I read Hidden Under Her Heart, in exchange for review from Tomoson. The Book was written by Rachelle Ayala and Published by Rachelle Ayala, LLC. I received an electronic copy of the book.About the book: (copied from Tomoson)
Maryanne Torres is a compassionate nurse who fails at relationships. After a string of losers, she swears off premarital sex, hoping to land a marrying type of man. Lucas Knight, a law-school dropout, moves to California to train for the Ironman Triathlon. He's smart, sweet, and everything Maryanne wants in a man, but their relationship suffers from his dedication to the sport. Seeking consolation in the arms of a handsome preacher's son, Maryanne attends a church party where she is raped. Maryanne is pregnant from the rape and plans to abort. But the identity of her rapist is hidden in her baby's DNA. Lucas asks Maryanne to seek alternatives and pledges to support her through the pregnancy. When Lucas becomes the prime suspect, Maryanne must clear his name and make a life changing decision. The rapist has other ideas. In order to destroy the evidence, he offers Maryanne an illegal offshore abortion. With Maryanne's life in danger, Lucas races to save her and her baby. However, Maryanne hides a secret that threatens to tear them apart forever. A 99,000-word women's fiction, HIDDEN UNDER HER HEART deals with the consequences of rape and abortion. [Content Advisory: This book has a pro-life slant. There are a few swear words. The rape is not shown, but there is one mild sex scene between Maryanne and her boyfriend.]
My review:
The book starts off with Maryanne, a latina, a nurse in an allergy clinic, giving Lucas, African-American, shots. Lucas is being a big baby and the relationship had not started yet. Maryanne is currently abstinent until marriage (which I loved, since I am celibate). Maryanne and another co-worker has a bet in progress. Whoever has sex first, buys the other a three day weekend at a spa (wish I had a friend like that lol. I will win). Lucas likes Maryanne, but Maryanne shows little to no interest at first, even though he is tempting. Lucas is an athlete, with an interesting mother and sister. Mama Lucas is a trip. The couple (Maryanne and Lucas eventually went on a date in the park, which led to a kiss, but no sex). They became boyfriend and girlfriend, and then broke up. This takes care of the first few chapters. There is tension from Lucas's family about him dating outside of his race.
Enter Ryan, pastor's son, who is also interested in Maryanne. Ryan invited Maryanne to a party at his parent's house, where Maryanne was drugged and raped. That scene was powerful. Maryanne was dazed and confused. One minute she was playing a game, tipsy, maybe drunk, and the next, in a dumpster. Maryanne barely remembers the party. That's when the book went from light to heavy reading. I wanted to know who raped her, his location, and the nearest weapon in the room. Anyway, the people at the party is trying to blame Lucas for the drugging and rape. Maryanne's father wants her to have an abortion,
The book was a good read. I have read and reviewed Ayala's work before, so I knew the book would be good. The book was light reading in the beginning, but progressed to heavy reading. The book also flowed well. It had a lot of intense scenes, from Lucas trying to get MaryAnne to go home from the party, to the infamous video, to Maryanne's father showing up at her house.
Social Media:
http://www.rachelleayala.com
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
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