Never Tear Us Apart by Monica MurphyMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Reviewed by: Michellle
ARC provided by publisher n exchange for an honest review
“I’m her guardian angel after all. It’s my duty to ensure she’s safe.”An utterly devastatingly beautiful tale of innocence, loss, sadness, heartbreak, redemption, and hope. With her gripping, heartfelt, poignant, and gorgeous prose, Monica Murphy has truly captured my heart, mind, and soul with this touching tale that is filled with layers upon layers of raw emotions. Never Tear Us Apart leaves readers yearning for more. More of the onslaught of tidal waves of emotions that only Monica Murphy can deliver. Ms. Murphy paints a literary tale that will hold you hostage as you beg for more of Ethan and Katie.
“My heart tripped over itself. That was the exact moment I knew this boy was my guardian angel, sent to protect me. Only me. He was mine. ”Never Tear Us Apart is a story that is not for the faint of heart. It is a story that is gritty, raw, and poignant. It is a story of devastation. A story where life and innocence is stolen. Ripped away. A story where a victim/survivor faces her past, fears, and the unknown of what lies ahead of her. A story where an unlikely hero is her salvation. A story where hero doesn't feel like a hero. A story of conflict. A story where right and wrong is blurred. A story where two lives intersect. Two souls mingling. Two hearts beating as one. A connection made. A story where light is overshadowed by remnants of darkness. And most importantly a story of hope, redemption and second chances.
In this story, we are introduced to Katherine Watts. The 12 year old girl who was abducted and raped by a serial killer. And eight years later, Katherine is finally coming out and telling her story to the public in hopes that she can finally move on and let go. Let go and cleanse of herself of what Aaron Monroe did to her eight years ago and also tell the story of the boy, who rescued her. Her guardian angel. William Monroe, the son of her abductor and rapist.
“I don’t need to hear all the dirty details. I’m an integral part of those dirty details. The only thing I’m curious about is … her. What makes her tick, what moves her. Does she ever laugh, or is she serious and sad all the time? What’s her favorite movie, her favorite color? Does she sigh in her sleep? Does she sleep soundly? Or does she deal with the nightmares every night? If I’m honest with myself, I also want to know what she might feel like in my arms. Is her hair still just as soft as it was when I first met her? Would I ever get a chance to kiss her? Whisper in her ear how she makes me feel ? Discover the way she tastes? I want all of that. Every last bit. I want all of her. ”While the public and her family categorized Will as another bad seed since they assume the apple doesn't fall from the tree, Katie doesn't see Will that way. She sees him as her hero. A young man who rescued her from death. Her guardian angel. Since it's been eight years, Katie doesn't know what has become of Will since her family has blocked off any contact with Will. But the memory of Will has never been forgotten. It is fair to say that Will has been forever etched into her heart, mind and soul.
“She’s such a part of my life, my past, it’s like she’s permanently imprinted on my heart, seared into my fucking soul. Her words are on my skin and she has no idea. No fucking clue.”After a national coverage interview of her story, Katie never thought she would meet someone who could fully understand the magnitude of how broken she truly is that is until she meets Ethan. When Ethan rescues her from an attempted mugging, there was something in Ethan's eyes and demeanor that made her feel safe. It brought out the same emotions that she felt for Will. But what Katie fails to realize is that Ethan is her Will.
Ethan knew what it meant to have darkness clouding your heart and future. He endured it. Lived it. And survived it. When he rescued Katie from his father, he didn't seem to grasp the magnitude of how much it altered and shaped his life. She was his sliver of hope that he can be freed from the abuse and torment his father inflicted him emotionally. She was his redemption. She was his second chance at life. But as far as the public could see, he was still William Monroe, the son of a serial killer. So when Will decided to change his name five years ago, he wanted to erase and start all over with a clean slate as Ethan Williams. And as Ethan Williams, he wanted to see the girl who was forever etched into his heart. His angel, Katie Watts.
“My heart cracks. This girl. She’s burrowed right into it. She tucked herself in the depths of my heart years ago, when I first found her on that dirty mattress, bruised and filthy and so scared.”The connection that Will and Katie had was so strong and palpable. It could not be explained. And so when Ethan finally integrated himself into Katherine's life, he couldn't just walk away. He had to be near her. He wanted to protect her. Erase all the bad memories that his father tainted. And most importantly, Ethan wanted Katie to be loved by him. He knew it was wrong to lie to her and not tell her that the Will she was searching for was him. So what happens when Katie discovers the truth of Ethan? Can Katie ever recover from all the lies and betrayal after she put herself out there for Ethan? And what happens when a nosy reporter wants to make a media production of her story? William's? and Aaron Monroe? Will the past come barreling like a tornado and destroy everything that Katie tried to rebuilt of her life?
“There was no turning back. Not for us. Not today. And I don’t want to turn back. I want him. Every time I’m near him I feel greedy. Like I want to grab hold of him and tell the world that he’s mine. That he belongs to me.”Never Tear Us Apart is an unforgettable story that will make you FEEL the heartbreak, the conflict, the loss, the devastation, the love and hope that binds Katie and Ethan. It is a story where you are hypnotized by Monica Murphy's delicate and raw prose. The writing was phenomenal as Ms. Murphy strips her readers naked as she exposes the vulnerable nature of Katie and Ethan/Will. She allows readers to be given a brief glimpse of what it truly means to have your heart and life exposed for the public to scrutinize. I seriously can't wait for the next book and conclusion of Katie and Ethan's story. So if you are looking for a book that will steal your heart, hold you hostage and leave you with a sense of hope and second chances, then I highly recommend you to read Never Tear Us Apart.
Monica Murphy
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