Short Take Reviews: Consolation and Conviction by Corinne Michaels

 

About a year ago I decided to do a deep dive into Corinne Michaels' backlist. I love her books so why not go back to the beginning, right? So I read her first two published novels, Beloved and Beholden from her Salvation series, and well... let's say that I wasn't blown away. (You can read my thoughts here.) And I decided I would stick with her newer releases.

Fast forward one year and I've done a total 180. I've been on a major Corinne binge lately and that made me want to go back to the beginning... again. So I went back to the Salvation series. And I am hooked! I'm now six books into the series and I don't want it to end. I can't explain it. The characters that drove me crazy in those first two books, I now adore. *shrugs* Here are my short and sweet thoughts on the Consolation Duet, books three and four in the overall series. 

Consolation

by Corinne Michaels

Series: Consolation Duet #1/Salvation series #3

Format: Audio 

Source: Audible Plus

At 27, Natalie was married to her high school sweetheart and expecting their first child. Receiving the news that Aaron, a former Navy Seal, was killed while on a security mission overseas, left her devastated and grief-stricken. When Aaron’s best friend Liam showed up after the birth of her daughter, offering his help and support, she quickly came to lean on him. His friendship and support helped her come back from a dark place and feel like herself again. They’d been friends for years through Aaron, but now a bond was forming separate from him. They were both grieving the loss of Aaron while struggling with feelings that went beyond the bounds of friendship. Corinne Michaels has a knack for writing sympathetic characters and that meant I felt Natalie’s heartbreak and pain, as well as Liam’s conflict as he dealt with the loss of his best friend and his own feelings for his friend’s widow. This one ended on a major cliffhanger which had me starting the next book immediately. 4.25 stars

Conviction

by Corinne Michaels
Series: Consolation Duet #2/Salvation series #4
Format: Audio
Source: Audible Plus

There’s little I can say about the plot of Conviction without major spoilers, so this review will be intentionally vague. Natalie had been dealt some major, life-changing blows in Consolation. Unfortunately, her life continued to take some unexpected turns and she was forced to adjust yet again. I loved Natalie’s strength and resilience and was desperate to see her get her happy ending. She showed such grace under pressure and concern for the feelings of others – until she reached her limit and put herself and her own needs first. Natalie changed and grew as a character, and it was so satisfying to watch her journey. Beyond Natalie, Corinne Michaels created a hero unlike any other and he will, without a doubt, go down as one of my favorite fictional heroes. His situation was just as heart wrenching as Natalie’s and seeing his steadfastness and his vulnerability was touching. There was romance and laughter and tears, and an ending that could not have been more perfect. 4.25 stars

Have you read either of these books?