The sequel to Liv's Existence
Love and Loss.
Two tiny words, each with their own powerful
impact. They can both happen at any given moment and both can forever change
your soul. It’s how you allow it to change you that matters. The hard part is
finding a balance when the loss gets overwhelming. How do you do that when
everyone you thought you couldn’t live without leaves you?
Loss is inevitable. I’ve had enough in my life
to know that much. Now I’ve just got to figure out how to survive it.
Ages 18+ due to adult situations and violence.
Some situations may be difficult for some readers.
This is book 2 in the series. You must
read book one, Liv's Existence, before reading this book. Stop reading this review and click here for my
review of Liv's Existence. This review will contain spoilers to book one.
You've been warned.
Abby's Survival picks up exactly where
Liv's Existence leaves off. Liv was just attacked and left for dead by Adam.
Abby and Kyle find her and stay by her side while she is in the hospital. As
you'll remember, at the end of book one, Kyle and Liv FINALLY get together and Liv decides to sleep with
him. I figured in this book, they would be happy and lovey dovey in this book.
Wrong.
I loved Liv's Existence, but this book
fell a little flat for me. I was constantly irritated with the way Kyle is
treated in this book, not only by Liv, but by Abby as well. Liv is constantly pushing him away. Even
though they are now lovers, they were best friends first and he is just pushed
out of that role and Abby slips in. He's pushed out by both Liv and Abby with
no regard to his feelings.
The women's relationship also rubbed me
wrong. They were a bit too affectionate and touchy for me. When boyfriends are
jealous of all the touching they are doing, I think it's crossed a line. They
also keep pushing each other for trust. Yes, trust is essential in a
friendship, but they don't trust the men in their lives. They are okay when the
other gets angry because of trust issues, but when the men push for trust the
are seen as assholes and insensitive. Ugh... It just really frustrated me.
Their while dynamic just is beyond my comprehension.
But moving on to the storyline...
This book does clear up a lot of
questions that I was left with after reading Liv's Existence. We get more in to
Abby's past, so that I understood her more.
There really isn't a lot of action going on in this book. Both women go
through therapy to sort out their own issue. This is a story of their healing
and accepting of their different pasts. I did enjoy this aspect of the book. I
really liked seeing their growth.
I would have liked to see more of the
hunt for Adam. He is no where to be found at the beginning of the book and it
almost felt like the circumstances surrounding him were put on the back burner
until the last minute.
All in all, I would say this is an okay
follow up book to Liv's Existence. However, I seem to be in the minority on
this. I would have probably liked this book more if the girls' relationship
wasn't so strange to me. However, that's a personal issue, so this book might
be something you're looking for. The author is definitely talented. She knows
how to pull you into the story and for the most part she kept me invested. This
series is definitely worth a try.
John
stepped in and closed the door. “That isn’t the reception I was hoping for.” He
locked the door.
“And
what reception was that? I couldn’t get the parade together for you since you
never called to tell me you were ever coming back.” I never looked up while I
talked, but I had heard him lock the door and my excitement grew. If I looked
up, he would’ve known I wanted him—despite how indifferent I was trying to be.
I
should’ve kept my eyes on him. He was next to me before I knew it, and he
startled me as he twirled my chair around and knelt down in front of me. “I
like you in skirts, Abs.” He slid his hand up my thigh.
“Jo–John.”
I stopped his hand. “You don’t get to ignore me for ten days and then come
waltzing into my office expecting me to drop my panties for you.” I turned back
to my desk, proud that I had stood my ground. I hadn’t done that before.
John
sighed and got up to go back to the chair in front of my desk. “I’m sorry,
Abby. I’m a fool that had to figure out a few things, but I figured them out,
and I’m here now.” He watched me work in silence for a few minutes. “When can
you get out of here, so we can have a proper celebration?”
“And
just what are we celebrating?”
“Us.”
I
didn’t know if I had heard him right. I wanted to jump over the desk and onto
his lap, but I was scared that I had misunderstood what he was saying. I
swallowed. “Us? What do we have to celebrate?”
“Why
don’t we talk about that over dinner? So, when can you go?”
“Why
do you automatically assume I’m free for dinner—or anything else, for that
matter?” I was still pissed he hadn’t called for ten days and came in as if
nothing had happened.
“You’re
pissed. I get it, and I deserve it. I’m in town for a few days, and if you
change your mind, give me a call.” He was up and had the door open before he
finished.
“Are
you going to call me back this time?” I was still hurt, but didn’t want him to
leave.
“No,
I’m going to answer and not let it go to voicemail. I really am sorry, Abs.
When you want me, call me, and we’ll talk over dinner.” He turned and walked
out.
I
stared at my phone. I wanted to call him back to the office desperately, but I
didn’t want to seem too desperate. Who
was I kidding? I picked up the phone.
He
didn’t answer the phone, but stepped back into the doorway with a huge smile.
“I thought you’d never call.” He locked the door again and was back by my side
with just a few large steps. He lifted me out of my chair and put my arms
around his neck. “This is the greeting you will greet me with from now on.” He
slapped my ass and kissed me hard. “Understood?”
I
grabbed the bulge in his jeans. “Keep ordering me around and slapping my ass
like that, and I’ll never touch your little friend here again.” I squeezed.
“Understood?”
A
slow smile spread across his face. “Completely.”
I
tried to not smile, but failed. “You just took that as a challenge.” I turned
back to my desk.
John
grabbed me and pulled me to him. I placed my hands on his chest to brace myself
for impact before I slammed into him. “I’m not finished with you yet.” He
cupped my face and brought it to his. He kissed me so softly and sweetly that I
had trouble catching my breath. I was glad to finally have something good steal
breath from me. I gripped his shirt, trying to pull him closer.
He
stopped kissing me, but still held my face and looked in my eyes. He whispered,
“I love you, Abigail Hughes.”
My
eyes shot open wide as I tried to push on his chest. I needed to be out of his
grip, but he wouldn’t let me go. “You can’t love me. I’m no good for you.”
He
pulled me to him and wrapped his big arms around me. “It’s scary, isn’t it? To
let yourself be this vulnerable with someone again takes a lot of trust—and I’m
very happy and honored you decided to trust me.”
B.L. Mooney started writing when the
voices and storylines in her head ran out of room. They were getting too
cramped and neither B.L. nor the characters could take it anymore, so she did
the only thing she could do--she made room. She always knew she wanted to
write, but vowed to make time for it later. Now that she's made time for
writing, most everything else falls to the wayside. That seems to suit the
characters that keep popping up just fine.
B.L. lives in the Midwest and her
other talents include in-demand cookies, a very dry sense of humor, and stealth
eavesdropping. Some mannerisms, attitudes, or twists come from random sentences
picked up while passing by strangers. So speak up the next time you have
something to gossip about. You never know, it may just end up on the pages of
the next book you read.
Liv’s
Existence and Abby’s Survival Bundle Buy Links ($3.99 through May ONLY):
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