Review: Steal (Seaside Pictures #3) by Rachel Van Dyken

Print Length: 

Publisher: Rachel Van Dyken (July 3, 2017)

From Goodreads.com: Steal, the follow-up standalone rockstar romance to the #1 New York Times Bestseller Keep…

It's easy to lose yourself in someone you love.

Easier to lose yourself in someone you hate…

I didn't think it could get any worse than having to babysit a bunch of spoiled musicians on set ― keeping them out of trouble is a cakewalk compared to seeing my ex every day.

Seaside, Oregon isn't big enough for the both of us.

She hates me.

I loathe her.

The plan was simple ― stay the hell away and make sure she gets to set on time.

What I didn't expect was to be faced with our past in front of an audience ― and be forced to face it again.

It's torture.

The way she looks at me.

The way I try to look through her.

Words left unsaid.

The lingering aftermath still as powerful as ever.

I feed the chasm between us, for fear that she'll make me feel again ― and steal the last shred of heart I have left.

We have everything but each other.

It's not enough.

Not when you've lost love.

And replaced it with the only thing left ― hate.

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My Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Let me begin by saying that even though this says it is book #3 in a series, they do NOT have to be read in order for you to understand and enjoy this story. 

Now. Where to begin? I've been with the Seaside guys and gals since the beginning. I know their stories, I know their secrets, and I have seen enough of Angelica Greene to know that I do not like her, and she has no redeeming qualities. 

Until I did like her. And I saw the struggles of someone who had made nothing but bad choices, who had been so deep in their addiction that they hurt everyone that ever could have cared about them. And who then decided to get clean, and stay clean - and was left with the aftermath of what they had done. Addiction is NEVER an easy topic to address, nor do you usually find an addict achieving forgiveness, love, and most importantly - redemption. However, Rachel has managed to do just this in a way that is not only believable, but that has you actually rooting for someone that you have until this point, pegged as a villain. 

It was this quest for redemption on Angelica's part that kept me glued to this story. The fact that some were so ready and willing to forgive her while the one person whose forgiveness she craved the most held her at arms length drove home that point that while people can be deserving of second chances, they do have to work for it. 

Overall, this is a series that is worth reading from the beginning, just to have that much more time with the characters. I would definitely recommend this series to those who enjoy heartwarming stories of love, overcoming fears and redemption. I would definitely read more from this author.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

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                                       Steal is available from Amazon.com