Summary-
26-year old Gabriel Vincent is a badass hero. Or he used to be, anyway. As an ex-Army Ranger, Gabe never thought he needed anyone. But after one horrible night in Afghanistan scars him in a way that he can't get past, he needs someone who can help him heal...even if he doesn't realize it.
25-year old Madison Hill doesn't need anybody...or so she thinks. She grew up watching her parents' messed-up abusive relationship and she knows there's no way in hell that she's ever letting that happen to her.
They don't know it in the beginning, but Gabriel and Madison will soon develop a weakness: Each other.
But Gabriel's got a secret, a hidden monster that he's afraid Maddy could never overcome... And Maddy's got issues that she's afraid Gabe will never understand. They quickly realize that they need each other to be whole, but at the same time they know that they've got demons to fight.
And the problem with demons is that they never die quietly.
Review-
If You Leave is the sequel and more of a companion novel actually of If You Stay by Courtney Cole. I had really enjoyed Pax and Mila's story in If You Stay so I was looking forward to read Mila's sister, Madison's story. Though the latter's story falls under adult contemporary romance.
Gabriel Vincent is an ex-Army ranger. After having seen absolute horrors in Afghanistan he just can't take it anymore so he's back. He's also suffering from PTSD which is post traumatic stress disorder. Gabe has actually come to live with his sister, Jacey, for some time who also happens to be Madison's best friend. Gabe was a good, protective guy, but he had a hell lot of issues to work through.
Then we have Madison. After Madison and Mila's parents passed away Maddy has taken complete responsibility over their restaurant. But truly, she's sick of living her dull life. After watching her parents' messed up abusive relationship she doesn't want anything to do with love but when Gabe comes along, all she wants to do is heal him.
If You Leave starts off really hot. There is an insane amount of chemistry between Gabe and Maddy and they give in to their attraction but things don't go the way they're supposed. The next few meetings are stand offish between both of them but neither Gabe nor Maddy can stay away.
Even though they are both together Gabe doesn't have a handle on his demons and so after an incident, he leaves Angel Bay. Both Gabe and Maddy have to face the harsh realities. I thought Maddy took Gabe back too quickly after his almost cheating but there's no denying that Gabe was suffering a hell lot too. If You Leave is not a light read. Its dark and gritty but I really enjoyed it.
Summary-
24-year old Pax Tate is an asshole.
Seriously.
He’s a tattooed, rock-hard bad-boy with a bad attitude to match.
But he’s got his reasons.
His mother died when Pax was seven, leaving a hole in his heart filled with guilt although he doesn’t understand why. What he does know is that he and his dad are left alone and with more issues than they can count.
As Pax grew up, he tried to be the kid his father always wanted; the perfect golden boy, but it didn’t work. His dad couldn’t overcome his grief long enough to notice and Pax couldn’t keep up the impossible perfect façade.
So he slipped far, far from it.
Now, he uses drugs and women to cope with the ugliness, the black void that he doesn’t want to deal with. If he pretends that the emptiness isn’t there, then it isn’t, right?
Wrong.
And it’s never more apparent than when he meets Mila.
Sweet, beautiful Mila Hill is the fresh air to his hardened frown, the beauty to his ugly heart. He doesn’t know how to not hurt her, but he quickly realizes that he’s got to figure it out because he needs her to breathe.
When memories of his mother’s death resurface from where he’s repressed them for so long, Mila is there to catch him when the guilt starts making sense. Mila is the one…the one who can save him from his broken troubled heart; from his issues, from the emptiness.
But only if he can stop being an asshole long enough to allow it.
He knows that. And he’s working on it.
But is that enough to make her stay?
Review-
If You Stay is the first book I've read by Courtney Cole and I'm hitting myself on the head because she is an amazing author so I should've definitely read her books before. If You Stay is a new adult contemporary romance and if you're a fan of anything new adult like me you should go grab this book asap.
Pax Tate is an asshole. Those direct words are so true. Pax is an asshole and he knows it. He doesn't deny it nor does he make any excuses for it. I think his honesty with himself and towards the others is what made him such a fabulous character despite of him being an asshole most of the times. Pax had a really messed up past and as things begin to unravel we get to see all the reasons behind his behavior.
Then Pax meets Mila. Mila was a genuinely nice and sweet person. In some ways she was the exact opposite of Pax but I guess that is what made them so perfect for each other. It was like two puzzle pieces fitting together. Mila herself has been through a lot of things so we can understand her hesitance with Pax. I liked Mila quiet strength and her ability to stand her ground in tough situations. Her support towards Pax just made me like her all the more.
Pax and Mila together form a great couple. They have easy chemistry and the attraction cannot be missed. Leaving the physical attraction aside, the way they complete each other emotionally was just as great to watch. Pax and Mila are both flawed and to see them working through their issues to actually be with each other was beautiful. The way Pax is smitten by Mila is super cute. Their love story was amazing yet realistic.
Courtney Cole's writing style was bold and engaging. There was no shying away from any topics. The book goes from Pax and Mila's point of views so we get the whole story from both the sides. Pax's past was just heart breaking and to see him get a happy ending after all that he's been through made it that much more of an enjoyable read. I am so looking forward to reading more books by Courtney Cole. If You Stay is a great addition to the new adult genre.
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