BOOK REVIEW: Still Water (Still Life #2) by A.M. Johnson

SYNOPSIS

After being rejected by his childhood best friend, Todd Dixon turns his back on love and all its false promises. Three years later, he's living in a new city, making a name for himself with his bar, record label, and one night stands. 

Lily Spring knows nothing but the music that flows through her veins, but after one night of betrayal that ended in tragedy, her entire life falls from under her right along with her musical dreams. Now, she finds herself living in a new state with a sister she barely knows and a dream that she MUST fulfill. 

He's everything she doesn't need. 

Stubborn as hell, sexy as sin, with a reputation as wicked as his body. To make things worse, he's her new boss and the ticket to what she's always wanted. 

When two fates collide and passions burn high, will the fire die or will it simmer into a slow burn becoming much more than either of them thought possible

This isn't just a love story. 

This is a story of hope, repentance and second chances. 

Are you ready?

MY REVIEW

5/5 STARS

A. M. Johnson's poignant and gripping writing prose mixed with her marvelously complex plot is really something every romance reader should watch out for. Starting Still Water was like testing my toes in the water and ending up completely drowning in the authors' prowess. Magnificently written and driven. 

"You're my king, Todd. You rule this heart more than you'll ever know." 

Todd was burned once and the scar will never heal. Losing the only person he loved on earth sliced him deep and he wouldn't easily allow another human being to acquire that kind of power against him again. Todd is probably one of my most favorite hero. He had a tinge of broken but he was a good man. I loved how his character wasn't pretentious, fictional. His acts were honest, raw, real, as if an exact cut out of a man who has come close to brokenness. And he was one of my most favorite part of this book. 

“I love you, Lily. You are where I begin and end." 

Lily just wanted to be enough. She just wanted to be someone's priority, someone's choice. Lily was hope, dream, and passion personified. The complexity of her character was poignant, sweet, and badass at the same time. I loved her character so much! She held her own doubts and hopes but they never stopped her from going after the things she's passionate about. She was broken, too, but her beauty dwelled on the hope for happiness and contentment. 

We belonged to each other —Lily was my one true thing, and I was hers. 

I reaaaalllly loved this book! From the start til the end, I was grasped and gripped by the words, the scenes, and the plot in general. A.M. Johnson is a superb author. Her prose is clear, raw, and soul-stealing. She writes with a voice that you'd like to drown in, like you can go on and on reading it and not feeling a bit tired. Her characters are rich, entertaining, and remarkable. The interesting mix of sweet, angst, sex, passion, and warmth made this book remarkable than the usual romances I've read. I'm sure the storyline has been done before but AM Johnson's unique and poignant prose lit it and made it roar. I can't wait for Seth's story!