Audiobook #REVIEW: When You're Ready @AuthorJLBerg

When You're Ready (Ready #1) by J.L. Berg is beautifully romantic. The love story is sweet and tender. But there's nothing tender about how the words wrap themselves around your heart and squeeze. This poignant story will stay with you long after that final page.

Years after suffering the tragic loss of her husband, Ethan, which left her alone to raise their young daughter, Clare Murray still holds the last letter he wrote with the words "When You're Ready" written in his familiar messy handwriting, unable to break its weathered seal. Ready for what? He was her entire world, and Clare had accepted a life without him, without love. Until years later, fate brings her to an emergency room, and face to face with a stormy-eyed doctor intent on changing her mind.

Son of a billionaire, Logan Matthews has spent his life trying to make his absentee father proud. Without a family to depend on, all he's ever wanted is a place to call home. After a failed marriage, Logan believes he's unworthy of love...until he meets a woman who awakens his spirit and transforms his entire life in an instant.

But how far are Clare and Logan willing to go for love? Can his love mend the pieces of her grieving heart?

When their love is tested, is Clare ready to put her whole heart on the line again? Can Logan learn the true meaning of love, even if it means sacrificing his own happiness? When a second chance at love is given, Clare and Logan learn you are never truly ready until you're ready to risk it all.

Listening to this book on audio (Narrators: Carly Robins, Scott Aiello) was difficult at times. There were moments when I couldn't hold back tears. But mostly, I found myself in awe of the main characters. Clare had lived through such a tragedy and came out stronger. There were moments of weakness which served to make her real to the readers but the author also portrayed the inner strength of a fierce mother. I always enjoy books that have children as characters because, just as this book did, it brings a freshness to the scenes.

When Logan enters their lives, he's not portrayed as a knight in shining armor (an overdone trope in romance these days). He's just a good guy -albeit mighty hot and quite sexy- who isn't scared off by a complicated woman. He has his own baggage that he copes with without allowing it to control him.

Together, Clare and Logan get to a place of happiness... when she's ready... damn, that letter made me sob. Incredibly beautiful moment when finally Clare decides its time to live fully.

I highly recommend this book.

FIND ON Audible.com.

RATING
5 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
I think Clare would approve since she loves chocolate so much!

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MEET THE AUTHOR
JL Berg
I’m a California native, who lives in the South – Virginia to be exact. I still prefer sushi to fried chicken, avocados to okra, and I absolutely loathe humidity. I do love watching the seasons change though. My husband and I have been here for ten years, and I still get giddy like a school girl every time it snows.

I’m married to my high school sweetheart. We were married young, barely out of high school. Everyone told us we were crazy and stupid. We’ll be celebrating 12 years of marriage this year, and I love him more every single day. We’re living proof that true love knows no age limit.

We’ve been blessed with two beautiful daughters who continue to amaze and inspire me, and are probably
making me go a bit insane. I’m obsessed with yoga and pilates and am a complete chocoholic. I apologize in advance for the amount of sweets in my book.

I’m absolutely obsessed with romance novels (duh) and probably could have built a vacation home with the amount of money I’ve invested in them over the years. Romance novels take you to another place, making your heart race, emotions swell, passion run free. After so many years of meeting hundreds of fictional characters and discovering their worlds, I found myself creating my own.

I am represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, LLC.