True North by Liora Blake
Series: True, #1
Romance Contemporary
April 6, 2015
Pocket Star

Reviewed by Tori

Favorite Quote: “I remembered where I belong. I got off course for a second, but I found my way again and that brought me home. To you.”

Best selling novelist Kate Mosley chose to grieve and heal in private after a car accident claimed her husband’s life. When her publisher set ups a series of talk show appearances to revive her career, Kate is forced to back into the public eye and to relive all the gossip that surrounded her husband’s death and the part she played in it. Wanting to get it done and over with, she is unprepared for the force of attraction she feels when she meets Trevor Jenkins, lead singer of the popular rock group-Trax. Expecting the typical rock star attitude, Kate is surprised to see Trevor is a down to earth man who appeals to her on multiple levels.

Trevor Jenkins has struggled and clawed his way from poverty to stardom and has spent years enjoying the fruits of his success but finds himself now looking to settle down for the next chapter of his life. Kate Mosley looks to be a huge part of his future but like him, has some past tragedies that need addressing before they can both move forward.

As Kate and Trevor explore the raging chemistry that exists between them, Kate’s broken heart begins to heal, showing her that love can come to a person twice in life. But when a trashy tabloid exposes all her secrets and makes some damaging assumptions, taking Kate back to the darkest hour in her life, will she stay and fight for her new life or will she run away and destroy everything they have built?

True North is a delightfully sexy, funny, and bittersweet romance contemporary about a couple for whom a chance meeting spells another chance at true love for a grieving widow. Liora Blake’s debut is a shining jewel in an otherwise overly saturated trope that promotes over the top emotional baggage and immature protagonists whose extreme sexual escapades overshadow the storyline. Blake has an enticing voice that lends credence and realism to her characters and their actions. Both protagonists (though the story is told in the first person from the heroine’s POV) are fleshed out; Blake expertly reveals their flaws and strengths with clarity and conviction. Strong writing and a smooth unfolding had me instantly invested in the story by the first chapter.

“Kate my darling, we are about to make some real money.”
“Are we going to start smuggling drugs in my books?”

Your heart will hurt for Kate though she doesn’t inspire pity. She is a delicious combination of snark and strength that sheaths a fragile vulnerability that will take a strong and patient person to discover. Having been the one who was driving the car when her husband died, Kate carries a lot of guilt. It was an accident but the tabloids ripped her apart and she has never forgiven them or herself. Having Trevor’s attention is both gratifying and scary. She doesn’t see why he would be attracted to her; with his millions and looks he could have anyone. She also fears her attraction to him; feeling as though she is betraying the love she felt for her husband by feeling something much deeper for someone else.

Even nearly three years later, I miss his body in a way that weakens my breath

Luckily for her, Trevor is one of the most patient heroes I’ve had the pleasure of meeting. Sweet, sexy, funny, and forthright, he fights for her both sexually and emotionally. Every roadblock she places in front of them, and she puts up quite a few to my dismay at times, he pushes against them, using any means necessary to strengthen their connection. Trevor reminded me a little of Eminem with his trailer park backstory, harsh upbringing, and misogyny song lyrics. An angry young man setting out to destroy the world is thrust into the limelight where his youthful mistakes turn around to create a thoughtful well adjusted adult.

“Christ, tell me what I have to do to prove to you that you’re my entire fucking world. I’ll do it. I don’t know how many ways I can say it, how many things I need to do to show it. I’m yours, Mosely.”

Trevor and Kate’s romance is fraught with laughter and some heartfelt moments as they attempt a long distance relationship. I loved Trevor’s “chasing” of Kate. His text messages and gifts are thoughtful, showing his desire to get to know her better.  Once they cross the point of no return, their love scenes blaze across the pages. Trevor has a dirty mouth and he knows how to use it. *wink*

“God, you’re so ready. You love this, don’t you? Acting like a filthy groupie. Fuck, I love that it made you crazy, baby.”

He doesn’t let up as he growls at me, continuing to slam into me over and over again. I groan out an affirmation and rotate my hips in response to his thrusts.

“Tell me how much you wanted it. How bad my sexy, sweet good girl wanted this.”

My answer comes out garbled, broken up by moans and screams. I manage to stutter out, “I wanted it in the dressing room. I wanted it all night watching you onstage. I needed it.”

“Yeah? Did you think it would be this good? A rock star fucking you this hard?”

A kaleidoscope of vivacious and interesting secondary characters add love, humor, and advice to the mix from an exuberant personal stylist to flirtatious band members. Family plays a strong role as shown when Kate and Trevor’s respective family members come out swinging when they think their loved ones are being hurt or taken advantage of. Trevor’s mom suspiciousness is well warranted as is Kate’s sister’s over-protectiveness.

The book does slow down a little in the last half as Kate tries to figure out what she really wants. The rehashing of her feelings and insecurities does get monotonous because it recycles the same issues over and over with no real advancement. Even though I knew she wasn’t doing it on purpose, at times I felt she was stringing Trevor along. It takes a predictable conflict to shock her out of her endless loop and move forward.

True North surprised me in the best of ways. I expected the usual fare and received something  fans of opposites attract and second chance romances will adore the sweet, slow, and humor journey to true love as a woman learns how to love again with a man whose only want is to be her one and only. I look forward to book two, True Devotion, which is the story of Simon (Trevor’s band mate) and Trevor’s sister, Devon. Book two releases June 22, 2015.

RATING: B+

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