Review - Shayla's Story by Beverly Preston

Shayla's Story by Beverly Preston

My rating = 5 Amazing Stars

This is the second book in the Matthews/Clemins family series although it can be read as a standalone, however I would suggest you read No More Wasted Time first as this will enhance the full glorious, blissful and heart wrenching experience of a read into a world where love and life are never taken for granted.

We were first introduced to Shayla in the first book – No More Wasted Time (Tess and Tommy’s story). Shayla has been working for her famous movie star uncle (Tommy) as his PA for the last ten years, ever since he took her under his wing after she escaped from her life of drink related violence at the hands of her father and the indifference of her mother. She is in a safe, if staid relationship with Mat, who is in the throes of the politics trail under the domineering steer of his mother. On paper Mat is everything that Shayla should need but his blasé behaviour towards her is secretly telling her something is missing. After a disastrous Thanksgiving with Mat and his family, she gladly welcomes an escape to her uncle’s surprising invitation to his wedding to Tess in Greece.

It is here on the private plane taking them to Greece that she meets Tess’ son John for the first time. The beautiful, protective John who she hates after he took his fists to her uncle when believing a gutter press article that Tommy was cheating on Tess. All had now been cleared up but Shayla still cannot get over the brute tactics she felt John undertook. However, after a frosty start, she gets to see first-hand how gentle and protective John is and she starts to see John as the person he really is.

Things start to hot up in Greece when the relationship starts to develop and Shayla is thrown into the passionate world that John creates for them. It is then she needs to decide – does she play it safe and go back to Mat or does she jump freely with her arms open wide into the unknown but tempting life that she knows John can offer?

Oh I absolutely loved this book! I first fell for John in the first book, loving the way he took over protecting his Mom, Tess and his sisters, JC and Tracey after their father died. To now see him in this book with Shayla, a very sexy and desirable man in his own right was breathtaking  I loved the part where they both found out about their ages. I won't spoil it by revealing but it took the book up another notch for me. I was thinking “You go for it Shayla, just do it!”  Fabulous!

The locations were another winner in this book. I could really feel I was back in Greece with the little white houses and the sea breezes wafting in the evening. But then we were transported to Christmas in Colorado and the snow. The book took you on a journey with a total spectrum of locations and atmosphere. 

When reading the first book I remember wanting a little more angst and Beverly Preston did not disappoint in this book. A huge curveball was thrown right in just when you thought we were on our way to HEA land. Oh. Em. Gee. It was a ‘heart in the mouth’ moment thinking that something totally different to what I was expecting to happen. 

I absolutely loved this book and was sad when it ended. A truly beautiful and amazing read. 

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