THREE – LOVE by NUMBERS BOOK THREE by E.S. CARTER

‘Sometimes love can be explained as a kind of madness, other times a gift, there are even times when love can feel like a duty but this love, this love was life.’

Why have we never read anything by this author before? That was our first thought when we started reading Three, which is the third book in a series but can be read as a standalone, which we did. And whilst we followed the story completely, it left us desperate to read the first two books which we will be doing soon as we desperately want to garner more background on Liam, his brothers, friends and family, because bloody hell did we love them all! We’re greedy and need more of this author’s exquisite words!!!

Oh this book! Our hearts! This book was a romance lovers wish come true and Liam may just be one of the most compassionate, caring and extraordinarily real male characters we’ve read. What a journey and what a stunningly told story of love, selflessness and sacrifice but most of all soul deep, intense love and boy oh boy didn’t we feel the very essence of that love seep through every page of this book! The writing was breathtaking. The way this author plays with metaphors and analogies is exquisite, her detailing so rich, the characters so warm, friendly and real that it felt as though we shared this journey with Liam and Cari, not merely as readers but as participants. E S Carter sure did tell one heartfelt and moving story of love in its purest form, even if it did begin in a somewhat forbidden way.

‘This kiss was hello. It was I’ve missed you, I’ve craved you, I’ve never forgotten you. It was love.’

Three is the story of the love shared between the then, art student Liam Fox-Wiliams and Cari Pritchard, his teacher which began when Liam was 18 and was cut short when Cari pushed Liam out of her life, leaving Liam pained and unwilling to give his heart again. For Liam, one woman had and would always have his heart and  years later he bumps into her and in the process old wounds reopen.

“Sometimes you have to distance yourself from someone who’s hurt you or you will never fully heal. Some people come into our lives and stay for a lifetime, others might only share a small chapter; only you know when it’s time to forgive them and keep them in the past or allow them into your future.”

Cari has always been Liam’s missing piece, his soulmate and seeing her again reinforces this and for Cari the feelings are mutual. But why did she push Liam out of her life, making him believe there was no future for them, leaving him crushed and confused?

‘The trouble is when I gave myself to her, I gave my entire being.
My heart, my soul, my blood, my bones.
It wasn’t enough. I wasn’t enough.

Well, we’re not going to tell you because that is the whole crux of the story and what unfolds is what makes this story so exquisitely beautiful and moving. Cari certainly had her reasons; they were valid and selfless and this young lady had certainly sacrificed a lot in losing Liam.

‘I am lonely. So lonely it feels like I’m drowning some days; drowning and yet I am surrounded by others who can breathe easily.’

We adored both Liam and Cari as well as their story. The interactions between Liam and his brothers and also Liam and his parents were witty and breathtakingly heartfelt. This family is truly special and his Mother’s love and pride for her son made our hearts swell.

“A mother loves her children unconditionally and without boundaries. She knows when they are hurt, she knows when they are happy and she knows when they are sad. She knows this without any words being spoken.”

We have to say we are dying for Isaac’s book! What a colourful character and beautiful soul he was. We think his story will be something else and we’ll pause life to read that one!

“Everyone deserves to be accepted Li-Li. Both for their strengths and their weaknesses; for who they are and who they want to be, but first you have to accept yourself. Don’t look for someone to complete you, look for someone who accepts you completely.” Isaac

See what we mean? If you love romance, if you love love – if you’re looking for a moving story told with sensitivity, beauty and love. If you want a book that will completely steal your heart……then we can’t say enough to go and grab this book! You won’t forget these guys in a hurry…we know we won’t!