Review: With Every Heartbeat by Linda Kage

Title: With Every Heartbeat
Author: Linda Kage
Published: March 2nd 2015
Source: Copy given by author for honest review
Genre: New Adult Contemporary
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Caution: May contain spoilers

I used to think everything was black and white, truth or lie, easy or hard, that if I could just escape my strict, overbearing, abusive father, my life would be perfect. But since I’ve found a reason to risk his wrath and leave, to help a friend in need, I’ve come to realize everything I thought I knew is wrong.

Friends have their own agenda, honesty comes with a dosage of lie, easy doesn’t even exist, keeping secrets sucks, and love...love is the most painful thing of all.

Maybe if Quinn Hamilton hadn’t asked me to skip classes for the day and help him pick out an engagement ring for my best friend, I wouldn’t have fallen for him so completely on that sunny Tuesday afternoon and I wouldn’t feel so conflicted. But I did, and I can’t take it back, no matter how hard I try. So I have to deal with the fact that even I’m not as good, or honest, or caring as I’d always thought I was, and no matter what I do next, someone’s going to get hurt. Probably me.

-Zoey Blakeland

*Don't worry! The hero and heroine are not cheaters.*

My Thoughts:

This is my first book by Linda Kage. I saw a tweet about this book, read the synopsis, and I gotta tell ya, I was intrigued. As soon as I started reading, I was so captivated by the characters that it was difficult to put the book down. I definitely stayed up wayyyyy too late trying to finish--I had to know what happened!

Quinn and Zoey have this instant attraction, but it isn't insta-love, not even insta-lust either. It's there, below the surface, and the two of them are curious about each other. Since Quinn is dating Zoey's best friend, Cora, they both know that anything more would be crossing a line. They become friends and discover how much they have in common and the deeper connection they have. When some horrible things come to light about Cora, Quinn and Zoey are drawn to each other like never before. Even though they want so much more, there are still some issues that need to be resolved, including one revolving around a secret even Zoey isn't aware of. Will Quinn and Zoey be able to pull through and find each other in the end?

With Every Heartbeat was a surprisingly amazing book! I just expected a sweet little story, but I was given so much more. The depth to the characters, their backgrounds, the realistic and sometimes painful facts of life. Everything amounted to an epic kind of story you rarely find. I'm glad I found out about this one, because now I'm going to pick up another by Linda Kage soon!

My Rating: