Series: Highway 17 Series Book Two
Author: Leaona Luxx
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 22, 2017
Cover Model: KK Raines
Cover Designer by: TE Black Designs
This is my first book by Leaona Luxx. U-turn is a story of redemption, and finding yourself. It is book 2 in a series, and while you don't have to read the first one to read this one, I recommend it. When I started reading it, I didn't realize it was book 2, the secondary characters almost take over this book.
It was disjointed in that I didn't know who was who, what part they actually played in the back story. I knew the secondary characters had stories, but I was so confused by who was what and where. That being said, the story as a whole was awesome.
Ava is one giant ball of hot mess. Ava was like a destructive tornado, comes in, tears stuff up and exits, leave death and destruction behind. Riley wanted to save her in spite of herself. Riley loved her from the time he was 6 years old, and was determined to love Ava enough that she could love herself and get her life together. This book probably carried on a little longer than it should have. Ava was a character I loved in the beginning and by the end I wanted to put her out of my misery.
Not to make light of the issues underlayed in this story because they are important in themselves, but I am sorry, Ava was dumb. I don't know if that is easy for me to say because who is to say I wouldn't do that same dumb stuff if I had been in her shoes. Riley is so endearing, he is almost overbearing, but it comes from a good place so you can over look it. Overall I enjoyed the book so much I am going to check out more books by this author. This story was told in alternating views.
“O.M.G., O.M.G.! Just finished U-Turn. Holy freaking sh*t, I don't have words at the moment... or breath!!! So I'm pretty sure Leaona Luxx is getting to insert an evil laugh or two at this very moment…”
“I told Lea I wasn't sure about this book. I wasn't sure I could read a story about someone I hated sooo much. I should have had faith, she said it was going to be worth it. It was... And more so. I had tears just waterfalling down at the end.”
TROUBLE.
That’s all she is and all she’ll ever be.
What in the hell was I thinking getting involved with her?
Everyone knows her reputation precedes her.
But I’ll be damned if I don’t like it.
Hurricane Ava crashes to shore wreaking havoc, the beautiful disaster she is.
What’s worse, she does too.
So, why am I in love with her? Because, she loves me.
She just doesn’t know it yet.
I find myself halfway home when I do a U-turn. I hit the gas, speeding toward Myrtle Beach. My tears fall once again as I think of him leaving and I’m not the last person he sees. I need to be the last thing he sees. The fissure my heart has suffered begins to quake as I pray I make it back to him.
I park at the airport entrance, racing through every checkpoint I can before actually yelling, “He’s leaving. I have to tell him I love him.” The airport officials have mercy on me when I explain he’s a soldier and I’m crazy for him. “He may not make it back, he’s deploying.”
Pointed in the right direction, I sprint to his departure gate. His family standing close by the window, I know then he’s already boarded. I push past several onlookers to the wide expanse of glass standing between us.
I search, switching between his family and the plane, to gauge where he will be. My chest constricts as I get a glimpse of him for the first time in fatigues. He’s breathtaking. As my pride swells, I lay my hand on the window, reaching for him.
I begin to lose hope when his eyes suddenly dart to me. A smile growing on his face as I fight to dry mine. The plane begins to roll, and I follow it, never moving my hand from the clear barrier. When Riley raises his hand, pressing it against the glass, I fall to my knees.
My eyes never leave his face nor does my hand break our connection. I stay there as he taxi’s down the runway and lifts off. Leaving me. I push against the glass with both hands, hoping beyond all things I could break it and run after him.
I sit against the window, clutching my chest as if my heart has fallen from it until Walker picks me up from the floor. He carries me from the building, my life in ashes. Walker sits with me until I regain some semblance of composure. I’m not ever far from plummeting over the edge again.
Leaona, also known as Lea, lives with her husband, cat and two dogs near Myrtle Beach. She was born and raised in WV by her parents whom she adores before attending Marshall University. A small business owner and mother of three, she enjoys Carolina Panthers and Marshall University Football, reading, writing, gardening, crafts, NASCAR, TWD, hot rods, and surf fishing.
