Release Blitz & Book Review: The Girl in the Closet by Michelle Heard

The Girl in the Closet
by Michelle Heard
Series: A Southern Heroes Novel #2
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: November 28th, 2018

Blurb:

BIRDIE

Escaping an unthinkable nightmare, I’m given a second chance at life. Cole Trenton is the first person to look past the broken girl. But the moment I give him my heart he leaves.

Secrets never stay buried, and mine returns with a vengeance.
Cole walks back into my life when I need him most. He shows me how to be strong, that monsters only have the power you give them.

But my biggest fear remains.
How do I silence the girl in the closet before I lose Cole again?

COLE

I always knew Birdie Liles was different, but that didn’t stop me from falling for her.
After years of being away, I return home to bury my best friend, only to learn that Birdie’s in trouble.

If I had known about the monster from her past, I never would’ve left.
I went to fight someone else’s war while I left the woman I love unprotected.

But I’m here now, and I’m ready to send Birdie’s demon right back to hell.

Buy now:

Amazon: https://goo.gl/W759kh

About the author:

Michelle Heard is a Bestselling Romance Author who likes her books hot, dirty, and with a touch of darkness. She loves an alpha hero who is not scared to fight for his woman.

Want to be up to date with what’s happening in Michelle’s world? Sign up to receive the latest news on her alpha hero releases, sales, and great giveaways → http://eepurl.com/cUXM_P

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My review:

I keep coming back to this author’s books and stories because they capture me and have my heart beating faster. They are compelling and I want to keep turning the pages and want to know more about the characters and emotional stories. But although this story had some depth, it wasn't enough for me in a way because while I was heartbroken over a death, I couldn't really show any sympathy towards Birdie and what was done to her. If this makes me a cold bitch, so what?! I cried during this read anyway.

I was intrigued by Birdie’s character right from the start but as soon as Cole appeared in the story – which was almost at the beginning – I didn’t see or feel the instant connection they had going. He invaded her personal space immediately while she was having a panic attack and although they knew each other by sight from school, they weren’t friends yet. So I was having a hard time with how touchy he was and how he reacted when she evaded his questions. She was scared and fearful, have some tactfulness man! Ugh! I wanted to shake him to his senses right there! I suppose they had somewhat of a teenage crush but he made it seem so much more with him leaving and wanting her tied to him.

Well, it didn’t get any better with how I viewed their connection although I liked Cole and how caring and protective he was. What also bothered me were all the years between their teens and adulthood that were not further mentioned. I really need more details please. Especially since there was no explanation on how she dealt with her fear.

I absolutely loved the base of the story though and I liked the storyline but it had no width. My mind kept wondering about all the other things that must have happened in their lives, all the experiences that happened in the years where they were apart. The story just wasn’t properly worked out for all its potential.

‘Most people have skeletons in their closets. I don’t have skeletons in my closet. I am the skeleton in the closet.’

Looking at the scenes and the moments separately, they were well written and I just loved how I felt with the characters at some parts. But again, like in the first book in this series, they got involved too fast without any warm up, though I did feel some connection between them later on, thanks to Cole's very sensible character.

I loved the dark side of the story but wished that the scene where the past caught up with Birdie was longer. It just was over and done with too fast for all the build-up.

It breaks my heart to give this book a 3 star rating because it really had me emotional. But there was not enough growing of connection between the characters since it was just there suddenly, as if they had been together for a while already. Or at least been very good friends.

The author knows how to make the characters suffer, hurt, love and just feel but some normal things like small talk, flirting and just getting to know each other conversations were missing. I didn't understand how Birdie was such a closed-up and frightened girl and hiding behind her best friend or foster brother just to be so physically close with an almost stranger all of a sudden only because she had a crush on him. Please just let them get to know each other first. How could she open up so quickly and he be so understanding when he didn't even know her really?! Maybe I just have a different view of life or experience on how people act and react but that's just how I felt about it.

-- I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book given by the author. --

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
View review on goodreads