There are some stories, from the moment you start reading, you know you will be taken on a heart-wrenching journey. You Can‘t Force Love by Marie Drake was that book for me.
It tells the story of two teens, Jordan and Kimberly, who were broken, battered and abandoned by those responsible for their wellbeing. Their mothers failed to protect them from the men in their lives. I cannot understand how a mother chooses a man over her child; well this was Jordan’s experience. Kimberley’s mom preferred drugs, alcohol and sex to her daughter’s wellbeing. Eventually, she was subjected to physical and sexual abuse at the hands of the many men in her mother’s life.
Tragic circumstances led to their paths crossing when they both ended up in the same foster home.
Their actions showed the effect the abuse had on them. Kimberly turned to sex, as she believed it would keep the demons at bay. She did not believe in love, seduction was her game. She never believed that anyone could love her and that she was not capable of loving anyone. She saw herself as damaged goods.
Jordan tried to be a better person as he believed on doing so his mom would take him home. Unlike Kimberly, he refused to travel the road that led to self-destruction. However, Jordan would learn no matter how hard he tries to walk the straight and narrow, something or someone would set off a trigger and he would go down a path he tried so hard to avoid.
I did not like the path Jordan and Kimberly took, but judging them was not an option. After such a tragic past, their actions were understandable. My heart grieved for them, and I hoped they would be free of their demons.
An engaging story with believable characters, You Can’t Force Love drew me in from the first page. I had a hard time putting it down. I enjoyed the author’s writing style and the way she made me feel, I was a part of the story.
My, only issue with the story was the cliffhanger ending, it took me by surprise and left me feeling disappointed.
Conclusion/Recommendation
You Can’t Force Love is a story that addresses real-life issues. It demonstrates how the actions of selfish parents can cause irreparable damage on their children’s’ emotional stability. Overall, an interesting and thought provoking read. I am eager to learn what is in store for Kimberly and Jordan.
“A battered butterfly, he’d build Kimberly up, nurture her strength and watch her return to flight. He repressed the visions dancing in the back of his mind; her naked body brandished red flags and spurred him to stampede. Bulls and butterflies did not mix.”
Jordan Fry’s obsession is born in “You Can’t Force Love” by Marie Drake, Book I in the Locked Hearts Series.
From different towns and social backgrounds, Jordan Fry and Kimberly Orvine experience life-altering abuse, lose a parent and land in the same foster home. Angry and self-deprecating; fiery, redheaded Kimberly is deadset on lousy behavior and suffering the consequences, punishing herself for former sins. Scared by his inner darkness, pyromaniac Jordan has vowed to change for the better. He focuses on Kimberly as the key to his success, but she intends to make him break his promises.
Unaware of Jordan’s atrocious actions in the past, she’s dangerously close to unleashing the evil he struggles to contain during their epic battle of wills. Can they both survive?
