Title: If I'd Known
Author: Paige P. Horne
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 7, 2018
Blurb
It was the summer of 1972 and till this day, I can still
remember the way my heart felt the first time I laid eyes on him. Travis
Cole was more than just the bad boy from Ft. Pierce Florida. He was my always.
Time is a thief, they say and if you’re not careful it’ll slip right past you, taking everything you hold dear in this world with it.
My name is Charlotte Harris and I hold in my heart a timeless tale about true love, loss and everything in between.
*Based on actual events, takes place past and present.
Time is a thief, they say and if you’re not careful it’ll slip right past you, taking everything you hold dear in this world with it.
My name is Charlotte Harris and I hold in my heart a timeless tale about true love, loss and everything in between.
*Based on actual events, takes place past and present.
If I'd Known is my first read by Paige P. Horne, and she certainly left an impression on me! When I saw this book was based on a true story, I knew I had to read it! I didn't really know what to expect other than that. I'm going to tell you a little bit to give you an idea of what you're in for, but no spoilers from me! Don't worry!
You know how they say curiosity killed the cat? Well, I'm the fucking cat! I was up until 4 in the morning reading this book and balling my eyes out! You guys know I'm not a chick that loves to cry, so I was also cursing myself out for reading it at the same time. I still feel like I need to drink alcohol today to get over it all. I'm not trying to scare you away by any means, but I don't want you to come to me later cursing ME out for your devastation! Lol
This book reminded me a lot of the movie, Fried Green Tomatoes, in that it's told by an older woman to a younger one about events that happened in her life in the past. It gave me the same feel reading it. I could see it translated to film very easily.
Charlotte Harris is approached by a young woman named Cynthia to write a story about the love of her life. Charlotte is reluctant, but eventually she gives in. Charlotte's friend, Maggie, is the person who told Cynthia about Charlotte to begin with, and she is present throughout the story. In fact, the friendship that develops between the three women and the experience they have together is a large part of the plot, too.
“How little did I know, that it would not only be the most memorable summer I've ever had, but it would be the summer that changed my life forever.”
Charlotte's story begins when she meets her love, Travis Cole, in the summer of 1972 when she was just 16 years old. From the moment Charlotte looked at Travis, she only had eyes for him. He felt the same, and soon, they couldn't stand to be away from each other. Their love was intense, passionate, and wild; the way young love tends to be.
“Young love is like a raging fire that can't be tamed. It's addictive and borderline obsessive. Satisfying in every way, yet never getting enough. I'm the flames, and he's the fuel keeping me burning."
There is just one problem. Travis is a "bad boy," and Charlotte's mama refuses to let her date him. They sneak around and even run away to be together. That's about as far as I can go without spoiling anything. The details of it all are revealed to us in flashbacks throughout the story.
“After all this time, I still ask why? Why me? Why us?”
You know something tragic is going to happen by the way the book begins. That's not a spoiler. I thought I prepared myself for it as much as I could, but it was not enough! My heart shattered. Knowing this story is based on true events and reading what the author wrote at the end about her role in it broke my heart even more. I think it affected me the way it did, because an aspect of it reminded me of someone in my own life, and I cried for them, too. I usually don't even read books with that certain thing in it, because it hits too close to home. I'm just trying to write this review without having another breakdown, so I'm going to end it here.
If I'd Known is heartwarming and gutwrenching all at once. It's both tragic and beautiful. It's a story that needed to be told. Paige, bravo to you for recognizing that. I'm sure you made "Charlotte and Travis" proud.
If you're looking for an emotional story filled with an epic romance, female friendship, laughter, and tears, this one's for you!
Purchase Links
99c for a VERY limited time
Free in Kindle Unlimited
Author Bio
Paige P. Horne is an American author who has written and published
five novels. Horne has been known for writing truth within fiction. Her debut
novel, titled Give Me Love was published in May of 2015 with the second book in
the series Give Me Perfect Love following later that year. Other titles she has
written and published include: Close to Falling, which hit Amazon’s best
sellers rank the first few hours it was published, Chasing Fireflies, and the
spin off, Chasing Ellie. She is currently working on her sixth novel, titled It
Was Always You, which is based on true events.
Horne was born as Paige Elizabeth Peacock in Hawkinsville, Georgia on September
21st, 1988 to Terry and Angie Peacock. She grew up in Macon, Georgia with her
brother Kely Peacock. Horne was married on April 4th, 2014 to her best friend,
Billy James who currently works in the film industry. At this time, Paige and
Billy have no children. They resign in the small town of Gray Georgia with
their two dogs: Dodge their Great Dane and Dottie their Dalmatian, with plans
to move to Atlanta to be closer to her husband’s work in the near future.
Paige P. Horne enjoys, reading, spending time with her loved ones and traveling
with her husband.
Author Links
Another fabulous review jessica!!! Shared on all my socials!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Kathy!! 💋💋
ReplyDelete