Friday 13 November 2015

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Samantha Towle's When I was Yours."

The Hopeless Romantics Book Blog are pleased to be a part of the Blog Tour for Samantha Towle's "When I was Yours." 


Synopsis:

“Marry me.”

“What?” I stared back at him, unblinking.

He moved closer, taking my face in his hands. “I love you, Evie. I look into the future, and the only thing I see clearly is you. Marry me.”

What’s an eighteen-year-old girl who was madly in love with her nineteen-year-old boyfriend say? 

Of course, I said yes.

Twenty-four hours later, I married Adam Gunner at a Vegas chapel to the sounds of “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi. Not the best omen. I get that now.

Then, exactly one week later, I left him. I walked out, leaving behind my wedding ring, annulment papers, and my heart, and he never knew why. 

I haven’t seen him since. Not in ten long years.

Now, he’s here, standing before me. Looking at me with nothing but hurt and hatred in his eyes, he wants answers. 

Answers I can’t give. 

Review: Surj

Well ladies, the synopsis more or less warned me that "When I was Yours" had the potential to be an angsty read, but nothing could have prepared me for the story that unfolded before me. I feel like Samantha Towle took my heart and put it through the shredder, leaving it in tiny pieces, scattered at my feet. And as for my nerves... don't even get me started on them. Right until the end... right until the very end... my nails are in tatters from chomping at them, not having a clue how Evie and Adam's story would turn out. I love that this author took what could have been a very predictable, second chance romance and turned it into something that had me second guessing at every turn. Yes there were some bits that I managed to work out but trust me, that in no way affected my enjoyment of this book... not at all. In fact, if anything, these light bulb moments only enhanced my experience of this story because I couldn't wait to see the fall out of what I'd managed to work out!!! 

I should have known from the moment I met her that, she'd be my downfall. 
I mean, I am Adam and she's my fucking Eve. It had been written in the cards. 

"When I was Yours" had my emotions doing all sorts of crazy, my feelings ping ponging from the soaring heights of happiness to the depths of despair. One minute I was full of the joys of spring, the next, my heart ached at what I was reading. Chapters told from the past gave me the story of a beautiful, young love. A relationship that was full of hope, promise and a bright and long lasting future. Chapters from the present gave me anger, bitterness and hurt. Where had it all gone wrong for a couple that seemed so in love? I was desperate to find out. 

And for that wondrous brief moment in time, she was mine and I was hers. 

At first appearances, Adam Gunner was a man who had a massive chip on his shoulder. He was so cynical about everything and to say he had trust issues was an understatement. But the more I got to know him and the more I put myself in his shoes, the more I actually understood him. Teenage Adam (chapters from the past) and adult Adam (chapters from the present) however, couldn't have been more different. I loved teenage Adam and I loved him even more when he was with Evie. He was such a gentleman. So kind, caring and patient. He really was the perfect, swoon worthy boyfriend. Unfortunately, adult Adam was the polar opposite. Adult Adam was bitter and twisted and angry and hurt and I felt every single bit of the pain he was going through. My heart really felt for him because he'd never really gotten over Evie leaving, even though ten years had passed. 

"Does that hurt Evie? Does it feel like your chest is cracking wide open, 
and you're bleeding out? Because if it does, then you're getting a little taste 
of  how I've felt very single day for the last ten years."

I loved Evie's character throughout the whole of this book. I loved her innocence as a teenager, I loved how she fell in love with Adam, how she helped him to realise his dreams and all the possibilities of a bright future. And despite everything, even despite her upping and leaving Adam, I still loved adult Evie ten years on. I had every faith she had her reasons and I could feel the hurt she still felt all those years on at the decision she had made. 

"When I was Yours" definitely wasn't an easy book to read and if you're looking for a second chance romance where the couple kiss, make up and live happily ever after, then think again. What you will get is a story that was realistic, honest and believable and that's what I loved about it. I'm really hoping for more from Malibu Beach like maybe Max's story. I'm sure that hottie has a whole host of skeletons in his closet that are just waiting to come out and say hi... lol. 

Oh and I can't finish without mentioning the cover... such a perfect fit for the book and you'll understand once you've read it. 

"I love you, Evie. I look into the future, and the only thing I see clearly is you. Marry me?"

I rated "When I was Yours" ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️


Excerpts: Adam POV

Making my way through the hotel, I exchange pleasantries with the staff on duty. When I reach the coffee shop, I push open the door and step straight into the past. Evie. She’s standing behind the counter. Her face is turned slightly to the right, her attention on the TV mounted on the wall, and her hair is pulled back into a ponytail. But it’s her. I feel like a speeding train has hit me, and I’m pretty sure my heart has stopped beating. It’s really her. She’s here. “Evie?” I breathe out her name, like I’m taking my first real breath in a very long time. Her body stiffens at the sound of my voice. And I watch as her face turns my way. Those big whiskey-colored eyes that I fell in love with all those years ago meet mine, and my world stands still.

Evie POV 

My eyes rake over him as I remember the Adam I knew ten years ago and compare him to the Adam I see before me. The long hair is gone, replaced with cropped locks. The unshaven scruff on his face is still very much there though. At least some things haven’t changed. “You cut your hair.”
 “It has been ten years.”
 “I know. I just...I remember a time when you said you’d never cut your hair.” A small smile touches my lips at the memory. “Yeah, and I remember when you promised to love me till death do us part. Shit changes.” My smile drops from my face. My cheeks sting like he’s just slapped me. I deserved that. Doesn’t stop it from hurting like a bitch though.


Website link - http://www.samanthatowle.co.uk/music Track list 

Author Bio:

New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal and international bestselling author Samantha Towle began her first novel in 2008 while on maternity leave. She completed the manuscript five months later and hasn't stopped writing since. She has written contemporary romances, THE MIGHTY STORM, WETHERING THE STORM, TAMING THE STORM, TROUBLE, REVVED and REVIVED. She has also written paranormal romances, THE BRINGER and the ALEXANDRA JONES SERIES, all penned to tunes of The Killers, Kings of Leon, Adele, The Doors, Oasis, Fleetwood Mac, and more of her favourite musicians. 

A native of Hull and a graduate of Salford University, she lives with her husband, Craig, in East Yorkshire with their son and daughter. 

Giveaway: Two signed paperbacks and a $20 or £20 Amazon gift card. Paperback giveaway international. Gift card: UK and any country that can use a US dollar gift card 
Samantha Towle's WHEN I WAS YOURS Release Day and Blog Tour Giveaway

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