Melanie graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a BA in Psychology and earned her MA in School Counseling from Appalachian State University. She spent the first six years after graduate school as a middle school counselor. Those were years she deems as some of the best years of her life. That is, until she had children of her own. The last seven years have been spent as a stay-at-home mom. She has learned some tough life lessons, like what the inner absorbent pellets of a diaper look like scattered in the washing machine. She has also learned the strength of the willpower of a two year old lacking a nap. Through it all, Melanie has learned how to roll with the punches and appreciate the time she has been able to spend at home with her children.
Now that her last child has started Kindergarten, Melanie is ready to add a new chapter in her life. That chapter begins with her debut novel—So Much It Hurts.
Ok...So from the start I didn't like Michael, didn't think he was right for Kaitlyn. Then we take a stroll down memory lane and get the story of Kaitlyn, Trevor, Chris, Michael. Ugh. Trevor was a complete and utter douche bag!! I'm happy in the long run he got what he deserved. I really wish Kaitlyn would of stepped up when that happened to her, she could of saved poor Eva. Also I feel I must say that Kaitlyn shouldn't of taken that crap and did something or leave. But I think all women have been in that kind of relationship one time or another and we've stayed for whatever reason we did. I personally can say I have been there. It isn't easy, I felt many things Kaitlyn did and I understand. It brought up a lot of painful memories, things I would do differen't being older and wiser. But she made it out of there, with the thanks of Chris. I was so heart broken when he left. This story breaks my heart, poor Kaitlyn and all she had to go through. I don't think my heart could ever handle it. And then Chris comes back into her night and they have an amazing couple days together. I was sooo happy! I want them together soo bad, I don't know if my heart could take them not being together. They are meant to be together. Just because you have kids with someone doesn't mean you should stay. I hope the secret at the end is true, my theory is that it is and I hope in book 2 they end up together. Her and Michael do not fit, even at the dance I knew they were going to end up together and of course he helped her move on from Chris, but you never forget that first love. We've all been there. We've all wondered about it at one point or another. I truly loved this book to pieces and I HOPE that in book 2, everything ends how I hope it does, or I don't think my heart could take it. Sigh.
Great book, must read <3
Some quotes I loved:
"I mean, if you were my girl, I would never do anything to hurt you. Ever. You would mean too much to me. Trevor should feel the same way. It's not fair the way he treats you, and he still gets the girl."
"You overwhelmed my thoughts-my dreams. It was like you were a magnet to my soul, and seeing you here tonight...it's a dream come true."
"When we're old and gray and widowed, promise me you'll look me up in the nursing home so we can finally be together."
Where to start? I love Chris King, he is one of my favorite rock stars and book boyfriends. I was beyond ecstatic when I learned there would be more.
We start off with Salem taking her daughter and her friends to one of Chris's concert. We then learn who Salem is and then we are catapulted in the past when Chris was sent to juvie. There we learn a lot about him and see what he goes through when he was away from Kaitlyn. My heart breaks for him, it was truly heart wrenching. And Salem, what a amazing and strong woman and character she is. I loved her character because she was so real. There was no fakeness and she represented probably how all mothers have felt one way down the road. It was nice. Not just to see happy baby, wife, life 24/7 because that isn't how real life is and anyone that says it is that way, lies. Nowadays in books it's all happy happy all the time. It gets annoying after a while, so this was very refreshing. Salem is the counselor for the teens at juvie and her and Chris are close. They both help each other in ways neither one thought possible. Now I never felt anything romantic between them ever until they met up 14 years later. The story these two had was very good and it was nice to see them be happy, move on and not hurt so much. Especially my dear Chris. But I will admit, I still didn't feel the SPARK or that they LOVE each other, that is just my opinion. I felt they cared for each other in a friendship way because what they both went through, what they meant to each other. I felt they were both trying to move on and they had comfort in each other,they had a love for each other, but I don't think it was "the one" type. I deep in my heart still believe he was meant to have a differen't outcome. But that is just my personal opinion. I did love the story, I just loved the first book more and was slightly sad and disappointed. Chris King will always be in my heart and a favorite. But sadly Chris is a rock star and sometimes things don't always turn out how you hope and pray they do.
Can Chris settle down and tame his rock star-living ways? or is he doomed to forever be what everyone thinks and expects from him? you will have to read to find out :-)
"As long as you serve me my sodas with exactly four ice cubes and keep them thermostat at a balmy seventy-three degrees, we'll be okay."
"You've planted your roots, now go spread your wings."