Review and Excerpt of FINDING US by Megan Smith

SYNOPSIS

Jasmine Jennings is running from her past, something she never wants to deal with again. Starting out fresh in a new city, life is finally looking up.

That is until she meets him — Knox Mitchell. She tries to elude him, but he’s everywhere. When she finally gives in, he begins to avoid her.

One tragic night, Knox’s future was ripped away. His body and soul crave revenge from the man who took everything away from him, but when Jasmine crashes into Knox’s muddled life, he’s torn. What is he supposed to do about falling for the girl who was to be part of his plan for retaliation?

When all secrets are revealed can they move forward without the past destroying any hopes of having a future?

REVIEW

     I have read all of Megan Smith’s books and I have loved each of them.  So when I was given the opportunity to review Finding Us, of course I had to jump on it.  I can honestly say that I was not disappointed.  I enjoyed this story from start to finish.  There were several parts of this book that broke my heart and you couldn’t help but feel sorry for both Jasmine and Knox. 

     Jasmine had all the material possessions and money growing up, but not a loving family.  The only one who cared for her was her nanny/housekeeper so when she graduated from college and got access to her trust fund, she left her family behind to begin the journey of finding herself.  Her best friend Summer goes with her and they move to NYC.  She was pretty happy and content with her new life and was not looking for romance. 

     Knox has been searching for Jasmine for years and can’t believe his luck when it turns out that she is now friends with his brother.  He puts his plan in motion to make her fall for him, but what he doesn’t expect is to start falling for her too.  He is torn because of his past and he feels as though Jasmine has to pay for what happened to those he loved.  Of course, Jasmine has no idea about his past and the lengths he is willing to go through to destroy her.
     Slowly, Jasmine is breaking his barriers and making a place for herself in his heart.  He begins to realize that he can't punish her for her parent's wrongs and decides he needs to get some distance from her.  However, he can't resist being with her one last time.  The next morning Jasmine wakes up alone and confused.  She is hurt by Knox leaving her and knows that is the last time she will see him.  

     When she begins to find out some things about Knox, she decides she needs some answers and it was time she went home and got them.  When she shows up the nanny/housekeeper is there and Jasmine learns the truth about her past.  To say she was shocked would be an understatement.  Everything she has ever known has been a lie and the hard part to stomach is that Knox knew about it.  

     Knox realizes that he can't stand Jasmine not being in his life and he goes to talk to her only to find her gone.  Is he too late to fix his mess?  Will Jasmine ever forgive him?  Will Jasmine be able to overcome the lies in her past to get her HEA?  In order to find out, you will need to read the book.  I promise you will not be disappointed.  Megan's writes stories that hook you right from the beginning and keep you hanging on each word right to the end.  Even then, you are not ready for the story to be over.  I can't wait for the next book in the series about their friend Jeremy, I really want him to get his HEA!!  What are you waiting for?  Go get your copy of Finding Us today!!

PURCHASE LINKS

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EXCERPT        

Knox reaches over and pushes the braid that’s lying over my shoulder to my back and leans over to kiss my exposed shoulder. My eyes close and I want to wrap our time up here in a jar and carry it with me everywhere I go. Everything in this moment is perfect. I’m happy and content which hasn’t happened in some time. I’m always so guarded around everyone except Summer. The reason behind my wing tattoos is because when I finally decided to get out from under Mom and Dad I wanted to find my wings and be my own person. I wanted to grow, change and find my way in life.

“Jas,” Knox says so low it was barely audible.

I open my eyes to the sound of his voice only to feel a tickle on my right shoulder. I don’t move an inch because I know what it is. Out of the corner of my eye I can see a beautiful black butterfly with four spots, white and then blending into purple, on each side of the wings. The end of the wings are all jagged but the intensity of the colors draw away from them.

Knox is able to slip away as the butterfly just sits perched on my shoulder, lightly fluttering her wings. I hear the sound of Knox’s camera snapping pictures as he walks around capturing different angles. I turn my head inch by inch so I can get a better look at the beauty sitting on my shoulder.

A lady who’s wearing a uniform with a patch that shows that she works here comes over to my other side and wipes something cool on the top of my left hand which is resting on my thigh. When she’s finishes she simply walks away. What the hell was that about?

Minutes later the butterfly sitting on my shoulder flies away and another tiny white butterfly lands on the top of my right hand in the exact spot that the employee rubbed whatever it was on my skin.

Knox takes his seat beside me again. “It’s sugar water. The butterflies love it.” He nods to the sign in front of the waterfall. “I read it on that.” Knox adds after I give him a look of disbelief that he would know such a fact.

I lift my hand in the air and the butterfly takes off to a nearby flower. I place my hand on Knox’s leg and give it a little squeeze. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

He places his large hand on top of mine, “You’re welcome, Beautiful. I’m glad you like it.”