AWAKEN (Spiral of Bliss #3) by NINA LANE

We loved with a love that was more than love.  – Edgar Allan Poe

“I love that you love me, professor.” – Liv West
“I love loving you, beauty.” – Dean West

Jenny: Despite The Spiral of Bliss series being one of our all-time favourites, we’re not going to go into detail about the story. Why? Because we’ve waxed lyrical about this series since we were first introduced to Dean and Live a year ago and we have, since then, been captivated by every word written by this author and Awaken is no exception.

‘I don’t know how it is that this one woman can both bring me to my knees and make me feel like the greatest knight in history.’

What a truly splendid conclusion Awaken was to what has been one of the most moving, emotional, passionate, evocative and truly beautiful stories I have had the pleasure to read. This series encapsulates everything I love about reading and why it is such a passion for me. I will never forget Dean and Liv’s story.

“Beauty, you make me want to stop time so I can look at you forever.” – Dean West

Their love and their story has forever left a mark on my heart and I know you feel the same Gitte.  Dean West…words completely and utterly fail me on how much I love this man. He is definitely my favourite book hero, without a doubt! He is the absolute epitome of a true book hero and his love for Olivia is intoxicating!

‘…it’s like someone is squeezing the air out of my lungs. I need that woman in order to breathe.’

Liv is such a beautifully strong and loving heroine and I admired her throughout this whole series. Together Liv and Dean are one of the most inspiring and alluring book couples that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.

‘He’s a rare gift my husband, perfect and flawed and completely, unreservedly mine.’

Theirs is an all-encompassing love but it is the lessons they learn as individuals and the things they teach one another along the way that is the cornerstone to their success in love, happiness and marriage. Their willingness to bend when needed and remain stoic as required sets them apart.

Gitte, what an end to a series that we’ve lived and breathed for a year!

Gitte: I don’t have any words that will do this series any justice. I want to stand on the tallest podium and applaud Nina Lane for a magnificent series, for giving us an amazing couple; Liv & Dean and a truly passionate, real, emotional and heart inspiring story.

“Okay, beauty.”…”Let’s see what finds us.”

I feel like Liv and Dean are friends, friends I love with all my heart and who’ll always be very special to me. I’ll never forget them.

This series epitomises why I read and what romance is all about. This series is one everyone should pick up and treasure because you truly live alongside them as you cry, laugh, swoon, despair and rejoice with them.

“You and me professor.”

“You and me, beauty.”

This third instalment was everything and more that I could have wished for. This right here is how it’s done. It was perfect! I fell in love all over again and when I turned that last page I cried for everything we have experienced over the three books, through Liv & Dean’s journey. It was truly magical.

Liv & Dean, what can I say? I’ll miss you so very much. I’ve loved every single moment with you.

Liv, you went on a truly amazing journey of growth and self-realisation. You’re one of the most beautiful heroines out there. Your heart is pure and you’re a fighter and how could anyone not fall in complete love with you!!

‘Love the one who proves to you that happily ever after is only the beginning.’

Dean, I’ve never loved a hero as much as you. You embody exactly what makes the perfect man in my opinion. If I was to conjure one up he’d be in the image of you. Intelligent, passionate, loving, goofy and a true knight who loves fervently.

‘This man would give me the stars, the moon, the sun. He has slain monsters for me and alongside me. He’s battled through dark tangled woods with me because he has never once wavered in his belief that we are meant to be forever. He would do anything for me. For us.’

Together ‘Liv & Dean’ just is; a truly astounding love story!

J&G:  We decided not to break the story down and give you a convoluted review because to do so would simply ruin the beauty that was the conclusion to Dean and Liv’s memorable story. Awaken needs to be experienced and savoured first hand.  If you’ve read Arouse and Allure then you know that this author possesses a rare and true talent. Nina Lane has captivated us, she has had our hearts racing with passion and emotion and she has broken our hearts, lifted our hearts and had us truly believing every word she wrote about Dean and Liv’s.

“You’re the first woman who’s ever made me afraid. Afraid of how good this is. Afraid it won’t last. Scared to death of losing you.”

The growth we have seen in these characters over the course of their story has left us mesmerized and is a true testament to Nina’s writing talent.  We will miss Dean and Liv immensely but we are forever thankful that we got to meet them, that we got to watch their love grow and that we got to watch them grow as individuals. Dean and Liv possess a love like no other but is love enough? Awaken gave us an insight into their marriage and a conclusion to their story that left us breathless.

If you haven’t read the Spiral of Bliss series, we want to shout from the rooftops that this HAS to be added to your TBR’s. This is one of those gems, one of those special stories that will forever capture your heart and touch your soul.