Books are like Air ...

08/20/2013 --Overall Rating = 3 StarsBook Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 1 / 3 / 3 = 2 StarsWriter’s Voice = 3 StarsCharacter Development = 3.5 StarsStory Appreciation = 3.5 StarsWorth the Chili = 3 Stars -- [$2.99 when released]Well, I'm not real sure what to say about this one. I liked it, but it is a strange one. It bored me in places, it touched me in others and it was just strange overall. One thing I liked and liked quite a bit was the second chance aspect.A few things stood out for me when reading this one:1 -- The characters were downright quirky. I couldn't decide if I liked them. I couldn't decide if they were really stupid people or in the wrong place at the wrong time. Either way, I do think I'll remember both Stella and Dane. And with the number of books I read, this is saying something.2 -- **spoiler alert** The whole prison experience. I thought the author did this very well. I also think, to put this in a romance, takes courage. In the very short time Dane and Stella were together, they fell very deeply for each other. They really couldn't think of not being together at the end of this whole mess. It seemed to work for them and I'm glad. Although, many wouldn't consider anything for these two as being an HEA.Now, onto things I had issues with:1 -- Something that didn't work so well for me with this one is the ending. I felt rushed. The middle of this story was soooo... boring. I couldn't figure out where the whole thing was headed and put it down for a few days. Then, we speed up and rush the later part of the book. I absolutely hate when authors do this. Almost like they only just realize they have a deadline. Or, even worse, she got bored with the whole thing, rather like I did [middle of this read]. Then, she turned the gas up, and it was interesting again and then *poof* it's over! What? So not good for this reader.2 -- Another not so good, the whole "small town" premise outlined in this book seemed very contrived. I was about 60% still wondering about the purpose of the story. Is there any message or are we just walking along on the road to nowhere? In the end, it really doesn't matter.3 -- The epilogue sucked! The author does warn us to read another book, the first in this series, and you'll get it. What? Seriously not happy me. Not at all. I didn't even bother to read it. She tells me I probably won't get it, so why bother? So, I didn't.Overall, a pretty strange read. I did enjoy it, but didn't realize I enjoyed it until it was over. One of those terrible coffee drinks that, once over, you want another just to see if it really was terrible or just minimally good.Happy Reading!**ARC provided by Patchwork Press via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!**