WETHERING THE STORM (The Mighty Storm #2) by SAMANTHA TOWLE

~ Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning ~

For those of you who loved The Mighty Storm, hang on tight because I’m sure you’re going to love this next installment in the life that is Tru and Jake. Whilst it may not contain the heart thumping angst throughout that was so prevalent in TMS, there are scenes in Wethering The Storm that will leave you reeling and have you clutching your heart. I know they did mine.

“You don’t complete me, Tru. You make me who I am. You make me better. I’d be nothing without you. Nothing. I’ve been there once before, and I’m never going back. I’m never losing you again.”

We left Jake and Tru at the end of TMS with questions and decisions hanging in the balance. Tru was still feeling insecure in her relationship with Jake. Never really feeling she was good enough for him despite Jake’s insistence and actions to the contrary. There were still past issues lurking that hadn’t been completely resolved and Jake’s demons were like a cloud still hanging over his head and for Tru, living in Jake’s shadow was always going to be difficult.

“It’s not that I don’t trust him, I do. I just know how easily a slip can happen. I watched it happen to him before and I was blind to it, and it got too far too fast.I won’t let that happen again.”

In WTS both Jake and Tru shared so much growth. I especially loved watching Tru gain confidence and realise that yes, she was special, she was completely worthy of this man and she “got it”. She understood his complete devotion to her.

“There isn’t anything I won’t do for you, Tru. Nothing I won’t do to make you happy. What I feel for you…it’s limitless  There is nothing before or after you. There is only you.”

The story does lull you into a false sense of security in a way that it is a slow build before it wallops you upside the head, then has you sobbing and gripping your heart in fear and anticipation.

This book was more the progression of two people learning to live and love together, to deal with each other’s lives, each other’s baggage and each other’s insecurities and it is brought to life in such a beautiful fashion.

“Thank you.” This is the second time today he’s thanked me, and this time I have to ask why.

“For being with me. For giving me a chance at getting my life right.”

There were parts of this book that destroyed me. I sobbed and I felt every single moment and Jake especially brought me to my knees at times.  Other scenes had me in fits and there were most definitely parts that had me fanning myself! Wowsers, these two can certainly steam up the pages!

“In it, on it, anywhere and any way I can have you.”

The light-heartedness, the banter, the love, the passion, the mis-communication and the sensuality shared by Jake and Tru throughout WTS were just stepping stones to the adversity they would face down the track. When life throws an absolute curve ball at you, it takes something special and a strong bond to see you through. Having that person to lean on, depend on and love is what will see you through the other side.

“I’m afraid. Terrified. I can’t breathe. My heart hurts against my ribs. Hurts real bad.”

Do Jake and Tru have possess that kind of bond? Has their relationship the substance required to bring them out the other end?  Will their experiences shatter them or strengthen them?

“But that isn’t what I want to hear. I don’t want to hear any of this. I don’t want to be here.”

In this instalment we are afforded the extra benefit of getting inside Jake’s head and what a ride that is.  I love this guy. He’s so….well….he is such a MAN! He’s alpha without being a dick. He’s strong, dependable and yet so sensitive at times and we get to witness first hand this man during those sensitive moment.  Be prepared because he will tear your heart open.

With Jake’s POV comes the opportunity to share the camaraderie between Jake, Tom and Denny first hand and what a lot of fun that was.  It cracked me up witnessing the banter and sheer naughtiness of their “guy” talk.  I loved listening to them reminisce and these moments felt so special.

“Yeah,  it has been a while. Too long.” I stare down into my glass. “You remember how we used to be out every night when Jonny was still here?”
Surprising myself as I say it, I realise saying his name doesn’t hurt as much as it used to. There was one point where I couldn’t even finish a sentence if his name was in it.

What I took away from these interactions was the feeling that these guys were Jake’s family. They were so important to each other, and without these guys Jake really wouldn’t have survived the issues he had dealt with in his past.

I will say upfront that I am a bit biased when it comes to this story as I was a beta on this book and saw it through from an inception to completion. To witness an idea form, to see it brought to life is indeed something special and an experience I will never forget.  I’ve formed a strong bond with these books and the characters. I feel as if I know them personally and I love them deeply and I will miss them terribly.

Wethering the Storm is the next chapter in Jake and Tru’s life. This book doesn’t have the constant angst of TMS but it’s not missed. This book is about two people living through their problems, building the foundations for their future and it’s a story that has heart, emotion , humour and heat. And what a fitting finale to the story of Tru and Jake it is.