Blog Tour and Giveaway: Resisting Ryann: Alyssa Rae Taylor

by Reviews by Tammy and Kim - Friday, May 30, 2014

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USA Today Bestselling author Alyssa Rae Taylor amplifies the angst-filled love story that started in RAISING RYANN.

What happens when the person you love becomes threatened by your very existence? How far will you go to keep them safe?

Luke Ryann will do anything to protect the woman he loves, even if it means shattering her heart. When the mystery of his past comes back to haunt him, he leaves Reese behind and enters the life of crime he had worked so hard to escape. When all is said and done, will he be able to get out of this alive, or will he be in over his head? She’s been in love with him since her childhood, but now she questions everything.

After Reese Johnson discovers Luke’s disappearance has nothing to do with the MMA, she faces a difficult choice. Can she find it in her heart to forgive him? Or will the secrets and lies be too damaging for her to trust again? Will this couple ever have a chance? You know what they say.

Sometimes … love just isn’t enough.

RESISTING RYANN is the second book in the Bad Boy Reformed Trilogy.This story isn’t just a romance. It’s filled with action, suspense, mystery, and a touch of humor.

Recommended for mature readers due to situations of abuse, violence, language, and sexual content.

“He abandoned you, Reese. He discarded and abandoned you, but you still love him. It’s clear all over your face.”

I flick my eyes away from his. “I can’t just snap my fingers and turn off my feelings,” I reply, unsure what else to say. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

His eyes soften. “There’s nothing wrong with you. That’s what I’m trying to tell you. Can you consider giving us nicer guys a chance? I’ll wait until you’re ready. You’re worth it to me.”

-Resisting Ryann

We saw Luke and Reese reconnect and fall for each other and come face to face with their pasts in Raising Ryann. Luke was always there to protect Reese when she needed it, but now in order to protect her had to leave her with no real explanation.

Months later she is still trying to cope with heartbreak and move on. He is doing what he has to do, but is in a dark place. But he can't let go completely and he keeps reeling her back in. But he has to keep so many secrets from her and they continue to just dance around the hidden issues keeping them apart.

"But the truth is, in the end, if I have to fight for you, I will, no matter which path you choose, because the way I see it, your're mine. You'll always be mine."

It is hard to write a review for this without spoilers There are many layers to this story. There are twists, turns, secrets, lies, and people who aren't what they seem. This book had a different vibe from the first one (that I just re-read and enjoyed the second time). While the first one was more fun, playful, full of sexual tension with some tragic undertones, this one was more of a suspense story with two people in love trying to deal with the consequences of their pasts. It was not sweet or funny, but they still had a deep connection. It was nerve wracking, heart breaking, suspenseful, and painful.

Luke...Easy going, funny Luke is gone and replaced by an angry, discouraged man who just wants to break free of his past and protect the girl he loves. But he feels so unworthy and guilty. She is all that keeps him going through some difficult situations.

"She means everything to me. She's my light in the darkness. That woman will be the death of me, I guarantee it."

"Let's hope not."

Reese is so confused and lost. She struggles with heart break, loss, and trust issues. Every time she would try to move on, something would happen to make her want to hang on. But she is kept in the dark for her own protection.

I got so frustrated at times as the story was playing out. There were so many complications and so much drama going on behind the scenes. He has a big mess to deal with that seems never ending. There is a new guy trying to move in on her, and although he seems nice, he is no Luke. There are new characters who I did not trust not to have hidden agendas. There was lots of family drama and danger. I did like seeing more with their friends, Gia and Logan . They provided a little comic relief and support in the midst of chaos.

It was told in both points of view showing us all of their confused feelings and despair. One thing I missed in this one was Reese and Luke actually being together in person. Their time was limited and I really missed that. Although I like that he respected her, I felt sad when he was not around to give her what she needed. So we did not see their sparring and feisty interactions like in the first book, and they were more somber, desperate, and unsure when they were together. But their connection was so intense that you could feel it.

Both had reasons for doubt, mistrust, and being unsure of their position. They both had secrets and held back. And ultimately that was bound to cause damage as well as the distance. It went from one tense situation to another all the way til the end. Leaving me sitting there wanting it to continue when I read THE END. But I understand that there was a lot to cover in this story and it would have been too long for her to complete it all without their ending feeling rushed. So it is not quite over yet and will continue in Breaking Ryann. I hate to have to wait, but am looking forward to more with them.

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Resisting Ryann picks up shortly after the end of Raising Ryann. Even while they are apart, both Reese and Luke continue to keep the other in their mind. Luke is trying to protect Reese, while she just want to move on from the hurt of his leaving.

Luke left Phoenix and has found himself in a tough spot. By trying to keep Reese protected, he can’t have contact with her. His struggles take him from knowing he’s doing the right thing to wishing he could handle his trouble any other way. His situation was constantly full of danger and tension, and those scenes added a darkness that was a complete one-eighty from the feel of Raising Ryann.

Meanwhile, Reese is dealing with the emotions of Luke’s disappearance. She is confused and hurt by the way he left. She tries to move on the only way she can, by gathering Gia and Logan close (but keeping them close brings it’s own frustration as they are so happy together, and Luke is Logan’s best friend), and exploring the possibilities of a new boyfriend. Her new interest is a nice, sweet guy with a lot of patience, but even in her eyes, he is just not Luke.

There was such a lack of contact between Reese and Luke that during the few times they did see each other, a desperation hung over them. Reese wanted to know what was going on, but Luke couldn’t tell her why he was gone, where he had gone, or even when she would see him next. That lack left so much confusion that as much relief as Reese felt at seeing Luke, there was always a feeling of unfinished business and disappointment when he left again. Because they are operating under different levels of understanding of the situation, it was hard to watch how each dealt with the lack of contact.

There is not as much story set in the gym this time, as most of the main action between Luke and Reese takes place outside of work this time. In fact, most of the book takes place with each in different places, not interacting at all. I missed that interaction and the quick banter they had formed.

In the end, I was left with a whole new set of questions and wondering how the lack of communication and misinformation will play out in Breaking Ryann. There is a cliffhanger; this story is definitely not over, but I felt like there was enough resolution of the plot points followed here that even without the series revolution I wasn’t left completely hanging.

This was a fun, quick read. I started it as my 3 hour plane ride was taking off, and was just about finished by the time we were taxiing to the gate. As the middle of a trilogy, it was a great combination of explanatory information and moving the main story line along. I can’t wait for the conclusion in Breaking Ryann, as I have really come to love these characters.

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.

book one
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USA Today Bestselling author Alyssa Rae Taylor lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband, their three daughters, and two English bulldogs. Her hobbies include reading, writing, and watching Sam & Dean Winchester fight off scary creatures on the WB. She enjoys stories that tug at her emotions and isn't a fan of the insta-love type of romance. Her dream is to travel the world with her husband and children beside her. The first time she started writing, she couldn't stop, which leads to now, and the publication of her first novel in the Bad Boy Reformed Series, Raising Ryann.