Just for Now (Seabreeze #4) by Abbi Glines

SYNOPSIS

The day Preston Drake figured out that wealthy women paid well for a set of tight abs and a pretty face his life turned around.

The run down rat-infested trailer he had shared with his alcoholic mother and three younger siblings was now only a place he visited to pay the bills and stock the pantry with food.

He no longer worried about his family starving or living without electricity. The money he made entertaining rich older women more than covered his family’s needs and his own. He had it all figured out. Except…

There was this girl.

She was as innocent as he was tainted.

Amanda Hardy wished her knees didn’t get weak when Preston walked into a room. She hated the fact her heart raced when he flashed his smile in her direction. He had a different girl in his bed every night. He was the kind of boy a smart girl ran from. So, why was she coming up with ways to get close to him? Even when it was obvious he wanted to keep her at a distance.

Maybe her heart knew something the world didn’t. Maybe Preston Drake was more than just a pretty face.

SEABREEZE SERIES BOOKS 1-4 available to purchase below

SEABREEZE BUNDLE available to purchase below
amazon us | amazon uk

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Reviewed by Gitte

4.5 *very emotional and yummy-licious* Stars

This is a new adult contemporary book.

I absolutely love the Sea Breeze series by Abbi Glines so I was beyond excited for Preston and Amanda’s story.  Once again Abbi did not disappoint by writing this blinder of a story which had me hooked from the start. The books in this series can be read as stand-alone, however if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to read in order to get to know all the characters and their backgrounds.

I have to say I found this one to be the most emotional book in this series. I was in tears several times following their journey. Preston has been dealt one hell of a bad hand in life and the way he ‘mans’ up and takes responsibility, his protective streak that goes above and beyond what you would or should expect…well my heart hurt so bad and it melted into a puddle on the floor.

Oh and this guy is beyond HOT…yeah true story, but we already knew that right, just thought I’d throw that in there! Also, this book has more ‘sex factor’ (you won’t hear me complaining) than the other books in this series and I thought it was brilliantly balanced with the emotional turmoil making this story spot on and completely un-put-down-able! So yeah if you thought it got hot with Cage…you haven’t met Preston yet.

Now, when I got to a certain point in this story a song was mentioned which is one I happen to love. As soon as I saw that, I turned my iPod on, and listened to it whilst reading.  Let me tell you…if I wasn’t emotional before, listening to this song completely did me in. Whenever a particular emotional scene with Amanda and Preston came up, I was a glutton for punishment and hit play on my iPod. Yeah at times I am a masochist because it made me cry even more! But then I like a good cry in a book.

So, we have Preston who is the definition of ‘a player/man-whore’ no getting around that, we know this is a fact, we have followed him from book to book in this series, but you know what, I get it now. His story showed me why…and I got it.  If you have never been shown love, how would you know how to give it or even know how to recognize it to be love when you feel it?  Our Preston is envious of those who have the ability to love and receive love in return. He doesn’t believe he is worth it.

Preston grew up under dire circumstances, with no one to take the brunt of it and no one to look out for him. He is adamant that his younger siblings don’t suffer the same way he did and works hard to make sure they eat and have a roof over their heads. His siblings live with their Mum in a cramped trailer that has seen better days and is actually more like a hole in the ground. Actually to call her “Mum” is an insult because she does not deserve the honour of that title. Can you tell that she got to me? Yeah….if I could have reached into the story I would have grabbed her and slapped some sense into her! Preston hates that they have to live like that and goes above and beyond to try and make sure they have what they need but also making sure they know he is there for them despite having to leave them to it. It breaks his heart….it broke mine! It all comes down to money…so Preston does what he thinks he needs to, in order to make enough to look after them ,as well as himself. The means to which, though questionable, are kind of understandable.

Preston is not proud of himself. He knows exactly what he is doing and he hates it. As to knowing who he is, he has no idea, confused by responsibilities and actions; he has lost himself along the way.

Preston thinks Amanda is way too good for him; the light to his darkness.  An innocent who will be tainted by his ugliness, a beauty and perfection he does not deserve. However, he can’t get her out of his head; out from under his skin.

“I want to be near you. I can’t seem to keep away.” – Preston

Lovely, adorable sweet and loveable Amanda has had it bad for Preston for years, a fact she hides from everyone especially her older brother Marcus who is best mates with Preston.  They hang around in the same crowd and no way would anyone think Preston was good enough for her and she knows that Preston only sees her as the little sister, no matter the effort she puts into making him notice her.

Amanda is quite clued up about Preston’s ‘persona’, she has seen him in action yet she loves him still.  She sees the real Preston underneath; the sadness the hopelessness and despite knowing she deserves more, she can’t leave him alone, she craves him and wants to be there for him; protect him.

Amanda knows what love is. She has a huge heart and knows the value of forgiveness; one of the biggest and hardest gifts you can give to another. Despite Preston giving Amanda whip lash she sticks around, she fights for it. She believes she can teach Preston how to love, how it feels and show him he deserves to be loved for who he is.

Then one night it happens….Preston sees Amanda:

“You need to push me away and send me packing ‘cause I don’t think I can stop this on my own”….”Manda you’re real sweet. Real fucking sweet and I’m not the kind of guy you’re supposed to let get this close”

….and so their emotional journey begins….

“I’m sorry I can’t be who you need me to be” … “I want to change. You make me want to change everything. I just can’t”

“Why are we here, Preston?” – Amanda

“I don’t know. I wanted to come out here to think. It’s where I think best. And I wanted you to be with me.” – Preston

“Did I need her to breathe….

Could I imagine life without her….

Could I be in love with her…..”

I cannot recommend the ‘Sea Breeze’ series highly enough and once again just when I thought Abbi Glines couldn’t top the last book in this series, she goes and does just that!