After the love of her life walks out the door, Abby Simmons is depressed, run down, and overwhelmed. Working long days as an attorney in a busy firm is sucking the life out of her and Abby feels she is at the end of her rope. Then, a co-worker recommends a new type of spa called Paradise. He promises their therapies will shake off her lethargy and help her to regain her sparkle. Skeptical, but very curious, Abby decides to visit the establishment. At first, what she hears sounds too good to be true, but soon Abby uncovers a whole new world of pleasure that quickly becomes her undoing.
Step behind the door to embark on a journey where surrendering to desire is only the beginning. Welcome to Paradise.
This is the perfect way for me to read a serial—in a
boxed set. I don’t think I could read
this story any other way. It is one of
those stories that you need to read to the end immediately.
The
story begins with Abby Simmons living her dream life. She is a successful attorney on the fast
track to a partner. She lives with her
perfect guy and looking for rings to cement their forever relationship. Then BAM!
Abby comes home to find her life falling apart. Colin, her finance is packing his things and
telling Abby that she doesn’t do it for him anymore. WHAT?
When did this happen? Abby is at
a total loss and doesn't know how to handle her life.
Her
devastation impacts her performance at work.
Her appearance changes, as does her attitude. Snap out of it! To get Abby back her paralegal, Roman
suggests a unique spa with therapies that will make her feel better and pull
her back in the game.
This
is my first book from M. Clark and Alexandra Weis although I have read other
books by Ms. Weis. The collaboration
works. I don’t know if they each wrote
assigned chapters or they collaborated on each chapter, either way the writing
is consistent and works perfectly.
I
love how the authors develop this story.
It is written in first person from Abby’s point of view and engages the
reader from the start. There are a
perfect cast of characters too: A strong
heroine, Abby, the spineless ex-boyfriend Colin, the sleazy son of the boss
Grayson, a fun loving co-worker/friend Roman, the major swoon worthy wannabe
boyfriend, James, and the hot masseuse Mr. Hands. What more could a romance
lover ask for? Not a thing I tell
you. Not a thing.
Behind
the Door is a fun, sweet read. The story
flows smoothly over a little less than a year.
(If I interpret the timeline correctly.)
Abby is dealing with serious personal issues of rejection that started
with her father and follows her with the boyfriends in her life. She isn’t close to her mother but she does
trust her mother’s advice—sort of.
Abby’s
character grows over the year as she figures out who she is and what she wants
in her life, both personally and professionally. There are some absolutely funny and light
moments between Abby and Roman. I love
Roman. He is the office gossip and, while
Abby knows Roman likes to spread the gossip she still confides in him. He is almost like her human conscience and
helps her look at her life realistically.
The
story line has a twist but I suspected the truth before the reveal. Even so, I enjoy the way it unfolds and how
Abby makes the right decisions to change her life. The epilogue is very good. My only criticism is that I wanted just a
little more. I suspect that is because I
want more and I want more because I like the characters and just wanted to keep
reading.
I
recommend this box set. You will enjoy
it.
4.5
STARS
M. Clarke
International Bestselling Author Mary Ting/M. Clarke resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing her first novel, Crossroads Saga, happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl. When she started reading new adult novels, she fell in love with the genre. It was the reason she had to write one-Something Great. Why the pen name, M Clarke? She tours with Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children's chapter book-No Bullies Allowed.
Alexandrea Weis
Alexandrea Weis is an advanced practice registered nurse who was born and raised in New Orleans. Having been brought up in the motion picture industry, she learned to tell stories from a different perspective and began writing at the age of eight. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her award-winning novels, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story moving and memorable. A permitted/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, Weis rescues orphaned and injured wildlife. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans.
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