What do you think?
Rate this book
New Life #1
New Life
Since the car accident that caused traumatic brain injury, Jason has fought to regain his memories and the ability to organize thoughts and control emotions. His promising future shattered, he works as a night janitor in an office building and clings to routine to make it through his days.
New lawyer Anna breaks down one evening after fumbling her first court case. Self-doubt brings her to tears in a deserted stairwell where Jason finds her and offers comforting words. From this unexpected meeting an unlikely romance begins.
A casual coffee date soon leads to a deeper connection and eventually a steamy affair. But are Jason and Anna’s growing feelings for each other strong enough to overcome the social chasm that divides them and the very real issues of Jason’s disability?
New lawyer Anna breaks down one evening after fumbling her first court case. Self-doubt brings her to tears in a deserted stairwell where Jason finds her and offers comforting words. From this unexpected meeting an unlikely romance begins.
A casual coffee date soon leads to a deeper connection and eventually a steamy affair. But are Jason and Anna’s growing feelings for each other strong enough to overcome the social chasm that divides them and the very real issues of Jason’s disability?
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 2, 2013
27 people are currently reading
819 people want to read
About the author
Bonnie Dee
131 books698 followersI began telling stories as a child. Whenever there was a sleepover, I was the designated ghost tale teller. I still have a story printed on yellow legal paper in second grade about a ghost, a witch and a talking cat.
I enjoy dabbling in many genres. Whether you're a fan of contemporary historical or fantasy romance, you'll find something to enjoy among my books. I'm interested in flawed, often damaged, people who find the fulfillment they seek in one another. To stay informed about new releases, please sign up for my newsletter. You can join my street team at FB. Learn more about my backlist at http://bonniedee.com and find me on FB and Twitter @Bonnie_Dee.
I enjoy dabbling in many genres. Whether you're a fan of contemporary historical or fantasy romance, you'll find something to enjoy among my books. I'm interested in flawed, often damaged, people who find the fulfillment they seek in one another. To stay informed about new releases, please sign up for my newsletter. You can join my street team at FB. Learn more about my backlist at http://bonniedee.com and find me on FB and Twitter @Bonnie_Dee.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
March 20, 2018
★★★★ 1/2! New Life, book 1 of 2. A poignant & beautiful story about Jason, broken & damaged after accident yet remarkably witty & memorable!
“That’s what I feel. Really pissed at myself for ruining my life, and… pissed at the world for going on like normal.”
Books in the New Life series should be read in order:
Part 1: New Life
Part 2: New Year
New Life is a story about former College student, Jason Reitmiller who while living recklessly made the huge mistake of drunk-driving. The accident changed his life instantly and irrevocably. He is left struggling with everyday tasks most of us take for granted. His POV is poignant, reflective, yet droll. He truly is an amazing, smart, beautiful, handsome, witty, engaging, and loveable man trapped in a body of a damaged person:
“The first thing you need to know about me is I’m not retarded. Or mentally handicapped I guess is the polite term these days. But whatever you call it, I’m not that. I have a mental disability, but I wasn’t born this way. It took extra stupidity for me to get this way— driving drunk, shooting through the windshield, landing on my noggin, and scrambling my brains permanently. I don’t babble and I don’t drool, except sometimes on my pillow when I’m sleeping, but everybody does that.”
Upon meeting attorney Anna Stevens his life is put into a tailspin of reflection and growth, doubt and frustration and ultimately forgiveness and letting go. New Life, told in alternating POVs, is Jason’s and Anna’s story about dealing with life; mistakes, regrets, stress, family, one’s past and prejudices.
Jason Reitmiller: 24 years/janitor/accident victim-former college student/black hair/black eyes.
Six words to describe Jason: Reflective, witty, lovable, broken, angry and unforgettable.
“I tried to walk less like a gimp. The last thing I wanted was her sympathy— again. What I really wanted was to kiss her. A lot. And to have sex. A whole lot.”
Anna Stevens: ~ 25 years/attorney/golden brown hair/brown eyes (blue).
Six words to describe Anna: Open-minded, endearing, smart, focused, forgiving and strong.
“Jason had a stillness about him, a sense of depth and thoughtfulness that intrigued me more than I cared to admit.”
New Life is such a heart wrenching story and yet there is hope… when Jason meets Anna. Story ends with them in a good place, but I’m happy to have received an ARC for book 2, New Year for the continuation of their story.
I am highly recommending this poignant story! Jason is a captivating and memorable hero! I love his voice! Ms. Dee is a spellbinding storyteller!
“Because, Jason isn’t someone you can take lightly. Whatever happens between you is going to mean something.”
***
Hero rating: 5 stars
Heroine rating: 4 stars
Sex scenes rating: 4+ stars
Sex scenes frequency: 4 stars
Storyline concept rating: 5 stars
Storytelling skills rating: 5 stars
Story ending rating: N/A
Book editing rating (5 = no edits spotted): 4.5 stars
************************************************
Overall rating: 4.5 stars
Would I recommend this series: Yes.
Would I re-read this series: Yes.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.
January 27, 2013
4.5 Thought Provoking Stars!! Sadness looms in the background of this story, but hope, humor and the power of love is what drives the story!!
"I have a mental disability, but I wasn’t born this way. It took extra stupidity for me to get this way—driving drunk, shooting through the windshield, landing on my noggin, and scrambling my brains permanently."
Let’s face it; we all look for perfection in someone who could potentially be our life partner. Physical attraction comes first, and then once we get to know that person, it’s in our nature to find someone whose goals and lifestyle match our own. BUT…what if along with that attraction, that person came with a whole host of problems, mental and physical limitations, which they are only just beginning to adjust to themselves. As the other half, you would have to make major changes in your life too, if the relationship had any hope of moving forward. Would the attraction and appeal still ring true? It’s hard enough when have an established relationship and when someone you love is severely injured or illness befalls them, it takes a tremendous amount of will and strength to adjust to the changes that will affect both of your lives. In many cases, even though the love is there, the resolve to stay isn’t, and rather than deal with a lifetime of watching a loved one struggle, many people just walk away. It takes a special person to accept someone’s limited physical and mental capabilities, adjust to their way of living, help them through these difficulties. Anna becomes that special someone in Jason’s life and what she does for him speaks volumes and screams love!
“Love came in all sorts of different packages and mine just happened to be shaped like Jason.”
Even though the life Jason will be living is not the same as it would have been before the accident, he recognizes that he didn’t like the person he was before, but he’s been given a second chance, has his regrets, and moves ahead to become a better person, or at least he’s trying.
“Apparently it took more than a blow to the head to knock the douche out of me.”
Extremely well written and nothing like I’ve ever read before. I enjoyed the simple complexity of the story. There are serious issues at hand, but the author uses humor to project what Jason is feeling at that moment, and I found myself snickering at his comments…
"My job’s very Zen. Wax on. Wax off.”
and then my eyes would fill with tears when his realization sets in…
“The hall floors had never been so shiny. I’d never felt so dull."
This is a beautiful love story, but it’s also about someone whose suffers a major trauma and has to find middle ground with the people who have always loved him. He needs to recognize his own worth, and understand that the woman he’s falling for is willing to accept what he has to offer, even if it’s just a simple life.
Warning!
I originally rated this 4 stars, but I don't think a day has gone by since I turned the last page that I didn't think about Jason and Anna, so I felt the need to add another half a star! This one will stick to your bones!
September 11, 2013
Lining up my weekend weepers !! Thank you for this rec SueBee ❤ I'm so intrigued !
March 12, 2013
I loved this book!!! I am not sure why I didn't know about this book sooner. I would have certainly read it before now. I really enjoyed the characters and my heart went out to Jason and the trauma he experienced. I just wanted to reach through my book and hug him. Anna was an awesome heroine and the two of them together created a beautiful couple. A must read for his hidden gem of a book.
July 17, 2022
As soon as I read an excerpt, I knew I wanted to read this book.
The thing is that I have a soft spot for unconventional heroes. The more peculiar they are, the more I love them. Therefore, I was very intrigued and excited after reading the first few lines where Jason, the main hero, brazenly lays out the truth about himself and how he ended up where he is.
"The first thing you need to know about me is I'm not retarded. Or mentally handicapped I guess is the polite term these days. But whatever you call it, I'm not that. I have a mental disability, but I wasn't born this way. It took extra stupidity for me to get this way—driving drunk, shooting through the windshield, landing on my noggin, and scrambling my brains permanently..."
Of course, I ended up loving this book and unable to put it down. The writing flowed smoothly and the plot was new and refreshing. You can tell that Ms. Dee did a lot of research to build Jason's character in order to make him believable. Kudos to the author for her ability to make me root for Jason, but not to pity him or to make any excuses when he messed up. Despite the condition, his character felt normal and experienced many of the same things we all deal with.
I highly recommend reading this one and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
The thing is that I have a soft spot for unconventional heroes. The more peculiar they are, the more I love them. Therefore, I was very intrigued and excited after reading the first few lines where Jason, the main hero, brazenly lays out the truth about himself and how he ended up where he is.
"The first thing you need to know about me is I'm not retarded. Or mentally handicapped I guess is the polite term these days. But whatever you call it, I'm not that. I have a mental disability, but I wasn't born this way. It took extra stupidity for me to get this way—driving drunk, shooting through the windshield, landing on my noggin, and scrambling my brains permanently..."
Of course, I ended up loving this book and unable to put it down. The writing flowed smoothly and the plot was new and refreshing. You can tell that Ms. Dee did a lot of research to build Jason's character in order to make him believable. Kudos to the author for her ability to make me root for Jason, but not to pity him or to make any excuses when he messed up. Despite the condition, his character felt normal and experienced many of the same things we all deal with.
I highly recommend reading this one and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
December 13, 2019
I really liked the characters in this story, even though the plot was a bit slow. Anna is a new attorney when she meets her building's janitor, Jason, who was in a car accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury. I loved that Anna accepted Jason for who he was and stood up for him when people called him names or treated him as less. She did have some insecurities about what other people would think of them together, but she saw Jason for the good guy he was. Jason did make a mistake in the story and I wasn't too happy about it, but I'm glad Anna was able to get past it.
A bit slow, but a short read and well written characters.
A bit slow, but a short read and well written characters.
October 21, 2020
I hadn't read MF in a minute and this hit the spot. I did the audio by Douglas Berger and Holly Chandler and they strike a good balance.
Anna and Jason live in different worlds, as far as society is concerned, yet when they meet the attraction is undeniable. That doesn't mean that the things that separate them aren't real and the author does a good job of not ignoring reality. She chooses to make the characters work through these issues and that was refreshing.
Though this ends in a strong HFN and there's a BK.2 it can very well work as a standalone. I'm listening to the next book. I like these two.
Anna and Jason live in different worlds, as far as society is concerned, yet when they meet the attraction is undeniable. That doesn't mean that the things that separate them aren't real and the author does a good job of not ignoring reality. She chooses to make the characters work through these issues and that was refreshing.
Though this ends in a strong HFN and there's a BK.2 it can very well work as a standalone. I'm listening to the next book. I like these two.
January 10, 2013
5 Stars! ~ This is a totally amazing book! A MUST read!
Jason is a 26 year old man who has been given a second chance. After a frat keg party, he made an error that he now has to live with forever. Driving while intoxicated, he was lucky it was only his future he ruined. A nearly fatal brain injury and severe damage to his right leg and shoulder, he is now physically and mentally challenged. He has many holes in his long term memory and problems with his cognitive abilities. He's intelligent and caring but often the simplest of tasks become difficult unless he plans them out step by step. While he knows his night janitorial job has little future, he values the independence the job gives him. Anna is a newly passed-the-bar attorney and she has a lot to prove to the law firm that has hired her. She's from a family of lawyers and often feels she has to over achieve to make her own mark. Anna is intrigued by Jason. Not only is he hot, he's kind and very charming. There's something about him that seems to soothe her and she finds he gives balance to her stressful life. Jason is amazed that Anna even gives him the time of day. He's scared she'll feel embarrassed to be seen with him and sometimes feels out of his depth. With their sizzling chemistry and genuine report, they can't seem to stay away from each other.
As I've mentioned in many of my previous reviews, I'm not terribly fond of first person point of view. However in this story, Ms. Dee chose wisely and her decision to write in alternative first person (Jason and then Anna) has made this a very beautiful love story. I was deeply moved by both Jason and Anna and appreciated their inner dialogues. Their relationship is totally believable and I was rooting for them from the first pages. I look forward to reading more books by Bonnie Dee.
Jason is a 26 year old man who has been given a second chance. After a frat keg party, he made an error that he now has to live with forever. Driving while intoxicated, he was lucky it was only his future he ruined. A nearly fatal brain injury and severe damage to his right leg and shoulder, he is now physically and mentally challenged. He has many holes in his long term memory and problems with his cognitive abilities. He's intelligent and caring but often the simplest of tasks become difficult unless he plans them out step by step. While he knows his night janitorial job has little future, he values the independence the job gives him. Anna is a newly passed-the-bar attorney and she has a lot to prove to the law firm that has hired her. She's from a family of lawyers and often feels she has to over achieve to make her own mark. Anna is intrigued by Jason. Not only is he hot, he's kind and very charming. There's something about him that seems to soothe her and she finds he gives balance to her stressful life. Jason is amazed that Anna even gives him the time of day. He's scared she'll feel embarrassed to be seen with him and sometimes feels out of his depth. With their sizzling chemistry and genuine report, they can't seem to stay away from each other.
As I've mentioned in many of my previous reviews, I'm not terribly fond of first person point of view. However in this story, Ms. Dee chose wisely and her decision to write in alternative first person (Jason and then Anna) has made this a very beautiful love story. I was deeply moved by both Jason and Anna and appreciated their inner dialogues. Their relationship is totally believable and I was rooting for them from the first pages. I look forward to reading more books by Bonnie Dee.
![Profile Image for ᑭᑌᑎƳᗩ [Punya Reviews...].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1572968006i%2F3840999._UX200_CR0%2C33%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
March 13, 2013
My review contains spoilers and they're mostly my thoughts as I went with the book...
New Life by Bonnie was a disappointment. I’m kind of bummed. A new BD book always puts me in the ‘gonna-go-grab-it’ mood. I find her heroes generally adorable, so when I heard that this story had a scarred hero with slightly dysfunctional brain, I just had to read it. But... but... just but. The story depressed me. It was sorely lacking in emotion and intensity, something I always love and come to appreciate in BD’s stories. Another thing was the narrative which was quite distracting; first person, told alternatively from both Anna and Jason’s POV. It took me a while to get used to with who is saying what and which chapter belongs to whom.
Jason was an a$$hole when he was well and good, can’t put it in any other way. A guy I would never like. He was a player, and insensitive. And he is THE fool who put himself in this situation by driving drunk. Jason was injured all over, scarred on the face and body with a part of his brain damaged. He stayed in a coma for a time, then woke up and knew his life would never be the same again… ever. It was heartbreaking for me to read about what he suffered and his subsequent fight for recovery. About the trauma, the despair, the desperate attempts of learning to live anew. And I saluted him for not giving up. I myself have some experience of recovering from long-term illness, certainly not as serious as Jason’s but I can connect with him in some level. He tried through all these, living with good and loving parents who took care of him until he was confident enough to move out and get a job. Jason is trying to become independent, but because he can’t remember many things, altogether, unless by simple segments, he can’t do anything better. He had to give up college since he couldn’t make it there anymore after the accident. So today, Jason works as a janitor in this law office. The janitorial firm who hired him trusts him now since he’s dedicated and tries his best.
And this is where, suddenly one day, he meets Anna who was crying because her first day in court was a disaster. When he talks, Anna doesn’t ignore him. She’s, in fact, nice and replies back. Generally no one looks twice at Jason anymore so Anna’s smiles and beauty strike him quite deeply. Jason’s love life has been nil ever since his accident and now, his body’s letting him know what it wants. He knew it’ll go nowhere, yet he wants to see her everyday and talk to her. He even makes changes in his strict daily routine to get a glimpse of her. At one point, Anna begins to reciprocate too. She’s still nice and all, but does she also feel the way Jason does?
Anna is one of those golden girls who had A’s almost all her life. She wasn’t a nerd in that sense but just brilliant. Her life has been (I would say) manipulated by her strict mother and father, who are also (I think) in law. It’s like a family tradition, so Anna has always had her future planned out. Even though she doesn’t like law that much, she still studied it because, well, it was expected of her. She dated men who are like her; people I thought totally cold and distant. Her affairs, so far, had been short-lived flings, and there have been many, many of those. I don’t think she was seriously emotionally involved with anyone. And I did find her quite distant all through the book. When she meets Jason, she took to his ‘hotness’. He is attractive and somehow the scar on his face and his slow spoken words makes her hot. She also begins to feel attracted to him, even knowing it’ll never go anywhere.
So far, so good. I wanted to see how things play out between two people who are so socially unequal. Jason’s family isn’t poor or anything. His father owns a shop of tools and whatnots, and they live by rather well. He was supposed to help his father, but this accident took that away from him. But Anna’s family is rich, of course and dating a janitor is totally unthinkable. Yet, Anna can’t help giving into the physical attraction between them that was growing rather fast.
They begin seeing each-other, going on dates, Anna trying to learn and understand Jason’s troubles. It’s not only his scarred body and damaged brain, but he also has a limp. He’s in pain on that side of his body if he walks or stands for too long. Jason sometimes has trouble controlling his emotions like a baby. It was worse before but he has controlled himself a lot, working his way through. As I told you before, I felt for Jason, and at times, I felt like crying reading the things he went through. He might’ve been an a$$ but this changed him. He calls himself Jason version 2.0, who doesn’t remember much of his earlier life. But he wants to and in the process, one day at his younger sister’s game, he comes across a girl, apparently his high school gf’s best buddy. She leaves her number to Jason to catch up, giving some hint about something bad he did back in the high school (which, I thought, really was quite bad when revealed). Jason doesn’t like the things he hears about his ‘past’ life, and he’s honest about it. It seems like he has paid his price. Right now, Anna is the only thing that is really positive in it.
Soon things turned to physical and they start having sex and loads of it. Like bunnies with quickies in Anna’s office when no one’s around, if they can find a nook or a cranny to do it. I mean, seriously, it should’ve made me hot, except for, it didn’t. Their ‘relationship’ was just... I can only say non-existent except for the sex. Yah they liked being with each-other but Anna knew very well that she can’t date Jason for real. She can’t even talk about him to anyone for God’s sake without feeling embarrassed, a fact she was honest about. I didn’t like this at all. Anna tried her best to hide her affair with Jason, who understood her reasoning even without her pointing those out. Both were very confused and conflicted about what to do. Jason was very self-conscious about his ‘situation’, knowing Anna is so very much out of his league. Anna’s reluctance would hurt him, yet, he just thought he didn’t deserve anything better in life.
This wasn’t going well and I lost interest in the story for a while. When I got back, Anna’s parents came for a visit. Right now, Jason is mainly living with Anna. At night, he’d return from work, let himself in and stay the night with her. He also takes care of her puppy while Anna is working. So when Anna’s parents arrive early without notifying her, they find Jason there. Anna runs back home. Jason feels that she’s embarrassed by him (yes, she was somewhat uncomfortable about what her parents would think of him). Jason leaves, and later cancels the dinner date with Anna’s parents. Anna didn’t want him to be there in truth but invited him only for politeness’s sake. It was plain horrible for me to read. Anna’s snobbish mother starts grilling her the moment Jason is out of the door. She’s giving her advises such as: flings like this are ok. That Jason is hot so it’s not a problem to have sex with him. That he’s a ‘forbidden fruit’ kinda thing, so totally understandable yet, all the while giving subtle hints that Anna can’t possibly take this seriously.
WOW mommy, really?? I would be embarrassed for a mom like that one! But Anna is slightly manipulated by these, even though she knows that these things shouldn’t matter. So yes, sex with Jason is super. She even loves to spend time with him but something serious? Ummm........... *cricket*
Anyhoo, Jason does something douchy that evening he cancels the dinner with Anna’s parents. He was hurt, and he was supposed to be hurt. But I didn’t like what he does next. He calls up that girl who left her number to catch up on the old times. Soon Jason, even in his shaky state of mind, gets that this girl, Lisa, who was his ex Chrissy’s buddy in high school, had a crush on him. And she is still harboring that crush. So what does Jason do? He acts as the a$$hole he was back then. Both become drunk and have a heavy make out session in Lisa’s car (no explicit description of that FYI, only by mention of what he did). After all, he and Anna wasn’t ‘exclusive’, so according to Jason, it should be alright.
NO NO... plain NO!!
Gosh, someone kill me now! WTF? He was hurt and he had to use another girl to take that off???????? WOW seriously??? I lost much of my adoration for Jason in that incident.
Then he ignores Anna for a while. Anna is now missing him too, and the fact that he’s not answering her texts and phones makes her a little pissy. Yah, after the way you and your parents treated him, you are now pissed at him? Gosh, I didn’t know what to think. Then Anna just couldn’t stay away anymore, and seeks him out. But now Jason tells her that they should ‘take things slow’, which hurts Anna, even though she’s heard this from many other guys before a break up and never felt hurt.
Ok, I need something for my headache.
Anyway, they can’t stay away for long (again) and seek each-other out in a few days. When they do, and talk, Jason confesses to what he did. Anna is mad at him and leaves him. Jason has a breakdown, breaks his cell phone and so on. Then he wants to make up to Anna, and tries to do a gesture with flowers. He goes to her office and says sorry in his own way. It was kinda… sad. Jason was scared of losing her and was desperate. Needless to say that Anna coldly spurns him, humiliating Jason in front of everyone. He has another emotional breakdown, starts yelling at one point and then leaves the building. Anna never gets back to him, even after telling him that she’ll talk later. Jason becomes drunk, loses his job, then moves out of his apartment and returns to his family, all the while hoping that Anna would contact. He knew he let Anna slip out of his life in a stupid mistake with a girl he doesn’t even care about.
I think I need to mention it, which bugged me so much, that no one... NO ONE talked or even cared about Lisa’s feelings in all these. She was never mentioned again but when Anna or Jason was trying to talk about ‘that incident’. Yes she was involved in that with Jason, but did she know about Anna? Was it all her fault? Oh how convenient to make her the scapegoat, right? Jason took part in it willingly, and I doubt it very much that Lisa knew he’s involved with someone else. It was simply a mess that made me mad, depressed and plain unhappy.
Anna later starts missing Jason. When she tries to contact him, she finds that he’s not in town anymore. She does one of her ‘researches’ to find out Jason’s parents’ address. Anna goes to meet him there and to sort out their misunderstandings. Jason is over the moon to have her back again in his life. They forgive each-other and forget... again.
Lisa remained the girl who made Jason do things he shouldn’t have, a stupid careless mistake. That silly girl and her stupid high school crush, right?
The ending was pure HFN. Yes there might’ve been some sweet moments in the story. Yes, they said that they ‘might be in love with each-other’, but when I try looking at the bigger picture, I couldn’t see any future for these two. No long-term attachment of any kind because, after what I read, this is just never going to work. Anna isn’t going to give up her planned out life and successful career for Jason, who needs understanding and compassion. She will never message Jason’s leg to alleviate his pain. I never saw her doing it once in the story. Jason might be doing well now, trying to pick up his life as best as he can but he needs those things from Anna. Then, Jason’s douchy behavior where Lisa was concerned made me lose quite a bit of whatever compassion and love I felt for him.
So, yes, I wasn’t happy when this ended. 3.5 stars, barely made it.
New Life by Bonnie was a disappointment. I’m kind of bummed. A new BD book always puts me in the ‘gonna-go-grab-it’ mood. I find her heroes generally adorable, so when I heard that this story had a scarred hero with slightly dysfunctional brain, I just had to read it. But... but... just but. The story depressed me. It was sorely lacking in emotion and intensity, something I always love and come to appreciate in BD’s stories. Another thing was the narrative which was quite distracting; first person, told alternatively from both Anna and Jason’s POV. It took me a while to get used to with who is saying what and which chapter belongs to whom.
Jason was an a$$hole when he was well and good, can’t put it in any other way. A guy I would never like. He was a player, and insensitive. And he is THE fool who put himself in this situation by driving drunk. Jason was injured all over, scarred on the face and body with a part of his brain damaged. He stayed in a coma for a time, then woke up and knew his life would never be the same again… ever. It was heartbreaking for me to read about what he suffered and his subsequent fight for recovery. About the trauma, the despair, the desperate attempts of learning to live anew. And I saluted him for not giving up. I myself have some experience of recovering from long-term illness, certainly not as serious as Jason’s but I can connect with him in some level. He tried through all these, living with good and loving parents who took care of him until he was confident enough to move out and get a job. Jason is trying to become independent, but because he can’t remember many things, altogether, unless by simple segments, he can’t do anything better. He had to give up college since he couldn’t make it there anymore after the accident. So today, Jason works as a janitor in this law office. The janitorial firm who hired him trusts him now since he’s dedicated and tries his best.
And this is where, suddenly one day, he meets Anna who was crying because her first day in court was a disaster. When he talks, Anna doesn’t ignore him. She’s, in fact, nice and replies back. Generally no one looks twice at Jason anymore so Anna’s smiles and beauty strike him quite deeply. Jason’s love life has been nil ever since his accident and now, his body’s letting him know what it wants. He knew it’ll go nowhere, yet he wants to see her everyday and talk to her. He even makes changes in his strict daily routine to get a glimpse of her. At one point, Anna begins to reciprocate too. She’s still nice and all, but does she also feel the way Jason does?
Anna is one of those golden girls who had A’s almost all her life. She wasn’t a nerd in that sense but just brilliant. Her life has been (I would say) manipulated by her strict mother and father, who are also (I think) in law. It’s like a family tradition, so Anna has always had her future planned out. Even though she doesn’t like law that much, she still studied it because, well, it was expected of her. She dated men who are like her; people I thought totally cold and distant. Her affairs, so far, had been short-lived flings, and there have been many, many of those. I don’t think she was seriously emotionally involved with anyone. And I did find her quite distant all through the book. When she meets Jason, she took to his ‘hotness’. He is attractive and somehow the scar on his face and his slow spoken words makes her hot. She also begins to feel attracted to him, even knowing it’ll never go anywhere.
So far, so good. I wanted to see how things play out between two people who are so socially unequal. Jason’s family isn’t poor or anything. His father owns a shop of tools and whatnots, and they live by rather well. He was supposed to help his father, but this accident took that away from him. But Anna’s family is rich, of course and dating a janitor is totally unthinkable. Yet, Anna can’t help giving into the physical attraction between them that was growing rather fast.
They begin seeing each-other, going on dates, Anna trying to learn and understand Jason’s troubles. It’s not only his scarred body and damaged brain, but he also has a limp. He’s in pain on that side of his body if he walks or stands for too long. Jason sometimes has trouble controlling his emotions like a baby. It was worse before but he has controlled himself a lot, working his way through. As I told you before, I felt for Jason, and at times, I felt like crying reading the things he went through. He might’ve been an a$$ but this changed him. He calls himself Jason version 2.0, who doesn’t remember much of his earlier life. But he wants to and in the process, one day at his younger sister’s game, he comes across a girl, apparently his high school gf’s best buddy. She leaves her number to Jason to catch up, giving some hint about something bad he did back in the high school (which, I thought, really was quite bad when revealed). Jason doesn’t like the things he hears about his ‘past’ life, and he’s honest about it. It seems like he has paid his price. Right now, Anna is the only thing that is really positive in it.
Soon things turned to physical and they start having sex and loads of it. Like bunnies with quickies in Anna’s office when no one’s around, if they can find a nook or a cranny to do it. I mean, seriously, it should’ve made me hot, except for, it didn’t. Their ‘relationship’ was just... I can only say non-existent except for the sex. Yah they liked being with each-other but Anna knew very well that she can’t date Jason for real. She can’t even talk about him to anyone for God’s sake without feeling embarrassed, a fact she was honest about. I didn’t like this at all. Anna tried her best to hide her affair with Jason, who understood her reasoning even without her pointing those out. Both were very confused and conflicted about what to do. Jason was very self-conscious about his ‘situation’, knowing Anna is so very much out of his league. Anna’s reluctance would hurt him, yet, he just thought he didn’t deserve anything better in life.
This wasn’t going well and I lost interest in the story for a while. When I got back, Anna’s parents came for a visit. Right now, Jason is mainly living with Anna. At night, he’d return from work, let himself in and stay the night with her. He also takes care of her puppy while Anna is working. So when Anna’s parents arrive early without notifying her, they find Jason there. Anna runs back home. Jason feels that she’s embarrassed by him (yes, she was somewhat uncomfortable about what her parents would think of him). Jason leaves, and later cancels the dinner date with Anna’s parents. Anna didn’t want him to be there in truth but invited him only for politeness’s sake. It was plain horrible for me to read. Anna’s snobbish mother starts grilling her the moment Jason is out of the door. She’s giving her advises such as: flings like this are ok. That Jason is hot so it’s not a problem to have sex with him. That he’s a ‘forbidden fruit’ kinda thing, so totally understandable yet, all the while giving subtle hints that Anna can’t possibly take this seriously.
WOW mommy, really?? I would be embarrassed for a mom like that one! But Anna is slightly manipulated by these, even though she knows that these things shouldn’t matter. So yes, sex with Jason is super. She even loves to spend time with him but something serious? Ummm........... *cricket*
Anyhoo, Jason does something douchy that evening he cancels the dinner with Anna’s parents. He was hurt, and he was supposed to be hurt. But I didn’t like what he does next. He calls up that girl who left her number to catch up on the old times. Soon Jason, even in his shaky state of mind, gets that this girl, Lisa, who was his ex Chrissy’s buddy in high school, had a crush on him. And she is still harboring that crush. So what does Jason do? He acts as the a$$hole he was back then. Both become drunk and have a heavy make out session in Lisa’s car (no explicit description of that FYI, only by mention of what he did). After all, he and Anna wasn’t ‘exclusive’, so according to Jason, it should be alright.
NO NO... plain NO!!
Gosh, someone kill me now! WTF? He was hurt and he had to use another girl to take that off???????? WOW seriously??? I lost much of my adoration for Jason in that incident.
Then he ignores Anna for a while. Anna is now missing him too, and the fact that he’s not answering her texts and phones makes her a little pissy. Yah, after the way you and your parents treated him, you are now pissed at him? Gosh, I didn’t know what to think. Then Anna just couldn’t stay away anymore, and seeks him out. But now Jason tells her that they should ‘take things slow’, which hurts Anna, even though she’s heard this from many other guys before a break up and never felt hurt.
Ok, I need something for my headache.
Anyway, they can’t stay away for long (again) and seek each-other out in a few days. When they do, and talk, Jason confesses to what he did. Anna is mad at him and leaves him. Jason has a breakdown, breaks his cell phone and so on. Then he wants to make up to Anna, and tries to do a gesture with flowers. He goes to her office and says sorry in his own way. It was kinda… sad. Jason was scared of losing her and was desperate. Needless to say that Anna coldly spurns him, humiliating Jason in front of everyone. He has another emotional breakdown, starts yelling at one point and then leaves the building. Anna never gets back to him, even after telling him that she’ll talk later. Jason becomes drunk, loses his job, then moves out of his apartment and returns to his family, all the while hoping that Anna would contact. He knew he let Anna slip out of his life in a stupid mistake with a girl he doesn’t even care about.
I think I need to mention it, which bugged me so much, that no one... NO ONE talked or even cared about Lisa’s feelings in all these. She was never mentioned again but when Anna or Jason was trying to talk about ‘that incident’. Yes she was involved in that with Jason, but did she know about Anna? Was it all her fault? Oh how convenient to make her the scapegoat, right? Jason took part in it willingly, and I doubt it very much that Lisa knew he’s involved with someone else. It was simply a mess that made me mad, depressed and plain unhappy.
Anna later starts missing Jason. When she tries to contact him, she finds that he’s not in town anymore. She does one of her ‘researches’ to find out Jason’s parents’ address. Anna goes to meet him there and to sort out their misunderstandings. Jason is over the moon to have her back again in his life. They forgive each-other and forget... again.
Lisa remained the girl who made Jason do things he shouldn’t have, a stupid careless mistake. That silly girl and her stupid high school crush, right?
The ending was pure HFN. Yes there might’ve been some sweet moments in the story. Yes, they said that they ‘might be in love with each-other’, but when I try looking at the bigger picture, I couldn’t see any future for these two. No long-term attachment of any kind because, after what I read, this is just never going to work. Anna isn’t going to give up her planned out life and successful career for Jason, who needs understanding and compassion. She will never message Jason’s leg to alleviate his pain. I never saw her doing it once in the story. Jason might be doing well now, trying to pick up his life as best as he can but he needs those things from Anna. Then, Jason’s douchy behavior where Lisa was concerned made me lose quite a bit of whatever compassion and love I felt for him.
So, yes, I wasn’t happy when this ended. 3.5 stars, barely made it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2013
A beautiful, unique story. Bonnie Dee took on a difficult subject, and wrote a book that was tender and loving. There was ups and downs, but this is life. Jason was a character that I just wanted to hug until he felt better. Anna was a strong, independent female, who even though at times she worried about the decisions she had to make, they were realistic worries that anyone in her position may of had.
I admit to enjoying steamy reads, but I do always get excited over stories that are so interesting and well written that they hold my attention without the steam, and New Life certainly did just that.
Another book for my re-read shelf.
I admit to enjoying steamy reads, but I do always get excited over stories that are so interesting and well written that they hold my attention without the steam, and New Life certainly did just that.
Another book for my re-read shelf.
January 14, 2013
My 2nd Bonnie Dee bk featuring a mentally impaired H with an h who brings love and joy to his life. Heartwarming story. Jason/Anna were a good match both with issues to overcome and I was rooting for them all the way. Definitely reading more by this author. If you haven't tried Bone Deep, give it a read too.
January 14, 2013
Brilliant book!!! I absolutely devoured it like a hungry beast. I loved the story, the chemistry, the way the characters confronted their issues, loved it all.
March 15, 2013
As a disabled person I'm very particular in the books I read that depict disabilities. This is the second book of Ms. Dee's that I've read that deals with disability and I'm again impressed with the realistic, yet uplifting view she depicts when dealing with these big issues. There's no miraculous cure at the end justifying the HEA, just an understanding that love indeed conquers all and that sacrifices are worth it when it comes to loving someone. This is a message that everyone can embrace regardless of their abilities and is what every reader looks for when choosing a romance book to read.
Jason is still recovering from an accident that was the result of his drunk driving that's left him with memory problems, slowness of speech, occasional loss of emotional control, and profound frustration with wanting to do something more meaningful with his life but knowing his limitations. He hates the monotony of his job but knows it's necessary to remain independent. The low self-esteem his new mind and body has left him with has led him to isolate himself which is why it's so surprising that he opens himself up to Anna, the new lawyer in the office building he cleans. From the moment he comforts her with words of wisdom they embark on a journey to a full-fledged relationship that has plenty of bumps along the way as he constantly questions why such a successful person would want to be with him. Being with Anna has him questioning everything about himself actually....who he was before the accident and what he wants to be in the future. The answers he discovers aren't always easy and lead him spiraling out of control and falling hard, ultimately relying on love to pick him up and dust him off.
Anna has always felt the pressure to succeed courtesy of her judgemental mother. Anna's supposed to have the perfect job, live in the perfect home, and date the most successful man. Jason's only a janitor though and lives in a dingy apartment, so being with him weighs on Anna heavily. Their casual meetings soon lead to more as she sees unquestionable acceptance in his eyes and a calming shelter in the chaos of her life. She acknowledges the issues their differences could cause and keeps their relationship hidden at first because of this. After some particularly gutwrenching scenes that batter their fledgling relationship she realizes being with him is worth any sacrifice to being without him. This truth is very empowering and had me applauding her actions.
Ms. Dee pulls no punches in showing what daily living is like for Jason. She shows him at his best and worst and I adored him completely as I could easily relate to him as well. Anna is a strong-willed woman whose responses to Jason are realistic as she tries to find a HEA with such a complicated man. Their relationship starts out slowly with a sense of sweetness mixed in with undertones of constant sexual tension. I found myself completely invested in their relationship from the start and felt every heartache along the way. Ms. Dee handled the issues of disability in a sensitive and realistic manner and I'll continue to look to her as a master in presenting those of us with disabilities in such a positive light, showing that we're as worthy of a HEA as others. Those readers looking for complicated, fully fleshed-out characters that have to work hard for their HEA will find Bonnie Dee's books fit that bill to a tee.
Jason is still recovering from an accident that was the result of his drunk driving that's left him with memory problems, slowness of speech, occasional loss of emotional control, and profound frustration with wanting to do something more meaningful with his life but knowing his limitations. He hates the monotony of his job but knows it's necessary to remain independent. The low self-esteem his new mind and body has left him with has led him to isolate himself which is why it's so surprising that he opens himself up to Anna, the new lawyer in the office building he cleans. From the moment he comforts her with words of wisdom they embark on a journey to a full-fledged relationship that has plenty of bumps along the way as he constantly questions why such a successful person would want to be with him. Being with Anna has him questioning everything about himself actually....who he was before the accident and what he wants to be in the future. The answers he discovers aren't always easy and lead him spiraling out of control and falling hard, ultimately relying on love to pick him up and dust him off.
Anna has always felt the pressure to succeed courtesy of her judgemental mother. Anna's supposed to have the perfect job, live in the perfect home, and date the most successful man. Jason's only a janitor though and lives in a dingy apartment, so being with him weighs on Anna heavily. Their casual meetings soon lead to more as she sees unquestionable acceptance in his eyes and a calming shelter in the chaos of her life. She acknowledges the issues their differences could cause and keeps their relationship hidden at first because of this. After some particularly gutwrenching scenes that batter their fledgling relationship she realizes being with him is worth any sacrifice to being without him. This truth is very empowering and had me applauding her actions.
Ms. Dee pulls no punches in showing what daily living is like for Jason. She shows him at his best and worst and I adored him completely as I could easily relate to him as well. Anna is a strong-willed woman whose responses to Jason are realistic as she tries to find a HEA with such a complicated man. Their relationship starts out slowly with a sense of sweetness mixed in with undertones of constant sexual tension. I found myself completely invested in their relationship from the start and felt every heartache along the way. Ms. Dee handled the issues of disability in a sensitive and realistic manner and I'll continue to look to her as a master in presenting those of us with disabilities in such a positive light, showing that we're as worthy of a HEA as others. Those readers looking for complicated, fully fleshed-out characters that have to work hard for their HEA will find Bonnie Dee's books fit that bill to a tee.
September 15, 2015
I would have loved it if Jason wouldn't have . However, it was still a sweet romance I enjoyed reading.
September 8, 2013
I really enjoy Bonnie Dee's books.. New life was another great story.. Jason was oh so sweet. His story was so sad but in the end it was beautiful..
August 14, 2016
My Grinchy heart has grown 10 fold...Thank you Bonnie Dee...... I LOVED IT.
May 16, 2014
Hero has a big jerk gene!! Im not convinced about the HEA. At most its a short time thing and h would be well off dumping him shortly after.
July 12, 2023
this was fine-ish. I liked the way it started but the end? not so much.
February 21, 2013
3.5 stars, rounded up.
Why I read it: Jane from Dear Author reviewed this at Goodreads and I loved the idea of the unusual hero so much that I went an bought it immediately.
What it's about: (from Goodreads) Since the car accident that caused traumatic brain injury, Jason has fought to regain his memories and the ability to organize thoughts and control emotions. His promising future shattered, he works as a night janitor in an office building and clings to routine to make it through his days.
New lawyer Anna breaks down one evening after fumbling her first court case. Self-doubt brings her to tears in a deserted stairwell where Jason finds her and offers comforting words. From this unexpected meeting an unlikely romance begins.
A casual coffee date soon leads to a deeper connection and eventually a steamy affair. But are Jason and Anna’s growing feelings for each other strong enough to overcome the social chasm that divides them and the very real issues of Jason’s disability?
What worked for me (and what didn't): Definite kudos to Bonnie Dee for writing such an unusual hero and for making him a victim of his own stupidity. Jason was the cause of his own accident - while sympathetic he wasn't a victim and I think this made him more interesting; certainly more flawed. The story is told in alternating first person POV of both Jason and Anna which I like - the more hero the better in my opinion and getting inside his head is a bonus. I was told that Jason's speech was halting, but I didn't really see that on the page for the most part and I found myself falling into the trap that he was okay over and over again, only to be brought up short by other difficulties he has. He isn't stupid; he has memory and organisation problems and sometimes, particularly when tired or stressed, he finds it difficult to control his emotions. His speech is articulate and funny but I'm pretty sure the voice I heard in my head wasn't accurate. This is actually a book I would love to hear on audio, provided the narrator could voice the halting nature of Jason's speech faithfully and without making him a caricature - because I think the story would have had even more impact if I didn't keep forgetting he was brain damaged.
The issues between Anna and Jason are very real. Anna is a professional, a busy lawyer and she comes from a family of very successful lawyers. Jason is a "step down" in many ways. Jason worries how she could possibly be satisfied with him. Anna worries about it too actually. This is real and I was glad the book didn't gloss over their problems. However, I would have liked to have seen a little more of them dealing with other people - her family, his family (I wondered if they were suspicious of her motives?), her friends and colleagues - because Anna and Jason alone together were fine, but I wasn't quite as confident about how they would manage with others. And that's important. Would Anna eventually feel like she had to keep Jason at home and away from her professional life? Would he be okay with that?
Many other aspects of their relationship worked out neatly and I thought, in a practical and workable way, but there were parts which were merely touched upon or alluded to and I would have liked more exposition of that.
Jason did some douche-y things - before his accident, as well as after it and I thought Anna did well to forgive him for some of his actions. His apology at her office was a vivid highlight of the differences between them and one of the things which made me doubt, just a little, the longevity of their relationship.
But, I did enjoy this one. I loved the non traditional power balance and would certainly like to read more of this kind of romance.
Grade: B-
http://kaetrinsmusings.blogspot.com.a...
Why I read it: Jane from Dear Author reviewed this at Goodreads and I loved the idea of the unusual hero so much that I went an bought it immediately.
What it's about: (from Goodreads) Since the car accident that caused traumatic brain injury, Jason has fought to regain his memories and the ability to organize thoughts and control emotions. His promising future shattered, he works as a night janitor in an office building and clings to routine to make it through his days.
New lawyer Anna breaks down one evening after fumbling her first court case. Self-doubt brings her to tears in a deserted stairwell where Jason finds her and offers comforting words. From this unexpected meeting an unlikely romance begins.
A casual coffee date soon leads to a deeper connection and eventually a steamy affair. But are Jason and Anna’s growing feelings for each other strong enough to overcome the social chasm that divides them and the very real issues of Jason’s disability?
What worked for me (and what didn't): Definite kudos to Bonnie Dee for writing such an unusual hero and for making him a victim of his own stupidity. Jason was the cause of his own accident - while sympathetic he wasn't a victim and I think this made him more interesting; certainly more flawed. The story is told in alternating first person POV of both Jason and Anna which I like - the more hero the better in my opinion and getting inside his head is a bonus. I was told that Jason's speech was halting, but I didn't really see that on the page for the most part and I found myself falling into the trap that he was okay over and over again, only to be brought up short by other difficulties he has. He isn't stupid; he has memory and organisation problems and sometimes, particularly when tired or stressed, he finds it difficult to control his emotions. His speech is articulate and funny but I'm pretty sure the voice I heard in my head wasn't accurate. This is actually a book I would love to hear on audio, provided the narrator could voice the halting nature of Jason's speech faithfully and without making him a caricature - because I think the story would have had even more impact if I didn't keep forgetting he was brain damaged.
The issues between Anna and Jason are very real. Anna is a professional, a busy lawyer and she comes from a family of very successful lawyers. Jason is a "step down" in many ways. Jason worries how she could possibly be satisfied with him. Anna worries about it too actually. This is real and I was glad the book didn't gloss over their problems. However, I would have liked to have seen a little more of them dealing with other people - her family, his family (I wondered if they were suspicious of her motives?), her friends and colleagues - because Anna and Jason alone together were fine, but I wasn't quite as confident about how they would manage with others. And that's important. Would Anna eventually feel like she had to keep Jason at home and away from her professional life? Would he be okay with that?
Many other aspects of their relationship worked out neatly and I thought, in a practical and workable way, but there were parts which were merely touched upon or alluded to and I would have liked more exposition of that.
Jason did some douche-y things - before his accident, as well as after it and I thought Anna did well to forgive him for some of his actions. His apology at her office was a vivid highlight of the differences between them and one of the things which made me doubt, just a little, the longevity of their relationship.
But, I did enjoy this one. I loved the non traditional power balance and would certainly like to read more of this kind of romance.
Grade: B-
http://kaetrinsmusings.blogspot.com.a...
July 5, 2017
I seriously struggled with this one. I give props to the author for a unique issue for the hero to be dealing with - I don't think I've ever seen a hero with a traumatic brain injury before. He was quite fascinating because of it and I liked how he tried to track down what had happened in his past. The author clearly did a bit of research on this. But however you slice it, the hero was an asshole. In his past he was an ass (and he admits to that) and he is unfaithful to the heroine. Now he uses the excuse that that he was drunk and that they didn't actually have sex, but the one he falls back on is that they weren't exclusive. For me, that doesn't matter because that tells me he doesn't love the heroine (nor even "like her a lot" as he claims). She certainly wasn't much of a concern to him if he could hook up with another woman. And he admits immediately afterwards, that he knew he was wrong. So, asshole move on his part. In my perfect little contemporary romance world, worthwhile guys don't do that to women they respect and care about...or "like a lot."
However, it disturbed me further that Anna, even after she found out, wasn't even thinking about breaking up with him. Maybe I'm not that forgiving, but actions like that are very telling about a person's character. Also, that destroys trust and it didn't seem like Anna, once she'd come down from her initial anger, had any worries about him doing it again or anything. In fact, her statement to a friend that "He was honest about what happened and they didn't have sex exactly. It was a drunken mistake," means she was going with his excuses and was ready to forgive him. So, since she'd fall for that and not hold him accountable, I lost respect for her. And she didn't insist on major grovel either. Just took him back and trusted him right away.
However, it disturbed me further that Anna, even after she found out, wasn't even thinking about breaking up with him. Maybe I'm not that forgiving, but actions like that are very telling about a person's character. Also, that destroys trust and it didn't seem like Anna, once she'd come down from her initial anger, had any worries about him doing it again or anything. In fact, her statement to a friend that "He was honest about what happened and they didn't have sex exactly. It was a drunken mistake," means she was going with his excuses and was ready to forgive him. So, since she'd fall for that and not hold him accountable, I lost respect for her. And she didn't insist on major grovel either. Just took him back and trusted him right away.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2021
An easy, engaging page turner. I read it in an afternoon. Jason was a likable, imperfect, realistic character, with compelling struggles. Loved his sassy 12-year-old sister. Anna was sweet and smart, but I felt less connection with her, so I wasn't totally convinced (but a solid 90% convinced?) that she would be happy with the gender role reversal in their relationship. I do worry about the lasting power of their love, though. I'm content with the story--they were exactly right for helping each other grow and find new perspectives within themselves.
And the reading journey was thought-provoking, challenging me to understand people with more compassion.
Lost a star for the constant "accept and respect yourself and others; everyone has their own path of equal importance" warring with "if you don't try to move past degree-not-required menial work, you are an underachiever; this is a negative thing in society." (On the latter: I mean, c'mon, what if someone just wanted a job they didn't mind, that paid the bills, and they focused their mind on what they did after work, like slow movement living, sort of thing?) So, at times, it seemed as if the story was arguing with itself, or trying to defend itself at the same time it sneered at itself.
Worth the reading time, absolutely.
3.5 stars
And the reading journey was thought-provoking, challenging me to understand people with more compassion.
Lost a star for the constant "accept and respect yourself and others; everyone has their own path of equal importance" warring with "if you don't try to move past degree-not-required menial work, you are an underachiever; this is a negative thing in society." (On the latter: I mean, c'mon, what if someone just wanted a job they didn't mind, that paid the bills, and they focused their mind on what they did after work, like slow movement living, sort of thing?) So, at times, it seemed as if the story was arguing with itself, or trying to defend itself at the same time it sneered at itself.
Worth the reading time, absolutely.
3.5 stars
January 18, 2013
Jason, a 26 year old, recently injured brain damaged man tries to pull his life into meaningful context. This is difficult to do because there are so many holes in his memory. He is very handsome dispite the scar on his face. Until now, however, women have not been a part of his life.
Anna is a new lawyer who is trying to establish herself in the courtroom and the new law office. Both the hero and the heroine are setting out on a new life with many obstacles in their way. The physical attraction to each other cannot be overlooked.
It is a heart warming tale filled with promise and hope. The understanding of each other's needs seems to come easily to both of them. Anna has even researched brain injury on line because she cares so much. Once they decide that open and frequent communication is needed because of some very large misunderstandings things do improve.
I wish the couple well. They are both deserving of it. I cannot shake the feeling though that this will be a stort term affair. There are just too many problems looming yet in the seeable future, yet alone the distant future. This is a heart warming tale that deserves an open mind when reading it.
Anna is a new lawyer who is trying to establish herself in the courtroom and the new law office. Both the hero and the heroine are setting out on a new life with many obstacles in their way. The physical attraction to each other cannot be overlooked.
It is a heart warming tale filled with promise and hope. The understanding of each other's needs seems to come easily to both of them. Anna has even researched brain injury on line because she cares so much. Once they decide that open and frequent communication is needed because of some very large misunderstandings things do improve.
I wish the couple well. They are both deserving of it. I cannot shake the feeling though that this will be a stort term affair. There are just too many problems looming yet in the seeable future, yet alone the distant future. This is a heart warming tale that deserves an open mind when reading it.
May 20, 2013
Three years after a traumatic car accident Jason still suffers with his memory and being able to organize thoughts and control emotions. Jason is attempting to live dependently, unable to get a good job because of his trauma he works and a janitor in a office building and lives in a crappy apartment.
At work Jason meets Anna, a Lawyer who works in the same building, crying after fumbling her first court case he stumbles around managing to comfort her.
Jason and Anna go on dates and end up falling for each other, though neither really tells each other how they feel. But Jason is still attempting to piece his memories and his life back together, feeling like a child and learning things all over again.
I liked this short sweet romance, characters were warm and lovable. Story moved a little slow at the beginning and a little fast at the end.
My star ratings:
1* Complete trash
2* Waste of time really, but I carried on for some reason
3* Half decent, usually down to personal preferences
4* Could read this again, only a little thing is missing, maybe more humour or romance etc...
5* Would read this again and again, unique story, adore this author
At work Jason meets Anna, a Lawyer who works in the same building, crying after fumbling her first court case he stumbles around managing to comfort her.
Jason and Anna go on dates and end up falling for each other, though neither really tells each other how they feel. But Jason is still attempting to piece his memories and his life back together, feeling like a child and learning things all over again.
I liked this short sweet romance, characters were warm and lovable. Story moved a little slow at the beginning and a little fast at the end.
My star ratings:
1* Complete trash
2* Waste of time really, but I carried on for some reason
3* Half decent, usually down to personal preferences
4* Could read this again, only a little thing is missing, maybe more humour or romance etc...
5* Would read this again and again, unique story, adore this author
January 24, 2013
4 to 4,5 stars for this unusual story.
Love how the author brought the issue into a light yet thought provoking story, not overly done or dark or depressingly written.
The hero had an accident and left him with a brain damage while he can function daily like any normal people there are some times he has his 'moments'. There he was working as a janitor when he met Anna, a lawyer working in the same building. They have a connection and hit it off.
I like how Anna doesn't fuss about his condition , she observes instead and only take actions when he needs helps. Their honesty toward each other is amazing.
This is a book I will recommend to friends :)
Love how the author brought the issue into a light yet thought provoking story, not overly done or dark or depressingly written.
The hero had an accident and left him with a brain damage while he can function daily like any normal people there are some times he has his 'moments'. There he was working as a janitor when he met Anna, a lawyer working in the same building. They have a connection and hit it off.
I like how Anna doesn't fuss about his condition , she observes instead and only take actions when he needs helps. Their honesty toward each other is amazing.
This is a book I will recommend to friends :)
January 16, 2013
Another nice book with one of Bonnie Dee's non standard heroes. This guy was brain damaged after an accident. He was pretty high functioning. He just had problems with his memory and keeping control of his emotions and a few things like that. He worked as a janitor and falls in love with a woman lawyer who works in the building he cleans. It seemed pretty realistic as it dealt with the problems he faced mentally and physically to work and take care of himself in the world. The relationship was pretty uneven but I thing the author did a fairly decent job showing what the heroine got out of the relationship.
Recommended for a different read.
Recommended for a different read.
April 14, 2013
I have read several books written by Bonnie Dee and I like that her heroes are flawed. This was a quick read about two people falling in love and the obstacles they much over come due to Jason's disabilities.
I liked being in Jason's head as he discovered things about his life before the accident and then how he dealt with becoming a 'new' Jason. Unfortunately the book was too short and things seemed to go too quickly towards the end and then BAM.. it was over.
I liked being in Jason's head as he discovered things about his life before the accident and then how he dealt with becoming a 'new' Jason. Unfortunately the book was too short and things seemed to go too quickly towards the end and then BAM.. it was over.
June 18, 2020
A new author to follow. Don't know how I can finish all the books I want to read, 62 this year :( .
New Life was the type of storyline I like. I realized I was really involved in the story when Jason was about to do something foolish and I cringed with thoughts of "don't do it, Jason". The ending was good, not a typical HEA (no epilogue about their future but I could imagine one of my own). Well, I don't have to imagine because there is New Life #2 book. Yeah!
New Life was the type of storyline I like. I realized I was really involved in the story when Jason was about to do something foolish and I cringed with thoughts of "don't do it, Jason". The ending was good, not a typical HEA (no epilogue about their future but I could imagine one of my own). Well, I don't have to imagine because there is New Life #2 book. Yeah!
January 21, 2013
I love Bonnie Dee's broken heroes...
November 25, 2016
3.5 ****
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews