Beautiful Girl

Beautiful Girl
Kindle Edition
Published January 29th 2008 by Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
ISBN 1599989891 (ISBN13: 9781599989891)

Sometimes getting to heaven requires a trip through hell. Twelve years ago, it looked like Del Prescott had it all. The wealthy family, the car, the looks and charm, and the perfect boyfriend. Then, mysteriously, she disappeared to "study abroad." Now she's back, and it's not merely to attend a high school reunion. She's here to face her demons-and Blake, the man she has never stopped loving.

Blake Mitchell is a changed man, thanks to surviving twelve long years of difficulties that began after Del dropped out of his life. Now she's back, and she's nothing like the polished, stylish world traveler he imagined she'd be. There's a darkness about her, and a grim expression in her eyes that says she's prepared for fight or flight. Blake's concern for her breaks down the walls Del has built around her heart and she finally begins to heal from the abuse she suffered at the hands of her own family. But the betrayal goes deeper than either of them ever imagined-and it's about to come back to haunt them.

This title contains the following: explicit sex, graphic language and violence.

There's nothing quite like returning home to the greatest love of your life.

Del has come home after twelve years of running away after being raped by her stepfather. She left behind everything, including a boyfriend she would never forget.

Blake hasn't forgotten Del either. But after surviving a car crash and enduring years of chemo against the cancer they'd found soon after, he's not the same person he was when Del up and disappeared from his life. But that hasn't stopping him from dreaming about her. And despite the fact that everything, from appearance to actions, has changed about his old girlfriend, he still wants to kill whoever it was that hurt *his* girl.

I had a raging headache when I started this book and I still couldn't put it down. Del and Blake's what-ifs that tackle their minds within minutes of seeing each other again start the bonding process to these characters right out of the gate. From there, Blake's need to protect and soothe Del melts the heart. Delilah still clings to her secrets but the scars on her body from long ago suicide attempts only drive Blake further. He's very much what every girl wants in her first, and only, love. A patient avenger, gentle and devoted. And so much more.

The rest of the cast is made up of cliche small town people where there's a conspiracy involved and yet it's a plus in this situation as it only adds to the surreal feeling surrounding a very dear romance. Blake tugged at my heartstrings as did Del as she fought to leave behind her past. 4 out of 5 stars.