Patrick Redmond

"Love isn't just an emotion; it's a surrender. The ultimate surrender of power. If you love someone you give them the power to hurt you more than anyone else can."

Tina adores time spent with her father out on the boat, just the two of them. She loves her father more than anything. That is, until her father unexpectedly leaves the family without a trace. Tina hardens her heart and, to protect herself, creates the perfect outer shell. Rebranded as Chrissie, she takes a job in the film industry. While on a shoot she briefly falls for a bartender, Jack, who lives on a boat and brings back to her the very essence of her father. One day when Jack's remarks hit too close to her tender core, Chrissie runs from him. She latches onto rich and handsome Alexander, an actor, who seems to morph himself into anything she needs him to be. But he can't be Jack and that's a problem for Chrissie. Which is a problem for Alec. Which becomes a problem for Jack.

Like the proverbial train wreck that you can't look away from, you just know this entire situation is going to bad. Really, really bad. It's a fast-paced psychological read. I found myself examining my own relationships with family and friends while reading this one, it really made me think. I was glad when it ended though because all the raw emotions on the page between Chrissie and Alec and Jack was just exhausting.… (mere)