Salvage Book One by Tiffany AlemanMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
*** ARC provided by the Author for an honest review ***
"Dreams don't come true if you don't chase after them"
This book did not disappoint at all. Tiffany Aleman has become one my favourite writers very quickly and there is no doubt of that after reading Salvage Book One. Not being new to her writing hand, I can say her writing is seriously bewildering thus is executed in a way where it differentiates from various of New Adult Novels, by being that much more passionate, realistic and utterly raw. It's awe-striking, truly.
"But if you aren't the one committing the act, when you stand by and do nothing, you're just as guilty."
Brayden Stephens and Karmen Butler are two very different individuals from backgrounds that don't belong to each other. The blurb is exactly how it is. After years of harsh treatment and disregarded similarities, fate merges them together. They are simply two old high school enemies becoming friends to lovers and each others companion in a lonesome world that face never-ending stipulations.
Just like Brayden says, they are "..Two people who want each other. Friends who were once enemies. Friends who have potential to be something great- something that in a hundred years will be told about. Now we just have to believe it" & Gosh, did they believe it. It took one heck of a rocky road to get where they ended up in but even after that, they were still faced with trials and tribulations. It didn't take long for Brayden to take a place in my heart, nor did it for Karmen. Why? Because thats how amazing Tiffany is at making you connect and relate to the characters. They were seriously two lost souls finding solace and love in each other. The fact that Tiffany gave us flashbacks to the characters' past life made it that more understandable and honest.
"Leopard spots never change spots and evil never sheds it black robe."
"You've always been the one to try and save someone"..."Yeah, well everyone needs saving now and again."
"My pain is mine and mine alone."
Brayden, being the guy he was, you'd expect a hard shell of a person but no, he was vulnerable as men can get. My heart broke for him. His father is a poor excuse of a Man and a father, gosh! When times got tough and the thoughts that went through Brayden's head, I just wanted to YELL at him to stop being so ridiculous and comfort him at the same time but thank the Lord for Karmen, she truly was the woman you'd want for a guy like Brayden. Having the past they shared, she was obviously having some doubts but in the end, the fact that she forgave him and became the person Brayden needed, it was a relief! Karmen had her own parent issues too, but her father made it up to her to be honest. Bless Karmen man, she's so strong and awe-inspiring.
"You're the diamond, Karmen. I found you, so I get to keep you."
"We're the only people in the war we've declared, battling against each other for what we want yet won't give.."
"I want my arms to offer her comfort. I want my kisses to show how much I want her. I want my words to give her reassurances in us. I want to lay the world at her feet and one day I will."
Together they shared amazing chemistry(Brayden's sexy mouth was hot!), negative ruthless pasts, new discoveries, comfort, solace, understanding and love which also created new friendships, even I forgave Drew, ha. I love him and Tammy, without them I don't think Brayden and especially Karmen would've survived. Also, another major factor, the heartbreak in the end they went through- together and individually. Now, that was what really got to me. My heart weeped and I actually sobbed! No, not single tears, full out, sobbing! I don't think I'll ever recover from that!!
"I'm not God baby. I'm the devil. I want to play and corrupt and worship you in the most sinful of ways"
"She's tried to be my rock but instead I threw her into the deep end and let her sink."
So in conclusion, this was a heck of a book full of words that will take you in a whirlwind of gut-wrenching emotions, inspiring people that you can relate from and realizing enemies can turn into friends/lovers. Yes it had situations that can be sensitive to some people but sometimes to end up in a good place, you gotta go through the pain, so read this book to aspire you and know there is always someone out there for you and a way forward. And yes, there is another book to this - normally I wouldn't read books with cliffhangers but I know without a doubt waiting for the second book, the anticipation will a great one and after finishing this book, I KNOW there are great things to come to Brayden and Karmen's story!
"Sometimes, Brayden, love isn't enough to salvage the damage that's been done"
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