When one meeting is just the start.

Synopsis

Having escaped an abusive relationship, Chloe MacGregor is determined to put the past behind her. The little cottage high up on the cliffs overlooking the beautiful North Yorkshire town of Whitby is her safe haven, somewhere she is free to be herself.

When the arrival of her new neighbour and boss, Luke Warwick, threatens her peaceful, sheltered life, Chloe is forced to confront her past and to re-evaluate who she really is. Falling in love with Luke is not part of her plan but, to her surprise, Luke is falling for her too. The only thing preventing their happy ever after is Chloe herself. Will she ever truly learn to leave the past where it belongs?

My review

Chloe MacGregor has escaped an abusive relationship. Now she wants to put the past behind her and enjoy her little cottage on the cliffs of Whitby, where she is free to be herself.
She loves being alone on the beach, having fun with her dog Jasper. But when suddenly she has a new neighbour, she has to share her peaceful place.

Yet Luke Warwick is not only her new neighbour, but also her new boss. and even if Chloe wants to maintain her sheltered life, Luke is making her confront her past and see who she truly is as feelings are starting to grow.

From the start I had an idea of how this story would evolve. Young woman escapes abusive relationship, meets new man, they fall in love and have their happily ever after.
But the further along I got into the story, the more I realized I was wrong.

Okay, from the first chapter I felt sorry for Chloe. When it became clear what an a**h*le her boyfriend was, I was happy when she got away.
And when she finally finds her own peaceful place, I thought it was all going to be okay.

But it was not only her boyfriend that I immediately disliked. There are more characters in the story having a negative effect on Chloe.
While growing up, Chloe had to hear how men are useless, and that she herself isn’t worthy of a man.
And then I’m not talking about some of her friends or one specific colleague…
When I got to know more about Chloe, the more I felt sorry for her, because it is clear to anyone in the story and to us readers that in fact, Chloe is a wonderful person. She truly cares about people, even if she doesn’t always dares to show it.

The moment Luke appears in the story, I fell in love with him… even if he doesn’t know Chloe, he helps her out. and from there on, he cannot stay away from her (not in a creepy way, just in the sweetest way! 😄).
He is also not afraid to reprimand her, just because he cares.

I found this a lovely story, but not only a romance. It shows us how much words can hurt us, and that it can come from the people we care the most.
But also that getting away from a violent relationship is the right step to take, even if it is a difficult one.

This story shows how the abusers can change your own view of things and can make you doubt yourself, even if you aren’t doing anything wrong.
But this is also about strength, because we see Chloe grow and even dares to face the demons of her past. 

A beautiful story about starting over, growing and daring to love.