REVIEW: Among The Echoes - Aly Martinez

 

5 Echoing Echoes Stars

 

What in the cracking crack did I just read?! If this was a movie, I will be the girl who has a hand over her eyes yet still peeking through her fingers to what is happening on the screen. Like a train wreck you can't stop looking at. Or a horror movie that's so scary but you still torture yourself with the visuals -- and the creepy sound effect.

Among The Echoes was like that horror movie for me, and I've always loved horror movies. Not even 2 pages in and my heart was already pounding so hard, my eyes bulging out from the suspense and my mind was already going through ideas on what the heck I just put myself through, how the story will go and how I (and okay, Erica, too) will survive and live through that horrific… tragedy that happened.

Dr. Erica Hill used to be an ER doctor. She mostly kept to herself, no friends or social life outside of work and because that doesn't exactly pay well enough for her day to day living all while paying off over a hundred thousand dollars of student loans, she took a house call for a quick cash. She didn't think any of it since one of her co-workers also makes it. But her luck that night was pretty rotten and what should be one job for a quick cash turned out as an unwelcome life changing experience.

But Erica was one resilient woman. She's understandably traumatized and easily scares off when it comes to meeting new people and certain situations where she's caught off guard or someone invading her personal space. But she's tough. How she's lived her life and the resolve she has to survive each day even with the threat still looming over her shoulder is something worth respecting. Not every woman would be able to handle what Erica went through and still be standing and confident. I couldn't and don't even want to imagine how I would handle it myself. It makes me scared out of my mind. So having went through that and still able to get out of bed and still work, just… awe-inspiring.

A professional boxer who could care less about the "showbiz" part of being a highly paid athlete, Slate Andrews always spend his time off away from the spotlight and in seclusion in Seattle. He is a straight-forward guy, no bullsh*tting around, he's also protective and as a professional boxer, he's strong and okay, incredibly sexy too. Just the type of man Erica needs in her life. A shield to protect her, an anchor to ground her, and a protective and open-minded person to understand her and love her all the same. Slate is an alpha male but for me, there's something more to him than his charm and caveman tendencies. Maybe it's how he is as a man, as person. He's a rare kind (especially in the fictional world these days). Slate is the perfect mix of all things alpha and all things romantic and it didn't take me long to fall in love with him.

Erica and Slate's relationship started off in a rather awkward and funny meeting, how it slowly developed into something more was an enjoyable treat. It was fast-paced but not hurried. The foundation of their attraction and growing of emotions for each other was there so it was not difficult for me to really feel the strength of their care and love for each other. Plus, with two sexy characters, how do you think their sexy times go? HOT! 

Because Slate was a straight-forward guy (remember I said that?), when Erica divulged her and Leo's secret, Slate didn't bat an eye. His emotions for Erica remained the same if not more fierce need to protect her and keep her safe. I mentioned Slate was a great person, didn't I? Their journey towards getting justice and healing was thrilling, no dragging boring moments, just gripping scenes that made me want to keep flipping through the pages until the end.

I have read 2 of Aly Martinez's books, Changing Course and Stolen Course, and I can say her story gets better and better each and every time, if that's even possible! Among The Echoes is another masterpiece of a story from Aly Martinez. The story, the characters, and the writing kept me on the edge of my seat until the very last word. This is something I won't be forgetting anytime soon! That ending was also cruelly good. Cruel but good and now I'm freaking looking forward to this author's next book!

Stars: 5 stars

Recommended to: Thrill-seeking, romance readers. This is not your typical sweet and bright love story, this has drama and action, a sprinkle of steamy scenes and a good dose of romance.

Series: No. But the last page was a good opening for the next Aly Martinez book and the third in the Wrecked and Ruined series.

POV: First person. Dual POV.

Extra Comment: Leo and Sarah. I cannot wait!