Review of Still Life With Strings by L.H. Cosway

Rating 4.5 Stars

Do you ever find one of those books, where you wonder the following:

1) Should I read it?

2) Is this book going to be ANY good?

3) Lord, please don't let me waste precious reading time on a dud

These books are simply known as the "non flare type". They come on the scene with little to no hype and you wonder if you are truly the only person reading this book. Books like that, I like to call, "A diamond in the rough" or "needle in a haystack". Ones where you get taken immediately after the first few pages and just hold on to your breathe for the remainder of the book, because you just  know shit is going to hit the fan and it's going to hit hard. Well I found that in this book. 

"Still Life With Strings" by L.H. Cosway in set in Ireland. You are introduced to Jade. Jade is a living statue. In order to escape her world for a bit she transcends herself into a still being. No Joke! Well one night a beautiful and mouth watering stranger notices her and she notices him. A kinky-ass birds and the bees session happens in an alley and after that they go off their merry separate ways. WRONG! Jade also happens to bartend at a concert hall that is host to many symphonies. The orchestra that plays there has a new addition. That person being Shane, who she did the dirty with in the alley just the night before. Jade basically can't run from this guy like she wanted too. See Jade is a recovering alcoholic (I know she bartends but she has good reason, if you pick up the book and read it, you will get why! HINT, HINT) and she just knows that if she wants to continue to stay sober..staying away from this beautiful man has to happen at all cost. The problem is Shane isn't going anywhere and is just as equally attracted to Jade as she is him. One thing is for sure, Shane and Jade need each other and are so much more connected to each other than they could ever imagine.

What a beautiful story! Shane and Jade just did it for me. That means they go on my favorite couples list and stay there forever. I also envision them getting married having a bunch of babies and living their happily ever after dream. I love the way Cosway gave you the start of such a strong friendship that moved to something more over time. You truly got to see how not only their relationship, but themselves evolve and became that strong component in each other lives. What I also loved about the writing was that Jade had such an imagination when it came to seeing the world through her eyes. Whether she was a living statue or sitting in on the orchestra playing. She was taken to a different world and time. The author's use of descriptive and imagery writing truly made you feel like you were able to see Jade's world too and you just didn't want to leave! 

Going back to Shane and Jade. Jade was an awesome chick! Loved her, strong and determined soul, yet still posses low self esteem and unworthiness for her own happily ever after. I tend to want to shake characters when they feel they aren't worthy of happiness. Really? Everyone deserves happiness. No matter what walks of life you come from. Shane was such a freaking sweetheart. Shy, bit of an introvert, but throw him into the bedroom with Jade or just put him anywhere near her and he becomes this seductive, dominant and possessive man that had my mouth drooling. *Fans self* Shane you will be going on my book hubby list. You are in good company don't worry! 

Given all my love for this novel, I wasn't able to give it a full 5 stars. I did feel towards the middle it slow. It was like how much longer is Jade going to put up this front that she doesn't want to be with this man. Seriously..but when she finally came to her senses that's where the story indeed picked up again. In all, this was such a well written book and I truly look forward to reading more of Ms. Cosway's work. So glad I took that leap of faith and found another one of my favorites to add to my book collection. Out of a 5, I'm giving this one 4.5 stars!

I received this gifted copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review

-Lynne