Laura’s Review of Hold On (The ‘Burg, #6) By Kristen Ashley

Synopsis

Since she was young, Cher Rivers knew she was not the kind of girl who got what she wanted. A girl who could hope. A girl who could dream. She knew a happily ever after just wasn't in the cards for her.

In love for years with the last bastion of the 'burg's eligible bachelors, Garrett Merrick, Cher worked hard at making him laugh. Being one of the guys. Having him in her life the only way she could. All this knowing he was in love with another woman.

The Merrick Family is known for loving deep. So when Cecelia Merrick was murdered, it marked the Merricks in a way none of them recovered. Both Cecelia's children found love. Both turned their backs on it. But Garrett "Merry" Merrick knew in his soul the woman he divorced years ago was the one for him.

Until the night when Cher took Garrett's back and things changed. The Merrick family loves deep. They also protect fiercely. And with his eyes finally open, Garrett sees the woman who truly is for him and he goes after her. 

What I Loved

          Wow, well I don’t even know where to begin with how much I loved this book.  I went into Hold On knowing that by the end of it I would balling like a baby, saying good bye to a series that I love so much.  I was so excited to start reading yet at the same time not wanting to read too fast because then it would be over too soon.  But the plot immediately sucked me in and I couldn’t put it down! 

          Both Cher and Merrick are characters we’ve come to know in the past ‘Burg series books, so it made it all the more heartwarming to finally start reading their story.  I already had a vested interest in their happiness and my love grew for them as the story went on. 

         What makes Kristen Ashley books so amazing is she writes these very really very gritty characters that make the story come to life and grow from there.  Cher is a survivor, knowing she’s made stupid decisions in the past but believes after every turn she will make it through somehow.  She will fight to the death for her son Ethan and shows him unconditional love every second she can.  I think what I love so much about her is she is such a strong female, even though she’s made bad decisions she picks up the pieces and moves on.  I think the same can be said for Merrick as well in a lot of ways.  He’s a rough around the edges cop, who failed at his first marriage and has pushed love away ever since. Even though he lives with a constant fear, he’s brave enough when it’s important to push through it to find his own happiness.  Merrick is a man in every sense of the word, his masculinity pours off the pages and I just couldn’t get enough of his alpha mindset.

Not So Much

          I think my only main complaint is that there were times that I felt like the rambling got a little bit on my nerves.  I know it’s the way Kristen Ashley writes so I expect in her books, but this one to me had a little bit more than the usual.  I found myself skipping some sentences just to get the point.

          Also, and it’s not really complaint, it’s probably just a testament to how much I love these characters because I get mad at myself for forgetting some of them.  But I kind of wish there was either a companion novel or something on KA’s website that has like a glossary of all her characters.  Since there is so much crossover from book to book in a series and crossover from series to series it’s sometimes hard to keep everyone straight. I would like to have a reference guide I guess!

To Sum It All Up!

          This was such an amazing and heartfelt story, about finding love when it might seem hopeless.  Cher has accepted her lot in life, she’s made bad decisions in the past which has led her to being in some pretty shitty circumstances.  Merry finally pulls his head out of his ass, realizes what’s been in front of him for years and becomes Cher’s white knight.  Merry might be aggressive and stubborn at times but is exactly what Cher to show her she deserves so much more in life.  It was so wonderful to experience the love growing between them and create a new life together.  Of course no Kristen Ashley story ends without some edge of your seat action, and there was definitely some of that.  On top that there were some pretty hot and steamy sex scenes that were very fun to read. 

          As I began the epilogue I had tears in my eyes knowing that this was the end.  I have been reading the ‘Burg series for a long time now and I wasn’t ready to say goodbye.  Even though the epilogue made me cry even more because it was so amazing, I ended this book with a bittersweet smile on my face.  I don’t think an author has ever given me such a great sense of closure to a series as Hold On has and I truly thank Kristen Ashley for that.  It’s hard to say goodbye to all these amazing characters, but I’m sure I’ll come around and meet them again when I start this series all over again one day. There are no words to express just how much I loved this book and how much I truly love this series.