Playing Patience by Tabatha Vargo

25 April, 2013

SYNOPSIS

Sometimes all you need is Patience.

Life’s been hard for Zeke. Being a punching bag for his alcoholic father has turned him into stone. Not even the dodgy trailer park he lives in can scare him. Fighting is his release and sex, drugs, and his guitar bring him peace, but deep down Zeke isn’t quite as hard as he makes himself out to be. When he meets Patience, she finds all his broken pieces and puts him back together, but she’s a ray of light in his shadowed life and the last thing he wants to do is bring her into his dark world. Playing careless is easy, playing the bad guy can be fun, but playing Patience is impossible, especially when she can see right through him.

Zeke isn’t the only one who’s broken, and for the first time, in a long time, Patience feels alive. Her black and white world gets a shot of color when she meets Zeke. He’s unlike anyone she’s ever met with his tattoos, piercings, and blunt honesty. She wants nothing more than to let go and ride the wild side with him, but some wounds never heal and the broken pieces of Patience aren’t so easy to find.

Warning: This book contains graphic language, sex, and violence. Mature readers only. Not intended for young adult readers.

Review by Jenny & Gitte

Gitte: I actually have tears sat here thinking what to write as my emotions are all over the place thinking about this story. It’s one of those that hits you immediately and you gasp out loud, put your kindle down and say out loud “I did NOT just read that sentence” the few little words that immediately release tears and get your hackles up. You know it’s going to be a hard read and you continue, unable to stop because you want reassurance that everything is going to be okay for our main characters Patience and Zeke. There is so much I want to say but I fear I will ruin this story for everyone who should without doubt pick this book up. What do you think Jenny?

Jenny: I know exactly what you mean Gitte because I am the same. And yes, I totally agree with you, to give anything away would be a travesty. A reader has to experience every moment for the first time just as we did. Sitting here, reliving this book and recalling the heartache I felt reading it, once again reduces me to tears. I just didn’t realise the level to which this story would affect me. I don’t think I was quite prepared for what was to come and I can’t begin to express the nervous, sick feeling I carried in my stomach pretty much the whole way through this book. I did indeed gasp…out loud, on a number of occasions. This powerfully poignant, dark romantic story was so detailed in its aching and so touching in its telling of Zeke and Patience, two damaged yet resilient souls who were able to see something so unique, something so special in each other that they didn’t see in themselves, was one I found compelling and couldn’t put it down until the end.

“She belonged in the light and I was right where I was meant to be – stuck in a dark, dank gymnasium”. – Zeke

“I was a broken porcelain doll, cracked beyond repair and tossed in the back of a closet.” Patience

Gitte: Zeke and Patience are both extremely broken and haunted characters. They have both been severely scarred both on the inside and the outside by the people, who should have loved them the most; who should have protected them. Brought up in complete dysfunctional families where pain is the dish of the day, they are survivors.

Patience despite her appalling “home life” is an extremely beautiful and strong soul. She thinks of everyone else before herself. She haunted me with every word written about her real life behind closed doors and I literally wanted to pick her out of my kindle and put her in my pocket.

Patience trusts Zeke, despite how he acts and his, at times, cruel words. She sees the real Zeke underneath the façade. She trusts him though why, she doesn’t know. People are easy to judge on appearance and adapted behaviour, but this guy despite the tattoos, the rock star persona and everything that comes with that, shows his real sensitive side just as his soul sees and understands hers.

Zeke was such a well written character. He is flawed in some ways, playing the crude arsehole, but mostly he was a hero in my eyes as he was in Patience’s eyes.

“I don’t look at you like you’re nothing. I look at you like you’re everything, because you are, and I fucking hate it.” – Zeke

I loved that he was blunt and didn’t mince his words. He was honest to a fault no matter what reaction his words caused. He was cocky yet underneath all the layers of hurt and layers of self-protection which was caused by the hand he was dealt in life lies a beautiful and honest soul surrounding a heart waiting to be pieced back together.

“He was covered in color and art; he was a standing statue for freedom, and I was drawn to his careless stature.” – Patience

“Damn, snowflake, if you get any hotter you’ll melt.” – Zeke

The journey isn’t smooth for Zeke and Patience by any means or us the readers. They have their own separate emotional baggage which has made them adapt roles in life, unable to trust and unable to believe that they can indeed be loved and love in return.

“What is it about girls and cocky assholes? I’ll never understand it.” – Megan (Umm we totally get it right Jenny!?!)

Jenny: Damn straight Megan! And yes, you’re spot on Gitte. These cocky arseholes definitely do attract us, but let’s face it, we were never going to be able to resist Zeke, and not because he was a drop dead gorgeous musician, with a body to match (which did help of course) but because we were able to see the beauty in the soul that lay underneath all the outward bravado from this man who had been given more than his fair share of life’s hard knocks and he broke my heart. This tattooed, honest to a fault, pierced, tough, hard living man saw no future, he felt such hopelessness at the hand he’d been dealt that he played out his life accordingly, silently wishing for the day his band, Blow Hole would be discovered and take him away from the hell that was his life, yet resigned to the fact that this was his life. This was all it would ever be. He’d built walls that he wouldn’t allow to be penetrated …that was until he met Patience. In Patience he saw something different. Something pure, something untainted and a beauty he wouldn’t sully with his world.

“Her kisses were tiny miracles” – Zeke

“Don’t ever be scared with me. I’d never do anything to hurt you and I’d destroy anyone who tried.” Zeke

Patience…..Oh Patience. This girl took my heart and shredded it. My aching for her was felt deep down. I just wanted to pick her up and take her away from everything. I wanted to make it all okay for her. Sad, lonely, perfectly imperfect Patience suffering and living her own tragic and sorry existence whilst feeling apathy at a life which has let her down, yet showing a loyalty and selflessness that will tear at your heartstrings. The opening chapters were extremely hard to read and this strong, determined yet vulnerable and damaged girl had me completely transfixed. Zeke and Patience….together they make sense. They will captivate you.

Do you like playing that song?” I asked casually as I handed him the guitar
“Not really”
“Then why were you?”
“It reminds me of you”

Gitte: I thought this story was brilliantly written and I inhaled every single word. Patience and Zeke are from complete different walks of life but tragedy and pain does not discriminate for anything or anyone. This beauty of two emotionally broken souls finding each other, unable to resist the pull despite every obstacle; paired with the heart wrenching pain makes for one powerful story that will stay with me for a long while.

“Years of shadows and darkness were erased in that very moment. I held my source of freedom in my arms and I could already feel the heat from her light against my skin.” – Zeke

Jenny: I agree Gitte. This story was so beautifully written. A powerful and engrossing story, it wasn’t always pretty, in fact it was extremely difficult at times. Zeke and Patience, “two broken parts of a whole person” will intoxicate you, they will break you, you will feel their hurt and you will experience their pain, you will rally for them in a way you never thought possible and you will love with them completely.

There’s a place you land, right before you hit rock bottom, a sort of cushion before the blow…..Zeke was that place for me. He was like a rainbow in my black and white movie, a soothing touch against jagged scars. – Patience

The moments of beauty and tenderness interspersed throughout a story of such cruelty, emotional turmoil and heartache will remain with you for a long time to come.

Everything bad went away in that moment. She soothed every scar, took away every bad memory. She made me feel better – Zeke

Gitte: 4.5 Heart-breaking Beautiful Stars
Jenny: 4.5 Gut wrenching stars

Arc provided by Author Tabatha Vargo for an honest review

PLAYING PATIENCE by TABATHA VARGO
amazon us || amazon uk

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65 Comments:

25 April, 2013 at 11:43 am
Joan said:

Great review! I can’t wait to read this one!

Reply ↓
1. 27 April, 2013 at 2:17 pm
  admin said:
  
  Thanks Joan! J&G xx
  
  Reply ↓
25 April, 2013 at 11:50 am
Natalie Stuart said:

Can’t wait to read it!!!

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25 April, 2013 at 11:56 am
Louisa M said:

I can’t wait to read this one!!!!!

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25 April, 2013 at 11:59 am
Kristina Massaro said:

I wish I could read this now!

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25 April, 2013 at 12:00 pm
DA said:

This book sounds great – would love to read!

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25 April, 2013 at 12:04 pm
Claire said:

Great review! Can’t wait to read it.

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25 April, 2013 at 12:12 pm
Denise Martinez said:

Definitely added to my wish list. Sounds like another awesome book. Thanks!

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25 April, 2013 at 12:16 pm
kp said:

Can’t wait to read this book!

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25 April, 2013 at 12:20 pm
Debbie said:

WOW!Playing Patience sounds like a great read. Can’t wait

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25 April, 2013 at 12:20 pm
Vicki said:

Love the review! I would love to read this book! Wish me luck in the giveaway!

Reply ↓
1. 27 April, 2013 at 2:18 pm
  admin said:
  
  Thanks Vicki 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
25 April, 2013 at 12:24 pm
Rach said:

After reading your review there’s no way I’m not reading this book now! As always ladies <3

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25 April, 2013 at 12:26 pm
Adrienne said:

Your reviews always make me want to read. I already have so many books on my tbr that I don’t know when I’ll ever get through them all. Yet I know I have to add this one and even push it closer to the top! Thanks so much!

Reply ↓
1. 27 April, 2013 at 2:19 pm
  admin said:
  
  Thanks so much Adrienne! That’s really nice of you. Oh god…our TBR gives us anxiety attacks! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
25 April, 2013 at 12:47 pm
Kim Reisdorf said:

Can’t wait to read.

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25 April, 2013 at 12:58 pm
Lorie said:

Great review (as always)! I cannot wait to read this one!

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25 April, 2013 at 1:10 pm
Heather Campbell said:

Great review! I can’t wait to read this!

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25 April, 2013 at 1:14 pm
LoriW said:

This was already on my wishlist and your review has me bursting with excitement for Playing Patience’s release!

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25 April, 2013 at 1:31 pm
Rosarita Reader said:

Wow, this book sounds awesome and I can’t wait to read it. It’s way at the top of my TBR list. You had me at guitar… <3

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25 April, 2013 at 3:17 pm
Jenny Dauksa Schaber said:

I am looking forward to reading this book! I’ve heard so many positive things about it!

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25 April, 2013 at 3:36 pm
Nicole Sporcic said:

Sounds super good! Can’t wait!

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25 April, 2013 at 3:37 pm
Nicole Sporcic said:

Sounds good, can’t wait!

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25 April, 2013 at 3:38 pm
Nicole Sporcic said:

Sounds good! Cant wait!!

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25 April, 2013 at 3:43 pm
Cahm Merritt said:

Ladies, your review is written with such honesty and emotion that I am 100% sure just what I will get when reading this book. There is no way to miss it!

Thank you and WOW you two – just WOW!

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25 April, 2013 at 3:43 pm
Barb said:

Loved being turned on to a new author thanks!

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25 April, 2013 at 3:49 pm
Jennifer G said:

Sounds like the perfect book to get me out of my reading slump I’ve been in lately. Great review!!jengrm82@yahoo.com

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25 April, 2013 at 3:57 pm
Kristi Celebrezze said:

Thanks so much for the giveaway, can’t wait to read!

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25 April, 2013 at 4:26 pm
Mick Murphy said:

Thanks for the giveaway! I’ve heard really good things about this book!

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25 April, 2013 at 5:39 pm
Debra D said:

Thanks for the review, looks good!

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25 April, 2013 at 6:23 pm
Melissa said:

Great review can’t wait to read it!

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25 April, 2013 at 6:34 pm
Kristen Vella said:

Can’t wait to read this! Thanks for the giveaway!!

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25 April, 2013 at 6:35 pm
Starla Y. said:

Loved your review. This book sounds amazing. It is for sure going on my tbr list. Thank you for the giveaway chance.

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25 April, 2013 at 6:38 pm
Dawn Bush said:

So excited to read this! Thanks for sharing!!

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25 April, 2013 at 10:09 pm
BlackwaterMama said:

Wow. This looks like a great read! Thanks for the giveaway. I’ve added this to my TBR mountain.

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25 April, 2013 at 10:49 pm
Jen P said:

Wow…I like this one…thanks!!

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26 April, 2013 at 12:29 am
Izzy said:

Read On The Plus Side and loved it so looking forward to this one for sure!

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26 April, 2013 at 12:57 am
Joanne Careri said:

Sounds like an awesome read. Can’t wait to read this.

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26 April, 2013 at 1:02 am
Kyunhae Cho said:

Can’t wait to read this!!! It sounds so good!

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26 April, 2013 at 1:06 am
Tracy said:

Thanks for the review, looking forward to this one!

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26 April, 2013 at 4:54 am
Misty Trevino said:

A MUST READ! Thanks for the AWESOME review!

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26 April, 2013 at 6:23 am
Jenny Wade said:

I can’t wait to read this!

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26 April, 2013 at 12:27 pm
Marina B said:

Wow! Can not wait to read this one!

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26 April, 2013 at 1:11 pm
Lariza said:

Great review can’t wait to read it!!

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26 April, 2013 at 9:37 pm
Mary Mooney said:

This one sounds good! Can’t wait to read it!

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27 April, 2013 at 12:22 am
Denise Fick said:

I want to read this so badly! Can’t wait!

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27 April, 2013 at 1:57 am
Leslie Cox said:

Great review., can’t wait to read it.

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27 April, 2013 at 1:49 pm
sarah said:

Thanks for the giveaway!

Reply ↓
27 April, 2013 at 2:12 pm
Nicole Wright said:

Great review. Great Giveaway!

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27 April, 2013 at 2:19 pm
admin said:

Thanks for the comments! GOOD LUCK EVERYONE xxx

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27 April, 2013 at 3:10 pm
Amy S said:

Awesome giveaway – thank you!!!!

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27 April, 2013 at 3:48 pm
Jolene A said:

I love the cover and this sounds amazing! Thanks for the chance to win

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27 April, 2013 at 11:32 pm
Sandy Lion said:

Love the sexy cover and the excerpt makes it a must read for me. sdylion(at)gmail(dot)com

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28 April, 2013 at 2:25 am
Belinda said:

Another fantastic review and synopsis that makes me can not wait to get my hands on this book!

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28 April, 2013 at 10:28 am
Lea said:

Thank you for the giveaway!! Can`t wait to read this book. I have it on my TBR list 🙂

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28 April, 2013 at 2:44 pm
Gabriela said:

Thanks for the giveaway!

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28 April, 2013 at 4:51 pm
Amy Malek Concepcion said:

Added to my to read shelf. Thanks for the giveaway

Reply ↓
28 April, 2013 at 6:55 pm
Robin N said:

Thanks for the chance!!

Reply ↓
28 April, 2013 at 10:00 pm
robynkuhn said:

amazing giveaway

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29 April, 2013 at 2:47 am
Danielle Chilcott said:

What a totally Awesome review.

Can’t wait to read Playing Patience!

Reply ↓
29 April, 2013 at 3:36 am
Nickie Busco said:

Sounds good. On my to read list. Maybe ill win lol

Reply ↓
29 April, 2013 at 7:16 am
Sabrina D. said:

Excited to read Playing Patience! Thanks for the giveaway!

Reply ↓
1 May, 2013 at 1:41 am
Alexandra said:

Thanks for the chance! I SO want to read this book! (:

Reply ↓
2 May, 2013 at 5:35 am
Lea said:

Oh man, I want to win this book so bad! Or else, I will have to wait longer to read it!! lol Either way, I am going to read it. It sounds freaking awesome! Thanks for the giveaway!
Lea
Lmburn23@yahoo.com

Reply ↓
3 May, 2013 at 1:57 am
Jessica said:

Sounds really good!!

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