Their paths have crossed, setting the refrain in motion.
Ever since flannel and Doc Martens were considered edgy fashion, Canadian cousins Natalie and Chloe have dreamt of a life in New York City. But now that they’ve finally scored a Manhattan zip code, their teenaged fantasies are overshadowed by an adult reality. With Natalie struggling to accept a long-distance relationship—and her constant battle with loneliness, her survival depends on Zach’s safe return. And with Chloe’s endless need to find balance and purpose—and her embarrassing secret holding her back, can Adam Ford be the one to understand her completely?
Change is inevitable and fate is insisting. And when panic follows crisis and love is questioned, stories can change in unexpected ways. The narrative becomes the verse, the part to the whole—the story within the story.
5 stars
This book was just amazing. The journey that you take with Adam, Chloe, Natalie and Zach is fabulous. It spans a couple of decades, takes you through multiple points of view, and leaves you thinking about many things. The journey is there for all to read and enjoy. It's not always pleasant, but life isn't always sunshine and roses. There are thorns along the way, pain you must get past, and to do that you work together. This book took me through so many emotions, highs and lows. The way that Ashley wrote this was absolutely brilliant. I loved the characters for being beautifully flawed, unperfect humans. They were all unique in their own ways, and that is what brought them together. Through the good times and the bad, you still know that the love that Adam and Chloe and Natalie and Zach have for each other is real. Sometimes painfully real. But that's what makes this book so beautiful. If I had the time, I'd go back and read it again right now. 5 stars just doesn't seem to be enough for this book, but it will have to do for now.
Slamming her hand against the keys to the piano, Chloe shouts, “Who is
she?”
“The client is a
forty-seven year old man.”
“Not the client, who
are you fucking?” Chloe demands, her voice deep and raw.
Adam takes two steps
closer, glaring down at Chloe’s pitiful face. “I’m not fucking anyone. Not even my wife,” he snarls. It’s the answer Chloe needs to hear, but not
the one she wants.
She moves a step closer
and pokes his chest. “Then explain this to me.”
“Explain what?”
“This—this tension. Why don’t I trust you? Why am I so angry—where the fuck have you
been?” Chloe’s voice is dry and
emotional, the words stinging her throat and falling from her mouth like hot
embers. She punches his arm, hits his chest, and slaps at his smug
expression.
Adam grabs her arms,
his fingers digging into her flesh, but Chloe fights him. “Stop it,” he
says. Chloe continues to wave her arms,
desperately trying to break herself free.
Adam tightens his grip and twists her arm behind her back, controlling
her…controlling her behavior. “I have a
career. Do you understand that? I’m working, I’m being a provider, I’m being
a dad—doing the right thing.”
With as much contempt
as she can gather, she shouts, “The right thing? The right thing—your life is just one blob of
obligation now? Fuck you, Adam. Always trying to be perfect—always doing the
right thing. We wouldn’t want anyone to
know what you really are!”
“What does that
mean?” Adam eases his grip, upset by her
threat.
“You’re a wall.” Chloe yanks her arms free and shoves Adam’s
chest. “A fucking brick wall—no emotion
and no attachment to anything that doesn’t fit your definition of right or wrong. I’m sick of it!” Chloe’s voice is shaky and
inaudible, tears suddenly drowning her words.
“Really?” He smirks.
“You need me. You need me to be
your wall—you need an excuse to be destructive.
But then when you need that brick wall again, who’s supposed to build
it?”
Chloe grits her teeth
and holds her breath, rage setting in.
“You’re a fucking asshole. God,
you’re so arrogant—fuck you.” Chloe
shoves past Adam, running straight to the front door. She hesitates momentarily to study her bare
feet but then impulsively decides to run out into the summer rain. She wants to run away, she wants to feel that
sense of purpose again. Adam follows
behind her, shouting her name. He’s
enraged and bewildered—this is why he loves her—this is why she needs him.
“Chloe stop.” Adam catches up to her and grabs her hand,
yanking her in his direction. The
raindrops conceal her tears, there’s no end to one and a beginning of
another—no separation of pain and passion.
Possibly the secret to any great romance…passion evolves from pain.
Adam takes Chloe in his
arms and forces her against the large maple tree. The fullness of the branches protects them
from the rain, but their emotions are completely exposed and unrefined.
Chloe sobs, jerking her
hand from his tight grasp. “Leave me
alone.”
“No,” he responds.
Adam pins her against
the tree, slamming his hands above her shoulders. They stare into each other’s eyes—carnal lust
brimming with each sensation, old and new…this is one of those moments. Chloe’s chest rises and falls. Rain splatters against the tree. Adam’s lips quiver with need. Eyes wander over familiar features. Drip drop—it’s rhythm.
And then, associating
pain with passion, Chloe bites Adam’s lower lip—sucking and licking the
delicate, rain-kissed skin. Adam’s hand
moves to her neck, squeezing gently to signify his control. He kisses her, deep and satisfying, absorbing
every last drop of painful doubt from her mind.
Chloe’s arms move to his shoulders, grasping…searching…
Words are
meaningless. Words are breathless.
“Adam.”
Adam releases his hold,
but not his authority. In a hasty, yet
sensual effort, he lifts Chloe into his arms—positioning one arm under her legs
and the other tightly around her back.
“Shut up.” He commands
with a smile.
And just like Rhett
Butler seizing Scarlett O’Hara with passionate fury, Adam reclaims Chloe. Under
the pouring rain. Up the steps of the
ironed stoop. Through the door of their
centuries-old brownstone. Dripping
wet. Hearts racing. Souls connecting.
…and then he slams the
door.
Before you read
The Refrain,
read
The Ballad, book 1
&
The Intermission, book 2
All 3 are on sale for 99 cents during the blog tour!
Hey y'all! I'm Ashley Pullo, a New York transplant with an abundance of Texas charm and a proclivity for all things pop-culture. I like to think that I'm witty, gorgeous and highly intelligent but honestly, I'm not that funny. I'm a suburban mom living the dream with my handsome husband, two perfect children and a moderately cool dog, Roscoe. Life is pretty awesome, and you taking the time to read my words makes it that much sweeter! The Bridge Series is designed to involve the reader in the authenticity of life, love and loss. Enjoy the journey…revel in the imagery…and fall in love with modern storytelling at its finest.
