Each day, Livia McHugh smiles politely and acknowledges her fellow commuters as she waits for the train to the city. She dismisses this kindness as nothing special, just like her. She’s the same as a million other girls—certainly no one to be cherished. But special or not, she smiles every day, never imagining that someone would rely on the simple gesture as if it were air to breathe.
When the moment comes that Livia must do more than smile, without hesitation she steps into the fray to defend the homeless man. And she's surprised to discover an inexplicable connection with her new friend. After danger subsides, their smiles become conversation. Their words usher in a friendship, which awakens something in each of them. But it’s not long before their bond must prove its strength. Entanglements from the past challenge both their love and their lives.
Blake’s heart beats for Livia’s, even if her hands have to keep its rhythm. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love never fails. Love never fails, right?
In an interwoven tale of unlikely loves and relationships forged by fire, Debra Anastasia takes readers into the darkest corners of human existence, only to show them the radiant power of pure adoration and true sacrifice. Complicated families and confused souls find their way to light in this novel, which manages to be racy, profane, funny, and reverent all at once.
I actually was torn whether to give this book four or five stars...if I had half star options, I'd give this book 4.5 stars. This book was WOW! I have to thank Angie for the suggestion and give her the points for picking such a great book.
Blake Hartt is officially the first homeless man I've ever fallen in love with and believe when I tell you...you will fall in love too. Against all odds (by his rough start in life) he's an old school gentleman, with the kindest heart. He's a proud man who won't accept something he hasn't earned and has learned to take care of himself since being out on the street. Blake lives for the daily smiles he receives from Livia. He silently falls for her and watches her from a far never believing he was worthy of her love.
Livia McHugh is a grad student studying psychology. To get to school everyday she takes the train where she makes eye contact and smiles with everyone on the platform, including the homeless man everyone either ignores or makes fun of. She only sees him and treats him with the same kindness she shares with everyone else.
In their journey we meet Blake's foster brothers Beckett and Cole who are the human equivalents to the devil and angel sitting on your shoulders. Heaven and Hell meet in the middle where the three brothers come together. They are a true testament of brotherly love.
We also meet Livia's sister Kyle who is funny, crazy and had a bag of her own issues.
Although they are not the "main" characters, their stories are just as crucial to the overall story. They are all written so well that you will care about them as much as you do Livia and Blake.
I loved this journey, and while it is a long book, I found that it was all necessary to understand what each character had been through and how they got to where they are today.
This story is not like any I've read so far and would certainly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of a story that has a little bit of a darker side to it. I am hoping for a sequel because I definitely would like to know what happens to everyone next.
Here is one of my favorite Blake quotes:
"Livia, you make the rest of the beautiful things in the world cry for even trying at all. You make it hard for me to breathe."
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