Review: Raven by Ashley Suzanne (Fight or Flight #1)
Note: This ARC was provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept in exchange for an honest review.
Rian Fields is used to handling whatever life throws her way on her own. She knows the disappointment that comes with relying on someone else for support only to have them walk away or turn their backs. Now, she's found a way to channel her aggression and getting the training she needs for mixed martial arts may be her ticket to finally doing something she knows she's good at. But then, Garrett Rhodes unexpectedly walks back into her life and even though the heartbreak they both went through continues to linger even after five years, Rian knows that no one has ever come close to replacing Garrett in her life. This time around, is she ready to fight for what she wants or will she take flight yet again to save her heart?
Raven is the first book in the Fight or Flight series from author Ashley Suzanne and was originally released in June 2014 with a different cover. The story of Rian Fields and Garrett Rhodes takes place over a number of years, beginning with the two of them becoming best friends only to part ways when Garrett's family has to move and then reuniting in high school and falling in love with each other. Sadly, they part again because of Garrett's decision to enlist and they stay apart for five more years before meeting again. Aside from the love story, the book really is about Rian's journey and how she deals with the challenges she faces, something that occurs more regularly than you would think, and a couple threw me for a loop.
It's difficult for me to totally get into a back when I find myself disliking one of the lead characters and that was certainly the case with Rian. She blamed everybody but herself for her lot in life, rarely taking responsibility even when the occasion called for it. When she did own up to something, she would immediately deflect and pin the blame yet again on someone else. Sometimes, she was okay and tolerable, but there were just too many instances wherein the negative outweighed the positive. Add to that the choppy storytelling, and this was a less than stellar reading experience for me. While I did like Garrett and his family and the overall overcoming hardships theme, Raven just didn't cut it for me. It gets two stars. ♥
Release Date: 08 September 2015
Date Read: 07 September 2015
Learn more about Ashley Suzanne here.
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