Book Review: Jesse's Soul



Jesse's Soul by Amy Gregory
(Racing to Love #2)
December 2012
Sapphire Star Publishing
382 pages
Genre: Adult Romance
(contains: sex, mature language)
Source: ebook from publisher for Honest review

Book Blurb:

Jesse Frost lived the life most men would kill for. Fast bikes, fame, money, and looks. He hadn’t thought much about those things throughout his career. He was just an easy-going guy from Texas who always worked hard for everything he got in life. He’d been the shy guy in school, so when the prom queen found him years later, he thought he had finally made it. Her mirage, however, left him empty and certain there was no one that wanted him just for the man inside. 

Emery Kincaid has a last name that is revered in their world. A woman in a man’s world and succeeding, Irish through and through, she has the temper and sass to boot and a reputation that precedes her. She has remained strong because she’s had no other choice. The pain she masks runs deep and hiding it is the only way she can survive.  

Thrown together and forced to be in each other’s space day in and day out, sparks start to fly—from chemistry and the brakes she tries desperately to throw on. Without a doubt, Jesse thinks he’s found her, but the girl that stole his heart has a stubborn streak a country mile wide.  

What Jesse doesn’t know could break his heart. Hiding her true feelings for him is the only way for Emery to protect him and in turn—herself. She barely made it out the first time. If she let Jesse in and he walked away…well, that’s a risk her heart can’t take.

My Review:
 
This is the second novel in the Racing to Love series. This can certainly be read as a standalone, but I'm glad I read Carter's Love first. Not only do we get to know Carter and Molly (whom I love), but we are also introduced to most of the gang in that book, including Jesse. This is a great series, whether you're into motorcycle racing or not.

This was such a beautiful story. Watching Jesse and Emery's relationship unfold was just one piece of its loveliness. Emery's struggles felt so real and potent. I loved how the author took Emery's situation far deeper than usual and really encompassed all aspects. The author also did a really great job conveying Emery's position and love as a mechanic, giving us such great insight and description of what she does and why, but never making it boring, overly technical, or dry. I could feel Emery's passion for what she did through the pages. I also liked that Emery had a tough side and a sensitive side that Jesse brought out.

Jesse was a complete and total sweetheart, but I loved how persistent he was with Emery, and though he loved her "Irish" side, he knew exactly when and how far to push her. Jesse's love and dedication definitely flowed through the words of each page. Seriously, their love story was just so sweet, yet so heartbreaking. But really, just so very sweet, especially when Emery finally let her walls down. I loved watching them. Even in their struggles, I loved it. And when I wasn't worried about them, I was grinning at their interactions, their banter, and their chemistry.

We also get to see all our favorite characters from the first book, plus a few new people to add to the mix. I love books with big groups of friends to follow, and this series with this group is quickly becoming another one of my favorites. There are serious, heart-breaking moments, and funny, wacky moments (Lance's moment toward the end - too funny!).

My only negative was that it was a bit long, making certain things become repetitive. But outside of that, I genuinely loved reading this book and definitely recommend it.

**Update: I have since finished reading this entire series. I flew through the books and can honestly say I loved them. This is a great series with strong characters and beautiful romances that really stay with you. I love a series that creates a "community" and "family" feel, whether with or without the bonds of blood, where we get to see characters from each book progress in subsequent books. The Racing To Love series created just that. These character bonds are strong, real, touching, and wonderful. Amy Gregory did a fantastic job with this series. It's definitely one I look forward to re-reading.

4-1/2 STARS

 

FIND ON AMAZON  *  ADD TO GOODREADS

RACING TO LOVE SERIES ORDER AND LINKS:
CARTER'S TREASURE (#1): MY REVIEW * AMAZON
BRODY'S LOVE (#1.5): MY REVIEW * AMAZON
JESSE'S SOUL (#2): MY REVIEW * AMAZON
ELI'S HONOR (#3): MY REVIEW * AMAZON
ALEX'S DESTINY (#4): MY REVIEW * AMAZON