Saturday, December 21, 2013

Book Review: "The Cityscape Series" by Jessica Hawkins





The Cityscape Series by Jessica Hawkins is made up of THREE books. Below you will find each individual synopsis and purchase links. However, there is a BOX SET containing all three books, which I've also included here. 

Keeping this box set in mind, Bethany, who recommends you buy it, chose to review the books as a series and not individually. 




Come Undone (The Cityscape, #1)
Come Undone

(The Cityscape Series #1)

Synopsis: 
Olivia Germaine has already found love. Devoted wife, loyal friend, determined career woman - she's created the life she always envisioned. But when Olivia locks eyes with a handsome stranger across a crowded room, he peers a little too closely and sees emotions she thought she'd buried long ago.

David Dylan, alleged playboy and eternal bachelor, challenges Olivia to confront the life she's built and to make decisions that could either lead to happiness . . . or regret.

Will Olivia be able to draw the line between lust and love? And can David respect that line?



Purchase Links:





Come Alive (The Cityscape, #2)
Come Alive

(The Cityscape Series #2)

Synopsis: 
Determined to move on with her life, Olivia Germaine has vowed to forget David Dylan. Struggling to keep her head above water, she focuses on her new promotion and refuses to drown in the memory of their night together.
But when Olivia realizes what life without David means, she must decide if she is willing to risk everything for him... and if she is ready to reopen the wounds of her past.
Can Olivia move forward with her marriage despite her feelings for David? And can David stay away like he promised?




Purchase Links:




Come Together (The Cityscape, #3)
Come Together

(The Cityscape Series #3)

Synopsis: 
With a single decision, Olivia Germaine's fantasy has become a reality. Now she is faced with two commitments: one she must make and one she must break. But in order to accept a love she never thought possible, Olivia will have to let go of the broken past that defines her - and of deeply-rooted fears that could ruin everything.
Everything is what David Dylan wants to give her, and it's what he wants in return. He must prove to Olivia that despite his playboy ways, he's worth leaving behind the stable future her husband can offer her. David is a man who always gets what he wants . . . but this time he may be fighting for something unattainable.
Can Olivia escape the past that threatens to consume her? And can David break through to her before it does?



Purchase Links:




The BOX SET: The Cityscape Series
  

Synopsis:
The Cityscape Series tells a compelling story of devotion, deception, desire and ultimately, love. Start the trilogy people are calling "gripping," "sexy" and "smart." 
Now available as a complete set

COME UNDONE Olivia Germaine has already found love. Devoted wife, loyal friend, determined career woman - she's created the life she always envisioned. But when Olivia locks eyes with a handsome stranger across a crowded room, he peers a little too closely and sees emotions she thought she'd buried long ago. David Dylan, alleged playboy and eternal bachelor, challenges Olivia to confront the life she's built and to make decisions that could either lead to happiness . . . or regret. Will Olivia be able to draw the line between lust and love? And can David respect that line?

COME ALIVE Determined to move on with her life, Olivia Germaine has vowed to forget David Dylan. Struggling to keep her head above water, she focuses on her new promotion and refuses to drown in the memory of him. But when Olivia realizes what life without David means, she must decide if she is willing to risk everything for him... and if she is ready to reopen the wounds of her past. Can Olivia move forward with her marriage despite her feelings for David? And can David stay away like he promised?

COME TOGETHER With a single decision, Olivia Germaine's fantasy has become a reality. Now she is faced with two commitments: one she must make and one she must break. But in order to accept a love she never thought possible, Olivia will have to let go of the broken past that defines her - and of deeply-rooted fears that could ruin everything. Everything is what David Dylan wants to give her, and it's what he wants in return. He must prove to Olivia that despite his playboy ways, he's worth leaving behind the stable future her husband can offer her. David is a man who always gets what he wants . . . but this time he may be fighting for something unattainable. Can Olivia escape the past that threatens to consume her? And can David break through to her before it does?



Purchase Link:



Review:
5 Stars!

I started this series on Wednesday and finished them ALL by Thursday night.....I could NOT put them down! Seriously had me addicted from the get go. I devoured these books...devoured. This is a superbly written story about temptation, forbidden love and the consequences. It really makes you feel the emotion and really 'see' the other side of the story. But, it is also a story of love and commitment, nurturing and growth.

Adultery is a very sticky subject and probably not an easy one to write in the POV of the adulterer. We always see the broken hearted one that is damaged and has to move on from it....I have never read one from this POV, but I honestly loved it. I found myself rooting them on. Now, before I get blasted for this, let me explain a little better. Temptation is a very real threat out there.....always has been, always will be. My personal feelings on this subject are that if you are happy, you don't see the connection or feel it and you are able to move on from it. If you have cracks in the foundation, temptation can filter in.....it happens. The best part about this series was that it wasn't written with a weak hero or heroine. Both were very strong characters and had lives seemingly on track, so this really was a great story to read. This was a very strong story, written with great depth and real, true emotions.

Olivia is married to Bill....and they have been for 3 years. We got to see the beginnings of their relationship and how they met and got together. Their lives are mixed with college friends, functions and good times…they are a busy couple. However, Bill had plans. He wanted to make a future with his wife, move into the “married” life and grow up. I could start to see the breaks and the cracks subtly mentioned in passing and how they affected the big picture. I even remember not really 'liking' Bill, but he wasn't a bad guy, per se. I just didn't feel the connection between him and Olivia.  

David Dylan is a powerful man….he is alpha personified. He is the bachelor all the women swoon over and want to meet. There is a deeper side to David that we get to meet, a deeper real person that has goals, wants and needs. His ambience just oozes control, protection and sexiness. He made my heart melt and swoon….OMG!

It's no secret that I love alpha male stories....one of my favorites. But I also really enjoy a very angsty book, and THIS one definitely fit the bill. David Dylan is a very sexy and hot alpha male that has his head on straight and his eyes on his prize. One chance meeting....one look, that's all it took for David and Olivia. I felt swept up into their world….their all-encompassing powerful love. There was an amazing and intense draw to each other and it really was palpable; the feelings and emotions were very well written. I hurt for her, I felt elation and happiness for her and I felt confusion with her. *I FELT IT ALL AND LOVED IT!!*

This was a single POV from Olivia's standpoint, and seeing ONE side allowed me to focus on her feelings and David's feelings. We got to see the reactions and emotions from the other characters play out, but it focused on hers. I felt very connected to her and was able to see her warring with herself, see her feelings come alive, and see her break down. We really get the full circle of emotions....and even the ending finished off as it should have.

I truly loved this series and really feel that the love in this story, the powerful pull and passionate magnetism between these two, was amazing to read. I just felt wrapped up in their intense relationship and I immersed myself in it. I loved it! I found myself holding my breath at times, biting my finger and smiling *SO* much! Ahhh!! It was intense beyond intense! The author showed the breakdown in communication, the loss of friendships and the growth of others…..I loved seeing the flow of life and the changes that take place over time. And the angst….she had a handle on that and could really write some sexy scenes!! I can liken this to not really a book hangover…..but more like a series hangover. I just enjoyed it so much. <3

Excellent story. Excellent Alpha. Excellent love.

5 powerful and passionate stars.

Love,
Bethany 




About the Author:
Jessica Hawkins

Jessica Hawkins grew up between the purple mountains and under the endless sun of Palm Springs, California. She studied international business at Arizona State University and has also lived in Costa Rica and New York City. Some of her favorite things include traveling, her dog Kimo, Scrabble, driving aimlessly and creating Top Five lists. She is the helpless victim of an overactive imagination that finds inspiration in music and tranquility in writing. Currently she resides wherever her head lands, which lately is the unexpected (but warm) keyboard of her trusty MacBook.


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