When a book can make you cry in the first couple of minutes, you know it’s going to be good. I guess I don’t have to mention that this was an extremely emotional book, but I will anyway. Natalie’s life seems to be ideal and on track. She’s married to her high school sweetheart, they’re expecting their first baby, and as an ex-Navy SEAL, he has taken a job with some of his buddies at Cole Security Systems. When Natalie receives the knock at her front door telling her that her husband was killed on a mission, her world comes crashing down all around her.
I could feel the pain, the heartache, the grief, the complete and utter loss that Natalie was experiencing. Natalie had a difficult time coming to terms with the fact that her husband, Aaron, was gone and that she would be raising their baby alone. Luckily, Aaron and Natalie had a good support systems of friends to help her get through this difficult time. Liam, Aaron’s best friend, was readily available to help Natalie out whenever she needed. Actually, he would just show up at her house and help her whether she wanted him to or not. He just took the initiative and stepped in to offer her any bit of help or support that he could. Yeah, Liam was pretty special.
With Liam spending so much time with Natalie (Lee), they started to develop deeper feelings for one another. Their friendship seemed so normal and effortless. Liam was not only an amazing friend to Lee, but he was also great with her daughter. I think that a man that is good with a baby is even sexier than a man who cooks and does the dishes…almost.
Along with these new feelings, also came a boatload of guilt. Lee didn’t want to seem like she was just forgetting her husband and moving on. Liam felt guilty for having an attraction to his best friend’s wife. Their relationship wasn’t easy, and it didn’t happen overnight. The memory of her husband was ever-present and weighing heavily on their consciences. As a reader, I wanted them to be together, to find their happiness, especially after I found out that…yeah, I’m not going there!
Consolation is a well written book that is overflowing with emotions, but it isn’t all sadness and grief. There is a lot of lighthearted, playful banter throughout the book that had me laughing out loud on several occasions. It is an intense story that tugged at my heartstrings and left me wanting more. With twists and turns and an ending that I never saw coming, I not only want more of their story, I need it!