Flickering Heart by Tricia T. LaRochelle is live!
Timid college girl, Sara, isn’t looking for any complications, but that doesn’t stop her from falling for playboy, Scott. When a stalker shatters their happiness, Sara must fight to save herself and the man she loves.
A dramatic, emotional and angsty NA romance, this book sucked me in and had both my heart and my mind racing. I felt so much, and I loved it!
Amazon | Paperback
Blurb
Eighteen-year-old Sara Browne is about to step off a cliff. She is taking a giant leap into the world of college—a normal transition for most—but not for Sara. A car accident that scarred her body and soul—and left her orphaned—has dictated six years of isolation, but that was all in her past. She is ready to leave those dark days behind. Her new goals: make a friend, behave irresponsibly (if she’ll allow herself), and go on an actual date.
The last thing Sara is looking for is a complication, but that is exactly what she finds in the hot, six-foot-three blond named Scott Williams, who she meets at the beginning of the school year. Sara is drawn to Scott in a way that she cannot explain, and he seems just as into her. She wants to trust her heart, but Scott’s promiscuous past keeps creeping into their lives. Jealous ex-girlfriends are one thing, but the stranger who defaces her car, sabotages her laptop, and who sends Sara threatening letters is far worse. Someone is determined to destroy her relationship with Scott and the life Sara is trying so hard to rebuild.
By the time Sara finds out who is behind all the trouble, her life is in shambles and she must fight with every ounce of strength and courage to save herself and the man she loves
Review
4 stars
A dramatic, emotional and angsty NA romance from debut author, Tricia LaRochelle, this book sucked me in and had both my heart and my mind racing. I felt so much, and I loved it!
Sara is 18 years old and is branching out for the first time in her life. Since the death of her beloved parents six years previously, she has isolated herself from the world, enrolling in a private school and gaining the nickname ‘cave girl’ because of her reclusive nature. Now, she’s starting college, and she’s determined to step out, make friends, and experience everything that life has to offer.
What she wasn’t expecting was Scott Williams. Campus golden boy and a bit of a player, Scott is immediately smitten with Sara, and they easily fall together into her first relationship. But there are clearly those who do not want them together, and soon Sara is dealing with jealous ex-hookups, somebody vandalising her property and threatening notes in the mail. Combined with everything else she’s dealing with personally, it’s a lot, and the pressures on her will test her in ways she never new possible.
When your world crumbles into nothingness, the only family you’ve ever known gone forever, how do you rebuild? When you construct walls so high around your heart that no one can get in, how do you relate to people again?
I had no idea, but I was about to find out. In fact, I felt as though I were about to step off a cliff.
The book is written entirely from Sara’s perspective, which creates a strong sense of emotion in the story. She’s young and inexperienced with the world, and there’s this sense of wonder and excitement at the adventure she’s starting. At the same time, she’s scared and trying to figure out who is threatening her, all while she is falling in love for the first time. Scott understandably sweeps her off his feet, and though he may be way more experienced than she is, it’s his first real relationship too, so they’re navigating it together.
“I think a part of me has loved you since the moment I met you.”
But it’s real life – mistakes are made, and there are lies and betrayal, and in at times I didn’t even know how I was supposed to feel! This book has me questioning everything, and I’m sure that’s intentional as we experience everything through Sara’s eyes, feeling what she feels, confused about so much and not knowing what is happening in her life. All the while she is desperately trying to find some stability in the middle of the chaos.
There’s so much going on in Sara’s life, and we’re right there with her as she tries to figure it all out, and I felt it all! I was confused and torn like she was, my heart broke with her, I celebrated her happy moments, and those twist and turns in the final chapters are quite the intense ride and actually had me in tears.
I went into this book pretty much blind, and certainly wasn’t expecting this story, or to feel it so deeply. The author brings so much emotion to the book, and she wrote it beautifully, with a lot of heart, and I felt so much for Sara. Enduring it all, she finds a strength within herself that she never knew existed, and I so admired that about her.
There’s a great bunch of side characters that – love them or hate them – bring so much to the story, and all of those relationships and dynamics were really well developed. The book ends in a good place, but the story definitely isn’t over, and I’m looking forward to continuing Sara’s journey in Revive, releasing soon.
This was a really unexpected read – sweet, angsty and emotionally intense – and I loved it.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Sara Browne Series
Flickering Heart (#1)
Review
Buy: Amazon | Paperback
Revive (#2)
Review
Buy: Amazon | Paperback
Handfast (#3)
Buy: Amazon
Excerpt
Copyright 2022 Tricia T. LaRochelle
The following day, I headed to the library to work on a paper I had to write for my Western
Civilization class. I needed to use their printer. I passed by Derek and Rick on my way in. They
were really chumming it up lately. Rick acted especially happy to see me, but I wasn’t sure why.
“Where are you off to?” Rick asked.
“Oh, hi, Rick. Hey, Derek. Library. I’ve gotta print some stuff off.”
Rick reached into the back pocket of his pastel shorts. “I’ve got a huge credit on my
student card if you want to use it.” He opened his wallet.
I put my hand up. “No. That’s okay. I just funded mine … but thanks anyway.”
He put his wallet back. “I also have a decent printer in my room if you ever need to use it.”
I took a step closer to the library door. “Okay, thanks.”
“I’ll text you and Amy later,” Derek said as the two of them wandered off.
The library housed a small café where you could get Starbucks if you wanted. Rachael was
standing in line when I passed by. I wasn’t in the mood for one of her snide comments, so I
walked fast so she wouldn’t see me.
I found a study area, sat, and opened my laptop. There was another note waiting for me
from Scott: “Thinking about you.”
I sent him a quick text. “I got your note. Thinking about you, too, handsome.” If Amy
could have a nickname for everyone, so could I. My mother had often referred to my father as
handsome, so it seemed fitting.
An hour of writing, and I hadn’t made much progress, although I had at least put together
an outline for my paper, which was due on Monday. I chose the topic: Influence of Classical
Greece on the Foundation of Western Civilization. Mind blown. History had never been my
subject, but it was part of my core curriculum. Scott had bragged about Jason being a history
genius, and I wondered if he had any tips that could help me remember this stuff. I took a bottle
of water out of my backpack to quench my thirst while thinking about it. I screwed the top back
on my water bottle and sent my file to the printer. As I crossed the library, I thought about Rick’s
offer. Did he honestly think I would go to his room to print a document? I swiped my student
card and then went through the process of printing my stuff.
When I returned to my study area, my laptop was off, the screen blank. It wouldn’t power
up, either. Battery? No, I had just charged it right before I left my dorm. My water bottle was
three-quarters full when I had left it a few minutes ago. Now it was empty. A few droplets
beaded on the keyboard. I picked up the now empty bottle, which was still upright, not tipped
over, its cap secured in place. Had someone opened my bottle, tipped it over, and put the cap
back on? What the? I looked around. Nothing about this situation made sense.
That night, I walked to my car to do a grocery run. When I got there, my windows were
marred with pink marker, the words “Watch your back,” in all caps. The windshield, the side
windows, and the back. They were all covered.
Considering my hypersensitivity to dangerous situations, it was like throwing gasoline on
the tinderbox that was my PTSD.
About Tricia T. LaRochelle
Since she was a little girl, Tricia T. LaRochelle has been obsessed with tragic love stories. No beach reads for her. Bring on the grit with a double side of turmoil. She likes to feel the character’s anguish as they fight to overcome obstacles to be together. Growing up in central Vermont, she has seen her share of tragedy but remains a hopeful romantic. She now lives in central Virginia where she continues to foster the possibilities of how love can conquer all.
Flickering Heart is the first book in the Sara Browne Series. Stay tuned for updates and announcements on Instagram, Twitter, or sign up for her email list at TriciaLaRochelle.com.
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