Review: Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia

Poughkeepsie
by Debra Anastasia
Purchase Links: Amazon Barnes & Noble
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Blurb:
He counts her smiles every day and night at the train station. And morning and evening, the beautiful commuter acknowledges him—just like she does everyone else on the platform. But Blake Hartt is not like the others . . . he’s homeless. Memories of a broken childhood have robbed him of peace and twisted delusions into his soul. He stays secluded from the sun, sure the world would run from him in the harsh light of day.

Each day, Livia McHugh smiles politely and acknowledges her fellow commuters as she waits for the train to the city. She dismisses this kindness as nothing special, just like her. She’s the same as a million other girls—certainly no one to be cherished. But special or not, she smiles every day, never imagining that someone would rely on the simple gesture as if it were air to breathe.

When the moment comes that Livia must do more than smile, without hesitation she steps into the fray to defend the homeless man. And she's surprised to discover an inexplicable connection with her new friend. After danger subsides, their smiles become conversation. Their words usher in a friendship, which awakens something in each of them. But it’s not long before their bond must prove its strength. Entanglements from the past challenge both their love and their lives.

Blake’s heart beats for Livia’s, even if her hands have to keep its rhythm. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love never fails. Love never fails, right?

In an interwoven tale of unlikely loves and relationships forged by fire, Debra Anastasia takes readers into the darkest corners of human existence, only to show them the radiant power of pure adoration and true sacrifice. Complicated families and confused souls find their way to light in this novel, which manages to be racy, profane, funny, and reverent all at once.

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Review:

I had Poughkeepsie on my TBR list since I read Mariann’s beautiful review at  Belle's Book Bag. I was so excited when I checked my email to see that I gotten an email from Debra Anastasia asking if I would like to review Poughkeepsie. She made my day!!!

I usually read very sexy books with a lot of steam and yummy heroes with Alpha male attitudes, but Debra had me hooked with Blake from the just the beginning with his politeness and sweetness.

“Have a great day, Blake.” Livia continued to linger. She hated leaving him here, defenseless.

“I’ve already had the most amazing day.” He glanced at Livia’s eyes, and she could see victory in his. She has a feeling that that they had both felt the same intense pull.

Blake from the beginning was a sweet and gentle hero. Always thinking of Livia first. What I loved most about Blake was out of all the things in life, the only thing he look forward to was seeing Livia’s smile every morning and every night when she came off the train. No matter if it was pouring rain and had a long ways to go he would be there just to catch a glimpse of her smile.

"Four hundred forty-six," Cole whispered. "He counts. You've smiled at him four hundred and forty-six times as of a few minutes ago. He announces the number every time I see him." 

Not only was he a sweet and gentle hero but he was also sexy. OMG the first meadow scene was beautiful, fan your self sexy and sad. Their chemistry together is beautiful. Debra’s writing is amazing and real. I felt like I was right there in the meadow with Blake whispering in my ear.

Blake kissed her mouth and sucked on her bottom lip. He moved to her earlobe and breathed, "First, I will blow, then I will lick, last I will bite."

Poughkeepsie had so many layers, every time I turned the page I would get another layer of  Blake, Livia and the secondary characters. The secondary characters Cole, Beckett, Eve, Kyle and Mouse just added so much to the story. Loved learning about the brothers past and how they all came to be who they are and how they became together. Who would every think that a Homeless, Drug dealer and a Priest to be would be close friends, so close they consider themselves as brothers. The love they have for each other is breathtaking. What they would do for one another is just amazing.

Nothing and nobody is what they seem to be. Loved all the twist and different back stories of everyone. I can not even count how many times I was like "WHAT" just happened. No that can’t be. I could not read this book fast enough to see what Debra had in store for me. I kept telling myself through out the book "WOW" did not see that coming. There are a lot of intense moments through out the book.

There are many lovely quotes and one liners but the one that I adore the most is from Blake who is loving and sweet.

Favorite Quote:
The music was loud, all Livia could do was mouth, "Are you okay?"

Blake nodded "You're beautiful," he mouthed in response.

Debra Anastasia is now one of my new favorite authors. I am now hooked on her writing and I hope this is a series and Beckett (who I am loving at the moment) will get his own story. I have already been recommending this book to my friends. One of my girlfriends already bought it and is loving it.

I highly recommend Poughkeepsie if you are looking for a great book that has it all with a great plot. It has sadness, happiness, love, hate you name it and it has it. Poughkeepsie is a keeper for me to be re-read and will be reading more of her books.

Thank you to Sam, Elena and Rhonda at  Awesomness  for having my blog on their where Debra found me. You ladies Rock!!