Sunday, May 10, 2015

Review: Under the Influence by L.B. Simmons


SYNOPSIS:

Dalton,
I loved you once. A love I thought irrevocable. A love I mistakenly believed could transcend both time and circumstance. Under the influence of my dimwitted, naïve, traitorous heart, I became intoxicated with what I now know was simply a figment of my self-indulgent imagination. So drunk on the feeling, I couldn’t see what was right in front of my face. So foolishly enamored, I blindly followed my heart into the depths of an emotion that would ravage me. 
Years later, I know now what I wish I knew then. I am stronger. Smarter. Tougher. I will not allow myself to be broken again. 
I loved you.
I raged for you.
I wept for you.
And now, I’m letting you go.

Author’s Note:  Under the Influence is the journey of two childhood friends that spans the course of five pivotal years in their lives. It is a story about their discovery of true friendship as it blossoms into first love, their experience of crucial sacrifice and ultimate betrayal, and their endurance of agonizing heartbreak on the way to finding lasting redemption.


Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23165655-under-the-influence



Excerpt:  

Spencer POV:

Daltons voice is thick as he begins to speak. Im sorry, Spence. I know I hurt you—”
I shake my head dismissively. You didnt hurt me. Im just tired. 
The corners of his mouth dip downward and he lifts his hand, placing his palm against my cheek and swiping the moisture with his thumb. My heart would typically melt at the tenderness of the gesture, but now I find it only aggravates me. I narrow my eyes and shove his hand away from my face.
Dont do that. Dont do something you dont mean.
Channeling my sorrow, anger begins to churn as I step away and turn my back on him. My bare feet carry me to the wooden rail that lines my porch and I brace my good hand against it, leaning forward and inhaling deeply.
Dalton growls with frustration. What the fuck? Of course I mean it. The last thing I want to do is hurt you, Spence. Im trying to apologize here.
I laugh humorlessly and turn to face him. For what, exactly? For stalking me on my date tonight? 
His blue eyes now heat with a different emotion as they slice to mine. The date in which you were being manhandled by some fucking loser who asked you out for no other reason than to get back at me? He scoffs openly. You should be thanking me.
I cease the fight to hold back my tears, permitting them to flow freely as I respond. I handled it, did I not? I dont need you to protect me, Dalton. I can take care of myself.
He chuckles, unsmiling, as he removes his cap and throws it to the ground, dragging his fingers through his hair in irritation. My glare hardens as I continue my rant.
And yes, he asked me out to get back at you. Are you apologizing for that? Or are you apologizing for the fact that because of your stupid crusade against me dating anyone EVER, I was so excited to be asked out that I accepted a date with said fucking loser because I wanted to know what it would be like to actually be wanted for once? Not entirely true, but true enough to make my point.
My breaths are heavy and my pulse is thrumming rapidly through my entire body. I angrily wipe away the tears as I inquire, Why is that, Dalton? Why is it that you dont want me, but no one else is allowed to have me? I shake my head in frustration as I stumble on my words. I justI dont understand. My voice trembles and my chin quivers with the admission.
Dalton heavy boots sound as he stalks across the porch. I avert my gaze, but once hes in front of me, he curls his fingers around my chin and pulls my face into his line of sight. His eyes burn into mine as they narrow in earnest. You think I dont want you? Goddamn it, Spencer, he bites, I want you so much I cant fucking breathe when Im not with you. Every single time I force myself to walk away from you, I feel nothing but agony as the anger that simmers here, he breaks to pound his closed fist on his chest, breaks free and chars my insides with each step I take.
His eyes begin to glisten and his jaw tightens as he shakes his head. I cant fucking breathe without you, dont you get it? I want you so much that being without you is absolute torture.
He swallows deeply and moisture seeps from my eyes at the sight of his exposed emotion as he continues. I want you, Spence, but I cant have you. I wont allow it. Youre too good, too pure, too innocent, and just as your presence soothes me, mine will eventually flaw you. Its inevitable, and I care too much for you to let that happen.
I watch a lone tear fall from the corner of his eye before he concludes, But youre right. Even thinking about you with someone else, with someone elses arms around you as you look into their eyes the same way youre looking into mine right now, I just…” He casts his stare downward and shakes his head. I just cant. So I guess Im just a selfish, heartless prick, because where does that leave you?
The tear finally falls free from his chin, and I watch it strike the wood beneath our feet before placing my hands on the side of his face and forcing his eyes to mine. My voice trembles as I speak. I know you like to control things, Dalton. Thats how youve learned to cope and I understand that, but you dont control me. My feelings. My heart. And even though you feel you dont deserve those things, that theyre not yours to have, youre mistaken.
I tighten my grip as he tries to look away and state with emphasis, You ask where that leaves me? Well, it leaves me right in the same place, on this same porch, as I was six years ago when I met you. The day that all of those things you think you cant have I willingly handed over without question.
Releasing my hold, I turn away from him, knowing his refusal will absolutely destroy me as I state into the night air, I have always belonged to you. I will always belong to you.  Regardless of what youve done, what you do, or what you will do, I will forever be yours. And thats my choice to make, whether you choose me or not.




Review:  4.75 of 5 stars

L.B. Simmons continues to impress me with her storytelling ability.  I first fell in love with her writing when I read Running on Empty.  Since then I have devoured all of her books and loved every minute of it.  When I read the synopsis and saw the cover for Under the Influence I knew that I was going to fall in love again!  

Dalton is a tortured soul from page one.  I had no clue what happened to him in the beginning but I knew that whatever it was forced him to live with some major demons.  A product of terrible luck and being in the foster system, Dalton made some choices as a child that haunt him daily.  He has an internal struggle with deserving any sort of happiness and seems to only find solace when he is around Spencer Locke.  

Spencer's mom is a foster parent and volunteer at the shelter for abused women and children.  She met Dalton when he needed emergency foster care at the age of 14.  Even though Spencer knows that Dalton needs to seek some help with his burdens she never pushes him but is undeniably drawn to him.  Spencer is one of my all time favorite characters.  She is a kind person that is unselfish.  Her positive outlook seems to be the polar opposite of Dalton, but you know opposites attract.  And perhaps Spencer's life is not as perfect as it appears on the outside.

Honestly, from page one I was completely under the control of this book.  I could not put it down!  I am so happy that the author chose to write the book in 3 parts.  I was so happy with the format she chose for Part 2 and think that it is a perfect way to see time elapse without getting bored.  The beautiful story woven in the pages of this book is one of the best of 2015.  I didn't think that L.B. Simmons would continue to impress after The Resurrection of Aubrey Miller, but she seems to entrance me with her stories every time. I appreciate the fact that she puts a lot of thought into her books.  They are all completely different from each other yet so amazing.  







L.B. Simmons is a graduate of Texas A&M University and holds a degree in Biomedical Science.  She has been a practicing Chemist for the last 11 years.  She lives with her husband and three daughters in Texas and writes every chance she gets.

NEWSLETTER: http://eepurl.com/beZAsj
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