All in all pretty good. Wasn’t real fond of his story and reason to stay away from her. Thought it wasn’t really needed and kind of split the focus of the story. ( )

I really wanted to like this book but after a point, I just couldn’t. Though I could understand her need to be there for her family and ignore the problems, I couldn’t get why she was so insecure that she wanted to be with the guy who was clearly so wrong for her and made her unhappy. Also, there is a whole lot of no or miscommunication going around in this book which is the reason for all the angst and I didn’t enjoy that. The only parts of the book that seemed okay to me were the chapters of Brendan’s past. And the only characters I liked are probably Olivia and Will though they hardly have any page time. Totally forgettable read for me. ( )

Drowning Erin by Elizabeth O'Roark  
Drowning Erin is the read I've been searching for, but had no idea I was trying to find.  Ms. O'Roark opened up Pandora's box with her tale of profound emotion that is realistically true to life.  Erin is a woman caught between a mirage and her heart.  She wants the perfect life, but is living in a world of make believe.  Her heart is pulling her in one direction while her mind is going in another.  Then Brendan enters her world and starts to upend everything she thought was important.  He see's beyond the image and awakens her soul.  Caught in the middle of the mess that has become her life, can she navigate the chaos and find her way to happiness with the man of dreams?  Brendan and Erin touch emotions not often acknowledged, but in need of exploration.  Ms. O'Roark takes aim at preconceived notions while breaking through the heart's barriers and making a home for her characters.
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Erin Doyle has been having vivid dreams of her fiance's best friend, Brendan. Dreams she knows she should not be having as Brendan and her are not on the very best of terms. In the very early stages of her relationship with her fiance, Rob, she kissed someone. That someone was none other than Brendan. Since then, Brendan has been doing everything he could to stop Rob from moving in with her or marrying her. Erin has been going through her own turmoil lately as well. She has not been able to set a date for her wedding. The excitement and passion on planning her wedding is just not there. Erin no longer believed in soul mates and love at first sight and she had Brendan to blame for that. Watching Brendan bounce from girl to girl years ago, made her realize what a douche he really was and cured her of any fairy tale fantasies she once had. Erin just can't understand why, after all these years and the hate that she has for him, why he had the power to still make her squirm.

Brendan Langstrom has been away from the states living in Europe for some time now. Now that he is back, he wants to stay and open up a business in the same area where Erin and Rob live. Rob suggests that Brendan move in to their pool house for the time being until he gets settled. Noticing that it is pissing off Erin, he accepts the offer. Brendan can't put into words what he feels for Erin. He had a short history with her while she was engaged, but nothing ever came of it as he is not the commitment type of kinda guy anyway. Warning Rob to give her up hasn't been working either. Why is he so determined to break them up?

When Rob goes away on a business trip Erin and Brendan are forced to face their feelings for one another and try to make sense of what went wrong. Erin's life from the outside looks perfect, but it is far from that. While Rob does not see it, Brendan picks up on her emotions and pushes her to face what she truly wants out of life instead of drowning in the "perfect" world she has set up for herself. Can Erin and Brendan ever find the happiness and love that they both deserve or will they continue to make the same mistakes of the past?

DROWNING ERIN was a highly emotional read for me. You just can't help but really feel for both of the main characters. Elizabeth O'Roarke does a fantastic job by delving deep with one hell of an angsty and drama filled story. I love how the story is in dual perspectives and also alternates from the past to the present. It really gave me a feel for what the main characters have been through, both together and apart and really got into the heart of their problems both in love and in life. Elizabeth O'Roarke really packs you with a powerful punch as she peels back layer after layer of raw emotion leaving both characters vulnerable and exposed. Although this is the first story I have read by Elizabeth O"Roarke, I know it will not be my last. DROWNING ERIN is by far a fantastic read.
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I loved this book so hard!! Once I got like past the first chapter, I really enjoyed this book. It was well thought out, well written, and the story was not contrived. This is a love story plain and simple, there is no action, its more emotional. The story is raw, loving, naughty, and forgiving. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book.



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