ARC Review: The Stillness of You by Julie Bale - 5 Wine Glasses!

The Stillness of You
Beautifully Damaged Series #1
by Julie Bale
ebook edition, 250 pages
Published by Julie Bale March 12, 2013
Courtesy of Author

Bad girl,Georgia King, is trying to survive after spiraling into a darkness that nearly took her life. With her college dreams on hold she's trying to get healthy--trying to still the craziness inside her. She has no room for someone like Ben Lancaster and if he was smart he'd stay away. Because everyone knows Georgia is bad news--she ruins people--and if Ben isn't careful, he'll be next in line.
Ben Lancaster is a young, hot shot hockey player on his way to the top. Newly signed to the Philadelphia Flyers, he's living the dream. The girls. The money. The fame. He thought he had everything he wanted until he met Georgia. Suddenly he wants more--he wants her. He'll do whatever it takes to get her and Ben Lancaster always gets what he wants.
But the girl who's different from anyone he's ever known is hiding secrets. And as the dog days of summer pass, only time will tell if Georgia's secrets can be healed. Or if her bruised soul is strong enough to resist Ben Lancaster...
"Ben Lancaster had just tattooed himself onto my soul and the thing about tattoos? They’re painful to remove."--Georgia King.

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Crystal L's Thoughts:


This book should come with a warning label. Something that says, "Beware to reader: Consumption of this book may cause your heart to skip a beat, before it subsequently stops in your chest anyways, then promptly shatters into a million pieces, for which you will need industrial strength duct tape to try and put it back together. Use of an emotional defibrillator may be needed".

The use of the word "consumption" in the warning listed above is very deliberate, I assure you. I chose that word because once you start this book you will be sucked into Georgia's state of mind, and therefore, the story. Georgia King is struggling after a recent release from a mental hospital. She was there for six months for on-going treatment of her Bipolar Disorder. Upon leaving the facility, she moved in with her older brother, who worries about her. In some ways, Georgia is much better than when she went into the hospital. In other ways, Georgia still struggles with her diagnosis, the medicine she has to take to keep her balanced, and the way all of it makes her feel like she's less than whole. In her mind, she's very much damaged goods.

Enter the swoon worthy Ben Lancaster, who is the new addition to the Philadelphia Flyers hockey team. He was born to slap a puck around the ice. He's practically God's gift to hockey. He's also drop dead gorgeous and immediately intrigued by Georgia. He knows instantly that she's different than the other girls he's dealt with, or the puck bunnies he's bedded. Why does he know she's different? Because the first time he sees her is in the apartment of one of his new team's coaches, where she is standing in her undies and a tank top contemplating the canvas before her. She's not just artistically talented, but she's also beautiful, and there's something about her that makes him want to get to know her a whole lot more. The problem with trying to get to know her? She's the little sister of that coach I just mentioned, and big brother has told Georgia, not Ben, hands off.

The chemistry between these two characters is so hot it'll scorch your retinas. The story line is beyond engaging, so much so that it feels almost soul sucking at times. You will read this book and root for Georgia in a way that you've never rooted for another character. It will also make you love Ben, not just because he's a hot, dreamy guy that is into Georgia in a way most girls only dream of, but because he's a fighter. He'll fight anyone and everyone to have this relationship with her. Even if it means fighting Georgia herself.

So, I think that's enough said. Go buy this book right now, because it's more than worth it! 5 Wines Glasses and a HUGE kudos to Julie Bale's debut book!