I feel like I can breathe finally after finishing this book. I’ve been on pins and needles for the last few hours as I read this book, and it feels so good to finally get that answer and see how Alyssa’s tale ends. And now I’m supposed to write about this?! Argh! This book is exciting. It’s almost got an overall sad feel to it also, which completely contradicts the story. It’s a wild ride, but I enjoyed it way too much.
Alyssa is in a completely loveless relationship. She’s with her fiancé, Ryan, almost as an obligation. I won’t really go into it because the synopsis does a great job of explaining the general idea. Basically he saved her, and she feels scared to try and survive without him. She openly says there’s no love in their relationship. No romance, the sex is very mediocre, and he uses her as his trophy wife. He’s controlling to the extreme. That sure sounds like a happy future huh? Yeah, she agrees. Which is why she takes a liking to Ryan’s colleague, Luke. Luke is delicious, can charm her right out of her panties and into his bed, and isn’t afraid to let everyone, Ryan included, know it. He wants her, she wants him, and she won’t leave Ryan. That’s what it all boils down to.
Huge massive point here – If you don’t like cheating, you’re gonna want to go ahead and probably skip this one. I never ever say that in reviews, because I feel like every book should be given a try, even if I don’t like it. But if you’re someone that is very anti-cheating, there’s no way around it in this one. It’s in your face. There’s not much “will she won’t she” hanging in the air. It’s an affair, plain and simple. Let’s say you ARE into that though, which I am. If someone asked me what my favorite storyline types are in books, it’s cheating. I love it. Let them get caught. Let it have angst. Make it flip your world upside down. Rouse Me has all of that and more, which made me a very happy camper. Luke and Alyssa’s relationship is hot from the very beginning. It’s passionate and wild. They let go and just enjoy one another, in every sense. I loved how intense the story was. I loved the anticipation of their next meeting, their text messages to one another, and the overall feel of these two characters together.
I will say that a few things did bug me. Alyssa seemed very wishy-washy to me. She was leaving Ryan, then she wasn’t. She was ready to start a life with Luke, but she wasn’t. It was a lot of back and forth. For me, I feel like it would have flowed better without so much changing of decision. I also felt like they were in love much too soon. Yes, it hit hard and fast and took their breaths away, but it still felt very quick for me. Maybe it’s one of those “If you know, you know” kinda things. I’ll tell myself it was.
I really loved the writing. It was just the right balance of passion with heartbreak. It kept me intrigued. I did find myself skipping a sentence or two a few times, but not entire pages. The pacing seemed right beside the insta-love that I mentioned above. I’m definitely a fan of Kaswell, and can’t wait to read future novels by her.
Overall, it’s intense, it’s a sucker punch to the gut if you’re not prepared for it, but you won’t be able to put it down. It’s one of those books where you feel a bit dirty reading it but you don’t dare stop. Should I enjoy betrayal and the grittiness of an affair quite so much? I’m not sure, but Rouse Me is top of the line as far as that goes. It’s romantic, sexy, and heartbreaking. It may even make you step back and reevaluate your own life through this tale. You’ll get sucked in and won’t be able to put the book down until you see what choice Alyssa finally makes. I couldn’t get enough, and thoroughly enjoyed Rouse Me.
<3 Erin
Alyssa is in a completely loveless relationship. She’s with her fiancé, Ryan, almost as an obligation. I won’t really go into it because the synopsis does a great job of explaining the general idea. Basically he saved her, and she feels scared to try and survive without him. She openly says there’s no love in their relationship. No romance, the sex is very mediocre, and he uses her as his trophy wife. He’s controlling to the extreme. That sure sounds like a happy future huh? Yeah, she agrees. Which is why she takes a liking to Ryan’s colleague, Luke. Luke is delicious, can charm her right out of her panties and into his bed, and isn’t afraid to let everyone, Ryan included, know it. He wants her, she wants him, and she won’t leave Ryan. That’s what it all boils down to.
Huge massive point here – If you don’t like cheating, you’re gonna want to go ahead and probably skip this one. I never ever say that in reviews, because I feel like every book should be given a try, even if I don’t like it. But if you’re someone that is very anti-cheating, there’s no way around it in this one. It’s in your face. There’s not much “will she won’t she” hanging in the air. It’s an affair, plain and simple. Let’s say you ARE into that though, which I am. If someone asked me what my favorite storyline types are in books, it’s cheating. I love it. Let them get caught. Let it have angst. Make it flip your world upside down. Rouse Me has all of that and more, which made me a very happy camper. Luke and Alyssa’s relationship is hot from the very beginning. It’s passionate and wild. They let go and just enjoy one another, in every sense. I loved how intense the story was. I loved the anticipation of their next meeting, their text messages to one another, and the overall feel of these two characters together.
I will say that a few things did bug me. Alyssa seemed very wishy-washy to me. She was leaving Ryan, then she wasn’t. She was ready to start a life with Luke, but she wasn’t. It was a lot of back and forth. For me, I feel like it would have flowed better without so much changing of decision. I also felt like they were in love much too soon. Yes, it hit hard and fast and took their breaths away, but it still felt very quick for me. Maybe it’s one of those “If you know, you know” kinda things. I’ll tell myself it was.
I really loved the writing. It was just the right balance of passion with heartbreak. It kept me intrigued. I did find myself skipping a sentence or two a few times, but not entire pages. The pacing seemed right beside the insta-love that I mentioned above. I’m definitely a fan of Kaswell, and can’t wait to read future novels by her.
Overall, it’s intense, it’s a sucker punch to the gut if you’re not prepared for it, but you won’t be able to put it down. It’s one of those books where you feel a bit dirty reading it but you don’t dare stop. Should I enjoy betrayal and the grittiness of an affair quite so much? I’m not sure, but Rouse Me is top of the line as far as that goes. It’s romantic, sexy, and heartbreaking. It may even make you step back and reevaluate your own life through this tale. You’ll get sucked in and won’t be able to put the book down until you see what choice Alyssa finally makes. I couldn’t get enough, and thoroughly enjoyed Rouse Me.
<3 Erin