No Shelter From The STORM

Synopsis (Goodreads): Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her, Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys—all the ones she doesn't want. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water—just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They’re powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.

And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.

Secrets are hard to keep when your life’s at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who’s hiding the most dangerous truth of all.

----- 

Let's talk about my lady-crush on Brigid Kemmerer, shall we? It's fierce! And up until this very moment it was my little secret. Shhh...
  
Who can blame me?  I'd heard SO MANY amazing things about her book (Thanks to BFF Sarah) that it became kind of impossible not to pick up. I mean, come on! Kemmerer had me at "Sexy Muscles and Rainy Shirts scene". (I KNOW, RIGHT???!!!) Have no idea what I am talking about? Well, I'll give you a brief recap: Clothes. Clinging on bodies.  Hot BOY bodies. Also, lots of tension. The sexy kind! And obviously there's me...running my hands down Gabriel's--err...WAIT! Where was I?

*wipes drool off keyboard*  

Ah yes, Brigid Kemmerer's deliciously addictive debut novel, Storm.

*cue thunder*

But where do I begin? How does one articulate the sexy-boy power that emanates from the Merrick Brothers? Or even just the Merrick twins? (Oh yeah, there are twins!) *double drool*  Just disregard the fact that I am drooling on myself at a pretty ridiculous rate and I swear I'll get to my other feelings towards this book. All of which are positive. Very positive.

I knew this book would be something special. I remember pausing at every other page because I wanted to take it all in. I wanted to really experience the book and immerse myself in Brigid's refreshingly new world. I wanted to savor these characters and journey with them. Most importantly, I wanted to make it last. Too bad that was a bust! The book was so good it fully consumed me...or better yet, I totally consumed it!

It was hard not to as each of Brigid's characters were so special and really drew you into the story.  Their distinct personalities really shined through and I couldn't help but connect and react to them. The character that surprised me most, however, was Chris. I was delightfully surprised by his sensitivity. I am so used to reading about these tough and super-macho guys that I was genuinely charmed by the fact that he gets his ass handed to him within the first couple of pages. It made him vulnerable and endearing and...well, he's totally worked his way into my heart.

You know who else holds a special spot there? The novel's protagonist, Becca. I loved the way her character developed as the book progressed. Not that she started off as a weakling, she was anything but, I just admired that she took control of her life and really came into her own by the end of the novel. 

In all honesty, I could not have had a more thrilling experience with Storm. The plot was great, the pace was beyond fantastic and I'm pretty sure I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.  Definitely one of my favorite books this year!

Now I want MORE!!! You hear me, Brigid?? MOOOORRRREEEEE!!!

*composes self* 

Oh god, I've turned into a crazed blogger lusting wildly over fictional characters...

*shrugs* 

Then again, what else is new?

**A HUGE Thank You to the lovely Vida at Kensington Books for the reviewer's copy** 

** And to Brigid Kemmerer for allowing me to stalk her on Twitter :D **