I can only wait and hope that the ending will be just as good as the first book and that love will find a way to bring Marite and Brian together again. ~ Amanda, Guilty Pleasures
Description:
No one evades Fate. Especially when the escape route is cracked and full of holes.
As a naïve young woman, Marité Muro nearly drowned in a maelstrom of confusing emotions stirred by two very different men. One whose tortured soul tugged at her heart, another whose scorching touch made her innocent body want…more.
Four years in a Spanish prep school gave her time to gain perspective, and now she’s come home to Florida knowing what she wants. The one man she’s never been able to forget, and she’s ready to prove their age difference is no obstacle.
Viet Nam left scars on Brian MacKay, some visible, some invisible—and infinitely more dangerous. His war buddy’s sister-in-law has ripened into a tempting, irresistible woman, but she is forbidden fruit. Yet she challenges his resolve until, in a moment of weakness, his demons slip free.
Marité isn’t sure why the man who held her closer than skin is suddenly holding her at arm’s length, but she isn’t afraid to fight for him. Even when someone returns from the past who could destroy everything. Her home. Her family. And Brian’s love.
Review copy provided for an honest review
Destiny’s Choice is a coming of age story for Marite Muro, the younger sister of Raquel from the first story, Destiny’s Plan. It picks up where the first story left off at the baptism for the three babies in the large family. Marite may be 15 but she has matured in the last few years with all that went on with her mother and sister. Sensing the impending heartache and trouble her granddaughter is going to deal with, Marite’s grandmother announces that Marite is going to return with her to Spain and attend school there. Four years have gone by and she has become a young woman and is returning to the US to find answers to her heart’s desires.
Marite has grown up but in some ways she is still young, naïve and sheltered, and has a hard time understanding her own feelings. Her cousin Michael is more like a brother to her and he has been distant and troubled and she doesn’t know how to help him. She loves him but doesn’t understand why he is hurting. I had very little sympathy for Michael when I found out why he behaves badly and wondered where this was going to take him. Unfortunately it is leading him down a dark path. Brian is 7 years older and she can feel an attraction between them but doesn’t know how to approach it. What she doesn’t realize is that Brian, a returning Vietnam vet, is dealing with PTSD flashbacks and a horrific ending to a recent relationship. She wants to be there for him and struggles to not act childish and be supportive. Michael doesn’t make it easy for her and when she reaches out, he lashes out at her. Then things get blown out of proportion when his actions are brought to daylight. Brian thinks the worse of her and doesn’t give her a chance to explain.
Unfortunately things are left hanging in the balance and we’re going to have to wait for the story to continue with the sequel, Destiny’s Way.
Destiny’s Choice has a darker tone and there is trouble brewing for Marite, Michael and Brian. A lighter moment is when Brian and Marite act on their attraction and make love for the very first time. Somehow the fates have brought these three together and it is a wonder how things will turn out for each of them. It isn’t going to be an easy fix considering Michael is using drugs and alcohol as a crutch to deal with his pain and frustration. Brian and Marite have both run in different directions, and one or both may be too stubborn to make the first move. I was at first disappointed that the main characters story wasn’t concluded in this book but I figured there was more to be told and needed a sequel to finish it properly. I liked her debut novel and this book as well because the feelings are raw and real. I can only wait and hope that the ending will be just as good as the first book and that love will find a way to bring Marite and Brian together again.
Thanks for the review Amanda