Review: Living with Shame by KJ Bell (Irish Bastards #1)
Note: This ARC was provided by the author via Social Butterfly PR in exchange for an honest review.
Shame is my first ever KJ Bell read and it's also the first in her new Irish Bastards series set in Boston. She may have only been thirteen when Breeze Clery first walked into the clubhouse of the Irish Bastards, but from the moment she crossed the threshold, she felt like she had found home for the first time ever. When Seamus "Shame" O'Rilley proceeds to ask her how old she is and she insists that she's eighteen, he seals their lips together and in the process, sealing their fates as well and allowing Shame to realize that there is no way Breeze is eighteen. Her father's debt leads the Irish Bastards to take her in and Shame tells her that she's to pay off what her father owes, but he's protective of her, not just because she's only thirteen but because of his inexplicable draw to her. Over the years, Breeze's feelings for Shame grow, but Shame knows all too well that the ten-year age difference between them is just one of many stumbling blocks. A man like Shame isn't easy to love--a fact that Breeze knows firsthand and all too well--and Breeze isn't sure how long she can keep holding on to someone who's always letting her go.
There was so much of this book that was both hopeful and heartbreaking, and I felt for Breeze and what she had to go through. Shame is the kind of man that can push you to the brink and make you question why you're actually still holding out hope that he'll reciprocate whatever feelings you may have. He was frustrating but the more you get to know him and realize what kind of man he truly is--and how much he actually loves Breeze--you see why Breeze loves him as much as she does. I've read countless books that have dual POVs, but this one felt different in a good way. We truly got the perspectives of both Breeze and Shame with regards to the same situations and this allows readers to have a better understanding of what makes them tick and what their motivations are. This book does end in a cliffhanger--EVIL!--so prepare for a fair amount of frustration (unless you aren't the type to be bothered by cliffhangers). There's no news that I know of with regards to the release of the second book, so I'm more anxious than usual, but if it's as good as Living with Shame, my fingers are crossed it'll be worth it. 4.5 stars! ♥
There was so much of this book that was both hopeful and heartbreaking, and I felt for Breeze and what she had to go through. Shame is the kind of man that can push you to the brink and make you question why you're actually still holding out hope that he'll reciprocate whatever feelings you may have. He was frustrating but the more you get to know him and realize what kind of man he truly is--and how much he actually loves Breeze--you see why Breeze loves him as much as she does. I've read countless books that have dual POVs, but this one felt different in a good way. We truly got the perspectives of both Breeze and Shame with regards to the same situations and this allows readers to have a better understanding of what makes them tick and what their motivations are. This book does end in a cliffhanger--EVIL!--so prepare for a fair amount of frustration (unless you aren't the type to be bothered by cliffhangers). There's no news that I know of with regards to the release of the second book, so I'm more anxious than usual, but if it's as good as Living with Shame, my fingers are crossed it'll be worth it. 4.5 stars! ♥
Release Date: 17 May 2017
Date Read: 17 May 2017
Date Read: 17 May 2017
Learn more about KJ Bell.
Purchase Living with Shame on Amazon.
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