Review: The Darkest Sunrise & The Brightest Sunset by Aly Martinez

Title: The Darkest Sunrise & The Brightest Sunset

By: Aly Martinez

My Copy: Ebook from Publisher

The BookWhisperer's Rating:
Five Stars

Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me.
Whoever coined that phrase is a bald-faced liar. Words are often the sharpest weapon of all, triggering some of the most powerful emotions a human can experience.
“You’re pregnant.”
“It’s a boy.” 
“Your son needs a heart transplant.”
Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me.
Lies.
Syllables and letters may not be tangible, but they can still destroy your entire life faster than a bullet from a gun.
Two words—that was all it took to extinguish the sun from my sky.
“He’s gone.” 
For ten years, the darkness consumed me.
In the end, it was four deep, gravelly words that gave me hope of another sunrise. 
“Hi. I’m Porter Reese.”

Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me.
Bullshit.
Words destroyed me. 
“I’m sorry. She didn’t make it.”
“Daddy, he can’t breathe!” 
“There’s nothing more we can do for your son.”
Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me.
Lies.
Those syllables and letters became my executioner. I told myself that, if I didn’t acknowledge the pain and the fear, they would have no power over me. But, as the years passed, the hate and the anger left behind began to control me.
Two words—that was all it took to plunge my life into darkness.
“He’s gone.” 
In the end, it was four soft, silky words that gave me hope of another sunrise. 
“Hi. I’m Charlotte Mills.”

Wow!!!!

We all know that I have loved every one of Aly Martinez's books; like, just loved them.  They are the kind of books that engage every emotion you can have throughout the pages and still make you smile through the anger and tears.  This duo right here did just that and so much more.

Charlotte and Porter's story about killed my soul and I feel like I need some cuddle time with Porter after finishing the last page.  Heck, let's be honest, I need some cuddle time with Porter after finishing every page of these two books because he was just that amazing.  He was the absolute perfect character on so many levels. Porter loved his children with all of his heart and wanted nothing but the best for them.  His family was close and supportive when it came to the special care that Travis needed, even when it meant grilling hamburgers at a cookout to smooth talk Dr. Charlotte Mills into see his son.  When Charlotte comes along, he becomes much more. He was way beyond charming, attentive and attractive.  He knew darkness lived inside of her because it lived inside of him as well. Together they drew each other in and were able to shine the tiniest of light into a world full of pain and it was beautiful.  

To hear their stories utterly broke my heart.  I literally had a hard time continuing these books because while I loved them with every ounce of me, the way Martinez wrote them made it all seem so real and I got extremely upset on the character's behalf.  This to me just shows you what an awesome author Aly Martinez is...I became depressed because my beloved characters were facing some hard times! 

And while I want to talk about what went down in these books, the sideswipe of plot that kicked me in the heart, I CAN'T! Because all of you need to experience it like I did and feel all the feelings.  Trust me on this one, you won't be disappointed with this series, with Martinez's writing, with the characters, and with the anguish, love, drama, and support these pages hold.

Just a little spoiler:

"Porter: Confession: I wish I would have kissed you tonight.

My heart stopped and my stomach dipped as I read it three times before finding the courage to reply.

Me: You did.

Porter: No. Not like that. I'm talking about one where you'd spend the rest of your night touching your bruised lips, and I spend the rest of mine desperately trying to memorize the way you tasted."