Today is our stop for the tour for
Stolen Course!
…
Title: Stolen Course
Author: Aly Martinez
Series: Wrecked and Ruined
Publisher: self-published
Published: May 21, 2014
Genre: New Adult ContemporarySynopsis: I fell in love with Manda Baker eight years ago, and I loved her to the core of her soul. We were supposed to have that elusive happily ever after and spend a lifetime together. But that was all before she was STOLEN from me.
Her best friend, Sarah Erickson, killed her. It wasn’t intentional. It was far worse. Everyone claims it was just an accident, but I can see through the lies. Even if it’s with my dying breath, I will make her pay for what she did.
Fate hates me. It robbed me of my first love and left me to navigate through this world emotionless and numb. Then, one day, spiteful fate gave me a woman to fill my shattered soul and make me feel again. It gave me Emma Jane Erickson. Now I spend my days searching for the answers that will ruin Sarah and my nights falling in love with her sister—the one person who is bound and determined to save her.
But what happens when everything you know to be true explodes around you? Who will be left to pick up the pieces, and who will need to be saved from the wreckage?
Title:
**I received a copy of this book,
but that did not influence the review**
5 ginormous stars I loved this story (and Caleb’s saucy mouth). What an emotional ride. I read like crazy, but the characters in this series stood out for me. I felt so invested in their lives as I watched them struggle from the tragedy that shaped them, and how they moved forward from that night. I couldn’t help but be affected, and honestly, I felt like I was a part of the group too.
The whole time there were questions I didn’t really have answers to… What was right? Should there be forgiveness? I really did see the situation from both perspectives, but while I felt stronger for one position, I still understood the other. I was also conflicted as I watched two people on such opposite sides of the coin love one another so much and make it work. But they did!
Now let’s get to Caleb. I loved Caleb with his f*ckhawt tattoos, filthy mouth (sweet lawd baby jeebus it really was filthy), and his heart. I loved Emmy with her sass, her honesty, and her heart too. Individually they were awesome and both people I would want to have in my life. Then together, together they were on fire.
The sparks between Emmy and Caleb were unbelievable from the word go. It was insta-lust, (but don’t be afraid because it worked here!)and I loved that they both admitted it straight away. But besides just being full of hormones, the banter between the two of them was pretty awesome, pretty hilarious, and made me see exactly how they fell in love.
I love me some damaged characters, and damaged I got. I wanted to hold Caleb. Wait. Scratch that. I wanted him to rub me all over hold me. Part of the ending was brutal, and I didn’t know if his heart (and mine) could take it. I of course knew it would work out, but just watching Caleb go through the emotions of absolute sickness nearly made me sick for him too. It was tough to read.
Let’s change gears and talk happier things. *puts away the tissues* Look. At. That. Cover. Yes, it’s ok to scroll back up the page. I will wait. Now imagine it really is Caleb and he even does a back flex.
Yep.
Back. Flex.
He did just that, and when I read that part I shamelessly popped open Goodreads to glance at the cover again to get a better visual. You know, so I could experience the story fully. *drool* yeah… it really is gorgeous.
While a good bit of the story was obvious, the entire thing was not. I didn’t see *that* coming. Hmmmm. Interesting. I still don’t like a certain someone, but I have a different feeling about them. I definitely went into the story with a very strong feeling (hatred) about a certain character that actually changed by the end. Bravo to Ms. Martinez for getting me to think about it!
The ending warmed my heart so much. This wrapped up in a way that was real, that was happy, that was just so freaking good.
Would I rec this? YES! And, I’m pretty excited for Hunter’s story, which is next. I will read anything Aly Martinez writes. Buy it today! 
Stolen Course Excerpt
“Do you always act like a kindergartener when you like a girl?”
“Who said I like you?” I mock surprise.
Yeah, I gave myself away. She knows that I think she’s hot, but wanting to have sex with someone is very different than actually liking them. At least it is in my world. I’ve had sex with numerous women since Manda. Never once have I even thought twice about them though. That is until Emma ran into my life.
“You called back, didn’t you?”
Damn it, busted again! She’s right. I like her even though I know absolutely nothing about her. I need to remedy this without acting like a broody, sullen teenager. Who knows. Maybe I will be able to shake her once I get to know her a “What’s your favorite color, Emma Jane Erickson?”
“What is this, the get-to-know-each-other portion of the night? I never thought you would be so cliché, Detective Jones.” She laughs for a second before “Oh, come on. No one likes orange.”
“Why not? It’s different and bold. It stands out amongst a blank world of black, white, and gray. Orange is the early morning sun stretching across the sky and the color of a burning ember standing tall in the middle of a beach bonfire.
It’s leaves in the fall, carrots in Nana’s vegetable soup on a cold winter day, tulips in the spring, and the ladybugs in the middle of the grassy park on a hot summer afternoon. Orange is life. It’s unexpected but beautiful.” She stops talking, and her I consider myself a very artistic person. I draw, paint, and build. Creation is my escape. And to listen to this woman wax poetic about a single simple color steals my breath. It embeds itself somewhere deep inside. A place where no woman, especially an Erickson, has any business being.
“Oh, and it’s my favorite flavor of candy too.”
And with those simple words, I know I’m in trouble. So fucking much trouble.
I begin to laugh, and I mean really laugh. The kind that sticks with you even after the joke is long since forgotten, and I do it for the first time in almost five years. Fuck.
About the Author: Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Aly Martinez is a stay-at-home mom to four crazy kids under the age of five, including a set of twins. Currently living in Chicago, she passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a glass of wine at her side.
After some encouragement from her friends, Aly decided to add “Author” to her ever-growing list of job titles. So grab a glass of Chardonnay, or a bottle if you’re hanging out with Aly, and join her aboard the crazy train she calls life.
