Page Princess: TRACING HEARTS by Kate Squires

Title: TRACING HEARTS

Series: N/A

Author: Kate Squires

Publish Date: 11.30.2015

Publisher: Kate Squires

Category /Genre: Contemporary Romance

Recommended for: 16+ due to mature subjects

Received from: Kate Squires (as part of the IT BEGAN WITH A BOOK book club)

Goodreads link: Tracing Hearts

Date completed: 12.10.15

Description from the publisher:

Paired together as childhood pen pals, Sebastian Vaughn and Julia Bessette grow up writing back and forth. Even though they live worlds apart, their lives intersect in ways that no one could ever imagine.

As young adults, their paths initially cross, when a concerned Sebastian pays heartbroken Julia a surprise visit. The two spend only a few short days together, but the spark is undeniable.

However, tragedy comes in all forms, and soon they're separated.

Fast forward a few years, and fate finds Army Captain Vaughn in a dangerous situation, where he’s forced to go into hiding. Out of desperation and a primal need to be near her, he unintentionally drags Julia into his treacherous world. Feeling responsible, he vows to protect her above all else, but will the cost be too high?

Meanwhile, Julia willingly goes on the run with Sebastian, sacrificing her way of life, and her safety, for the man she hopes is the one. She worries about his rejection, but more so than that, she worries about never again feeling the way she feels when she’s with him.

Can the couple make it out alive? Can they find each other in the process, or will it all be too much to bear?

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This is a stand-alone romance / not part of a series.

This was quite a bit different from my usual reading – mostly because the bedroom scenes were “fade to black.” Let’s face it, I love so-called mommy-porn, but I found that the fade to black did not detract from the story. In fact, because of the relationship that Julia and Sebastian have, it’s much more appropriate to leave it a little more on the innocent side. Now before you get worried – they were adults, but they had started out as childhood pen pals.

I loved this story – flat out loved it! Friendship that turns into love is only part of the story. There is naiveté that leads to misunderstands as only a young person can know it. There is intrigue, suspense, a touch of humor, and plenty of emotional tension.

Now, I feel that I should warn you. There will be tears. Especially when Sebastian _____ - and not once, but twice!!! I swear I heard the author cackling evilly. There are also plenty of tender and sweet moments to make the reading worth the tears expended.

I fell in love with all of the characters, main and secondary. They are all well-written, enough that I feel like I’m leaving my friends behind as I close the book.

This is the first book I have read from Kate Squires. I sincerely pray it is not my last.

Grammar/editing: ungraded – book received as an unedited ARC / errors excused

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