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Genre: New Adult/Contemporary/Romance
Synopsis Dylan Mathews grew up in a house that was always filled with good-looking guys. However, with four protective older brothers they never stood a chance. Except for one. Dylan knew she loved Ben McKenna from the first time she laid eyes on him. When he started sneaking in her room, she thought he felt the same way. But just as their passion ignited, he left for college and never came back. Until now. Returning home after 5 years, Ben realizes Dylan has always been the one for him. Can he win back her heart and finally find love under the orange moon?
You can read a sneak peek of the book at iBooks
Review
4.5 out of 5 stars
When I started Under the Orange Moon I knew it was going to be good, but I had no idea how much I was going to fall in love with the characters and storyline. From cover to cover Adrienne Frances took me by surprise and left me with one of the most enjoyable book escapes.
It's the story of Dylan Matthews and Ben McKenna. Dylan has grown up in a house full of brothers with two loving parents. Being around so many boys has taught her to be tough, so she has this tomboyish side to her but she is also passionate about art. It's her release, a way to express emotions, she is able to find and re-create beauty in a powerful way. She's been in love with Ben since forever, she even thought he might possibly feel the same way, but as soon as he could escape his parents he left and she hasn't heard from him since. That was five years ago. She knows she should move on but she hasn't found anyone whose piqued her interest.
Growing up Ben's life was never easy, his father while not at home still always demanded perfection, leaving Ben feeling as though he was never good enough. His mother spent most of her time in a drunken haze blaming Ben as the reason her husband left and she has mastered the art of guilt manipulation. His childhood was incredibly lonely and if it weren't for the Matthew's family I'm not sure he would have ever experienced happiness, joy and a sense of belonging. While Dylan's family always made him feel as if he were one of them, it was always only in Dylan where he found true peace. Unfortunately, he knew he would never be good enough for her so after graduation he left, never looking back.
Five years later when Ben returns for a long Christmas holiday at the insistence of his mother he is forced to face Dylan once again along with all the emotions she manages to evoke in him. Only now Dylan is no longer a little girl, but a beautiful confident woman. It's obvious the spark never died, if anything it's turned into a flame, but no matter how much he loves her he still doesn't believe he will ever be good enough to deserve her love in return. Yet he doesn't seem to be able to walk away either. Will he be willing to take a chance and open his heart up to Dylan? Will he finally try and be the man she needs?
Under the Orange Moon is refreshingly told from a narrator's perspective. I cannot remember the last time I read a story in this fashion and it completely worked for me. I was able to look objectively at the story and to really get a feel for the secondary characters. The narration provides more character interaction, from each of the different brothers and Dylan's mother allowing readers to learn more about both Dylan and Ben as individuals. Being able to see them through other's eyes provided a more interesting perspective into the different elements of the story and situation.
This wasn't a story filled with unnecessary drama nor was a happily ever after ending rushed. I truly appreciated every aspect of Dylan and Ben's struggles from jealousy and insecurity, to keeping their new found love a secret as well as watching them each grow and work through their own problems. When they finally arrived at the HEA it was perfection and I couldn't help but smile through the pages.
Another big plus for me was not being bogged down with unnecessary smut, the story is just so good, and written so beautifully that I was able to feel the desire, passion and love between the two without reading about them expressing it sexually. I guess what I'm saying is I didn't miss this particular aspect because it honestly wasn't needed.
I really loved this book, what can I say...I'm a sucker for childhood friendship turned love. This is a fantastic story, one you really shouldn't pass up. It's about putting yourself out there, being willing to try, fighting for what you want and knowing when to walk away. It's also about love and the bonds of family, even when the bond isn't blood. Fall in love with Ben and Dylan under the orange moon, I promise you won't regret this purchase.
*I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.
*I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.
About Author Adrienne Frances
Adrienne Frances spends her time as a writing consultant at a university near her home. In her spare time, she loves to be with her husband and two sons, who have made her exactly who she is today. Writing is a passion that she has appreciated for as long as she can remember. She believes that a wild imagination is a terrible thing to waste and should be captured and brought to life by all that are blessed to have one. This way of life is what led her to become a writer and later an author under Bandit Publishing. Her first celebrated novel, Under the Orange Moon, is set to release in March.
Website: http://www.adriennefrances.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/UnderTheOrangeMoon
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