FMR Book Grind: BLOG TOUR, REVIEW, & GIVEAWAY ~ Reaching Rachel by L L Collins

Title: Reaching Rachel

Series: Living Again #2

Author: L.L. Collins

Release Date: January 19, 2014

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Rachel has always been seen as a wild child, never committing or settling down. She wants it that way, so that no one ever finds out the truth. Deep down, she is crushed over something that happened years ago that resulted in losing the only man she ever loved. Then she meets someone who tries to convince her that she’s ready to commit again. But some things are not what they seem. Realizing too late that she’s in over her head, and with her life on the line, she comes face to face with her past in a way she never thought possible. Devin was in love once, and it destroyed him, making him swear off love forever. After a promotion and subsequent move unexpectedly brings him into the middle of her dangerous situation, he must come face to face with his past and to the woman who broke him into pieces. But she needs help. Desperately. And maybe, just maybe, he didn't know the real truth of their past. Can he help her survive the terrible ordeal she's been through, and during it all, can he safeguard his heart from her? Or will the truth of the pain that has kept them apart show him that he can't live without her after all?

One of my favorite types of series is one that isn’t about just two central characters throughout but veers off in the sequel to follow peripheral characters from the previous books. If you have read Living Again by L.L. Collins then you know that we were first introduced to the seemingly blissfully unattached, fiercely independent Rachel as one of Kayley’s closest friends but there always seemed to be more to her lurking beneath the surface.
Reaching Rachel delves into Rachel’s turbulent and mysterious past. I found that as much as I enjoyed Living Again, there were a few times when I thought the book was a tad slow going or that the story had lost momentum a bit. Reaching Rachel on the other hand was fast paced and action packed from the start. It really caught and held my attention throughout with a complicated past, a traumatic ordeal, and an uncertain future.

The characters in the story were all incredible. Rachel is a wonderful strong, complex woman who is selfless and compassionate. Devin is a kind hearted man who is forgiving and loves with his whole heart. Even Justin fits his role perfectly.

The reason I love this type of series is the opportunity we get to keep tabs on and occasionally revisit previous characters. Seeing Kayley again in this book and witnessing Kayley and Rachel’s roles being reversed where Kayley was a strong and significant support system for Rachel this time was touching and extremely gratifying.

Reaching Rachel kept me riveted for the majority of the story. The remainder was a beautiful journey of healing, love and reconnection. Even better, this wasn’t just a story of survival, overcoming obstacles and love, it was also about growth, learning, and fulfilling your dreams.

4.5 FMR Stars

~Review by Michelle T.

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Rachel lifted her face and pressed a kiss to her favorite arm her spot. “Devin, all of these years, I’ve been trying so hard to replace you, to make my mind forget by filling it with…men. But, every time, Dev. Every single time, I was disappointed. No one can ever be you because you are the only one for me. And to answer your question, yes. I’m more than okay. That wasn’t just sex, Devin. That was you, bringing me back to life. I want to do that over, and over and over again. And next time,” she rolled over to face him, a glint in her eye. “I want it like I know you wanted to do it this time. Hard, fast, and in whatever position you want it. We had some fabulous times together. Let’s do that again.” “I want nothing more than to do it all,” Devin said, his voice low. “But don’t mistake what just happened for me just being gentle on you. I wanted to make love to you, to show you what you mean to me. I can tell you all day long, but I wanted you to feel it; feel me. My heart is beating only for you. My body is yours. I love you, Rachel.” She climbed back on top of him, pressing her body against him. “Devin,” she said, her face even with his. Pressing kisses to his eyes, nose, then lips, her body started shaking. Why was this so hard for her? She knew it like she knew her own name, but saying it was so difficult for her. “I…” She dipped her head down and kissed his ear, running her tongue along it, then his neck. When goose bumps broke out on his body, she grinned against his neck. Going back to his lips, she put her hands against his face and looked at him in the eyes. “I love your eyes,” she whispered. “And your face. God help me, that body is to die for. But Devin?” “Yes.” “What I really love?” Rachel paused, willing her body to stop quivering. “Is you. I always have.” There, that wasn’t so bad. “I have since the night I met you, and I’ve never stopped. All this time, all these years, it’s only been you for me, Dev. I know we have shit to work through. But, I love you. I do. I don’t think there will ever be a moment where I’m not completely and totally in love with you.”

LL Collins is a teacher who loves spending her days in the Florida sun with her husband and boys, reading, and writing. Her love of writing has found a home in the self-publishing world. Living Again and Reaching Rachel are available on Amazon Barnes & Noble, Kobo and iBooks, in both eBook and paperback. LL has been writing since she was old enough to write. Always a story in her head, she finally decided to let the characters out and start writing and try to make her lifelong dreams of becoming an author come true. She has been a teacher for over ten years, a wife for 14, and a mom to two boys, 11 and 9.