Review: If You Leave by Courtney Cole

If You Leave

By: Courtney Cole

Series: Beautifully Broken

My Copy: Ebook for Honest Review

BookWhisperer Rating:

26-year old Gabriel Vincent is a badass hero. Or he used to be, anyway. As an ex-Army Ranger, Gabe never thought he needed anyone. But after one horrible night in Afghanistan scars him in a way that he can't get past, he needs someone who can help him heal...even if he doesn't realize it.

25-year old Madison Hill doesn't need anybody...or so she thinks. She grew up watching her parents' messed-up abusive relationship and she knows there's no way in hell that she's ever letting that happen to her.

They don't know it in the beginning, but Gabriel and Madison will soon develop a weakness: Each other.

But Gabriel's got a secret, a hidden monster that he's afraid Maddy could never overcome... And Maddy's got issues that she's afraid Gabe will never understand. They quickly realize that they need each other to be whole, but at the same time they know that they've got demons to fight.

And the problem with demons is that they never die quietly.

I have greatly enjoyed every story from Courtney Cole. Here recently I read her post admitting that the start of this series was after her terrible experiences with her son and his own drug addiction. It is a truly horrible experience that she must have suffered, but it allowed her such a realistic depiction of the journey to overcome.  I wondered where this second story would go following one so raw and gritty, but Courtney never disappoints giving another display that will be offer another incredible story. Gabe is suffering from the effects of PTSD, and his story is one that soldiers experience everyday. Maddy had to grow up quickly, and has been living a life of responsibility for as long as she can remember. Between the two there are scars on each that have kept both of these characters from overcoming a haunting past. This is not a fun loving romance, but rather a tale of a romance that will defy all odds. It will offer the healing of not one, but two people, and a happily ever after that will give readers hope.

~BookWhisperer Reviewer Jax~