Unwritten Rules by M.A. Stacie Review

Unwritten Rules by M.A. Stacie-Adult Contemporary Romance

Kindle format given by Writer's Coffee Shop Publishing for review

Elle is an energetic, independent woman with a successful business and new start in the big city. The bustling streets of New York are not what she expected, yet she finds the freedom exhilarating. One interaction at the mailboxes with her shy, strikingly handsome neighbor is all it takes to turn the strong- willed young woman into a bumbling mess.

Jonah Quinn is withdrawn for good reason; he harbors a dark secret. He lives his life in the shadows, playing his music in late night bars and hiding himself from everyone but Elle's cat. His tattoos bear his pain while his music is his outlet, but it is his silence that keeps his shame at bay.

Can one night of passion between the two of them lead to more than casual glances exchanged at their mailboxes? Will Elle be strong enough to help Jonah with his personal demons. And will Jonah break his silence regarding a past that haunts him?

The Rules for this relationship are Unwritten. A story of longing, love, and forgiveness.

My Take:

This is a difficult review for me to write. I hate feeling disappointed with a book. It unsettles me.  This book for me started out strong. I really liked the characters initially, then....the story just felt kind of bland. 

I liked Elle in the beginning. She's moving on from a break-up and she's intrigued by her musical neighbor. Jonah is quiet and mysterious. She didn't have the nerve to make the first move. Inevitably a move is made and they begin a relationship. 

Jonah is a musician and artist. He also has a dark past. He's estranged from his family and suffers with some pretty severe emotional issues. Elle experiences this first hand and is at a loss of what to do to help him. So, up to this point of the story, I was enjoying it. I liked the whole artist, rocker angle. Then, I just felt like the way his issues were handled was maybe not the best. It left a bad taste in my mouth and I almost didn't finish the book. I just felt like he may not have had the help he needed. 

So, I'll focus on what I liked. I liked Jonah in the beginning. He's sexy, talented, and he really does care for Elle. As for Elle, she stuck with him throughout the story. Sometimes I had issues with that, but she really loved him and wanted him to heal. Despite the set backs for me with this story, I liked how the story ended. 

Would I recommend this book? I'd recommend it to a reader who likes romance and enjoys reading about deep emotional issues. I personally wouldn't read this again, but I am glad I finished the book to see the ending. 

Amazon|B&N