Title: Love Me

Series: A Pleasant Valley Novel

Author: Anna Brooks

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: April 25, 2017

Vaughn Morris survives on denial and hope. He spends his days permanently marking other’s skin and his nights trying to forget the scars imbedded in his soul. When he returns back home desperately seeking approval from the mother who left him for dead, the last thing he expects to do is fall in love with a woman who is just as closed off as he is.

Rayne Garner hasn’t truly lived in years. She made a promise to her high school sweetheart, and she refuses to break it. Nobody has made her question her loyalty until Vaughn forces her to face reality, no matter how brutal it may be.

As tempers clash and ugly truths are revealed, a friendship they didn’t need turns into a love neither thought they wanted. But Rayne and Vaughn not only have to fight for each other, they must survive threats from a past they’re both trying to move on from.

“Vaughn, look . . .” I whisper.

“I am. And I really like what I see.”

I knew earlier that he was trouble, but now, with his hands on me and the thoughts I’m having that I know I shouldn’t be . . . I’ve gotta squash this before anything starts. “Listen, I—”

His hair moves freely as he shakes his head. “Don’t blow me off. I know that’s what you’re about to do. Don’t do it.”

“I’m a lesbian,” I blurt out. “I’m flattered, but sorry.” I’ve rehearsed the line so many times I almost believe it myself. Wish I believed it sometimes.

He laughs. It catches me so off guard that I find my jaw open, and I’m staring at the way laughter changes the hard angles of his face to soft ones that make him less intimidating and more beautiful.

“Why are you laughing? You’re the one in a gay bar.”

“I’m here for Kenny and Brad. I’m not gay, darlin’, and if you think that, then I gotta step up my game.”

“I’m not interested in playing games.” I cross my arms defensively. “Besides, I didn’t say that you were gay. I said I was a lesbian.”

He laughs again. Once he catches his breath, he takes another shot. “The way you were moving your hips. Grindin’ on my cock . . . Damn, baby. Got me hard as a fuckin’ rock. You’re not a lesbian.”

“Yes. I am.” This is what I tell people when I get hit on, because the truth is too hard to bear. Sometimes, I just don’t want the reminder that I won’t have anything else.

“You’re not a lesbian.”

“Fine.” I sigh. “Caught me. I’m asexual.”

He huffs. “No, you’re not.”

“Am too.”

“Are not.”

“Am too!” I screech.

He extends his arm and runs a finger around my knee and up to the hem of my very short dress. I try to pretend he doesn’t affect me, but my breath hitches in my throat, and my cheeks heat up. When he traces just beneath the hemline, I shiver. Dammit. Asshole.

“No. You’re not.” He smirks and squeezes my thigh before letting go.

Anna began writing when she thought the world would want to hear her sick lyrics through song. Since then, she's realized her childhood dream wasn't so far-fetched, just misguided. Now she writes romance with real emotions and happy endings. If Anna isn't writing or reading, she can be found by a space heater painting her nails and drinking a ridiculous amount of Diet Dr Pepper. She also likes to hang out with her husband and two boys. If it wasn't for them, she wouldn't ever leave the house. Anna was born in Wisconsin but now lives in the Evergreen State. 

Book giveaway for Love, Me: A Pleasant Valley Novel by Anna Brooks Mar 23-Apr 28, 2017

Enter to win one of 1 free copy available. Giveaway dates from Mar 23-Apr 28, 2017. Enter to win a signed paperback copy of Love, Me, the latest romance ...

HOSTED BY:

This is my first book by this author, but it won't be the last one. This is a very emotional read that will hook you from the beginning to the end. It's almost like you never knew if there was going to be a HEA for these two with the unexpected events that were dropped. In the end though you learn that it is OK to let you move on and I think that was the authors intention. For anyone who may be able to relate closely to Vaughn and Rayne's past it may even bring some closure for those that have been looking for a way to move on. Can I just say that I love Kenny and Brad! Complexity was a perfect name for the club too! 

Vaughn returns to his hometown and opens a tattoo shop with a mile long waiting list. His artwork sounds amazing! He had a horrible upbringing and may even bring tears to your eyes a few times. He is surviving on both denial and hope. Meeting and falling for Rayne was unexpected, but with their past being closer than we knew initially it was great to see it turned out for the better. 

Rayne was half whole and if it wasn't for Kenny and Brad I don't want to know how she would have made it as far as she did. She made a loyal promise to someone who she wasn't meant to be with. Waiting had to be one of the hardest though. After so many years of feeling un-whole and then meeting Vaughn and feelings are coming alive it is time to take a step back and see that it is OK to let go and be happy. There are many times I wanted to be cuddling with Vaughn. Move over Rayne cause we need a hug. haha. 

Between the past resurfacing on both ends, healing each other and knowing that when you met the one that loves you for you, you hold on tight and don't let go. Vaughn may be cocky and hot, but he has a side that no one, but Rayne took the time to see. While we suffer with what Rayne is going through, you will really suffer with Vaughn. These two may not have been looking to be healed, but the love these two had is real and they were meant to bring closure together to move on. The ending is tear worthy, but in a good way. It will definitely melt your heart! All you really need is love is the moral of the story hence the title, Love Me.