Review for Shameless by Cheryl Douglas

Trey Turner may be topping the country music charts but his life has been going downhill since his wife left him five years ago. He’s desperate to make amends for the mistakes he’s made and convince Sierra their love deserves a second chance.

Sierra Brooks is happy for the first time since her divorce. She has a career she loves and a fiancé who loves her. Unfortunately, her fiancé isn’t the only man professing his love. He may be able to offer her safety and security, but will she decide to risk everything for another chance with the man who broke her heart?

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The life of a musician can be an exciting one at times, but the pressures resulting from fame can sometimes be overwhelming too.  Add in a devastating personal loss and life can spin out of control.  For country star Trey Turner the loss of his baby daughter is just the beginning of a descent into guilt and depression from which only the return of the only woman he'll ever love can soothe.  For Sierra Brooks, returning to the chaotic life she shared with Trey where she felt out of place and unimportant, sets herself up for heartache just when she's starting her life over and it scares her.  But if they truly want to be happy reconnecting and putting past hurts behind them is the only way they'll achieve it.

Trey has hit rock bottom at the start of this story relying on drugs and alcohol to get through the pain of guilt eating away at him.  All he feels he has left is his music but with a case of writer's block weighing on him he realizes he now has nothing.  I ached for Trey and his feelings of loneliness and guilt.  He's always been successful in his career but his personal life has completely fallen apart.  He worked for so long to achieve fame and fortune and now has no one to share it with.  He's an honorable man for the most part who's hit some emotional obstacles along the way but wants and knows he needs to change.  His love for Sierra is undeniable and he's willing to give up everything to get her back.

Sierra grew up with an alcoholic father and longed for a family.  She was extremely happy being Trey's wife but felt uncomfortable in his world.  She admired his achievements but was jealous at the same time wishing she too could find her place in the world.  Her uncertainties and insecurities contributed to their divorce along with the death of their child.  Sierra's matured since then finding passion in her charities and this maturity shows.  She speaks her mind now and won't let herself be hurt by following the same path.  Her love for Trey never died and when he needs her most she's there.

The moment these two come face to face the sexual tension reignites.  The looks and touches between them gave me goosebumps in its emotional intensity.  Once they hit the sheets though their connection becomes even more combustible.  It was a five alarm fire between them and these scenes were nicely spaced throughout the story giving you just enough time to cool off before getting you heated up again.  The love between them was very obvious during these sexual interludes.

Not only were the primary characters wonderful but so too were the secondary characters.  They were all likable with interesting tidbits doled out about them that have me dying to learn more about them.  The roadblocks put upon Trey and Sierra made for some good emotional drama and were perpetuated by some truly despicable characters and I was pleased to see the villains get their comeuppance.

This was an emotionally heart wrenching story with a truly likable couple who've been through some hardships making their way back to each other.  I admired the hero for overcoming his addictions and cheered for true love being triumphant.  This story drew me in heart and soul from the very first page to the satisfying conclusion after the final page was turned.  Those wanting to ride an emotional rollercoaster climb on board and add this to your book list.

My rating for this is an A!

*I received this book from the author in exchange from my honest opinion.