Review: Lemon Drops and Love by Angela Stevens

Author: Angela Stevens
Series: Cocktail Series
Published By: Angela Stevens
Released: May 21, 2014

Official Synopsis:
For years, Jude loved Maya from afar. When she falls into his arms at his sister’s wedding, Jude decides he’s waited long enough. But it’s complicated. Maya’s no longer the carefree, self-assured woman he once knew. Frightened, vulnerable, her confidence crushed, Maya is unable to see a way out of an abusive relationship. But Jude Holland is not going to stand back and watch this happen. After rescuing her from Carl’s clutches, he plans to stay and pick up the pieces, but he didn't bank on Carl's unwillingness to let go.

My Review:
Lemon Drops and Love opens at wedding with a very seemingly low self-esteemed woman named Maya Jenkins, who you quickly learn is in an abusive relationship.  While at the wedding, Maya runs into an old friend, Jude Holland, who has just returned from a year of exploring the world.  

The book is intense and there are some scenes described within the book that make you hate the abuser, Carl Fraser.  Not only is Maya in an abusive relationship with Carl, but when she is saved by Jude and their mutual friends, she is then kidnapped, raped, and basically left to die by the mad-man known as Carl.  

The book is written from different point of views.  Instead of experiencing the story from one prospective, you get to experience the feelings and thoughts of many characters; Maya, Jude, and Carl.

Maya's point of view is fragile at first, but as all the events take place you get to watch her grow from a delicate flower into a woman full of confidence, strength, love.  This new found confidence she finds is something you would never have expected of someone so beat down and sinking to rock bottom.  

Jude is you typically tough guy; works out, works hard, and is covered in tattoos.  However, he is also a protective, sweet, caring man who loves Maya without question and bounds.  Though he feels this love is one sides and he could never have her for one reason or another. 

Carl is nothing like anyone I have ever met.  His point of view is anything short of disturbing.  He is a cruel, unfaithful man with charm on his side.  To those who do not know the real Carl, he is charming and overly confident but to Maya and her year long relationship with this man, he is pure evil.

As said before the book is intense and I could not put it down.  The book is only receiving 4 stars though due to the grammar and spelling errors throughout the last half of the book.  Otherwise, this is a must read. 

I give this book: 4 stars out of 5 stars!

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.