LifersAuthor: Jane Harvey-Berrick
Published by: Harvey Berrick Publishing
Publication Date: February 7, 2014
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
After eight years in prison, twenty-four year old Jordan Kane is the man everyone loves to hate.
Forced to return to his hometown while on parole, Jordan soon learns that this small town hasn't changed since he was carted off to juvie all those years ago. He is the local pariah, shunned by everyone, including his own parents. But their hatred of him doesn't even come close to the loathing he feels every time he looks in the mirror.
Working odd jobs for the preacher lady, Jordan bides his time before he can leave this backwards town. But can distance erase the memories that haunt him? Trapped in the prison of his own mind Jordan wonders if the pain of living will ever subside?
Torrey Delaney is new in town and certainly doesn't behave in a way the locals believe a preacher’s daughter should. Her reputation for casual hook-ups and meaningless sex is the talk of the town. Add that to her budding friendship with the hardened ex-con handyman, and the good Reverend is less than thrilled with her estranged daughter’s path.
As friendship forms, is it possible for two damaged people who are afraid to love take their relationship to the next level? Can Torrey live with Jordan’s demons, and can Jordan break through Torrey's walls? With the disapproval of a small town weighing heavily on them, will they find their place in the world? Can they struggle against the odds, or will their world be viciously shattered?
Is love a life sentence?
When I first saw Lifers making the rounds, I had a feeling it was a book I needed to read. It just gave off that vibe telling me so. Okay, and I admit, was totally drawn to the way people were describing Torrey; the good and bad. I’m glad I decided to read it, because I liked it a lot.
Lifers is told in alternating POV’s. Torrey quit her job as a paralegal in Boston and now lives with her pastor mother in a small town in Texas. She’s trying to save enough money to get out of there and move on to somewhere better. Jordan was recently released from prison and is now stuck in his home town on parole. He does odd jobs for Torrey’s mother since she’s the only one around who treats him with any decency. The two become friends, but it soon turns into more. With Jordan’s past haunting him and pretty much being the town pariah, it doesn’t make it easy for them.
What initially attracted me to this book is what I ended up loving the most about it: Torrey. She has a very strong personality; loud, hot tempered, blunt, and doesn’t put up with much. Not to mention she has a huge heart. She was so perfect for Jordan. I got their relationship 110%, especially why he would be attracted to such a strong-willed, bossy woman like her.
Jordan turned out to be exactly what she needed too. He has his demons, but he really is a great guy. It was hard to watch him struggle, but I love how Torrey pushed him and showed him there was more to life than the crap he was dealing with. And he showed her what it feels like to truly be loved. They complemented each other perfectly. Oh, and yeah, they do get hot and heavy, and it’s pretty explicit. Loved it!
I’m not going to say what Jordan’s crime was, but it’s fairly easy to figure out early into the book. I have to say though, the way people in the town acted towards Jordan was disgusting. I understand their hurt and anger to an extent, but they went way overboard. Some of that blame needed to be directed elsewhere. It was heartbreaking what he had to endure from not only the town, but his parents as well. I know families who have gone through similar situations, some even more horrible, and I can’t image them behaving that way. I’m sure it does happen though.
There were a lot of ups and downs, but I really enjoyed Torrey and Jordan’s journey. I was so happy with how it all turned out. That epilogue, I will just say that I’ve always wanted to do that for year or so.
“You’re an angel,” he said, softly. “My guardian angel.”
“If I’m an angel, we’re in more trouble than we thought,” I said————
Jordan had his shorts back on and was scrabbling around on the floor, collecting my scattered belongings. “I like to see a man on his hands and knees,” I laughed. Jordan looked up and smiled, then pulled me forward by my hips and yanked up my shirt to plant a soft kiss on my belly. “Sweetheart, I’ve been at your feet since the first day I met you.”
I love the quotes and this wasn’t even on my radar, but you have me very curious.
It was a pretty darn good book. 🙂
Torrey sounds like a character I could go either way, but I’m glad she worked out for you. I’m pretty curious about Jordan’s crime. Why do I have a feeling it doesn’t involved skinning the neighbour’s cat? Kidding. 🙂
Lovely review, Christy.
She’s a strong woman, so anyone who doesn’t like her must hate women. Kidding. Haha – yeah, no skinning cats.
I’ve seen this one but didn’t know all that much about it. I do like the sounds of it. Another one for my wishlist. 🙂
Hope you can read it soon. 🙂
Yes! I just knew you would love this one and I am so glad you finally took the chance on it. It really is a great book with lots of great messages.
Give me a fiery character like Torrey and there’s a good chance I like the book. 😀
I’d seen this one somewhere else I’m not sure where and I was debating whether or not to put it on my want to read list. After reading your review and the quotes it is most certainly going on my want to read soon list! Thanks or giving me the extra push to put the book on my list.
Hope you get to it soon. 🙂
I can tell already that the people of this town are going to piss me off for the way they treat Jordan – have they never heard the adage “treat others how you would want to be treated”? Honestly. Other than that though, I love the sound of this one, especially the romance between Torrey and Jordan. Yes to hot and heavy 😉 Looking forward to reading this Christy!
They were certainly infuriating.
oh wow, this book DOES sound awesome! I hadn’t heard of it before, but I’m about to go stalk the hell out of it. Terrific review!! Sold!
You’d probably like this one, Liz.
I really loved this one too. The way the town treated him made me SO furious but it got me even more emotionally involved in the story. It really was fantastic. I’m glad you loved it as well!
I’m glad I saw it on your blog. 🙂
I’ve been seeing this book around some, and the author’s name, but I haven’t really paid attention. Torrey intrigues me, as does Jordan. I’m definitely curious about why the townspeople treat him so poorly. Thanks for the review, Christy!
The townspeople were douches.
I wasn’t a huge fan of this, because I though the relationship went to fast it was like someone flipped a switch and I hated that Torrey just moved into Jordan’s house, I didn’t like her after that.
lol – What the heck? I liked the fact that Torrey held off for so long with ‘those feelings’. They were physical and friends, and he expressed his feelings for her but she was way more reserved for months. I don’t see anything wrong with her moving into his place either. I thought her presence helped Jordan and his dad a lot. And the mom eventually.
It’s great to have a book like that with some wonderful characters to discover and I confess I’m curious about the crime now. I didn’t know this one so thank you for the introduction.
It’s a crime that could happen to anyone. 🙁
I love strong characters like Torrey. But you had me at explicit hot and heavy. 😀
Haha … yeah, the sex is not glossed over.
I’m kinda curious about the epilogue now; what is it that you’d like to do for a year? :p Because it’s followed by a quote about a man on his knees, so I’ll give your 3 guesses as to where my dirty mind wandered. LOL
LOL – I’m sure part of your guess are right. 😉
Glad you enjoyed it Christy, especially after reading so much about Torrey! I haven’t heard of this book before, but it sounds good 😀 Thanks for the review.
I just love the feisty characters. 🙂
Awwww, I did see this one making the rounds, too. But I’m thinking I shouldn’t have skipped it. I pretty much had too many NAs on my shelf at that point 🙁 I’m going to watch for this one to go cheap now!
I was in the beginning of my NA love affair, so it actually had a shot with me. 🙂
I saw this one floating around too, and I was on the tour when it toured earlier this year but haven’t gotten a chance to read it yet. Your description of Torrey – is the type of MC I enjoy the most! 🙂
Oh yeah. Added this one. Torrey sounds like my favorite kind of MC, and she’s perfect for Jordan, he must be pretty awesome too. Thanks for putting this on my radar, Christy.
I love stories like this where people can find redemption and move one with their lives and find a happy path. I am so curious to know what Jordan did now! I’m glad he and Torrey are able to find happiness with each other. Can’t wait to check this out! Lovely review 🙂
Looks very promising, and that cover sure helps along the wanting, lol!
Sounds like an interesting read, I’m certainly gonna keep it in mind and pounce on it first chance I get 😀
yeah honestly you know, when I read books like this I get wary.. cause I don’t get people’s reactions sometimes to things at all.
Wow, this looks like a great book! I’ve just added it to my must read list on Goodreads!