Title:  Blown Away
Series:
Author:  Brenda Rothert
Genre:  contemporary Romance
Published:  May 3, 2016
Publisher:  Random House Publishing – Loveswept
My Rating:  3.5 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

One year after her fiancé died in a heartbreaking accident, Drew McGovern decides to honor his memory by joining his old storm-chasing buddies on their latest excursion. What she’s not so sure about, however, is whether she’s ready to move on. Drew wasn’t expecting to feel the powerful pull of desire toward Colby’s best friend. But there’s no denying the intensity of their connection . . . or the heat he inspires in the parts of her that are still very much alive.
 
Aiden O’Neal doesn’t trust himself around Drew. He’s wanted this girl for a long time—long enough to remember the stab of jealousy he felt the first time he saw her in Colby’s arms. Now he’s trying his best to behave himself. But when the wind starts blowing and the adrenaline starts pumping, Aiden can’t resist the urge to claim Drew as his own. Because when it comes to desire, he’s hoping to make lightning strike twice.

Blown Away really is a difficult call for me because I’m of two minds on how I feel about the characters and their actions.  And that shouldn’t be the basis of a review – but it does have an affect on how I viewed the story.  For that reason I’m going to be brief and ignore the elephant in the room.

Aiden has been attracted to Drew long before she became his best friend’s intended bride.  And that emotion ate away at Aiden for a long time, even to the extent of his other relationships or lack of commitment to one girl.  It’s been about a year since Colby’s death and Drew is going to be coming along with his storm chasing team and he’s not certain if that is going to be heaven or hell.  It might finally be his chance to let Drew know how he’s always felt about her.  But is she ready to let Colby go and welcome him in?

Drew has been drifting in the year since Colby’s death.  She’s made the decision to move on with her life but she’s taking one last storm chasing trip as a farewell to the man she’d loved so much.  She never expected Aiden.  Yet it’s impossible to deny that attraction she’s fighting so why fight anymore?

Aiden and Drew – two people who loved one man who is still standing between them after his death.  Blown Away is an emotional story of letting go and moving on… and not feeling guilty about either.  As I mentioned, there were parts of this story that pushed personal buttons for me and that did color how I reacted to this couple and this story.  It’s a good, solid romance.  And we’re given the story the author wants to tell us – it’s up to us to react to their words.  I didn’t love it and i didn’t hate it, the actions of one character disturbed me on a personal level.  So, for me, this turned into a good story and nothing more.  I wish it could have been.

*I received an e-ARC of Blown Away from the publisher, Random House Publishing – Loveswept and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

Available for the Kindle