What if the man who gave you the best kiss of your life had no idea who you were? That’s the premise of Start With Me by Kara Isaac and man, it’s a doozy.
My Review of Start With Me
I signed up to review this book because I loved the blurb. So when I started reading Start With Me, I had a lot of expectations because the blurb had gotten me all het up. The story started slow and I couldn’t understand why so many people had been raving about Start With Me.
But you see, it was a trick. I got drawn into the Start With Me so slowly I didn’t even realize it. Before I knew it, I was rooting for Lacey and Victor–wanting them to get through their crazy mixed-up version of the Hunger Games: Corporate Edition so they could start their lives together. I loved how complex the characters were and how each had their own issues not to mention their own family dynamics to deal with.
Do I wish the faith element had been stronger? Yes, I do, but I understand that not everyone is going to be “all-Jesus” all the time and the story is better for it.
Meanwhile, I enjoyed the reminder that God’s redeeming love still works on our behalf even when we’re running away from Him because He’s trying to draw us back to Himself. God is able to forgive us for our sins–all we need to do is ask.
Lacey was a strong female character who knew what she wanted and went boldly after it. So she had had some lies she believed–big ones that warped her view of the world or at least the relationship between men and the women who loved them. But when you read her story, you get it. You understand why she would want nothing to do with the types of relationships she imagined some of the people around her had.
I like that Victor was a perfect foil for her strength without becoming a caricature of an overly-emotional or macho man. He had messed up in the past and he was actively trying to mend the relationships he had broken. He was man enough to fight for the woman he loved but also strong enough to let her go if that was what she wanted.
This is a slow-burn Christian book and the romance between Lacey and Victor simmered under the surface as the characters tried to deal with the present issues of their life. I am in love with Kara Isaac’s writing style and will definitely be picking up more books by this author.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of Start With Me from the publishers through Just Read Tours; a positive review was not required. Get your copy of Start With Me.
About Start With Me
Lacey O’Connor is finally a sure thing for the promotion she’s spent ten years working for. But when a scandal rocks her firm she finds herself on a collision course with the one person she has spent five years trying to forget. Only to discover he doesn’t even remember her…
Victor Carlisle has spent the last three years trying to convince his family he’s no longer the playboy alcoholic who tore their life apart. When a company merger is announced with a US sister firm, he’s presented with the perfect opportunity to prove he’s changed. Only to find himself falling for his competition and the one woman his family will never accept.
As the competition intensifies the choice looms between the professional and the personal. Can they find a way beyond their past decisions and present aspirations to take a chance on the one thing they’re not looking for?
About Kara Isaac
Kara Isaac writes contemporary romance in beautiful Wellington, New Zealand. She is the author of four novels including the RWA RITA award-winning Then There Was You, Close to You, a RITA Award Double Finalist, and Can’t Help Falling an RT Review Top Pick.
When she’s not chasing three small people, she spends her time writing horribly bad first drafts and wishing you could get Double Stuf Oreos in New Zealand. She loves to connect with readers on her website www.karaisaac.com, on Facebook at Kara Isaac – Author, Twitter @KaraIsaac and Instagram @kara.isaac.author
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