Review & KINDLE GIVEAWAY: Where Life Takes You by Claudia Y. Burgoa

Where Life Takes You by Claudia Y. Burgoa

Series: Life, #1
Release Date: July 31st 2013
Publisher: Createspace
Format: Paperback
Pages: 242
Genre: New Adult – Contemporary
Source: For Review 
Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Buy it: Amazon | The Book Depository
Add it: Goodreads

BECCA TRENT LIVED HER CHILDHOOD NEXT TO A CRUEL WOMAN—her mom—who lived to torment and neglect her. During her high school years, her mother married; bringing home not only a new husband, but a step sister her same age. The latter took over her Mom's role—making Becca's life miserable. Including stealing Ian—Becca's best friend and boyfriend—Lisa treated her worse than her mother had for the previous fifteen years. A couple years later, thing ended up in tragedy.

Becca buried that part of her life in the deep corners of her psyche, caught between sanity and nightmares. Between therapy, work and her constantly looming past she can't seem to find room to breathe. The memories of her late step-sister, Lisa, are her closest company.

Her best friend, Dan gives her that family love she always lacked. Everything was close to perfect, until everything and everyone from her past came back. Now she's trying to figure out how to survive and keep that bond which seems now to be held together by a thread.

Note: This is the first part of a two book novel

I need the second book in my life. Right now. That should tell you how much I enjoyed this book. I don’t really pick up “new adult” books because I feel they are mostly just romance novels but the synopsis of this book really called to me so I went ahead and requested it. I am so glad that I did. I have not wanted to not put a book down in a while. I did not want to put this book down.

The main characters name is Rebecca Trent. She has major relationship problems because of how she was treated when she was younger. She grew up with her mother, a horrible woman who couldn’t have cared any less for her. Then when her mother got remarried to a man with a daughter of his own, Lisa, she was instantly replaced. Her mother continued to not care about her but Lisa decided that she was going to torture her. She took Ian, Rebecca’s boyfriend, and completely changed him. Everything in Rebecca’s life was going downhill. Then one day Ian did something he would completely regret and that started a chain reaction that ended in his and Lisa’s death. Rebecca is still dealing with Lisa’s effect on her life.

Dan is Lisa’s fortress. He is a major business man with connections everywhere and can pretty much start a business whenever he feels like. He has assistants, body guards, and private planes. He owns an entire floor on a building he owned for an apartment for himself and one for Rebecca. He pulled Rebecca out of the life she was in and as far away from the people she hated. They owned a non-for-profit organization and according to Rebecca, they were like brother and sister. Dan’s only downfall is that he is extremely protective. At times it’s almost overbearing. Being the big business man he is, he is often seen in tabloids and has major media attention, so he is insistent on Rebecca’s safety.

I really enjoyed the writing in this book, although I did find a few grammatical errors. Other than that it was good. You only get one point of view with this book, which worked out perfectly. There are flashbacks scattered throughout and also some journal letters that she is supposed to write to Lisa for counseling. You can see Rebecca grow as a person through those letters. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book. Without adding spoilers, she is very dependent on Dan. In order to really grow and overcome what has happened in her past and change her outlook mentally, she must become her own person.

There is definitely major growth with Dan and Rebecca’s relationship. I absolutely loved their interactions together. Especially more towards the end of the book. Although he does tend to call her “Little one” which was sort of weird. Especially at a couple scenes in the end. I could see how some people would call him a little possessive, which he definitely was, but that was the type of person Lisa needed in her life. I don’t think he ever stepped over any boundaries, and most of the time it was for things that Lisa needed to do, but wouldn’t.

The ended was a shocker. I really didn’t see that coming at all, and that’s why I need the next book. I highly recommend this book. Especially if this is your first NA book or if you have given up on NA like I know some people have. You should still give this book a go. Already like NA? Then you have no excuse not to read it!

*This book was provided for free in exchange for an honest review. 

My Rating:

{GIVEAWAY}

Win 2 Kindles!! The first one is available via the rafflecopter below. The 2nd is available only to bloggers who post about this giveaway. You can find info on how to enter in the rafflecopter.

 

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Giveaway Details

1 winner will receive their choice of an all new Kindle Fire 7″ HDX (US Only – $229 value), $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash (International).

There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire HDX 7″.

Ends 3/31/14

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