their tentative friendship develops. And although a love story, this is one very much based on around the building of a very tentative and fragile friendship.

Our pasts-and our hearts-aligned in such a way that we were meant to heal each other.

The side plot that runs through their story really tied things together beautifully in the latter stages as well. And I think the thing that really worked out for me and made Most of All You such an enjoyable reading experience is the fact that the author didn’t overplay or overly drag out the darker aspects of this book, and everything was resolved with a really positive outcome.

I was lost and the only one who could save me was myself…

Gabriel and Ellie, weren’t rushed into the sexual aspects of a relationship, and the author really took the time to give them the opportunity to work through everything, and come to that emotional part of being together without rushing it. It wouldn’t have worked so well for me if she had because it wouldn’t have felt like a cohesive progression on from the issues they were both dealing with.

I wasn’t a victim. I was a survivor…

I haven’t said too much about the plot by choice, because there is a lot that goes on, and I don’t really want to spoil it for anyone. If you have read this author before, you already know that she delivers quality, and this book is no exception. If you are a new reader, like myself, then I can only say take a chance, as I said this isn’t the type of story I would normally gravitate towards reading, but although it did take me out of my reading comfort zone a couple of times, I still thoroughly enjoyed every second of it. I couldn’t help but fall in love with this unique, interesting couple and the story that they were given.

ARC generously provided via Netgalley, in exchange for the above honest review.

MOST OF ALL YOU: Is a contemporary standalone romance novel by Mia Sheridan ‘Spoken in Dual Perspectives’

This isn't going to be written up like how i would normally write up my reviews, this is just going to be short and sweet because you need to go into this with no other preconceptions, if you've read any previous books from this author you'll know what to be prepared for, this author is beyond talented, if you've not read anything by her before seriously you need to!! She is in a league of her own, you can not compare her to any other author.

She never ceases to amaze me with her writing skills that draw all us readers in, her characters that we all end up loving, this book was no different. The only reason why this for me is a 4 star read and not a 5 star read is I found it a wee bit slow going in the beginning then it all just took off and I was lost within the pages. Loved how broken these two were, how captivating the storyline was, this author always brings us unique stories that capture our hearts every single time!! You always know that you're going to get something special from this author, highly recommend this!!

ETA forgot to add my favorite thing: Mia has a way of capturing every moment of how her characters respond to each other. Every word, look, gesture, is described in beautiful, nuanced reactions and I just flipping love that.

This is the book you want to read when your heart needs a lift and you want to believe in the power of true love.

I don’t even know what to say. This book is pure beauty and pure magic, absolute perfection in every single way. I know what you’re going to say, this is Mia Sheridan, isn’t this expected? And yes, this woman is master storyteller and I absolutely love her, but this book just blew my mind. Sooo beautiful, so original, so amazing, all the freaking feels.

“Somehow being a fool for Ellie felt like it’d be worth it. Even this tearing inside reminded me that I was alive. Not only that, I was living. I was taking chances, following my heart, willing to risk being hurt for a broken girl too scared to stake a claim to anything at all, most especially me.

Let me tell you something, Mia became one-click author for me since I read Stinger years ago to the point where I don’t even read the blurbs of her books, I just know they’ll be great. So I honestly went in completely blind into this one. Didn’t even had the slightest idea of what it was about and again, wow, completely blown away. I loved every second of it!

“He wanted to give me the peace of this moment, the…poetry of this place, the romance, the scents and the sounds and the serene beauty all around us. He wanted to give me love. And, God, I wanted to take it, I was just so scared to reach out and grab it. Still so fearful it would be taken away. And if it was, I would never be able to go on. I would never recover.”

I won’t get into the details of this book, it’s just one of those books I wouldn’t make it justice if I try to explain it. This is a very different, complicated and intricate love story that will keep you hooked from beginning to end. This relationship develops slow due to the characters circumstances but it’s extremely well paced. Both of these main characters stole my heart, I loved them both and felt so much for them. I also loved the secondary cast of characters. This was simply so beautiful and well written, and these characters were perfectly developed. I’m honestly still thinking about this days later!!!

“We loved fiercely and sorrowfully, trying so hard to pack a lifetime of touches into a single morning. I felt desperate and heartbroken, but I knew in my heart that to stop her from going meant trapping her in its own way, and it was something I would never do. And so we took temporary refuge from the pain of goodbye and gloried in the moment: our heat and our bones and the tangling of our limbs. Our love.”

This is absolutely one of my top reads of 2017 and an instant favorite! If you’re a fan of Archer’s Voice, you will absolutely love this one. Although the stories are completely different, and this one has darker tones, they have a very similar feel. I don’t even know what else to say, this is a must read and I absolutely recommend it!!!!

“And you, most of all, you. I want to look at you and say, one evil man did not stop me from presenting my heart to the girl who claimed it. You get my heart, Eloise. You. And, God, I hope you want it. But if you don’t, I still won’t regret giving it to you. Even then, I won’t regret loving you because it means I win.”

 **An ARC was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

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“Our pasts-and our hearts- aligned in such a way that we were meant to heal each other”.

From the moment I saw that Mia Sheridan was releasing a new book, I knew I had to read it. This was the same author that broke my heart and mended it back together with Archer’s Voice and I was prepared to go back on that same crazy whirlwind emotional ride.

“Most of All You”

Ellie has been through hell and back in her young life. She’s made choices that some of us would judge her for but that’s ok because you know what? At the end of the day, it’s her life and you wouldn’t begin to understand how she’s gotten to that point. With a painted on fake smile, she gets up everyday and do her job even if it means she’s miserable in the process. But when a man approaches her with a unique proposition, Ellie learns that she’s not the only broken person and helping this man could either heal them both, or shatter them completely.

Some people can reflect back on their childhood memories and either smile or feel the emotional pain of what they went through and for sadly for a man like Gabriel, he received the latter. But despite all of the trauma and hurt, he became a well adjusted, lovable human being with the power to make any girl wish he was theirs. There’s just one thing that’s keeping Gabriel from getting everything he’s ever wanted and enlisting the help from a stranger can either be the best or the worst thing possible.

“He needed someone warm and caring. Someone who would nurture him and piece back together the broken parts. Someone who would look in his eyes and be his calming spirit. I was not that girl.”

Two broken hearts.
One life changing decision.

I loved that these characters took their time in getting to know each other and that this was slow paced. I needed to experience Gabriel and Ellie’s journey slowly and watch their relationship grow from friendship to lovers and I can’t tell you how happy that made me. This certainly wasn’t an easy read at times but the ending was worth it. If you’re looking for a sweet, heartfelt romance, then this one is for you.

“His breath against my neck was a calming wind, his smile the sunshine, his touch was a thousand rainbows dancing on my skin, and I loved him so much I thought my heart would burst.”

Continue reading this review...

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★5 STARS★

Crystal is a woman whom from a young age has experienced life’s cruelties. Ever the survivor her defence is to cut herself off from all delusions of a possible better life for herself. Experience has taught her harsh lessons and she has become accustom to a life of disappointment after disappointment. She earns a living by stripping and is reminded on a daily basis of how fragile and disposable the life she has clawed together for herself is.

Like Crystal, Gabriel has also been scared by an experience that continues to affect his adult life. Desperation has driven him to seek help in the most unlikeliest of places, the strip club in which Crystal is employed, but it’s through this desperation he thinks he may also find redemption.

The prologue set the tone for what would be a wholly engaging and emotional story and I never cease to be amazed by Mia's ability to touch me with her words. Gabriel is a character whose light refused to be diminished by the darkness that so nearly snuffed it out. Through his strength he was able to help Crystal find her own. With all her brashness Crystal was a delicate character, and it was incredibly heart-warming to witness her discover her own self-worth.

Most of All You is the much welcomed novel from one of my favourite authors. By comparison to Mia’s previous novels, its closest is style and sentiment to one of my most cherished, Archer’s Voice. It features two stunning main characters I found impossible to feel anything but compassion and adoration for. As a reader I found myself evolving from empathiser to cheer leader as they overcame the demons and fought for a life they wholeheartedly deserved.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Kidnapped and locked in a basement for six years, Gabriel managed to physically escape but years later as an adult, he is still somewhat mentally in that dark place.
Ellie lost her mother young and with a disinterested father, she slipped through the cracks.
Two lonely souls are about to connect.

  Gabriel, a boy who hadn't let himself forget what love felt like, and me, a girl who had made sure I did not remember.

 With dueling pov chapters, this New Adult story deals with very dark issues but bathed in a very hopeful light. We are given the facts, Gabriel hates to be touched because of the abuse he suffered from his captivity and Ellie feels no personal value because of her father's neglect (she also experienced child abuse but takes awhile to acknowledge it as such). When Gabriel sees her at the strip club, he instantly feels she doesn't belong there and when Ellie hears he wants to hire her to help him grow accustomed to touch, she doesn't feel good enough for him. With a forced to spend time together occurrence happening, we get a lot of pushing and pulling.

 While the facts and backgrounds given to our two leads are deep and dark, the author coated Gabriel with an almost angelic, optimistic light. He feels deeply for Ellie pretty immediately and without a lot of interaction between them, I wasn't quite sure why he fell so fast. Ellie's feelings for Gabriel were a bit more understandable as it was clear that he was the first man to ever show her respect. This had a very New Adult feel, with a wide-eyed young adult love, that my older (possibly too cynical) self couldn't quite follow. Gabriel's issue of not liking to be touched seemed to be gotten over pretty quickly. The work and meat of their relationship seemed to be left out in favor of a more airy fairy insta-love. Although, I did appreciate how, even kind of rushed towards the end, the author showed Ellie needed to do the personal work on herself, instead of being instantly cured by Gabriel's love.

 This story was a bit uneven with its heavy topics but fluffy feel. The secondary characters were worked in well but their relationships with the leads didn't always feel fully flushed out. The author obviously wanted the deep emotions giving her characters such pasts would do but didn't give us the heavy lifting; it ending up feeling insubstantial at times.

 This was a little slower moving but the often not seen more sensitive hero and heroine who needs to complete herself was appreciated. The steam factor is there at times but the very few sex scenes are safely glossed over with a more rose petals feel. If you're a New Adult fan, this will probably hit a sweet spot for you.

  "I'm still not the right girl."
"I still don't agree."

This is by far the sweetest book I've read all year and it's definitely romance to the core. Gabriel and Ellie both have had horrible pasts. Your heart will hurt for these characters...especially the hero. Their past haunts them every single day. They both struggle to make sense of life and love, but when they find each other it's like two pieces of a puzzle coming together and fitting perfectly. Gabriel and Ellie help each other work through their past and they get stronger in each others arms.

This was a beautiful read that I'd recommend to Mia Sheridan fans and romance readers. If you're a die hard romance fan and you don't want all the extra's like the cheating and the red room of pain...then this is thee perfect read for you.

Perfection.

Most of All You will make you feel. This is an amazing story. I loved it!

Review: Most of All You is a standalone contemporary romance novel. It was one of my most anticipated books of Fall 2017 and I devoured it in one day. I was hoping that it would be as amazing as some of the author's previous books. And I was not disappointed.

The book has alternating narrators: Ellie and Gabriel (1st person POVs). The story takes place in Vermont.

The book starts with a super sad prologue, which really set the tone for the entire book. Both narrators had really painful childhoods. But Gabriel became a positive and happy person. Whereas Ellie believed the worst in people.

The book took an interesting turn just after the one third point. And I loved that it forced certain characters to spend a lot more time together. The more I read this story, the more I loved it.

There were so many exceptional characters in this book. The first being Gabriel. I just loved him. Let me count the ways. I think that he is one of my favorite male leads ever. He was such an incredible person, especially considering everything that he went through in his past. I truly cannot say enough good things about him.

I also loved Chloe and George. I did not think that I would like Chloe, considering where I thought the story with her could be headed. But she was also an amazing character. And George (Gabriel's friend and business partner) had to be one of my favorite older male characters ever. I loved the advice that he gave. I loved how he interacted with the other characters. I especially loved his scenes with Ellie.

I like books that bring out emotions in me and make me feel. Most of All You made me feel.

The story is upsetting at times. It is heart-breaking, sad, happy and everything in between. There was something that happened towards the end that tied up a minor storyline (view spoiler)[(the little boy being kidnapped) (hide spoiler)]. This made me love the book even more. I honestly can't say enough good things about this book. One of my favorites of 2017.

Thanks to netgalley, the author and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for allowing me to read this book.

Ellie didn't have the best life growing up. Her mom loved her very much, but they never had enough money. And then, when Ellie was still little, her mom died and left her with her dad - a man she had never met before - a man who wasn't happy to inherit this little girl.

Gabe's life growing up was just a bad. I'm putting what happened to him in a spoiler thingy ... (view spoiler)[He became famous when he was only nine years old, as the kid that got kidnapped! He was able to escape six years later, but of course being held for six years (hide spoiler)] has left him with lots of problems.

And one of those problems brings him to Ellie - aka Crystal - as she calls herself as a stripper. Gabe is fascinated by this beautiful girl and he hopes that she will help him overcome his fear of being close to people - of being touched.

She desperately needs the money - but how can she help heal someone else, when she's so badly broken herself?

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ELLIE & GABE?
WILL THERE BE A HEA??
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT ☺

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Grrrr Mia

Ugh, this was such a beautiful story.
Well, nothing about what both our darlings went through was beautiful. But the story was just so ... amazing. So full of pain and fear and desperation ... but also so full of hope!
It takes Ellie and Gabe a long time to trust each other. To hope that this might be the one person they've been looking for their whole lives. Well, it takes Ellie a long time ;) Gabe is way farther along in his healing process.
It's all so very exciting and sad and hopeless, but of course it's also so very sweet and adorable and moving. I loved every moment of this story!
It might have a been a bit slowish from time to time, but that didn't bother me much. I had to keep reading - I had to know if/how Gabe & Ellie would end up with their HEA!
They're so perfect for each other. Gabe has pretty much dealt with what happened to him. He lives a good life. He loves his brother Dominic, his step-dad-uncle George, and his job as a stone sculptor. It's just that he so wants to be loved and needed by someone. He wants to fall in love. He's such an amazing person. When you think about what happened to him ... that's he's grown into such an amazing man ... almost unbelievable.
And Ellie. She's not there yet. She never really dealt with anything in her past. She just shuts down her pain and her momories. But together with Gabe she'll finally be able to heal - if she lets herself. She's so scared to let herself fall for him, she doesn't want to be hurt again.
Ugh. Amazing story!

MOST OF ALL YOU was such a heartbreakingly beautiful love story!
Run to your nearest amazon for your own Gabe! This one is MINE!!! But hurry, he'll be sold out in no time! ☺

‘It’s not the things you do with love and good intentions that you end up regretting. It’s the things you don’t do that you have to live with. Be honest with yourself about your intentions, Gabriel, and then follow your heart. Regardless of the outcome, you’ll never live with regret.’

This is a story about two people who have lived two very separate lives but when they meet each other it was it like fate had intervened. It felt like they were always destined to meet and all of the past mistakes and heartaches they went through were sculpting them into who they were meant to be.

Forgive me if that sounds a little evasive but I want to be as spoiler free as I can so that your reading experience is just as wonderful as mine was. So let’s talk a litle bit about Gabriel and Ellie…. Both of them experienced incredibly sad and painful childhoods. The difference between them is how this past shaped them as adults.

Gabriel is kind, gentle and has this sense of calmness about him. He has such a warm disposition and a positive outlook on life. He sees the good in things that others are blind to. Sunsets, paddocks of wildflowers and old bridges are more beautiful seen through his eyes. His interactions with people leave them feeling comfortable and valued. He also has a very vulnerable side to him and he wants to explore that more so he can take more steps to move forward in his personal life. This is how he meets Ellie.

Ellie lives week to week, struggling to get by in a low paying job that she hates but it is one she has fallen into due to circumstance and a need to survive financially. Gabriel is a customer at the bar she works at and she catches his eye. She is beautiful but that is not what interests him at first. He can sense something else in her, an ability to mask pain and he really wants to get to know her and understand her.

‘If eyes were the windows to the soul, I’d witnessed the CLOSED sign being flipped over within the speed of a single blink. How long had it taken her to master that?’

Although very reluctant at first, Ellie eventually sees that Gabriel genuinely just wants friendship with her. Past experience has shown her that most men want to take from her so it is refreshing to meet one that wants nothing in return. In fact, he is the most giving person she has ever known.

‘It felt as if a lure were dangling before me, something shiny and beautiful, and all I had to do was reach out and grab it.’

There may be similarities in their past lives growing up but they are both at very different stages in their personal development now. Gabriel is at peace with the world and appreciates every day and the life he believes he has been given, even though not all of it has been good. Ellie still struggles to believe she deserves to have someone as wonderful as Gabriel in her life. Her self doubt eats away at her every day.

“I’m living my life – the one I was given. It’s all any of us can do.” - Gabriel

“I don’t try to figure it out. I just trust that this life, my life, is the life I was meant to have, and I find peace in that.” - Gabriel

The only person who can change the way Ellie thinks and feels is her. Even if it means walking away from the only good thing in her life. The safety net of Gabriel could be the very thing holding her back from putting her demons to rest.

‘A few leaves fluttered from the trees, twirling lazily in the light breeze, and I felt a gentle falling inside me too. I wondered how trees knew to let go of the things they no longer needed, and I wondered if I could do that as well.’

From the heartbreaking prologue to the very last page, I was held captive by the beautiful words that Mia weaved into such an incredible story that touched my heart and soul.

“I don’t mind chasing you, Ellie. Just let me catch you once in a while.”

Gabriel is a man who is trying to find a way to deal with his issues stemming from a childhood trauma. This leads him to an unconventional method and to a stripper named Crystal.

Except she's not really Crystal, she's Eloise (Ellie for short)...and while she has a tough exterior, she's really a softie. It just takes Gabriel to bring it out in her.

After an incident at the club where Ellie gets hurt, Gabriel offers to let her convalescence at his house and it was the best decision ever. It was wonderful how these two were thrown together. I loved reading about them opening up to each other and ultimately falling in love.

It's not all drama free, oh no. There's a suspicious brother, an overzealous student and a run in at a carnival with a vindictive girlfriend. There's all kinds of emotions swirling around but at the center, Gabriel is calm...unfortunately, Ellie is finally seeing things clearly.

And as much as I hated it, I think it was something Ellie had to go through. I loved the parallels between her life and her night "job"...that was pretty intrinsic.

I love how Mia Sheridan writes. How she brings two seemingly different people together and makes them work. She tears them down but the coming back together is even sweeter.

My main complaint? I wanted William back. :(

"But that's what solid stone is made from, Eloise. Sand, pressure and time. That's all it is, my sweet love. Just sand and pressure and time."

It's good to be back in reading Mia Sheridan's books ever since I've read and loved Archer's Voice. I have my tissues on stand by just in case things got emotional. Most of All You is about two individuals with a broken past. They experienced pain and fear in their respective situations and still coping in the present time. It's difficult to explain their journey without spoiling. We get to see their road to healing, solace and love for each other.

Crystal / Ellie Cates works as a stripper to sustain her financially. Because of her childhood years, she knew loss and became distrustful with men. She's longing for affection but feels like no man can love her for who she is. Then, she crossed paths with Gabriel Dalton. She remembered him years ago and he's well known as the boy who was kidnapped and escaped his captor. He's attractive, kind and noble and it's impossible to ignore him. Gabriel cannot tolerate physical contact and he asked for Crystal / Ellie's help on touching him (in a nonsexual way). At first she's hesitant on accepting his offer due to her personal issues. As they get to know better, an undeniable attraction between them sparked and fall for each other.

The story was greatly written and romantically heartwrenching. I may not have shed a tear, I'm still touched by Gabriel and Ellie's journey. Gabriel was such a precious, kind soul. He's attentive, thoughtful and sweet. I have zero complains about him. Ellie is a resilient heroine and I appreciate her character development in this book. The moments she's hurt and feeling lost, she slowly worked on her issues and fixing her damaged soul.

Overall, I really like this book as it gives a valuable lesson. Time is essential on healing one's self. You take time on self-reflecting and finding peace at your own pace. Never rush things until you're ready and remember just sand and pressure and time.

This is such a profoundly poignant, beautiful, heartrending, soulful, and redemptive romance! There’s no way I can possibly do it justice with a review. And honestly, I’m glad that I didn’t know much about the story/plot/characters before reading it because I think this is one of those reads that’s best when its angst, beauty, pain, surprises, heartbreak, hope, and healing are revealed without preconceptions and expectations.

Most of All You is an unforgettable romance that broke my heart then pieced it carefully back together. One of the best contemporary romances I’ve read this year!