~Blurb~
Ash Lewis has poured every last ounce of his blood, sweat, and tears into reaching the very top of the professional snowboarding world—until the unthinkable happens. After the biggest competition win of his career, Ash’s mother and father are killed in a tragic accident. Unable to handle the idea of going back out on the snow to pursue the dream his parents shared with him, Ash feels that he has no choice but to walk away from snowboarding forever. Then he meets Tansy Hampton.
Wild, fun, and impulsive, Tansy has a different look and a new passion every week. As a cancer survivor who spent the past several years waiting to die, Tansy has a fresh perspective on life—even if she doesn’t have a clue about what she actually wants to do with it. But she’s determined to find out, and that means making the most of her time while she still can.
From the very beginning, their chemistry is intense. But while Ash can’t stop chasing the ghosts of what can never be, Tansy stays firmly focused on the possibilities the world holds for her—and for them. She’s already picked up the pieces of one shattered life. Now she’s determined to help Ash do the same.
Shattered, yes that was exactly what this made me feel. I had read the first book in this series Shredded, which I loved. Well, with this installment I was not let down! I have to say the titles of these books are spot on perfect!
We learned in Shredded about the accident that took the lives of Ash's parents. This story picks up about 6 months later. Ash is taking care of his paralyzed 14 year old brother Logan, who was also injured in the accident. He is consumed by crushing guilt. Feeling responsible for the death parents and crippling of his little brother because they were on their way to watch him live his dream of qualifying for the Olympics. Working at a rental shop at the lodge and keeping off his snowboard. Ash, has accepted that this is his lot in life, to be there for Logan and forgo his dreams and happiness. His constant worry is causing all his relationships with his friends and brother to suffer. Ash is stuck in the depths of hell, with no end in sight... not that he would notice.... Enter Tansy Hampton ! (Btw, Hampton is my maiden name, so yeah I love her even more!)
Tansy, is this vibrant, fun and living by the seat of her pants, kinda girl. Having suffered most of her 19 years with cancer, she is ready to grab life by the, well... Balls... and make things happen. Now, trying to figure out who she is other than "the cancer girl" is proving to be more of a challenge than she ever imagined. Taking a job with the Make A Wish Foundation, she is on a mission... Get Ash Lewis to come and meet a young boy dying of cancer. Only one problem, no one has see or heard from him in months. He dropped of the "extreme spots" radar. So, what's a girl on a mission to do? That's right, go find him.
~All my research- all those picture- haven't prepared me for my first face-to face meeting with the guy.
How could they when they didn't capture the deep. crazy blue of his eyes, a blue that reminds me of the water off Maui, where my parents took me for my sixteenth birthday.
And then there's his jaw and cheekbones, both of which look like they could cut glass.
And his biceps, which look even bigger in real life.
And those jeans, with the strategically placed tears at the top of his right thigh over his left knee.
I cut myself off before I end up drowning in my own praises-or is that my drool?~
Tansy and Ash, have a funny and awkward first meeting and lets just say... Hello, Chemistry!
The banter and wit that Ms. Wolff wrote between these two is great. I was laughing and emotionally torn all in a span of a few sentences. The emotional toll everything was taking on Ash, was painful to read. You could actually feel the pain in every word Ash would convey. The most touching and gut wrenching scenes were between Logan and Ash. Both screaming at the top of their lungs, but falling on deaf ears. Logan just wants to be seen as "normal" as he can be. Ash, he just wanted to do enough to make sure Logan was never hurt again. Not seeing that, giving up on his dream was hurting Logan the most.
Tansy, eventually gets her "Make A Wish" and all of gang take off on a mission to help heal and give a boy his dying wish, meet the great Ash Lewis. Events unfold and Tansy and Ash eventually give in to their attraction. Ash is thrown for a loop when he finds out just how little experience she has and it is SO HOT! Steamy... I may never be able to look at a wall again and not relive it... Seriously~
I was not sure how I felt about Tansy making the decision to keep her 10 years of battling cancer and the 7 weeks of being in remission to herself. She is ready to move on with what life she has left. But it makes perfect sense as you get further in the story. I love this character! Her years of being the "sick one" gave her empathy with Logan, and she could see Ash's side of just wanting to protect his brother, she saw her parents do the same thing. It was just very smart of Ms. Wolff to write her with this understanding.
The ONLY thing that I wished for more of, was the "gang"... Z, Ophelia, Cam and Luc. But this was not the book for that... This was about healing...over coming grief, loss and letting happiness back into your life, even if you are hurting and fighting it with everything you have.
Truly, this book was the perfect amount of drama, hurt, love and healing... I am so happy I read this.
5 Clocks for this is emotionally charged, absolutely lovely story!
Review based on ARC provided by NetGalley
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