Avid Reader Amy's Reviews: ~Blog Tour~ Review and Giveaway- The Only Shark In The Sea by DelSheree Gladden

Thursday, October 15, 2015

~Blog Tour~ Review and Giveaway- The Only Shark In The Sea by DelSheree Gladden

Vance Sullivan has always been the rock everyone turns to for help…

His work with patients recovering from traumatic events makes him the perfect person to help his friend, Guy Saint Laurent, with one of his Date Shark appointments. When Vance meets hesitant, frightened Natalie Price, he suspects she’s hiding the truth behind her fears, and he’s drawn in by a need to help her.

Haunted by a terrible event from her past, Natalie can’t even endure being touched without suffering a crippling panic attack…

She doesn’t know why, but Natalie feels Vance might be the only one who can help her put the pieces of her life back together. Despite the tension their arrangement causes with his girlfriend, their bi-weekly sessions seem to be helping…as long as he keeps his promise not to push her to reveal more than she’s ready to share.
Suddenly the tables have turned…

When Vance suffers his own unspeakable tragedy, asking for help is the last thing he wants to do. Drowning in grief and guilt, crushed by betrayal and lies, Vance needs a lifeline.

Natalie has no idea why anyone thinks she can help him, given her own deep-rooted fears—but she knows she has to try.

A twisted notion of justice makes the danger all too real,
and Vance and Natalie realize it might take one broken soul to mend another…

My Review

The Only Shark In The Sea is a romance that tackles a complex subject. That is Aphenphosmphobi, the fear of being touched. This is a subject that I don't think is talked about much in books. Usually when a character experiences something traumatic, the brush it off and talk about the fact that the character doesn't want to be touched. Gladden's description of Natalie's aversion is on point. As someone who felt the same way she did, I can totally relate to this character. I appreciated that the author didn't rush the character's healing. She showed that it does take time.

When it came to Vance, most would probably feel that he moved on to fast. As you read the book and read about his relationship with Stephanie, you can see that he was slowly becoming detached. Vance wanted more from life and his relationship with Stephanie was not going to give it to him. His relationship with Natalie is not a conventional one but it works for them.

The author did a fantastic job in writing this book. I loved that this wasn't an insta-love but one that develops as the book goes on. I think this actually pulls the readers in and creates a connection between book and reader. I loved the author's concept for this series and I hope that there will be more in the future.

My Rating

5 out of 5 Stars

DelSheree Gladden was one of those shy, quiet kids who spent more time reading than talking. Literally. She didn't speak a single word for the first three months of preschool, but she had already taught herself to read. Her fascination with reading led to many hours spent in the library and bookstores, and eventually to writing. She wrote her first novel when she was sixteen years old, but spent ten years rewriting and perfecting it before having it published.

Native to New Mexico, DelSheree and her husband spent several years in Colorado for college and work before moving back home to be near family again. Their two children love having their cousins close by. When not writing, you can find DelSheree reading, painting, sewing and trying not to get bitten by small children in her work as a dental hygienist. DelSheree has several bestselling young adult series, including "Invisible" which was part of the USA Today Bestselling box set, "Pandora." The Date Shark Series is her first contemporary romance series, and her first book in her upcoming new adult series, The Ghost Host, will be releasing 2015.

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