Amour Amour by Krista RitchieMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
After finishing the Addicted Series and loving it, I was extremely excited to get my hands on this new standalone novel by Krista & Becca Ritchie. These authors are some of my absolute favorites from whom I'd immediately buy every book they put out.
I find that one of the things I love about these authors' books is the one resounding theme with all the male leads - they all let their women be. They're not manipulative or controlling (except for maybe Connor Cobalt from Kiss the Sky, but he's a green rooster (one of a kind) so he's on a league of his own anyway) and they treat their women with utmost respect.
Amour Amour has that and everything I love! Swoon-worthy alpha male, no insufferable main character, no instalove, wonderful supporting cast, awesome lasting friendships, humor, and a happy ending. Plus, there's no cheating and no love triangles.
The book instantly lures you in from the prologue and I was hooked after the first two chapters. The UST between Thora and Nikolai is so steamy and so thick you could cut it with a knife! The chemistry and pull between them is...WOW! It's intense from the very first time they meet. Their kisses...OMG O.O
And Nikolai (Nik)! Oh Nik. He's such a mystery and a great positive force in Thora's life. I need a Nik in my life. I think we all need a Nik in our lives! I just love the advice he gives and the things he says to Thora.
"Don't count your losses before you see the scoreboard. It'll plague you with insecurities that aren't worth your energy or emotions."
Everything about him and the way he is with Thora is just so mesmerizing. I love how he cares for his family, for his siblings. He drives people to do their best and it's so inspiring. This whole story is inspiring! Amour Amour inspires you to go after your dreams. To take the risk because you never know what you're capable of, or what could happen if you don't give yourself a chance to find out. Yes, there could be roadblocks to your success; to reaching your goal, but it's not the end. You have to work hard to get what you want. Usually, the ones that aren't easy to get; the ones that take a lot more effort to reach are the ones worth so much more in the end. You get a greater sense of accomplishment and you cherish it that much more because you know that you did it all.
"The things greater than us, Thora, they're not impossible. It's just fear talking, telling you that you can't when you can."Thora is so relatable. Everything she goes through and all her trials and tribulations are a lot of the same stuff I go through or have gone through. Someone once told me, "if you think you can or you think you can't, you're right!" It's all in our mind and when we feel like we can't do something, we don't try as hard to get it and we give up too easily. I love how Thora is her own cheerleader. She motivates herself to do better and to be better. I want to be like her.
And then there are the supporting characters like John and Timo that I can't get enough of. Camila and Katya who are just adorable and so likeable! I wish there were more about them in the book.
This book is just...I don't even have a good enough word to describe it. I know for a fact that I'm reading it again soon! It makes me want to go to Vegas and see a circus (such as Cirque du Soleil), both of which I've never done! And of course, I love that this book is in the same universe as the Addicted Series. All the mentions of the characters from the Addicted series (Ryke, Daisy, Connor, Rose, Lily, and Loren), the drinks (Fizz Life, Diet Fizz, Lightning Bolt!), and the reality TV show, Princesses of Philly (PoPhilly) made me all giddy with excitement! I can't wait to read this one again!
