Review: Dane by Leddy Harper

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Standalone
Release - May 17, 2017
Genre - Contemporary Romance
Hero POV - 1st person
Heat - 2.5 out of 5
Length - 318 pages

Dane Kauffman: Rich, smart, handsome, and selfless. He’s content with the direction of his life, until the moment he stares into her green eyes.

Eden Clare: Determined, headstrong, and independent. Searching for a job, answers, and a purpose, she has no room for anything else. Until she glances in his direction.

Crossing paths, tempting fate—Dane must make the ultimate decision. Sacrifice everything to get what he wants, or to continue to be benevolent.

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MY REVIEW

This was my first time reading from Leddy Harper and I wish someone had warned me about the angst. This author knows how to tug on the old heartstrings. She pulled so much out of me and held me completely captivated by her characters and their plight.

As much as this story was about Dane and Eden finding a way to be together, I felt it was more about Dane and Gabi. Unfortunately I wasn't sold on the grand love that was supposed to exist between Dane and Eden and found their relationship lacked real passion. It could be because they were overshadowed by what was going on with Gabi. Or the strong and passionate feelings Dane had for her. He was invested, devoted and protective of Gabi in ways I couldn't see him being with Eden. I couldn't connect to Eden and so my affection for her suffered. It could also be because not enough time was spent on them as a couple. The entire book Dane is with Gabi and very little time was left to convince me of Dane and Eden's love everlasting.

My heart broke for Dane and Gabi. The author did an incredible job of cataloging her depression and its effects on Dane. Leddy Harper took me on a journey of pain that seemed to tear a hole right through my gut. I wasn't sure how it was possible, but I wanted each character to attain their own version of happiness. Each and every one of them deserved it, in my opinion. I loved that this story had no bad guy, just three broken souls that needed repair.

Aside from the fact that I found the ending not to my satisfaction and found it lackluster, I enjoyed the heck out of the rest of the story. If you're looking for a story that takes a firm grip of your heart, alternating between a brutal squeeze and a loving massage, you'll find it with DANE. I know I did.