Review: Kristen Ashley's "Complicated."

Amazon.com:    http://amzn.to/2DraUXV

Amazon UK:     http://amzn.to/2E674o7

Synopsis:

When small town Nebraska sheriff Hixon Drake meets Greta Dare, the connection couldn’t be stronger, but the timing couldn’t be worse. 

Dealing with the fallout of a divorce he never wanted and setting up a new home for his kids, Hix becomes that guy, that one he never wanted to be, and puts a stop to things before they can even start. Protecting his kids, and himself, is his only priority. 

Greta, on the other hand, has found the place for her and the brother she adores that’s perfect for them—a sleepy little town in Nebraska. She’s learned from life that there are no hopes and dreams. The only thing to look forward to is peace. And that’s what she works hard to build for herself and her brother. Right up until Hix walks into her life. 

Hix can’t fight the pull and stay away from Greta for long. And Greta’s finding it hard not to hope for something more with all the promise that is Hix. 

But when the first murder that’s happened in over five decades rocks his small, sleepy county, Hix has got to learn to trust again, convince Greta to take a shot with him, and at the same time catch a killer. 

In other words, things are definitely…Complicated.

Review: Surj

Oh Kristen Ashley, this author has done it again. Honest to god, she is like the gift that keeps on giving and turning the first page to any one of her books still gives me that sense of excitement, that tingly feeling you get when you just know you're on to something really good. Yes "Complicated" was everything I could have hoped for in a KA book and so much more. It had that feel good factor, that sparkle and that magic that took my breath away, left my heart rate soaring and my stomach filled with butterflies. Even now when I think back on Greta and Hix's story, I'm filled with giddiness. 

"How did he smile at me?"

"Like he didn't want to walk out that door, leaving you behind, but instead 

he wanted to drag you our right along with him." 

If you follow this author on social media, you'll get an idea of what's important to her. Things that matter, her values and beliefs that she holds dear and I could really see a reflection of those in this book. Family, friendship, a sense of community, unconditional love and support were all themes that featured heavily in "Complicated" and I think it was all of these that made this book so special. It made me want to be more loving, more giving, more tolerant, more supportive. It just made me want to be a better person. 

“It’s more complicated than that,” Hix informed him.

“People say that when they’re trying not to see how simple stuff really is.”

Kristen Ashley's "Complicated" was one of those books that was just so relatable (for me anyway). Many of the characters (including Hix and Greta) were within my age bracket and none of them were perfect. they made their mistakes (Hixon Drake definitely had his fair share of hiccups) but for me, that's what made them so real and so believable. Hixon was just such a swoon worthy hero. If there was a dad of the year award, he would definitely get it. If there was a boyfriend of the year award, he too would get that. He was just all kinds of loveliness tied up with a beautiful sheriff's uniform as the bow. And Greta, wonderful, wonderful Greta who was just such a kind and giving woman who had endured a lot but had come out the other side so much wiser and so much stronger. 

I adored this small town romance with that added dusting of mystery and suspense and that criminal (who done it) element that left me guessing constantly. "Complicated" really was just pure KA perfection and although a standalone, I'm praying we get more from this little town in Nebraska. 

He was a man who wanted what those he loved wanted. 

"Complicated" gets ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️