on June 5th, 2014
Pages: 458
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Suspense
Goodreads
"The heart isn’t like the liver. It doesn’t regenerate, no matter how much time passes. Once it’s gone, it’s gone for good. I’d left mine with Sebastian when I walked away that day, and I hadn’t seen it in the seven years since." — Lux Kincaid
At eighteen, Lux is forced to make a choice. One that nearly destroys her.
She breaks a boy’s heart.
She breaks her own, too.
Seven years later, Lux never expects to see Sebastian again — especially not when her career as a journalist is hanging by a thread and she’s stumbled onto the story of a lifetime. As she chases down leads and explores the dark underbelly of Manhattan, Lux will put her life on the line. But after crossing paths with a still-unforgiving Sebastian, it’s her heart she’s most worried about.
Amidst the blame and the betrayal, the hurt and the heartbreak… can two lost lovers ever find their way back to one another?
Lines will be blurred. The past will be unearthed. And Lux will find out that some secrets aren’t meant to be kept…
**SAY THE WORD is a sassy, sexy, suspenseful contemporary romance intended for readers ages 17 and up.**
Thank you, Julie Johnson for taking me out of my slump! Say the Word, was the answer to my reading woes. But, really, I should have known that would be the case, judging by my reaction to her last book, Like Gravity, (see my review). As with Like Gravity, this book is a standalone, romantic suspense.
Her writing is descriptive, lyrical, poetic, moving, and funny.
“My heart let out a battle cry and decked itself out in war-paint, beating a drum and sharpening a spear as it prepared to engage Cara in a savage altercation that would leave no doubt about who Sebastian belonged to.”
I loved her approach switching from “Then” and “Now”, giving us dual time perspectives. It added so much to the story, and the pacing of information was brilliant. Setting up for us the back story of Lux and “Bash” and how their all-consuming love blossomed, and was destroyed. Mixing that with the current day and how each is effected by the decisions and choices of the past.
“You might think you’re the villain in my story, Lux, but what you don’t seem to realize is that I don’t care. Princess or Evil Queen, I want you standing by my side when the tale comes to an end.”
But there’s so much more to Julie’s writing than just story telling. She is extremely insightful, and weaves golden gems into the pages of her story. So that as you are reading, you have “flashbulb moments” along the way. (She reminds me of author, Amy Harmon in those instances.)
“soulmates are a reward, not a certainty.”
and this
“Don’t dwell in the darkness, sis. Live in the light.”
She is Lux Kincaid, 18 years old, “poor white-trash” from the wrong side of the tracks. Twin sister to “Jamie” and daughter to alcoholic parents.
He is Sebastian Covington, 18 years old, extremely wealthy, son of US Senator, and only child.
On paper, they shouldn’t work. But each provides the other with something their own families can’t provide. She gives him love, and he supports and takes care of her.
“His touch filled me, made me feel truly alive, as though my most vital atoms and particles had lain dormant and were only now rousing after a seven year hibernation, stirred awake by the siren song of Sebastian’s touch.” <– Loved that!
I loved each of these characters. They were both fully developed. The only thing I wished to be different would be if we had “Bash’s” POV. When we did hear from him, he was truly swoon-worthy! I want to know what he was thinking and feeling, what was he doing those 7 years, how was he adjusting…I have so many questions. But, I can’t leave out Jamie, Fae, Simon and Mrs. Patel. What a fabulous supporting cast!
“and no, before you ask, I will not let you wax my eyebrows again. Last time, I ended up looking like Lindsay Lohan pre-rehab.” – Lux
“That waxing pot was defective!” Simon protested. “It wasn’t my fault!”
As I mentioned this is a romantic suspense, and the nature of that adventure tugged at my heart strings and was difficult for me to read at times…it was the reality of it that got me. That being said, I loved the adventure and investigative nature of the read, a la Nancy Drew.
My rating is 4 1/2 stars and what kept it from being 5, was at times I felt the distracted by the long descriptions of the area, her early interactions with Mrs. Patel and even the information about Vera and her sister – since I had no idea at the time where that was leading or why it was in the book. However, this in no way detracted from my love for this book.
With just her second release, Julie Johnson has proven she is a force to be reckoned with. Where she goes from here is going to be a joy to watch/read!
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