SYNOPSIS:
That moment your life changes.
That moment that changes your life.
That moment you love someone more than you love yourself.
That was the moment we gave our son up for adoption and the moment I was left bare. A wide-open space that would forever be empty.
There are moments that define you as a person, moments that prove just how strong you are, moments you push yourself to keep going forward when all you really want to do is give up. It was in one of those moments when I reached out and found him waiting for me.
When Shelby Calder left home fifteen years ago, she never planned on returning to the Alaskan town she left behind. But after the death of her grandfather and a bitter divorce, she hopes going home will be a fresh start for her and her ten-year-old son.
Zach Watters has made a lot of mistakes in his life. But when he sees Shelby Calder, looking more beautiful than ever, standing outside her childhood home, he promises himself that letting her go won’t be a mistake he ever makes again.
Some things never change and love is one of them.
*****Patty’s Review*****
*****FIVE STARS*****
{ARC Generously Provided by Author}
”The only thing I think—the only thing I know—is I’ve carried around an empty place in my soul for the last fifteen years, and the moment I saw you standing outside in the rain, that empty place filled up.”
Wide Open Spaces was a beautiful and at times heartbreaking story of first love and second chances. Again, I decided to read a book from yet another author whose books I have just never had the time to get around to and all I can say is that I understand why Aurora has such a huge following. I devoured this book in one sitting. The story captivated and held me prisoner for an entire Sunday afternoon. I’m trying to figure out how to carve some time in my busy ARC reading schedule to fit in some more books by this talented author.
The story opens up during an incredibly poignant moment between the two main characters. Zach and Shelby were High School sweethearts and so deeply in love but life threw them a curveball—Shelby ended up getting pregnant. They were both too young and not in a place where they could provide for their baby, so they decide to give him up for adoption. This rocks the both of them to their core. Shelby, however, decides that leaving their hometown in Alaska and moving to Seattle, was what she needed to do in order to get over the loss. So the young lovers have seemingly been torn apart. Until Shelby comes home fifteen years later, but she brings her ten-year-old son with her.
Shelby is recently divorced from her husband and decides that going back to live in the house her grandfather left her, is a good move for her and her boy. To her surprise, she discovers that the man who once owned her heart now lives next door to her. Zach never left home all those years ago but he did end up marrying another woman and had twins with her. Shelby learned about Zach’s marriage and kids early on, and she has never been able to let go of the hurt she felt over it. How could he be okay with giving up their son and then within months afterwards, he marries and has kids with someone else??? Well, let me just say, I was flipping pissed off too!!!! HOWEVER, we learn pretty quickly that Zach has been divorced for several years and that there has only ever been one woman that has owned his heart, and you better believe that it was Shelby!! Zach later explains what transpired and call me a sucker, but I forgave him rather quickly. I understood how it happened and I admired his outlook on the situation.
Their journey that will lead them back into each other’s arms is not an easy one. There are tons of obstacles that present themselves along the way, but ultimately what we learn is that true love will always win in the end.
I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I picked up this book. I just saw the cover and knew that I had to give it a try. It’s an amazing feeling to find yet another author whose writing style ends up captivating you. This is definitely a must read in my opinion and it’s so fabulous that you’ll want to read it in one sitting.
WIDE OPEN SPACES is currently available! Make sure you one-click!!
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2bB0Ejm
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2brZOcH
iBooks: http://apple.co/2bRE1rI
Nook: http://bit.ly/2bwDc8e
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2c0MloI
*****Mel’s Review*****
5 Love Never Dies Stars!
(ARC provided by author)
Shelby Calder is a woman from Cordova, Alaska who divorced about two years ago. Wanting a fresh start for herself and her ten year old son Hunter, she decides to leave Seattle & go back to live in her childhood home in Alaska.
She left Alaska fifteen years ago with a broken heart after she gave up a child for adoption. Too caught up in grief she placed blame on her high school sweetheart Zach Watters. She left Alaska & Zach with no plans to ever return.
Shelby moves across the country hoping to give herself & her son a better life. Cordova was the last place she remembers ever feeling truly happy, despite the empty place in her heart that was left when she gave up her son, and the boy she thought she would spend forever with.
On her first day back home Shelby runs into Zach. It was so easy to block out thoughts of Zach with miles between them, but now that he’s so close she’s having trouble ignoring her feelings for him that are resurfacing. They share such a complicated past & an intense deep connection that they both still feel. The moment they lock eyes it’s like time stands still. Between the memories & this beautiful man standing in front of her, Shelby feels suddenly extremely overwhelmed.
Zach can’t believe Shelby is back home. He’s never been able to get over her & regrets not fighting for her all those years ago. He decides he won’t make the same mistakes again & will do whatever it takes to be with her.
They still have so much pain between them, but also so much love. Soon they are suddenly involved in each other’s lives & wanting to build a life together. Can they get over the past & build a future as a family?
-“Don’t you think we have too much history between us?”
-“The only thing I think- the only thing I know- is I’ve carried around an empty place in my soul for the last fifteen years, and the moment I saw you standing outside in the rain, that empty place filled up.”
This was my first book by Aurora Rose Reynolds & I’m now hooked!!! It was absolutely amazing!!! This book will definitely be in my top reads for 2016. Her writing is beautiful & captures you right from the start. I couldn’t get enough of this book & can’t wait to read more from this fabulous author!!!
-“I love you.”
-“I don’t think I’ve ever fallen out of love with you.”
Wrapped Up In Reading 