Copy courtesy of Netgalley This was a well WRIITEN story. More realistic romance than most out there. There is a lot going on with the cgaracters and instead if jumping into a relationship to add to the drama, they try to wait. Holly and Mick were by no means ready for a relationship. His life was an utter mess. He did realize that in order to have a successful relationship,with Holly, he needed to fix his life. The author tackles a lot of things in this book. Drug and alcohol abuse, child neglect and family relationships. Even though, these are heavy subjects, we get to enjoy some lively, sometimes humorous dialogue between the characters. Overall an enjoyable read.

F_50x66 Kristine Ruiz's review Jan 11, 15 · edit 5 of 5 stars Read in January, 2015

Holly is a strong willed girl hiding her true self from everyone for fear of rejection. She has friends, who she lives dearly, but at the same time can't emotionally be their for them. She is going to college and her parents are paying for it but she's stuying for something that is only her father wants, to afraid to go against him and fear of losing her comfort she doesn't tell him. She does however start to see things in a new way when her friend rose tells her to work to for own money. So she starts working at her local hangout with Michael the bartender who's always hated her for reasons she feels is the fake id she tried to get away with three years ago.

Micheal has so much going on in his life, the last thing he can think of is a girl, but holly has always made him feeling and want things he could never have, or so he thought. With his parents out of the picture and his sister bringing an unfit parent he tries to raise his nice, but can't seem to keep her in his grasp when social services comes. So he goes into a downward spin and who's there to catch him other then holly.

As time goes on and they spend time together they start to feel for one and other like they never have for anyone else. There's a connection they can't explain but a need to keep their distance. But when Michael finally reveals how he really feels about her but tells her he's not the man she needs and he needs to fix himself first, their worlds start to turn upside down.

With drugs, alcohol, regret, love and so much more can these two find eachother , can they let love win and move on with their lives, or will they forever live in regret?

Mending Michael by J.P. Grider

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Holly is a strong willed girl hiding her true self from everyone for fear of rejection. She has friends, who she lives dearly, but at the same time can't emotionally be their for them. She is going to college and her parents are paying for it but she's stuying for something that is only her father wants, to afraid to go against him and fear of losing her comfort she doesn't tell him. She does however start to see things in a new way when her friend rose tells her to work to for own money. So she starts working at her local hangout with Michael the bartender who's always hated her for reasons she feels is the fake id she tried to get away with three years ago.

Micheal has so much going on in his life, the last thing he can think of is a girl, but holly has always made him feeling and want things he could never have, or so he thought. With his parents out of the picture and his sister bringing an unfit parent he tries to raise his nice, but can't seem to keep her in his grasp when social services comes. So he goes into a downward spin and who's there to catch him other then holly.

As time goes on and they spend time together they start to feel for one and other like they never have for anyone else. There's a connection they can't explain but a need to keep their distance. But when Michael finally reveals how he really feels about her but tells her he's not the man she needs and he needs to fix himself first, their worlds start to turn upside down.

With drugs, alcohol, regret, love and so much more can these two find eachother , can they let love win and move on with their lives, or will they forever live in regret?

View all my reviews

Super book! I loved the characters...their depth, their real life issues, their painful journeys back to the surface. Thank you very much!