ARC Review: Buried by Selena Laurence

Buried by Selena Laurence is the third book in her Hiding From Love series. Although this book is number three in the series, you do not need to have read the previous two books to understand this one. I hadn't read the previous two books in this series before reading Buried, but I can't wait to go back and read them after reading this story. This book was so good, and I loved that it was something completely new and different. I highly recommend checking this one out if you are looking for a unique read.

Juan is just getting out of prison and is getting ready to start living life on the outside again. He is staying at a half-way house when he ends up seeing the girl he grew up loving at the women's halfway house next door. He knows that he needs to stay away from Beth and that nothing good can come from them talking again but finds himself looking forward to seeing her as much as he dreads her getting sucked into his life. Juan is no longer the studious boy that Beth remembers, and is now a gang-banger that puts up a facade to keep others out. But Beth sees beneath the mask and knows that the boy she once loved is still in there. Beth is determined to help Juan find himself again and finally have a chance at the relationship that they have both always wanted. But with Juan's gang not willing to just let him walk away, and a secret threat that Juan refuses to tell anyone about things won't be as easy as Beth is imagining. Can Juan and Beth find a way to be together and be free, or will Juan's ties to the gang be too much for them to overcome?

I really liked Juan. I was worried at first that he would be too much of a thug for me to really root for, but he was so much more. I loved that he was into soccer and plants, and that he was able to still be the smart boy he was growing up. He wasn't a total player, and his feelings for Beth were strong and true. He loved her so much, and it was clear that he would do literally anything in order to protect her and keep her safe. She was his top priority, and he never wavered on his feelings for her. Beth was great as well. She was a little naive and didn't seem to really get exactly what Juan's life and decisions entailed. She didn't realize that gangs don't just let you walk away and it took both Juan and her family repeatedly telling her for her to finally see what they were up against. But she was so determined, and like Juan she never gave up. She cared just as much about Juan and was willing to sacrifice and risk just as much as he was for them to be together. I really felt that they had a strong connection despite the years they spent apart, and I loved that they had a history together. It was really great that they were able to find their way back to each other, and I enjoyed seeing them go from being childhood friends and crushes to falling in love with one another. They had great chemistry together, but they also had such a deep and strong love that was undeniable.

Overall, I thought that this was a great book. I loved the story and I was really glad that this one wasn't overly predictable. I felt like the twists and turns were real and believable, and although I had some things figured out there was also a lot that I never would have guessed. Juan and Beth were meant to be together, and that was clear from the beginning. But with everything stacked against them, it was hard to see how everything could possibly work out for them. Beth and Juan were a really great couple, and their story is definitely one that will stick with me. I loved the characters in this book, and it was great to see Joss Jamison from Selena's Lush series as well. I loved how she wove his character in and it could not have been done any better! I am becoming a huge fan of Selena's, and each book I read of hers just proves what a great writer she is. I highly recommend checking her books out if you haven't already, and I would definitely recommend Buried. I can't wait to go back and read the rest of this series, and I look forward to seeing what Selena writes next.

**ARC Provided by Author**

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ARC Review: For the Love of a Lush by Selena Laurence

For the Love of a Lush is the second book in the Lush series by Selena Laurence. This one can be read as a standalone, but does take place following the events of the first book with interconnected characters. I hadn't read the first book at the time I read this one, and I had no problems figuring everything out quickly though. I think it would have enhanced my experience with this book having seen all the events before and knowing the characters and their history better, but it wasn't a necessity. I will say that after reading this one though, I will definitely be going back to read it and I also can't wait for more in this series! Serena Laurence is a new to me author, but I really enjoyed this book and her writing style.

Six months have gone by since Walsh lost everything. He was a drummer for a successful rock band, he was engaged to the love of his life, and he didn't want for anything. But he is also an alcoholic, and while in rehab he suffered a horrible betrayal. Now after the breakup of his band and getting out of rehab, he is living and working at the Double A ranch and focusing on staying sober and completing his steps. When his ex-fiance shows up looking to rekindle their relationship, Walsh sets out to make things right between them so that they can move on. But he has no interest in getting back together, even if he still loves her. Tammy however is a fighter and refuses to give up so easily on them. She made a horrible mistake and is determined to prove to Walsh that she is different and that they are meant to be together. As Tammy and Walsh get to know the people they are now, they both realize that although the feelings are still there between them it won't be easy to overcome everything that has happened. Will they be willing to do what it takes to have a future together though?

I really liked Walsh. I felt so bad for him. He had been through so much, and my heart absolutely broke for him at many points in this story. Yes he made mistakes, and a lot of things happened because of his problem with alcohol. But that doesn't excuse the betrayal that occurred by the two people who should have loved him the most. Walsh really made such a transformation even from the start of this book to the end, and he really was committed to staying sober and changing his life. He had hit such a low point, and was really forgiving and understanding despite what he had been through. I liked that he took responsibility for his actions, and didn't try to make excuses or put blame anywhere that it shouldn't be. Tammy was harder for me to like though. She had made such terrible mistake, and I just couldn't understand why she would do what she did. It didn't make sense to me even with everything that she was dealing with. I was glad that she was completely honest though, and she owned up to everything. She never once denied anything, and I had a lot of respect for that. I will say that she did win me over slowly though, and I really started to root for her and Walsh to figure things out. Their story was such a great one because they had so much history, and such a strong connection. You could see that after everything, they were still meant to be together and were made for each other. They had such a great emotional bond as well as fabulous chemistry.

Overall, I thought that this book was really good. I liked the characters, and I am interested in seeing more of them all. I look forward to continuing this series as well as going back and getting Joss and Mel's story. I did think that things were a bit easy when it came to Walsh forgiving Joss though, and he seemed to be much less forgiving with Tammy. Things seemed to be smoothed over faster than I would have thought possible when it came to them. I did think that it was great that they were able to get over things though, and that they could start to be friends again in the future. But I would have expected it to have taken a much longer time that what happened in this book. This book was full of hope and love, and determination. There were parts that were so heartbreaking you needed a serious amount of tissues though, and these characters struggled so much. It was so nice to see them overcome the obstacles placed before them, and I am so glad that things worked out the way they did. I would definitely recommend this book to contemporary fans, and I look forward to reading more from Selena Laurence in the future.

**ARC Provided by Author**

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