ARC Review: Release by Aly Martinez

As soon as I read the blurb for Release by Aly Martinez, I knew I had to read it! She is a fantastic writer and I’ve never been disappointed by her. Release was everything I had been expecting and more. It was emotional and had my heart breaking at times, but it also put me back together piece by piece. This book does deal with some difficult topics, so I would check if you have any possible triggers. 

Thea and Ramsey met as kids and got off to a rough start, though things quickly changed between them. Soon they were inseparable and planning their lives together. They might have been young but they knew where they were headed, until one night changed everything. Ramsey was sent to prison for killing the man that assaulted Thea, stealing years from both of them. Thea vowed that she would never leave Ramsey, so while he told her to move on she continued to wait for him. But when he is released 12 years later, things are nothing like they were before. 

My heart broke so much for both of them, and I hated all they each went through. These two were meant to be, and it was clear the connection and chemistry they had from such a young age. Things progressed between them naturally and everything was so real, which is why I think I felt so emotionally connected to them and their story. I just kept hoping that after everything, there had to be a happy ending for them, because if anyone deserved it, it was Thea and Ramsey. 

This book was great. I read it in one sitting and didn’t want to put it down. Besides Ramsey and Thea, I really enjoyed the rest of the characters here. It was hard at times seeing what all they experienced and my heart broke right along with theirs, but I also loved the book so much and just knew that Aly Martinez wouldn’t let me down and she didn’t. I definitely recommend this one, and I am already anxious for her next book!

**ARC Provided by Social Butterfly PR**

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ARC Review: The Brightest Sunset by Aly Martinez

As soon as I had finished The Darkest Sunrise by Aly Martinez, I couldn't wait to get The Brightest Sunset. This duet needs to be read in order, so make sure to start at the beginning. I also recommend going into this series blind, don't try to find spoilers as this one is best just experienced. Aly Martinez is one of those authors that I have loved since I first read something by her, yet she just seems to keep getting better. This duet is one that I won't soon forget, and I think a lot of readers are going to feel the exact same way. 

Porter and Charlotte had each been through their share of pain and tragedy, but together they were working towards leaving the darkness behind. Just about to step into the light together, the past came back threatening to destroy everything that they were building. Can they find a way to leave it behind once and for all and embrace the future together, or will there be too much for them to overcome?

I loved these two in the first book, and that just intensified here. Both of them feel so real and genuine to me, and Aly did a great job of making them seem as though they could be anyone. They were human and far from perfect, yet there was so much about them that I admired. They were strong while also being vulnerable, and I loved seeing how they grew and changed over the course of these two books. Porter and Charlotte had a ton of chemistry and it was clear that they were good for one another. While they understood each other and were exactly what the other needed at times, they were also capable of being a weakness for the other as well. I found the dynamic between them very interesting and I couldn't get enough of them. I can't imagine being put through all they were, but I knew that if any two could make things work it would be them.

Overall, this was a great ending to the duet and I didn't want to put this book down. While there were so many heartbreaking and painful moments for each of them, this duet was filled with hope and love. Aly Martinez brought so much depth in these books and while there were times they struggled, I had faith that she would put everything back together exactly as it should be. Not only did she not disappoint, but I felt like this was exactly how things should have ended and I really loved how things turned out. I definitely recommend this duet to those that like emotional and character driven stories. These books are ones that will captivate you from start to finish and stay with you for long after they are over.

**ARC Provided by Inkslinger PR**

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ARC Review: The Darkest Sunrise by Aly Martinez

The Darkest Sunrise is the first book in Aly Martinez's new Duet and it was fantastic! Aly Martinez is an author that I have loved for awhile, yet she always blows me away with each new book she writes. Her books just seem to get better and better and that was definitely the case here. I couldn't put it down and I am anxious for The Brightest Sunset to see how everything plays out. 

Porter and Charlotte have each known tragedy, but it isn't until they meet that they find themselves finally able to start moving forward with their lives. But as they find themselves climbing out of the darkness they have known, Charlotte's past comes back threatening to destroy everything that she was starting to overcome. 

I felt for both Porter and Charlotte! Each of them had experienced so much pain and their grief had them living in darkness until each other. I wanted so much for them to find happiness, but I knew it wouldn't be an easy journey. Porter and Charlotte were real and their story felt so genuine. I felt like these weren't just characters that Aly had created but as though they could be anyone. There were easy to relate to and I felt invested in them right from the start. 

Overall, I really don't want to go into details because this is a story that just needs to be experienced. Their story is just getting started and I can't wait for more. Aly Martinez captivates with her beautiful writing and I really can't recommend her stories enough. Her stories are passionate and emotional, leaving the reader with characters and a story that won't easily be forgotten. While she might break your heart a little along the way, she always puts it back together in the end and I trust her to be true to the characters every time. This was a great start to the series and I can't wait for the next one!

**ARC Provided by Inkslinger PR**

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ARC Review: Transfer by Aly Martinez

Transfer is the second book in the Retrieval Duet by Aly Martinez. Though Transfer centers around Clare instead of Roman and Elisabeth, this story is one that should be read only after Retrieval has been read. There is so much to this story that these are best read in order for full enjoyment as this book picks up right after the cliffhanger from the first book. That being said, Retrieval is one of my favorite books so far this year, so it is definitely one that I believe is worth the read and you won't be disappointed. 

Clare had thought that the handsome and charismatic stranger she met while working as a waitress was a dream come true, until they got married and everything changed. Her life soon turned into a nightmare, and her only priority became to protect her daughter. But with things unraveling with her life, Clare must soon decide who she can trust and what she is willing to sacrifice to make sure that her daughter remains safe. 

I was excited to get to know Clare and a few of the other characters that were introduced in Retrieval here, and I did like them. I have to admit that I didn't feel as connected to them though, or as invested in their story. While I did see the chemistry between them, and it was clear that their feelings were real, I just didn't feel the same way about them that I did with Roman and Elisabeth. As much as I loved getting several POVs here, including Roman and Elisabeth's, it just felt as though this wasn't really focused on Clare like the first book had focused on Roman and Elisabeth and I think that hurt the way I was able to connect with Clare and her guy here. 

Overall, this was still a really great duet and these books are at the top of what I have read this year. I couldn't put this one down just like the first, because I had to know how everything would play out for Roman, Elisabeth, Clare and the others. I still really loved the characters though, especially Clare's guy, I just wish I had been able to connect with them as much as I had with Roman and Elisabeth. This is one of the best series that I have read from Aly Martinez though, and that is saying something since I have really enjoyed everything I have read from her. If you are a fan of hers, these should definitely be at the top of your TBR list, and if you are new to her this duet is a great place to start. I can't wait to see what Aly Martinez writes next!

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ARC Review: Retrieval by Aly Martinez

I am a huge fan of Aly Martinez and I have enjoyed everything I have read from her. She always writes such beautiful and emotional stories, and that was definitely the case with Retrieval. Retrieval is the first book in Aly's Retrieval Duet. Readers should know that this book is the first book in the duet, however the second book is about different characters. The two books in the duet are connected, but the story doesn't continue in the same way that duets usually do in a traditional sense. 

Retrieval is the story of Roman and Elisabeth. They were married and had everything until a tragedy destroyed everything. Years later they see one another again, and all the feelings they felt before come rushing back. But can they find a way back to each other and have the future that they were always meant to have, or are there too many things still standing in their way? 

I was fascinated by these characters right away. Their story was captivating, and I couldn't put it down. Elisabeth and Roman had been through so much, and they were very much still struggling because of that. It was clear that love was never their problem, but that life had come between them and my heart broke for what they had been through. 

Overall, I really can't say much about the story itself because you need to read this one with absolutely no spoilers! Trust me when I say that Aly Martinez blew me away though, and I cannot wait for the next book in this series. That book will be Clare's story, a character that you meet here in Retrieval. After the cliffhanger ending, I need to know what happens and I know that it is going to be every bit as captivating as this book was! I have loved everything that I have read from Aly, but this book was so good and honestly is probably my favorite book of hers yet! It was emotional and I never knew what was going to happen next. This book had it all, and I can't wait for more!

**ARC Provided by TRSOR Promotions**

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ARC Review: The Spiral Down by Aly Martinez

I have been waiting for The Spiral Down by Aly Martinez since I read The Fall Up! I loved Levee's friend Henry and I was really hoping that we would get his story. This book was really good and it was so great to get to know him better! I really loved him and Evan together, and it was so nice to see more of Levee and Sam here as well. Though this book is the second in this series, it can easily be read as a standalone story. I recommend reading in order if possible though for full enjoyment. 

Henry spent years working to escape his childhood, and now a successful musician he finally has it all except for love. Though openly gay, he prefers his men to be straight and into experimenting for one night. The one thing he never expected though was pilot Evan Roth. Though immediately attracted to him, Henry has trouble figuring out Evan and sets out to pursue him. But Henry had no idea what he was getting himself into with Evan and soon the two find themselves feeling something they have never felt before. Evan has his own past and has vowed to stay away from men, but the more Henry wins him over the more he wants to take a chance on a future together. Can these two broken men find a way to heal each other and move forward, or will their relationship be one destined to crash and burn? 

I really liked Evan and Henry. I thought that these two were great together right from the start, and I loved seeing them get to know one another. Each one had been hurt and had fears and insecurities that kept them from ever fully letting anyone else in. Evan was kind and caring, and I loved that he could handle Henry's panic attacks and fear of flying by talking him through it. He was so good with him, and I really adored seeing him be there for him before they ever had a relationship. Henry was fun and at times a bit over the top personality wise, but I enjoyed seeing him be a bit more serious. He was afraid to go all in with Evan and to really show Evan how he was feeling so he took things a bit slowly. You could really see just how strong of feelings each of them were developing though and it was clear that their connection was special. They had a ton of chemistry, but the emotion between these two was what had me swooning here. 

I did feel like there were a few things that Henry did that kept me from giving this one five stars. As much as I loved these two together, I didn't like how he handled a few situations. He was so worried about Evan and what he would do, but then he turned around and did almost the same exact thing to Evan that he was worried Evan would do. It was frustrating and I felt so badly for Evan. But overall this was a really great story and I loved these two so much that I knew they had to find a way to work through everything together. I really hope that we get a Carter book as well after seeing him with Robin here. I think that there is a lot of story to be told there and I would love to explore that relationship more. I think if you liked The Fall Up and enjoy M/M stories, this is definitely one to check out. Aly Martinez is a great writer and I know I will read more from her in the future.

**ARC Provided by TRSOR Promotions**

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ARC Review: Fighting Solitude by Aly Martinez

I will admit that before starting Fighting Solitude by Aly Martinez, I was both excited and extremely nervous. Each book in this series is a standalone but since they each center around a different Page brother, we have seen a lot of these characters over the course of the series. So while I have absolutely loved Quarry, I was really nervous about the Mia/Liv situation. I honestly didn't know what I was going to think while reading this, but I thought that Aly Martinez did a great job with this story. There were still a few things that I had a tough time with here, but that was all on me and how I felt rather than the book itself. 

Quarry Page was born a fighter. He knew from a young age that he was going to lose his hearing just as his brother did, but he had his best friend Liv James by his side and with her he could get through anything. That is until he purposely pushed her away and didn't see her again for three years. Then Quarry met Mia and she brought something new to his life. Soon after, Liv came back into his life and things were great again, until they lost Mia. Years went by and things got better, yet Liv and Quarry still weren't back to really living. Though they have always had a connection, they were never anything more than friends. But Quarry wants Liv to be his everything, and he will do whatever it takes to show her that they belong together and he won't lose her too. 

I absolutely love Quarry. He is sweet and sexy, and I loved his relationship with Liv. He always had such an easy relationship with her and I really loved that they always had each other's backs. They had so much history, and there were times that my heart absolutely broke for all that they went through. Liv hadn't had the easiest life, and I felt like her and Quarry were really able to understand one another because of that. I had always believed that they were meant to be together, and I really liked who they were together. They just fit, and that is why I had a problem with the whole Mia situation. While I had liked Mia in the previous books and seen how she was with Quarry, I always felt like Quarry and Liv were supposed to be together. I am a huge fan of friends to lovers, and I just never really was behind Mia and Quarry. Not that I disliked her, but it was actually because I liked her that I didn't want her with Quarry. She was coming in between him and Liv and I wanted to hate her for that. It was even worse when she was gone, because then I felt like it was impossible to hate her, and I knew it was going to cause even more problems for Quarry and Liv.

My biggest issue here was Mia. I didn't want her to be a part of this story at all, and some of Liv's insecurities and fears were the same as my own. If nothing had happened to Mia, would Quarry have wound up with Liv or would he have stayed with Mia forever. I have a real problem with the dead former lover stories, because I always feel like the heroine of the story ends up being a consolation prize. As much as I enjoy the hero and heroine moving forward together, it just sort of taints the story for me. So even when I enjoyed the book, it was a little bittersweet for me. I seriously love this series though, and the Page brothers are impossible not to fall for. Aly Martinez is a great writer, and I honestly can't wait to read whatever she comes up with next.

**ARC Provided by TRSOR Promotions**

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ARC Review: The Fall Up by Aly Martinez

I couldn't wait to read The Fall Up by Aly Martinez when I first heard about it. I will be honest and admit that I really didn't even pay attention to the blurb once I saw her name, but I just knew that I would like it if she wrote it. This book is a complete standalone and I am so glad that I read it. It was a good story, I liked the characters a lot and I absolutely loved the cover. This one was emotional while also being really funny. It isn't often that you get such humor in a book with such serious content, so that was really refreshing here. 

Being a pop princess, Levee was used to living in the spotlight and never having much time for herself. Somewhere along the way she lost herself. But when she meets a handsome stranger, she finds that a simple conversation changes everything for her. Sam Rivers has no idea who the mystery woman is, but he knows that he can't stop thinking about her and he will do whatever it takes to keep her from jumping. The bridge might be where they met, but he is determined to keep her away from there and help her no matter what it takes. The more time that Sam and Levee spend together, the closer they get. But there was a reason they were each on that bridge the night they met, and they will have to figure out if those reasons can continue to bring them together or if they will eventually tear them apart. 

I liked Sam and Levee a lot. These two were great together, and the connection they shared was so natural and genuine. Sam was interested in Levee long before he knew who she was, and it was so good to see that her fame wasn't important to him. Sam and Levee were both really good people, and it was clear that each of them had their own problems they were dealing with. Sam had a lot of pain in his past, and was still struggling to deal with it. While Levee was living a life most would dream of and yet she was struggling as well. I loved seeing these two get to know one another though and find the support and encouragement that each needed. The chemistry was there right from the start, but so was the connection and it just felt like these two were meant to find one another. They had great banter and were a lot of fun to read about.

I did think that this story had a lot of humor to it, which was surprising considering the content. I thought it had some emotional times as well, and for the most part there was a pretty good balance making this an entertaining read. The one thing that I would have liked to have seen though was a bit more depth considering the topics dealt with here though. I think that there were some missed opportunities because of what was going on and I wish that we had been given a bit more. I think that Aly Martinez is a great writer, but I do feel like she could have dug a bit deeper here for each of these characters and it felt like a bit of fluff when it could have been more. There was a lot to love here though, and I did really like these two together. I would recommend this book and Aly's others as well as she is a really great writer. She always delivers the emotions, heat and humor that keep you turning pages and anxious for more. I know I will continue to read her books in the future, and I am looking forward to seeing what she comes up with next.

**ARC Provided by TRSOR Promotions**

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ARC Review: Fighting Shadows by Aly Martinez

Fighting Shadows is the second book in the On The Ropes series by Aly Martinez. This book can be read as a standalone, but I would recommend reading Fighting Silence first. In Fighting Silence you get to know not only Till and Eliza's story, but it also really sets up Flint's story for Fighting Shadows. This is one series that while they are standalones, I think it gives the reader full enjoyment to read these in order in my opinion. 

After saving the life of the woman he loved but couldn't have, Flint Page was left paralyzed and living in a wheelchair. Flint knew his life changed when he saved Eliza's, and he also knew that he couldn't continue to see her with his brother everyday. In order to escape his misery, he left his family behind and decided to go to college. He knew he needed a clean break to have a shot at becoming himself again rather than the bitter person he had turned into. Then Flint met Ash Mabie, and everything began to change. As Flint and Ash grew closer, he began to really live again. But falling for the girl who has a tendency of running will force Flint to fight his past as well as fight for his future with Ash. 

I knew this one was going to be rough at times after reading Fighting Silence. Flint had experienced a lot of really tough things, and I felt like his heart couldn't withstand much else. So when I saw him at the beginning of this book my heart absolutely broke for him. He was angry and bitter, but he was clearly hurting and to go it all alone really got to me. Then he met Ash, and things started to turn around. I knew that it wouldn't be that simple though, and their relationship proved to be far from easy. But Flint deserved happiness so much, and I knew that he could have that with Ash. These two were great for each other, and the more I saw them together the more I knew they had to wind up together. Ash was hard for me to warm up to, and I will admit that she really made me angry a few times in this book. But growing up as she did, I really believed that she was just trying to protect herself and she didn't know how to handle things the best. I believe that she really loved Flint though, and that went a long way for me. These two had such a strong connection and chemistry, and I think that with everything that they had each been through they just weren't prepared for what they found at such a young age.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It frustrated me at times and broke my heart at others, but it was a book that I felt emotionally invested in right from the start. I loved getting to see more of Till and Eliza, and I really loved their book. But there was something really special about Flint and Ash, and I hadn't expected to feel as much for them as I had with Till and Eliza. I was so wrong, and I think that Aly Martinez did a great job of showing that these characters were unique and different, and she made them impossible not to fall for. I can honestly say that I am dying to get Q's book though. I have a feeling his might be the most emotional story of them all, and I cannot wait to see what is in store for him. I would recommend this book if you are an Aly Martinez fan, and if you aren't a fan yet, I think that this series is definitely a good place to start!

**ARC Provided by TRSOR Promotions**

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ARC Review: Fighting Silence by Aly Martinez

Fighting Silence is the first book in the On the Ropes series by Aly Martinez. Each book in this series is standalone, but they do have interconnected characters. If you have read Aly's Wrecked and Ruined series, you will recognize some familiar faces as well. I had not ready anything by Aly Martinez before, but I really enjoyed this book and didn't have any problems getting into the story or understanding anything. I will definitely be reading more from her in the future though. 

Till Page has always been a fighter. Growing up with horrible parents, he has been looking out for and providing for his two younger brothers for as long as he could remember. One day he stumbles upon a girl from his school while looking for a place to get away. They end up forming a friendship and spending all their free time in an abandoned apartment that they consider their own. Eliza Reynolds and Till Page become addicted to each other and soon they are inseparable outside of school. At school is another story though. Though Till and Eliza both want more from each other, Till is determined to stay away from her because she deserves better. He knows that someday he will lose his hearing and she needs to get out of there and make something of herself. But Eliza isn't willing to give up on the future she wants for herself with Till and she has some fight in her as well. Can Till and Eliza have it all together, or will there be too much to fight? 

I really liked Till and Eliza. These two were so cute together, and I loved their friendship. They started off needing the escape they found in each other, and they ended up finding a love that was true and undeniable. Eliza and Till had a lot in common, and I thought that they were exactly right for one another. Eliza was sweet and kind, loyal and caring. I loved how instantly she took to Till and his brothers. She viewed them as her family very early on, and it was clear that she would do anything for them. Till was protective and alpha, but he was also so sweet and thoughtful. His gestures and gifts for Eliza were so personal and perfect, you could tell that he always paid attention to her and really knew her better than anyone else. I will say that Till frustrated me at times, and I hated that he ran from them for so long. He was so stubborn about it, and you could tell that he was scared. But I was so glad when he finally woke up and started to see what he was giving up just by refusing to take the risk. These two had such a connection and friendship that turned into more. But they also had such strong chemistry, and it was clear just how attracted to one another they were. They might have both been with other people at times, but it was so obvious that they really only saw each other.

Overall, this was a really good story and I liked how it started off this series. I really liked the characters, and I cannot wait to get to know Till's little brothers better. I loved the family that they formed with Till and Eliza, and I look forward to seeing what Aly Martinez has in store for each of them. I think if you are a fan of Aly's, you will definitely want to check this book out. If you are new to Aly like I was, I recommend giving this book a shot. It was well written, and the story grabbed me right from the start. Fighting Silence really had it all, and I enjoyed the sweet and steamy stuff just as much as the action and suspense. This book will definitely bring out the emotions, and Till and Eliza are characters that I won't forget anytime soon.

**ARC Provided by TRSOR Promotions**

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