Throwback Thursday Review: Leo by Mia Sheridan

Leo by Mia Sheridan

Series: No

Genres: Contemporary Romance, New Adult

Release Date: November 27, 2013

Format: Kindle

Source: Purchased

Find it here: GoodReads | Amazon

Synopsis

Evie and Leo met in foster care as children and formed a bond of friendship. As they grew, their bond turned to love, and they vowed to make a life together when they turned 18 and were no longer a part of the system.

When Leo unexpectedly gets adopted as a teen and moves to another city, he promises Evie that he will contact her as soon as he gets there and come back for her in a few short years. She never hears from him again.

Now eight years later, in spite of the odds, Evie has made a life for herself. She has a job. She has friends. She's content. Then a man shows up out of the blue, claiming that her long lost love, Leo, sent him to check up on her. The attraction between them is undeniable. But, should she trust this sexy stranger? Or is he keeping a secret about what his connection to Leo is really all about and why Leo disappeared all those years ago?

My Thoughts

A sure sign you are about to read a story that simply captivates you? When you read a line and fall in love on PAGE TWO. Yes, page two. That's how quickly I fell under the spell of this incredibly moving and heartfelt story. 

Evie and Leo meet while in foster care. She is 10 and he is 11. They form an unbreakable bond that sees them through tough circumstances. By the age of 14, Evie knows she's in love with Leo, which makes it even more heartbreaking when he announces that he is being adopted and he'll be moving across the country with his new parents. But they promise to wait for one another and Leo swears he will return for Evie when she turns 18 so they can start their life together. But that doesn't happen.

"No matter how far apart we are. No matter the distance or time, I will never love anyone except you. Not ever."

Eight years later Evie is 22 years old, working as a hotel maid to support herself, and has a few friends. But she's never forgotten Leo. When an attractive man approaches her and says that Leo sent him she is more hurt and confused than ever. But her attraction to this new man, Jake, cannot be denied and even as they start a passionate affair she questions what Jake may be hiding and what his connection to Leo really is.

Evie and Leo captured my heart from the very beginning with the strength and the sweetness of their feelings for one another. These two special people found each other early in life but both had already endured so much. Although they were young, there love was pure and true and my heart ached for them both. Seeing Evie eight years later was satisfying in that, while she still loved and missed Leo, she had overcome her circumstances and worked hard to create a new life for herself. She was equal parts strong and vulnerable and I loved that about her. She hadn't allowed her past to make her bitter or hard. Instead, she was kind and compassionate.

Maybe I'm an open book, or maybe love is like a magnifying glass straight into the souls of those who own your heart.

Jake was an intriguing character. He was attractive and charming and a gentleman (with some alpha tendencies that just made him even harder to resist). He was kind and sweet and generous to Evie and wanted to give her so much. I never doubted his feelings for her. But there was also plenty of mystery surrounding Jake. Many questions about his past that he said he would share with Evie, but only later. I had so many questions and so many theories and learning the truth was heartbreaking. 

I loved the flashbacks that provided more of Evie and Leo's story. It really drove home what these two meant to one another and how much of a support system they were for each other. Growing up where they may have had food and shelter but sorely lacked any love or (foster) parental guidance only strengthened their bond.

I can't say enough (without gushing) about how much I enjoyed Mia Sheridan's writing. It was perfect in its simplicity (and I mean that in the very best way possible). Her writing had an ease and a flow that drew me right in and had me completely immersed in these characters and their story. My only complaint? I wanted more of this incredible love story. I've become an instant fan of Mia Sheridan and I know I'll be reading all her other works very soon.

4.5/5 Stars
Originally read/reviewed January 2015

 

Have you ever read a book that you loved instantly?