I Stand Before You by SR Grey - Book Review

Title: I Stand Before You 

(Judge Me Not #1)

Author: S.R. Grey

When it comes to tattooed bad boys, Chase Gartner is the real deal. Partying, engaging in meaningless sex, getting into fights---Chase indulges in it all during his late teen years, thus firmly solidifying his status as a heartbreakingly gorgeous but way-too-dangerous-to-trust guy in his hometown of Harmony Creek, Ohio. Then, following one fateful night of reckless decisions, Chase's actions finally catch up to him and land him in prison.

Now, four years have passed and Chase finds himself a free man. He returns to Harmony Creek, ready to pick up the pieces and start rebuilding his shattered life.

Things are off to a promising start when he meets Kay Stanton, a young woman with a tragic past of her own. Despite a powerful attraction, Chase and Kay are naturally hesitant to become involved. That's why friendship feels like the safest option. But when passions ignite and love blossoms, a relationship that is destined and meant to be can only be resisted for so long. When Chase and Kay finally succumb to their feelings they realize being together feels more right and true than anything they have ever experienced.

But their love is soon tested. Chase's wild past still haunts and tempts him, and Kay is keeping a secret that could tear them apart.

I Stand Before You is a journey of hope and forgiveness, coming to terms with the past and moving forward. But mostly it's a story of two damaged people who take a chance, open their hearts, and find true love.

New Adult/Contemporary Romance genres. First in a series.

REVIEW -

I met a lot of bad boys in the course of my readings, and I must say: Chase has a spot on the top group. He’s got a mean tattoo  – he likes to party, drink booze, do drugs and sleeps around. He’s the resident bad boy of his small town Harmony Creek Ohio. He’s practically throwing his life away. Until one day, one wrong move landed him in prison.

Four years later – Chase was a free man and was back in his hometown, ready to begin a new life and start fresh. But his past is like an invisible ink tattooed on his forehead. People knew him, and didn’t trust that he would stay clean or sober for long.

Kay Stanton has her own burdens from the past. Guilt was a heavy thing to carry, and it has been on her back for four years since the death of her younger sister. She had heard stories about Chase – mostly bad, well, the only good thing she heard about him was he was very, very good in bed. He was bad news, and she should stay clear of him. Meeting him face-to-face, though was a different story.  He was drop dead gorgeous. Her heart was in danger.

In spite of their attraction, neither of them acted on it. Instead, they settled on a safe ground – FRIENDSHIP. However, as the old adage would say the best relationship starts with friendship. As their ‘friendship’ blooms, trust was developed, comfort was established, and the resistance was futile. The pull of passion and attraction was too powerful to ignore. In the end, they give in to their emotions and nothing feels more perfect than it. Of course, perfection comes with a price. Just as when they thought nothing could go wrong, Chase’s past comes to haunt him, family problems surfaced and Kay is yet to tell him about the secrets of her past.

What I admire about Chase was his determination to change. And when I say determination – I mean a really INTENSE drive to finally do the right thing and stay away from all the stupid things he did before he was imprisoned.  And he succeeded! It may have took quite a while, a lot of sacrifices and perseverance, not to mention a number of temptation – but he proved that he was strong enough to fight it off. People really do change.

I Stand Before You is a love story about two broken, and damaged people who found one another, took a risk on love and finding their happily ever after. It’s a story of hope, second chances and redemption. After finishing the book, I found myself forward for the second book in the series.

RATING:

*ARC Copy was given in exchange for an honest review.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR -

S.R. Grey is the author of Harbour Falls and Willow Point, first and second novels in A Harbour Falls Mystery series. She is also the author of I Stand Before You, first novel in the Judge Me Not series (New Adult/Contemporary Romance), to be released September 2013.

Ms. Grey resides in western Pennsylvania. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Robert Morris College, as well as an MBA from Duquesne University. 

She is currently working on Wickingham Way, the third installment in A Harbour Falls Mystery series, to be released in January 2014. 

Other interests include reading, traveling, running, and cheering for her hometown sports teams.