The Brightest Sunset (The Darkest Sunrise #2) by Aly Martinez

eARC received via InkSlinger PR in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: July 27th 2017

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me.

Bullshit.

Words destroyed me.

“I’m sorry. She didn’t make it.”

“Daddy, he can’t breathe!”

“There’s nothing more we can do for your son.”

Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me.

Lies.

Those syllables and letters became my executioner. I told myself that, if I didn’t acknowledge the pain and the fear, they would have no power over me. But, as the years passed, the hate and the anger left behind began to control me.

Two words—that was all it took to plunge my life into darkness.

“He’s gone.”

In the end, it was four soft, silky words that gave me hope of another sunrise.

“Hi. I’m Charlotte Mills.”

My Opinion

I couldn't wait to start this book. The second I finished the first one in the duet I needed this. Unfortunately the ARC wasn't quite ready so I had to wait, which basically meant checking my email every hour of the day to see if it had arrived. 

The Brightest Sunrise picks up where The Darkest Sunset left off. For that reason I'm not go into any details about the plot since this is the concluding book. 

While I didn't feel this book broke me as much as the first, it was definitely packed with emotion. It held my attention well and I couldn't put it down. I thought the story was intriguing and a roller coaster of drama. It had its dark and light moments and the author did a good job of balancing everything so that the book was well-rounded. 

The only thing I will say is I wasn't too keen on the end. Maybe it's just me, but it came too quick. 

Overall, I still prefer this author's Retrieval duet. However, this was equally emotional and two of the most heartbreaking ARCs I've had the pleasure of reading so far this year. 

4

The Brightest Sunset--Book Two in the Darkest Sunrise Duet by Aly Martinez

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2sX0Yo9
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2tG4oJ9
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2u9VhU1
Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/22u0aVAI

The Darkest Sunrise (Book One in the Darkest Sunrise Duet)
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2tYlkMY
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2u5aPrp
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2u5dCAX
Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2u4XsHs

Review ~ Retrieval (The Retrieval Duet, #1) by Aly Martinez

ebook purchased by myself.

Release Date: September 13th 2016

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
One story. Two couples.

I proposed on our first date. 
She laughed and told me I was insane. Less than a day later, she said yes.
It was a whirlwind, but we were happy… 
Until we got greedy and wanted a family.

It was a life I couldn’t give her, not for lack of trying. Fertility just wasn’t on our side. We sought out doctors and treatments. Spent money we didn’t have. Lied to our families. Smiled for our friends. Put on a brave face for a world that didn’t understand.
Finally, we were successful…
Until we were forced to bury our son.

We were left broken, battered, and destroyed.
They say love is in the details, but it was the details that ruined us.

This is the story of how I took back what had always been mine.
The retrieval of my wife and our family.

My Opinion

This has been on my wish list for a while. I've heard great things about it and since the blog tour I've been kicking myself over not signing up for an ARC. I have no idea why I overlooked these books and disregarded them as something not for me. Maybe the blurb didn't sell me enough of the story.

Anyway, thank you iTunes gift card! I've finally been able to buy this book and I can see what people have been talking about.

I'm not going to say too much as I want to get on to starting book 2 immediately. However, Retrieval was a complex story written from three points of view. There are two couples in the POV and I thought they linked well and the writing was beautiful. Everything flowed and I couldn't put this book down. It was engaging, had a touch of emotion, and a hint of suspense thrown in. I didn't expect what I got and it was a good surprise.


Overall I'm moving on to book 2. I need to find out what happens next and I'd definitely recommend this book.

5