Soaring by Kristen Ashley (Magdalene #2)
Released: March 16, 2015
Contemporary Romance
Self Published
Reviewed by Mandi
Set in the beach town of Magdalene, Maine, this is book two in this series and I liked it quite a bit. It felt like a cozy Kristen Ashley read. We have Mickey, an Irish firefighter/construction worker and Amelia, a very wealthy trust fund heroine who volunteers her time at a nursing home and is trying to get her life back in order. Amelia’s neurosurgeon husband had an affair and dumped her, quickly marrying someone else. Amelia didn’t take this too well – making it a point to publicly embarrass him and harass him as much as she could. Unfortunately, she didn’t think of the effect this would have on her teenage children, and has practically had zero relationship with them the past year. So she moves to Magdalene to be closer to them, and to start to rebuild their relationship. Her kids want nothing to do with her at first – and it’s a bit heartbreaking. Kristen Ashley does a nice job not rushing this. She writes teenagers well in my opinion. Her kids are embarrassed by her and have an attitude and want nothing to do with her. But Amelia doesn’t give up – especially when her neighbor right across the street gives her support.
Mickey went through a yucky divorce too – his ex-wife and the mother two his two teenage children is a drunk, so they spend most of their time with him. They are good kids who don’t deserve the crap their mother puts them through. Mickey is a total Kristen Ashley hero. Cranky, surly, immediately starts calling Amelia “babe.” Gets in her face and tells her the God’s honest truth about everything. Demands she fight for her kids when it feels like it’s a hopeless battle. And says things like this:
“I just want to say that it isn’t lost on me, the effort you’re making to spend time with me.”
He stared at me but said nothing.
“Mickey?” I called when this went on a while.
“Babe, you wear short, sexy nighties.”
That was when I stared at him.
“I’m sorry?” I asked when he didn’t elucidate.
“Silky ones that feel good.” He paused before he added, “With lace.”
“Well…” I drew that out but trailed off, still not certain what he was saying.
“Feel good,” he stated, his eyes locked to mine. “Look good. You run to the door in the middle of the night to open it for me. I get my mouth on you, that’s it. You put it right out there you can’t get enough of me. We fuck before we sleep. We fuck when we wake up. You’re a seriously good lay. And you made the boys brownies.”
This book takes its time with the relationship. Mickey and Amelia have immediate chemistry, but oh do they bicker and it’s fun to watch. The bickering of course usually ends in a fevered kiss, but they spend a lot of time in the beginning of the book just getting to know each other. Both not rushing into anything serious, as they both have extensive drama with their ex’s hanging over them as a dark cloud.
We get to know ever detail of Amelia’s new mansion home as she sells all her stuff and starts over again. I personally love to know every color mug she buys – it fits Kristen Ashley heroines so well, it doesn’t bother me (I know some find it tedious).
Amelia is very wealthy, and Mickey has to work hard to keep finances going – so this does bring some conflict into the relationship. One point, Amelia buys Mickey’s son a very expensive birthday present, which upsets Mickey. What I liked about this is that Amelia comes to understand showing up the kid’s dad in the present department isn’t the best thing you can do, but she never apologizes for having money or choosing to live off of her trust funds. She is never shamed for being rich.
Oh – and the sex is hot too
“Fuck,” he growled. “I don’t have enough time to fuck you properly in order to fuck that sass outta you before I gotta get my kid.”
“Then do it improperly, Mickey,” I challenged.
I barely got his name out before I was on my back, Mickey looming over me, his hands at my ankles forcing my knees bent and my legs wide, and just with that, I was breathing heavy and speeding near orgasm.
I enjoyed the previous book, The Will, as well. They both read as stand alones. I think I liked Soaring a bit more.
Grade: B
Previous Kristen Ashley Reviews
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I bought this. I’ve not been able to finish the last two Kristen Ashley books I’ve read in the Colorado series, so I’m gonna try this one out. =)
You sucked me back in. *sigh* I haven’t been happy with the last few but what the heck…:P
I haven’t had much luck with this author lately. Last one I read was Kaleidascope and it didn’t do it for me. I have been interested though in this one and The Will. I have been hearing good things about them.
I blame this book for me being tired at work today! I really liked it a lot. The first 1/3 or so was SO emotional and I was in tears a few times. I miss some of the external conflicts KA’s best books always have– not that every heroine needs to be kidnapped or anything, but this book just needed a little more drama to rate as a top KA book for me.
I really did love the verbal sparring here though. Amelia took nothing lying down and that was great to read.
Yes – it was a close-knit book – but it felt a little more KA old school…hopefully she goes back to that more
This one kind of reminds me of ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ for some reason. Maybe it’s because of the way the guy talks to the woman. Thanks for sharing Mandi! : )
Her heroes are very….blunt. LOL. And dirty. And – no nonsense. Good stuff ;)
Sorry but I thought Kaleidoscope was rubbish and don’t get me started on the awful name of ‘Ham’ from Jagged. DNF Wild and Free and honestly the blurb for these last 2 books in this series about a load of kids does nothing for me. What is wrong – I used to be a massive KA fan! I used to race through her books. I need another Sweet Dreams/Knight/Motorcycle Man…… :(
I haven’t read Kaleidescope – nor do I keep up on every book she reads. Tori does (or used to) but her feelings are similar to yours – she has been so disappointed. So yeah – I think a lot feel as you do.