Bailey Gray is tired of her perfectly planned life. Everything about her life has been organized and lived out to the expectations set of her parents. She is the class valedictorian, has perfect grades, the perfect friends, a perfect boyfriend, basically perfect life...or so everyone thought. That's when she realizes the path planned isn't always the path chosen.
On graduation day she makes a decision. One that changes everything she thought she knew about her intended future.
On a whim, she runs away with the town rebel, Dylan Wade, in search of the unknown.
Dylan Wade isn't looking to run away from anything.
He knows what he wants as he's been waiting on it for years.
On a journey to find the unknown, they discover a friendship they once knew along the open highway and have not a care in the world. Between the yellow and white lines of the heated summer asphalt, a spark draws them together as Dylan's past and Bailey future try to ripe them apart.
Could it be that Dylan and his GTO are exactly what her perfectly planned life needs?
Judging by its cover, I got my tissue box ready, anticipating tears to shed from eyes. But for most part of the book, I was laughing my ass off. Bailey was a fun character to read. I did use my tissue though, but that was to wipe away the drool. This book was oh so damn SEXY! It was amazing and I was simply blown away!
I've got really no big expectations from the book as this was my first read from Shey Stahl's collection, but believe me when I say that she has done an excellent job in creating
real characters, not cookie-cutter people. She was able to transcend raw emotions and find the voice of this book...profound...I have never been touched in such a way, a true testament of Shey's amazing writing skills in the way she was able to capture such emotional scenes.
Bailey Gray is a woman who's life has been planned out for her. She was expected to live a perfect life, according to his parent's rules and guidelines. She graduated with honors and dated the most popular guy in school, Eric, but that doesn't make her happy at all. Come her graduation day and just when she's about to deliver her valedictorian speech, she suddenly felt the need to make the big change. With her eyes laid on one of her childhood friends that she was forced to stay away from, and apparently her first kiss, she realized how fake her life was and how much she wanted to run away from it.
" I want to make mistakes, I want to get in trouble and feel alive. Like dancing in the rain and being eighteen." - Bailey
Enter Dylan Wade, is a popular guy in town but not like Eric. From the time he lost a very important person in his life, he displayed a quarrelsome and unruly disposition. He was tough, driven and has lived his life with no rules, no boundaries, no regrets and hesitations. Just exactly what Bailey needed at that time.
" Please let me do this right, for once in my fucking life, let me do something right." - Dylan
On that very same day, they both runaway, and their lives have never been the same again...
Both characters were created with staying power; distinct, sympathetic and very engaging; reasons that pulled me into the story until wee hours in the morning. The plot and characters did fit together - they are inextricably intertwined. If you ask me about what my favorite parts were, well I'd be honest to say that its really hard to point one specific moment because there were a lot! But I could say mostly when they tease each other and try to push their desires over the edge. Moments that made me shiver, ache, smile and swoon.
I also enjoy the part when they had to ask 20 questions and create their bucket lists . It was so freeing. Although there were times that I just wanna bitch slap Dylan for leaving me hanging all the time, it annoys the hell out of me. Like seriously Wade? Can you just stop talking and get inside her now!!!
"Our lips parted together and he slid one hand around my waist pressing me flush against his chest. No one had ever kissed me like that. like he wanted to devour me but he was holding back..." - Bailey
"I won't until you're ready, and you're not, yet." - Dylan
It was also so refreshing to see that finally Bailey had the chance to live her own life, made her own decisions, and learned to stand by them. Dylan made her feel alive... made her feel those bleeding colors. She made her realized that life is about committing mistakes and learning from them. He made her believe that there is hope, even though they had no clear visions of what the future holds, but that they could do and be whatever they dreamed of being. That was their deal...
This book is beyond your usual romance novel. It told a story about the struggles of life and how to deal with them. It made me think and analyze how Im living my own. Its like a reality check for me to be reminded of things that truly matter in this life.
I could write an entire post about why reading the closing part of this book makes me want to move and take on the world. The story conveyed a very strong message and emotions, you feel everything as acutely as the characters do. It leaves a lasting imprint as this gives a realistic glimpse to life in general.
"Love with everything you have. Don't have regrets or second thoughts. Love with all your heart, every piece of it. Love anything as much as you can."
THAT WAS THE DEAL...
If you are to assess how you've lived your life so far, would you have done anything different?
What's your deal?
So will I recommend this book? DEFINITELY!
5/5 STARS FOR ME!
Suspenseful romance writer. Author of the Racing on the Edge Series. Published titles include Happy Hour, Trading Paint, Black Flag and The Champion. The Legend is scheduled to be released December 24, 2012.When she's not writing, Shey Stahl can be found at the local dirt tracks in Washington watching her favorite sport, racing.
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