Review: Wethering The Storm by Samantha Towle

I read The Mighty Storm back in October {my review}, and I can easily say it is one of my favorite Rock Star books ever, and in fact, one of my favorite books of 2012. It ended well, and frankly, the story could have ended there (not that I wanted it to). Knowing there would be more Jake Wethers? I couldn’t wait!!! But I have read a lot of rock star books since then, and I wanted to make sure I had Jake and Tru fresh in my mind before reading Wethering the Storm. So I re-read The Mighty Storm (TMS). I am SO GLAD I did. I did forget a lot, and confuse a few details with other books. But more importantly, Wethering the Storm picks up EXACTLY where TMS left off, and the two books joined together seamlessly.

“There isn’t anything I won’t do for you, Tru. Nothing I won’t do to make you happy. What I feel for you… it’s limitless. There is nothing before or after you. There is only you.”

Wethering the Storm does not stand alone, and I recommend you re-read The Mighty Storm first. That being said, I think this may be one of the best follow-up books ever. In fact, I think I can safely say, I loved Wethering the Storm a little more!

Tru and Jake were meant to be together since childhood. When they finally got back together after all of the angst and bumps they went through in The Mighty Storm, I wanted them to keep their HEA. I was a little scared to read this…I didn’t want my fairytale ending smudged. But I knew there were issues the couple had to work out. While The Mighty Storm was about Jake and Tru coming together at last (and they continue to do that….a LOT), Wethering the Storm is about them doing just that…weathering all the storms the paparazzi, fame, drugs, and….life can bring to a couple. It was about them trusting each other, and staying together.

“You don’t complete me, Tru. You make me who I am. You make me better. I’d be nothing without you. Nothing. I’ve been there once before, and I’m never going back. I’m never losing you again.”

The relationship between Jake and Trudy was so much deeper than many we read about. The music connection was strong part, but I really loved the way there is never any doubt in the reader’s mid that Tru was always the ONLY one for him. Since childhood.

“I love how music can elicit memories. And I love how even now it still binds Jake and me together. It’s our connection.  It’s how we talk.”

Well, they have one other way of talking, and damn…..there is some HOT sex in this book. Jake never misses a chance to show Tru exactly how much her loves her.

“I love it when he talks to me like this. Dirty and domineering. It’s incredibly hot.”

But they still have so many issues, it’s like Tru is constantly walking on eggshells, waiting for the thing that will make Jake choose drugs or other women over her. And Jake has trust issues as well. When they are alone, they are great. But when real life kicks in, the couple still has issues. Tru has a hard time dealing with all the fame and everything that goes with it.

“You knew how I lived my life when we got together, Tru. Don’t act like this is a surprise now.
Are you ever going to be able to get past this?”
“I don’t know. And if I can’t, where does that leave us?”
________

He walks to me. Taking my face in his hands, staring down at me, he whispers, “I’m not losing you, ever. I know I fuck up regularly, but I can’t fuck us up.”

Wethering the Storm slowly builds. Their love grows stronger and surer….then…hold the fuck on, the ride begins.

“Pain tears through me, so fierce that my legs buckle. I fall against the wall, clutching my chest. I feel wide open. Broken. Devastated.”

That’s exactly how I felt as the reader. And then…even more. The waterworks didn’t stop. I bawled like a baby, hugging my iPad. I felt so connected to this couple, especially after reading the two books back-to-back.

I was glued to the pages and ran through every emotion reading this book. A few of my tweets follow:

Just went from sweet crying to cracking up in 1 page. Loving Wethering the Storm by @samtowlewrites!!!

OMFG!!!! No! I can’t read anymore, but I can’t stop @samtowlewrites #wetheringthestorm

Trying to read through tears…@samtowlwrites

Just finished. I have to say, that was the best follow up…maybe ever. *drying tears*

Loved! I wanna hug it! @samtowlewrites

Likes:

• The way it flowed right from the first book like one continuous story.
• We get both Jake and Trudy’s POV throughout the book, and you knew immediately where you were.
• The couple faced real-life problems, but it never got to be too much where it was tedious.
• The sex scenes were fuck-hot and numerous, with panty ripping!
• Jake fucking Wethers. Yum.
• Lots of fun witty banter with the band mates, and one line with a doctor that had me bust out!
• It was a romance of soul-mates way more than a rock star book.
• The connection I felt to the characters.
• Jake was so desperate to keep Tru, she was so clearly the only one for him. Ever.
• Tru’s dad and Jake’s relationship.
• The realism of Trudy’s insecurities.
• Stuart. I loved Stuart!!!
• No cheating.
• An incredible ending.

Dislikes:

• The only one little thing I can say is a British expression was quoted from an American’s mouth.

Rating 5++++ Stars, 4.5 Heat

I had a a few issues with The Mighty Storm when I read it, though I still loved it. Mostly, there was cheating. But with Wethering the Storm, I had no such issue. Often a second book does not have that same feel as the first, that excitement of the couple meeting for the first time, flirting…wondering ‘will they or won’t they?’ But Wethering the Storm had magic, intensity, deep enduring love, and reading the two back to back was a deliciously long and full experience. It never felt rushed, I ran the gamut of emotions and was left feeling completely satisfied, hugging my Kindle with a smile and tears drying on my face.

Wethering the Storm was the perfect end to Jake and Tru’s story, and I’m curious and a little concerned to see where Samantha takes Tom’s story (and his tattoo!) in the next installment.

If you have not read this series, I highly recommend you jump on it!

“Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning.”

 

Book 1: The Mighty Storm by Samantha Towle (527 pages)
(My review)

Amazon | BN.com

Book 2: Wethering the Storm by Samantha Towle (401 pages)

Amazon | BN.com