A War Like Ours
by Saffron Kent
3.25 Stars
A liar…
Three weeks ago, James Maxwell’s wife died in a car accident, but he hasn’t been able to tell his five-year old daughter the heartbreaking truth behind her mother’s death. Instead, he packs them up and leaves for a summer resort in upstate New York to spend a few peaceful weeks and to gradually break the news. But a spirited and outspoken maid at the resort has figured out his secret.
A hater…
After witnessing her mother’s violent death at the hands of her stepfather, Madison Smith has turned aimless and bitter toward the world—men, in particular. Her dead-end job at the local resort and her convenient girlfriend barely keep Madison from falling apart. When she meets James, however, she’s driven to protect his child from the darkness she sees inside him.
A forbidden kiss…
But Madison doesn’t expect to find that very darkness irresistible. Drowning in guilt and memories, neither does James expect to be drawn to the sharp-witted woman who has made his life miserable. When their tempers flare, a brutal kiss triggers a need that blurs the lines of hate and desire. As their lust spins out of control, they must decide if their attraction is worth fighting for or if love is the real enemy.
~ My Thoughts ~
A War Like Ours is the story of two people who live their lives shrouded in guilt and blame. The past is like a black cloud that surrounds their entire being, suffocating the present, leaving them to go through the motions of daily life without living it. That is, until they meet and everything changes.
James and Madison are characters that contain so much emotional baggage, self-hate and destruction. Their hearts, minds and souls are shrouded in darkness. A darkness they accept willingly as they don’t feel they deserve anything better.
The friends, families and co-workers in this story each hold that one personality trait that makes you love or hate them. As you read this story you become invested in their thoughts, actions and reactions.
Truths, lies, deception and deceit play a large part in the storyline. The internal struggle to let go of the past, open up and share the demons that taunt are surprising and heartbreaking.
James thinks he’s a monster. He owns the fact that his heart and mind are black and that he is best when he keeps to himself.
“The sight of her blood— brick red and rusted against her soft skin— sent a shot of madness though my own. Its taste still lingered on my tongue— metallic with a hint of citrus.”
Madison believes if she allows the brutality of her past to be masked, she will be able to go through the motions of daily life. She expels her grief every morning and then allows herself to be manipulated, believing this is the only way she can survive.
“People think it’s the monsters who do bad things, but it’s not. It’s people like us. All the monsters ever do is live in storybooks. Or in closets”
A gripping story of defeat, desire, truths, lies, pain, lust and life. A War Like Ours explores what happens when we fight the desire and lie to ourselves and others. It showcases the ramifications of your actions on those who love, control and feel they know what’s best for your destiny, all while you fight the choices you so desperately want to explore.
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