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I have a few authors on my will-read-anything-they-write list, and since I first discovered the Winsor series by Tammy L. Gray a few years back, she’s one of them. I always recommend her to my friends when they need a new read.
I do tell them that one thing you can always count on when you read a book by her is that her characters and stories are the real deal. You’re going to dive into a book that is raw and characters that are too. She keeps it clean, but hits serious issues hard.
And although Until I Knew Myself is a modern clean read, it’s not short on romance and reality. Her characters are imperfect humans who deal with life in ways that are relatable to the reader.
Books like this just go to show you that you don’t have to write with foul language and smutty scenes to still grasp the angst, longing, and love that book characters share.
About Until I Knew Myself-
Tyler Mitchell grew up an orphan, taken in by his best friend’s family when he was only sixteen. Even though ten years have passed, and he’s been given everything he should ever want—a loving home, an adoring girlfriend, a successful career, and lifelong friendships—Tyler has always felt a foreigner in his own life.
When a surprising phone call reveals the death of his biological grandfather, Tyler’s seemingly perfect life starts to unravel. The people he loves most in world have kept from him the greatest secret of all—knowledge of his father’s family.
Now hunting for more information about his past, Tyler discovers nothing is quite as it seems. And the definition of family is far more complicated than choosing between blood and loyalty.
This is the first novel in the Bentwood series, and you’re introduced to several characters right from the beginning. This book focuses on Tyler and Journey, their love and heartbreak. But, the supporting characters become just as important to the story. I’m assuming the rest of the series will be about each of them, and I can’t wait to see how they develop as well.
Tyler is an orphan who is torn between the deep need to love others and to discover himself and his roots. In the process, he pulls away from those who love him. Can he repair what he’s broken, or is it too late?
Journey is an artist who loves Tyler but has had her heart broken by him. She’s not sure how to recover from the heartache he’s caused, if she can trust him at all, and has lost her passion for painting in the process.
When Tyler comes back, he’s on a mission to win Journey’s heart, but when unexpected news and a long hidden secret surfaces, he’s unsure about everything once again.
This story has a way of wrapping a reader in it, and taking them along for the ride. I found myself rooting for the couple and high-fiving Tyler, to just shaking my head at him a few pages later thinking “Oh dude, bad move”.
I do like the pace of the book and the revelations that happen quickly. There’s not any moment that felt drawn out or that secrets were hidden for too long, making me want to roll my eyes at the cluelessness of the characters. No, instead the story keeps you interested at all times. It’s one of the ones that make it hard to put down, and you want to read for “just one more chapter”.
It ends solidly for Tyler and Journey, but definitely keeps you hanging for the next book to see what will happen to their friends.
I definitely recommend this one!
Until I Knew Myself is available now for pre-order and will be released March 8, 2018
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I love so many different genres of books, you’ll rarely catch me reading the same type of book from one to the next. I like to mix it up and will bounce from finishing a Christian romance to beginning a YA fantasy novel. You can see my other book reviews HERE on the blog, but if you’re like me and you love to chat all things books, shoot me a message on social media and we’ll discuss!
I was given a free copy of this book for review purposes, and all my opinions stated are 100% my own, and I was not required to share a positive review.