Always Emilie by Alyson Root is a second chance romance sprinkled with a bit of danger.
Superstar Emilie Martin is burned out at the end of her latest concert tour. She’s looking forward to some well-earned downtime, including singing with her old band at a school reunion. Emilie loved her time at school, except for a horrible incident near the end of last term. She’s anticipating and dreading running into the girl that played in her band, stole her heart, and caused decades of guilt.
Pinkerton Academy was a dreadful time for Charlie and she doesn’t want to attend the reunion but says yes anyway. A horrible incident at the end of term changed her life totally and still informs some life decisions twenty years later. She enlists the aid of her dear, and gorgeous, friends to make the splashiest, hottest entrance ever. Her old classmates, and especially an old bandmate, won’t know what hit them.
Writing
The author is really good at making a reader wait for something big, and then totally delivering when the time comes. Charlie and Emilie, inseparable for most of school, are both very sympathetic characters with glamorous lives and wonderful friends. Their long-lasting hurt and guilt make the romance sweeter. Another story also takes quite a while to play out and adds dark notes as well as obstacles to their reunion.
I didn’t realize while reading that this book is the third in a series. It absolutely stands alone, and made me want to read the other two that center on Charlie’s friends. Every character is engaging, though not always a good guy. I was pleased with the mystery that ran through the book, especially its conclusion, in a surprisingly dark turn.
Pros And My Favourite Parts
Second chance romance is not something I normally read, but I really like how well the author handled the pacing of their reunion. There was no sudden moment when everything was great again, but a long and fraught process that really made me root for them. Emilie and Charlie have incredible friends who play a large role in both their reconciliation and the mysteries that run through the book, not least of whom is Spud the sweetheart dog.
The author works well in tension, taking her take time to put Charlie and Emilie in the same room. Both are still very much affected by that long ago fateful day at school, making them long to see each other and deeply fear it. The buildup to Charlie’s Pretty Woman moment with Emilie’s “gang of bitches” is good, but the actual moment itself made me so happy I re-read it.
There’s a lot of added value in the story with a couple of bad guys and a building mystery that becomes one of the tests to their rekindled romance. Everything worked so well that I’m very interested in reading the other two books in the series.
Heads Up
There are a couple of shocking violent attacks.
The Conclusion
Charlie and Emilie loved each other deeply until a horrible event near the end of last term at school changed both their lives forever. After twenty years apart they’re dreading an upcoming school reunion, but also longing to see each other again. With wonderful supportive friends and Emilie’s bear-spotting dog Spud, they reunite only to find themselves caught up in a dangerous mystery.
This third book in a series easily stands alone. The pacing of their rekindled romance and a dangerous mystery is right on the mark, with no aspect either straightforward or simple.
Excerpt from Always Emilie by Alyson Root
“I’m not miserable. I’m actually quite warm now. I’m sure I resemble the Pillsbury Doughboy, but I’ll own it. I wish I was one of those women who could make winter wear sexy.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You know. Cute bobble hat, nice little knitted scarf over a peacoat.”
“You look fine,” Emilie said, trying not to crack up at Charlie’s face.
“You are a shitty liar, Emilie Martin. You, on the other hand, are one of those women. Look at you.” Emilie looked herself up and down. Yeah, she had the thick peacoat, knitted scarf and bobble hat. Her hair hung down her back.
“That’s only because I’m accustomed to the cold. As soon as your body acclimatizes, you’ll be rocking this outfit in black, I’m sure of it.”
Spud zoomed out of the trees with a stick in her mouth. She ran around Emilie and Charlie several times before running off again.
“Does she want us to throw the stick?” Charlie asked.
“Oh no, she just likes to do that now and then. It’s her thing. If she ever drops the stick in front of you, it’s a warning there is a bear close by.”
“I beg your pardon. Did you say bear?” Charlie hissed. Her eyes scanned the trees feverishly. Oh dear, Emilie shouldn’t have dropped that little nugget of information so casually.
“Don’t panic. It’s a rare occurrence. The bears are further north, but they do wander. They’re black bears, not grizzlies. If we see one, we just back up slowly. No drama, okay.”
“I cannot believe you didn’t tell me about bears – “
“Well honestly you should be more worried about moose.” Oh, for the love of beans Emilie, shut up!
“Moose. Why should I be worried about moose?”
“Erm, they can just be a little aggressive, is all.”
“A little aggr… Emilie, what the hell? Can we go back please? I’m too young to die by moose!”
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Series: The French Connection
A Dance Towards Forever
Diving Into Her
Always Emilie
Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 979-8390809181
Publisher: Indie author
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